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HI8TOEY 



3>V 



SENECA COUNTY 



OHIO. 



Containing a History of the County, its Townships, Towns, 
Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, etc.; Portraits of 
Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies; 
History of the Northwest Territory; His- 
tory OF Ohio; Statistical and Mis- 
cellaneous Matter, etc., etc. 



ILIL.XJSTI^._/A^TE1ID. 



CHICAGO: 

WARNER, BEERS & CO., 

1886. 




Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1886, by 

WARNER, BEERS & CO., 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D.C. 



^ ^ Vr 



X ,> 



PREFACE. 



As one who to some long-locked chamber goes, 
And listens there to what the dead have said. 
So there are moments when my tlioughts are led 
To those dull chronicles, whose volumes close 
Epochs and ages in the same repose, * 

That shall the future as the past o'erspread; 
And when but memory may tend the dead, 
Or prune the ivy where once grew the rose; 
And as there, to me, from their pages streams 
The incoherent story of the years. 
The aimlessuess of all we undertake. 
I think our lives are surely but the dreams 
Of spirits dwelling in the distant spheres, 
Who, as we die. do one by one, awake! 

A written memorial of the Past and a record of the Present are works 
which civihzation demands. In local history, alone, are found the ways and 
means to comply with this demand: beeatise the page of history is carried 
down the years, and is read and analyzed centuries after the inscription on 
iron is effaced by rust, and Old Time has destroyed the marble monu- 
ment. Many of the men and women who settled in the wilderness of the San- 
dusky Valley a half-century ago, have gone to join the Chtirch Triumphant. 
One who was here sixty-seven years ago is still a resident, and not more than 
a dozen who were here sixty years ago still dwell in this garden land which 
they helped to raise out of the wilderness. The well-kept places of interment 
throughout the county tell the simple tale of death; but it is remarkable that 
of the great majority who have been laid to rest in the soil, comparatively few 
claim the temporary record which the grave-stone offers. A look through the 
cemeteries, particularly the old ones, will convey the writer's idea more 
clearly: for here, a tablet, sunk deep in the dank earth; there, one broken with 
its face downward on the grave of the departed one whom it battled to 
memorialize; beyond, a little mound, where grasses wave over an unknown 
grave — all point out tmmistakably the transient character of every record, other 
than the printed page of history. 

In presenting this volume to the people, we feel that some contri- 
bution to National historv has been made. The First Part deals with the estab- 



IV PREFACE. 

lishment and progress of the Northwest Territory, and contains many direct 
references to the Sandusky Valley. The Second Part, treating on the civil 
and military history of Ohio, deals with Indian and political life within the 
State. The history of Seneca County, forming the Thkd Part, contains the 
story of the county, its townships, cities and villages, each chapter reviewing 
the subject to which it is devoted. The thirteen chapters of general history 
and fifteen chapters of township histoiy contain a record of names and events 
connected with this division of Ohio from the earliest times. The material for 
these twenty-eight chapters was collected and compiled by M. A. Leeson, from 
State, County, Township, City, Village, Chiu'ch, Society and other written 
record books, and from the files of the Sandusky Clarion and other pioneer 
journals. A great fund of history was obtained from the invaluable collection 
of local newspapers (1832 to 1885) in possession of the proprietors of The 
Seneca Advertiser, and from the files of the Tiffin Tribune, Fostoria Demoa-at, 
Fostoria Review, and other journals. 

The Fourth Part is devoted to Personal History and Reminiscences. Its 
value can scarcely be overestimated; for in its pages are found a thousand 
records, each containing the minutise of history, not only bearing on this county 
but also relating to other parts of the Union. This important branch of his- 
tory has claimed a great share of attention from the gentlemen engaged in its 
compilation. The Appendix contains a complete list of the original land 
entries in the county, as copied from the ofiicial records. 

With all the attention which has been bestowed on this voliune, some errors 
in clu'onology and some in nomenclature may have crept in. The difficulties 
attendant on the publication of a work of this class, the number and variety of 
names and incidents, and the many avenues open to mistakes, preclude the pos- 
sibility of absolute perfection. We trust, however, that the work will be 
received in that generous spirit which applauds conscientious effort, rather than 
in that captious mood which is satisfied only with unattainable acciu-acy. 

To the gentlemen of the press and public officials of the county, who aided 
the general historian so cordially, as well as to all the people who made the 
publication of the work possible, we tender our sincere thanks with an expres- 
sion of hope that the history of Seneca from 1782 to 1885 may prove itself 
authentic, and be acceptal)le. 

THE PUBLISHERS. . 

Chicago, February, 1886. 



CONTENTS. 



PART I. 

HISTORY OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 



PAGE. 

Geographical Position 17 

Early Explorations 17 

Discovery of the Ohio 26 

English Explorations and Settlements 28 



PAGE. 

American Settlements 53 

Division of the Northwest Territory 58 

Tecumseh and the Warof 1812 „ 61 

Black Hawk ami the Black Hawk War 64 



PART II. 

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 



History of Ohio 73 

FrencH History 76 

Ordinance of 1787.No.32 87 

Comnients upon the Ordinance of 1787, from the 

Statutes of Ohio. Edited by Salmon P. 

Chuse, and Published in the year 1S3-J 91 

The War of 1S12 107 

Banking Ill 

The Caiial System 113 

Ohio Land Tracts 114 

Improvements 119 

6tate Boundaries 121 



Organization of Counties 122 

Description of Counties 122 

Early Events 122 

Governors of Ohio 14.3 

Ancient Works 157 

Some General Characteristics 160 

Outline Geology of Ohio 162 

Ohio's Rank Durin^j the War of the Kebellion... 165 

A Brief Mention of Prominent Ohio (leuerals... 172 

Some Discussed Subjects 177 

Conclusion 181 



PART III. 

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



(H AFTER I.— Topography— Townships and 
CiTiKs— Natural History— A rch.eology 

187-196 

Boundaries— Population— Altitudes— Rivers 
and ("reeks — Townships — Cities — Postal 
Towns— Villafies — Review of Surface Features 
and Soil — Wtlls and Springs — Gas Wells — 
Zoology — Botany — Climatology — Ancient 
Relics- Old Portifit-atious — Indian Mounds^ 
Curios— I-'ossils — Human Remains. 

CHAPTER II.— Sknkca's Rkd Pionkkrs 196-217 

The Shawnees— The Wyaudots — The Dela- 
wares— The Senccas of Sandusky— Indian 
Christianity and Early Preachers — Two Early 
Treaties — Indian Treaties Atlecting Seneca 
Counly— I'e.ssion and Recession — Tecumseh— 
El8<|uai a— Leather-lips — Roundhead — Logan — 
Pumpkin — Witihurafi — Death of Seneca 
John— Comstock— Wiping Stick— Tetiuania- 
Peter Pork — Buck-ong-a-he-las— Blue Jacket 
—Beaver— Soo-de-nooks— Grey Eycji- I-oUa- 
way — Hetween-the-Lo^ —Warpole — Other 
Chiefs and Braves— White and Color 



lives and Breeds — CodcIusiod. 



Colored Cap- 



CHAPTER III.— Pioneers of Seneca Coitnty— 
PioNKKR -Association- Old Time Incidents. 

Customs, etc 218-238 

Pere Rasles- -Moravians — Sanduski — Capt. 
Elliott, John Leith and Others— Treaty of the 
Miami of the Lake— Actual Sctlleinent — Era.s- 
tus Bowe, Welch Family and Others— Early 
Town Builders — Pioneer Meetings— Pioneer 
Reminiscences — Jacksoniau Days and .Plan- 
ners — Land-hunting and <'abin Building — 
Temperance Raisings — old TimeGrist-Mills — 
Wolves— Deer Hunting — Toledo War — Indians 
and Pioneers — Pioneer Weddings— Matrimon- 
ial Peculiarities- Pioneer Women — Tobacco 
Smoking Fashionable — Female Costume. 

CHAI»TER IV.— Organic History — Public 

BUILDINCK 238-259 

Organization— Transactions of the Commis- 
sioners' Board- Meetings from is;i9 to 18i>ii — 
Treasurer Heabler— Recorder's OHice — Sccon I 
Jail— Court Houses — New Court House— 
County Poor Institution. 

CHAPTER v.— Political Hlstoby 2o9-289 

Review of Early Elections — Couoty Elec- 



VI 



CONTENTS. 



FAGK. 

tions from 1821 to 1R85 — County Conventions, 
1885— October Elections and the Liquor 
Question— Conclusion. 

CHAPTER VI.— Judiciary 290-311 

Courts and Bar of Seneca County — Early 
Criminal and Civil Cases — " Judge Lane's 
Gang " — Reminiscences— Pioneer Courts — 
Judicial Districts— First Judges— Early and 
Modern Lawyers — Associate J u Jges — State Bar 
Association. 
CHAPTEPv VII.— Physicians— Medical Associ- 
ations 311-319. 

Pioneer and Modern Disciples of -Esculapius 
—Army Surgeons and Assistant Surgeons— 
Fostoria Medical Society — Seneca i "ounty 
Medical Society — Northwestern Ohio Eclectic 
Medical Association. 

CHAPTER VIII.— TiiK Press 319-328. 

Titfin Newspapers— .S'eKeca Pairiot— Inde- 
pendent Chronicle and Seneca Advertiser — Tiffin 
Gazette and Seneca Advertiser — Gazette — Vaji 
Burenite—OtassAur^ Ou>n— Sunday Advertiser 
— Seneca Advertiser — Star — Seneca County Fair 
Bulletin— Whiij Stan^lard— Western Whig Stand- 
ard — Tribune — Seneca Adler — Northwestern Con- 
tinent — Evening Herald — Journal — Unsere 
Flagge — Die Tiffin Presse — Gazette — News — 
Monthly Trade Review— Ileidelberg Monthly 
Journal — Da ily Oiu rier — Enterprise — Reporter 
and Advertiser. Fostoria Newspapers — News 
— Review — Observer — Democrat. Attica News- 
papers — Journal — Medical Compend — Noonday 
Sun. Green Spring Newspapers — Sentinel — 
Times — Mutual Undertpriter — New Academy. 
BIoOMivitle Newspapers— jy/j/eJ7>ri.se — Banner — 
Seneca County Record — Record — Daily Record, 
Bettsville Newspapers — Optic — Enterprise — 
Other Publications — County Histories-^Sen- 
ey's Code— Conclusion. 

CHAPTER IX.— Military Histoky 32S-371. 

British Occupation — War of 181'2 — Build- 
ing of Fort Ball- Building of Fort Seneoa— 
Harrison at Fort Seneca— Toledo War— Pio- 
neer Militia of Seneca County — Mexican War y 
— War for the Union— Organization of Com- 
panies and Iteuiiucnts— Relief Associations — 
Drafting- Military Statistics, etc. — Record of 
Officers — Flirty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infan- 
try — Fifty-fifth iJhio Volunteer Infantry — 
One Hundred and First Oliio Volunteer In- 
fantry — One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry — Roster— Soldiers' Monu- 
ment. 

CHAPTER X—SociKTiES 372-379. 

Soueca County Agricultural Society — 
Grange Organization- Stock Breeders' Associ- 
ation — Short-horn Bree*lers' -Association Meet^ 
ing— Bee Keepers' Association— Clinton Pro- 
tective Society — Seneca County Teachers' In- 
stitute. 

CHAPTER XL— Railroads 3SQ-:j86. 

Mad River »t Lake Erie Railroad— Indiana, 
Bloomington & Western Railroad — Melmf>re«t 
Republic Railroad— Ohio, Miami A Wabash 
Railroad — Fort Ball & Lower Sandusky Kail- 
road— Titfin &. Fort Wayne Railroad— Cleve- 
land, Ft. Wayne .V Chicago Railroad— Colum- 
bus, TitBn & Toledo Railroad — Pittsburgh, 
Canton & Chicago Railroad— Baltimore A Ohio 
Railroad— Columhiis, Honking Valley A Toledo 
Railroad— Ohio Central RailiQad- MausGekl, 
ColdwaterA Lake Michigan Railroad — North- 
western Ohio Railroad— " Nickel Plate" Rail- 
road— r^ake Erie \ Western Railroad — Akron 
& Fort Wavne Railroad. 

CHAPTER XU— Hanks ANr> Insurance 386-387 

First Bank— Bank of Tiffin— National Ex- 
change Bank— Tilliu Savings Bank— Com- 
mercial Bank — I'oster A Cd. — Emcrine Sc Co. 
— Seneca County Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company — Farmers' Mutual Pielief Insurance 
Company — Titfin Mutual Aid Association — 
Golden Rule Aid Company — Mechanics Mu- 
tual Proteetion Society No. 2.1 — T'nion Aid 
Societv— Foreign Insurance Companies. 

CHAPTER XIII. -Statistics 388-398 

Early Survevs— Schools in 1847— School Sta- 
tistics—Census, 1830-1880— Taxes, 1826-1884— 



PAGK. 

Valuation of Real and Personal Property- 
Agricultural Statistics— Abstract of Personal 
Property. Moneys and Credits for ISS-^i — As- 
sessors' Returns— Wheat Crop of 1884-85— 
New Structures — Births and Deaths— Asses- 
sors — Conclusion. 

CHAPTER XIV.— Adams Township 39S-417 

Surveys —Geological Notes— Topography— 
Railroads— Organicand Official — School Lands 
— Pioneers— Common Schools — Statistics — 
Sulphur Springs Village — Adamsville 
Village— Lowell Village— Cooperstown ■ 
Village — Town of Green Spring — Settle- 
ment — Survey — Additions— Organic and (!>ffi- 
cial — Business Interests — Churches — Green 
Spring Academy — Cemeteries — Postoffice — 
Banks. Bankers, etc — Secret and Benevolent 
Societies— Green Spring Cure and Health Re- 
sort — Statistics of Corporation — Conclusion. 

CHAPTER XV.— Bro Spring, Township 418-^29 

Surveys— Indian Reservation— Topotjraphy 
— Organic and Official— Schools — Statistics — 
Pioneers and Old Settlers- Adrian Vili age 
Survey — Postmasters — Business C'ircle — 
Schools— Societies— Churches — New Riegel 
Village — Surveys and Additions — Organic 
and Official — Business Circle — Chvirches — 
Schools — Springville Village — French 
Town Village — Alvada Village — Rail- 
roads in Big Spring Township — Conclusion. 

CHAPTER XVI —Bloom Township 429-445 

Population— Physical Features— Cornifer- 
ous Formation — Dynamite Explosion — Soil — 
Organic and Official— Pioneers — Bloosiville 
Village — Surveys and Additions— Organiza- 
tion and Officers— Postmaste.i-s— Churches- 
Schools — Newspapers — Societies — Busine.ss 
and Professions — Manufacturing Industries— 
St. Stephen Village — Catholic Church— 
Elizabkthtown Village — Survey— Loca- 
tion and Population— Railroads in Bloom 
Township— .Statistics. 

CHAPTER XVII.— Clinton Township and Tif- 
fin City 44«-536 

Boundaries— Origin of Name — I'stablish- 
ment— Rivers and Creeks— Topography— Set- 
ment by Pioneers, and Old Residents— Official 
History — SwANDERViT.LA<iE—ViON a Village 
— GeneralStatistics— Tiffin City— Local ion— 
Sanduskv River and Rock Creek— Population 
nVhite:,' 1817-K,5— A Reverie— Origin of the 
Town— Fort Ball, or the Second Ward— Origi- 
nal Survev of Tiffin, aud Additions — Incidents 
of First Settlement-Postma.-iters— Municipal 
History— City Solicitors— Assessors, 18S5 — 
School Census Enumerator— Councilmeu — 
Corporation Statistics— The Police Force- 
Fire Department — Churches — Schools— Ursu- 
line Convent, Schools and College— Heidel- 
berg College^*, emeteries — Hospital and Asy- 
lum — S(K-ieties— Libraries— Banks, In.surance, 
etc.— Pioneer Notes— Pioneer Manufactures 
— Manufacturing Industries, ISfi.'j — Coal Yards 
— Hotels- Telegraph. Telephone and Express 
Companies — Railroads— Tiffin Waterworks — 
Placesof Amusement- Tiffin Board of Trade- 
Conclusion. 

CHAPTER XVIIL— Eden Township .W6-5r.O 

Introductory — Survey— Van Meter Reserva- 
tion-Topography— Organic and Official— Gen- 
eral Slaiistics— School Statistics— Pioneer His- 
tory—Personal Mention of T*ioaeei-s— Mri.- 
MoKE Village- Postmasters— Xills and Mill- 
ers — Business and Profc-^ional rircK* — Soeie- 
Ites — Churches— Cemeteries — Ctmclusion. 

CHAPTER XIX.— Hope well Township s.'il-oriO 

Survev— Early History — Population— Rail- 
TOads— River and Creeks — Topography— Or- 
ganic and Official— Pi on eei-s and Incidents of 
Pioneer Times— Bascom Village— Location 
and Additions— Its Brief History— Business 
Circle— Lod;;e — Churches— <>metery Associa- 
tion — HOPEWELL Village — Steiservillk 
Village— Statistics Hopewell Township- 
School Statistics— Conclusion. 

CHAPTER XX.— Jackson Township 560-S67 

Survey- First Purchases — Population -r- 
Railroads— Physical Characteristics— Organic 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

and OflScial— Small PettlemeDts— Churches- 
Assessment Koll, 1S41 — Valuation and Taxa- 
tion, 1884-Sf)— General Statistics— School Sta- 
tistics— (.oiiclusion. 
CHAPTER XXI.— Liberty Township 568-679 

Survey — Organization — Population — Kail- 
roads — Physical Features — Topoeraphy — Or- 
ganic and official — Pioneers anti < Md llesideuta 
— llETTsviLi.K Village — Its Houndaries— 
Survey and Additions, Incorporation and Or- 
ganization — i hurches — Societies — Business 
rircle of Bettsvillc — Kansas Villaok— Its 
Survey and Additions, Location, Business 
Houses,elc.^ — Small Settlement* — Cemeteries — 
General Statistics— School Statistics. 
CHAPTER XXII.— LouroM Towtsship and Fos- 
TOKIA City 579-025 

Survey and Topography — Streams — Rail- 
roads — Population— (trganicand Official — I*io- 
neers and Pioneer Incidents— Schools ot Lou- 
don — General Statistics— Predial Statistics- 
Review — FosTORiA City — Introduction- 
Location and General Descrifttion- Geology- 
Climatology- Statistics — Railroads— History 
of Location— Original Survey and Additions 
— Additions to Fos tori a— Organic and Otlicial 
History of Rome— Organic and Official His- 
tory of Fostoria— Settlement and I'rogress— 
Old' ('onsnmers and Producei"s — Titlin and 
Findlay Stale Roads— Post offices and Posl- 
ma-sters — Physicians — Early Manufacturing 
Industries — Risdon— Beginning of the Brick 
Building Era— Churches—Cemeteries — Soldiers 
Buried at Fostoria — Societies — Fire Depart- 
ment — Banks— Fostoria Opera House — News- 
papers — Modern Manufacturing Industries — 
Hotels— Livery Establishments. 
CHAPTER XXIII.— Pleasant Township G25-G37 

Introduction and Population — Streams- 
Topography — Railroads— Organic and Official 
—Pioneers and Pioneer Events- Churches- 
Schools and School Statistics — Cemeteries- 
Fort Seneca Village— Town or Sulphcr 
Springs — Old Fort Seneca Village — 



Shkdenhelm's Station Vi llagk— Bridges- 
General Statistics. 

CHAPTER XXIV —Reed Township 638-647 

Survey— The " Gore"— Seneca John— Ori- 
gin of Name — Population — Topography- 
Streams and Ponds— Railroads— Organic and 
Official— Pioneers and Pioneer Events- LoDi 
ViLLAUK— Reki> Town Village— Town of 
Omar — Detroit Village — Churches— 
Scliools— <_!eneral Statistics— Conclusion. 

CHAPTER XXV.—Soipio Township 648-664 

Description— Organization-Origin of Name 
—Population— Survey — Streams and Wells- 
Topography — Railroads — Organization and 
Othcers— Pioneers and Pioneer Incidents— 
Schools—School Statistics— General Statistics 
—Rkpuiu.ic— Early History — Pioneer Inci- 
dents—Original Town and Additions— Organ- 
ic and Official—Churches— (.emetery— Schools 
—Fire Department— Societies— Roll of Busi- 
ness^Men— Railroads and Highways— Conclu- 
sion. 

CHAPTER XXVI.— Seneca Township G64-674. 

Its Establishment — Streams — Railroads — 
Topography — Organic and Official — Pioneer 
Tax Payers— Pioneer History— Berwick Vil- 
i-AOE— Met L'TLHENviLLE Village— Churches 
— Cemeteries- Schools — Valuation and Taxa- 
tion—Predial Statistics— Conclusion. 

CHAPTER XXVII.— Thompson Township.. ..675-^83. 
Survey— Population— Geology— Sink Creek 
— Singular Phenomena — Topography— Rail- 
road Facilities — Organic and Official — Pio- 
neers — TuusiPsoNTOWN Village — Lewis- 
villeVillage— Churches— Schools— Orphan- 
ages— < ieneral Statistics. 

CHAPTER XXVIII— Venice Township 684-696. 

Survey, Organization and Population— Ori- 
gin of Name— Streams— Pike Roads— Rail- 
roads-Organic and Official— Pioneers— Early 
Industries— Attica Village— Organic and 
Official — Businesslnterests— Churches— Ceme- 
teries — Societies — Review — Carrothers 
Village — Caroline Village — Schools- 
General Statistics — Concluaion. 



PART IV. 
biographical sketches. 



Adams Township : 699 

Big Spring Township ""* 715 

Bloom Towuship 732 

Clinton Town.ship and Tiffin City 752 

Eden Township ft46 

Hopewell Township 854 

Jackson Township 353 

Liberty Township 877 



Loudon Township and Fostoria City 887 

Pleasant Township 934 

Reed Towuship 953 

Scipio Township 959 

Seneca Township 997 

Thompson Township ioo3 

Venice Township ioi6 



APPENDIX. 

ORIGINAL LAND ENTRIES, 



Adams Township 10fi4 

Big Spring Township !..!!!!..,..!!!. !!l047 

Bloom Township 1061 

C 1 i n t o n To w n s h i p ....*.*.".".'.'".*.*.' """'.'.'.. 1 0.^8 

Eden Township '.!..!!'!!!" 1056 

Hopewell Township !!!!!!".*.."."".!l053 

JacKson Township ".'.'". 1050 

Lit^rty Towuship .....V.V.. *...."!!.."]'.,. .!!il055 



I./Oudon Township i049 

Pleasant 'township 1059 

Reed Town-ship !!."l066 

Scipio Township iqq2 

Seneca Township 1052 

Thomp.son Township i067 

Venice Township ioG5 

The Gore !!!!i069 



viii 



CONTENTS. 



PORTRAITS. 



PAGE. 

Arbogast, Michael, Seneca Township 493 

Armatage, John, Venice Township 523 

Ash, William, Jackson Township 433 

Baldwin. A. €., Tiffin 313 

Boswortli, George It.. Adams Township 213 

Brunuer, L. A., Tiffin 233 

Oassety, Samuel, Reed Township 613 

(.'ooley, Orange, Scipio Township 553 

L'reeger, Laurence, Hopewell Township 603 

Crocker, Koswell, Fostoria 204 

Crocker, Sarah Ann, Fostoria opp. 204 

Cupp, \Villiam, Hopewell Township 333 

Dftterman, John II., Bloom Township 373 

Fauble, Michael, Thompson Township 303 

Foster, Charles W., Fostoria 81 

Foster, Charles, Fostoria 183 

Fry. Philip H., Pleasant Township 463 

Hedges, Josiah, Tiffin 47 

Holmes. David, Venice Township 473 

Hubbard, E. B.. Tiffin :i53 

HuUhian, J. W., A'enice Township 593 

Keppel, Ceorge. Hopewell Township 323 

King, George, Liberty Township 543 

Lawhead, X W., Big Spring Township 443 



PAGE. 

Leonard, Samuel H., Venice Tbwnship 263 

McClellan. Robert, Seneca Township 273 

McClelland, A. B., Bloom Township 393 

Myers, Conrad, Jackson Township 283 

Myers, John, Adams Township 343 

Niebel, Levi. Loudon Township 633 

Noble, Montgomery. Jackson Township 413 

Noble, Warren P., Tiffin 223 

Pennington, K. G., Tiffin 293 

Pultz, Jacob, Pleasant Township 563 

Reid, J. T., liloom Township 253 

Rosenberger, Henry, Hopewell Township 149 

Seitz. Daniel. Bloom Township 403 

Seitz, John, Eden Township 423 

Seney, George E.. Tiffin 115 

Signs, John, Loudon Township 573 

Skinner, Morris P , Fostoria 193 

Stackhouse. Silas J., Liberty Township 243 

Teare, Csesar, Adams Township 583 

Titus. R. R., Pleasant Township 363 

Valentine. T. Cilloom Township 483 

Watson, T. W., Pleasant Township 383 

Yambert. Aaron, Seneca Township 453 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Map of Seneca County 10-11 

Population of the United States 69 

Area of the United States 69 

Area of the Principal Countries in the World 69 



Population of Principal Countries in the World... 69 

Population of Ohio by Counties 70 

List of Governors of Ohio 78 

Population of Seneca County, by Townships 389 




PART I. 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 



The Northwest Territory. 



GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. 

When the Nonhwestern Territory was ceded to the United States 
by Virginia in 1784, it embraced only the territory lying between the 
Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers, and north to the northern limits of the 
United States. It coincided with the area now embraced in the States 
of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and that portion of 
Minnesota lying on the east side of the Mississippi River. The United 
States itself at that period extended no farther west than the Mississippi 
River ; but by the purchase of Louisiana in 1803, the western boundary 
of the United States was extended to the Rocky Mountains and the 
Northern Pacific Ocean. The new territory thus added to the National 
domain, and subsequently opened to settlement, has been called the 
"New Northwest," in contradistinction from the old "Northwestern 
Territory." 

In comparison with the old Northwest this is a territory of vast 
magnitude. It includes an area of 1,887,850 square miles ; being greater 
in extent than the united areas of all the Middle and Southern States, 
including Texas. Out of this magnificent territory have been erected 
eleven sovereign States and eight Territories, with an aggregate popula- 
tion, at the present time, of 18,000,000 inhabitants, or nearly one-third of 
the entire population of the United States. 

Its lakes are fresh-water seas, and the larger rivers of the continent 
flow for a thousand miles through its rich alluvial valleys and far- 
stretching prairies, more acres of which are arable and productive of the 
highest percentage of the cereals than of any other area of like extent 
on the globe. 

For the last twenty years the increase of population in the North- 
west has been about as three to one in any other portion of the United 
States. 

EARLY EXPLORATIONS. 

In the year 1541, DeSoto first saw the Great West in the New 
World. He, however, penetrated no farther north than the 35th parallel 

17 



18 THE NORTHWEST TERRITOEY. 

of latitude. The expedition resulted in his death and that of more than 
half his army, the remainder of whom found their way to Cuba, thence 
to Spain, in a famished and demoralized condition. DeSoto founded no 
settlements, produced no results, and left no traces, unless it were that 
he awakened the hostility of the red man against the white man, and 
disheartened such as might desire to follow up the career of discovery 
for better purposes. The French nation were eager and ready to seize \ 

upon any news from this extensive domain, and were the first to profit by i 

DeSoto's defeat. Yet it was more than a century before any adventurer 
took advantage of these discoveries. 

In 1616, four years before the pilgrims " moored their bark on the 
wild New England shore," Le Caron, a French Franciscan, had pene- 
trated through the Iroquois and Wyandots (Hurons) to the streams which 
run into Lake Huron ; and in 1634, two Jesuit missionaries founded the 
first mission among the lake tribes. It was just one hundred years from 
the discovery of the Mississippi by DeSoto (1541) until the Canadian 
envoys met the savage nations of the Northwest at the Falls of St. Mary, 
below the outlet of Lake Superior. This visit led to no permanent 
result ; yet it was not until 1659 that any of the adventurous fur traders 
attempted to spend a Winter in the frozen wilds about the great lakes, 
nor was it until 1660 that a station was established upon their borders by 
Mesnard, who perished in the woods a few months after. In 1665, Claude 
Allouez built the earliest lasting habitation of the white man among the 
Indians of the Northwest. In 1668, Claude Dablon and James Marquette 
founded the mission of Sault Ste. Marie at the Falls of St. Mary, and two 
years afterward, Nicholas Perrot, as agent for M. Talon, Governor Gen- 
eral of Canada, explored Lake Illinois (Michigan) as far south as the 
present City of Chicago, and invited the Indian nations to meet him at a 
grand council at Sault Ste. Marie the following Spring, where they were 
taken under the protection of the king, and formal possession was taken 
of the Northwest. This same year Marquette established a mission at 
Point St. Ignatius, where was founded the old town of Michillimackinac. 

During M. Talon's explorations and Marquette's residence at St. 
Ignatius, they learned of a great river away to the west, and fancied — 
as all others did then — that upon its fertile banks whole tribes of God's 
childi-en resided, to whom the sound of the Gospel had never come. 
Filled with a wish to go and preach to them, and in compliance with a 
request of M. Talon, who earnestly desired to extend the domain of his 
king, and to ascertain whether the river flowed into the Gulf of Mexico 
or the Pacific Ocean, Marquette with Joliet, as commander of the expe- 
dition, prepared for the undertaking. 

On the 13th of May, 1673, the explorers, accompanied by five assist- 



THE NOKTHWEST TERRITORY. 19 

ant French Canadians, set out from Mackinaw on their daring voyage of 
discovery. The Indians, who gathered to witness their departure, were 
astonished at the boldness of the undertaking, and endeavored to dissuade 
them from their purpose by representing the tribes on the Mississippi as 
exceedingly savage and cruel, and the river itself as full of all sorts of 
frightful monsters ready to swallow them and their canoes together. But, 
nothing daunted by these terrific descriptions, Marquette told them he 
was willing not only to encounter all the perils of the unknown region 
they were about to explore, but to lay down his life in a cause in which 
the salvation of souls was involved ; and having prayed together they 
separated. Coasting along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, the 
adventurers entered Green Bay, and passed thence up the Fox River and 
Lake Winnebago to a village of the Miamis and Kickapoos. Here Mar- 
quette was delighted to find a beautiful cross planted in the middle of the 
town, ornamented with white skins, red girdles and bows and arrows, 
which these good people had offered to the Great Manitou, or God, to 
thank him for the pity he had bestowed on them during the Winter in 
giving them an abundant " chase." This was the farthest outpost to 
which Dablon and Allouez had extended their missionary labors the 
year previous. Here Marquette drank mineral waters and was instructed 
in the secret of a root which cures the bite of the venomous rattlesnake. 
He assembled the chiefs and old men of the village, and, pointing to 
Joliet, said : " My friend is an envoy of France, to discover new coun- 
tries, and I am an ambassador from God to enlighten them with the truths 
of the Gospel." Two Miami guides were here furnished to conduct them 
to the Wisconsin River, and they set out from the Indian village on 
the 10th of June, amidst a great crowd of natives who had assembled to 
witness their departure into a region where no white man had ever yet 
ventured. The guides, having conducted them across the portage, 
returned. The explorers launched their canoes upon the Wisconsin, 
which they descended to the Mississippi and proceeded down its unknown 
waters. What emotions must have swelled their breasts as they struck 
out into the broadening current and became conscious that they were 
now upon the bosom of the Father of Waters. The mystery was about 
to be lifted from the long-sought river. The scenery in that locality is 
beautiful, and on that delightful seventeenth of June, must have been 
clad in all its primeval loveliness as it had been adorned by the hand of 
Nature. Drifting rapidly, it is said that the bold bluffs on either hand 
" reminded them of the castled shores of their own beautiful rivers of 
France." By-and-by, as they drifted along, great herds of buffalo 
appeared on the banks. On going to the heads of the valley they could 
see a country of the greatest beauty and fertility, apparently destitute of 



20 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

inhabitants, yet presenting the appearance of extensive manors, under 
the fastidious cultivation of lordly proprietors. 

On June 25, they went asliore and found some fresh traces of men 
upon the sand, and a path which led to the prairie. The men remained in 
the boat, and Marquette and Joliet followed the path till they discovered a 
village on the banks of a river, and two other villages on a hill, within a 
half league of the first, inhabited by Indians. They were received most 
hospitably by these natives, who had never before seen a white person. 
After remaining a few days they re-embarked and descended the river to 
about latitude 33°, where they found a village of the Arkansas, and being 
satisfied that the river flowed into the Gulf of Mexico, turned their course 
up the river, and ascending the stream to the mouth of the Illinois, 
rowed up that stream to its source and procured guides from that point 
to the lakes. " Nowhere on this journey," says Marquette, " did we see 
such grounds, meadows, woods, stags, buffaloes, deer, wildcats, bustards, 
swans, ducks, parroquets, and even beavers, as on the Illinois River." 
The party, without loss or injury, reached Green Bay in September, and 
reported their discovery — one of the most important of the age, but of 
which no record was preserved save Marquette's, Joliet losing his by 
the upsetting of his canoe on his way to Quebec. Afterward Marquette 
returned to the Illinois Indians by their request, and ministered to them 
until 1675. On the 18th of May, in that year, as he was passing the 
mouth of a stream — going with his boatmen up Lake Michigan — he asked 
to land at its mouth and celebrate Mass. Leaving his men with the canoe, 
he retired a short distance and began his devotions. As much time 
passed and he did not return, his men went in search of him, and found 
him upon his knees, dead. He had peacefully passed away while at 
prayer. He was buried at this spot. Charlevoix, who visited the place 
fifty years after, found the waters had retreated from the grave, leaving 
the beloved missionary to repose in peace. The river has since been 
called Marquette. 

While Marquette and his companions were pursuing their labors in 
the West, two men, differing widely from him and each other, were pre- 
paring to follow in his footsteps and perfect the discoveries so well begun 
by him. These were Robert de LaSalle and Louis Hennepin. 

After LaSalle's return from the discovery of the Ohio River (see 
the narrative elsewhere), he established himself again among the French 
trading posts in Canada. Here he mused long upon the pet project of 
those ages — a short way to China and the East, and was busily planning an 
expedition up tlie great lakes, and so aci-oss the continent to the Pacific, 
when Marquette returned from the Mississippi. At once the vigorous mind 
of LaSalle received from his and his companions' stories the idea that by fol- 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 21 

lowing the Great River northward, or by turning up some of the numerous 
western tributaries, the object could easily be gained. He applied to 
Frontenac, Governor General of Canada, and laid before him the plan, 
dim but gigantic. Frontenac entered warmly into his plans, and saw that 
LaSalle's idea to connect the great lakes by a chain of forts with the Gulf 
of Mexico would bind the country so wonderfully together, give un- 
measured power to France, and glory to himself, under whose adminis- 
tration he earnestly hoped all would be realized. 

LaSalle now repaired to France, laid his plans before the King, who 
warmly approved of them, and made him a Chevalier. He also received 
from all the noblemen the warmest wishes for his success. The Chev- 
alier returned to Canada, and busily entered upon his work. He at 
once rebuilt Fort Frontenac and constructed the first ship to sail on 
these fresh-water seas. On the 7th of August, 1679, having been joined 
by Hennepin, he began his voyage in the Griffin up Lake Erie. He 
passed over this lake, through the straits beyond, up Lake St. Clair and 
into Huron. In this lake they encountered heavy storms. They were 
some time at Michillimackinac, where LaSalle founded a fort, and passed 
on to Green Bay, the " Bale des Puans " of the French, where he found 
a large quantity of furs collected for him. He loaded the Griffin with 
these, and placing her under the care of a pilot and fourteen sailors, 
started her on her return voyage. The vessel was never afterward heard 
of. He remained about these parts until early in the Winter, when, hear- 
ing nothing from the Griffin, he collected all the men — thirty working 
men and three monks — and started again upon his great undertaking. 

By a short portage they passed to the Illinois or Kankakee, called by 
the Indians, " Theakeke," ivolf, because of the tribes of Indians called 
by that name, commonly known as the Mahingans, dwelling there. The 
French pronounced it Kiaklki, which became corrupted to Kankakee. 
" Falling down the said river by easy journeys, the better to observe the 
country," about the last of December they reached a village of the Illi- 
nois Indians, containing some five hundred cabins, but at that moment 
no inliabitants. The Sieur de LaSalle being in want of some breadstuffs, 
took advantage of the absence of the Indians to help himself to a suffi- 
ciency of maize, large quantities of which he found concealed in holes 
under the wigwams. This village was situated near the present village 
of Utica in LaSalle County, Illinois. The corn being securely stored, 
the voyagers again betook themselves to the stream, and toward evening, 
on the 4th day of January, 1680, they came into a lake which must have 
been the lake of Peoria. This was called by the Indians Phn-i-te-wi, that 
is, a place where there are man i/ fat beasts. Here the natives were met 
with in large numbers, but they were gentle and kind, and having spent 



22 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

some time with them, LaSalle determined to erect another fort in that 
place, for he had heard rumors that some of the adjoining tribes were 
trying to disturb tlie good feeling which existed, and some of his men 
were disposed to complain, owing to the hardships and perils of the travel. 
He called this fort " Crevecaeur" (broken-heart), a name expressive of the 
very natural sorrow and anxiety which the pretty certain loss of his ship, 
Griffin, and his consequent impoverishment, the danger of hostility on the 
part of the Indians, and of mutiny among his own men, might well cause 
him. His fears were not entirely groundless. At one time poison was 
placed in his food, but fortunately was discovered. 

While building this fort, the Winter wore away, the prairies began to 
look green, and LaSalle, despairing of any reinforcements, concluded to 
return to Canada, raise new means and new men, and embark anew in 
the enterprise. For this purpose he made Hennepin the leader of a party 
to explore the head waters of the Mississippi, and he set out on his jour- 
ney. This journey was accomplished with the aid of a few persons, and 
was successfully made, though over an almost unknown route, and in a 
bad season of the year. He safely reached Canada, and set out again for 
the object of his search. 

Hennepin and his party left Fort Crevecoeur on the last of February, 
1680. When LaSalle reached this place on his return expedition, he 
found the fort entirely deserted, and he was obliged to return again to 
Canada. He embarked the third time, and succeeded. Seven days after 
leaving the foi't, Hennepin reached the Mississippi, and paddling up the 
icy stream as best he could, reached no higher than the Wisconsin River 
by the 11th of April. Here he and his followers were taken prisoners by a 
band of Northern Indians, who ti'eated them with great kindness. Hen- 
nepin's comrades were Anthony Auguel and Michael Ako. On this voy- 
age they found several beautiful lakes, and '*saw some charming prairies." 
Their captors were the Isaute or Sauteurs, Chippewas, a tribe of the Sioux 
nation, who took them up the river until about the first of May when 
they reached some falls, which Hennepin christened Falls of St. Anthony 
in honor of his patron saint. Here they took the land, and traveling 
nearly two hundred miles to the northwest, brought them to their villages- 
Here they were kept about three months, were treated kindly by their 
captors, and at the end of that time, were met by a band of Fienchmen, 
headed by one Sieur de Luth, who, in pursuit of trade and game, had pene- 
trated thus far by the route of Lake Superior ; and with these fellow- 
countrymen Hennepin and his companions were allowed to return to the 
borders of civilized life in November, 1680, just after LaSalle had 
returned to the wilderness on his second trip. Hennepin soon after went 
to France, where he published an account of his adventures. 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 23 

The Mississippi was first discovered by De Soto in April, 1541, in his 
vain endeavor to find gold and precious gems. In the following Spring, 
De Soto, weary with hope long deferred, and worn out with his wander- 
ings, fell a victim to disease, and on the 21st of May, died. His followers, 
reduced by fatigue and disease to less than three hundred men, wandered 
about the country nearly a year, in the vain endeavor to rescue them- 
selves b}' land, and finally constructed seven small vessels, called brig- 
antines, in which they embarked, and descending the river, supposing it 
would lead them to the sea, in July they came to the sea (Gulf of 
Mexico), and by September reached the Island of Cuba. 

They were the first to see the great outlet of the Mississippi ; but, 
being so weary and discouraged, made no attempt to claim the country, 
and hardly had an intelligent idea of what they had passed through. 

To La Salle, the intrepid explorer, belongs the honor of giving the 
first account of the mouths of the river. His great desire was to possess 
this entire country for his king, and in January, 1682, he and his band of 
explorers left the shores of Lake Michigan on their third attempt, crossed 
the Portage, passed down the Illinois River, and on the 6th of February 
reached the banks of the Mississippi. 

On the 13th they commenced their downward course, which they 
pursued with but one interruption, until upon the 6th of March they dis- 
covered the three gi'eat passages by which the river discharges its waters 
into the gulf. La Salle thus narrates the event : 

" We landed on the bank of the most western channel, about three 
leagues (nine miles) from its mouth. On the seventh, M. de La Salle 
went to reconnoiter the shore of the neighboring sea, and M. de Tonti 
meanwhile examined the great middle channel. They found the main 
outlets beautiful, large and deep. On the eighth, we reascended the 
river, a little above its confluence with the sea, to find a dry place beyond 
the reach of inundations. The elevation of the North Pole was here 
about twenty-seven degrees. Here we prepared a column and a cross, 
and to the column were affixed the arms of France with this inscription : 

"Louis Le Grand, Ilol de France et dc Navarre, regne ; Le neuvleme April, 1682." 

The whole party, under arms, chanted the Te Deum, and then, after 
a salute and cries of " Vive le Moi," the column was erected by M. de 
La Salle, who, standing near it, proclaimed in a loud voice the authority 
of the King of France. La Salle returned and laid the foundations of the 
Mississippi settlements in Illinois ; thence he proceeded to France, where 
another expedition was fitted out, of which he was commander, and in 
two succeeding voyages failed to find the outlet of the river by sailing 



24 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 



along the shore of the gulf. On the third vo3'age he was killed, through 
the treachery of iiis followers, and the object of his expeditions was not 
accomplished until 1699, when D'Iberville, under the authority of the 
crown, discovered, on the second of March, by way of the sea, the mouth 
of the " Hidden River." This majestic stream was called by the natives 
" Malbouchia" and by the Spaniards, " la PaUssaJe," from the great 
number of trees about its mouth. After traversing the several outlets, 
and satisfying himself as to its certainty, he erected a fort near its western 
outlet, and returned to France. 

An avenue of trade was now opened out which was fully improved. In 
1718, New Orleans was laid out and settled by some European colonists. In 
1762, the colony was made over to Spain, to be regained by France under 
the consulate of Napoleon. In 1803, it was purchased by the United 
States for the sum of fifteen million dollars, and the territory of Louisiana 
and commerce of the Mississippi River came under the charge of the 
United States. Although La Salle's labors ended in defeat and death, 
he had not worked and suffered in vain. He had thrown open to France 
and the world an immense and most valuable country ; had established 
several ports, and laid the foundations of more than one settlement there. 
" Peoria, Kaskaskia and Cahokia, are to this day monuments of LaSalle's 
labors ; for, though he had founded neither of them (unless Peoria, 
which was built nearly upon the site of Fort Crevecceur,) it was by those 
whorp he led into the West that these places were peopled and civilized. 
He was, if not the discoverer, the first settler of the Mississippi Valley, 
and as such deserves to be known and honored." 

The French early improved the opening made for them. Before the 
year 1698, the Rev. Father Gravier began a mission among the Illinois, 
and founded Kaskaskia. For some time this was merely a missionary 
station, where none but natives resided, it being one of three such vil- 
lages, the other two being Cahokia and Peoria. What is known of these 
missions is learned from a letter written by Father Gabriel Marest, dated 
" Aux Cascaskias, auti-ement dit de I'lmmaculate Conception de la Saints 
Vierge, le 9 Novembre, 1712." Soon after the founding of Kaskaskia, 
the missionary, Pinet, gathered a flock at Cahokia, while Peoria arose 
near the ruins of Fort Crevecoeur. This must have been about the year 
1700. The post at Vincennes on the Oubache river, (pronounced Wa-bS, 
meaning summer aloud moving swiftli/,^ was established in 1702, according 
to the best authorities.* It is altogether probable that on LaSalle's last 



* There [a considerable tUspute abnut this date, some asserting it was founded as late as 1742. When ttic 
new court house at Vincennes wa^ erected, all auihorlties on llie subject were carefully exuitilned, and l"Oi fixed 
npon as the correct date. It was accordingly engraved on the ci>rner-stone of the court house. 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY 25 

trip he established the stations at Kaskaskia and Cahokia. In July, 
1701, the foundations of Fort Ponchartrain were laid by De la Motte 
Cadillac on the Detroit River. These stations, with those established 
further north, were the earliest attempts to occupy the Northwest Terri- 
tory. At the same time efforts were being made to occupy the Southwest, 
which finally culminated in the settlement and founding of the City of New 
Orleans by a colony from England in 1718. This was mainly accom- 
plished through the efforts of the famous Mississippi Company, established 
by the notorious John Law, who so quickly arose into prominence in 
France, and who with his scheme so quickly and so ignominiously passed 
away. 

From the time of the founding of these stations for fifty years the 
French nation were engrossed with the settlement of the lower Missis- 
sippi, and the war with the Chickasaws, who had, in revenge for repeated 
injuries, cut off the entire colony at Natchez. Although the company 
did little for Louisiana, as the entire West was then called, yet it opened 
the trade through the Mississippi River, and started the raising of grains 
indigenous to that climate. Until the )'ear 1750, but little is known of 
the settlements in the Northwest, as it was not until this time that the 
attention of the English was called to the occupation of this portion of the 
New World, which they then supposed they owned. Vivier, a missionary 
among the Illinois, writing from " Aux Illinois," six leagues from Fort 
Chartres, June 8, 1750, says: "We have here whites, negroes and 
Indians, to say nothing of cross-breeds. There are five French villages, 
and three villages of the natives, within a space of twenty-one leagues 
situated between the Mississippi and another river called the Karkadaid 
(Kaskaskias). In the five French villages, are perhaps, eleven hundred 
whites, three hundred blacks and some sixty red slaves or savages. The 
three Illinois towns do not contain more than eight hundred souls all 
told. Most of the French till the soil ; they raise wheat, cattle, pigs and 
horses, and live like princes. Three times as much is produced as can 
be consumed ; and great quantities of grain and flour are sent to New 
Orleans." This city was now the seaport town of the Northwest, and 
save in the extreme northern part, where only furs and copper ore were 
found, almost all the products of the country found their way to Fi'ance 
by the mouth of the Father of Waters. In another letter, dated Novem- 
ber 7, 1750, this same priest says : " For fifteen leagues above the 
mouth of the Mississippi one sees no dwellings, the ground being too low 
to be habitable. Thence to New Orleans, the lands are only partially 
occupied. New Orleans contains black, white and red, not more, I 
think, than twelve hundred persons. To this point come all the lumber, 
bricks, salt-beef, tallow, tar, skins and bear's grease ; and above all, pork 



26 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

and flour from the Illinois. These things create some commerce, as forty 
vessels and more have come hither this j-ear. Above New Orleans, 
plantations are again met with ; the most considerable is a colony of 
Germans, some ten leagues up the river. At Point Coupee, thirty-five 
leagues above the German settlement, is a fort. Along here, within five 
or six leagues, are not less than sixty habitations. Fifty leagues farther 
up is the Natchez post, where we have a garrison, who are kept prisoners 
through fear of the Ohickasaws. Here and at Point Coupee, they raise 
excellent tobacco. Another hundred leagues brings us to the Arkansas, 
where we have also a fort and a garrison for the benefit of the river 
traders. * * * From the Arkansas to the Illinois, nearlj' five hundred 
leagues, there is not a settlement. There should be, hower, a fort at 
the Oubache (Ohio), the only path by which the English can reach the 
Mississippi. In the Illinois country are numberless mines, but no one to 
work them as they deserve."' Father Marest, writing from the post at 
Vincennes in 1812, makes the same observation. Vivier also says: " Some 
individuals dig lead near the surface and supply the Indians and Canada. 
Two Spaniards now here, who claim to be adepts, say that our mines are 
like those of Mexico, and that if we would dig deeper, we should find 
silver under the lead ; and at any rate the lead is excellent. There is also 
in this country, beyond doubt, copper ore, as from time to time large 
pieces are found in the streams. 

At the close of the year 1750, the French occupied, in addition to the 
lower Mississippi posts and those in Illinois, one at Du Quesne, one at 
the Maumee in the country of the Miamas, and one at Sandusky in what 
may be termed the Ohio Valley. In the northern part of the Northwest 
they had stations at St. Joseph's on the St. Joseph's of Lake Michigan, 
at Fort Ponchartrain (Detroit), at Michillimackanac or Massillimacanac, 
Fox River at Green Bay, and at Sault Ste. Maiie. The fondest dreams 
of LaSalle were now fully realized. The French alone were possessors of 
this vast realm, basing their claim on discovery and settlement. Another 
nation, however, was now turning its attention to this extensive country, 
and hearing of its wealth, began to lay plans for occupying it and for 
securing the great profits arising therefrom. 

The French, however, had another claim to this country, namely, the 



DISCOVERY OF THE OHIO. 

This " Beautiful " river was discovered bj' Robert Cavalier de La- 
Salle in 1669, four years before the discovery of the Mississippi by Joliet 
and Marquette. 



THE NORTHWEST TEBBITOKY. 2T 

While LaSalle was at his trading post on the St. Lawrence, he found 
leisure to study nine Indian dialects, the chief of which was the Iroquois. 
He not only desired to facilitate his intercourse in trade, but he longed 
to travel and explore the unknown regions of the West. An incident 
soon occurred wliicli decided him to fit out an exploring expedition. 

While conversing with some Senecas, he learned of a river called the 
Ohio, which rose in their country and flowed to the sea, but at such a 
distance that it required eight mouths to reach its mouth. In this state- 
ment the Mississippi and its tributaries were considered as one stream. 
LaSalle believing, as most of the French at that period did, that the great 
rivers flowing west emptied into the Sea of California, was anxious to 
embark in the enterprise of discovering a route across the continent to 
the commerce of China and Japan. 

He repaired at once to Quebec to obtain the approval of the Gov- 
ernor. His eloquent appeal prevailed. The Governor and the Intendant, 
Talon, issued letters patent authorizing the enterprise, but made no pro- 
vision to defray the expenses. At this juncture the seminary of St. Sul- 
pice decided to send out missionaries in connection with the expedition^ 
and LaSalle offering to sell his improvements at LaChine to raise money, 
the offer was accepted by the Superior, and two thousand eight hundred 
dollars were raised, with which LaSalle purchased four canoes and the 
necessary supplies for the outfit. 

On the 6th of July, 1669, the party, numbering twenty-four persons, 
embarked in seven canoes on the St. Lawrence ; two additional canoes 
carried the Indian guides. In three days they were gliding over the 
bosom of Lake Ontario. Their guides conducted them directly to the 
Seneca village on the bank of the Genesee, in the vicinity of the present 
City of Rocliester, New York. Here they expected to procure guides to 
conduct them to the Ohio, but in this they were disappointed. 

The Indians seemed unfriendly to the enterprise. LaSalle suspected 
that the Jesuits had prejudiced their minds against his plans. After 
waiting a month in the hope of gaining their object, they met an ludiaa 
from the Iroquois colony at the head of Lake Ontario, who assured them 
that the}' could there find guides, and offered to conduct them thence. 

On their way they passed the mouth of the Niagara River, when they 
heard for the first time the distant thunder of the cataract. Arriving 
among the Iroquois, they met with a friendly reception, and learned 
from a Shawanee prisoner that they could reach the Ohio in six weeks. 
Delighted with the unexpected good fortune, they made ready to resume 
their journey ; but just as they were about to start they heard of the 
arrival of two Frenchmen in a neighboring village. One of them proved 
to be Louis Joliet, afterwards famous as an explorer in the West. He 



28 THE NORTHWEST TERKITOKY. 

had been sent by the Canadian Government to explore the copper mines 
Qn Lake Superior, but had failed, and was on his way back to Quebec. 
He gave the missionaries a map of the country he had explored in the 
lake region, together with an account of the condition of the Indians in 
that quarter. This induced the priests to determine on leaving the 
expedition and going to Lake Superior. LaSalle warned them that the 
Jesuits were probably occupying that field, and that they would meet 
with a cold reception. Nevertheless they persisted in their purpose, and 
after worship on the lake shore, parted from LaSalle. On arriving at 
Lake Superior, they found, as LaSalle had predicted, the Jesuit Fathers, 
Marquette and Dablon, occupying the field. 

These zealous disciples of Loyola informed them that they wanted 
no assistance from St. Sulpice, nor from those who made him their patron 
saint ; and thus repulsed, they returned to Montreal the following June 
without having made a single discovery or converted a single Indian. 

After parting with the priests, LaSalle went to the chief Iroquois 
village at Onondaga, where he obtained guides, and passing thence to a 
tributary of the Ohio south of Lake Erie, he descended the latter as far 
as the falls at Louisville. Thus was the Ohio discovered by LaSalle, the 
persevering and successful French explorer of the West, in 1669. 

The account of the latter part of his journey is found in an anony- 
mous paper, which purports to have been taken from the lips of LaSalle 
himself during a subsequent visit to Paris. In a letter written to Count 
Frontenac in 1667, shortly after the discovery, he himself says that he 
discovered the Ohio and descended it to the falls. This was regarded as 
an indisputable fact by the French authorities, who claimed the Ohio 
Valley upon another ground. When Washington was sent by the colony 
of Virginia in 1753, to demand of Gordeur de St. Pierre why the French 
had built a fort on the Monongahela, the haughty commandant at Quebec 
replied : " We claim the country on the Ohio by virtue of the discoveries 
of LaSalle, and will not give it up to the English. Our orders are to 
make prisoners of every Englishman found trading in the Ohio Valley." 



ENGLISH EXPLORATIONS AND SETTLEMENTS. 

When the new year of 1750 broke in upon the Father of Waters 
and the Great Northwest, all was still wild save at the French posts 
already described. In 1749, when the English first began to think seri- 
ously about sending men into the West, the greater portion of the States 
of Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota were yet 
under the dominion of the red men. The English knew, however, pretty 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 29 

conclusively of the nature of the wealth of these wilds. As early as 
1710, Governor Spotswood, of Virginia, had commenced movements to 
secure the country west of the Alleghenies to the English crown. In 
Pennsylvania, Governor Keith and James Logan, secretary of the prov- 
ince, from 1719 to 1731, represented to the powers of England the neces- 
sity of securing the Western lands. Nothing was done, however, by that 
power save to take some diplomatic steps to secure the claims of Britain 
to this unexplored wilderness. 

England had from the outset claimed from the Atlantic to the Pacific, 
on the ground that the discovery of the seacoast and its possession was a 
discovery and possession of the country, and, as is well known, her grants 
to the colonies extended " from sea to sea." This was not all her claim. 
She had purchased from the Indian tribes large tracts of land. This lat- 
ter was also a strong argument. As early as 1684, Lord H oward. Gov- 
ernor of Virginia, held a treaty with the six nations. These were the 
great Northern Confederacy, and comprised at first the Mohawks, Onei- 
das, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas. Afterward the Tuscaroras were 
taken into the confederacy, and it became known as the Six Nations. 
They came under the protection of the mother country, and again in 
1701, they repeated the agreement, and in September, 1726, a formal deed 
was drawn up and signed by the chiefs. The validity of this claim has 
often been disputed, but never successfully. In 1744, a purchase was 
made at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, of certain lands within the " Colony of 
Virginia," for which the Indians received £200 in gold and a like sum in 
goods, with a pi'omise that, as settlements increased, more should be paid. 
The Commissioners from Virginia were Colonel Thomas Lee and Colonel 
William Beverly. As settlements extended, the promise of more pay was 
called to mind, and Mr. Conrad Weiser was sent across the mountains with 
presents to appease the savages. Col. Lee, and some Virginians accompa- 
nied him with the intention of sounding the Indians upon their feelings 
regarding the English. They were not satisfied with their treatment, 
and plainly told the Commissioners why. The English did not desire the 
cultivation of the country, but the monopoly of the Indian trade. In 
1748, the Ohio Company was formed, and petitioned the king for a grant 
of land beyond the Alleghenies. This was granted, and the government 
of Virginia was ordered to grant to them a half million acres, two hun- 
dred thousand of which were to be located at once. Upon the 12th of 
June, 1749, 800,000 acres from the line of Canada north and west was 
made to the Loyal Company, and on the 29th of October, 1751, 100,000 
acres were given to the Greenbriar Company. All this time the Frencli 
were not idle. They saw that, should the British gain a foothold in the 
West, especially upon the Ohio, they might not only prevent the French 



30 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

settling upon it, but in time would come to the lower posts and so gain 
possession of the whole country. Upon the 10th of May, 1747, Vaud- 
reuil, Governor of Canada and the French possessions, well knowing the 
consequences that must arise from allowing the English to build trading 
posts in the Northwest, seized some of their frontier posts, and to further 
secure the claim of the French to the West, he, in 1749, sent Louis Cel- 
eron with a party of soldiers to plant along the Ohio River, in the mounds 
and at the mouths of its principal tributaries, plates of lead, on which 
were inscribed the claims of France. These were heard of in 1752, and 
within the memory of residents now living along the " Oyo," as the 
beautiful river was called by the French. One of these plates was found 
with the inscription partly defaced. It bears date August 16, 1749, and 
a copy of the inscription with particular account of the discovery of the 
plate, was sent by DeWitt Clinton to the American Antiquarian Society, 
among whose journals it may now be found.* These measures did not, 
however, deter the English from going on with their explorations, and 
though neither party resorted to arms, yet the conflict was gathering, and 
it was only a question of time when the storm would burst upon the 
frontier settlements. In 1750, Christopher Gist was sent by the Ohio 
Company to examine its lands. He went to a village of the Twigtwees, 
on the Miami, about one hundred and fifty miles above its mouth. He 
afterward spoke of it as very populous. From there he went down 
the Ohio River nearly to the falls at the present City of Louisville, 
and in November he commenced a survey of the Company's lands. Dur- 
ing the Winter, General Andrew Lewis performed a similar work for the 
Greenbriar Company. MeanwhUe the French were busy in preparing 
their forts for defense, and in opening roads, and also sent a small party 
of soldiers to keep the Ohio clear. This party, having heard of the Eng- 
lish post on the Miami River, early in 1652, assisted by the Ottawas and 
Chippewas, attacked it, and, after a severe battle, in which fourteen of 
the natives were killed and others wounded, captured the garrison. 
(They were probably garrisoned in a block house). The traders were 
carried away to Canada, and one account says several were burned. This 
fort or post was called by the English Pickawillany. A memorial of the 
king's ministers refers to it as." Pickawillanes, in the center of the terri- 
tory between the Ohio and the Wabash. The name is probably some 
variation of Pickaway or Picqua in 1773, written by Rev. David Jones 
Pickaweke." 

• The following Is a translation of the inscription on the plate: "In the year 1749. reign of Louis XV.. 
King of France, we, Celeron, commantlaut of a detachment by Monsieur the Marquis of Gallisoniere, com- 
mander-in-chief of New France, to establish tranquility in certain Indian villages of these cantons, havo 
buried this plate at the confluence of the Toradaltoin, this twenty- ninth of July, near the river Ohio, otticrwlse 
Beautiful River, as a monument of renewal of possession which we have taken of the said river, and all Its 
tributaries; inasmuch as the preceding Kings of France have enjoyed it, and maintained It by Uieir arms and 
creaties; especially by those of Kyswlck, Utrecht, and Alx La Chapelle." 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITOBY. 31 

This was the fii-st blood shed between tlie French and English, and 
occurred near the present City of Piqua, Ohio, or at least at a point about 
forty-seven miles north of Dayton. Each nation became now more inter- 
ested in the progress of events in the Northwest. The English deter- 
mined to purchase from the Indians a title to the lands they wished to 
occupy, and Messrs. Fry (afterward Commander-in-chief over Washing- 
ton at the commencement of the French War of 1775-1763), Lomax and 
Patton were sent in the Spring of 1752 to hold a conference with the 
natives at Logstown to learn what they objected to in the treaty of Lan- 
caster already noticed, and to settle all difficulties. On the 9th of June, 
these Commissioners met the red men at Logstown, a little village on the 
north bank of the Ohio, about seventeen miles below the site of Pitts- 
burgh. Here had been a trading point for many years, but it was aban- 
doned by the Indians in 1750. At first the Indians declined to recognize 
the treaty of Lancaster, but, the Commissioners taking aside Montour, 
the interpreter, who was a son of the famous Catharine Montour, and a 
chief among the six nations, induced him to use his influence in their 
favor. This he did, and upon the loth of June they all united in signing 
a deed, confirming the Lancaster treaty in its full extent, consenting to a 
settlement of the southeast of the Ohio, and guaranteeing that it should 
iiot be disturbed by them. These were the means used to obtain the first 
treaty with the Indians in the Ohio Valley. 

Meanwhile the powers beyond the sea were trying to out-manoeuvre 
each other, and were professing to be at peace. The English generally 
outwitted the Indians, and failed in many instances to fulfill their con- 
tracts. They thereby gained the ill-will of the red men, and further 
increased the feeling by failing to provide them with arms and ammuni- 
tion. Said an old chief, at Easton, in 1758 : " The Indians on the Ohio 
left you because of your own fault. When we heard the French were 
coming, we asked you for help and arms, but we did not get them. The 
French came, they treated us kindly, and gained our affections. The 
Governor of Virginia settled on our lands for his own benefit, and, whea 
we wanted help, forsook us." 

At the beginning of 1653, the English thought they had secured by 
title the lands in the West, but the French had quietly gathered cannon 
and military stores to be in readiness for the expected blow. The Eng- 
lish made other attempts to ratify these existing treaties, but not until 
the Summer could the Indians be gathered together to discuss the plans 
of the French. The}' had sent messages to the French, warning them 
away ; but they replied that they intended to complete the chain of forts 
already begun, and would not abandon the field. 

Soon after this, no satisfaction being obtained from the Ohio regard- 



32 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

ing the positions and purposes of the French, Governor Dinwiddle of 
Virginia determined to send to them another messenger and learn from 
them, if possible, their intentions. For this purpose he selected a young 
man, a surveyor, who, at the early age of nineteen, had received the rank 
of major, and who was thoroughly posted regarding frontier life. This 
personage was no other than the illustrious George Washington, wlio then 
held considerable interest in Western lands. He was at this time just 
twenty-two yeai's of age. Taking Gist as his guide, the two, accompanied 
by four servitors, set out on their perilous march. They left Will's 
Creek on the 10th of November, 1753, and on the 22d reached the Monon- 
gahela, about ten miles above the fork. From there they went to 
Logstown, where Washington had a long conference with the chiefs of 
the Six Nations. From them he learned the condition of the French, and 
also lieard of their determination not to come down the river till the fol- 
lowing Spring. The Indians were non-committal, as they were afraid to 
turn either way, and, as far as they could, desired to remain neutral. 
Washington, finding nothing could be done with them, went on to 
Venango, an old Indian town at the mouth of French Creek. Here the 
Frencli had a fort, called Fort Machault. Through the rum and flattery 
of the French, he nearly lost all his Indian followers. Finding nothing 
of importance here, he pursued his wa\' amid great privations, and on the 
11th of December reached the fort at the head of French Creek. Here 
lie delivered Governor Dinwiddle's letter, received his answer, took his 
observations, and on the IGth set out upon his return journey with no one 
but Gist, his guide, and a few Indians who still remained true to him, 
notwithstanding the endeavors of the French to retain them. Tlieir 
homeward journey was one of great peril and suffering from the cold, yet 
they reached home in safety on the 6tli of January, 1754. 

From the letter of St. Pierre, commander of the French fort, sent by 
Washington to Governor Dinwiddie, it was learned that the French would 
not give up without a struggle. Active preparations were at once made 
in all the Englisli colonies for the coming conflict, while the French 
finished the fort at Venango and strengthened their lines of fortifications, 
and gathered their forces to be in readiness. 

The Old Dominion, was all alive. Virginia was the center of great 
activities ; volunteers were called for, and from all the neighboring 
colonies men rallied to the conflict, and everywhere along the Potomac 
men were enlisting under the Governor's proclamation — which promised 
two hundred thousand acres on the Ohio. Along this river the}' were 
gathering as far as Will's Creek, and far beyond this point, whither Trent 
had come for assistance for his little band of forty-one men, who were 



THE NORTHWEST TEERTTORY. 33 

working away in hunger and want, to fortify that point at the fork of 
the Ohio, to which both parties were looking with deep interest. 

" The fii-st birds of Spring filled the air with their song ; the swift 
river rolled by the Allegheny hillsides, swollen by the melting snows of 
Spring and the April showers. The leaves were appearing ; a few Indian 
scouts were seen, but no enemy seemed near at hand ; and all was so quiet, 
that Frazier, an old Indian scout and trader, who had been left by Trent 
in command, ventured to his home at the mouth of Turtle Creek, ten 
miles up the Monongahela. But, though all was so quiet in that wilder- 
ness, keen eyes had seen the low intrenchment rising at the fork, and 
swift feet had borne the news of it up the river ; and upon the morning 
of the 17th of April, Ensign Ward, who then had charge of it, saw 
upon the Allegheny a sight that made his heart siuk — sixty batteaux and 
three hundred canoes filled with men, and laden deep with cannon and 
stores. * « * That evening he supped with his captor, Contrecceur, 
and the next day he was bowed off by the Frenchman, and with his men 
and tools, marched up the Monongahela." 

The French and Indian war had begun. The treaty of Aix la 
Chapelle, in 1748, had left the boundaries between the French and 
English possessions unsettled, and the events already narrated show the 
French Avere determined to hold the country watered by the Mississippi 
and its tributaries ; while the English laid claims to the country by virtue 
of the discoveries of the Cabots, and claimed all the country from New- 
foundland to Florida, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The 
first decisive blow had now been struck, and the first attempt of the 
English, through the Ohio Companj', to occupy these lands, had resulted 
disastrously to them. The French and Indians immediately completed 
the fortifications begun at the Fork, which they had so easily captured, 
and when completed gave to the fort the name of DuQuesne. Washing- 
ton was at Will's Creek when the news of the capture of the fort arrived. 
He at once departed to recapture it. On his way he entrenched him- 
self at a place called the " Meadows," where he erected a fort called 
by him Fort Necessity. From there he surprised and captured a force of 
French and Indians marching against him, but was soon after attacked 
in his fort by a much superior force, and was obliged to yield on the 
morning of July 4th. He was allowed to return to Virginia. 

The English Government immediately planned four campaigns ; one 
against Fort DuQuesne ; one against Nova Scotia ; one against Fort 
Niagara, and one against Crown Point. These occurred during 1755-6, 
and were not successful in driving the French from their possessions. 
The expedition against Fort DuQuesne was led by the famous General 
Braddock, who, refusing to listen to the advice of AVashington and those 



34 THE NORTHWEST TEBEITORY. 

acquainted with Indian warfare, suffered such an inglorious defeat. This 
occurred on the morning of July 9th, and is generally known as the battle 
of Monongahela, or " Braddock's Defeat." The war continued with 
various vicissitudes through the years 1756-7 ; when, at the commence- 
ment of 1758, in accordance with the plans of William Pitt, then Secre- 
tary of State, afterwards Lord Chatham, active preparations were made to 
carry on the war. Tliree expeditions were planned for this year : one, 
under General Amherst, against Louisburg ; another, under Abercrombie, 
against Fort Ticonderoga ; and a third, under General Forbes, against 
Fort DuQuesne. On the 26th of July, Louisburg surrendered after a 
desperate resistance of more than forty days, and the eastern part of the 
Canadian possessions fell into the hands of the British. Abercrombie 
captured Fort Frontenac, and when the expedition against Fort DuQuesne, 
of which Washington had the active command, arrived there, it was 
found in flames and deserted. The English at once took possession, 
rebuilt the fort, and in honor of their illustrious statesman, changed the 
name to Fort Pitt. 

The great object of the campaign of 1759, was the reduction of 
Canada. General Wolfe was to lay siege to Quebec ; Amherst was to 
reduce Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and General Prideaux was to 
capture Niagara. This latter place was taken in July, but the gallant 
Prideaux lost his life in the attempt. Amherst captured Ticonderog* 
and Crown Point without a blow ; and Wolfe, after making the memor- 
able ascent to the Plains of Abraham, on September 13th, defeated 
Montcalm, and on the 18th, the city capitulated. In this engagement 
Montcolm and Wolfe both lost their lives. De Levi, Montcalm's successor, 
marched to Sillery, three miles above the city, with the purpose of 
defeating the English, and there, on the 28th of the following April, wa^* 
fought one of the bloodiest battles of the French and Indian War. It 
resulted in the defeat of the French, and the fall of the City of Montreal. 
The Governor signed a capitulation by which the whole of Canada was 
surrendered to the English. This practically concluded the war, but it 
was not until 1763 that the treaties of peace between France and England 
were signed. This was done on the 10th of February of that year, and 
under its provisions all the country east of the Mississippi and north of 
the Iberville River, in Louisiana, were ceded to England. At the same 
time Spain ceded Florida to Great Britain. 

On the 13th of September, 1760, Major Robert Rogers was sent 
from Montreal to take charge of Detroit, the only remaining French post 
in the territory. He arrived there on the 19th of November, and sum- 
moned the place to surrender. At first the commander of the post, 
Beletre, refused, but on the 29th, hearing of the continued defeat of th& 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 35 

French arms, surrendered. Rogers remained there until December 23d 
under the personal protection of the celebrated chief, Pontiac, to whom, 
no doubt, he owed his safety. Pontiac had come here to inquire the 
purposes of the EugUsh in taking possession of the country. He was 
assured that they came simply to trade with the natives, and did not 
desire their country. This answer conciliated the savages, and did much 
to insure the safety of Rogers and his party during their stay, and while 
on their journey home. 

Rogers set out for Fort Pitt on December 23, and was just one 
montli on the way. His route was from Detroit to Maumee, thence 
aci'oss the present State of Ohio directly to the fort. This was the com- 
mon trail of the Indians in their journeys from Sandusky to the fork of 
the Ohio. It went from Fort Sandusky, where Sandusky City now is, 
crossed the Huron river, then called Bald Eagle Creek, to " Mohickon 
Jolin's Town" on Mohickon Creek, the northern branch of White 
Woman's River, and thence crossed to Beaver's Town, a Delaware town 
on what is now Sandy Creek. At Beaver's Town were probably one 
hundred and fifty warriors, and not less than three thousand acres of 
cleared land. From there the track went up Sandy Creek to and across 
Big Beaver, and up the Ohio to Logstown, thence on to the fork. 

The Northwest Territory was now entirely under the English rule. 
New settlements began to be rapidly made, and the promise of a large 
trade was speedily manifested. Had the British carried out their promises 
with the natives none of those savage butcheries would have been perpe- 
trated, and the couutry would have been spared their recital. 

The renowned chief, Pontiac, was one of the leading spirits in these 
atrocities. We will now pause in our narrative, and notice the leading 
events in his life. The earliest authentic information regarding this 
noted Indian chief is learned from an account of an Indian trader named 
Alexander Henr}', who, in the Spring of 1761, penetrated his domains as 
far as Missillimacnac. Pontiac was then a great friend of the French, 
but a bitter foe of the English, whom he considered as encroaching on his 
hunting grounds. Henry was obliged to disguise himself as a Canadian 
to insure safety, but was discovered by Pontiac, who bitterly reproached 
him and the English for their attempted subjugation of the West. He 
declared that no treaty had been made with them ; no presents sent 
them, and that he would resent any possession of the West by that nation. 
He was at the time about fifty years of age, tall and dignified, and was 
civil and military ruler of the Ottawas, Ojibwas and Pottawatamies. 

The Jndians, from Lake Michigan to the borders of North Carolina, 
were united in this feeling, and at the time of the treaty of Paris, ratified 
February 10, 1763, a general conspiracy was formed to fall suddenly 



36 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

upon the frontier British posts, and with one blow strike everj' man dead. 
Poutiac was the marked leader in all this, and was the commander 
of the Chippewas, Ottawas, Wyandots, Miamis, Shawanese, Delawares 
and Mingoes, who had, for the time, laid aside their local quarrels to unit* 
in this enterprise. 

The blow came, as near as can now l)e ascertained, on May 7, 1763. 
Nine British posts fell, and the Indians drank, " scooped up in the hollow 
of joined hands," the blood of many a Briton. 

Pontiae's immediate field of action was the garrison at Detroit. 
Here, however, the plans were fru.strated by an Indian woman disclosing 
the plot the evening previous to his arrival. Everything was carried out, 
however, according to Pontiae's plans until the moment of action, when 
Major Gladwyn, the commander of the post, stepping to one of the Indian 
chiefs, suddenly drew aside his blanket and disclosed the concealed 
musket. Pontiac, though a brave man, turned pale and trembled. He 
saw his plan was known, and that the garrison were prepared. Ke 
endeavored to exculpate himself from any such intentions ; but the guilt 
was evident, and he and his followers were dismissed with a sever© 
reprimand, and warned never to again enter the walls of the post. 

Pontiac at once laid siege to the fort, and until the treaty of peace 
between the British and the Western Indians, concluded in August, 1761, 
continued to harass and besiege the fortress. He organized a regular 
commissariat department, issued bills of credit written out on bark, 
which, to his credit, it may be stated, were punctually redeemed. At 
the conclusion of the treaty, in which it seems he took no part, he went 
further south, living many yeass among the Illinois. 

He had given up all hope of saving his country and race. After a 
time he endeavored to unite the Illinois tribe and those about St. Louis 
in a war with the whites. His efforts were fruitless, and only ended in a 
quarrel between himself and some Kaskaskia Indians, one of whom soon 
afterwards killed him. His death was, however, avenged by the northern 
Indians, who nearly exterminated the Illinois in the wars which followed. 

Had it not been for the treachery of a few of his followers, his plan 
for the extermination of the whites, a masterly one, would undoubtedly 
have been carried out. 

It was in the Spring of the year following Rogers' visit that Alex- 
ander Henry went to Missillimacnac, and everywhere found the strongest 
feelings against the English, who had not carried out their promises, and 
were doing nothing to conciliate the natives. Here he met the chief, 
Pontiac, who, after conveying to him in a speech the idea that their 
French father would awake soon and utterly destroy his enemies, said : 
" Englishman, although you have conquered the French, you have nob 



TECB NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 37 

yet conquered us ! We are not your slaves ! These lakes, these woods, 
these mountains, were left us by our ancestors. They are our inheritance, 
and we will part with them to none. Your nation supposes that we, like 
the white people, can not live without bread and pork and beef. But you 
ought to know that He, the Great Spirit and Master of Life, has provided 
food for us upon these broad lakes and in these mountains." 

He then spoke of the fact that no treaty had been made with them, 
no presents sent them, and that he and his people were yet for war. 
Such were the feelings of the Northwestern Indians immediately after 
the English took possession of their country. These feelings were no 
doubt encouraged by the Canadians and French, who hoped that yet the 
French arms might prevail. The treaty of Paris, however, gave to the 
English the right to this vast domain, and active preparations were going 
on to occupy it and enjoy its trade and emoluments. 

In 1762, France, by a secret treaty, ceded Louisiana to Spain, to pre- 
vent it falling into the hands of the English, who were becoming masters 
of the entire West. The next year the treaty of Paris, signed at Fon- 
tainbleau, gave to the English the domain of the country in question. 
Twenty years after, by the treaty of peace between the United States 
and England, that part of Canada lying south and west of the Great 
Lakes, comprehending a large territory which is the subject of these 
sketches, was acknowledged to be a portion of the United States ; and 
twenty years still later, in 1803, Louisiana was ceded by Spain back to 
France, and by France sold to the United States. 

In the half century, from the building of the Fort of CreveccBur by 
LaSalle, in 1680, up to the erection of Fort Chartres, many French set- 
tlements had been made in that quarter. These have already been 
noticed, being those at St. Vincent (Vincennes), Kohokia or Cahokia, 
Kaskaskia and Prairie du Rocher, on the American Bottom, a large tract 
of rich alluvial soil in Dlinois, on the Mississippi, opposite the site of St. 
Louis. 

By the treaty of Paris, the regions east of the Mississippi, including 
all these and other towns of the Northwest, were given over to England ; 
but they do not appear to have been taken possession of until 1765, when 
Captain Stirling, in the name of the Majesty of England, established him- 
self at Fort Chartres bearing with liim the proclamation of General Gage, 
dated December 30, 1764, which promised religious freedom to all Cath- 
olics who worshiped here, and a right to leave the country with their 
effects if they wished, or to remain with the privileges of Englishmen. 
It was shortly after the occupancy of the West by the British that the 
war with Pontiac opened. It is already noticed in the sketch of that 
chieftain. By it many a Briton lost his life, and many a frontier settle- 



38 THE NORTHWEST TEREITOEY. 

ment in its infancy ceased to exist. This was not ended until the year 
1764, when, failing to capture Detroit, Niagara and Fort Pitt, his confed- 
eracy became disheartened, and, receiving no aid from the French, Pon- 
tiac abandoned the enterprise and departed to the Illinois, among whom 
he afterward lost his life. 

As soon as these difficulties were definitely settled, settlers began 
rapidly to survey the country and prepare for occupation. During the 
year 1770, a number of persons from Virginia and other British provinces 
explored and marked out nearly all the valuable lands on the Mononga- 
hela and along the banks of the Ohio as far as the Little Kanawha. This 
was followed by another exploring expedition, in which George Washing- 
ton was a party. The latter, accompanied by Dr. Craik, Capt. Crawford 
and others, on the 20th of October, 1770, descended the Ohio from Pitts- 
burgh to the mouth of the Kanawha ; ascended that stream about fourteen 
miles, marked out several large tracts of land, shot several buffalo, which 
were then abundant in the Ohio Valley, and returned to the fort. 

Pittsburgh was at this time a trading post, about which was clus- 
tered a village of some twenty houses, inhabited by Indian traders. This 
same year, Cajit. Pittman visited Kaskaskia and its neighboring villages. 
He found there about sixty-five resident families, and at Cahokia only 
forty-five dwellings. At Fort Chartres was another small settlement, and 
at Detroit the garrison were quite prosperous and strong. For a year 
or two settlers continued to locate near some of these posts, generally 
Fort Pitt or Detroit, owing to the fears of the Indians, who still main- 
tained some feelings of hatred to the English. . The trade from the posts 
was quite good, and from those in Illinois large quantities of pork and 
flour found their way to the New Orleans market. ' At this time the 
policy of the British Government was strongly opposed to the extension 
of the colonies west. In 1763, the King of England forbade, by royal 
proclamation, his colonial subjects from making a settlement beyond the 
sources of the rivers which fall into the Atlantic Ocean. At the instance 
of the Board of Trade, measures were taken to prevent the settlement 
without the limits prescribed, and to retain the commerce within easy 
reach of Great Britain. 

The commander-in-chief of the king's forces wrote in 1769 : " In the 
course of a few years necessity will compel the colonists, should they 
extend their settlements west, to provide manufactures of some kind for 
themselves, and when all connection upheld by commerce with the mother 
country ceases, an independency in their government will soon follow." 

In accordance with this policy, Gov. Gage issued a proclamation 
in 1772, commanding the inhabitants of Vincennes to abandon their set- 
tlements and join some of the Eastern English colonies. To this they 



THE NORTHWEST TEREITOET. 39 

stiemiously objected, giving good reasons therefor, and were allowed to 
remain. The strong opposition to this policy of Great Britain led to its 
change, and to such a course as to gain the attachment of the French 
population. In December, 1773, influential citizens of Quebec petitioned 
the king for an extension of the boundary lines of that province, which 
was granted, and Parliament passed an act on June 2, 177-i, extend- 
ing the boundary so as to include the territory lying within the present 
States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. 

In consequence of the liberal policy pursued by the British Govern- 
ment toward the French settlers in the West, they were disposed to favor 
that nation in the war which soon followed with the colonies ; but the 
early alliance between France and America soon brought them to the side 
of the war for independence. 

In 1774, Gov. Dunmore, of Virginia, began to encourage emigration 
to the Western lands. He appointed magistrates at Fort Pitt under the 
pretense that the fort was under the government of that commonwealth. 
One of these justices, John Connelly, who possessed a tract of land in the 
Ohio Valley, gathered a force of men and garrisoned the fort, calling it 
Fort Duumore. This and other parties were formed to select sites for 
settlements, and often came in conflict with the Indians, who yet claimed 
portions of the vallej^ and several battles followed. These ended in the 
famous battle of Kanawha in July, where the Indians were defeated and 
driven across the Ohio. 

During the years 1775 and 1776, by the operations of land companies 
and the perseverance of individuals, several settlements were firmly estab- 
lished between the Alleghanies and the Ohio River, and western land 
speculators were busy in Illinois and on the Wabash. At a council held 
in Kaskaskia on July 5, 1773, an association of English traders, calling 
themselves the " Illinois Land Company," obtained from ten chiefs of the 
Kaskaskia, Cahokia and Peoria tribes two large tracts of land lying on 
the east side of the Mississippi River south of the Illinois. In 1775, a mer- 
chant from the Illinois Country, named Viviat, came to Post Vincennes 
as the agent of the association called the " Wabash Land Company." On 
the 8th of October he obtained from eleven Piankeshaw chiefs, a deed for 
37,497,600 acres of land. This deed was signed by the grantors, attested 
by a number of the inhabitants of Vincennes, and afterward recorded in 
the office of a notary public at Kaskaskia. This and other land com- 
panies had extensive schemes for the colonization of the West ; but all 
were frustrated by the breaking out of the Revolution. On the 20th ot 
April, 1780, the two companies named consolidated under the name of the 
" United Illinois and Wabash Land Company." They afterward made 



40 THE NORTHWEST TERKITOKT. 

Strenuous efforts to have these grants sanctioned by Congress, but all 
signally failed. 

When the War of the Revolution commenced, Kentucky was an unor- 
ganized country, though there were several settlements within her borders. 

In Hutchins' Topography of Virginia, it is stated that at that time 
" Kaskaskia contained 80 houses, and nearly 1,000 white and black in- 
habitants — the whites being a little the more numerous. Cahokia con- 
tains 50 houses and 300 white inhabitants, and 80 negroes. There were 
east of the Mississippi River, about the year 1771 " — when these observa- 
tions were made — " 300 white men capable of bearing arms, and 230 
negroes." 

From 1775 until the expedition of Clark, nothing is recorded and 
nothing known of these settlements, save what is contained in a report 
made by a committee to Congress in June, 1778. From it the following 
extract is made : 

" Near the mouth of the River Kaskaskia, there is a village which 
appears to have contained nearly eighty families from the beginning of 
the late revolution. There are twelve families in a small village at !» 
Prairie du Rochers, and near fifty families at the Kahokia Village. There 
are also four or five families at Fort Chartres and St. Philips, which is five 
miles further up the river." 

St. Louis had been settled in February, 1764, and at this time con- 
tained, including its neighboring towns, over six hundi'ed whites and one 
hundred and fifty negroes. It must be remembered that all the country 
west of the Mississipjii was now under French rule, and remained so until 
ceded again to Spain, its original owner, who afterwards sold it and the 
country including New Orleans to the United States. At Detroit there 
were, according to Capt. Carver, who was in the Northwest from 1766 to 
1768, more than one hundred houses, and the river was settled for more 
than twenty miles, although poorly cultivated — the people being engaged 
in the Indian trade. This old town has a history, which we will here 
relate. 

It is the oldest town in the Northwest, having been founded by 
Antoine de Lamotte Cadillac, in 1701. It was laid out in the form of an 
oblong square, of two acres in length, and an acre and a half in width. 
As described by A. D. Frazer, who first visited it and became a permanent 
resident of the place, in 1778, it comprised within its limits that space 
between Mr. Palmer's store (Conant Block) and Capt. Perkins' house 
(near the Arsenal building), and extended back as far as the public bam, 
and was itordered in front by the Detroit River. It was surrounded by 
oak and cedar pickets, about fifteen feet long, set in the ground, and had 
four gates — east, west, uorth aud south. Over the first thi-ee of these 



THE NORTFTWEST TERRITOKY. 41 

gates were block houses provided with four guns apiece, each a six- 
pounder. Two six-gun batteries were planted fronting the river and in a 
parallel direction with the block houses. There were four streets running 
east and west, the main street being twenty feet wide and the rest fifteen 
feet, while the four streets crossing these at right angles were from ten 
to fifteen feet in width. 

At the date spoken of by Mr. Frazer, there was no fort within the 
enclosure, but a citadel on the ground corre'sponding to the present 
northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Wayne Street. The citadel wa* 
inclosed by pickets, and within it were erected barracks of wood, two 
stories high, sufiScient to contain ten officers, and also barracks sufficient 
to contain four hundred men, and a provision store built of brick. The 
citadel also contained a hospital and guard-house. The old town of 
Detroit, in 1778, contained about sixty houses, most of them one story, 
with a few a story and a half in height. They were all of logs, some 
hewn and some round. Thei'e was one building of splendid appearance, 
called the " King's Palace," two stories high, which stood near the east 
gate. It was built for Governor Hamilton, the first governor commissioned 
by the British. There were two guard-houses, one near the west gate and 
the other near the Government House. Each of the guards consisted of 
twenty-four men and a subaltern, who mounted regularly every morning 
between nine and ten o'clock. Each furnished four sentinels, who were 
relieved every two hours. There was also an officer of the daj% who pjr- 
formed strict duty. Each of the gates was shut regularly at sunset, 
even wicket gates were shut at nine o'clock, and all the keys were 
delivered into the hands of the commanding officer. They were opened 
in the morning at sunrise. No Indian or squaw was permitted to enter 
town with any weapon, such as a tomahawk or a knife. It was a stand- 
ing order that the Indians should deliver their arms and instruments of 
every kind before they were permitted to pass the sentinel, and they were 
restored to them on their return. No more than twenty-five Indians were 
allowed to enter the town at any one time, and they were admitted only 
at the east and west gates. At sundown the drums beat, and all the 
Indians were required to leave town instantly. There was a council house 
near the water side for the purpose of holding council with the Indians. 
The population of the town was about sixty families, in all about two- 
hundred males and one hundred females. This town was destroyed by 
fire, all except one dwelling, in 1805. After which the present " new '" 
town was laid out. 

On the breaking out of the Revolution, the British held every post of 
importance in the West. Kentucky was formed as a component part of 
Virginia, and the sturdy pioneers of the West, alive to their interests. 



42 THE NORTHWEST TEKEITORY. 

and recognizing the great benefits of obtaining the control of the trade in 
this part of the New World, held steadily to their purposes, and those 
within the commonwealth of Kentucky proceeded to exercise their 
civil privileges, by electing John Todd and Richard Gallaway, 
burgesses to represent them in the Assembly of the parent state. 
Early in September of that year (1777) the first court was held 
in Harrodsburg, and Col. Bowman, afterwards major, who had arrived 
in August, was made the commander of a militia organization which 
had been commenced the March previous. Thus the tree of loyalty 
was growing. The chief spirit in this far-out colony, who had represented 
her the year previous east of the mountains, was now meditating a move 
unequaled in its boldness. He had been watching the movements of the 
British throughout the Northwest, and understood their whole plan. He 
saw it was through their possession of the posts at Detroit, Vincennes, 
Kaskaskia, and other places, which would give them constant and easy 
access to the various Indian tribes in the Northwest, that the British 
intended to penetrate the country from the north and soutn, ana annihi- 
late the frontier fortresses. This moving, energetic man was Colonel, 
afterwards General, George Rogers Clark. He knew the Indians were not 
unanimously in accord with the Enghsh, and he was convinced that, could 
the British be defeated and expelled from the Northwest, the natives 
might be easily awed into neutralitj- ; and by spies sent for the purpose, 
lie satisfied himself that the enterprise against the Illinois settlements 
might easily succeed. Having convinced himself of the certainty of the 
project, he repaired to the Capital of Virginia, which place he reached on 
November 5th. While he was on his way, fortunately, on October 17th, 
Burgoyne had been defeated, and the spirits of the colonists greatly 
encouraged thereby. Patrick Henry was Governor of Virginia, and at 
once entered heartily into Clark's plans. The same plan had before been 
agitated in the Colonial Assemblies, but there was no one until Clark 
came who was sufficiently acquainted with the condition of affairs at the 
scene of action to be able to guide them. 

Clark, having satisfied the Virginia leaders of the feasibility of his 
plan, received, on the 2d of January, two sets of instructions — one secret, 
the other open — the latter authorized him to proceed to enlist seven 
companies to go to Kentucky, subject to his orders, and to serve three 
months from their arrival in the West. The secret order authorized him 
to arm these troops, to procure his powder and lead of General Hand 
at Pittsburgh, and to proceed at once to subjugate the country. 

With these instructions Clark repaired to Pittsburgh, choosing rather 
to raise his men west of the mountains, as he well knew all were needed 
in the colonies in the conflict there. He sent Col. W. B. Smith to Hoi- 



THE KORTHWEST TERRITOKY. 43 

ston for the same purpose, but neither succeeded in raising the required 
number of men. The settlers in these parts were afraid to leave their 
own firesides exposed to a vigilant foe, and but few could be induced to 
join the proposed expedition. With three companies and several private 
volunteers, Clark at length commenced his descent of the Ohio, which he 
navigated as far as the Falls, where he took possession of and fortified 
Corn Island, a small island between the present Cities of Louisville, 
Kentucky, and New Albany, Indiana. Remains of this fortification may 
yet be found. At this place he appointed Col. Bowman to meet him 
with such recruits as had reached Kentucky by the southern route, and 
as many as could be spared from the station. Here he announced to 
the men their real destination. Having completed his arrangements, 
and chosen his party, he left a small garrison upon the island, and on the 
24th of June, during a total eclipse of the sun, which to them augured 
no good, and which fixes beyond dispute the date of starting, he with 
his chosen band, fell down the river. His plan was to go by water as- 
far as Fort Massac or Massacre, and thence march direct to Kaskaskia. 
Here he intended to surprise the garrison, and after its capture go to 
Cahokia, then to Vincennes, and lastly to Detroit. Should he fail, he 
intended to march directly to the Mississippi River and cross it into the' 
Spanish country. Before his start he received two good items of infor- 
mation : one that the alliance had been formed between France and the 
United States ; and the other that the Indians throughout the Illinois- 
country and the inhabitants, at the various frontier posts, had been led ta 
believe by the British that the " Long Knives " or Virginians, were the 
most fierce, bloodthirsty and cruel savages that ever scalped a foe. With 
this impression on their minds, Clark saw that proper management would 
cause them to submit at once from fear, if surprised, and then from grati- 
tude would become friendly if treated with unexpected leniency. 

The march to Kaskaskia was accomplished through a hot July sun, 
and the town reached on the evening of July 4. He captured the fort 
near the village, and soon after the village itself by surprise, and without 
the loss of a single man or by killing any of the enemy. After sufficiently 
working upon the fears of the natives, Clark told them they were at per- 
fect liberty to worship as they pleased, and to take whichever side of the 
great conflict they would, also he would protect them from any barbarity 
from British or Indian foe. This had the desired effect, and the inhab- 
itants, so unexpectedly and so gratefully surprised by the unlooked 
for turn of affairs, at once swore allegiance to the American arms, and 
when Clark desired to go to Cahokia on the 6th of July, they accom- 
panied him, and through their influence the inhabitants of the place 
surrendered, and gladly placed themselves under his protection. Thus- 



44 THE NORTHWEST TERRITOEY. 

the two important posts in Illinois passed from the hands of the English 
into the possession of Virginia. 

In the person of the priest at Kaskaskia, M. Gibault, Clark found a 
powerful ally and generous friend. Clark saw that, to retain possession 
of the Northwest and treat successfully with the Indians within its boun- 
daries, he must establish a government for the colonies he had taken. 
St. Vincent, the next important post to Detroit, remained yet to be taken 
before the Mississippi Valley was conquered. M. Gibault told him that 
he would alone, by persuasion, lead Vincennes to throw off its connection 
with England. Clark gladly accepted his offer, and on the 14th of July, 
in company with a fellow-townsman, M. Gibault started on his mission of 
peace, and on the 1st of August returned with the cheerful intelligence 
that the post on the " Oubache " had taken the oath of allegiance to 
the Old Dominion. During this interval, Clark established his courts, 
placed garrisons at Kaskaskia and Cahokia, successfully re-enlisted his 
men, sent word to have a fort, which proved the germ of Louisville, 
erected at the Falls of the Ohio, and dispatched Mr. Rocheblave, who 
had been commander at Kaskaskia, as a prisoner of war to Richmond. 
In October the County of Illinois was established by the Legislature 
of Virginia, John Todd appointed Lieutenant Colonel and Civil Governor, 
and in November General Clark and his men received the thanks of 
the Old Dominion through their Legislature. 

In a speech a few days afterward, Clark made known fully to the 
natives his plans, and at its close all came forward, and swore alle- 
giance to the Long Knives. While he was doing this Governor Hamilton, 
having made his various arrangements, had left Detroit and moved down 
the Wabash to Vincennes intending to operate from that point in reducing 
the Illinois posts, and then proceed on down to Kentucky and drive the 
rebels from the West. Gen. Clark had, on the return of M. Gibault, 
dispatched Captain Helm, of Fauquier County, Virginia, with an attend- 
ant named Henry, across the Illinois prairies to command the fort. 
Hamilton knew nothing of the capitulation of the post, and was greatlj- 
surprised on his arrival to be confronted by Capt. Helm, who, standing at 
the entrance of the fort by a loaded cannon ready to fire upon his assail- 
ants, demanded upon what terms Hamilton demanded possession of the 
fort. Being granted the rights of a prisoner of war, he surrendered to 
the British General, who could scarcely believe his eyes when he saw the 
force in the garrison. 

Hamilton, not realizing the character of the men with whom he was 
contending, gave up his intended campaign for the Winter, sent his four 
hundred Indian warriors to prevent troops from coming down the Ohio, 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 45 

and to annoy the Americans in all ways, and sat quietly down to pass the 
Winter. Information of all these proceedings having reached Clark, he 
saw that immediate and decisive action was necessary, and that unless 
he captured Hamilton, Hamilton would capture him. Clark received the 
news on the 29th of January, 1779, and on February 4th, having suffi- 
ciently garrisoned Kaskaskia and Cahokia, he sent down the Mississippi 
a " battoe," as Major Bowman writes it, in order to ascend the Ohio and 
Wabash, and operate with the land forces gathering for the fray. 

On the next day, Clark, with his little force of one hundred and 
twenty men, set out for the post, and after incredible hard marching 
through much mud, the ground being thawed by the incessant spring 
rains, on the 22d reached the fort, and being joined by his " battoe," at 
once commenced the attack on the post. The aim of the American back- 
woodsman was unerring, and on the 24th the garrison surrendered to the 
intrepid boldness of Clark. The French were treated with great kind- 
ness, and gladly renewed their allegiance to Virginia. Hamilton was 
sent as a prisoner to Virginia, where he was kept in close confinement. 
During his command of the British frontier posts, he had offered prizes 
to the Indians for all the scalps of Americans they would bring to him, 
and had earned in consequence thereof the title " Hair-buyer General," 
by which he was ever afterward known. 

Detroit was now without doubt within easy reach of the enterprising 
Virginian, could he but raise the necessary force. Governor Henry being 
apprised of this, promised him the needed reinforcement, and Clark con- 
cluded to wait until he could capture and sufficiently garrison the posts. 
Had Clark failed iu this bold undertaking, and Hamilton succeeded in 
uniting the western Indians for the next Spring's campaign, the West 
would indeed have been swept from the Mississippi to the Allegheny 
Mountains, and the great blow struck, which had been contemplated from 
the commencement, by the British. 

" But for this small army of dripping, but fearless Virginians, the 
union of all the tribes from Georgia to Maine against the colonies might 
have been effected, and the whole current of our history changed." 

At this time some fears were entertained by the Colonial Govern- 
ments that the Indians in the North and Northwest were inclining to the 
British, and under the instructions of Washington, now Commander-in- 
Chief of the Colonial army, and so bravely fighting for American inde- 
pendence, armed forces were sent against the Six Nations, and upon the 
Ohio frontier. Col. Bowman, acting under the same general's orders, 
marched against Indians within the present limits of that State. These 
expeditions were in the main successful, and the Indians were compelled 
to sue for peace. 



46 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

During this same year (1779) the famous " Land Laws" of Virginia 
were passed. The passage of these laws was of more consequence to the 
pioneers of Kentucky and the Northwest than the gaining of a few Indian 
conflicts. These laws confirmed in main all grants made, and guaranteed 
to all actual settlers their rights and privileges. After providing for the 
settlers, the laws provided for selling the 'balance of the public lands at 
forty cents per acre. To carry the Land Laws into effect, the Legislature 
sent four Virginians westward to attend to the various claims, over many 
of which great confusion prevailed concerning their validity. These 
gentlemen opened their court on October 13, 1779, at St. Asaphs, and 
continued until April 26, 1780, when they adjourned, having decided 
three , thousand claims. They were succeeded by the surveyor, who 
came in the person of Mr. George May, and assumed his duties on the 
10th day of the month whose name he bore. With the opening of the 
next year (1780) the troubles concerning the navigation of the Missis- 
sippi commenced. The Spanish Government exacted such measures in 
relation to its trade as to cause the overtures made to the United State.'* 
to be rejected. The American Government considered they had a right 
to navigate its channel. To enforce their claims, a fort was erected below 
the mouth of the Ohio on the Kentucky side of the river. The settle- 
ments in Kentucky were being rapidly filled by emigrants. It was dur- 
ing this year that the first seminary of learning was established in the 
West in this young and enterprising Commonwealth. 

The settlers here did not look upon the building of this fort in a 
friendly manner, as it aroused the hostility of the Indians. Spain had 
been friendly to the Colonies during their struggle for independence, 
and though for a while this friendship appeared in danger from the 
refusal of the free navigation of the river, yet it was finally settled to the 
satisfaction of both nations. 

The Winter of 1779-80 was one of the most unusually severe one» 
ever experienced in the West. The Indians always referred to it as the 
"Great Cold." Numbers of wild animals perished, and not a few 
pioneers lost their lives. The following Summer a party of Canadians 
and Indians attacked St. Louis, and attempted to take possession of it 
in consequence of the friendly disposition of Spain to the revolting 
colonies. They met with such a determined resistance on the part of the 
inhabitants, even the women taking part in the battle, that they were 
compelled to abandon the contest. They also made an attack on the 
settlements in Kentucky, but, becoming alarmed in some unaccountable 
manner, they fled the country in great haste. 

About this time arose the question in the Colonial Congress con- 
cerning the western lauds claimed by Virginia, New York, Massachusetts 



»4 



/^ 









THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 49 

and Connecticut. The agitation concerning this subject finally led New 
York, on the 19th of February, 1780, to pass a law giving to tiie dele- 
gates of that State in Congress tlie power to cede her western lands for 
the benefit of the United States. This law was laid before Congress 
during the next montli, but no steps were taken concerning it until Sep- 
tember 6th, when a resolution passed that body calling upon the States 
claiming western lands to release their claims in favor of the whole body. 
This basis formed tlie union, and was the first after all of those legislative 
measures which resulted in the creation of the States of Ohio, Indiana, 
Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. In December of the same 
year, the plan of conquering Detroit again arose. The conquest might 
have easily been effected by Clark had the necessary aid been furnished 
him. Nothing decisive was done, yet the heads of the Government knew 
that the safety of the Northwest from British invasion lay in the capture 
and retention of that important post, the only unconquered one in the 
territory. 

Before the close of the year, Kentucky was divided into the Coun- 
ties of Lincoln, Fayette and .Jefferson, and the act establishing the Town 
of Louisville was passed. This same year is also noted in the annals of 
American history as the year in which occurred Arnold's treason to the 
United States. 

Virginia, in accordance with the resolution of Congress, on the 2d 
day of January, 1781, agreed to yield her western lands to the United 
States upon certain conditions, which Congress would not accede to, and 
the Act of Cession, on the part of the Old Dominion, fiiiled, nor was 
anything farther done until 178-3. During all that time the Colonies 
were busily engaged in the struggle with the mother country, and in. 
consequence thereof but little heed was given to the western settlements. 
Upon the 4th of July, 1773, the first birth north of the Ohio River of 
American parentage occurred, being that of John L. Roth, son of John 
Roth, one of the Moravian missionaries, whose band of Christian Indians 
sufiered in after years a horrible massacre by the hands of the frontier 
settlers, who had been e.xasperated by the murder of several of their 
neighbors, and in their rage committed, without regard to humanity, a 
deed which forever afterward cast a shade of shame upon their lives. 
For this and kindred outrages on the part of the whites, the Indians 
committed many deeds of cruelty which darken the years of 1771 aod 
1772 in the history of the Northwest. 

During the year 1782 a number of battles among the Indians and 
frontiersmen occurred, and between the Moravian Indians and the Wyan- 
dots. In these, horrible acts of cruelty were practised on the captives, 
many of such dark deeds transpiring under the leadership of the notorious 



50 TBE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

frontier outlaw, Simon Girty, whose name, as well as those of his brothers, 
was a terror to women and children. These occurred chiefly in the Ohio 
valleys. Cotemporarj' with them were several engagements in Kentuckj^ 
in which the famous Daniel Boone engaged, and who, often by his skill 
and knowledge of Indian warfare, saved the outposts from cruel destruc- 
tion. By the close of the year victory had perched upon the American 
banner, and on tlie 30th of November, provisional articles of peace had 
been arranged between the Commissioners of England and her uncon- 
querable colonies. Cornwallis liad been defeated on the 19tli of October 
preceding, and the liberty of America was assured. On the 19th of 
April following, the anniversary of the battle of Lexington, peace was 
proclaimed to the army of the United States, and on the od of the next 
September, the definite treaty which ended our revolutionar}' struggle 
was concluded. By the terms of that treaty, the boundaries of the West 
wei-e as follows : On the north the line was to extend along the center of 
the Great Lakes ; from the western point of Lake Superior to Long Lake ; 
thence to the Lake of the Woods ; thence to the head of the Mississippi 
River : down its center to the 31st parallel of latitude, then on that line 
east to the head of the Appalachicola River ; down its center to its junc- 
tion with the Flint ; thence straight to the head of St. Mary's River, and 
thence down along its center to the Atlantic Ocean. 

Following the cessation of hostilities with England, several posts 
were still occupied by the British in the North and West. Among these 
was Detroit, still in tlie hands of the enemy. Numerous engagements 
with the Lidians throughout Ohio and Indiana occurred, upon whose 
lands adventurous whites would settle ere the title had been acquired by 
the proper treaty. 

To remedy this latter evil, Congress appointed commissioners to 
treat with the natives and purchase their lands, and prohibited the settle- 
ment of the territory uutil this could be done. Before the close of the 
J ear another attempt was made to capture Detroit, which was, however, 
not pushed, and Virginia, no longer feeling the interest in the Northwest 
she had formerly done, withdrew her troops, having on the 20th of 
December preceding authorized the wliole of her possessions to be deeded 
to the United States. This was done on the 1st of March following, and 
the Northwest Territory passed from the control of the Old Dominion. 
To Gen. Clark and his soldiers, however, she gave a tract of one hundred 
and fift}' thousand acres of land, to be situated any where north of the 
Ohio wherever they choose to locate them. They selected the region 
opposite the falls of the Ohio, where is now the dilapidated village of 
Clarksville, about midway between the cities of New Albany and Jeffer- 
sonville, Indiana. 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 51 

While the frontier remained thus, and Gen. Haldimand at Detroit 
refused to evacuate, alleging that he had no orders from his King to do 
so, settlers were rapidly gathering about the inland forts. In the Spring 
of 1784, Pittsburgh was regularly laid out, and from the journal of Arthur 
Lee, who passed through the town soon after on his way to the Indian 
council at Fort Mcintosh, we suppose it was not very prepossessing in 
appearance. He says : 

" Pittsburgh is inhabited almost entirely by Scots and Irish, who 
live in paltry log houses, and are as dirty as if in the north of Ireland or 
even Scotland. There is a great deal of trade carried on, the goods being 
brought at the vast expense of forty-five shillings pei* pound from Phila- 
delphia and Baltimore. They take in the shops flour, wheat, skins and 
nlone3^ There are in the town four attorneys, two doctors, and not a 
priest of any persuasion, nor church nor chapel." 

Kentucky at this time contained thirty thousand inhabitants, and 
was beginning to discuss measures for a separation from Virginia. A 
land office was opened at Louisville, and measures were adopted to take 
defensive precaution against the Indians, who were yet, in some instances, 
incited to deeds of violence b}' the British. Before the close of this year, 
1784, the military claimants of land began to occupy them, although no 
entries wei-e recorded until 1787. 

The Indian title to the Northwest was not yet extinguished. They 
held large tracts of land, and in order to prevent bloodshed Congress 
adopted means for treaties with the original owners and provided for the 
surveys of the lands gained thereby, as well as for those north of the 
Ohio, now in its possession. 

On January 31, 1786, a treaty was made with the Wabash Indians. 
The treaty of Fort Stanwix had been made in 1784. That at Fort Mc- 
intosh in 1785, and through these much laud was gained. The Wabash 
Indians, however, afterward refused to comply with the provisions of the 
treaty made with them, and in order to compel their adherence to its 
provisions, force was used. 

During the 3'ear 1786, the free navigation of the Mississippi came up 
in Congress, and caused various discussions, which resulted in no definite 
action, only serving to excite speculation in regard to the western lands. 
Congress had promised bounties of land to the soldiers of the Revolution, 
but owing to the unsettled condition of affairs along the Mississippi 
respecting its navigation, and the trade of the Northwest, that body had, 
in 1783, declared its inability to fulfill these promises until a treaty could 
be concluded between the two Governments. 

Before the close of the year 1786, however, it was able, through the 
treaties with the Indians, to allow some grants and the settlement 



52 THE NORTHWEST TEEKITORY. 

thereon, and on the 14th of September, Connecticut ceded to the Genera! 
Government the tract of land known as the "Connecticut Reserve." 
and before the close of the following year a large tract of land north 
of the Ohio was sold to a company, who at once took measures to 
settle it. 

By the provisions of this grant, the company were to pay the United 
States one dollar per acre, subject to a deduction of one-third for bad 
lands and other contingencies. They received 750,000 acres, bounded 
on the south by the Ohio, on the east by the seventh range of townships, 
on the west by the sixteenth range, and on the north by a line so drawn 
as to make the grant complete without the reservations. In addi- 
tion to this. Congress afterward granted 100,000 acres to actual set- 
tlers, and 214,285 acres as army bounties under the resolutions of 1789 
and 1790. 

While Dr. Cutler, one of the agents of the company, was pressing 
its claims before Congress, that body was bringing into form an ordinance 
for the political and social organization of this Territory. When the 
cession was made by Virginia, in 1784, a plan was offered, but rejected. 
A motion had been made to strike from the proposed plan the prohibition 
of slavery, which prevailed. The plan was then discussed and altered, 
and finally passed unanimously, with the exception of South Carolina. 
By this proposition, the Territory was to have been divided into states, 
by parallels and meridian lines. This, it was thought, would make ten 
states, which were to have been named as follows — beginning at the 
northwest corner and going southwardly : Sylvania, Michigania, Cher- 
sonesus, Assenisipia, Metropotamia, lUenoia, Saratoga, Wasliington, Poly- 
potamia and Pelisipia. 

There was a more serious objection to this plan than its category of 
names, — the boundaries. The root of the difficulty was in the resolu- 
tion of Congress passed in 'October, 1780, which fixed the boundaries 
of the ceded lands to be from one hundred to one hundred and fifty miles 
square. These resolutions being presented to the Legislatures of Vir- 
ginia and Massachusetts, they desired a change, and in July, 178G, the 
subject was taken up in Congress, and changed to favor a division into 
not more than five states, and not less than three. This was approved by 
the State Legislature of Virginia. 

The subject of the Government was again taken up by Congress in 
1786, and discussed throughout that year and until July, 1787, when the 
famous " Compact of 1787 " was passed, and the foundation of the gov- 
ernment of the Northwest laid. This compact is fully discussed and 
explained in the history of Ohio in this book, and to it the reader is re- 
ferred. 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 53 

The passage of this act and the grant to the New England Company 
was soon followed by an application to the Government by John Cleves 
Symmes, of New Jersey, lor a grant of the land between the Afiamis. 
This gentleman had visited these lands soon after the treaty of 1786, and, 
being greatly pleased with them, offered similar terms to those given to 
the New England Company. The petition was referred to the Treasury 
Board with power to act, and a contract was concluded the following 
year. 

During the Autumn the directors of the New England Company 
were preparing to occupy their grant the following Spring, and upon the 
23d of November made arrangements for a party of forty-seven men, 
under the superintendency of Gen. Rufus Putnam, to set forward. Six 
boat-builders were to leave at once, and on the first of January the sur- 
veyors and their assistants, twenty-six in number, were to meet at Hart- 
ford and proceed on their journey westward ; the remainder to follow as 
soon as possible. Congress, in the meantime, upon the 3d of October, 
had ordered seven hundred troops for defense of the western settlers, and 
to prevent unauthorized intrusions ; and two days later appointed Arthur 
St. Clair Governor of the Territory of the Northwest. 



AMERICAN SETTLEMENTS. 

The civil organization of the Northwest Territory was now com- 
plete, and notwithstanding the uncertainty of Indian affairs, settlers from 
the East began to come into the country rapidly. The New England 
Company sent their men during tlie Winter of 1787-8 pressing on over 
the AUeghenies by the old Indian path which had been opened into 
Braddock's road, and which has since been made a national turnpike 
from Cumberland westward. Through the weary winter days they toiled 
on, and by April were all gathered on the Youghiogheny, where boats had 
been built, and at once started for the Muskingum. Here they arrived 
on the 7th of that month, and unless the Moravian missionaries be regarded 
as the pioneers of Ohio, this little band can justly claim that honor. 

Gen. St. Clair, the appointed Governor of the Northwest, not having 
yet arrived, a set of laws were passed, written out, and published by 
being nailed to a tree in the embryo town, and Jonathan Meigs appointed 
to administer them. 

Washington in writing of this, the first American settlement in the 
Northwest, said : " No colony in America was ever settled under such 
favorable auspices as that which has just commenced at Muskingum. 
Information, property and strength will be its characteristics. I know 



64 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

many of its settlers personally, and there never were men better calculated 
to promote tlie welfare of such a community." 

On the 2d of July a meeting of the directors and agents was held on 
the banks of tlie Muskingum, " for the purpose of naming the new-born 
city and its squares." As yet tlie settlement was known as the " Mus- 
kingum," but that was now changed to the name Marietta, in honor 
of Marie Antoinette, The square upon which the block-houses stood 
was called '■'■Campus Martins;^'' square number 19, '■^ Capitolium ;" 
square number 61, " Cecilia;" and the great road through tlie covert 
way, " Sacra Via." Two days after, an oration was delivered by James 
M. Varnum, who with S. H. Parsons and John Armstrong had been 
appointed to the judicial bench of the territory on the 16th of October, 
1787. On July 9, Gov. St. Clair arrived, and the colou}^ began to assume 
form. The act of 1787 provided two district grades of government for 
the Northwest, under the first of which the whole power was invested in 
the hands of a governor and three district judges. This was immediately 
formed upon the Governor's arrival, and the first laws of the colony 
passed on the 25th of July. Tiiese provided for the organization of 
the militia, and on the next day appeared the Governor's proclamation, 
erecting all that country that had been ceded by the Indians east of the 
Scioto River into the County of Washington. From that time forward, 
notwithstanding the doubts yet existing as to the Indians, all Marietta 
prospered, and on the 2d of September the first court of the territory was 
held with imposing ceremonies. 

Tlie emigration westward at this time was very great. The com- 
mander at Fort Harmer, at the mouth of the Muskingum, reported four 
thousand five hundred persons as having passed that post between Feb- 
ruary and June, 1788 — many of whom would have purchased of the 
" Associates," as the New England Company was called, had they been 
ready to receive them. 

On the 26th of November, 1787, S3'mmes issued a pamphlet stating 
the terms of his contract and the plan of sale he intended to adopt. In 
January, 1788, Matthias Denman, of New Jersey, took an active interest 
in Symmes' purchase, and located among other tracts the sections upon 
which Cincinnati has been built. Retaining one-third of this locality, he 
sold the other two-thirds to Robert Patterson and John Filson, and the 
three, about August, commenced to lay out a town on the spot, which 
was designated as being opposite Licking River, to the mouth of which 
they proposed to have a road cut from Lexington. The naming of the 
town is thus narrated in the " Western Annals " : — " Mr. Filson, who had 
been a schoolmaster, was appointed to name the town, and. in respect to 
its situation, and as if with a prophetic perception of the mixed race that 



THE NORTHWEST TKRRITOKY. 55 

were to inhabit it in after days, he named it Losantiville, which, being 
interpreted, means : v'llle, the town ; anti, against or opposite to ; os, the 
mouth ; L. of Licking." 

Meanwhile, in July, Symmes got thirty persons and eight four-horse 
teams under way from the West. These reached Limestone (now Mays- 
ville) in September, where were several persons from Redstone. Here 
Mr. Symmes tried to found a settlement, but the great freshet of 1789 
caused the " Point," as it was and is yet called, to be fifteen feet under 
water, and the settlement to be abandoned. The little band of settlers 
removed to the mouth of the Miami. Before Symmes and his colony left 
the " Point," two settlements had been made on his purchase. The first 
was by Mr. Stiltes, the original projector of the whole plan, who, with a 
colony of Redstone people, had located at the mouth of the Miami, 
whither Symmes went with his Maysville colony. Here a clearing had 
been made by the Indians owing to the great fertility of the soil. Mr. 
Stiltes with his colony came to this place on the 18th of November, 1788, 
with twenty-six persons, and, building a block-house, prepared to remain 
through the Winter. The}' named the settlement Columbia. Here they 
were kindly treated by the Indians, but suffered greatly from the flood 
of 1789. 

On the 4th of March, 1789, the Constitution of the United States 
went into operation, and on April 30, George Washington was inau- 
gurated President of the American people, and during the next Summer, 
an Indian war was commenced by the tribes north of the Ohio. The 
President at first used pacific means ; but these failing, he sent General 
Harmer against the hostile tribes. He destroyed several villages, but 
was defeated in two battles, near the present City of Fort Wayne, 
Indiana. From this time till the close of 1795, the principal events were 
the wars with the various Indian tribes. In 1796, General St. Clair 
was appointed in command, and marched against the Indians; but while 
he was encamped on a stream, the St. Mar3% a branch of the Maumee, 
he was attacked and defeated with the loss of six hundred men. 

General Wayne was now sent against the savages. In August, 1794, 
he met them near the rapids of the Maumee, and gained a complete 
victory. This success, followed by vigorous measures, compelled the 
Indians to sue for peace, and on the 30th of July, the following year, the 
treaty of Greenville was signed by the principal chiefs, by which a large 
tract of country was ceded to the United States. 

Before proceeding in our narrative, we will pause to notice Fort 
Washington, erected in the early part of this war on the site of Cincinnati. 
Nearly all of the great cities of the Northwest, and indeed of the 



56 THE NORTHWEST TEEEITORY. 

whole country, have liad their nuclei in those rude pioneer structures, 
known as forts or stockades. Thus Forts Dearborn, Washington, Pon- 
chartrain, mark the original sites of the now proud Cities of Chicago, 
Cincinnati and Detroit. So of most of the flourishing cities east and west 
of the Mississippi. Fort Washington, erected by Doughty in 1790, was a 
rude but highly interesting structure. It was composed of a number of 
strongly-built hewed log cabins. Those designed for soldiers' barracks 
were a story and a half high, while those composing the oflScers quarters 
were more imposing and more conveniently arranged and furnished. 
The whole were so placed as to form a hollow square, enclosing about an 
acre of ground, with a block house at each of the four angles. 

Tlie logs for the construction of this fort were cut from the ground 
upon which it was erected. It stood between Third and Fourth Streets 
of the present city (Cincinnati) extending east of Eastern Row, now 
Broadway, which was then a narrow alley, and the eastern boundary of 
of the town as it was originally laid out. On the bank of the river, 
immediately in front of the fort, was an appendage of the fort, called the 
Artificer's Yard. It contained about two acres of ground, enclosed by 
small contiguous buildings, occupied by workshops and quarters of 
laborers. Within this enclosure there was a large two-story frame house, 
familiarly called the " Yellow House," built for the accommodation of 
the Quartermaster General. For many years this was the best finished 
and most commodious edifice in the Queen City. Fort Washington was 
for some time the headquarters of both the civil and military governments 
of the Northwestern Territory. 

Following the consummation of the treaty various gigantic land spec- 
ulations were entered into by different persons, who hoped to obtain 
from the Indians in Michigan and northern Indiana, large tracts of lands. 
These were generally discovered in time to prevent the outrageous 
schemes from being"carried out, and from involving the settlers in war. 
On October 27, 1795, the treaty between the United States and Spain 
was signed, whereby the free navigation of the Mississippi was secured. 

No sooner had the treaty of 1795 been ratified than settlements began 
to pour rapidly into the West. The great event of the year 1796 was the 
occupation of that part of the Northwest including Michigan, which was 
this year, under the provisions of the treaty, evacuated by the British 
forces. The United States, owing to certain conditions, did not feel 
justified in addressing the authorities in Canada in relation to Detroit 
and other frontier posts. When at last the British authorities were 
called to give them up, they at once complied, and General Wa3-ne, who 
had done so much to preserve the frontier settlements, and who, before 
the year's close, sickened and died near Erie, transferred his head- 



THE NORTHWEST TEREITORY. 57 

quarters to the neighborhood of the hakes, where a county named after 
liim was formed, which included the northwest of Ohio, all of Michigan, 
and the northeast of Indiana. During this same year settlements were 
formed at the present City of Chillicothe, along the Miami from Middle- 
town to Piqua, while in the more distant West, settlers and speculators 
began to appear in great numbers. In September, the City of Cleveland 
was laid out, and during the Summer and Autumn, Samuel Jackson and 
Jonathan Sharpless erected the first manufactory of paper — the " Red- 
stone Paper Mill'" — in the West. St. Louis contained some seventy 
houses, and Detroit over three hundred, and along the river, contiguous 
to it. were more than three thousand inhabitants, mostly French Canadians, 
Indians and half-breeds, scarcely any Americans venturing yet into that 
part of the Northwest. 

The election of representatives for the territory had taken place, 
and on the 4th of February, 1799, they convened at Losantiville — now 
known as Cincinnati, having been named so by Gov. St. Clair, and 
considered the capital of the Territory — to nominate persons from whom 
the members of the Legislature were to be chosen in accordance with 
a previous ordinance. This nomination being made, the Assembly 
adjourned until the 16th of the following September. From those named 
the President selected as members of the council, Henry Vandenl)urg, 
of Vincennes, Robert Oliver, of Marietta, James Findlay and Jacob 
Burnett, of Cincinnati, and David Vance, of Vanceville. On the 16th 
of September the Territorial Legislature met, and on the 24th the two 
houses were duly organized, Henry Vandenburg being elected President 
of the Council. 

The iTiessage of Gov. St. Clair was addressed to the Legislature 
September 20th, and on October l;3th that body elected as a delegate to 
Congress Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison, who received eleven of the votes 
cast, being a majority of one over his opponent, Arthur St. Clair, son of 
Gen. St. Clair. 

The whole number of acts passed at this session, and approved by 
the Governor, were thirty-seven — eleven others were passed, but received 
his veto. The most important of those passed related to the militia, to 
the administration, and to taxation. On the 19th of December this pro- 
tracted session of the first Legislature in the West was closed, and on the 
30th of December the President nominated Charles Willing Bryd to the 
ofiBce of Secretary of the Territory vice Wm. Henr}' Harrison, elected to 
Congress. The Senate confirmed his nomination the next day. 



58 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 



DIVISION OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

The increased emigration to the Northwest, the extent of the domain, 
and the inconvenient modes of travel, made it very difficult to conduct 
the ordinary operations of government, and rendered the efficient action 
of courts almost impossible. To remedy this, it was deemed advisable to 
divide the territory for civil purposes. Congress, in 1800, appointed a 
committee to examine the question and report some means for its solution. 
This committee, on the 3d of March, reported that : 

" In the three western countries there has been but one court having 
cognizance of crimes, in five years, and the immunity which offenders 
experience attracts, as to an asylum, the most vile and abandoned crim- 
inals, and at the same time deters useful citizens from making settlements 
in such society. The extreme necessity of judiciary attention and assist- 
ance is experienced in civil as well as in criminal cases. * * * • Xo 
minister a remedy to these and other evils, it occurs to this committee 
that it is expedient that a division of said territory into two distinct and 
separate governments should be made ; and that such division be made 
by a line beginning at the mouth of the Great Miami River, running 
directly north until it intersects the boundary between the United States 
and Canada." 

The report was accepted by Congress, and, in accordance with its 
suggestions, that body passed an Act extinguishing the Northwest Terri- 
tory, which Act was approved May 7. Among its provisions were these : 

" That from and after July 4 next, all that part of the Territory of 
the United States northwest of the Ohio River, which lies to the westward 
of a line beginning at a point on the Ohio, opposite to the mouth of the 
Kentucky River, and running thence to Fort Recovery, and thence north 
until it shall intersect the territorial line between the United States and 
Canada, shall, for the purpose of temporary government, constitute a 
separate territory, and be called the Indiana Territory." 

After providing for the exercise of the civil and criminal powers of 
the territories, and other provisions, the Act further provides : 

" That until it shall otherwise be ordered by the Legislatures of tiie 
said Territories, respectively, Chillicothe on the Scioto River shall be the 
seat of government of the Territory of the United States northwest of the 
Ohio River ; and that St. Vincennes on the Wabash River shall be the 
seat of government for the Indiana Territory." 

Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison was appointed Governor of the Indiana 
Territory, and entered upon his duties about a year later. Connecticut 
also about this time released her claims to the reserve, and in March a law 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITOKY. 59 

was passed accepting this cession. Settlements had been made upon 
thirty-five of tlie townships in the reserve, mills had been built, and seven 
hundred miles of road cut in various directions. On the 3d of November, 
the General Assembly met at Chillicothe. Near the close of the year, 
tlie first missionary of the Connecticut Reserve came, who found no 
township containing more than eleven families. It was upon the first of 
October that the secret treaty had been made between Napoleon and the 
King of Spain, whereby the latter agreed to cede to France the province 
of Louisiana. 

In January, 1802, the Assembly of the Northwestern Territory char- 
tered the college at Athens. From the earliest dawn of the western 
colonies, education was promptly pi'ovided for, and as early as 1787, 
newspapers were issued from Pittsburgh and Kentucky, and largely read 
throughout the frontier settlements. Before the close of this year, the 
Congress of the United States granted to the citizens of the Northwestern 
territory the formation of a State government. One of the provisions of 
the "compact of 1787" provided that whenever the number of inhabit- 
ants within prescribed limits exceeded 45,000, they should be entitled to 
a separate government. TJie prescribed limits of Ohio contained, from a 
census taken to ascertain the legality of the act, more than that number, 
and on the 30th of April, 1802, Congress passed the act defining its limits, 
and on the 29th of November the Constitution of the new State of Ohio, 
so named fi-om the beautiful river forming its southern boundary, came 
into existence. The exact limits of Lake Michigan were not then known, 
but the territory now included within the State of Michigan was wholly 
Avithin the territory of Indiana. 

Gen. Harrison, while residing at Vincennes, made several treaties 
with the Indians, thereby gaining large tracts of lands. The next year is 
memorable in the history of the West for the purchase of Louisiana from 
France by the United States for 115,000,000. Thus by a peaceful mode, 
the domain of the United States was extended over a large tract of 
country west of the Mississippi, and was for a time under the jurisdiction 
of the Northwest government, and, as has been mentioned in the early 
part of this narrative, was called the "New Northwest." The limits 
of this history will not allow a description of its territory. The same year 
large grants of land were obtained from the Indians, and the House of 
Representatives of the new State of Ohio signed a bill respecting the 
College Township in the district of Cincinnati. 

Before the close of the year. Gen. Harrison obtained additional 
grants of lands from the various Indian nations in Indiana and the present 
limits of Illinois, and on the 18th of August, 1804, completed a treaty at 
St. Louis, whereby over 51,000,000 acres of lauds were obtained from the 



"60 THE NORTHWEST TERRITOEY. 

aborigines. Measures were also taken to learn tlie condition of affairs in 
and about Detroit. 

C. Jouett, the Indian agent in Michigan, still a part of Indiana Terri- 
tory, reported as follows upon the condition of matters at that post : 

" The Town of Detroit. — The charter, which is for fifteen miles 
square, was granted in the time of Louis XIV. of France, and is now, 
from the best information I have been able to get, at Quebec. Of those 
two hundred and twenty-five acres, only four are occupied by tlie town 
and Fort Lenault. The remainder is a common, except t\vent3"-four 
acres, which were added twenty years ago to a farm belonging to Wm. 
Macomb. » * * A stockade incloses the town, fort and citadel. The 
pickets, as well as the public houses, are in a state of gradual decay. The 
•streets are narrow, straight and regular, and intersect each other at right 
angles. The houses are, for the most part, low and inelegant." 

During this year. Congress granted a township of land for the sup- 
port of a college, and began to offer inducements for settlers in these 
wilds, and the country now comprising the State of Michigan began to 
fill rapidly with settlers along its southern borders. This same 3-ear, also, 
a law was passed organizing the Soutliwest Territory, dividing it into two 
portions, the Territory of New Orleans, which city was made the seat of 
government, and the District of Louisiana, which was annexed to the 
domain of Gen. Harrison. 

On the 11th of January, 1805, the Territori'of Michigan was formed, 
Wm. Hull was appointed governor, with headquarters at Detroit, the 
change to take effect on June 30. On the 11th of that month, a fire 
occurred at Detroit, which destroyed almost every building in the place. 
When the officers of the new territory reached the post, they found it in 
ruins, and the inhabitants scattered throughout the country. Reljuild- 
ing, however, soon commenced, and ere long the town contained more 
houses than before the fire, and many of them much better built. 

While this was being done, Indiana had passed to the second grade 
of government, and through her General Assembly had obtained large 
tracts of land from the Indian tribes. To all this the celebrated Indian, 
Tecumthe or Tecumseh, vigorously protested, and it was the main cause 
of his attempts to unite the various Indian tribes in a conflict with the 
settlers. To obtain a full account of these attempts, the workings of the 
British, and the signal failure, culminating in the death of Tecumseh at 
the battle of tlie Tluimes, and the close of the war of 1812 in the Northwest, 
we will step aside in our story, and relate the principal events of his life, 
and his connection with this conflict. 



THE NORTHWEST TERKITOKT. 61 



TECUMSEH, AND THE WAR OF 1812. 

This famous Indian chief was born about the year 1768, not far from 
the site of the present city of Springfield, Ohio. His father, Puckeshiinvii, 
was a member of the Kisopok tribe of tlie Swanoese nation, and his 
mother, Methontaske, was a member of the Turtle tribe of the same 
people. They removed from Florida about the middle of the last century 
to the birthplace of Tecumseh. In 1774, his father, who had risen to be 
chief, was slain at the battle of Point Pleasant, and not long after Tecum- 
seh, by his bravery, became the leader of his tribe. In 1795 he was 
declared chief, and then lived at Deer Creek, near the site of the 
present City of Urbana. He remained here about one year, when he 
returned to Piqua, and in 1798, he went to White River, Indiana. In 
1805, he and his brother, Laulewasikan (Open Door"), who had announced 
himself as a prophet, went to a tract of land on the Wabash River, given 
them by the Pottawatomies and Kickapoos. From this date the chief 
comes into prominence. He was now about thirty-seven years of age, 
was five feet and ten inches in height, was stoutly built, and possessed of 
enormous powers of endurance. His countenance was naturally pleas- 
ing, and he was, in general, devoid of those savage attributes possessed 
by most Indians. It is stated he could read and write, and had a confi- 
dential secretary and adviser, named Billy Caldwell, a half-breed, who- 
afterward became chief of the Pottawatomies. He occupied the first 
house built on the site of Chicago. At this time, Tecumseh entered 
upon the great work of his life. He had long objected to the grants of 
land made by the Indians to the whites, and determined to unite all' the 
Indian tribes into a league, in order that no treaties or grants of land 
could be made save by the consent of this confederation. 

He traveled constantly, going from north to south ; from the south 
to the north, everywhere urging the Indians to this step. He was a. 
matchless orator, and his burning words had their effect. 

Gen. Harrison, then Governor of Indiana, by watching the move- 
ments of the Indians, became convinced that a grand conspiracy was 
forming, and made preparations to defend the settlements. Tecumseh's 
plan was similar to Pontiac's, elsewhere described, and to the cunning 
artifice of that chieftain was added his own sagacity. 

During the j-ear 1809, Tecumseh and the prophet were actively pre- 
paring for the work. In that year. Gen. Harrison entered into a treaty 
with the Delawares, Kickapoos, Pottawatomies, Miamis, Eel River Indians 
and Weas, in which these tribes ceded to the whites certain lands u[)on 
the Wabash, to all of which Tecumseh entered a bitter protest, averring 



62 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

as one principal reason tliat he did not want the Indians to give up any 
lands north and west of the Ohio River. 

Tecumseh, in August, 1810, visited the General at Vincennes and 
held a council relating to the grievances of the Indians. Becoming uudulv 
angry at this conference he was dismissed from the village, and soon after 
departed to incite the soutiiern Indian tribes to the conflict. 

Gen. Harrison determined to move upon the chiefs headquarters at 
Tippecanoe, and for this purpose went about sixty-five miles up the 
Wabash, where he built Fort Harrison. From this place he went to the 
Prophet's town, where he informed the Indians he had no hostile inten- 
tions, provided they were true to the existing treaties. He encamped 
near the village early in October, and on the morning of November 7, he 
was attacked by a large force of the Indians, and the famous battle of 
Tippecanoe occurred. The Indians were routed and their town broken 
up. Tecumseh returning not long after, was greatly exasperated at his 
brother, the Prophet, even threatening to kill him for rashly precipitating 
the war, and foiling his (Tecumseh's) plans. 

Tecumseh sent word to Gen. Harrison that he was now returned 
from the South, and was ready to visit the President as had at one time 
previously been proposed. Gen. Harrison informed him he could not 
go as a chief, which method Tecumseh desired, and the visit was never 
made. In June of the following j'ear, he visited the Indian agent at 
Fort Wayne. Here he disavowed any intention to make a war against 
the United States, and reproached Gen. Harrison for marching against his 
people. The agent replied to this ; Tecumseh listened with a cold indif- 
ference, and after making a few general remarks, with a haughty air drew 
his blanket about him, left the council house, and departed for Fort Mai- 
den, in Upper Canada, where he joined the British standard. 

In the Summer of 1813, Perry's victory on Lake Erie occurred, and 
shortly after active preparations were made to capture Maiden. On the 
27th of September, the American army, under Gen. Harrison, set sail for 
the shoi-es of Canada, and in a few hours stood around the ruins of Mai- 
den, from which the British army, under Proctor, had retreated to Sand- 
wich, intending to make its way to the heart of Canada by the Valley of 
the Thames. On the 29th Gen. Harrison was at Sandwich, and Gen. 
McArthur took possession of Detroit and the territory of Michigan. 

The pursuit of Proctor began October 2. He was overtaken on the 
5th at the Thames. Tecumseh fell * in that battle and British power 
was forever broken, Canada alone being left them, as the Americans had 
no orders to follow up their victory eastward. Burr's incipient 
insurrection of 1805 was quelled, and the murderer of the eloquent 
Hamilton driven from his beautiful island fortress in the Ohio River. 

• Supposed at the bauds of Col. R. M. Johnson of Kentucky. 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 63 

In January, 1807, Governor Hull, of Michigan Territory, made a 
tteaty with the Indians, whereby all that peninsula was ceded to the 
United States. Before the close of the year, a stockade was built about 
Detroit. It was also during this year that Indiana and Illinois endeavored 
to obtain the repeal of that section of the compact of 1787, whereby 
slavery was excluded from the Northwest Territory. These attempts, 
however, all signally failed. 

In 1809 it was deemed advisable to divide the Indiana Territory. 
This was done, and the Territory of Illinois was formed from the western 
part, the seat of government being fixed at Kaskaskia. The next year, 
the intentions of Tecumseh manifested themselves in open hostilities, and 
then began the events already narrated. 

While this war was in progress, emigration to the West went on with 
surprising rapidity. In 1811, under Mr. Roosevelt of New York, the 
first steamboat trip was made on the Ohio, much to the astonishment of 
the natives, many of whom fled in terror at the appearance of the 
"monster." It arrived at Louisville on the 10th day of October. At the 
close of the first week of January, 181 i2, it arrived at Natchez, after being 
nearly overwhelmed in the great earthquake which occurred while on its 
downward trip. 

The battle of the Thames was fought on October 6, 1813. It 
effectually closed hostilities in the Northwest, although peace was not 
fully restored until July 22, 1814, when a treaty was formed at Green- 
ville, under the direction of General Harrison, between the United States 
and the Indian tribes, in which it was stipulated that the Indians should 
cease hostilities against the Americans if the war were continued. Such, 
happily, was not the case, and on the 24th of December the treaty 
of Ghent was signed by the representatives of England and the United 
States. This treaty was followed the next year by treaties with various 
Indian tribes throughout the West and Northwest, and quiet was again 
restored in this part of the new world. 

On the 18th of March, 1816, Pittsburgh was incorporated as a city. 
It then had a population of 8,000 people, and was already noted for its 
manufacturing interests. On April 19, Indiana Territory was allowed 
to form a state government. At that time there were thirteen counties 
organized, containing about sixty-three thousand inhabitants. The first 
election of state officers was held in August, when Jonathan Jennings 
was chosen Governor. The officers were sworn in on November 7, and 
on December 11, the State was formally admitted into the Union. For 
some time the seat of government was at Corj'don, but a more central 
location being desirable, the present capital, Indianapolis (City of Indiana), 
was laid out January 1, 1825. 



64 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

On tlie 28th of December the Bank of Illinois, at Shawiieetown, was 
chartered, with a capital of $300,000. At this period ail banks were 
under the control of the States, and were allowed to establish branches 
at different convenient points. 

Until this time Chillicothe and Cincinnati had in turn enjoyed the 
privileges of being the capital of Ohio. But the rapid settlement of the 
northern and eastern portions of the State demanded, as in Indiana, ;i 
more central location, and before the close of the year, the site of Col- 
umbus was selected and surveyed as the future capital of the State. 
Banking had begun in Ohio as early as 1808, when the first bank was 
chartered at Marietta, but here as elsewhere it did not bring to the state 
the hoped-for assistance. It and other banks were subsequently unable 
to redeem their currency, and were obliged to suspend. 

In 1818, Illinois was made a state, and all the territory north of hsr 
northern limits was erected into a separate territor)' and joined to Mich- 
igan for judicial purposes. By the following year, navigation of the lake* 
was increasing with great rapidity and affording an immense source of 
revenue to the dwellers in the Northwest, but it was not until 1826 that 
the trade was extended to Lake Michigan, or that steamships began to 
navigate the bosom of that inland sea. 

Until the year 1832, the commencement of the Black Hawk War, 
but few hostilities were experienced with the Indians. Roads were 
opened, canals were dug, cities were built, common schools were estab- 
lished, universities were founded, many of which, especially the Michigan 
University, have achieved a world wide-reputation. The people were 
becoming wealthy. The domains of the United States had been extended, 
and had the sons of the forest been treated with honesty and justice, the 
record of many years would have been that of peace and continuous pros- 
perity. 

BLACK HAWK AND THE BLACK HAWK WAR. 

This conflict, though confined to Illinois, is an important epoch in 
the Northwestern history, being the last war with the Indians in this part 
of the United States. 

Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiah, or Black Hawk, was born in the principal 
Sac village, about three miles from the junction of Rock River with the 
Mississippi, in the year 1767. His father's name was Py-e-sa or Pahaes ; 
his grandfather's, Na-na-ma-kee, or the Thunderer. Black Hawk early 
distinguished himself as a warrior, and at the age of fifteen was permitted 
to paint and was ranked among the braves. About the year 1783, he 
went on an expedition against the enemies of his nation, the Osages, one 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITOKT. 65 

of whom he killed and scalped, and for this deed of Indian bravery he was 
permitted to join in the scalp dance. Three or four years after he, at the 
head of two hundred braves, went on another expedition against the 
Osages, to avenge the murder of some women and children belonging to 
his own tribe. Meeting an equal number of Osage warriors, a fierce 
battle ensued, in which the latter tribe lost one-half their number. The 
Sacs lost only about nineteen warriors. He next attacked the Cherokees 
for a similar cause. In a severe battle with them, near the present City 
of St. Louis, his father was slain, and Black Hawk, taking possession of 
the " Medicine Bag," at once announced himself chief of the Sac nation. 
He had now conquered the Cherokees, and about the year 1800, at the 
head of five hundred Sacs and Foxes, and a hundred lowas, he waged 
war against the Osage nation and subdued it. For two years he battled 
successfully with other Indian tribes, all of whom he conquered. 

Black Hawk does not at any time seem to have been friendly to 
the Americans. When on a visit to St. Louis to see his " Spanish 
Father," he declined to see any of the Americans, alleging, as a reason, 
he did not want two fathers. 

The treaty at St. Louis was consummated in 1804. The next year the 
United States Government erected a fort near the head of the Des Moines 
Rapids, called Fort Edwards. This seemed to enrage Black Hawk, who 
at once determined to capture Fort Madison, standing on the west side of 
the Mississippi above the mouth of the Des Moines River. The fort was 
garrisoned by about fifty men. Here he was defeated. The difficulties 
with the British Government arose about this time, and the War of 1812 
followed. That government, extending aid to the Western Indians, by 
giving them arms and ammunition, induced them to remain hostile to the 
Americans. In August, 1812, Black Hawk, at the head of about five 
hundred braves, started to join the British forces at Detroit, passing on 
his way the site of Chicago, where the famous Fort Dearborn Massacre 
had a few days before occurred. Of his connection with the British 
Government but little is known. In 1813 he with his little band descended 
the Mississippi, and attacking some United States troops at Fort Howard 
waB defeated. 

In the early part of 1815, the Indian tribes west of the Mississippi 
were notified that peace had been declared between the United States 
and England, and nearly all hostilities had ceased. Black Hawk did not 
sign any treaty, however, until May of the following year. He then recog- 
nized the validity of the treaty at St. Louis in 1804. From the time of 
signing this treaty in 1816, until the breaking out of the war in 1832, he 
and his band passed their time in the common pursuits of Indian life. 

Ten years before the commencement of this war, the Sac and Fox 

4 



66 THE NORTHWEST TEERITORT. 

Indians were urged to join the lowas on the west bank of the Father of 
Waters. All were agreed, save the band known as the British Band, of 
which Black Hawk was leader. He strenuously objected to the removal, 
and was induced to comply only after being threatened with the power of 
the Government. This and various actions on the part of the white set- 
tlers provoked Black Hawk and his band to attempt the capture of his 
native village uow occupied by the whites. The war followed. He and 
his actions were undoubtedly misunderstood, and had his wishes been 
acquiesced in at the beginning of the struggle, much bloodshed would 
have been prevented. 

Black Hawk was chief now of the Sac and Fox nations, and a noted 
warrior. He and his tribe inhabited a village on Rock River, nearly three 
miles above its confluence with the Mississippi, where the tribe had lived 
many generations. When that portion of Illinois was reserved to them, 
they remained in peaceable possession of their reservation, spending their 
time in the enjoyment of Indian life. The fine situation of their village 
and the quality of their lands incited the more lawless white settlers, who 
from time to time began to encroach upon the red men's domain. From 
one pretext to another, and from one step to another, the crafty white 
men gained a foothold, until through whisky and artifice they obtained 
deeds from many of the Indians for their possessions. The Indians were 
finally induced to cross over the Father of Waters and locate among the 
lowas. Black Hawk was strenuously opposed to all this, but as the 
authorities of Illinois and the United States thought this the best move, he 
was forced to comply. Moreover other tribes joined the whites and urged 
the removal. Black Hawk would not agree to the terms of the treaty 
made with his nation for their lands, and as soon as the military, called to 
enforce his removal, had retired, he returned to the Illinois side of the 
river. A large force was at once raised and marched against him. On 
the evening of May 14, 1832, the first engagement occurred between a 
band from this army and Black Hawk's band, in which the former were 
defeated. 

This attack and its result aroused the whites. A large force of men 
was raised, and Gen. Scott hastened from the seaboard, by way of* the 
lakes, with United States troops and artillery to aid in the subjugation of 
the Indians. On the 24th of June, Black Hawk, with 200 warriors, was 
repulsed by Major Demont between Rock River and Galena. The Ameri- 
can army continued to move up Rock Rivei- toward the main body of 
the Indians, and on the 21st of July came upon Black Hawk and his band, 
and defeated them near the Blue Mounds. 

Before this action, Gen. Henry, in command, sent word to the main 
army by whom he was immediately rejoined, and the whole crossed the 



THE NORTHWEST TERBTTORT. 67 

"Wisconsin in pursuit of Black Hawk and his band who were fleeing to the 
Mississippi. They were overtaken on the 2d of August, and in the battle 
which followed the power of the Indian chief was completely broken. He 
fled, but was seized by the Winnebagoes and delivered to the whites. 

On the 21st of September, 1832, Gen. Scott and Gov. Reynolds con- 
cluded a treaty with the Winnebagoes, Sacs and Foxes by which they 
ceded to the United States a vast tract of country, and agreed to remain 
peaceable with the whites. For the faithful performance of the provi- 
sions of this treaty on the part of the Indians, it was stipulated that 
Black Hawk, his two sons, the prophet Wabokieshiek, and six other chiefs 
of the hostile bands should be retained as hostages during the pleasure 
of the President. They were confined at Fort Barracks and put in irons. 

The next Spring, by order of the Secretary of War, they were taken 
to Washington. From there they were removed to Fortress Monroe, 
"there to remain imtil tlie conduct of their nation was such as to justify 
their being set at liberty." They were retained here until the 4th of 
June, when the authorities directed them to be taken to the principal 
cities so that they might see the folly of contending against the white 
people. Ever3'where they were observed by thousands, the name of the 
old chief being e.-ctensively known. By the middle of August they 
reached Fort Armstrong on Rock Island, where Black Hawk was soon 
after released to go to his countrymen. As he passed the site of his birth- 
place, now the home of the white man, he was deeply moved. His village 
where he was born, where he had so happily lived, and where he had 
hoped to die, was now another's dwelling place, and he was a wanderer. 

On the next day after his release, he went at once to his tribe and 
his lodge. His \viie was yet living, and with her he passed the remainder 
of his days. To his credit it may be said that Black Hawk always re- 
mained true to his wife, and served her with a devotion uncommon among 
the Indians, living with her upward of forty years. 

Black Hawk now passed his time hunting and fishing. A deep mel- 
ancholy had settled over him from which he could not be freed. At all 
times when he visited the whites he was received with marked atten- 
tion. He was an honored guest at the old settlers' reunion in Lee County, 
Illinois, at some of their meetings, and received many tokens of esteem. 
In September, 1838, while on his way to Rock Island to receive his 
annuity from the Government, he contracted a severe cold which resulted 
in a fatal attack of bilious fever which terminated his life on October 3. 
His faithful wife, who was devotedly attached to him, mourned deeply 
during his sickness. After his death he was dressed in the uniform pre- 
sented to him by the President while in Washington. He was buried in 
a grave six feet in depth, situated upon a beautiful emiueuce. " The 



68 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

body was placed in the middle of the grave, in a sitting posture, upon a 
seat constructed for the purpose. On his left side, the cane, given liim 
by Henry Clay, was placed upright, with his right hand resting upon it. 
Many of the old warrior's trophies were placed in the grave, and some 
Indian garments, together with his favorite weapons." 

No sooner was the Black Hawk war concluded than settlers began 
rapidly to pour into the northern parts of Illinois, and into Wisconsin, 
now free from Indian depredations. Chicago, from a trading post, had 
grown to a commercial center, and was rapidly coming into prominence. 
In 1835, the formation of a State Government in Michigan was discussed, 
but did not take active form until two years later, when the State became 
a part of the Federal Union. 

The main attraction to that portion of the Northwest lying west of 
Lake Michigan, now included in the State of Wisconsin^ was its alluvial 
wealth. Copper ore was found about Lake Superior. For some time this 
region was attached to Michigan for judiciary i)urposes, but in 1830 was 
made a territory, then including Minnesota and Iowa. The latter State 
was detached two years later. In 1848, Wisconsin was admitted as a 
State, Madison being made the capital. We have now traced the various 
divisions of the Northwest Territory (save a little in Minnesota) from 
the time it was a unit comprising this vast territory, until circumstancei 
compelled its present division. 



69 



POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES. 



STATES AND 
TBBBITOBIBS. 



ABBA IK 

SQUARE 
MILES. 



STATES. 

Alabama 

Arkansas 

CalifurDia 

Colorado 

Connecticut 

Delaware 

Florida 

Georgia 

Illinois 

Indiana 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kentucky 

Ixiuisiana 

Maine 

.Maryland 

Ma^sachuselt8 

Mithigan 

Minnesota 

Mississippi 

Missouri 

Nebraska 

Nevada 

New Hampshire.. 

'New Jersey 

New York 

North Carolina.... 
Ohio 



4, 
2, 
69, 
58, 
55, 
33, 
55 
81, 
.17, 
41, 
31 
11 
7, 
56, 
83, 
47, 
65 
75, 
112, 
9, 
8, 
47, 
50, 



rOPULATION. 



996,992 

484,471 
56U,247 



537,454 

125,015 

187,748 

1,184,109 

2,539,891 

1,680,637 

1,191,792 

364,399 

l,3-.!l,011 

"a6,915 

626,915 

760,894 

1,457,351 

l,184,a'>9 

4j9,706 

827,922 

1,721,295 

123,993 

42,491 

318,300 

906,096 

4,382,759 

1,071,361 

2,665,260 



1882. 



1,262,5051,802 
8u2,j.a> 1,0,1 
864,694 2,266 
194,327 2,274 
622,700 958 



146,608 

209,493 

1,542,180 

3,077,871 

1,978,301 

1,624,615 

996,096 

1,648,690 

939,9l6 

648,936 

934,943 



278 

793 
2,581 
8,325 
4,764 
6,112 
3,718 
1,714 

999 
1,021 

.047 



1,783,0.S5 1,934 
I,6,)6,d3/;4,2!i3 
i»0,773 3,390 



1,131,597 
2,168,380 

462,402 
62,266 

346,991 
1,131,116 _. 
5,082,8716,278 
1,399,750,1,619 
3,198,062 6,663 



1,231 
4,211 
2,310 
890 
1,025 
1,753 



STATES AND 
TEKRITOBIES. 



ABBA IN 

SQUARE 
UILES. 



95,244 
46,000 
1,306 
29,385 
45,600 
237,504 
10,212 
40,9M 
23,000 
53,924 



STATES. 

Oregon 

Pennsylvania .... 

Rhode Island 

.South Carolina- 
Tennessee 

Texas 

Vermont 

Virginia 

West Virginia.... 
Wisconsin 

Total States .. 

TERRITORIES. 

Arizona 

Colorada 

Dakota 

District of Columbia 

Idaho 

Montana 

New Mexico 

Utah 

Washington 

Wyoming 

Total Territories. 



Aggregate of U. S... 2,915,203 



113,916 
104,500 
147,490 
60 
90,932 
143,776 
121,201 
80,056 
09,944 
93,107 



POPULATION. 



1870. 



1880. 



90,923! 

3,521,791' 
217,353, 
705,606 

1,258,520 
818..579 
330,551 

1,225,1631 
442,014: 

1,054,670 



MIL'S 
B. B. 

18S2. 



38,113,263 



174,768 
4,282,891 

276,531 

995,577 
1,542,359 
1,591,749! 

332,286; 
1,512,565 

618,457 
1,315,497 



966,032 



9,658 
39,864! 
14,181 
131,7001 
14,999 
20,596 
91,874 
86,786 
23,9651 

9,118: 



40,440 



135,177 
177,624 
32,610 
39,159 
119,565 
143,903 
75,116 
20,789 



442,730. 



38,555,983:50,155,783 



689 
6,690 

211 
1,483 
1,973 
5,344 

915 
2,193 

711 
3,441 



567 



1,638 



265 
231 
975 
908 
479 
533 



PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD. 

POPULATION AND AREA. 



COUNTRIES. 



POPULATION 



China 

llritish India 

KuKsia 

United States— with Alaska. 

German Empire 

Turkey 

Austria and Hungary 

I'rance 

.Tapan 

Oreat Britain and Ireland... 

Italy , 

Egypt 

.Spain 

>texico 

Brazil 

Persia 

Sweden and Norway 

Belgium 

Koumania 

Portugal , 

Dominion of Canada 

Netherlands 

Switzerland 

Peru 

Bolivia 

Chili 

Venezuela , 

Greece 

Denmark 

Argentine Confederation «.. 

l^ervia , 

Guatemala 

Ecuador 

Liberia 

Hayti 

San Salvador 

Uruguay 

NicaragTia 

Honduras 

San Domingo 

Coeta Rica 



,627,183 
,899,516 
,297,407 
,442,066 
,234,061 
,213,400 
,786,246 
,405,240 
,926,313 
,262,762 
,452,639 
,952,000 
,625,860 
,025,649 
,883,622 
,653,600 
,497,245 
,519,8M 
,290,000 
,348,551 
,.324,810 
,114,077 
1,846,102 
,699,945 
1,300,000 
,223,434 
i,07S,245 
.979,305 
,969,039 
,859,685 
,700,211 
,2.52,497 
,066,137 
,050,000 
800,000 
664,785 
438,245 
360,000 
350.000 
300,000 
180,000 



1881 
1881 
1879 
1880 
1880 
1881 
1880 
1881 
1879 
1881 
1881 
1875 
1877 
1881 
1872 
1881 
1881 
1880 
1878 
1878 
1881 
I6.S1 
1880 
1876 



1S81 
1881 
1880 
1869 
1880 
1881 
1875 



1878 
1880 



1880 



AREA OF 
SQUARE 
MILES. 



4,413,788 

1,425,723 

8,387,816 

3,602,990 

212,091 

2,.396,692 

240,942 

204,092 

148,700 

120.879 

114,296 

1,406,250 

182,750 

743,948 

3,287,963 

610,000 

293,848 

11,373 

48,307 

36,610 

3,470,392 

12,648 

15,992 

503,718 



207,350 

4.39,120 

25,041 

13,784 

1,204,486 

20,8,50 

41,830 

248,372 

14,300 

10,204 

7,225 

73,638 

49,.500 

39.600 

18,046 

26,040 



CAPITALS. 



Pekin 

Calcutta 

St Petersburg (1881) 

Washington 

Berlin 

Constantinople 

Vienna 

Paris 

Yeddo 

London 

Florence 

Cairo 

Madrid 

Mexico 

Rio de Janiero 

Teheran 

Stockholm 

Brussels 

Bucharest 

Lisbon^ 

Ottawa 

Amsterdam 

Geneva 

Lima 

La Paz 

Santiago 

Caraccas 

Athens 

Copenhagen 

Buenos Ayres (1881) 

Belgrade 

Santiago de Guatemala.. 

Quito.. 

Monrovia 

Port au Prince 

San Salvador 

Montevideo 

Managua 

Tegucigalpa , 

.San Domingo 

San Jose 



POPU- 
LATION. 



,000,000 
500,000 
876,575 
147,293 
,122,360 
8110,000 
,103,857 
,269,023 
200,000 
764,312 
169,000 
250,000 
397,690 
315,996 
274,972 
200,000 
168,775 
350,000 
221,805 
246,.'M3 

27,412 
328,047 

68,320 
101,488 



387,081 

60,000 

63,374 

2.34,850 

289.925 

27,000 

55,728 

70,000 

13,000 

22,000 

18,500 

7S,35S 

8,000 

12,000 

10,000 

2,600 



POPULATION OF OHIO BY COUNTIES. 





COUNTIES 






1820 


1830 


1840 


1850 


1860 


1870 


1880 




TheState 


581434 


937903 


1519467 


19803-29 


2339511 


2665260 


31980C2 




Adams 


1 


10406 


12281 
578 


13183 
9079 


18883 

1-2109 
23813 
28767 

18215 
11338 
31600 
27332 
30789 
17685 
19732 
22178 
30455 
18138 
33621 
25674 
18177 
48099 
-20-276 

6966 
21817 
18568 
30-264 
12726 
4-2909 

7781 
17063 
178-27 
21946 
3*138 
156SH 
16751 

8251 
20157 

3434 
25781 
14119 
20452 
■26203 
12719 
29133 
28872 
14654 
15-246 
38846 
19162 
26086 
12363 
10015 
■2.T7.15 
1-2618 
24441 
17971 

7712 
24999 
28351 
38218 
■28585 
20280 
45019 


20309 
19185 
22951 
31814 
21364 
17187 
36398 
29953 
S810 
15738 
22698 
■25300 
33034 
21461 
3-2836 
25032 
23881 
78033 
26009 
11886 
239(>2 
24474 
30538 
15935 
50361 
14043 
-22043 
15817 
26197 
•21474 
216410 
22886 
13570 
19110 
8901 
27773 
17057 
■20589 
■26616 
17941 
26115 
■27735 
15576 
23^249 
37011 
20996 
29744 
25,131 
13015 
25894 
15490 
2'2517 
26534 
14104 
29959 
25741 
52230 
22119 
20H5 
44416 
20751 
7016 
4945 
19678 
2.'M69 
13643 
24'203 
2W20 
r23ilS 
31158 
35071 
2ir29 
24297 
30868 
1749S 
4^2978 
27344 
.10656 
3^^63 
16507 
10238 
13631 
26902 
36268 
32483 
16633 
17886 
1X>96 


20750 
23623 
21933 
32517 
23768 
20011 
39714 
30802 
39912 
14491 
24188 
32070 
34268 
21914 
38299 
23600 
25556 
132010 
S^2278 
15719 
25175 
281 S8 
31138 
17170 
63019 
17789 
25545 
14190 
26038 
23838 
260370 
23847 
18714 
18682 
14IB8 
29133 
17925 
18177 
28532 
21759 
29188 
26333 
15935 
31380 
35756 
23028 
30308 
46722 
156,13 
31001 
16184 
20092 
31465 
17254 
32740 
25779 
64006 
2(B63 
18583 
44S86 
19»19 
13364 
8544 
18453 
24875 
15447 
24584 
21809 
17081 
32516 
37097 
25503 
29302 
308^27 
20748 
52508 
S4674 
38659 
31840 
18730 
15823 
13027 
266,19 
40609 
35116 
■20991 
245% 
18553 . 






Allen 












. 


Ashtabula 


7382 
6338 


145S4 

9787 


23724 
19109 




^ 


Athena 




f^ 










20329 
13356 
21746 


28827 
17867 
27142 


30901 
22715 
28173 
18108 
16721 
16882 
23106 
15719 
40378 
21590 
1S152 
26506 
13282 




H 












Ifl 


Carroll 


4257* 


11 




8179 

9533 
15820 

8085 
22033 

7086 


12131 
13114 
20)66 
11436 
35592 
11I6I 

4791 
10373 

6201 




19 


ciark^ *..:::;:::::".::";::::::;:::::;:;:::::: 




11 


Clermont 










11 






1h 












1H 




6328 
3717 




J9 


Darke 




■n 






VI 




7639 


11504 


22060 
12599 
31921 
1U9S4 
25049 




?? 


Erie 




2!l 


Fairfield 


16633 
6.516 
10292 


21786 
8182 
14741 




■>« 


Fayette 




?S 


Franklin 




Vfi 


Fulton 




27 


Gallia 


7M8 
7791 

10529 
9292 

31764 


9733 

15S13 

I4S01 

18036 

52317 

813 

210 

20916 

262 

16345 

4009 

9135 
I3S41 

5941 
22489 
170B 


13444 
16297 
175-28 
-27748 
00145 

9986 

4598 
20099 

2503 
22269 

9,-41 
18038 
23933 

9744 
25030 
-29579 
13719 

9738 
35096 
14015 
18467 

9382 

9025 


28124 


Vf 


Geauga 


•« 






30 
31 
82 
S3 
S4 
35 
36 

a: 




27197 
313374 






Hardin 








14315 




Henry 






12308 
2130 




Hocking 


2ir26 


IS 




39 




6675 
3746 
18531 
8326 


31609 
2368« 

33018 
27431 


4(1 




41 
42 


Jefferson 


4.1 


Lake 


44 


Lawrence 


3499 
11861 
3181 


5367 
20869 
6440 
5696 




4!; 


jtcking 


40450 

26267 

355^2<i 

67377 

20129 

42871 

20565 

2145.-5 

32325 

21808 

361511 

26496 

7855i> 

20(174 

19072 

49774 

■21138 

19762 

13485 

28211 

27415 

17927 

275011 

W5.-53 

23713 

36306 

40307 

S!IUS7 

33511 

36947 

241.17 

64031 

4S788 

44880 

40198 

2-2373 

23028 

17-223 

28392 

43244 

4007S 

23821 

34022 

2-2395 


46 


iOgan 


47 


/)raln 


4f 






4S 




4799 


6190 


■», 




11 


Marlon 




6551 
7560 
6158 
1110 
12807 
8768 
24362 
11800 


14765 
18352 
11452 
8-2T7 
19688 
18521 
31938 
20852 


12 


Medina 


3082 
4480 


u 


Meigs 


M 




55 

IS 


Miami . 

Monroe 


8S51 
4615 
15999 
5297 


?? 




in 


Morrow 


An 


Muskingum . .. 


17824 


29331 


38749 


61 


Noble 


p? 








2248 
I0S4 
19314 
19725 
76-26 
2-2965 
19482 
5189 
44532 
27160 
10182 
11192 
181-23 
12151 
S4603 
22560 
38)07 
25631 
84-22 
1577 


3308 
1766 
20775 
21006 
1095:) 
■24419 
21736 
7-221 
80879 
3-2074 
14305 
18428 
27101 
13958 
39878 
■27485 
30490 
31761 
122M 
4793 
9353 
25.160 
29540 
32981 
8018 
9157 
11191 


61 


Paulding 




161 
13970 
16001 
6024 
18826 
16291 
2311 
a4(»16 
24()«i 
2S51 
8740 
5159 
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71 


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71 


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12406 


76 








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1996 


26153 

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3192 

49 


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h? 






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Warren 


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11933 


21468 
11731 
233:i3 
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20823 
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4465 
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Wood 


7S3 


88 





PART II. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO, 



GM3VKRNORS. 

From the organization of the first civil government in the Northwest Territory, of which the State of Ohio 
vas a part, until the year IS84. 

Term, Two Years. 



NAME. 


COUNTY. 


TERM. 1 


NAME. 


COUNTY. 


TEBH. 






1788-1802 

1802-1803 

1803-1807 

1807-18U8 

1808-1810 

1810-1814 

1814 

1814-1818 

1818-1822 

1822 

1822-1826 

1826-1830 

1830-1832 

1832-1836 

1836-1838 

1838-1840 

1840-1842 

1842-1844 

1844 

1 






1S44-1S4G 


Charles W. Byrd (2) 

Edward Tiffin (3) 

Thomas Kirker (4) 

Samuel Huntington 

Eeturn Jonathan Meigs (5).. 


Hamilton 


William Bebb iRntlpr 


1846-1849 


Seabury Ford (8) 

Reuben Wood (9) 




1849-1850 






1850-1853 


Trumbull 

Washington 

Hamilton 


William Medlll (10) FairfielS 


1853-1856 


Salmon P. Chase .Hamilton 


1856-1860 
18GO-1862 


Thomas Wgrthington 

Ethan Allen Brown |6) 

Allen Trimble* 


David Tod .Mahonin? 


1862-1864 


Hamilton 

Highland 


'John Brough (11) 

Charles Andei-sonf 

Jacob D. C«.\ 

Rutherford B. Hayes , 

Edward F. Noyes 

William Allen 

Rutherford B. Hayes (12).... 

Thomas L. Young+ 

Richard M. Bishop 

Charles Foster 


Cuyahoga 

Montgomery.... 


1864-1865 
1865-1866 
1866-1868 




Highland 




1868-1872 




Hamilton 

Ross 


1872-1874 




Pike 


1874-1876 


Joseph Vance 


Champaign 




1876-1877 




1877-1878 






Hamilton ... 




Wilson Shannon (7) 

Thomas W. Hartley* 


Belmont 


188(*-1884 


Hamilton 


1884- 









(1) Arthur St. Clair, of Pennsylvania, was Governor of the Northwest Territory, of which Ohio was a part, 
from July 13, 1788, when the first civil government was established in the Territory, until about the close of 
the year 1802, when he was removed by the President. 

(2) .Secretary of the Territory, and was acting Governor of the Territory after the removal of Gov. St. 
Clair. 

(.3) Resigned March :i, 1807, to accept the office of United States Senator. 

(4) Return Jonathan Jleigs was elected Governor on the second Tuesday of October, 1807, over Nathaniel 
Massie, who L-oiitested the election of Meigs on the ground " that he had not been a resident of this State for 
four years next preceding the election as required by the Constitution," and the General As.'^embly, in joint 
convention, decided that he was not eligible. The office was not given to Massif, nor does it appear ffoiu the 
records that he claimed it, but Thom:is Kirker, Actiug Governor, continued to discharge the duties of the office 
until December 12, 1808, wheu Samuel Huntington was inaugurated, he having been elected on the second 
Tuesday of October in that year. 

(5) Resigned March 25, 1S14, to accept the office of Postmaster-General of the United States. 

(6) Resigned January 4, 1822, to accept the office of United States Senator. 

(7) Resigned April 13, 1844, to accept the office of Minister to Mexico. 

(8) The result of the election in 1848 was not finally determined in joint convention of the two houses of 
the General Assembly until January 19, 1849, and the inauguration did not take place until the 22d of that 
month, 

(y) Resigned July 15, 1853, to accept the office of Consul to Valparaiso. 

(10) Elected in October, 1853, for the regular term, to commence on the second Monday of January, 1854. 

(11) Died August 29, 18G5. 

(12) Resigned March 2, 1877, to accept the office of President of the United States. 
''Acting Governor. Succeeded to office, being the Speaker of the Senate. 

t Acting Governor. Succeeded to office, being the Lieutenant-Governor. 



72 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



IT is not our province in a volume of this description, to delineate the chronol- 
ogy of prehistoric epochs, or to dwell at length upon those topics pertaining 
to the scientific causes which tended to the formation of a continent, undiscov- 
ered for centuries, by the wisdom and energy of those making a history of the 
Old World, by the advancement of enlightenment in the Eastern Hemisphere. 

Naturally, the geological foi'mation of the State of Ohio cannot be entirely 
separated from facts relative to the strata, which, in remote ages accumulated 
one layer above the other, and finally constituted a "built-up" America, from 
a v;ist sea. The action of this huge body of water washed sediment and what- 
ever came in its way upon primitive rocks, which were subjected to frequent 
and repeated submersions, emerging as the water subsided, thus leaving a 
stratum or layer to solidify and mark its number in the series — a system of 
growth repeated in trees of the forest — in those descernible rings that count so 
many years. The southeastern part of North America emerging a second 
time from the Silurian Sea, which e.xtended west to the Rocky Mountains and 
north to the primitive hills of British America, a succession of rock-bound, 
salt-water lakes remained. These covered a large portion of the continent, and 
their water evaporating, organic and mineral matter remained to soliiHfy. This 
thick stratum has been designated by geologists as the water-lime layer. This 
constitutes the upper layer of rock in the larger portion of the west half of 
Ohio. In other sections it foi'ms the bed rock. 

Following the lime-rock deposit, must have been more frequent sweeps of 
the great sea, since the layers are compai-atively thin, proving a more speedy 
change. During this scientific rising and falling of the sea, other actions were 
taking place, such as volcanic and other influences which displaced the regular- 
ity of the strata, and occasionally came out in an upheaval or a regular perpen- 
dicular dip. A disturbance of this character formed the low mountain range 
extending from the higldands of Canada to the southern boundary of Tennes- 
see. This "bulge" is supposed to be the consequence of the cooling of the 
earth and the pressure of the oceans on either side of the continent. Geolo- 
gists designate this as the Cincinnati arch. This forms a separation between 
the coal fields of the Allcghanies and those of Illinois. 

Passing over several jieriods, we reach the glacial, during which the topog- 
raphy of the continent was considerably modified, and which is among the 
latest epochs of geology, though e.xceedingly remote as compared with human 

73 



74 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

history. Previously, a torrid heat prevailed the entire Northern hemisphere. 
Now the temperature of the frigid zone crept southward until it reached Cincin- 
nati. A vast field of ice, perhaps hundreds of feet thick, extended from the 
north pole to this point. As this glacial rigor came southward, the flow of 
the St. Lawrence River was stopped, and the surplus water of the great lake 
basin was turned into the Ohio and Mississippi. This glacial sea was by no 
means stationary even after its southern limit had been reached. It possessed 
the properties of a solid and a fluid. Its action was slow but powerful, grind- 
ing mountains to powder and forming great valleys and basins. Separating 
into two glacial portions, one moved toward the watershed north of the Ohio 
River ; and, continuing westerly, it hollowed out the basin of Lake Erie and 
crushed the apex of the Cincinnati arch. From this point, it turned south- 
ward and swept with a regular course through the Maumee and Miami Valleys 
to the Ohio River. The southern border constantly melting, and flowing toward 
the Gulf of Mexico, the great field was pressed forward by the accumulations 
of ice in the northern latitudes. Thus for ages, this powerful force was fitting 
the earth for the habitation of man. The surface was leveled, huge rocks 
broken and reduced to pebbles, sand, clay, etc., other soil and surface-material — 
while the debris was embedded at the bottom. In some sections, as the ice 
melted and freed the bowlders and rocks, the lighter material was swept awav. 
The glacier moving forward, and the forces proving an " equilibrium," the 
edge of this ice-field was held in a solid strongliold, and the material thus de- 
posited forms a ridge, called by geologists "terminal moraine," first exemplified 
in Ohio by the "Black Swamp," in the Maumee Yalley. 

The most extreme rigor of this period beginning to wane, the ice of the 
Maumee and Miami Valleys began to move slowly forward, toward the north, 
reaching the points now termed Hudson, Mich.; Fort Wayne, Ind., and Kenton, 
Ohio — reaching somewhat further south than Lima and ^'an AVert. The edge of 
the glacier was defined in outline by the present western border of Lake Erie, and 
parallel with it. Climatic influences " acting and counteracting," the glacial 
force was concentrated, the Maumee Valley being subjected to a grinding proc- 
ess, and a deposit of material going on, which now forms the boundary of the 
"Black Swamp." As our readers are aware, the waters of the St. Jose])h and 
St. Mary's meet at Fort Wayne, and their united waters form the Maumee; 
thence the turn is northwest, and, wearing an outlet through the ridge, it 
reaches the head of Lake Erie. 

The torrid zone yet gaining the ascendency, tlio ice-fields continuing their 
reverse motion, and retreating toward the north, the basin of the great lakes 
was formed ; and the blocks of ice melting therein, a vast sea of fresh water was 
fonned, which gradually overflowed a portion of Canada and Michigan. But 
the St. Lawrence, that important outlet, was under the restraint of an ice 
blockade, and the surplus water of the fresh sea was turned into the Ohio and 
and Mississippi. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 75 

Later, mountains of ice-float were drifted from the north by winds and cur- 
rents, into temperate latitudes, and melting, deposited rocks, stones and general 
debris. Following the iceberg-drift, came the permanent elevation above the ocean- 
level. The St. Lawrence outlet was formed. The inland sea was assuming its 
division into lakes. The united waters of Erie and Huron flowed through the 
Wabash Valley and into the Ohio, until, through some agency, that section was 
dry, and the lakes drained in another direction. The action of the glacial 
period in the Erie basin vicinity created what is known as the "Niagara lime- 
stone," by grinding upper strata and drifting the debris elsewhere. This seems 
to have occurred at intervals, exposures being made in Seneca, Sandusky and 
Wood Counties, and beneath the axis of the Cincinnati arch. Oriskany lime- 
stone is also available in another stratum, which has been brought to the surface. 
Again, there is a carboniferous stratum of limestone, and along the Maumee is 
a thin exposure of the Hamilton limestone and shale. 

A glacier having both fluid and solid properties, it will readily be compre- 
hended that obdurate projections of rock resisted its action, and created currents 
in other directions, for its forces. ^Yhen this specified epoch had ceased to be, 
Ohio was a rough, irregular and crude mixture of ridges and knobs and pinnacles, 
which were " leveled up " and finished by iceberg-drift and inland-sea deposits. 
This settled and accumulated, and the work of hundreds of years produced a 
beautiful surface, its ine([ualities overcome, the water having receded and " terra 
firma" remaining. A deep bed of clay, sufficiently compact to hold the germs 
of organic matter, and sufficiently porous to absorb moisture, was especiallv 
adapted to encourage the growth of vegetation. These seeds had been broui^ht 
by the winds and waves and natural agencies, and now began to produce plants 
and shrubs, which withered to enrich the soil, after scattering broadcast seeds 
that would again perpetuate verdure. Worms, land crabs and burrowing ani- 
mals assisted in the creation of soil, while the buffalo, deer and bear followed, 
as soon as forestry appeared. Decomposed foliage and fallen timber aided in 
the great work of preparing the present State of Oliio for the habitation of man. 
Prairie, marsh, forest, rivers and lakes were formed, which, in turn, were modi- 
fied and prepared for a grand destiny by other influences. 

In glancing over the compiled histories of Ohio, those containing details of 
her early struggles, afflictions and triumphs, we are especially impressed with 
its near and sympathetic relation with the great Northwest, and the republic of 
the United States of America. From the early years when white men built 
their rude cabins in the then tangled wilderness, to the opulent and magnificent 
present of this united nation, Ohio has been stanch, loyal and earnest, both 
in action and principle. 

We shall endeavor to trace the history of the State concisely and accurately, 
according to the data given by the most reliable historians. We are obliged to 
glean the prominent events only, our space being limited, compared with the 
multitudinous interests connected with this important part of the United States. 



76 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

FRENCH HISTORY. 

All through early French history, is the fact especially prominent, that in 
their explorations and expeditions, they united piety and business. They were 
zealous in sending out their missionaries, but they were always attended by 
traders and those who were as skilled in the world's profit and loss, as their 
companions were in propagating Christianity. 

Prior to the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers upon Plymouth Rock, the 
Upper Lakes were visited by the French, and records prove that during the first 
half of the seventeenth century, a vagabondish set, working in the interests of 
the fur company of New France, understood the geographical position of the 
lakes and their tributary streams. M. Perrot, an intelligent explorer, made 
overtures of peace to the Indian tribes around these bodies of water, and 
t'fTected a treaty, which, it is claimed, established the right for the French, in 
the name of their king, to hold the place near St. Mary's Falls. They further 
assert that the Mississippi was discovered by the French from Lake Superior, 
but this is not authenticated, and Father Marquette and M. Joliet are accepted 
as the first who found this large stream, in 1763. The good missionary won 
his way with his patient and sympathetic nature. 

Ohio wa.s, like the other portions of tlie West, originally in the possession 
of aborigines or Indians. Of their origin, many suppositions are advanced, 
but no certainties sustained. From practical evidences, the Mound-Builders 
were active in Ohio, and here as elsewhere, their work marked retrogression 
rather than advancement. The territory of Ohio was claimed by the French, 
and included in that wide tract between the Alleghanies and the Rockies, held 
by them under the name of Louisiana. Before the year 1750, a French trad- 
ing-post was established at the mouth of the Wabash, and communication was 
established between that point and the Maumee, and Canada. Between the 
years 1678 and 1G82, the intrepid La Salle and Father Hennepin, assisted by 
Fondi, an Italian, with a small band of followers, inaugurated a series of 
explorations about the great lakes and the Mississippi, building forts on their 
way and planting the French priority. In 1680, La Salle erected a stockade at 
the foot of the rapids of the Maumee, which was a general rendezvous for mission- 
aries, traders and explorers, besides constituting a primitive "stock exchange." 

The English colonies were at this time east of the AUeghanies, while the 
French were establishing themselves west of this range, gaining an entrance 
north and south, the two portions separated by hostile and barbarous foes. 
La Salle's spirit of adventure led him into new fields, but Father Hennepin 
was detailed to investigate that part of the world now known as the State of 
Ohio. The records assert that he published a volume containing an account of 
his observations " in the country between New Mexico and the frozen ocean," 
in 1684, together with maps of Lakes Erie, Huron and Michigan, and a plat 
of the larger streams in Ohio. 



IIISTOKV (IF rHK STATK OF UIIHI. 77 

Apparently, the French more speedily comprehended the value of their 
advantages in the New World than'the English, and vigorously inaugurated and 
sustained commercial and religious projects. They were essentially benefited 
by the mediation of the Catholic priests between settlers and Indians, this 
really earnest class everywhere ingratiating themselves with the savages. The 
Order of Jesuits were very vigorous, and representatives were stationed at every 
trading-jiost, village and settlement. The English colonists engaged mostly in 
agriculture, while the French took a lively interest in the fur trade with the 
natives, probably from their former settlement in Quebec and thereabouts, where 
the climate is advantageous for this business. This added to the influence of 
the priests, and the natural assimilation of French and the Indians, through 
the tact and amiability of the former, the French possessions gained more 
rapidly than the English or Spanish. They courted their daughters and 
married them. They engaged in feasts and trades, and took advantage of 
those unimpeded times to extend their dominion with surprising celerity. A 
chain of trading, missionary and military posts extended from New Orleans to 
Quebec, by way of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, thence via Mackinaw and 
Detroit to Lakes Erie and Ontario. This route was shortened thereafter by 
following the Ohio River to the Wabash, following the latter upward, and 
down the Maumee to Lake Erie. 

About the same time, and to check the advancement of the French, the 
Ohio Company was formed by the English. This was an outgrowth of the 
contest between these two nations for the ascendency, whether empire, settle- 
ment or individual. After thirty years' peace between these two nations, 
"King George's War" opened the campaign in 1744-, but terminated in 1748, 
the treaty at Aix-la^Chapelle unfortunately omitting a settlement of any division 
of claims in America. The English, French and Spanish were the first to 
enter America, and the right of possession by each monarch or empire was 
held by right of a first discovery. The only right that England could advance 
regarding Ohio was that the portion of the Six Nations found in the Ohio 
A'^allcy had placed some of their lands under British jurisdiction, and that other 
portions had been purchased at Lancaster, Penn., by means of a treaty with 
the same nations. All this was strenuously denied and ignored by the French. 
Thus several conflicting influences swept carnage over fair Ohio. The Indians were 
allied to one side and the other, and were against each other. The Indians and 
French would advance against the English, and they, in retaliation, would 
make a raid into the Indian territory and overcome a French settlement. 
Whenever they could as well, Indians would take the cause in their own keep- 
ing and fight each other. The wide, verdant fields of Ohio were drenohed 
ghastly re<l under a glowing sun, and the great forests echoed moans from the 
dying and distressed. The English colonists had partially overcome their 
deprivation, caused by a struggle for subsistence, and means to guard against 
the savages — this distress augmented by campaigns against Canada — by their 



78 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

increased numbers and wealth, but were now alarmed by the French rule in 
America, which gained so rapidly, unmolested as it was by Indian raids and 
other devastating circumstances. A constant conflict was going on between 
Lake Erie and the Upper Ohio. Atrocities and massacres were committed 
indiscriminately, which opened the way for a desperate class of marauders and 
villains from the colonies and European States. These people enlisted with 
the Indians on either side for the purpose of leadership and plunder. Every 
fortification, trading-post and settlement was garrisoned or deserted, and the 
ground between the Alleghanies and the Maumee became a conflict field, rife 
with thrilling deeds, sacrifice and adventures, the half never having been 
chronicled, and many heroes falling uncrowned by even a lasting memory, since 
during these times the people kept few annals, and cared less for historical 
memories than anything on earth. They were living, and dying, and struggling, 
and that was more than they could carry through safely. The French formed 
a road from the Ohio River to Detroit, via the foot of the Lower Rapids of the 
Maumee, and the foot of the Lower Rapids of the Sandusky. 

The Ohio Company^ obtained a charter under English views, from the 
British Government, with a grant of 6,000 acres of land on the Ohio. The 
English now reverted to the times of the Cabots, and protested that by right 
they held the entire country between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, bounded 
by those parallels of latitude defining their Atlantic coast settlements. France 
claimed the region drained by the Mississippi and tributaries, the great lakes 
and their tributaries, the area being west of the Alleghanies. Ohio was thus 
included in the disputed tract. 

The Ohio Company was formed in 1748, by a number of Virginians and 
Londoners, two brothers of George Washington taking conspicuous parts in the 
movement ; Thomas Lee wa.s especially active. When the surveys were begun, 
the Governor of Canada entered vigorous protests, and indicated his displeasure 
by a prompt line of posts from Erie to Pittsbui-gh, named respectively, Presque 
Isle, Le Boeuf, Vedango, Kittaning and Du Quesne. The latter was begun 
by the English, captured by the French, and by them completed. 

The first English settlement of which we can find traces was a block-house 
at Piqua, about the year 1752. It was attacked, and a bitter struggle ensued, 
resulting in the death of fourteen of the assailants. Those within the garrison 
suffered severely, many being burned, and the remainder captured and dis- 
patched to Canada. 

In 1753, the French and Indian war actively began. It did not extend 
beyond the American continent until 1756, when the home governments took 
an interest in its progress beyond encouraging their respective colonists to pur- 
sue the war-path to a direful finale for their adversaries. For four years, the 
French captured and conquered, spreading terror wherever they went, and 
they followed every Englishman that set his foot on Ohio soil to the death. 
We may state that these people had not retained tieir civilized habits, and 



; \^T.J 



HISTORY OF THE \^TATE OF OHIO. 79 

\ 

constant association with savages had embv^ed them with barbarous methods of 
■warfare which were sickening and revolting ito the English, and to which they 
could not resort. It is highly probable that French success was vastly brought 
about by these means, together with the assistance of their Indian allies. In 
1758, when the English hope was almost exterminated, the elder Pitt being 
placed at the head of the administration, a new and energetic system was 
inaugurated, wise measures instituted, and military science triumphed over 
savage cunning and French intrigue. The first brilliant English achievement 
was the conquest of Canada. When the home governments interfered, the 
war assumed the character of a French and English conflict, regardless of 
Indian right, yet the tribes continued to participate in the carnage. 

A certain Christian, Frederick Post, a Moravian missionary, located upon 
the Muskingum, near Beavertown. Heckewelder consented to become his 
associate. The Indians receiving them kindly, under conditions that Post 
should serve as tutor, this missionary began clearing a field for the purpose of 
planting corn for sustenance. This did not accord with Indian logic. They 
had stipulated that he teach and he was planting corn, which to them was a 
signal of the coming of other whites, the building of a fort and encroachments 
upon the Indians. They referred to the French priests, who were in good 
physical condition, did not till land, but were in charge of the Great Spirit 
who provided for them, a conclusive proof to them that when divine work was 
acceptable to the Great Spirit, priests were somehow sustained by other than 
the plans which disturbed their great hunting-grounds. However, they 
allowed liim a small space, and he remained with them, preaching and teaching 
during the summer of 1762, when, accompanied by one of the principal chiefs, 
he returned to Lancaster, Penn., where a treaty was concluded. On his return 
to his post, he was met by Heckewelder, who imparted the tidings that friendly 
Indians had warned him that the war was about to sweep over their section, 
and destruction awaited them if they remained. The mission was accordinglj'^ 
abandoned. This failure was not so bitter as the English effort to sustain their 
trading-post in 1749, on the Great Miami, afterward called Laramie's store. 
It pursued a feeble existence until 1752, when a French raid upon the Twig- 
twees and English colonists proved fatal. 

A European treaty now excluded the French from any rights to make 
treaties with the Indians, and the English, in their flush of victory after Pitt's 
succession, assumed the authority over Indians and lands. The savages did 
not accept the situation with anything resembluig the gentle spirit of resigna- 
tion, and the Ottawa chief, Pontiac, led the several tribes into a general war 
against the intruders. It was no longer French and English, but Indian and 
English, the former being instigated and assisted many times by the French, 
now desperate and unscrupulous in a mad spirit for revenge. 

The intention of the Indians was to drive the whites east of the mountains, 
destroying their numerous strongholds in Pennsylvania and Virginia, if they 



80 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

failed in their hope of utterly exterminating them. Pontiac had effected a 
consolidation of the tribes ranging from Mackinaw to North Carolina, thus 
being enabled to swoop down upon all the settlements simultaneously. A 
deadly beginning was made in the Ohio Valley, and only two or three English 
traders escaped out of the one hundi'ed and twenty located in that vicinity. 
The forts at Presque Isle, St. Joseph and Mackinaw, were captured amid scenes 
of slaughter too terrible to perpetuate in description. The years 1763 and 
1764 were literally drenched in human carnage and anguish. Ohio was a 
great field of crime, murder, pain and horror. The expeditions of Bradstreet 
and Bouquet crushed the war in 1764, and Pontiac with his Ottawas removed 
to the Maumee and settled. English settlement now progressed with great 
rapidity, but this was destined to be disturbed in 1774, by the action of Lord 
Dunmore, who led an expedition against the tribes of the Ohio country, termi- 
nated by his treaty on the Scioto plains. At this period, the colonists were not 
in strict harmony with England, and the spirit of revolution was spreading 
every day. 

When Lord Dunmore made his treaty, the affirmation was made and gained 
ground that he, being a thorough loyalist, had compromised under such terms 
as held the Indians British allies against the settlers. Directly following this 
treaty, was the deliberate murder of a number of Indians, near Wheeling, 
including the family of the great chief, Logan — which inaugurated retaliating 
atrocities. 

In the year 1773, July 4, the first white child was born within the 
present limits of Ohio, and was christened John L. Roth, son of a Mora- 
vian missionary. All the settlers of these Moravian towns on the Muskingum 
were made prisoners in September of the same year. Heckwelder was trans- 
ported to Detroit, but English tyranny failed to find any evidence against him 
or his colaborers, and they were reluctantly released, and returned to their fam- 
ilies in Sandusky. Poverty added to their sufferings, and in the forlorn 
hope of finding a remnant of their property at the old settlements, which might 
assist in mitigating their necessities, they wearily went thitherward. They 
began gathering their grain, but the Wyandots attacked them, and many lives 
were lost. Frontiersmen had also grown jealous of them, and a body of about 
ninety marched out together, for the fiendish purpose of pillaging, slaughtering 
and laying waste all Moravian towns and posts. With the wily insidiousness of 
savages, they went about their tliabolical plan. The Moravians were cordial and 
• bade this band welcome, when they reached their towns in the guise of friend- 
ship. Williamson, the leader, and the gleaners, were called from the fields, 
when, to the dismay of these trusting and frank people, they were all bound, 
and only fifteen out of the marauding band of ninety were in favor of even 
sparing the lives of these hapless men, women and children. Forty men, 
twenty-two women and thirty-four children were then cruelly and heartlessly 
murdered, their sufferings laughed to scorn, and the last sound that fell on their 




r^Ui cCc^ yi^^{K<^^ 



V- 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 8-J 

ears was exultant derision. Succeeding this tragic event was the expedition 
against the Indian towns upon the Sandusky. Tho hostile Indians had been 
making frequent incursions upon the settlements of Western Pennsylvania and 
Virginia, destroying both life and property. There seemed to be no bounds 
to their bloody work, and it became necessary, for the peace and safety of the 
settlers, to take some measures to prevent their outrages. Accordingly, in 
May, 1782, Gen. William Irvine, who was then commander of the Western 
Military Department, with headquarters at Fort Pitt, called a council of the 
ofiScers of his department to meet at Fort Pitt. At this meeting it was de- 
cided to form and equip a body of men, and make an expedition into the 
Indian country. Upper Sandusky, then the rendezvous of the hostile Wyan- 
dots, Delawares, Shawaneae and Mingoes, was to be the point of attack. 

Col. William Crawford led the expedition, which counted 480 men. Warn- 
ing had in some manner reached the towns, and the troops found them de- 
serted. But the Indians were incensed, and their wrath had not driven them 
to hiding-places, but to a preparation to meet their foes. They fought desper- 
ately, and Crawford's troops were defeated and scattered, many being capt- 
ured, and among them Col. Crawford himself. It is hardly probable that 
Crawford could justly expect much mercy at the hands of his captors. Ac- 
counts state that Crawford implored the aid of Girty, and at last secured a 
promise to use his power to obtain the Colonel's pardon. However, this was of 
no avail, and it is doubtful whether Girty was disposed to intercede. The 
prisoners were tortui-ed and put to death, and Crawford's agonies were pro- 
tracted as long as possible. Dr. Knight managed to disable the Indian who 
had him in charge, and made his escape to the settlements, where he related 
the result of the expedition and the tortures of the captured. 

On October 27, 1784, a treaty was concluded at Fort Stanwix, with the 
sachems and warriors of the Mohawks, Onondagas, Senocas, Cayugas, Onei- 
das and Tuscaroras, and the Six Nations then ceded to the Colonial Govern- 
ment all claims to the country west of a line defined by the western boundary 
to the Ohio — thus rendering the Indian claim to a large portion of Ohio lands 
practically extinct. 

Although the French and Indian war was a series of heart-rending events, 
it was a serious and remarkable school of discipline for the untrained troops 
which soon engaged in the Revolutionary struggle. On the fields of Ohio, many 
valuable ofiicers, who earned distinction in the war of independence, learned 
their first lessons in intrepid valor. 

During the Revolution, the colonial troops were engaged east of the mount- 
ains, and western settlements and frontier people were left alone to defend 
themselves and their property against encroachments and attacks. 

The Indian tribes again became belligerent, and united with the English 
against the " Americans." The latter held a line of posts along the Upper 
Ohio, while the British were stationed in the old French strongholds on the 
lakes and the Mississippi. The unscrupulous whites and Indians ranged at ran- 
dom between this boundary and the Cuyahoga, thence southerly to the Ohio,. 



84 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

thus including the Scioto and Miami Valleys. Southeastern Ohio cqnstituted 
"the neutral ground." 

Gen. Clarke's expedition, although chiefly confined to Indiana and Illinois, 
greatly influenced the settlement of Ohio. His exploits and the resolution of 
his troops were chiefly instrumental in holding the country •nest of the Alle- 
ghanies, and insuring its possession by the United States during the Revolution. 
The British had been emphatic, in the Paris treaty, at the time of the settlement 
of the French and English difiiculties, in demanding the Ohio River as the 
northern boundary of the United States. The American Commissioners relied 
upon Gen. Clarke's valor and energy in hokling the country west of the Alle- 
ghanies, which he had conquered, and the British Commissioners were compelled 
to give their consent, under civil and military measures. In 178-3, by the 
treaty of Paris, at the close of the Revolutionary war, the English relinquished 
all rights to the fertile territory between the Alleghanies and the Mississippi, 
and the United States held undisputed possession. 

January 10, 1786, Gens. Rufus Putnam and Benjamin Tupper circulated a 
pamphlet, proposing the formation of a company for the purpose of settling the 
Ohio lands, and soliciting the attention and consideration of all those desiring a 
future home and prosperity. A meeting was also called, to assemble during the 
following February, and select delegates to represent each county in Massachu- 
setts. These dignitaries should convene during the month of March, at the 
"Bunch of Grapes" tavern, in Boston, for the purpose of definitely forming the 
association, and adopting such measures as would benefit all directly interested. 
The meeting and " convention " followed, and the subscription books were opened. 
One million dollars, chiefly represented by Continental certificates, was the 
price of the land. The shares were valued at $1,000 each, and there was a 
division of a thousand shares. The first payment was to be $10 per share, this 
money to be set aside for such expenses as might accrue. A year's interest was 
to be devoted to the establishment of the settlement, and those families who 
were unable to incur the expense of moving were to be assisted. Those who 
purchased shares to the number of twenty were entitled to a representation by 
an agent, who was permitted to vote for Directors. This plan matured and was 
acted upon during the following year. It may be that the action of Connecti- 
cut, in ceding her territorial claims to the General Government, with few excep- 
tions, greatly encouraged this new undertaking. That tract was, until recently, 
designated the " Western Reserve " — an extent 170 miles from the western 
boundary of Pennsylvania, and parallel thereto, being reserved. 

On October 21, 1787, a contract wiis made between the Board of the Treas- 
ury, for the United States, and Manasseh Cutler and Winthrop Sargent, agents 
for the Directors of the New England Ohio Company, for the purchase of a tract 
of land, bounded by the Ohio, and from the mouth of the Scioto to the inter- 
section of the western boundary of the seventh townships, then surveying ; 
thence by said boundary to the northern boundary of the tenth township from 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 85 

the Ohio ; thence, by a due west line, to the Scioto ; thence, by the Scioto, to 
the beginning. 

However fertile and attractive Ohio was known to have been, settlement did 
not gain rapidly after the close of the war with England, although the United 
States has gained her freedom. It was more than six years after Cornwallis 
laid down his sword, before a white settlement was formed on the Ohio side of the 
river. The French and Indian war had incited the English to be jealous of her 
colonial conquests, and mistrusting their loyalty, they had, so soon as the French 
claims were annulled, taken measures to crush all colonial claims also, and a 
royal proclamation rescinded all colonial land grants and charters, holding all 
the country west of the sources of the Atlantic rivers under the protection and 
sovereignty of t'-ie king of Great Britain, for the use of the Indians. All white 
persons were forbidden to remain or settle within the prescribed limits. Parlia- 
ment then attached this tract to Quebec, and the English Government felt assured 
that the thirteen colonies were restricted and held secure east of the Alleghanies. 

The result of the war between the colonies and England did not constitute 
an Indian treaty. Although England signed over her title and right, the sava- 
ges held the land and ignored all white agreements, one way or the other. 
Whenever an attempt at settlement was undertaken, Indian depredations proved 
disastrous. The tribes were encouraged by the English fur traders, and the 
English commandant at Detroit incited them to destroy all Americans who 
attempted to usurp the rights of red men. 

Added to this serious difficulty was the unsettled debate regarding State 
claims, which rendered a title precarious. A treaty, signed at Fort Mcintosh, 
previous to the war, and authenticated, shows that during the conflict the Dela- 
wares and Wyandots occupied the Indian and British frontier, on the southern 
shore of Lake Erie, from the Cuyahoga to the Maumee, and from the lake to 
the sources of its tributaries. Later, these two tribes ceded to the United 
States " the neutral ground," by warranty deed, and by quit-claim, the terri- 
tory south and west of the described tract, set apart for their use. 

By special measures, the grant of Congress in the matter of the Ohio Com- 
pany extended to nearly 5,000,000 acres, valued at ^3,500,000. The original 
Ohio Company obtained 1,500,000, acres, the remaining being reserved by indi- 
viduals, for private speculation. 

The same year. Congress appointed Arthur St. Clair, Governor, and Win- 
throp Sargent, Secretary, of the Territory. 

Fort Harmar had previously been built, at the mouth of the Muskingum, 
and in 1788, a New England colony attempted the " Muskingum settlement," 
on the opposite side, which was afterward named Marietta. In July, 1788, the 
Territorial officers were received in this village, and there established the first 
form of civil government, as set forth in the Ordinance of 1787. Three United 
States Judges were appointed, and Courts of Common Pleas, Probate and 
Justice were established. 



86 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

If the stormy times were supposed to be of the past, that composure was 
rudely broken by the utter disregard of the Shawnee and other Indian tribes, 
who soon induced the Delawares and ^Yyandots to repudiate their consent in the 
matter of settlement. The miseries of frontier horrors were repeated. The 
British commandant at Detroit instigated many of these hostilities, yet the 
American Government took honorable action in assuring the English represent- 
ative that American military preparations in the West was not an expedition 
against Detroit, or other British possessions, although the possession of Detroit 
by that nation was in direct opposition to the treaty of 1783. Gov. St. Clair, 
to avert the direful consequences of a border war, dispatched a Frenchman, 
Gameline, to the principal Indian towns of the Wabash and Maumee countries, 
to request them to meet the United States agents, and make a compromise for 
the benefit of both parties, at the same time reiterating the desire of the General 
Government to adhere to the Fort Harmar treaty. The Miamis, Shawnees, 
Ottawas, Kickapoos and Delawares received this representative kindly, but 
declined the wampum sent by the Governor, and deferred giving an answer 
until they had considered the subject with the " father at Detroit." 

Blue Jacket, chief of the Shawnees, informed the Frenchman that the Indi- 
ans doubted the sincerity of the Americans. The new settlement on the Ohio 
was a proof that the whites intended to crowd further and further, until the 
Indians were again and again robbed of their just right. He then emphaticallv 
asserted that unless the north side of the river was kept free from these inroads 
there could be no terms of peace with the Shawnees, and many other tribes. 

Blue Jacket was unusually intelligent and sagacious, and expressed himself 
eloquently. He was persistent in his determination to engage in the war of 
extermination, should the white settlements continue north of the Ohio. 

These overtures were continued, but they failed in producing any arrange- 
ment that permitted the whites to locate north of the Ohio. 

Congress called upon Kentucky and Pennsylvania to lend the aid of their 
militia. Gen. Harmar was instructed to destroy the Miami villages at the 
head of the Maumee. Late in the fall of 1790, he executed this order. 

The Indians had stored a large quantity of provisions, in expectation of a 
campaign, and this dependence was devastated. Without authority, and with 
undue carelessness, he divided his army and attempted to achieve other victo- 
ries. He more than lost what he had gained. Two raids upon the Wabash In- 
dians, thereafter, proved successftil, but the campaign under Gov. St. Clair was 
not calculated to establish peace or obtain power, and was deemed but little less 
than a failure. 

The year 1792 was a series of skirmishes, so far as a settlement was con- 
cerned, but 1793 succeeded well enough to convene a meeting of United States 
Commissioners and representatives of the hostile tribes, at the rapids of the 
Maumee. It is highly probable that a satisfactory treaty might have beea 
arranged, had it not been for the intervention and malicious influence of the 



i 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 87 

British Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Col. McKee, his assistant Capt. 
Elliott, and the notorious Capt. Simon Girty, who instigated the savages to 
deeds more horrible than their own barbarisms. 

It was evident that a severe struggle must ensue, and Capt. Wayne, in 
1792, appointed to the command of the Western army, was called upon to con- 
duct the campaign. He exhibited his wisdom in the beginning, by preparing 
his men in military discipline and fully equipping them before marching to meet 
a savage foe in a wilderness. Various causes detained the army, and it was not 
until the fall of 1793, that the force marched from Fort Washington (Cincin- 
nati) to begin the battle. 

It was already late in the season, and, before any progress had been made, 
the army went into winter quarters at Greenville, on a branch of the Big 
Miami. 

In the mean time, the Ohio Company had not matured its practical " settle- 
ment plan," although a generous grant had been obtained. In 1792, they 
received a clear title to 750,000 acres of land, for which the full price had pre- 
viously been paid, in Continental currency. Congress set aside 214,285 acres 
a.s army bounties, and 100,000 acres to actual settlers. The two latter appro- 
priations joined that of the Ohio Company. 

There had been numerous conventions, discussions and other fruitless 
attempts to somehow form a plan for the government of the Northwest Terri- 
tory, but it was not until July 1-3, 1787, that an ordinance was passed, and that 
was the result of Dr. Cutler's efforts. Every State sustained its measures. 

This ordinance was the foundation of the constitution of the future State of 
Ohio, and indeed, permeates the entire Northwestern creed. 

ORDIXANCE OF 1787.— No. 32. 
As ORmNA^•CE for the Government of the Territory of the United States, Northwest of 
THE Ohio River. 

Be it ordained by the United States in Congress assembled, That the said Territory, for the pur- 
pose of government, be one district; subject, however, to be divided into two districts, as future cir- 
cumstances may, in the opinion of Congress, m,ike it expedient. 

£e it ordained by the authority aforesaid, That the estates of both resident and non-resident 
proprietors in the said Territory, dj-ing intestate, shall descend to and be distributed among their 
children and the descendants of a deceaseil child, in equal parts; the descendants of a deceased 
child or grandchild to take the share of their deceased parent in equal parts among them. And 
wlien there shall be no children or descendants, then in equal parts to the next of kin in equal 
<lpgree; and among collaterals, the children of a deceased brother or sister of the intestate shall 
have, in equal parts among them, their deceased parent's share; and there shall in no case be a 
<listrihution between kindred of the whole and half blood, saving in all cases to the widow of 
intestate, her third part of the real estate, for life, and one-third part of the persona! estate; and 
this law relative to descents and dower, shall remain in full force until altered by the Legis- 
lature of the district. .\nd until the Governor and Judges shall adopt laws as hereinafter 
mentioned, estates in said Ten-ilory may be devised or bequeathed by wills in writing, signed 
and sealed by him or her in whom the estate may be (being of full age), and attested by three 
witnesses; and real estate may be conveyed by lease and release, or bargain and sale, signed and 
sealed, and delivered by the person (being in full age) in whom the estate may be, and attested 



88 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

by two witnesses, provided such wills be duly proved, and such conveyances be acknowledged, or 
the execution thereof duly proved and be recorded within one year after proper magistrates, 
courts and registers shall be appointed for that purpose. And personal property may be trans- 
ferred by delivery, saving, however, to the French and Canadian inhabitants and other settlers of 
the Kaskaskias, St. Vincent's and the neighboring villages, who have heretofore professed them- 
selves citizens of Virginia, their laws and customs now in force among them, relative to the 
descent and conveyance of property. 

Be it ordained by the authority aforesaid, That there shall be appointed from time to time, by 
Congress, a Governor whose commission shall continue in force for a term of three years, unless 
sooner revoked by Congress. He shall reside in the district and have a freehold estate therein, 
of a thousand acres of land while in the exercise of his office. 

There shall be appointed from time to time by Congress, a Secretary whose commission shall 
continue in force for two years, unless sooner revoked. He shall reside in the district, and shall 
have a freehold est.ate therein in 500 acres of land, while in the exercise of his office. It shall be 
his duty to keep and preserve the acts and laws passed by the Legislature, and the public records 
of the district, and the proceedings of the Governor in his executive department, and ti-ansmit 
authentic copies of such acts and proceedings every six months, to the Secretary of Congress. 
There shall also be appointed a court to consist of three Judges, any two of whom to form a 
court, who shall have a common law jurisdiction and shall reside in the district and have each 
therein a freehold estate in 500 acres of land, while in the exercise of their office, and their 
commissions shall continue in force during good behavior. 

The Governor and Judges, or a majority of them, shall adopt and publish in the district 
such laws of the original States, criminal and civil, as may be necessary and best suited to the 
circumstances of the district, and report them to Congress from time to time, which laws shall be 
in force in the district until the organization of the General Assembly therein, unless disapproved 
by Congress. But afterward, the Legislature shall have authority to alter them, as they shall 
think fit. 

The Governor, for the time being, shall be commander-in-chief of the militia, appoint and 
commission all officers in the same, below the rank of general officers. All general officers shall 
be appointed and commissioned by Congress. 

Previous to the organization of the General Assembly, the Governor shall appoint such mag- 
istrates and other civil officers in each county or township, as he shall find necessary for the 
preservation of the peace and good order in the same. After the General Assembly shall be 
organized, the powers and duties of magistrates and other civil officers shall be regulated and 
defined by the said Assembly, but all magistrates and other civil officers not herein otherwise 
directed, shall, during the continuance of this temporary government, be appointed by the 
Governor. 

For the prevention of crimes and injuries, the laws to be adopted or made shall have force 
in all parts of the district, and for the execution of process, criminal or civil, the Governor shall 
make proper divisions thereof, and he shall proceed from time to time as circumstances may 
require, to lay out the parts of the district in which the Indian titles shall have been extin- 
guished, into counties and townships, subject, however, to such alterations as may thereafter be 
made by the Legislature. So soon as there shall be 5,000 free male inhabitants of full age in the 
district, upon giving proof thereof to the Governor, they shall receive authority with time and 
place, to elect representatives from their counties or townships, to represent them in the General 
Assembly. Provided, That for every 500 free male inhabitants, there shall be one representative, 
and so on progressively with the number of free male inhabitants, shall the right of representa- 
tion increase, until the number of representatives shall amount to twenty-five. After which, the 
number shall be regulated by the Legislature. Provided, That no person be eligible or qualified 
to act as a representative unless he sh.all have been a citizen of one of the United States three 
years, and be a resident in the district, or unless he shall have resided in the district three 
years, and in either case, shall likewise hold in his own right in fee simple 200 acres of land 
within the same. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 89 

Provided, Also, that a freehold in 50 acres of land in the district, having been a citizen of 
one of the States, and being a resident in the district, or the like freehold and two years' resi- 
dence in the district, shall be necessary to qualify a man as an elector of a representative. 

The representatives thus elected, shall serve for the term of two years. And in case of the 
death of a representative or removal from office, the Governor shall issue a writ to the county or 
township for which he was a member, to elect another in his stead, to serve for the residue of the 
term. 

The General Assembly or Legislature shall consist of the Governor, Legislative Council, and 
a House of Representatives. The Legislative Council shall consist of five members, to continue 
in office five years, unless sooner removed by Congress; any three of whom to be a quorum. 
And the members of the Council shall be nominated and appointed in the following manner, to wit : 

As soon as representatives shall be elected, the Governor shall appoint a time and place for 
them to meet together, and when met, they shall nominate ten persons, residents in the district, 
and each person in a freehold in 500 acres of land, and return their names to Congress, five of 
whom Congress shall appoint and commission as aforesaid. And whenever a vacancy shall hap- 
pen in the Council by death or removal from office, the House of Representatives shall nominate 
two persons, qualified as aforesaid, for each vacancy, and return their names to Congress, one of 
whom Congress shall appoint and commission for the residue of the term. And every five years, 
four months at least before the expiration of the time of service of the members of the Council, 
the said House shall nominate ten persons qualified as aforesaid, and return their names to 
Congress, five of whom Congress shall appoint and commission to serve as members of the 
Council five years, unless sooner removed. And the Governor, Legislative Council and House 
of Representatives shall have authority to make laws in all cases, for the good government 
of the district, not repugnant to the principles and articles in this Ordinance, established and 
declared. 

And all bills having passed by a majority in the House, and by a majority in the Council, 
shall be referred to the Governor for his assent. But no bill or legislative act whatever, shall he 
of any force without his assent. The Governor shall have power to convene, prorogue and dis- 
solve the General Assembly, when in his opinion it shall be expedient. 

The Governor, Judges, Legislative Council, Secretary, and such other officers as Congress 
shall appoint in the district, shall take an oath or affirmation of fidelity and of office. The Gov- 
ernor before the President of Congress, and all other officers before the Governor. 

As soon as a Legislature shall be formed in the district, the Council and House assembled 
in one room, shall have authority by joint ballot to elect a delegate to Congress, who shall 
have a seat in Congress, with a right of debating, but not of voting, during this temporary gov- 
ernment. 

And for extending the fundamental principles of civil and religious liberty, which forms 
the basis whereon these republics, their laws and constitutions, are created ; to fix and establish 
those principles as the basis of all laws, constitutions and governments, which forever hereafter 
shall be formed in said Territory. To provide for the establishment of States, and permanent 
governments therein, and for their admission to a share in the-Federal Council on an equal footing 
with the original States, at as early periods as may be consistent with the general interest. 

It it hereby ordained and declared by the authority aforesaid, That the following articles shall 
he considered as articles of compact between the original States and the people, and States in 
said Territory, and forever remain unaltered unless by common consent, to wit: 

Article IL The inh.abitants of said Territory shall always be entitled to the benefits of the 
writ of habeat corpus, and of the trial by jury ; of a proportionate representation of the people 
in the Legislature, and of judicial procedure according to the course of common law. All per- 
sons shall be bailable, except for capital offenses, where the proof shall be evident or the pre- 
sumption great. All fines shall be moderate, and no cruel or unreasonable punishment shall be 
inflicted. No man shall be depraved of his liberty or property, but by the judgment of his peers 
or the law of the land. And should the public exigencies make it necessary for the common 
preservation, to take any person's property, or to demand his particular services, full compen.sation 



90 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

shall be made for the same. And in the just preservation of rights and property, it is under- 
stood and declared that no law aught ever to be made or have force in the said Territory, 
that shall in any manner whatever interfere with or eflfect private contracts or engagements bona 
fide and without fraud, previously formed. 

Art. III. Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the 
happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged. The 
utmost good faith shall always be observed toward the Indians ; their lands and property shall 
never be taken from them without their consent : and in their property, rights and liberty they 
shall never be invaded or disturbed, unless in just and lawful wars authorized by Congress. But 
laws founded in justice and humanity, shall from tim^ to time be made for preventing wrongs 
being done to them, and for preserving peace and friendship with them. 

Art. IV. The said Territory and the States which may he formed therein, shall ever remain 
a part of the confederacy of the United States of Amei-ica, subject to the articles of confedera- 
tion, and to such alterations therein as shall be constitutionally made, and to all the acts and 
ordinances of the United States in Congress assembled conformable thereto. The inhabitants and 
settlers in said Territory shall be subject to pay a part of the federal debts contracted or to be 
contracted, and a proportional part of the expenses of the Government, to be apportioned on 
them by Congress, according to the same common rule and measure by which apportionments 
thereof shall be made on the other States, and the taxes for paying their proportion shall be laid 
and levied by the authority and directions of the Legislature of the district or districts or new 
States, within the time agreed upon by the United States in Congress assembled. The Legisla- 
tures of those districts or new States, shall never interfere with the primary disposal of the soil 
by the United States in Congress assembled, nor with any regulations Congress may find neces- 
sary for securing the title in such soil to the bona-fide purchasers. No tax shall be imposed on 
lands the property of the United States, and in no case, shall non-residents be taxed higher than 
residents. The navigable waters leading into the Mississippi and St Lawrence, and the carry- 
ing places between the same, shall be common highways, and forever free as well to the inhabi- 
tants of the said Territory as to the citizens of the United States and those of any other States 
that may l>e admitted into the confederacy, without any tax, impost or duty therefor. 

Art. V. There shall be formed in said Territory not less than three, nor more than five, 
States, and the boundaries of the States, as soon as Virginia shall alter her act of cession and 
consent to the same, shall become fixed and established as follows, to wit : The western State in 
the said Territory shall be bcunded by the Mississippi, the Ohio, the Wabash Rivers ; a direct 
line drawn from ihe Wabash and Post St. Vincent, due north to the Territorial line between the 
United States and Canada; and by tlie said Territorial line to the Lake of the Woods and Missis- 
sippi. The middle State shall be hounded by tlie said direct line, the Wabash from Post St. Vin- 
cent to the Ohio, by the Ohio, by a direct line drawn due north from the mouth of the Great 
Miami to the said Ten-itorial line. The eastern State shall be hounded by the last-mentioned 
direct line, the Ohio, Pennsylvania and said territorial line. Provided, however, and it is ftirther 
understood and declared, that the boundaries of those three States shall be subject so far to be 
altered, that, if Congress shall hereafter find it expedient, they shall have authority to form one 
or two States in that part of the said Territory which lies north of an east and west line drawn 
through the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan. And whenever any of the said States 
shall have GO, 000 free inhabitants therein, such State shall be admitted by its delegates into the 
Congress of the United States on an equal footing with the original States in all respects what- 
ever, and sh.all be at liberty to form a permanent constitution and State government. Provided, 
The constitution and government so to be formed, shall be represented, and in conformity to the 
principles contained in these articles; and so far as it can be consistent with the general interest 
of the confederacy, such admission shall be allowed at an earlier period, and when there may be 
a less number of free inhabitants than 60,000. 

Art. VI. There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said Territory, 
otherwise than in the punishment of crimes whereof the party shall have been duly convicted. 
Provided alwayn. That any person escaping into the same from whom labor or service is lawfully 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 91 

claimed in one of the original States, each fugitive may be lawfully claimed and conveyed to the 
person claiming his or her labor or services as aforesaid. 

Be >l ordained bt/ the authority aforesaid. That the resolutions of the 23d of April, 1784, 
relative to the subject of this ordinance, be and the same are hereby repealed and declared null 
and void. 

COMMENT BY S. P. CHASE 1833. 

It would be difficult to find a more comprehensive review of the founda- 
tions of our system of laws than is given in the " Preliminary Sketch of the 
History of Ohio," by this distinguished representative of the bench and the 
bar of America. The work is now out of print, and is not easily obtained; 
besides, its great author has passed away; so these extracts are made more 
with a view of preserving old historical literature, than of introducing new ; 
furthermore, the masses of the people have never had convenient access to the 
volumes, which, for the most part, have been in the hands of professional men 
only. The publication of the work first brought its compiler before the public, 
and marked the beginning of that career which, during its course, shaped the 
financial system of our country, and ended upon the Supreme Bench of the 
nation. 

"By the ordinance of 1785, Congress had executed in part the great national 
trust confided to it, by providing for the disposal of the public lands for the 
common good, and by prescribing the manner and terms of sale. By that of 
1787, provision was made for successive forms of Territorial government, 
adapted to successive steps of advancement in the settlement of the Western 
country. It comprehended an intelligible system of law on the descent and 
conveyance of real property, and the transfer of personal goods. It also con- 
tained five articles of compact between the original States, and the people and 
States of the Territory, establishing certain great fundamental principles of 
governmental duty and private right, as the basis of all future constitutions and 
legislation, unalterable and indestructible, except by that final and common 
ruin, which, as it has overtaken all former systems of human polity, may yet 
overwhelm our American union. Never, probably, in the history of the world, 
did a measure of legislation so accurately fulfill, and yet so mightily exceed 
the anticipations of the legislators. The ordinance has been well described, as 
having been a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night, in the settlement and 
government of the Northwestern States. When the settlers went into the 
wilderness, they found the law already there. It was impressed upon the soil 
itself, while it yet bore up nothing but the forest. The purchaser of land 
became, by that act, a party to the compact, and bound by its perpetual cove- 
nants, so far as its conditions did not conflict with the terms of the cessions of 

the states. 

********* 

This remarkable in.strument was the last gift of the Congress of the old 
confederation to the country, and it was a fit consummation of their glorious 



92 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

labors. At the time of its promulgation, the Federal Constitution was under 
discussion in the couvention ; and in a few months, upon the organization of 
the new national government, that Congress was dissolved, never again to re-as- 
semble. Some, and indeed most of the principles established by the articles of 
compact are to be found in the plan of 1784, and in the various English and 
American bills of rights. Others, however, and these not the least important, 
are original. Of this number are the clauses in relation to contracts, to slavery 
and to Indians. On the whole, these articles contain what they profess to con- 
tain, the true theory of American liberty. The great principles promulgated 
by it are wholly and purely American. They are indeed the genuine princi- 
ples of freedom, unadulterated by that compromise with circumstances, the 
effects of which are visible in the constitution and history of the Union. 

The first form of civil government, provided by the ordinance, was now 
formally established within the Territory. Under this form, the people had no 
concern in the business of government. The Governor and Judges derived 
their appointments at first from Congress, and after the adoption of the Fed- 
eral Constitution, from the President. The commission of the former ofiScer 
was for the term of three years, unless sooner revoked ; those of the latter 
were during good behavior. It was required that the Governor should reside 
within the Territory, and possess a freehold estate there, in one thousand acres 
of land. He had authority to appoint all officers of militia, below the rank of 
Generals, and all magistrates and civil officers, e.xcept the Judges and the Sec- 
retary of the Territory ; to establish convenient divisions of the whole district 
for the execution of progress, to lay out those parts to which the Indian 
titles might be extinguished into counties and townships. The Judges, or any 
two of them, constituted a court with common law jurisdiction. It was neces- 
sary that each Judge should possess a freehold estate in the territory of five 
hundred acres. The whole legislative power which, however, extended only to- 
the adoption of such laws of the original States as might be suited to the cir- 
cumstances of the country, was vested in the Governor and Judges. The laws 
adopted were to continue in force, unless disapproved by Congress, until re- 
pealed by the Legislature, which was afterward to be organized. It was the 
duty of the Secretary to preserve all acts and laws, public records and executive 
proceedings, and to transmit authentic copies to the Secretary of Congress 
every six months. 

Such was the first government devised for the Northwestern Territory. It 
is obvious that its character, as beneficent or oppressive, depended entirely upon 
the temper and disposition of those who administrated it. All power, legisla- 
tive, judicial and executive, was concentrated in the Governor and Judges, and 
in its exercise they were responsible only to the distant Federal head. The 
expenses of the Government were defrayed in part by the United States, but 
were principally drawn from the pockets of the people in the shape of fees. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 93 

This temporary system, however unfriendly as it seems to liberty, was, 
perhaps, so established upon sufficient reasons. The Federal Constitution had 
not then been adopted, and there were strong apprehensions that the people of 
the Territory might not be disposed to organize States and apply for admission 
into the Union. It was, therefore, a matter of policy so to frame the Territorial 
system as to create some strong motives to draw them into the Union, as States, 
in due time. 

The first acts of Territorial legislation were passed at Marietta, then the 
only American settlement northwest of the Ohio. The Governor and Judges 
did not strictly confine themselves within the limits of their legislative author- 
ity, as prescribed by the ordinance. When they could not find laws of the 
original States suited to the condition of the country, they supplied the want 
by enactments of their own. The earliest laws, from 1788 to 1795, were all 
thus enacted. The laws of 1788 provided for the organization of the militia; 
for the establishment of inferior courts ; for the punishment of crimes, and for 
the limitations of actions ; prescribed the duties of ministerial officers ; regu- 
lated marriages, and appointed oaths of office. That the Governor and Judges 
in the enactment of these laws, exceeded their authority, without the slightest 
disposition to abuse it, may be inferred from the fact that except two, which 
had been previously repealed, they were all confirmed by the first Territorial 
Legislature. 

********* 

At this period there was no seat of government, properly called. The 
Governor resided at Cincinnati, but laws were passed whenever they seemed to 
be needed, and promulgated at any place where the Territorial legislators hap- 
pened to be assembled. Before the year of 1795, no laws were, strictly speak- 
ing, adopted. Most of them were framed by the Governor and Judges to 
answer particular public ends ; while in the enactment of others, including all 
the laws of 1792, the Secretary of the Territory discharged, under the author- 
ity of an act of Congress, the functions of the Governor. The earliest laws, 
as has been already stated, were published at Marietta. Of the remainder, a 
few were published at Vincennes, and the rest at Cincinnati. 

In the year 1789, the first Congress passed an act recognizing the binding 
force of the ordinance of 1787, and adapting its provisions to the Federal Con- 
stitution. This act provided that the communications directed in the ordinance 
to be made to Congress or its officers, by the Governor, should thencefortii be 
made to the President, and that the authority to appoint with the consent of 
the Senate, and commission officers, before that time appointed and commis- 
sioned by Congress, should likewise be vested in that officer. It also gave the 
Territorial Secretary the power already mentioned, of acting in certain cases, 
in the place of the Governor. In 1792, Congress passed another act giving to 
the Governor and Judges authority to repeal, at their discretion, the laws by 



94 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

them made ; and enabling a single Judge of the general court, in the absence 
of his brethren, to hold the terms. 

At this time the Judges appointed by the National Executive constituted the 
Supreme Court of the Territory. They were commissioned during good 
behavior; and their judicial jurisdiction extended over the whole region north- 
west of the Ohio. The court, thus constituted, was fixed at no certain place, 
and its process, civil and criminal, was returnable wheresoever it might be in 
the Territory. Inferior to this court were the County Courts of Common Pleas, 
and the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace. The former consisted of any 
number of Judges, not less than three nor more than seven, and had a general 
common-law jurisdiction, concurrent, in the respective counties, with that of 
the Supreme Court ; the latter consisted of a number of Justices for each 
county, to be determined by the Governor, who were required to hold three 
terms in every year, and had a limited criminal jurisdiction. Single Judges of 
the Common Pleas, and single Justices of the Quarter Sessions were also 
clothed with certain civil and criminal powers to be exercised out of court. 
Besides these courts, each county had a Judge of Probate, clothed with the 
ordinary jurisdiction of a Probate Court. 

Such was the original constitution of courts and distribution of judicial 
power in the Northwestern Territory. The expenses of the system were 
defrayed in part by the National Government, and in part by assessments upon 
the counties, but principally by fees, which were payable to every oflScer con- 
cerned in the administration of justice, from the Judges of the General Court 
downward. 

In 1795 the Governor and Judges undertook to revise the Territorial laws, 
and to establish a complete system of statutory jurisprudence, by adoptions 
forom the laws of the original States, in strict conformity to the provisions of 
the ordinance. For this purpose they assembled at Cincinnati in June, and 
contioued in session until the latter part of August. The judiciary system 
underwent some changes. The General Court was fixed at Cincinnati and Mari- 
etta, and a Circuit Court was established with power to try in the several coun- 
ties, issues in fact depending before the superior tribunal, where alone causes 
could be finally decided. Orphans' Courts, too, were established, with jurisdic- 
tion analogous to but more extensive than that of a Judge of Probate. Laws were 
also adopted to regulate judgments and executions, for limitation of actions, 
for the distribution of intestate estates, and for many other general purposes. 
Finally, as if with a view to create some great reservoir, from which, whatever 
principles and powers had been omitted in the particular acts, might be drawn 
according to the exigency of circumstances, the Governor and Judges adopted 
a law, providing that the common law of England and all general statutes in 
aid of the common law, prior to the fourth year of James I, should be in full 
force within the Territory. The law thus adopted was an act of the Virginia 
Legislature, passed before the Declaration of Independence, when Virginia was 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 96 

yet a British colony, and at the time of its adoption had been repealed so far as 
it related to the English statutes. 

The other laws of 1795 were principally derived from the statute book of 
Pennsylvania. The system thus adopted was not without many imperfections 
and blemishes, but it may be doubted whether any colony, at so early a period 

after its first establishment, ever had one so good. 

********* 

And how gratifying is the retrospect, how cheering the prospect which even 
this sketch, brief and partial as it is, presents ! On a sur-face covered less 
than half a century ago by the trees of the primeval forest, a State has grown 
up from Colonial infancy to freedom, independence and strength. But thirty 
years have elapsed since that State, with hardly sixty thousand inhabitants, was 
admitted into the American Union. Of the twenty-four States which form 
that Union, she is now the fourth in respect to population. In other respects 
her rank is even higher. Already her resources have been adequate, not only 
to the expense of government and instruction, but to the construction of long 
lines of canals. Her enterprise has realized the startling prediction of the 
poet, who, in 1787, when Ohio was yet a wilderness, foretold the future connec- 
tion of the Hudson with the Ohio. 

And these results are attributable mainly to her institutions. The spirit of 
the ordinance of 1787 pervades them all. Who can estimate the benefits 
which have flowed from the interdiction by that instrument of slavery and of 
legislative interference with private contracts? One consequence is, that the 
soil of Ohio bears up none but freemen ; another, that a stern and honorable 
regard to private rights and public morals characterizes her legislation. There 
is hardly a page in the statute book of which her sons need be ashamed. The 
great doctrine of equal rights is "everywhere recognized in her constitution and 
her laws. Almost every father of a family in this State has a freehold interest 
in the soil, but this interest is not necessary to entitle him to a voice in the 
concerns of government. Every man'may vote ; every man is eligible to any 
office. And this unlimited extension of the elective franchise, so far from pro- 
ducing any evil, has ever constituted a safe and sufficient check upon injurious 
legislation. Other causes of her prosperity may be found in her fertile soil, in 
her felicitous position, and especially in her connection with the union of the 
States. All these springs of growth and advancement are permanent, and 
upon a most gratifying prospect of the future. They promise an advance in 
population, wealth, intelligence and moral worth as permanent as the existence 
of the State itself. They promise to the future citizens of Ohio the blessings 
of good government, wise legislation and universal instruction. More than all, 
they are pledges that in all future, as in all past circumstances, Ohio will cleave 
fast to the national constitution and the •national Union, and that her growing 
energies will on no occasion, be more -willingly or powerfully put forth, than iti 
the support and maintenance of both in unimpaired vigor and strength." 



96 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 



INFLUENCE OF THE ORDINANCE OF 1787. 

The passage of this ordinance, since known as the " Ordinance of 1787," 
■was immediately followed by an application to the Government, by John Cleves 
Symmes, of New Jersey, in behalf of the country, between the Miamis, and a 
contract was concluded the following year. The Ohio Company were exceed- 
ingly energetic in inaugurating settlements. Gen. Putman, with a party of 
forty-seven men, set out on an exploring expedition, accompanied by six boat 
builders. On the 1st of January, 1788, twenty-six surveyors followed, from 
Hartford, Conn. They arrived in Ohio on the 7th of April, 1788, and their 
active energy founded the permanent beginning of this great Western State- 
When we review the dangerous experiments that have been made, in this land 
west of the Alleghanies, the horrors which had overwhelmed every attempt, we 
can faintly realize the stalwart courage that sent these men on their way, and 
sustained them in their pioneer hardships. With characteristic vigor, they 
began their little town. Enthusiastic and happy, they did not rest from their 
toilsome march over the old Indian roads, but kept busily at work to estab- 
lish an oasis in this wide expanse of wilderness, before they should take nec- 
essary ease to recuperate their strength. 

The wise men met on the 2d of May, and the little town was named 
Marietta. Situated as it was, in the midst of danger, they had used precaution 
to build and equip a fortified square, which was designated Campus Martins ; 
Square No. 19 was Capitolium, and Square No. 61 was Cecelia, and the main 
street was Sacra Via. 

Marietta was especially fortunate in her actual "first families." Ten of the 
forty-eight men had received a thorough college education ; the remaining were 
individuals of sterling merit, honorable, and several had already attained reputations 
for superior excellence of abilities. Patriotic and brave, the settlement certainly 
possessed a foundation that promised well for the future. The following 4th of 
July was an auspicious event, and the Hon. James M. Varnum was the eloquent 
orator of the occason. 

The opening of the court, on the 2d of September, was a solemn ceremonial, 
the High Sheriff leading with drawn sword, followed by citizens, with an escort 
of ofiicers from Fort Harmar, the members of the bar, the Governor and Clergy- 
men, the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas — Gen. Rufus Putman and 
Benjamin Tupper — all these constituted an imposing spectacle, as they pro- 
gressed over a path which had been cut through the forest to Campus Martins 
Hall, the edifice of law and order. 

The Judges took their seats, a prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr. Cutler, 
and immediately the Sheriff, Col. Ebenezer Sprout, proclaimed the response, 
and the court of impartial justice was convened. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 97 

This ceremonial was, perhaps, made all the more impressive by the presence 
of several powerful Indian chiefs, who had journeyed to Marietta for the pur- 
pose of making a treaty. 

The settlement now increased rapidly, new cabins were erected constantly. 
On the 17th of December, a society event occurred, in the form of a grand ball, 
fifteen ladies being present. 

John Cleves Symmes had contracted for 2,000,000 acres of land, and suc- 
ceeded in obtaining his grant, but circumstances prevented him from meeting 
bis part of the obligations, and the specification was reduced to 1,000,000. 
After vain attempt to make his payments, a settlement was finally effected for 
ti48,540 acres, and Symmes was prepared to dispose of clear titles to new-com- 
ers. In 1788, a town was established within the boundaries of his grant, at the 
mouth of the little Miami, known as Columbia, and in the early part of 1787 
another was formed opposite the mouth of the Licking River, by name Losanti- 
ville, analyzed by a frontier scholar — ville, the town ; anti, opposite to ; os, the 
mouth of; L, Licking. 

Judge Symmes had projected building his main town at North Bend. This 
plan w^as frustrated by reason of Ensign Luce — who had been commissioned by 
Gen. Harmar to erect a fort — deciding that North Bend was not suitable for the 
jiurpose. He selected Losantiville for the purpose, and Fort Washington was 
ihe result. In 1790, Gov. St. Clair was called to inspect the settlement, and 
proceeded to organize Hamilton County, at the same time calling the town 
Oincinjiati. 

It will be remembered that Connecticut ceded most of her western lands to 
General Government, retaining, however, a minor portion. As the settlements 
began to increase on the ''Virginia Reserve" and between the Scioto and Miami 
Rivers, all those holding claims were not disposed to part with them, while 
others were anxious to secure grants for the purpose of speculation, rather than 
the advancement of civilization. The Scioto Company was a questionable ad- 
herent of the Ohio Company, and began operations, which resulted well, what- 
ever their purpose may have been. 

Gen. Putnam cleared the land and directed the building of 100 dwellintrs and 
six block-houses. During 1791, the colony arrived, consisting of 500 persons. 
Only ten of these were tillers of the soil. Viscount Malartie ventured into the 
wilderness, but instead of settling, joined Gen. St. Clair's army, and was ulti- 
mately his aid-de-camp. Indian conquests were not to his taste, and he soon 
returned to France. This new colony was essentially French, and its location 
was Gallia County. The name " Gallipolis " was selected. 

These settlers, being unaccustomed to severe toil, and disinclined to learn 
its hard lesson, soon became demoralized, through deprivation and absolute 
Wiint. Congress came to their aid with a land grant of 24,000 acres, but few 
of them cared to enter claims, and soon all traces of the old town were lost, and 
its inhabitants scattered. 



98 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

Gen. St. Clair having become unpopular, through repeated failures in Indian 
campaigns, and Gen. Anthony Wayne having wintered at Fort Washington, 
the spring of 1793 was opened by a march of the army, well disciplined and 
led by " Mad Anthony," on a campaign that must crush the rapidly increasing 
depredations of the Indians, notwithstanding which these new settlements had 
been made. All winter, Gen. Wayne had dispatched scouts, spies and hardy 
frontiersmen on errands of discovery, and his plans were, therefore, practically 
matured. His army cut its way through the forests, gathering horses, provis- 
ions, etc., as they marched, and finally came nearly up to the enemy before dis- 
covery. They again returned to Fort Washington, as the Commander-in-Chief, 
under the order of the Executive, had proclaimed inaction until the Northern 
or British Commissioners and Indians should convene and discuss the situation 
and prospects. Gen. Wayne, meantime, drilled his men at " Hobson's Choice," 
a place near Fort Washington. 

The Commissioners came from Detroit, and assembled at Capt. Matthew 
Elliot's house, at the mouth of the Detroit River. 

A meeting was called at Sandusky, and twenty Indian representatives were 
present, to argue the grounds of a treaty. Simon Girty acted as interpreter, 
and has been vehemently accused of unfaithfulness in this trust, since he did 
not advocate the adjustment of matters on any grounds. The Indians reiterated 
their rights and wrongs, and offered to receive the half of the purchase money, 
provided the actual settlers would accept it as the price of the land, move away, 
and leave the original owners the proud possessors of their lands. The Govern- 
ment would then expend less money than they would have done in a full Indian 
purchase, or a long and cruel war. This being out of the question and rejected, 
a decided specification was made that the Ohio boundary was to be obliterated, 
and a new one adopted, that encompassed a mere fraction of territory. This 
was also rejected. The Indians indignantly bade the Americans to go back to 
their father, and they would return to their tribes. 

The council was terminated in confusion. It is highly probable that some 
settlement might have been made, had it not been for English influence which 
instigated the savages, in the hope of ultimately making conquests for them- 
selves. The commander at Detroit evinced great uneasiness whenever there 
was a shadow of an opportunity for a peaceful understanding. 

On Christmas Day, 1793, a detachment of the army encamped on the 
identical ground made memorable by St. Clair's horrible defeat. A reward was 
offered for every human skull that was found, and 600 were gathered. The 
bones of the victims were removed from the spot where they built Fort Recovery. 
This point was left in charge of Alexander Gibson. 

Early in the year 1794, Lord Dorchester addressed the Commissioners in 
behalf of the English. Even at this time, Gen. Wayne, to avoid the terrors of 
a great war, again made overtures of peace, dispatching Freeman, Trueman and 
Hardin, all initiated in savage tactics, on errands of mercy — and the three men 



HISTORY OF TIIK STATE OF OHIO. 99 

were inhumanly murdered. The English went so far as to order Gov. Simcoe 
to erect a fort, in April, 1794, on the Rapids of the Maumee, thus rousing the 
Indians by a bold proof that they had espoused their cause. In May, the 
Spanish, who were ever jealous of colonial encroachments, were willing to aid 
in a general raid against the Americans. 

In June, a scouting party from Fort Recovery, fell into an Indian ambush 
and suffered severely, their foes following them to the very entrance. The siege 
coiitinuod for two days. It was plainly evident that white men augmented the 
Indian force ; ounce balls and buck-shot surely came from their rifles. Again, 
the Indians immediately began a search beneath the logs where pieces of artillery 
were hidden during the great battle of St. Clair, but fortunately. Fort Recovery 
had the use of them .and they accomplished much. 

On July 26, Scott joined Wayne at Greenville, with 1,600 mounted 
Kentuckians, and on the 28th, the legion took up its line of deadly march. 
Halting at Girty's Town, they built Fort Mary's, later on Fort Adams. Throw- 
ing the enemy off their guard by feints and counter-marching, the troops surprised 
the Indians, and without the slightest resistance took possession of their villages 
at the confluence of the Auglaize and Maumee. They found provision in 
abundance, and tarried a week building Fort Defiance. 

Again Gen. Wayne would have made terms of peace, on the principle of the 
Goverament to arrest bloodshed, but the Indians were rendered cruelly intent 
on war by an aildition of a body of British militia from Detroit, and by regulara 
stationed at a fort they had built on the left bank of the river, below the rapids, 
called Fort Miami. The "Fallen Timber" ground was selected as the field 
for a battle by the savages, in the expectation that the trees cast down by a 
tornado and there remaining, would seriously impede American progress. 

August 15th, Wayne marched down the river, and at Roche de Boeuf, erected 
a fortification for their stores and luggage, naming it " Fort Deposit." On the 
20th, the American army began the attack. Maj. Price and Maj. Gen. Scott 
were heroic in their assistance, and after a sharp, deadly conflict, the enemy 
was routed, fleeing in confusion, and leaving their dead and wounded strewn 
thickly over the field. The savages were pressed to the front always, and when 
the carnage was painful, the British troops not engaged looked on coolly from the 
fort and offered no assistance, aiding their own, however, when possible. Gen. 
Wayne being an ardent soldier, was apt to forget his position, and impetuously 
place himself constantly in danger. Lieut. Harrison is I'eported to have 
rccjuested the General not to forget to give him field orders, in his own partici- 
pation in the battle, and to have received the reply that the standing order was 
always to charge bayonets. 

Notwithstanding the ti'eaty of 1783, and the fact that the British were tres- 
passing, they encroached upon the Ohio soil, and essayed to vindicate their 
action by discarding American claims and recognizing the Indian rights, whereby 
they might seek their own colonization and make treaties. 

a 



100 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

Maj. Campbell was in command at Fort Miami, and when he saw the sava- 
ges being cut down almost mercilessly, he not only refrained from offering aid, 
but when, in their desperate retreat, they attempted to enter the fort for pro- 
tection, he ordered the doors closed in their faces. 

On the following day, Campbell sent a message to Wayne, demanding a 
reason for hostile action, adding that Great Britain was not now at war with the 
United States. He received a characteristic reply. 

During the Revolution, Detroit was an important British point, and the 
Maumee was its outlet. Therefore, the English clung tenaciously to this pos- 
session, giving, as it did, the advantage of the great fur trade. The English 
Government evidently regretted ceding so much of her territory in the West, 
and were searching for an excuse to quarrel and attempt to regain at least a part 
of what they had lost. Their policy was to sustain the bitter hatred between 
the Indians and the Americans. 

The settlement of the Maumee Valley had been rapid, but the verv name 
was an agony of remembrance of frightful massacres and atrocities. Col. 
McKee, the British Indian agent, and his assistant, Capt. Elliott, were from 
Pennsylvania, but being Tories, they had a.ssimilated with the Indians. They 
joined the Shawnee tribe and married Indian wives, and made their fortunes 
thereby, through British appointments to secure the savage interests. The 
Indians were directly served by McKee and Elliott, with ammunition and sup- 
plies, during the Wayne conflict. 

Several skirmishes ensued, but severe weather approaching, the troops 
moved for quarters, and on the 14th day of September, they attacked the jNIiami 
villages, captured them with provisions and stores, and erected a fort, leaving 
it in charge of Lieut. Col. Hamtramck. With cheers and rifle-shooting, this post 
was named Fort Wayne. The main army marched into Greenville and went into 
winter quarters. 

Wayne had achieved a brilliant victory, but his success did not overcome his 
practical reasoning, and he was unwilling to subject his men to a severe winter's 
campaign unless necessity was peremptory. 

Gov. Simcoe, Col. McKee and a few of the most savage Indian chiefs 
attempted to rally the Indians for a new attack. Gov. Simcoe, of Deti-oit, was 
aware that the mounted volunteers under Wayne had been allowed to return 
home, and that the term of service of a portion of the " Legion " was about to 
expire. 

The British and Indians held a conference, but the latter were weary with 
fighting for the glory of the Gi'eat Father at Detroit, and did not enter into the 
plan. The winter proved most poverty stricken to them, the English failing to 
supply them, and their crops and sustenance having been destroyed by Wayne. 
Tliey were then fully prepared to listen to the faintest signal from Wayne to 
conciliate affairs, and the Wyandots and Delawares were the first to confer with 
him on the subject. Their position was exposed and they had suflered severely. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 101 

They soon influenced other tribes to consider the question. As a mass, they 
were convinced of their inability to overcome the Americans, and had become 
impatient and disgusted witli the duplicity of their British friends, who had not 
licsitated to sacrifice them in every instance, and who deserted them in tlioir 
iiour of distress. United, they sued for peace. Terms were made, and about 
the 1st of August, the famous Greenville treaty was ratified and established, 
and the old Indian war in Ohio terminated. 

Tlie Wyandots, Delawares, Shawnees, Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawatomies, 
Jliamis, Eel Rivers, Weas, Kickajwos, Piankeshaws and Kaskaskias were thus 
conciliated. The old Indian boundary line, settled upon at the Fort Mcintosh 
treaty, wa.s retained, and the southwestern line was prolonged from old Fort 
Recovery, southwest of the Ohio River. 

" The general boundary lines between the lands of the United States and 
the lands of the said Indian tribes shall begin at the mouth of the Cuvahoga 
River, and thence run up the same to the portage between that and the Tus- 
carawas Branch of the Muskingum ; thence down that branch to the crossing- 
place above Fort Laurens ; thence westerly to a fork of that branch of the 
Great Miami River (running into the Ohio), at or near which fork stood Lar- 
amie's store — Mary's River, which is a branch of the Miami that runs into Lake 
Erie ; thence a westei'ly course to Fort Recovery, which stands on a branch of 
the AVabash : thence southwesterly on a direct line to the Ohio, so as to inter- 
sect that river opposite the mouth of the Kentucky or Cuttawa River." 

This boundary line has, ever since this memorable treaty, been a prominent 
landmark, and may now be traced as the southern boundary line of Stark, Ash- 
land, Richland and Marion Counties, and the northern line, in part, of Tuscar- 
awas and Knox. Old Fort Recovery was located in Mercer, near the Indiana 
line. Laramie's store was in Shelby. 

Within the Indian Reservation, the United States held sixteen distinct sec- 
tions of land, for the purpose of military posts, so arranged that the Govern- 
ment had full right of way north and west. 

The "Joy treaty " between England and the United States was ratified early 
in 17'J6, and the British were obliged to vacate Detroit and Fort Miami, and recall 
the fact that they had no claim or right to either points. Gen. Wayne received 
them, and accompanied by Gov. St. Clair, proceeded to Detroit. Here the lat- 
ter laid out a county, calling it Wayne, and designated Detroit as its se.at of 
justice. This was the fifth county in the Northwest Territory, north of the 
Ohio River. Wasliington County, with Marietta as a seat of justice, was first 
established ; next Hamilton, with Cincinnati as a county seat. Wayne County 
was organized in 1796, and included about twenty-six of the present counties, 
in the northwest part of the State, covering about a quarter of its area, besides 
parts of Indiana and Michigan. 

In otiier parts of the State, the population was rapidly increasing. In May, 
1795, the Legislature authorized a committee to institute measures for the 



102 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

disposal of their Western lands. The Virginia and Connecticut Reservations 
required some action on the part of Governmeut, inasmuch as ceding a portion 
and re-selling had in a measure di.sturbed free titles. Fifty-six persons negoti- 
ated and purchased lands, receiving quit-claim titles and entire rights. They 
re-sold to John Morgan and Joiin Caldwell and Jonathan Bruce, in trust. Thus 
3,000,000 acres were prepared for settlement. Upon the quit-claim deeds of 
these representatives, the full title of lands included within the old Western 
Reserve rests. 

Judge Symmes began his active operations in 1796, and by the close of 
1797 all lands east of the Cuyahoga were laid out in townships, five miles square. 
The acent of the Connecticut Land Company was Gen. Moses Cleveland, and in 
his honor the leading city in the Reserve was named. Some townships were 
retained for private sale, and others were disposed of by lottery, in 1798. 

Wayne's treaty led to the formation of Dayton, and the peopling of that 
section. A diiSculty arose regarding the original Symmes grant and its modifi- 
cation. Symmes had sold land titles, in good faith, beyond his vested power, 
and Congress was now called upon to adjust these claims and titles. Seventeen 
days after the Wayne or Greenville treaty, St. Clair, Wilkinson, Dayton and 
Ludlow contracted with Symmes for seven and eight ranges, between the Mud 
and Little Miami Rivers. November 4, 1795, Mr. Ludlow laitl out Dayton. 

During the years 1790 and 1795, the Governor and Supreme Judges of the 
Northwest Territory had published si.xty-four statutes. Tliirty-four of these 
were ratified at Cincinnati, for the purpose of forming a complete statutory. It 
was tenued the " Maxwell Code." 

Mr. Nathaniel Massie founded a town on the Scioto, which was called 
Chillicothe. The Iroquois treaty had previously invited settlement, and embryo 
towns had begun as early as 1769, under the protection of the Connecticut 
Company. A land company was organized in Hartford, Conn., in 1795, sending 
out forty-three surveyors to divide the townships of that part of the Western 
Reserve, east of the Cuyahoga, five miles square. The fii-st resident of the town 
of Cleveland was Mr. Job Stiles and family, and Mrs. Stiles was the mother of 
the first white child born on the Reserve. Some other parts of the territory 
progressed more rapidly in population. 

Along the Muskingum, Scioto and Miami, towns began to spring up, which 
might perhaps better be termed farming settlements. 

Cincinnati was increasing, and in 1796, had reached 100 cabins, 15 frame 
houses and 600 persons, with prospects for a firm future. 

The Virginia Military Land District was between the Little Miami and 
Scioto, and was rapidly increasing in population. 

Mr. Massie was unceasing in his efibrts to advance the West, and laid out 
Manchester, offering inducements that could not fail to attract settlers. 

Ebenezer Zane procured a grant in consideration of opening a bridle path 
from the Ohio River at Wheeling, over the country via Chillicothe, to Limestone, 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 103 

in Kentucky. The year following, the United States mail was taken over 
this route. 

The comparatively tranquil condition of the country and the inducements it 
had to offer encouraged a rapid settlement of the Territory. A prominent 
feature of the early growth of Ohio was the general j)revalence of reliable, 
stanch principle. The people were of the good colonial stock. 

In 1800, Chillicothe was denominated the seat of the Territorial govern- 
ment, and the first stone edifice in the State was begun in this town, soon after 
this appointment. About this time, a serious difficulty suddenly occurred to 
those individuals who had taken lands on the Western Reserve of Connecticut. 
Tliat Eastern power had, it is true, ceded a part of her claim to the General 
Government, and had stipulated for the sale of certain other tracts. At the 
same time, the State had not signed away her jurisdiction over some sections of 
her claim, and those unfortunate people in and about Dayton found themselves 
witliout any government upon which they might depend in a case of emergency. 
The matter was, accordingly, presented to the Territorial government, which 
interceded with the Eastern State, and, sanctioned by the Assembly at Congress, 
Connecticut relinquished her jurisdiction in 1800. 

Cleveland was an important point, and was growing in the mean time. How- 
ever, it had suffered exceedingly from the ravages of fever and ague. For a 
period of two months, there was not an individual, but a boy thirteen years 
of age, able to procure food for the others. Flour was out of all rational con- 
sideration, and the meal upon which they lived was pounded by hand. In 
1799, Williams and Myatt erected a grist-mill at the falls, near Newbury. 

A startling agitation occurred in 1801, which in these days would cause but a 
ripple in the political sea, but happening during a time when legislative dignity 
and state authority were regarded with reverential awe, it created the most 
intense feeling. Great indignation was openly expressed. 

Tiie Governor and several legislators felt that they had been insulted in 
the perfoi-mance of their respective duties, at Chillicothe, while the Assembly 
was in session in 1801. No measures being taken by the authorities at the 
capital to protect the Executive, a law was passed removing the seat of govern- 
ment to Cincinnati. 

This circumstance led to a general consideration of the advantages of a 
State government, and a popular desire was expressed for a change in this 
respect. Gov. St. Clair had fallen into disfavor through his failure as a military 
leader and his failures in the Indian campaigns, and from his assuming powers 
which were not vested in him, especially the subdivision of counties. He was 
also identified with tlie Federal party, which was not popular in Ohio. The 
opposition was strong in the Assembly, but was in the minority in the House of 
Representatives. The boundary question was agitated at the same time. The 
intention was to thus effect the limits of Ohio that a, State government would 
necessarily have to be postponed. Against this measure, Tiffin, Worthington, 



104 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

Langham, Darlington, Massie, Dunlavy and Morrow strenuously objected. After 
considerable discussion, Thomas Worthington obtained leave of absence from 
the session, and journeyed to Washington in behalf of a State government. It 
was obvious that the Territory, under the ordinance, was not entitled to a 
change. Massie suggested the feasibility of appointing a committee to address 
Congress on the subject. This the House refused to pass. 

An effort was then made to take a census, but any action on this subject 
was postponed until the next .session. 

During all this ineffectual struggle, Worthington was doing his best in Wash- 
ington, and succeeded so well that on March 4, a report was made to the House 
in favor of the State government. This report was made on a basis that the 
census, in 1800, summed up over 45,000 for Ohio. 

April 30, Congress passed a law carrying into effect the views expressed on 
this subject. A convention met on November 1. Its members Avere generally 
Jeffersonian in their views. Gov. St. Clair proposed to address them as their 
chief executive magistrate. Several members resolutely opposed this action. 
insisting upon a vote, which, through courtesy and not a sense of right, resulted 
in permitting him to address them. lie advised tiie postponement of the State 
. government until the original eastern portion of the State was sufficiently pop- 
ulated to demand this right. Only one, out of tiiirty-three, voted to sustain 
the Governor in these views. 

The convention agreed to the views of Congress. November 29, the agree- 
ment was ratified and signed, as was the constitution of the State of Ohio. 
The General Assembly was ordered to convene the first Tuesday of March, 1803. 

This was carried into effect. A constitution was framed for the new State, 
adhering to the Ordinance of 1787. The rights and duties of citizens were 
plainly set forth, and general business was transacted. The new State consti- 
tution was signed by : 

Edward Tiffin, President and Representative from Ross County. 

Adams County — Joseph Darlington, Israel Donalson, Thomas Vinker. 

Belmont County — James Caldwell and Elijah Woods. 

Clermont County — Philip Gatch and James Sargent. 

Fairfield County — Henry Abrams and Emanuel Carpenter. 

Hamilton County — John W. Brown, Charles AVilling Byrd, Francis Dun- 
lavy, William Goforth, John Gitchel, Jeremiah Morrow, John Paul, John Riley, 
John Smith and John Wilson. 

Jefferson County — Rudolph Blair, George Humphry, John Milligan, Nathan 
Updegraff and Bezaleel Wells. 

Ross County — Michael Baldwin, James Grubb, Nathaniel Massie and F. 
Worthington. 

Washington County — Ephraim Cutler, Benjamin Ives Gilman, John Mc- 
Intyre and Rufus Putnam. 

Thomas Scott, Secretary. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 105 

The first Legislature of the State, under the new constitution, created eight 
new counties, viz., Gallia, Scioto, Franklin, Columbiana, Butler, Warren, 
Greene and Montgomery. 

The first State officers were : Michael Baldwin, Speaker of" the House ; Na- 
thaniel Massie, President of the Senate ; William Crcighton, Secretary of 
State ; Col. Thomas Gibson, Auditor ; William McFarland, Treasurer ; Return 
J. Meigs, Jr., Samuel Huntington and William Sprigg, Judges of the Supreme 
Court ; Francis Dunlavy, Willis Silliman and Calvin Pease, Judges of the Dist- 
rict Court. 

The General AssemVjly held a second session in December, at which time 
the militia law was revised, also giving aliens ec[ual proprietary rights with native 
citizens. The revenue system was modified and improved. Acts authorizing 
the incorporation of townships were passed, and for the establishment of coun- 
ties. Furthermore, Jacob White, Jeremiah Morrow and William Ludlow were 
authorized to locate a township for collegiate purposes, according to previous 
specified terms of Congress. The Symmes grant and the college specification 
collided materially, but the irregularity of the former was not to create any 
inconvenience for the latter. Mr. Symmes had in good faith marked off this 
township, but circumstances preventing the perfection of his plans, that lapsed 
with tlie others, and the original township was now entered by settlers. 

Accordingly, thirty-six sections, west of the Great Miami, were selected, 
and are now held by the Miami University. 

Gov. St. Clair, notwith?itanding liis unpopularity, was re-appointeil. 

Oliio was under a system of government wliicli guaranteed the best improve- 
ments ; her Legislature being composed of her best statesmen, and the laws 
passed having the general interest of the people embodied in them. 

A bill wa.s passed, ajjpropriating the net proceeds of the land lying within 
said State, sold by Congress after the 20th day of June, 1802, after deducting 
all expenses incident to the same, to be applied to the laying-out of roads, 
leading from tlic navigable waters emptying into the Atlantic to the Ohio, to 
tlie said State, and through the same ; such roads to be laid out under the 
authority of Congress, with the consent of the several States through which the 
road shall pass. Li conformity with these provisions, steps were t;d<en, in 1805, 
which resulted in the making of the Cumberland or National road. 

Burr, at this time, began an organization for llie ostensible purpose of 
making a settlement on the Wachita, but liis party being armed ami his plans 
not being frankly disclosed, an investigation proved tliat his real design was a 
mutinous revolt against Governmental powers, and to gratify his ambition l)y 
fouiuling bis own kingdom in Mexico, and defeating the Spanisli. If success 
crowned his efforts, liis ultimate victory was to rupture the Union by forcing the 
Western States to withdraw from their allegiance. By gaining an influence 
over the noble l)ut misguided Blennerhasset, he established his headquarters on 
his island in tlic Ohio. The history of Burr's expedition is alreadv well known. 



106 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

The final capture by Gov. Tiffin, of ten boats loaded with stores, on the Mus- 
kingum, and four near Marietta, decided the fate of this scheme, and Burr was 
finally arrested and put on trial May 22, 1807. 

The advancement of the settlement of the State was in no manner impeded, 
and towns sprang up, farms were laid out, and all other improvements inaugu- 
rated which tended to a permanent prosperity. 

In 1808, Tecumseh left Greenville to join the Prophet on the banks of the 
Tippecanoe, a tributary of the Upper Wabash, on a tract of land granted herein 
by the Pottawatomies. 

The Indians were virtually by treaty allowed but a small proportion of land 
within the boundaries of the State, and were maintaining peaceful attitudes 
toward the whites, wilh exceptional border depredations, which were settled by 
mutual understanding. 

Although the United States had gained independence, and was treating with 
England as with other foreign powers, the British persisted in violating the 
national rights of tlie United States, impressing American seamen into the 
British service, seizing American vessels engaged with France in trade, and 
otherwise violating the rights of an independent nation, at peace with the Brit- 
isli power. 

The mission upon which Henry was sent by the British, to create disturb- 
ance between the States, and thus broken, to weaken the strength of the Gen- 
eral Government, added fuel to the fire, and united indignation cried for war. 

British agents again bargained with the Indians of the Wabash and Maumee 
Valleys, desiring them to inaugurate another war upon the western sections and 
to make a desperate attack upon the settlements south of the lakes. The Brit- 
ish agent at Maiden negotiated in rifles, powder, ball, merchandise, lead, blank- 
ets and shirts. The Indians were inspired again with tiie hope that the whites 
would be driven back, and that all the country north of the Ohio would again 
revert to them. 

The Canadians in league with the English, gave the savages unlimited 
quantities of whisky, wliich naturally aroused their fierce natures to acts of 
violence and blood. It is highly probable that the use of liquor was the main 
cause of the deterioration of the best traits of the Indian character, after the 
Revolution. Again, many unscrupulous men upon the frontier did not hesi- 
tate to commit the most merciless crimes against the Indians, such was the 
prejudice against them, and the courts invariably failed to indict them for these 
atrocities. This error on the part of the Americans served to influence the 
savages against them. 

At this time, the seats of justice were distant over a hundred miles each 
from the other, uninhabited tracts frequently extending between them which were 
absolute wildernesses. Tlie routes were in many cases difiicult and circuitous. 

As early as 1808, there was a mail communication for the people on the 
Lower Maumee, many days elapsing between the arrivals and departures of 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 107 

the same, however. Horace Gunn was the carrier. Benoni Adams brought 
the news from Cleveland to the same point, his trip retjuiring a fortnight. It 
must be remembered that this journey was mostly made on foot. The Black 
Swamp could not be traversed in any other manner. 

THE WAR OF 1812. 

The war of 1812 can be called a continuation of the Revolution, with all 
justice. Althougli rumors had reached Ohio, that active preparations were 
being made for general action, no official tidings had been sent to Hull, com- 
mand^-in-chief of the Western forces. 

The Secretary of War, instead of sending a special messenger directly to 
Hull, communicated with the post adjacent, depending upon a continuation of 
the news from that point. At the same time, advices were sent the British 
post at Maiden and Detroit. Hull sent out a packet with official papers, stores, 
etc., the day previous to that on which the official intelligence arrived that an 
open rupture existed between the two powers, and this was of course captured. 

The Western forces marched to Detroit and crossed over to Sandwich, pre- 
paratory to attacking Maiden, a post most favorable for the transportation of 
Stores, troops, etc. which was therefore considered valuable. 

Peter Minard first gave the news to the settlers of the Maumee. He had 
heard from a Delaware chief, who assured him a general massacre was to take 
place in the valley. Maj. Spaffiard paid no heed to this "idle fear," until a 
few days thereafter a messenger came to his quarters, reporting a band of fifty 
Pottawatomies on the march to join the hostile tribes near Maiden. They had 
plundered and burned Monclova, and had nearly reached the rapids. 

The Major, with his family and settlers, immediately launched a barge on 
the river and were able to reach old Fort Miami just as the savages reached 
Maumee City. They could plainly witness the flames that devoured their old 
homes. They kept on their way in their miserable craft, until they reached 
Milan, where they learned that the entire country was in danger. 

Although the Indians were defeated in the battle of Tippecanoe in the fall 
of 1811, they plotted vigorously with the English for the invasion of Ohio. 

Gen. William Hull marched from the southwestern part of the State 
directly north, crossing the counties of Champaign, Logan, Hardin, Hancock 
and Wood, establishing military posts along the route and cutting a way 
through the wilderness of the unsettled portions. He crossed the Maumee on 
the 1st of July, and marched to Detroit. 

Hull was evidently actuated in his succeeding disgraceful failures by two 
fears — lack of confidence in the ability of his troops, and the belief that they 
might desert him in action. He proclaimed freedom, and a necessity of sub- 
mitting to the Canadians under existing circumstances. He held out induce- 
ments to the British regulars to desert their cause and essayed to pacify the 
savages, but he accomplished nothing beyond jeopardizing the American cause 



108 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

and disgracing his army. His men became restless. Col. Miller and Col. 
Cass were delighteil when detailed on scouting expeditions, and did not hesi- 
tate to attack advancing squads of the enemy. At last, an attack was made on 
the Niagara frontier, and Hull speedily abandoned his project and collected his 
forces at Detroit. 

Meantime, Col. Proctor had reached Maiden, and quickly perceiving the 
advantage of a post at that point, whereby he could cut ofiF supplies and starve 
Hull into subjection, he massed his forces about this section, captured Van 
Horn and his two hundred men, and withstood the attack of Miller, although 
he gained nothing by so doing. Again Hull displayed his weakness by recall- 
ing his forces from further molestations. 

Gen. Brock, however, reached Maiden on the 13th of August, 1812, and 
began war preparations. 

Gen. Dearborn placed a force on the Niagara frontier, but an armistice was 
made with the British. Hull dispatched a third party under McArthur, to 
open communications to the Raisin River. 

Gen. Brock appeared at Sandwich and began to erect batteries, which Hull 
would not allow to be molested. The result was, that on the 26th of Aufrust 

o 

Detroit was surrendered to the enemy, and not a blow had been struck in its 
defense. 

By this dastardly act, 1,400 brave men who had not been permitted to 
make a single effort to sustain the American cause, were surrendered to 300 
English regulars, 400 Canadians and their Indian allies. Gen. Hull was, in 
consequence of this series of "mistakes," accused of treason and cowardice, 
and convicted of the latter. By the middle of August, the British had gained 
the control over most of the Northwestern Territory. 

The appointment of William Henry Harrison to the position of com- 
mander in chief of the AVestern forces, was most opportune. He speedily 
raised a vigorous army, and advanced by three routfes to the foot of the rapids. 

Gen. Harrison commanded the right wing, and marched by the way of Upper 
Sandusky, where he located his depot of supplies. Gen. Tupjier commanded 
the center, Fort McArthur, in Hardin County, being his base, while Gen. AVin- 
chester marched from Fort Defiance down the Maumee to the foot of the rapids. 

A large force of British and Indians moved up the left bank of the Mau- 
mee toward Fort Wayne, and Gen. Harrison, to intercept them, marched to 
the confluence of the Auglaize with the Maumee. 

Harrison was aware that the enemy would be also hemmed in by Win- 
chester. The weather was rainy, and the prospects w^ere that a most unfortun- 
ate season was to follow the expected engagements. Harrison heard that 
Winchester had reached Fort Defiance, and that the Indians and British were 
retreating down the Maumee. He followed, and marched to Winchester's 
camp, where he arrived in season to quell a mutiny under command of Col. 
Allen, of the Kentucky troops. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 109 

In January, 1813, Winchester had reached the ra{)ids, where he received 
tidings that Frenchtown was menaced and exposed. Without orders, he sent a 
party to the rescue, which defeated the enemy. The weather was intensely 
cold, and the company lay within eighteen miles of Maiden, where the enemy 
was collected in full force, consequently re-enforcements must be dispatched 
immediately or the town again left to its fate. 

Winchester then marched with a force of 259 men, and upon arriving at 
nightfall, insisted upon remaining on open ground, although warned repeatedly 
that this would be a most dangerous experiment. 

In the morning, he was surprised by the enemy, massed directly before 
him, with a battery within three hundred yards of his camp, and a shower of 
bombs, balls and grape-shot falling among his exposed troops, and the yells of 
Indians reminding him of his fatal error. Lewis, who led the party out in the 
beginning and had apprehended the danger, bravely defended himself behind 
garden pickets. Winchester was defeated on the 22d of January, 1813, and 
the Indians were permitted to massacre the prisoners and the settlers. 

Harrison fell back to the foot of the rapids. On the 1st of February, he 
began the construction of Fort Meigs. On the 27th of April, Proctor and 
Tecumseh attacked this fort, and laid siege with the full expectation of success. 
The stipulation was that Gen. Harrison was to be delivered to Tecumseh. 
While the balls and bombs were making havoc with the fort, the Indians were 
climbing trees and pouring a galling fire down upon the troops. Gen. Proctor 
invited Harrison to surrender, which was politely declined, with the assurance 
that the British General would have the opportunity to distinguish himself as a 
soldier before such a proceeding was enacted. 

Gen. Clay was descending the Maumee with 1,200 Kentuckians in flat 
boats. Orders went from Harrison that 800 men should land on the left bank, 
take and spike the British cannon, and then to enter the fort, from which 
soldiers were to issue to assist the re-enforcements. 

Capt. Hamilton was to pilot Gen. Clay to the fort, cutting their way 
through. All succeeded. Col. Dudley taking the batteries and spiking the 
cannon. But his men, too much elated by their success, against orders, and 
against the repeated expostulations of Col. Dudley, insisted on pursuing the 
Indians. Col. Dudley would not desert them. This act proved their ruin. 
By a decoy, they were led into a defile which proved an ambush, and the men 
found themselves surrounded by savages, without means of escape. 

A most frightful massacre began, and every man would have fallen had not 
Tecumseh sternly forbidden the cowardly carnage. One of his principal chiefs 
ignored this order, and the next instant the great warrior buried his hatchet in 
his head. The brave Col. Dudley was, however, tomahawked and scalped. 

There were no immediate signs that the fort would be surrendered, and the 
siege was raised on the 9th of May. It was renewed on the 20th of July, and 
abandoned a few days later. The enemy decided this stronghold was invulnerable. 



110 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

On the 1st of August, the enemy proceeded to Fort Stevenson, at Lower 
Sandusky, garrisoned by 150 men under Maj. Croghan. The fort had the 
use of but one piece of cannon. The enemy with Tecumseh's Indians num- 
bered 3,300 strong, with six pieces of cannon. 

Gen. Proctor again tendered the ofl'er to surrender, adding that a refusal 
would only bring about a useless resistance, and a massacre by the Indians. 
The reply was, that before the fort went over to the British, not an American 
■would be left to be massaci'ed, as they should hold out to the last man. Proc- 
tor opened fire. The first movement was an assault upon the northwest angle 
of the fort, as if to make a breach and thus carry the works. The command- 
ant* strengthened that point by bags of sand, and during the night stealthily 
placing his one cannon in a concealed position, he filled it with slugs. 

The following day, the fire again swept the northwest comer, and, evening 
approaching, a column of 350 men swept up within twenty yards of the walls. 
They were met by the musketry, which had little eflect, and the ditch was soon 
filled with men. The next instant the hidden cannon, so placed as to sweep 
the ditch, suddenly began action, and the surprised assailants quickly recoiled, 
and the fort was saved, with the loss of only one man. 

The next morning, the enemy had disappeared, evidently in haste, as guns, 
clothing and stores were left behind. They had lost over one hundred and 
fifty men by this useless attempt. Croghan had previously received orders to 
evacuate the fort from Gen. Harrison, and his determination to hold the position 
merited Harrison's reprimand and remand of commission. Such was the sev- 
•erity of military law. However, the rank of Colonel was immediately conferred 
upon him by the President, for his gallantry. The ladies of Chillicothe pre- 
sented him with an elegant testimonial in the shape of a sword. 

It was ■ decided to make a naval warfare effectual in the recovery of the 
Northwestern Territory, and accordingly vessel-building began under Commo- 
dore Perry's supervision. 

The British looked upon this proceeding with derision, fully intending to 
use these boats for their own purpose. They publicly proclaimed their intention. 

By the 1st of August, 1813, Commodore Perry set sail a flotilla, the Law- 
rence and the Niagara, of twenty guns each, with smaller vessels following. 
Some difficulty was encountered in launching the larger vessels, on account of 
the shallowness of the water. 

Perry's first destination was Put-in-Bay, thirty miles from Maiden, where 
the British fleet lay under the guns of the fort. On the 10th of September, 
the British fleet — exceeding the American by ten guns — under Commodore 
Barclay, appeared oS" Put-in-Bay, distant about ten miles. Perry immediately 
set sail. The wind shifting, the Americans had the advantage. 

Perry hoisted his battle-flag and a general jireparation was made for the 
conflict. An ominous silence settled over all as the fleets approached. A 
bugle sounded on the enemy's ship Detroit, and a furious fire was opened upon 



HISTORV OF THE STATE OF OHIO. Ill 

the Lawrence. The frightful and desperate battle that ensued is so familiar 
that it is not necessary for us to repeat its details. It forever remains in his- 
tory as a prominent, desperate struggle that turned the tide most decisively in 
favor of the Americans. Hand to hand, for three hours, this furious struggle 
surged, resulting in a pronounced victory for the Americans. 

Commodore Perry immediately requested parole for his severely wounded 
antagonist, Commodore Barclay. Capt. Elliott was at this engagement highly 
commended by Perry for his bravery. 

Gen. Harrison now made preparations to follow Proctor, and reached Mai- 
den on the 27th of September. 

Proctor had retreated to Sandwich, and thence Harrison followed him, 
overtaking the enemy on the 9th of October, on the bank of the Thames. An 
engagement ensued, which was not particularly marked in its events, but which 
practically terminated the war in the Northwest. 

Tecumseh fell during this battle, and his death disheartened the savages to 
such an extent that they were willing to make terms of peace. Accordingly 
a treaty was concluded on the 22d of July, 1814, with the Wyandots, Dcla- 
wares, Shawnees, Senecas and Miamis, the tribes engaged in hostilities. 

Again Ohio was able to turn her attention to the improvements within her 
own boundaries. Wearj and disabled though she was, her ambition and 
energy were unimpaired. The struggle had been severe, but a grand reward 
had been won, and peace and independence belonged to these sturdy, earnest, 
pioneers. 

In 1815, a town was founded near Fort Meigs, and, in 1816, Gen. John 
E. Hunt and Judge Robert A. Forsythe located at Maumee. 

BANKING. 

Up to the year 1817, Ohio had no banking system, and on the 28th of 
January of that year, the United States Bank opened a branch at Cincinnati, 
and yet another during the following October at Chillicothe. These branches 
found a large amount of business to transact, and while being of assistance in 
various ways to the State, also received a fine revenue themselves. The State 
therefore resolved upon a tax levy, and, in 1819. the branches were to pay 
$50,000 each, and the State Auditor was authorized to issue his warrant for 
the collection of the same. 

Tlie bank branches demurred, but the State was decided, and the banks 
accordingly fileil a bill in chancery, in the United States Circuit Court, setting 
forth reasons whereby their prayer that Ralph Osborn, State Auditor, should 
be restrained from making such collection, should be seriously considered. 

Osborn being counseled not to appear on the day designated in the writ, an 
injunction was obtained, with the security given in the shape of bonds from the 
bank, to the amount of $100,000. On the 14th of September, the bank sent a 
commissioner to Columbus, who served upon the Auditor a copy of the petition 



112 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

for the injunction, and a subpoena to make an appearance before the court 
on the first Monday in the following January. Osborn submitted both the 
petition and the injunction to the Secretary of State, with his warrant for col- 
lecting the tax. Legally, the matter was somewhat complicated. 

The Auditor desired the Secretary of State to take legal advice, and if the 
papers did not actually amount to an injunction, to give orders for the execu- 
tion of the warrant. 

The decision was that the papers did not equal a valid injunction. The State 
writ for collection was therefore given over to John L. Harper, with directions 
to enter the banking-house and demand the payment of the tax. In case of a 
refusal, the vault was to be entered and a levy made upon the amount required. 
No violence was to be used, and if force was used to deter the act, the 
same was to be reported to a proper magistrate and an affidavit made to that 
fact. 

On September 17, Mr. Harper went about his errand, taking with him T. 
Orr and J. MacCollister. After securing access to the vault, a demand was 
made for the payment of the tax. This was promptly refused, and a notice 
given of the granting of the injunction. This was disregarded, and the officer 
seized $98,000 in gold, silver and notes. This was placed in charge of the 
State Treasurer, Mr. H. M. Curry. 

The officers were arrested and imprisoned by the United States Circuit 
Court, and the money returned to the bank. The case was reviewed by 
the Supreme Court, and the measures of the Circuit Court were sustained. The 
State, therefore, submitted. In the mean time, the Legislature had prepared 
and passed a resolution, as follows: 

Resolved, by the General Assembly of the Stale of Ohio, That in respect to the powers of the 
Goveruments of tlie several States thai compose the American Union, and the powers of the Fed- 
eral Government, this General Assembly do recognize and approve the doctrines asserted by the 
Legislatures of Kentucky and Virginia in their resolutions of November and December, 1798, 
nnd January, 1800, and do consider their principles have been recognized and adopted by a 
majority of the American people. 

Resolved further. That this General Assembly do assert and will maintain by all legal and 
ccmstilutional means, the rights of States to tax the business and property of any private corpo- 
ration of trade, incorporated by the Congress of the United States, and located to transact its 
corporate business within any State. 

Resolved further. That the bank of the United States is a private corporation of trade, the 
capital and business of which may be legally taxed in any Slate where they may be found. 

Resolved further. That the General Assembly do protest against the doctrines that the politi- 
cal rights of the separate States that compose the American Union and their powers as sovereign 
States, may be settled and determined in the Supreme Court of the United States, so as to con- 
clude and bind them in cases contrived between individuals, and where they are, no one of them, 
parties direct. 

The bank was thus debarred from the aid of State laws in the collection of 
its dues and in the protection of its rights. An attempt was made to eflect a 
change in the Federal constitution, which would take the case out of the 
United States Courts. This, however, proved ineffectual. 



HISTOUV OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 113 

The banking system in Ohio has, by reason of State surveillance, not been 
subjected to those whirlwind speculations and questionable failures which have 
marked many Western States, in the establishment of a firm basis upon which 
a bankinij law could be sustained, with mutual benefit to the institution and the 
people. 

THE CANAL SYSTEM. 

In the first part of 1817, the Legislature considered a resolution relating 
to a canal between Lake Erie and the Ohio River. No action was taken and 
the subject was not again agitated until 1819. Gov. Brown appointed three 
commissioners in 1820, for the purpose of employing an efficient engineer and 
such assistants as he deemed necessary, for the purpose of surveying a practical 
route for this canal. The commissioners were restricted in their actions until 
Congress should accept a proposition in behalf of the State, for a donation and 
sale of the public lands lying upon and near the route of the proposed canal. 
A delay was thus occasioned for two years. 

In 1822, the matter was referred to a committee of the House of Repre- 
sentatives. This committee approved and recommended the employment of the 
engineer. They furthermore added illustrations to prove the feasibility of the 
project. 

James Geddes, a skillful engineer of New York, was in due time appointed 
to the position and instructed to make the necessary examinations and sur- 
veys. 

The surveys were made, and estimates given of the expenses, which docu- 
ments were laid before the Legislature at several sessions. 

In 1825, an act was passed providing for the internal improvement of the 
State by navigable canals. Directly thereafter, the State set vigorously about 
the work of constructing two canals, one leading from the Ohio to Lake Erie, 
by way of the valleys of the Scioto and Muskingum, the other from Cincinnati 
to Dayton. 

The first canal-boat from Cincinnati to Dayton, reached her destination in 
1829, on the 25th of January. This outlet of communication was extended 
to Lake Erie, and was completed in 1845. The largest artificial lake now 
known is on the elevation between the Ohio and the lake, in Mercer County, 
and supplies the St. Mary's feeder of the Miami Canal, about three miles dis- 
tant, eastwardly. This reservoir is about nine miles long, and from two to 
four broad. 

Two walls of earth, from ten to twenty feet high, were formed, on the east 
and west, which united with the elevations north and south, surrounded this 
basin. When the water was admitted, whole farms were submerged, and the 
"neighbors" complained lest this overflow should tempt miasma. So great 
was the excitement, that over one hundred and fifty residents of the county 
united, and with shovels and spades, made a breach in the embankment. 
Many holding prominent positions in the county were engaged in this work, 



114 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

and all laid themselves liable to the State laws, which made the despoiling of 
public works a penitentiary offense. 

The matter was taken up by the courts, but a grand jury could not be 
found in Mercer County to find a bill of indictment. 

The oflBcers who had charge of the work, ignored the law requiring the cut- 
ing and saving of the timber on lands appropriated, for canal reservoirs. The 
trees were ruthlessly girdled, and thousands of acres of valuable timber that 
might have been highly desirable in the building of bridges, etc., were- 
destroyed. However, an adjustment was finally effected, and the work was 
prosecuted with the entire approbation of the people, who were convinced that 
convenient transportation was to be desired. 

OHIO LAND TRACTS. 

After the Indians relinquished all claims against the lands of those States 
west of the Alleghanies, as they had been obtained by conquest, the United 
States, as a government, owned the soil. When Ohio was admitted into the 
Union, a stipulation was made that the fee simple to all the lands within its 
boundaries, with the exception of those previously sold or granted, should vest 
in the General Government. At the present writing, but few tracts remain 
that can be called " public lands." In this, as in other States, tracts are des- 
ignated by their pioneer signification or the purpose to which they were origi- 
nally devoted. In Ohio, these tracts are known as : 



1. 


Congress Lands. 


8. 


Symmes' Purchase. 


15. 


Maumee Road. 


2. 


United States Military. 


9. 


Refugee Tract. 


16. 


School Lands. 


3. 


Virginia Military. 


10. 


French Grant. 


17. 


College Lands. 


4. 


Western Reserve. 


11. 


Dohrman's Grant. 


18. 


Ministerial Landa 


5. 


Fire Lands. 


12. 


Zane's Grant. 


19. 


Moravian Lands. 


6. 


Ohio Company's Purchase. 


13. 


Canal Lands. 


20. 


Salt Sections. 


7. 


Donation Tract. 


14. 


Turnpike Lands. 







The lands sold by the direct officers of the Government, under the direc- 
tion of Congress, according to the laws, are known as Congress lands. They 
are properly surveyed, and laid out in townships si.x miles square, under the 
direction of the Government, and the expense incurred settled by Congress. 
These townships are subdivided into sections, containing 640 acres. One sec- 
tion is reserved, in every township, for educational purposes, to be utilized in 
any manner approved by the State as being the best to aid the cause for which 
they are assigned. 

The Western Reserve will be remembered as the tract originally belonging to 
Connecticut. It lies in the northeast quarter of the State. A half-million acres 
were donated by the old Eastern State, when her claim was in force, to sufferers 
from fire during the Revolutionary war, which created the name, '' fire lands." 
Many settled here whose homes were destroyed by the British during the war. 

It will be remembered, that on account of discoveries by subjects of empires, 
in the New World, the " Old World " kings laid claim to different portions 



^1 
I 




Eng^ by Eawilliom?, IBroN Y 








HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 117 

of the young continent. At that period, European knowledge of American 
geographical positions and limits was exceedingly meager, which occasioned 
several wars and more discussions. These Old- World sovereigns also assumed 
the authority to sell or present tracts of land to their subjects, in those terri- 
tories they deemed their own. 

King Charles II of England granted to his loyal subjects the colony of 
Connecticut, in 1662, placing with them a charter of right to all lands within 
certain prescribed boundaries. But these " boundaries " frequently conflicted 
with those of others, and sometimes extended to the Pacific Ocean, or " South 
Sea," as it was then termed. Connecticut, by her original charter rights, held 
all lands between the forty -first and forty-second parallels of north latitude, and 
from Providence Plantation on the east, to Pacific Ocean on the west, except- 
ing the New York and Pennsylvania colonies. As late as the establishment of 
the United States as an independent government, those colliding claims fre- 
quently engendered confusion and warm discussion between the nation and 
Connecticut, regarding the original colony claim. This was compromised by 
the national claims being relinquished in regard to the territorial claim in Ohio, 
and Connecticut holding the 3,800,000 acres described as the " Western Reser- 
vation." The Government held the right of jurisdiction. 

In 1796, Congress set aside a certain division of land, to satisfy the claims 
of ofiBcers and soldiers of the Revolutionary war. It includes the 2,500,000 
acres between the Greenville treaty line and the Congress and refugee lands, 
and "VII ranges of townships," on the east, and the Scioto River, west. This 
constitutes the '' Military Tract." The " Virginia Military Tract " lies between 
the Scioto and Little Miami Rivers, and extends south to the Ohio. 

James I, in his authorized charter to the Virginia colony, in the yeax 
1609, made rather visionary boundary lines, sweeping over the continent, west 
of the Ohio River, " of the north and south breadth of Virginia." Virginia 
reconciled tlie matter by relinquishing all her claims northwest of the Ohio 
River, with the exception of a tract for the purpose of donating the same to her 
troops of the Revolution — their claims demanding such a return in some section. 
Unfortunately, this tract was not regularly surveyed, and conflicting "lines " 
have given rise to litigation ever since that stipulation was made. 

The Ohio Company's Purchase has already been described — as has the 
Symmes Purchase. 

The Jtefugee Tract covers an area of 100,000 acres, extending eastwardly 
from the Scioto River forty-eight miles, in a strip of country four and one-half 
miles broad, north to south. Columbus, the capital of the State, is situated in 
the western portion. This land was donated by Congress to those individuals 
■who left the British dominions and rule, during the Revolution, and espoused 
the American cause. 

The French Tract borders on the Ohio River, in the southeastern quarter 
of Scioto County. It includes 24,000 acres, and was ceded to those French 



118 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

families that lost their claims at Gallipolis, through invalid titles ; 1,200 acres 
were added, after the above grant of 1795. 

Dohrman's Grant includes a section, six miles square, in the southeastern 
portion of Tuscarawas County. It was granted to Arnold Henry Dohrman, a 
Portuguese merchant, as a token of appreciation of the aid and shelter he ren- 
dered American cruisers and vessels of war, during the Revolution. 

The Moravian Lands were originally grants by the old Continental Con- 
gress, in 1787, and confirmed by the act of the Government Congress, in 1796, 
to the Moravian Brethren, of Bethlehem, Penn., in sacred trust, and for the 
use of those Indians who embraced Christianity and civilization, desiring to live 
and settle thereon. These three tracts include 4,000 acres each, and are situ- 
ated in Tuscarawas County. In 1823, the Indians relinquished their rights to 
the 12,000 acres in this county, for 24,000 acres, in a territory designated by 
the United States, together with an annuity of $400. 

Zane's Tracts included a portion of land on the Muskingum, whereon Zanes- 
ville was built ; another at the crossing of the Hocking, on which Lancaster is 
located ; and yet another on the left bank of the Scioto River, opposite Chilli- 
cothe. These grants were made to Ebenezer Zane, by Congress, in 1796, as a 
reward for opening a road from Wheehng, Va., to Maysville, Ky. In 1802, 
Mr. Zane received three additional tracts, one square mile each, in considera- 
tion of being captured and held a prisoner, during the Revolutionary war, 
when a boy, by the Indians. He lived with these people most of his life, secur- 
ing many benefits for the Americans. These tracts are located in Champaign 
County. 

The Maumee Road Lands extend the length of the road, from the Maumee 
River, at Perrysburg, to the western limits of the Western Reserve, a distance 
of forty-six miles — in a strip two miles wide. This includes about 60,000 
acres. These lands were ceded by the Indians, at the treaty of Brownstown, in 
1808. The original intention of Congress was to mark a highway through this 
strip, but no definite action was taken until 1823, whe j the land was ceded to 
the State of Ohio, under an obligation that the State make and sustain the pro- 
jected road, within four years after the transfer. 

The Turnpike Lands extended over 31,360 acres along the western side of 
the Columbus k Sandusky Turnpike, in the eastern parts of Seneca, Craw- 
ford and Marion Counties. They were designed for the transportation of mail 
stages, troops and other United States property, free from toll. The grant was 
made in 1827. 

" The Ohio Canal Lands " comprise about 1,000,000 acres, set aside for the 
purpose of canal construction. 

When Ohio was admitted to the L^nion, a guarantee was given that the State 
should not ta.x Government lands until they should have been sold for five years. 
That the thirty-sixth part of all territory within the State limits should be de- 
voted to educational purposes, for the general benefit of the population. In 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 119 

order to secure tracts which would prove available, and thus insure returns, 
they were selected in small lots. No. 16 was designated as the sectional portion, 
in each township of Congress lands, the Ohio Company's and Symmes Pur- 
chases, the United States Military Lands, the Connecticut Reserve, and a num- 
ber of quarter townships. These school lands were selected by the Secretary 
of the Treasury. 

The college townships are thirty-six miles square. A section, thirty-six 
miles square, in the center of Jackson County, in the vicinity and containing 
the Scioto Salt Licks, was also reserved by Congress, together with a quarter- 
mile township in Delaware County. This swept over 27,040 acres. In 1824, 
Congress authorized the State to sell these lands. The proceeds were to be 
devoted to literary requirements, such as might be specified by Congress. 

IMPROVEMENTS. 

We have heretofore briefly alluded to the canal system of Ohio, which in 
the beginning caused considerable anxiety to settlers directly in the course of 
its survey. The Legislature passed the " Internal Improvement by Navigable 
Canals " act, in 1825, and the work was immediately inaugurated and hastened. 
The " Ohio Canal " extends from the lake to the Ohio, and the " Miami " con- 
nects Cincinnati with Dayton. The latter was completed to Toledo in 1844, a 
length of 493 miles. Its total cost, including reservoir cutting and feeders, was 
^7,500,000. The Ohio Canal was finished in 1833. 

During the construction of these canals, the curiosities which have attracted 
antiquarians and scientists, in the State of Ohio, were found in various places. 
Relics were discovered that must have belonged to a giant race. Nearly 3,000 
graves were found, of the " mound type." 

A third canal was begun in 1836, reaching from Walhonding, in Coshocton 
County, to Roscoe, its length being twenty-five miles, involving an expense of 
$610,000. This was completed in 1842. The Hocking Canal, between Car- 
roll, in Fairfield County, and Athens, in Athens County, a distance of fifty- 
six miles, was also cut, about the same time, at a cost of nearly $1,000,000. 

The Muskingum improvements were also being carried forward. Locks and 
dams were requisite for the perfection of navigation in this water-course, from 
Dresden to Marietta, a distance of ninety-one miles. This added an expense 
of $1,630,000 to the call for improvement appropriations. To the Miami Canal 
was added a feeder, known as the Warren County Canal — extending from 
Franklin to Lebanon, whicli was not completed, although over $250,000 were 
expended in its construction as far as it went. 

Railway transportation was a subject which engrossed the attention of those in- 
terested in State perpetuity and general prosperity. About the year 1831, the Leg- 
islature received applications for railway charters. Tlie first one granted was the 
" Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland Railroad," on June 5, 1832. The " Sandusky, 
Mansfield k Newark Railroad " obtained a charter in 1836, March 11, followed, 



120 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

three days thereafter, by the " Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad." 
The " Little Miami " was begun in 1837. Notwithstanding these chartered 
rights, but 129 miles were completed in 1847, and in operation. In 1878, 
the mileage had increased to 6,264. The valuation of the operating roads 
was estimated the same year, at $76,113,500. Their taxation summed up 
$1,128,116. 

No State in the Union has been more zealous in her educational interests than 
Ohio. Public lands were generously granted by Congress, and the State added 
her affii-mation. However, no practical and effectual system was adopted until 
1825. 

An act was then passed to tax all real property one-half mill per dollar for 
the establishment of schools in each township, and the support of the same. 
An act of 1829, increased the tax to three-fourths of a mill. Trustees of 
townships were instructed to make divisions and locate convenient school dis- 
tricts. Householders were to elect three school directors, a clerk and treasurer 
annually. Privileges and restrictions were enjoined in all cases. The house- 
holders were allowed their discretion, governed accordingly, in imposing taxes 
for the erection of school buildings. The Courts of the Common Pleas 
appointed a committee to examine the qualifications of those individuals mak- 
ing application for the position of teachers. The school extended equal privi- 
leges to all white children. Those of colored parentage were excluded, and no 
tax was levied for school purposes upon colored parents. An amendment has 
admitted the children of colored parents. The system has continued the same, 
with a few amendments. A State Commissioner of Common Schools is elected 
every third year, who has general charge of the interests of public schools. A 
State Board of Examiners, composed of three persons, appointed by the State 
Commissioner, for two years' term, is authorized to issue life certificates of high 
qualifications, to such teachers as it may find to possess the requisite scholarship, 
character, experience and ability. These certificates, signed by the Commis- 
sioner, are valid throughout the State. A County Board of Examiners, of 
three members, is formed in each county. Boards of education, for cities, are 
made up of one or two members from each ward. City Boards of Examiners 
are also appointed. Section 4 of the law of 1873, was amended in 1877, which 
made the territory annexed to an incorporated village, at the option of the 
voters of the village and tributary section, whether it be included with the vil- 
lage as one school district, or left as two school districts. Section 56 of the law was 
amended, in its bearing upon cities of 30,000 to 75,000 inhabitants, by limiting 
to five mills on the dollar of taxable property, the levies in such cities for con- 
tinuing schools, for purchasing sites for schoolhouses, for leasing, purchasing, 
erecting and furnishing school houses, and for all school expenses. The public 
funds are subject to the discretion of voters, and boards are authorized, under 
instructions, to make the best use of such funds. Taxation is subject to the 
discretion of the State, certain limits being prescribed. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 121 

In 1878, the number of youth of the school age numbered 1,041,963. 
On the rolls, 740,1114 names were recorded. In the year 1878, 23,391 teach- 
ers were employed, receiving $4,950,514.46 for their services. 

Ohio not only .sustains her public schools on a broad, liberal basis, but she 
encourages educational pursuits in superior universities and colleges throughout 
the State. These institutions are not aided by State funds, but are sustained by 
society influence, added to their self-supporting resources. Ohio also possesses 
a large number of normal schools, academies, seminaries and business colleges. 
These are not entitled to the privileges of the school fund. Scientific, profes- 
t^ional, theological, legal and medical instructions are in no manner limited in 
their facilities. Industrial and reformatory schools are especially thorough. 
Institutions for the instruction of the deaf and dumb, and blind, and feeble- 
minded, are under the best discipline. 

We may add, many female seminaries have been established which are entirely 
sustained by other than State aid. Ohio has, from its inception, been solid and 
vigorous in whatever tended toward improvement and enlightenment. 

We have also referred to the banking system of this State, as being first 
established on a basis through a contest between the State and the General 
Government. Authorities differ regarding the exact date and location of the 
very first house established in the State for the purpose of transacting banking 
business. It is highly probable that Marietta is more directly associated with 
that event than any other town. There are at present over one hundred and 
sixty-seven national banks, with an aggregate capital of $27,794,468. It also 
ha.s eighteen banks of deposit, incorporated under the State banking laws of 
1845, representing an aggregate capital of $539,904. Twenty-three savings 
banks, incorporated under the State act of 1875, with an aggregate capital of 
$1,277,500. Of private banks it has 192, with an aggregate capital of 
$5,663,898. The State represents in her banking capital over $36,275,770. 
The First National of Cincinnati has a capital stock of over $1,000,000. 
The others fall below that sum, their capital diminishing from 10,000 shares of 
$100 each. The valuation for taxation is $850,000 — Merchant's National of 
Cincinnati — to the valuation of a tax of $5,000 on the First National of 
Beverly. 

BOUNDARY LINES. 

We must not omit the subject of the State boundaries. Ohio was especially 
the field for most animated discussions, relative not only to State limits but 
county lines and township rights. In 1817, a severe controversy arose, which 
was settled only after violent demonstrations and Government interference. 

In primitive times, the geographical position, extent and surface diversities 
were but meagerly comprehended. In truth, it may be asserted they could not 
have been more at variance with actual facts had they been laid out " hap- 
hazard." The ordinance of 1787 represented Lake Michigan far north of its 
real position, and even as late as 1812, its size and location had not been' 



122 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

definitely ascertained. During that year, Amos Spafford addressed a clear, com- 
prehensive letter to the Governor of Ohio, on this subject, relative to the 
boundary lines of Ohio. Several lines of survey were laid out as the first 
course, but either Michigan or Ohio expressed disapproval in every case. This 
culminated in 1835, when the party beginning a " permanent " survey began 
at the northwest corner of the State, and was attacked by a force of Michigan 
settlers who sent them away badly routed and beaten. No efibrt was made to 
return to the work until the State and various parties had weighed the subject, 
and finally the interposition of the Government became necessary. 

A settlement resulted in Ohio being bounded on the north by Lake Erie 
and the State of Michigan, on the east by Pennsylvania and West Virginia, on 
the south by the Ohio River, and on the west by Indiana. 

It is situated between the 38° 25' and 42° north latitude, and 84° 50' 
west longitude from Greenwich, or 3° 30' and 7° 50' west from Washington. 
From north to south, it extends over 210 miles, and from east to west 220 
miles — comprising 39,964 square miles. 

The State is generally higher than the Ohio River. In the southern 
counties, the surface is greatly diversified by the inequalities produced by the 
excavating power of the Ohio River and its tributaries. The greater portion 
of the State was originally covered with timber, although in the central and 
northwestern sections some prairies were found. The crest or watershed 
between the waters of Lake Erie and those of the Ohio is less elevated than 
in New York or Pennsylvania. Sailing upon the Ohio the country appears 
to be mountainous, bluffs rising to the height of two hundred and fifty to six 
hundred feet above the valleys. Ascending the tributaries of the Ohio, these 
precipitous hills gradually lessen until they are resolved into gentle undulations, 
and toward the sources of the river the land is low and marshy. 

Although Ohio has no inland lakes of importance, she possesses a favorable 
river system, which, aided by her canals, gives her prestige of a convenient 
water transportation. The lake on her northern boundary, and the Ohio 
River on her southern limit, afford most convenient outlets by water to impor- 
tant points. Her means of communication and transportation are superior in 
every respect, and are constantly being increased. 

ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES AND EARLY EVENTS. 

Adams County was named in honor of John Adams, second President of 
the United States. Gov. St. Clair proclaimed it a county on July 10, 1797. 
The Virginia Military Tract included this section, and the first settlement made 
within its boundaries was in this county in 1790— 91, between the Scioto and Little 
Miami, at Manchester, by Gen. Nathaniel Massie. In this town was held the 
first court of the county. 

West Union, the present county seat, was laid out by the Hon. Thomas 
Kirker. It occupies the summit of a high ridge. The surface of this county is 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 123 

hilly and broken, and the eastern part is not fertile. It produces corn, wheat, oats 
and pork. Beds of iron are found in the eastern part. Its hills are composed of 
aluminous shale. The barren hills afford a range for cattle and hogs. A sort 
of vagrant class derive a support by collecting stones, hoop-poles and tanners' 
barks from these hills. 

Ashland County is one of the finest agricultural sections. It was formed 
February 26, 1846. Wheat comprises its principal crop, although large quan- 
tities of oats, com, potatoes, grass and fruit are raised. Ashland is its county 
scat, and was laid out by William Montgomery in 1816. It was called Union- 
town for several years. Daniel Carter raised the first cabin within the county 
limits in 1811. 

Auglaize County was formed in February, 1848, from Allen and Mercer 
Counties. Wapakoneta is its county seat. 

Allen County was formed from the Indian Territory April 1, 1820. Lima 
is its county seat. 

Ashtabula County was formed June 7, 1807, and was organized January 
22, 1811. The surface is level near the lake, while the remainder is undulat- 
ing. The soil is mostly clay. Very little wheat is raised, but considerable 
com and oats. Butter and cheese are the main marketable productions. This 
was the first county settled on the Western Reserve, and also the earliest in 
Northern Ohio. On the 4th of July, 1706, the first surveying party arrived 
at the mouth of Conneaut Creek. Judge James Kingsbury was the first who 
wintered there with his family. He was tbe first man to use a sickle in the 
first wheat-field in the Western Reserve. Their child was the first born on the 
Western Reserve, and was starved to death. The first regular settlement was 
at Harpersfield, in 1798. 

Jefferson is the county seat. Ashtabula is pleasantly situated on the river, 
with a fine harbor two and a half miles from the village. 

The first church on the Western Reserve was founded at Austinburg in 
1801. 

Athens County was formed from Washington March 1, 1805. It produces 
wheat, corn, oats and tobacco. The surface is hilly and broken, with rich bot- 
tom lands between. Coal, iron ore and salt add materially to its commercial 
value. It has the advantage of the canal, as well as other transportation. 
Athens, its county seat, is situated on the Hocking River. The Ohio Uni- 
versity, the first college founded in the State, is located here. We have 
mentioned the ancient mounds found in this county, heretofore. Yellow pine is 
abundant in the lower part of the Hocking Valley. 

Brown County was formed March 1, 1818, from Adams and Clermont. It 
produces wheat, corn, rye, oats and pork. The southern part is prolific in 
grain, while the northern is adapted to grazing purposes. The surface is undu- 
lating, with the exception of the Ohio River hills. Over this county Tecumseb 
once held sway 



124 niSTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

Georgetown is the county seat, and was laid out in 1819. Ripley is the larg- 
est business town in the county. 

Belmont County was announced by Gov. St. Clair September 7, 1801. It 
produces large crops of wheat, oats, corn and tobacco, an annual crop of over 
2,000,000 pounds of the latter being the average. It also trades largely in 
wool and coal. It is a picturesque tract of country, and was one of the 
pioneers in the early settled portions. 

In 1790, Fort Dillie was erected on the west side of the Ohio. Baker's 
Fort was a mile below the mouth of the Captina. Many desperate Indian bat- 
tles were fought within the limits of this county, and the famous Indian scout, 
Lewis Wetzel, roamed over the region. 

St. Clairsville is the county seat, situated on the elevation of land, in a fer- 
tile district. Capt. Kirkwood and Elizabeth Zane, of historic fame, were early 
pioneers here. 

Butler County was formed In 1803, from Hamilton. It is within the blue 
limestone fonnation, and one of the most fertile sections of Ohio. It produces 
more corn than any other county in the State, besides fine crops of wheat, 
oats and large quantities of pork. Hamilton, the county seat, is situated on the 
Great Miami. Its hydraulic works furnish superior water-power. Rossville, 
on the opposite side of the Miami, is a large mercantile town. 

St. Clair passed through this county on his Indian campaigns in 1791, 
building Fort Hamilton on the Miami. 

Champaign County was formed March 1, 1805, from Greene and Franklin. 
It is drained by Mad River and its tributaries, which furnishes e.xtensive mill 
privileges. Nearly a half is undulating, a quarter rolling, a fifth hilly, and 
5 per cent wet prairie. The soil is fertile, and produces wheat, corn, oats, 
barley, hay, while beef and wool add to the general wealth. Urbana, the 
county seat, was laid out in 1805, by Col. AVilliam Ward. He was chief owner 
of the land and donated many lots to the county, under condition that their 
proceeds be devoted to public improvements. Joseph Vance and George 
Fithian were the first settlers. The Methodists built the first church in 1807. 
The main army of Hull concentrated at this point before setting out for Detroit. 
Many Indian councils were called here, and Tecumseh was located for a time 
near Deer Creek. 

Carroll County was formed from Columbiana in 1832—33. It produces 
wheat, oats and corn, and valuable coal and iron. The surface is hilly. Car- 
rollton is its county seat. At Hdrlem is a celebrated chalybeate spring. 

Clark County was formed March 1, 1817, from Champaign, Madison and 
Greene. Its second settlement was at Kreb's Station, in 1796. It is highly culti- 
vated, well watered and very fertile. The Mad River, Buck and Beaver Creeks 
furnish abundant water-power. It produces principally wheat, com and oats. 

Tecumseh, the old Indian warrior, was born at the ancient Indian vil- 
lage of Piqua, on the Mad River, on the site of New Boston. Piqua was 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 125 

destroyed by Gen. George Rogers Clarke. Skeletons, beads, gun barrels, 
tomahawks, kettles, etc., have been found in the vicinity. 

Springfield, the county seat, is situated on the National road. It has con- 
venient transportation facilities, is handsomely laid out, and is noted for its 
cultured citizens. It is near Mad River, and Buck Creek runs through it. 

Clinton County was formed in 1810. It produces chiefly wheat, oats, 
wool and pork. Its surface is undulating, in some parts hilly, and the soil fer- 
tile. Its streams furnish desirable water-power. The county was settled in 
1798-99. Wilmington is the county seat, and was laid out in 1810. The first 
log house was built by William Hobsin. 

Clermont County was the eighth formed in the Northwest Territory, by 
proclamation of Gov. St. Clair, December 9, 1800. The soil is exceedingly 
rich, and the surface is broken and, near the Ohio, hilly. Wheat, corn, oats, 
hay, potatoes, tobacco, barley, buckwheat and rye form the main crops, while 
beef, pork, flour, hay and whisky constitute its main exports. Its streams 
furnish good water-power. Batavia, its county seat, is situated on the Little 
Miami River, and was laid out in 1820, by George Ely. 

Columbiana County was formed March 25, 1803, from Jefferson and Wash- 
ington. Its soil is very fertile, producing wheat, corn, oats and potatoes. It 
is wealthy in mineral deposits, coal, iron ore, lime and freestone being abun- 
dant. Its water-lime stone is of superior quality. Salt water is found on Yel- 
low and Beaver Creeks. This is also the great wool-producing county of 
the State. It was settled in 1797. New Lisbon, its county seat, is well 
built. 

The first papei'-mill in Ohio was erected in this county, on Little Beaver 
Creek, by John Coulter and John Bever. 

Coshocton County was organized April 1, 1811. Its principal products are 
wheat, corn, oats and wool. Hills and valleys alternate along the Muskingum 
River. Abrupt changes are strongly marked — a rich alluvum being overhung 
by a red-bush hill, while directly beside it may be seen the poplar and sugar 
tree. Coal and iron ore add to its general importance, while salt wells have 
proven remunerative. 

Coshocton, the county seat, is built on four wide, natural terraces, at the 
junction of the Tuscarawas with the Walhonding. 

Cuyahoga County was formed June 7, 1807, from Geauga. Near the lake, 
the soil is sandy, while a clayey loam may be found elsewhere. The valleys 
near the streams produce wheat, barley and hay. Fruit is successfully grown, 
and cheese, butter, beef and wool are largely exported. Bog iron is found in 
the western part, and fine grindstone quarries are in operation. The sandstone 
from these quarries is now an important article of commerce. As early as 
1775, there was a French settlement within the boundaries of Cuyahoga. In 
1786, a Moravian missionary came to the present site of Cleveland, and set- 
tled in an abandoned village of the Ottawas. Circumstances prevented a 



126 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

permanent settlement, and the British tacitly took possession, even remaining 
upon the lake shores after the Revolution. 

The first permanent settlement was made at Cleveland in 1796. Mr. Job 
V. Stiles and family and Edward Paine passed the first winter there, their log 
cabin standing where the Commercial Bank is now located. Rodolphus 
Edwards and Nathaniel Doane settled here. The town was, in 1813, a depot 
of supplies and a rendezvous for troops engaged in the war. 

Cleveland, the county seat, is situated at the northern termination of the 
Ohio Canal, on the lake shore. In 1814, it was incorporated as a village, and 
in 1836, as a city. Its elevation is about a hundred feet above the lake. It 
is a lovely city, and has one of the best harbors on Lake Erie. 

Ohio City is another important town, nearly opposite Cleveland, on the 
Cuyahoga. It was incorporated in 1836. 

Crawford County was formed April 1, 1820, from the old Indian territory. 
The entire county is adapted to grazing. The soil is generally composed of 
rich vegetable loam, and in some parts the subsoil is clay mixed with lime. 
Rich beds of shell marl have been discovered. It produces wheat, com, oats, 
clover, timothy seed, wool and cattle. Fine limestone quarries are worked with 
success. 

Bucyrus is the county seat, and was laid out February 11, 1822, by Samuel 
Norton and James Kilbourn, original owners of the land. The first settler in 
the town proper was Samuel Norton. A gas well has been dug in Bucyrus, 
on the land of R. W. Musgrove, which burns in a brilliant light when con- 
ducted to the surface by means of pipes. Ci'awford's Sulphur Springs are 
located nine miles from Bucyrus. The water is impregnated with sulphurette<l 
hydrogen. It deposits a reddish-purple sediment. In its nature the water is a 
cathartic, and is diuretic and diaphoretic in its effects. A few rods away is a 
burning spring. The Annapolis Sulphur Spring is clear and has gained consid- 
erable fame by its curative qualities. Opposite Bucyrus is a chalybeate spring 
of tonic qualities. 

There are some beds of peat in the county, the most extensive one being a 
wet prairie called Cranberry Marsh, containing nearly 2,000 acres. 

Darke County was organized in March, 1817, from Miami County. It is 
abundantly timbered with poplar, walnut, blue ash, hickory, beech and sugar 
maple. It yields superior wheat, and is well adapted to grazing. In this 
county occurred the lamentable defeat of St. Clair, and the treaty of Greenville. 

Greenville is the county seat, and was laid out August 10, 1808, by Robert 
Gray and John Dover. In December, 1793, Wayne built Fort Greenville on 
this spot, which covered about the same extent as the present town. 

Delaware County was formed February 10, 1808, from Franklin. It pro- 
duces mainly wheat, corn, oats, pork and wool. 

Delaware is the county seat, and was laid out in the spring of 1808, by 
Moses Byxbe. The Delaware Spring in the village is of the white sulphur or 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 127 

cold hydro-sulphurous nature, valuable for medicinal (qualities in cases of bilious 
derangements, dyspepsia, scrofulous affections, etc. 

Defiance County was inaugurated March 4, 1845, from Williams, Henry 
and Paulding. The Maumee, Tiffin and Auglaize flow through it. The Black 
Swamp covers much of its area. 

Defiance, the county seat, is situated on the Maumee. It was laid out in 
1822, by B. Level and H. Phillips. A large Indian settlement occupied its 
gite in very early times. Wayne arrived here August 8, 1794, captured the 
place, finding about one thousand acres of corn, peach and apple orchards, and 
vegetables of all varieties. Here he built Fort Defiance. 

Erie County was formed in 1838, from Huron and Sandusky. The soil is 
alluvial, and yields large crops of wheat, corn, oats and potatoes. It possesses 
inexhaustable quarries of limestone and freestone. Immense quantities of bog 
iron are also found. The Erie tribe is said to have once occupied the land, and 
were extirpated by the Iroquois. As early as 1754, the French had built set- 
tlements. In 1764, the county was besieged. Pontiac came here with warlike 
demonstrations, but made peace with the whites. Erie was included in the 
"fire lanils" of the Western Reserve. 

Sandusky City is the county seat, and was laid out in 1817, then termed 
Portland. At that time it contained two log huts. The town is finely situated, 
and is based upon an inexhaustible quarry of the finest limestone. In the 
"patriot war" with the Canadians, this city was the rendezvous for the 
"patriots." 

Franklin County was formed April 30, 1803, from Ross. It contains 
much low wet land, and is better adapted to grazing than agricultural purposes. 
It was in early times occupied by the Wyandot Indians. Its first white set- 
tlement was made in 1797, by Robert Armstrong and others. Franklinton 
was laid out in 1797, by Lucas Sullivan. Worthington was settled by the 
Scioto Company in 1801. Col. Kilbourn, who was interested in the work, 
constructed the first map of Ohio during his explorations, by uniting sectional 
diagrams. 

Columbus, the capital of the State of Ohio, is also the county seat of 
Franklin County. After the organization of a State government, the capital 
was "portable" until 1816. In 1810, the sessions were held at Chillicothe, 
in 1811 and 1812 at Zanesville, removing again to Chillicothe, and, in 1816, 
being located at Columbus. The town was laid out during the spring of 1812. 
A penitentiary was erected in 1813, and the State House was built in 1814. 
It was incorporated as "the borough of Columbus," February 10, 1816. The 
city charter was granted March 3, 1834. 

It is beautifully located on the east bank of the Scioto. The Columbus 
Institute is a classical institution. A female and a theological seminary also 
add to its educational advantages. The Ohio Lunatic Asylum is also located 
here — also the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind. East of the 



128 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

State House is the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Deaf and 
Dumb. 

Fairfield County was formed by proclamation of Gov. St. Clair, December 
9, 1800. 

The soil is varied, being in some parts exceedingly rich, and in others very 
sterile. It produces principally wheat, corn, rye, oats, buckwheat, barley, 
potatoes and tobacco. 

Lancaster is the county seat, laid out by Ebenezer Zane in 1800. In 1797, 
he opened the road known as "Zane's Trace," from Wheeling to Limestone — ■ 
now Maysville. It passed through Lancaster, at a fording about three hundred 
yards below the present turnpike bridge. Near the turn stands an imposing 
eminance called " Standing Stone." Parties of pleasure frequently visit this spot. 

Fayette County was formed from Ross and Highland in 1810. Wheat, 
com, cattle, hogs, sheep and wool comprise its main productions. " The bar- 
rens" are situated in the northeastern part. This tract is covered by a growth 
of grass. 

Washington is its county seat, laid out in 1810. 

Col. Stewal't was active in the interests of this section, and his memory is 
sacredly revered. Jesse Milliken was prominent in public affairs. 

Fulton County, bordering on Michigan, was organized in 1850. It is 
drained by Bean Creek and other small affluents of the Maumee River. The 
surface is nearly level, and a large part of it is covered with forests of ash, 
beech, elm, hickory, white oak, black walnut, etc., furnishing excellent timber. 
The soil is fertile. Wheat, corn, oats and hay are the staple products. Wau- 
seon is the county seat. 

Guernsey County was organized in March, 1810. Wool is a staple prod- 
uct, together with beef, horses and swine. It produces wheat, corn and oats. 

Cambridge is the county seat and was laid out in June, 1806. Mr. 
Graham was the first settler on the site of the town, and his was the only 
dwelling between Lancaster and Wheeling. 

The first cannel coal found in the county was discovered near Mill's Creek. 

Greene County was formed May 1, 1803, from Hamilton and Ross. It 
produces wheat, corn, rye, grass-seed, oats, barley, sheep and swine. The 
streams furnish good water-power. There are five limestone quarries, and a 
marble quarry of variegated colors. The Shawnee town was on the Little 
Miami, and was visited by Capt. Thomas Bullit in 1773. When Daniel Boone 
was captured in 1778, he was brought to this town, and escaped the following 
year. Gen. Clarke invaded this county and the Indians reduced the town to ashes. 

Xenia, the county seat, was laid off in the forest in 1803, by Joseph C. 
Vance. The first cabin was erected in April, 1804, by John Marshall. The 
Rev. James Fowler built the first hewed-log cabin. David A. Sanders built 
the first frame house. Nine miles north of the town, on the Little Miami 
River, are the Yellow Springs, which are impregnated with sulphur. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OniO. 129 

Geauga County was formed in 1805 from Trumbull. It exports sheep, 
cattle, butter and cheese. It is situated at the head of Chargrine, Cuyahoga and 
a part of Grand Rivers, on high ground, and is subjected to snowstorms more 
frequently than any other part of the Reserve. Its first settlement was made 
in 1798, at Burton. Chardon is fourteen miles from Lake Erie, and is GOO 
feet above it. It was laid out as the county seat in 1808. 

Gallia County was formed April 30, 1803, from Washington. Its princi- 
pal crops are wheat, corn, oats and beans. The surface is generally broken. 
Its first settlement was made in 1791, by a French colony, at Gallipolis. This 
colony was sent out under the auspices of the Scioto Company. This town is 
now the county seat. 

Hamilton County was the second established in the Northwestern Territory 
by proclamation of Gov. St. Clair, January 2, 1790. Its surface is gen- 
erally rolling. It produces the ordinary farm products, and a great variety 
of fruits and vegetables for the Cincinnati market. Vineyards thrive well 
within its limits, and the manufacture of wine is carried on to a considerable 
extent. 

This county was the second settled in Ohio, and the first within the Symmes 
purchase. Settlers arrived at the spot now occupied by Cincinnati, and three 
or four log cabins were erected. Gen. Arthur St. Clair arrived here in Janu- 
ary, 1790. The army of Wayne encamped here later, at Fort Washington. 
Mr. Maxwell established in 1793 the Sentinel of the Northwestern Territory, 
the first newspaper printed north of the Ohio River. In 1796, Edward Free- 
man became its proprietor, and changed the name to Freeman's Journal. 
January 11, 1794, two keel-boats sailed from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh, making 
regular trips every four weeks. In 1801, the first sea vessel built at Mari- 
etta came down the Ohio. 

Cincinnati, the county seat, was incorporatetl January 2, 1802. It was char- 
tered as a city in 1819. The city is beautifully laid out and delightfully situ- 
ated. Its public buildings are elegant and substantial, including the court 
house and many literary and charitable institutions. 

The Cincinnati College was founded in 1819. It stands in the center of 
the city. It is built in Grecian-Doric style, with pilaster fronts and facade of 
Dayton marble. Woodward College is also popular. 

The Catholics have founded the St. Xavier's College. Lane Seminary, a 
theological institution, is at Walnut Hills, two miles from the center of the city. 
It ha-s over 10,000 volumes in its libraries. No charge is made for tuition. 
Rooms are provided and furnished at $5 per year, and board ranges from 62^ 
cents to 90 cents a week. The Cincinnati Law School is connected with Cin- 
cinnati College. The Mechanics' Institute was chartered in 1828, and is in all 
respects well supplied with apparatus. A college for teachers was established in 
1831, its object being to perfect those contemplating entering that profession in 
their studies and system. 



130 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

The Cincinnati Orphan Asylum is an elegant building, and has a library 
and well-organized school attached. The Catholics of the city have one male 
and female orphan asylum. The Commercial Hospital and Lunatic Asylum of 
Ohio was incorporated in 1821. 

Cincinnati is a large manufacturing city, and possesses fine water-power 
facilities. It communicates with the world by means of its canal, river, turnpikes, 
and railways. North Bend is another prominent town in this county, having 
been the residence of Gen. William H. Harrison, and the site of his burial 
place. The town was of considerable importance in the early settlement of the 
State. About thirty yards from Harrison's tomb is the grave of Judge 
Symmes. 

Hancock County was formed April 1, 1820. It produces wheat, oats, corn, 
pork and maple sugar. The surface is level and its soil is fertile. Blanchard's 
Fork waters the central and southern part of tue county. Findlay, the county 
seat, was laid out by ex-Gov. Joseph Vance and Elnathan Corry, in 1821. It 
was relaid in IB'JO. Wilson Vance settled there in the fall of 1821. Located 
in Findlay are the greatest gas wells of Ohio, the city being lighted and heated 
by natural gas, which has been known for over 40 years to exist at Findlay. 

Hardin County was formed April 1, 1820, from the old Indian Territory. 
It produces, principally, wheat, corn and swine. A portion of the surface is 
level, and the remainder undulating. Fort McArthur was built on the Scioto 
River, but proved a weak stockade. Kenton is the county seat, situated on the 
Scioto River. 

Harrison County was formed from Jefferson and Tuscarawas January 1, 
1814. The surface is hilly, abounding in coal and limestone. Its soil is clayey. 
It is one of the important wool-growing counties in Ohio. It produces large 
quantities of wheat, corn, oats and hay, besides a considerable number of horses, 
cattle and swine. 

In April, 1799, Alexander Henderson and family settled in this county, and 
at the same time, Daniel Peterson and his family resided at the forks of Short 
Creek. The early settlers were much annoyed by Indians and wild beasts. 
Cadiz is the county seat, and was laid out in 1803 and 1804, by Messrs. Briggs 
and Beatty. 

Henry County was formed from the old Indian Territory, April 1, 1820. 
Indian corn, oats, potatoes, and maple sugar constitute the main products. 
The county is well supplied with running streams, and the soil is unusually rich. 

The greater portion of this county is covered by the " Black Swamp." 
Throughout this swamp are ridges of limestone, covered with black walnut, red 
elm, butternut and maple. The soil is superior for grain. Fruit thrives and 
all varieties of vegetables are produced in large quantities. Simon Girty, noto- 
rious for his wicked career, resided in this county. Girty led the attack on 
Fort Henry, in September, 1777. He demanded the surrender of the fort, 
and menaced its inmates with an Indian massacre, in case of refusal. The 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 131 

action began, but the fort gained the victory. He led a ferocious band of Indi- 
ans, and committed the most fiendish atrocities. 

Napoleon, the county seat, is situated on the Maumee River. 

Highland County was formed in May, 1805, from Ross, Adams and Cler- 
mont. It is a wealthy, productive county. Its wheat commands a high mar- 
ket price. The crops consist of wheat, corn, oats, maple sugar, wool, swine 
and cattle. Its first settlement began in 1801, at New Market, by Oliver Ross, 
Robert Keeston, George W. Barrere, Bernard Weyer and others. Simon Ken- 
ton made a trace through this county in early times. Hillsboro is tlie 
county seat, and was laid out in 1807, by David Hays, on the land of Benja- 
min EUicott. It is situated on the dividing ridge, between the Miami and Sci- 
oto. The Hillsboro Academy was founded in 1827. 

Hocking County was formed March 1, 1818, from Ross, Athens and Fair- 
field. Its principal products are corn, wheat, tobacco and maple sugar. Its 
surface is broken and hilly, but is level and fertile beside the streams. 

The Wyandots once occupied this tract, and built a large town herein. In 
1798, a few white families ventured to settle. Logan is its county seat, and is 
situated on the Hocking River. 

Holmes County was formed from Coshocton, Tuscarawas and Wayne, Janu- 
ary 20, 1824. It produces wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, maple sugar, swine, 
sheep and cattle. The southwestern portion is broken. Thomas Butler was 
the first settler, in 1810. Millersburg is the county seat, and was laid out in 
1830. 

Huron County was organized in 1815. It produces hay, wheat, corn, oats, 
barley, buckwheat, flaxseed, potatoes, butter, cheese, wool and swine. Nor- 
walk is the county seat. 

Jackson County was organized March, 1816. The country is rich in min- 
erals and abounds in coal and iron ore. Tlie exports are cattle, wool, swine, 
horses, lumber, millstones, tobacco and iron. Jackson, the county seat, was 
laid out in 1817. The old Scioto salt-works were among the first worked in 
Ohio by the whites. Prior to this period, the Indians came some distance to 
this section to make salt. ^Vhen Daniel Boone was a prisoner, he spent some 
time at these works. 

Jefferson County was proclaimed by Gov. St. Clair July 29, 1797, and 
was the fifth county established in Ohio. It is one of the most important 
manufacturing counties in the State. Its resources in coal are also extended. 
The surface is hilly and the soil fertile, producing wheat, corn and oats. Tlie 
old ''Mingo" town was on the present farms of Jeremiah Ilallock and Mr- 
Daniel Potter. The troops of Col. Williamson rendezvoused at this point, 
when they set out in their cruel Moravian campaign, and also the troops of 
Col. Crawford, when they started on the campaign against the Sandusky 
Indians. Here Logan, the powerful and manly chief of the Mingo nation, 
once resided. He took no active part in the old French war, which closed in 



132 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

1760, except that of a peacemaker. He was a stanch friend of the whites 
until the abominable and unprovoked murder of his father, brother and sister, 
which occurred in 1774, near the Yellow Creek. He then raised the battle 
cry and sought revenge. 

However, Logan was remarkably magnanimous toward prisoners who fell 
into his hands. The year 1793 was the last spent in Indian warfare in Jeffer- 
son County. 

Fort Steuben was erected on the present site of Steubenville, the county seat, 
in 1789. It was constructed of block-houses, with paUsade fences, and was dis- 
mantled during Wayne's campaign. Bezaleel Wells and Hon. James Ross laid 
the town out in 1798. It was incorporated February 14, 1805. It is situated 
upon an elevated plain. In 1814, Messrs. Wells and Dickerson built a woolen 
manufactory, and introduced merino sheep to the county. 

Knox County was formed March 1, 1808, from Faii-field. It is drained by 
the Vernon River. It produces wheat, corn, oats, tobacco, maple sugar, pota- 
toes and wool. Mount Vernon was laid out in 1805. The early settlers found 
two wells on the Vernon River, built of hammered stone, neatly laid, and near 
by was a salt-lick. Their direct origin remains a mystery. Gilman Bryant, 
in 1807, opened the first store in Mount Vernon. The court house was built 
in 1810. The Indians came to Mount Vernon in large numbers for the pur- 
pose of trading in furs and cranberries. Each Saturday, the settlers worked 
on the streets, extracting stumps and improving the highway. The first settler 
north of the place was N. M. Young, who built his cabin in 1803. Mount 
Vernon is now the county seat, beautifully situated on Vernon River. Kenyon 
College is located at Gambler. It is richly endowed with 8,000 acres, and is 
valued at $100,000. This institution was established under the auspices of 
Bishop Chase, in July, 1826, in the center of a 4,000-acre tract belonging to 
Kenyon College. It was chartered as a theological seminary. 

Lucas County is of comparatively recent origin. A large portion is covered 
by the "Black Swamp." It produces corn, wheat, potatoes and oats. This 
county is situated in tlie Jlaumee Valley, which was the great arena of histori- 
cal events. The frightful battle of Wayne's campaign, where the Indians found 
the British to be traitors, was fought near Fort Miami, in this county. Maumee 
City, once the county seat, was laid out in 1817, as Maumee, by Maj. Wm. Oliver 
and others. It is situated on the Maumee, at the head of navigation. The 
surface is 100 feet above the water level. This town, with Perrysburg, its neighbor, 
is exceedingly picturesque, and was in eai-ly times frequented by the Indians. 
The French had a trading station at this point, in 1680, and in 1794, the Brit- 
ish Fort — Miami — was built. Toledo is on the left bank of the Maumee, and 
covers the site of a stockade fort, known as Fort Industry, erected in 1800. 
An Indian treaty was held here July 4, 1805, by which the Indians relinquished 
all rights to the " fire lands." In 1832, Capt. Samuel Allen gave an impetus 
to the place, and Maj. Stickney also became interested in its advancement. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 133 

Speculation in lots began in 1834. The Wabash & Erie Canal interest arose in 
1836. Mr. M;ison and Edward Bissel added their energies to assist the growth 
of the town. It was incorporated as a city in 1836. It was the center of tlie 
military operations in the " Ohio and Michigan war," known as the "boundary 
conflict." 

The Ordinance of 1787 provided for the division of the Northwestern Terri- 
tory into three or five States. The three southern were to be divided from the 
two northern by a line drawn east and west through the southern point of Lake 
Micliigan, extending eastward to the Territorial line in Lake Eric. The consti- 
tution of Ohio adds a provision that if the line should not go so far north as the 
north cape of Maumee Bay, then the northern boundary of Ohio should be a 
line drawn from the southerly part of Lake Michigan to the north cape of the 
Maumee Bay. 

The line of the ordinance was impossible, according to its instructions and 
the geography of the countiy. 

When Michigan became a Territory, the people living between the " Fulton " 
and '• Harris " lines found it more to their wishes to be attached to Michigan. 
They occupied disputed ground, and were thus beyond the limits of absolute 
law. In 1835, the subject was greatly agitated, and J. Q. Adams made a warm 
speech before Congress against the Ohio claim. The Legislature of Ohio dis- 
cussed the matter, and an act was passed to attach the disputed section to Ohio, 
according to the constitutional decree. An active campaign opened between 
Michigan and Ohio. Gov. Lucas came out with the Ohio troops, in the spring 
of 1835, and Gov. Mason, of Michigan, followed the example. He marched 
into Toledo, robbed melon-patches and chicken-houses, crushed in the front 
door of Maj. Stickney's house, and carried him away prisoner of war. Embas- 
sadors were sent from Washington to negotiate matters — Richard Rush, of Penn- 
sylvania and Col. Howard, of Maryland. At the next session of Congress, the 
matter was settled. Samuel Vinton argued for Ohio, in the House, and Thomas 
Ewing in the Senate. Michigan received an equivalent of the large peninsula 
between Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior. Ohio received the disputed 
strip, averaging eight miles in width. Manhattan, Waterville and Providence 
are all flourishing towns. 

Lorain County was formed from Huron, Cuyahoga and Medina, on Decem- 
ber 26, 1822. The soil is generally fertile, and the surface level. Wheat, 
grass, oats, corn, rye and potatoes constitute the principal crops. Bog-iron or& 
is found in large quantities. A curious relic has been found in this county, bear- 
ing the (late of 1533. Elyria is the county seat, and was laid out in 1817. 
The first settler was Mr. Heman Ely. Oberlin is situated about eight miles 
southwest of Elyria. The Oberlin Collegiate Institute has attained a wide 
celebrity. 

Logan County was formed March 1, 1817. The surface is broken and hilly 
near the Mad River, but is generally level. The soil is fertile, producing 



134 HISTOKV OF THE .STATE OF OHIO 

■wheat, corn, rye, oats, clover, flax and timothy seed. The Shawnee Indians 
were located here, and built several villages on the Mad River. These towns 
were destroyed in 178tJ, by a body of Kentuckians, under Gen. Benjamin 
Logan. The whites surprised the towns. However, they returned after the 
work of destruction had been completed, and for many years frequented the 
section. On the site of Zanes field was a Wyandot village. By the treaty of 
September 29, 1817, the Senecas and Shawnees held a reservation around 
Lewistown. April 6, 1832, they vacated this right and removed west. Isaac 
Zane was born about the year 1753, and was, while a boy, captured and after- 
ward adopted by the Wyandots. Attaining the age of manhood, he had no 
desire to return to his people. lie married a Wyandot woman, who was half 
French. After the treaty of Greenville, he bought 1,800 acres on the site of 
Zanesville, where he lived until the year 1816, when he died, lamented by all 
his friends. 

Logan County was settled about the year 1806. During the war of 1812, 
it wa,s a rendezvous for friendly Indians. Bellefontaine, the county seat, was 
laid out March 18, 1820, on land owned by John Tulles and William Powell. 
Joseph Gordon built a cabin, and Anthony Ballard erected the first frame 
dwelling. 

Gen. Simon Kenton is buried at the head of Mad River, five miles from 
Bellefontaine. He died April 29, 1886, aged eighty-one years and twenty-six 
days. This remarkable man came West, to Kentucky, in 1771. He probably 
encountered more thrilling escapes than any other man of his time. In 1778, 
he was captured and suffered extreme cruelties, and was ransomed by the British. 
He soon recovered his robust health, and escaped from Detroit the following 
spring. He settled in L'rbana in 1802. He was elected Brigadier General of 
the militia, and in the war of 1812, joined Gen. Harrison's army. In the year 
1820, he removed to Mad River. Gen. Vance and Judge Burnet secured him 
a pension, of $20 per month 

Licking County was formed from Fairfield March 1, 1808. The surface is 
generally level, diversified by slight hills in the eastern portion. The ^il is 
fertile, pi'oducing wheat, corn, oats and grass. Coal and iron ore of good 
quality add to the wealth of the county. Wool and dairy productions are also 
staples. Newark is the county seat, and is situated at the confluence of the 
three principal branches of the Licking. It was laid out by Gen. William C. 
Schenk, George W. Burnet and John M. Cummings, who owned this military 
section of 4,000 acres, in 1801. In 1802, Samuel Elliott and Samuel Parr 
built hewed-log houses. The picturesque ''Narrows of the Licking"" are in 
the eastern part of the county, which have elicited general praise from scenic 
hunters. 

Lawrence County was organized March 1, 1816. There are many high 
and abrupt hills in this section, which abound in sand or freestone. It is rich 
in minerals, and the most important section of Ohio for iron manufacture. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OIUU. 135 

Coal is abundant, and white clay exists in the western part suitable for pot- 
tery purposes. Agricultural productions are not extensive. 

The county was settled in IT!'" by the Dutch and Irish. The iron region 
extends through the west part of this county. Lawrence County produces a 
superior quality of iron, highly esteemed for castings, and is equal to Scotch 
pig for furnace purposes. Burlington is the county seat. 

Lake County was formed from Geauga and Cuyahoga March 6, 1840. The 
soil is good and the surface rolling. It produces wheat, corn, oats, buckwheat, 
barley, hay and potatoes. Dairy products, cattle and wool are also staples. 
Its fruits — apples, peaches, pears, plums and grapes are highly prized. As 
early as 1799, a settlement was formed at Mentor. Painesville, the county 
scat, is situated on Grand River, in a beautiful valley. The Painesville Acad- 
emy is a classical institution for the education of both sexes. Near the town 
is the Geauga furnace. Painesville was laid out by Henry Champion in 1805. 
At Fairport, the first warehouse in this section, and probably the first on the 
lake, was built by Abraham Skinner in 1803. This town has a fine harbor, 
and has a light-house and beacon. Kirtland, southwest from Painesville, was, 
in 1834, the headquarters of the Mormons. At that time, they numbered 
about three thousand. The old Mormon temple is of rough stone, plastered 
over, colored blue, and marked to imitate regular courses of masonry. As is 
well known, the Mormons derive their name from the book of Mormon, said to 
have been translated from gold plates found in a hill in Palmyra, N. Y. 

Madison County wa« organized in March, 1810. The surface is generally 
level. It produces grass, corn, oats and cattle — the latter forming a chief 
staple, while wool and pork add to the general wealth. 

Jonathan Alder was much interested in the settlement of the county. He, 
like some other whites, had lived with the Indians many years, and had formed 
a la.sting affection for them, and had married a squaw, with whom he became 
dissatisfied, which caused him to desire finding his own family. He suc- 
ceeded in this through the assistance of John Moore. He left his wife and 
joined his people. 

This county was first settled in 1795. Benjamin Springer made a clearing 
and built a cabin. He settled near Alder, and taught him the English lan- 
guage. Mr. Joshua Ewing brought four sheep to this place, and the Indians 
exhibited great astonishment over these strange animals. When the hostilities 
of 1812 began, the British offered inducements to the Indians to join them, and 
they consulted Alder regarding the best policy to adopt. He advised them to 
preserve neutrality until a lat<n- period, which they did, and eventually became 
firm friends of the Americans. 

London is the county seat, and was laid out in 1810-11, by Patrick McLene. 

Marion County was organized March 1, 1824. The soil is fertile, and pro- 
duces extensive farm crops. The Delaware Indians once held a reservation 
here, and conceded their claims in 1829, August 3, and removed west of the 



136 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

Mississippi. Marion, the county seat, was laid out in 1821, by Eber Baker 
and Alexander Holmes. Gen. Harrison marched through this section during 
his campaign. 

Mahoning County was formed in 1846, from Trumbull and Columbiana. 
The surface is rolling and the soil generally fertOe. The finer qualities of wood 
are produced here. Bituminous coal and iron are found in large quantities. 
Col. James Hillman came to the Western Reserve in 1786. The settlement 
of the county went forward. Canfield is the county seat. 

Medina County was formed from the Western Reserve February 12, 1812. 
The surface is rolling and the soil is fertile, producing fine agricultural prod- 
ucts. The first trail made through the county was made by George Poe, 
Joseph H. Larwell and Roswell M. Mason. The first settlement was made 
by Joseph Harris in 1811. He was soon joined by the Burr brothers. Me- 
dina is the county seat. 

Meigs County was formed from Gallia and Athens April 1, 1819. The 
general character of the soil is clayey, producing large quantities of wheat, oats, 
com, hay and potatoes. Vast quantities of salt are made and exported. Pom- 
eroy, the county seat, is situated under a lofty hill, surrounded by picturesque 
scenery. Mr. Nathaniel Clark was the first settler of the county. He arrived in 
1816. The first coal mine opened in Pomeroy was in 1819, by David Bradshaw. 

Mercer County was formed from the Indian Territory in 1820. The sur- 
face is generally flat, and while covered with forests, inclined to be wet ; but, 
being cleared, it is very fertile, and adapted to producing farm crops. St. 
Clair's Battle was fought on the boundary line between this and Darke County. 
The Hon. Lewis Cass and Duncan McArthur made a treaty at St. Mary's with 
the Wyandots, Shawnees and Ottawas, in 1818. The odious Simon Girty lived 
at one time at St. Mary's. Wayne built St. Mary's Fort, on the west bank of 
the river. John Whistler was the last commander of the fort. The largest 
artificial lake in the world, so it is asserted, is formed by the reservoir sup- 
plying the St. Mary's feeder of the Miami E.xtension Canal. It is about nine 
miles long, and from two to four broad. Celina is the county seat. 

Miami County was formed January 16, 1807, from Montgomery. It abounds 
in excellent limestone, and possesses remarkable water-power facilities. Its agri- 
cultural products rank highly in quality and quantity. John Knoop came into this 
section about the year 1797, and its first settlement began about this time. Troy, 
the county seat, is situated upon the Great Miami. Piqua is another lovely 
town. The Miami River affords delightful scenery at this point. 

Monroe County was formed January 29, 1813, from Belmont, Washington, 
and Guernsey. A portion of its surface is abrupt and hilly. Large quantities 
of tobacco are raised, and much pork is exported. Wheat and corn grow well 
in the western portion. Iron ore and coal abound. The valleys of the streams 
are very narrow, bounded by rough hills. In some places are natural rock 
grottoes. The first settlement was made in 1799, near the mouth of the Sunfish. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 137 

At this time, wolves were numerous, and caused much ahirm. Volney entered 
this county, but was not preijossessed in its favor. One township is settled by 
the Swiss, who are educated and refined. Woodsfield is the county seat. 

Montgomery County was formed from Ross and Hamilton May 1, 1803. 
The soil is fertile, and its agricultural products are most excellent. Quarries of 
grayish-white limestone are found east of the Miami. 

Dayton is the county seat, situated on the Great Miami, at the mouth of Mad 
River. A company was formed in 1788, but Indian wars prevented settlement. 
Aiter Wayne's treaty, in 1795, a now company was formed. It advanced 
rapidly between the years 1812 and 1820. The beginning of the Miami Canal 
renewed its prosperity, in 1827. The first canal-boat from Cincinnati arrived 
at Dayton on the 25th of January, 1829. The first one arrived from Lake 
Erie in June, 1845. Col. Robert Patterson came to Dayton in 1804. At one 
time, he owned Lexington, Ky., and about one third of Cincinnati. 

Morgan County was organized in 1818, March 1. The surface is hilly and 
the .soil strong and fertile, producing wheat, corn, oats and tobacco. Pork is a 
prolific product, and considerable salt is made. The first settlement was made 
in 1790, on the Muskingum. McConnelsville is the county seat. Mr. Ayres 
made the first attempt to produce salt, in 1817. This has developed into a 
large industry. 

Morrow County was organized in 1848. It is drained by the Vernon 
River, which rises in it, by the East Branch of the Olontangy or Whetstone 
River, and by Walnut Creek. The surface is undulating, the soil fertile. 
The staple products are corn, wheat, oats, hay, wool and butter. The sugar 
maple abounds in the forests, and sandstone or freestone in the quarries. 
Mount Gilead, the county seat, is situated on the East Branch of the Olcn- 
tangy River. 

Muskingum County was formed from Washington and Fairfield. The sur- 
face is rolling or hilly. It produces wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, tobacco, wool 
and pork. Large quantities of bituminous coal are found. Pipe clay, buhr- 
stone or cellular quartz are also in some portions of the State. Salt is made in 
large quantities — the fine being obtained from a stratum of whitish sandstone. 
The Wyandots, Delawares, Senecas and Shawanoese Indians once inhabited this 
section. An Indian town occupied the site of Duncan's Falls. A large Shawan- 
oese town was located near Dresden. 

Zanesville is the county seat, situated opposite the mouth of the Licking. 
It was laid out in 1799, by Mr. Zane and Mr. Mclntire. This is one of the 
principal towns in the State, and is surrounded b}' charming scenery. 

Noble County, organized in 1851, is drained by Seneca, Duck and Wills 
Creeks. The surface is undulating, and a large part of it is covered with for- 
ests. The soil is fertile. Its staples are corn, tobacco, wheat, hay, oats and 
wool. Among its mineral resources arc limestone, coal and petroleum. Near 
Caldwell, the county seat, are found iron ore, coal and salt. 



138 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

Ottawa County was formed from Erie, Sandusky and Lucas, March 6, 1840, 
It is mostly within the Black Swamp, and considerable of its land is prairie and 
marsh. It was very thinly settled befere 1830. Extensive plaster beds exist 
on the peninsula, which extends into Lake Erie. It has also large limestone 
quarries, which are extensively worked. The very first trial at arms upon the 
soil of Ohio, during the war of 1812, occurred upon this peninsula. Port Clin- 
ton, the county seat, was laid out in 1827. 

Perry County was formed from Washington, Fairfield and Muskingum, 
March 1, 1817. Fine tobacco is raised in large quantities. Wheat, corn, oats, 
hay, cattle, pork and wool add to the general wealth. This county was first set- 
tled in 1801. First settler was Christian Binckley, who built the first cabin in 
the county, about five miles west of Somerset, near the present county line. 
New Lexington is now the county seat. 

Paulding County was formed from old Indian territory August 1, 1820. 
It produces corn, wheat and oats. Paulding is the county seat. 

Pickaway County was fonned from Fairfield, Ross and Franklin, January 
12, 1810. The county has woodland, barren, plain and prairie. The barrens 
were covered by shrub oaks, and when cleared are adapted to the raising of corn 
and oats. The Pickaway plains are three and a half miles west of Circleville, 
and this tract is said to contain the richest land in Ohio. Here, in the olden 
times, burned the great council fires of the red man. Here the allied tribes met 
Gen. Lewis, who fought the battle of Point Pleasant. Dunmore's campaign 
was terminated on these plains. It was at the Chillicothe towns, after Dun- 
more's treaty, that Logan delivered his famous speech. Circleville, the county 
seat, is situated on the Scioto River and the Ohio Canal. It was laid out in 
1810, by Daniel Dresbach. It is situated on the site of ancient fortifications. 

Portage County was formed June 7, 1807, from Trumbull. It is a wealthy, 
thriving section. Over a thousand tons of cheese are annually produced. It 
also produces wheat, com, oats, barley, buckwheat, rye, butter and wool. 
Ravenna is the county seat, and was originally settled by the Hon. Benjamin 
Tappen in June, 1799. In 1806, an unpleasant difficulty arose between the 
settlers and a camp of Indians in Deerfield, caused by a horse trade between a 
white man and an Indian. David Daniels settled on the site of Palmyra in 1799. 

Pike County was organized in 1815. The surface is generally hilly, which 
abound with freestone, which is exported in large quantities for building pur- 
poses. Rich bottom lands extend along the Scioto and its tributaries. John 
Noland and the three Chenoweth brothers settled on the Pee Pee prairie about 
1796. Piketown, the former county seat, was laid out about 1814. Waverly, 
the present county seat, is situated on the Scioto River. 

Preble County was formed March 1, 1808, fi-om IMontgomery and Butler. 
The soil is varied. Excellent water-power facilities are furnished. 

Eaton, the county seat, was laid out in 1806, by William Bruce, who owned 
the land. An overflowing well of strong sulphur water is near the town, while 
directly beside it is a limestone quarry. Holderman's quarry is about two 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 139 

miles distant, from which is obtained a beautifully clouded gray stone. Fort St. 
Clair was built near Eaton, in the winter of 17S>l-02. Gen. Harrison was an En- 
sign at the time, and commanded a guard every other night for three weeks, during 
the building. The severe battle of November 6, 1792, was fought under its very 
guns. Little Turtle, a distinguished chief of the Miamis, roamed over this county 
for a time. He was witty, brave and earnest, and, although engaged in several 
severe contests with the whites, he was inclined toward peace. But when his 
warriors cried for war he led them bravely. 

Putnam County was formed April 1, 1820, from old Indian temtory. The 
soil is fertile, its principal productions being wheat, corn, potatoes and oats. 
Large quantities of pork are exported. Kalida, once the county seat, was laid 
out in 1834. Ottawa is the county seat. 

Ross County was formed August 20, 1798, by the proclamation of Gov. St. 
Clair, and was the sixth county formed in the Northwestern Territory. The 
Scioto River and Paint Creek run through it, bordered with fertile lands. 
Much water-power is obtained from the many streams watering it. The main 
crops are wheat, corn and oats. It exports cattle and hogs. 

The Rev. Robert W. Finley, in 1794, addressed a letter of inquiry to Col. 
Nathaniel Massie, as many of his associates had designed settling in the new 
State. This resulted in packing their several effects and sotting out. A triv- 
ial Indian encounter was the only interruption they nut with on their way. 
After Wayne's treaty. Col. Massie and many of these early explorers met 
again and formed a settlement — in 1796 — at the mouth of Paint Creek. In 
August of this year, Chillicothe was laid out by Col. Massie, in a dense forest. 
He donated lots to the early settlers. A ferry was established over the Scioto, 
and the opening of Zane's trace assisted the progress of settlement. 

Chillicothe, the county seat, is situated on the Scioto. Its site is thirty 
feet above the river. In 1800, it was the seat of the Northwestern Territorial 
Government. It was incorporated as a city in January, 1802. During the war 
of 1812, the city was a rendezvous for the United States troops. A large num- 
ber of British were at one time guarded here. Adena is a beautiful place, and 
the seat of Gov. Worthington's mansion, which was built in 1806. Near this 
is Fruit Hill, the residence of the late Gen. McArthur, and latterly the home 
of his son-in-law, the Hon. William Allen. Eleven miles from Chillicothe, on 
the road to Portsmouth, is the home of the hermit of the Scioto. 

Richland was organized March 1, 1813. It produces wheat, corn, oats, hay, 
potatoes, i-ye, hemp and barley. It was settled about 1809, on branches of the 
Mohican. Two block-houses were built in 1812. Mansfield, the county seat, 
is charmingly situated, and was laid out in 1808, by Jacob Newman, James 
Hedges and Joseph II. Larwell. The county was at that period a vast wilder- 
ness, destitute of roads. From this year, the settlement progressed rapidly. 

Sandusky County was formed April 1, 1820, from the old Indian Territory. 
The soil is fertile, and country generally level. It mainly produces corn, wheat. 



140 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

oats, potatoes and pork. The Indians were especially delighted with this tract. 
Near Lower Sandusky lived a band of Wyandots, called the Neutral Nation. 
These two cities never failed to render refuge to any who sought their protec- 
tion. They preserved their peacemaking attributes through the Iroquois 
conflicts. Fremont, formerly called Lower Sandusky, the county seat, is 
situated at the head of navigation, on the Sandusky, on the site of the old 
reservation grant to the Indians, at the Greenville treaty council. Fort 
Stephenson was erected in August, 1813, and was gallantly defended by Col. 
Croghan. 

Summit County was formed March 3, 1840, from Medina, Portage and 
Stark. The soil is fertile and produces excellent fruit, besides large crops of 
corn, wheat, hay, oats and potatoes. Cheese and butter may be added as 
products. 

The first settlement made in the county was at Hudson, in 1800. The old 
Indian portage-path, extending through this county, between the Cuyahoga, and 
Tuscarawas Branch of the Muskingum. This was a part of the ancient boundary 
between the Six Nations and the Western Indians. Akron, the county seat, is 
situated on the portage summit. It was laid out in 1825. In 1811, Paul 
Williams and Amos and Minor Spicer settled in this vicinity. Middlebury w;is 
laid out in 1818, by Norton k Hart. 

Stark County was formed February 13, 1808. It is a rich agricultural 
county. It has large quantities of mineral coal, iron ore, flocks of the finest 
sheep and great water-power. Limestone and extensive beds of lime-marl exist. 
The manufacture of silk has been extensively carried on. Frederick Post, the 
first Moravian missionary in Ohio, settled here in 1761. 

Canton is the county seat, situated in the forks of the Nimishillen, a tribu- 
tary of the Muskingum. It was laid out in 1800, by Bezaleel Wells, who 
owned the land. Massillon was laid out in March, 1826, by John Duncan. 

Shelby County was formed in 1819, from Miami. The southern portion is 
undulating, arising in some places to hills. Through the north, it is a flat table- 
land. It produces wheat, corn, oats and grass. The first point of English set- 
tlement in Ohio was at the mouth of Laramie's Creek, in this county, as early 
as 1752. Fort Laramie was built in 1794, by AVayne. The first white family 
that settled in this county was that of James Thatcher, in 1804. Sidney, the 
county seat, was laid out in 1819, on the farm of Charles Starrett. 

Seneca County was formed April 1, 1820, from the old Indian territory. 
Its principal products are corn, wheat, grass, oats, potatoes and pork. 

Fort Seneca was built during the war of 1812. The Senecas owned 
40,000 acres of land on the Sandusky River, mostly in Seneca County. 
Thirty thousand acres of this land was granted to them in 1817, at the treaty 
held at the foot of the Maumee Rapids. The remaining 10,000 was granted 
the following j'ear. These Indians ceded this tract, however, to the Govern- 
ment in 1831. It was a.sserted by an old chief, that this band was the rouinant 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 141 

of Logan's tribe. Tiffin, the county seat, was laid out by Josiah Hedges in 
the year 1821. 

Scioto County was formed May 1, 1803. It is a good agricultural section, 
besides producing iron ore, coal and freestone. It is said that a French fort 
stood at the mouth of the old Scioto, as early as 1740. In 1785, four families 
settled where Portsmouth now stands. Thomas McDonald built the first cabin in 
the county. The "■French grant" was located in this section — a tract com- 
prising 24,000 acres. The grant was made in March, 1795. Portsmouth, the 
county seat, is located upon the Ohio. 

Trumbull County was formed in 1800. The original Connecticut Western 
Eeserve was within its limits. The county is well cultivated and very wealthy. 
Coal is found in its northern portion. We have, in our previous outline, given 
a history of this section, and it is not, therefore, necessary to repeat its details. 
W.-irren, the county seat, is situated on the Mahoning River. It was laid out 
bv Ephraim Quinby in 1801. Mr. Quinby owned the soil. His cabin was built 
here in 1799. In August, 1800, while Mr. McMahon was away from home, 
a party of drunken Indians called at the house, abused the family, struck a 
child a severe blow with a tomahawk and threatened to kill the family. Mrs. 
McMahon could not send tidings which could reach her husband before noon 
the following day. The following Sunday morning, fourteen men and two 
boys armed themselves and went to the Indian camp to settle the difficulty. 
Quinby advanced alone, leaving the remainder in concealment, as he was better 
acquainted with these people, to make inquiries and ascertain their intentions. 
He did not return at once, and the party set out, marched into camp, and found 
Quinby arguing with Capt. George, the chief. Capt. George snatched his 
tomahawk and declared war, rushing forward to kill McMahon. But a bullet 
from the frontierman's gun killed him instantly, while Storey shot " Spotted 
John" at the same time. The Indians then fled. They joined the council at 
Sandusky. Quinby garrisoned his house. Fourteen days thereafter, the 
Indians returned with overtures of peace, which were, that McMahon and 
Storey be taken to Sandusky, tried by Indian laws, and if found guilty, pun- 
ished by them. This could not be done. McMahon was tried by Gen. St. 
Clair, and the matter was settled. The first missionary on the Reserve was the 
Rev. Joseph Badger. 

Tuscarawas County was formed February 15, 1808, from Muskingum. It 
is well cultivated with abundant supplies of coal and iron. 

The first white settlers were Moravian missionaries, their first visits dating 
back to 17G1. The first permanent settlement was made in 1798. Miss Mary 
Heckeweldcr, the daughter of a missionary, was born in this county April 16, 
1781. Fort Laurens was built during the Revolution. It was the scene of a 
fearful carnage. It was established in the fall of 1778, and placed under the 
command of Gen. Mcintosh. New Philadelphia is the county seat, situated on 
the Tuscarawas. It was laid out in 1804 by John Knisely. A German 



142 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

colony settled in this county in 1817, driven from their native land by religious, 
dictation they could not espouse. They called themselves Separatists. They 
are a simple-minded people, strictly moral and honest. 

Union County was formed from Franklin, Delaware, Logan and Madison in 
1820. It produces corn, grass, wheat, oats, potatoes, butter and cheese. 
Extensive limestone quarries are also valuable. The Ewing brothers made the 
first white settlement in 1798. Col. James Curry, a member of the State Leg- 
islature, was the chief instigator in the progress of this section. He located 
within its limits and remained until his death, which occurred in 1834. Marys- 
ville is the county seat. 

Van Wert County was formed from the old Indian territory April 1, 1820. 
A great deal of timber is within the limits of this county, but the soil is so 
tenacious that water will not sink through it, and crops are poor during wet 
seasons. The main product is corn. Van Wert, the county seat, was founded 
by James W. Riley in 1837. An Indian town had formerly occupied its site. 
Capt. Riley was the first white man who settled in the county, arriving in 1821. 
He founded Willshire in 1822. 

Vinton County was organized in ] 850. It is drained by Raccoon and Salt 
Creeks. The surface is undulating or hilly, and is extensively covered with 
■forests in which the oak, buckeye and sugar maple are found. Corn, hay, but- 
ter and wool are staple products. Bituminous coal and iron ore are found. 
McArthur is the county seat. 

Washington County was formed by proclamation of Gov. St. Clair July 27, 
1788, and was the first county founded within the limits of Ohio. The surface 
is broken with extensive tracts of level, fertile land. It was the first county 
settled in the State under the auspices of the Ohio Company. A detachment 
of United States troops, under command of Maj. John Doughty, built Fort 
Harmar in 1785, and it was the first military post established in Ohio by 
Americans, with the exception of Fort Laurens, which was erected in 1778. 
It was occupied by LTnited States troops until 1790, when they were ordered 
to Connecticut. A company under Capt. Haskell remained. In 1785, the 
Directors of the Ohio Company began practical operations, and settlement 
went forward rapidly. Campus Martins, a stockade fort, was completed in 
1791. This formed a sturdy stronghold during the war. During the Indian 
war there was much suffering in the county. Many settlers were killed and 
captured. 

Marietta is the county seat, and the oldest town in Ohio. Marietta College 
was chartered in 1835. Herman Blannerhassett, whose unfortunate association 
with Aaron Burr proved -fatal to himself, was a resident of ISIarietta in 1796. 
About the year 1798, he began to beautify and improve his island. 

Warren County was formed May 1, 1803, from Hamilton. The soil is 
very fertile, and considerable water-power is furnished by its streams. Mr. 
Bedell made the first settlement in 1795. Lebanon is the county seat. Henry 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. US 

Taylor settled in this yicinity in 1796. Union Village is a settlement of 
Shakers. They came here about 1805. 

Wayne County was proclaimed by Gov. St. Clair August 15, 1796, and 
was the third county in the Northwest Territory. The settlement of this sec- 
tion has already been briefly delineated. Wooster is the county seat. It was 
laid out during the fall of 1808, by John Beaver, William Henry and Joseph 
H. Larwell, owners of the land. Its site is 337 feet above Lake Erie. The 
first mill was built by Joseph Stibbs, in 1809, on Apple Creek. In 1812, a 
block-house was erected in Wooster. 

Wood County was formed from the old Indian territory in 1820. The soil 
is rich, and large crops are produced. The county is situated within the Mau- 
mee Valley. It was the arena of brilliant military exploits during early times. 
Bowling Green is the county seat. 

Williams County was formed April 1, 1820, from the old Indian territory. 
Bryan is the county seat. It was laid out in 1840. 

Wyandot County was formed February 3, 1845, from Marion, Hardin, Han- 
cock and Crawford. The surface is level, and the soil exceedingly fertile. 
The Wyandot Indians occupied this section, especially the reservation, from 
time immemorial until 1843. The treaty of 181T, by Hon. Lewis Cass and 
Hon. Duncan McArthur, United States Commissioners, granted to the Indians 
a reservation twelve miles square, the central point being Fort Ferree, now 
within the corporate limits of Upper Sandusky. The Delaware Reserve waa 
ceded to the United States in 1829. The Wyandots ceded theirs Mai'ch 17, 
1842. Col. John Johnston, the United States Commissioner, conducted the 
negotiations, and thus made the Indian treaty in Ohio. It was the scene of 
Col. Crawford's defeat and tragic death, June 11, 1782. The Wyandots were 
exceedingly brave, and several of their chiefs were distinguished orators and 
men of exalted moral principles. 

Upper Sandusky is the county seat, and was laid out in 1843. Gen. Har- 
rison had built Fort Ferree on this spot during the war of 1812. Gov. Meigs, 
in 1813, encamped on this river with several thousand of the Ohio militia. 

The Indian village of Crane Town was originally called Upper Sandusky. 
The Indians, after the death of Tarhe, or " the Crane," transferred their town 
to Upper Sandusky. 

GOVERNORS OF OmO. 

The Territorial Governors we have already mentioned in the course of our 
brief review of the prominent events of the State of Ohio. After the Terri- 
tory was admitted as a State, in 1802, Edward Tiffin was elected to that posi- 
tion, and again received the same honor in 1804 and 1806. In 1807, circum- 
stances led him to resign, and Thomas Kirker, Speaker of the Senate, acted as 
Governor until the close of the term. 

Edward Tiffin was bom in Carlisle, England, coming to this country in 
1784, at the age of eighteen. He entered the University of Pennsylvania, and 
applied himself to the study of medicine, graduating and beginning his practice 
at the age of twenty, in the State of Virginia. In 1789, he married Mary, 



144 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

daughter of Col. Worthington, and sister of Thomas Worthington, who subse- 
ijuently became Governor of Ohio. In his profession, Gov. Tiffin was highly 
esteemed, and his public labors were carried forward with a zealous earnestness 
■which marked his career as one of usefulness. He settled in Chillicothe, Ohio, 
in 1796, where he died, in 1829. 

Samuel Huntington, the recipient of the honor of third Governor, was 
inaugurated in 1808. He was an American by birth, Norwich, Conn.^ 
being his native place. He was a diligent student in Yale College, graduating 
in 178.5. He removed to -Cleveland, Ohio, in 1801. He attained a reputation 
for integrity, ability and rare discretion. As a scholar, he was eminently supe- 
rior. He resided in Cleveland at the time of his death, in 1817. 

Return Jonathan Meigs followed Gov. Huntington. He was born in Mid- 
dletown, Conn., in 1765. He was also a student in Yale College, graduating 
in 1785, with the highest honors. He immediately entered the study of law, 
and was admitted to practice in his twenty-third year. He married Miss Sophia 
Wright, and settled in Marietta, Ohio, in 1788. He took his seat as Gover- 
nor in 1810, and was re-elected in 1812. In 181-3, President Madison appointed 
him to the position of Postmaster General, which occasioned his resignation as 
Governor. Othniel Looker, Speaker of the Senate, acted as Governor during 
the remainder of the term. Mr. Meigs died in 1825, leaving as a memento of 
his usefulness, a revered memory. 

Thomas Worthington, the sixth Governor, was born in Jefferson County, 
Va., in 1769. He gained an education in William and Mary's College. 
In 1788, he located at Chillicothe, and was the first Senator from the new 
State. He was also the first man to erect the first saw-mill in Ohio. He 
served two terms as Senator, from 1803 to 1815, resigning in 1814, to take his 
])osition as Governor. In 1816, he was re-elected. He was exceedingly active 
in paving the way for the future prosperity of Ohio. His measures were famous 
for practical worth and honesty. Chief JiJstice Chase designated him as '' a 
gentleman of distinguished ability and great influence." He died in 1827. 

Ethan Allen Brown followed Mr. Worthington. His birthplace was on the 
shore of Long Island Sound, in Fairfield County, Conn., July 4, 1766. His 
education was derived under the most judicious instruction of a private tutor. 
In classics, he became proficient. Directly he had reached the required stand- 
ard in general education, he began the study of law, at home. After becoming 
conversant with preliminary requirements, he entered the law office of Ale.x- 
ander Hamilton, who at that time was a national pride, as a scholar, lawyer and 
statesman. Opportunities coming in his way, which promised a fortune, he 
abandoned the law, and achieved success and a fortune. He then decided to 
return to his study, and was admitted to practice in 1802. Thereafter, he was 
seized with an exploring enthusiasm, and with his cousin as a companion, set 
out upon a horseback tour, following the Indian trails from east to west, through 
Pennsylvania, until they readied Brownsville, on the Monongahela River. Here 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 145 

they purchased two flatboats, and fully stocking them with provisions and 
obtaining efficient crews, started for New Orleans. Reaching that city, they 
found they could not dispose of their cargoes to any advantage, and shipped the 
flour to Liverpool, England, taking passage in the same vessel. They succeeded 
in obtaining good prices for their stock, and set sail for America, arriving in Bal- 
timore nine months after first leaving " home," on this adventure. Mr. Brown's 
father decided to secure a large and valuable tract of Western land, as a per- 
manent home, and authorized his son to select and purchase the same for him. 
He found what he desired, near Rising Sun, Ind. After this, he settled in 
Cincinnati, and engaged in the practice of law, speedily achieving prominency 
and distinction. Financially, he was most fortunate. In 1810, he was elected 
Judge of the Supreme Court, which position he filled with honor, until he was 
chosen Governor, in 1818. He was re-electod in 1820. In 1821, he receiveil 
the honor of Senator, and served one term. Allen Trimble, Speaker of the 
Senate, acted as Governor the remainder of the term. In 1830 he was 
appointed Minister to Brazil. He remained there four years, and returning^ 
was appointed Commissioner of Public Lands, by President Jackson, holding 
this position two years. At this time, he decided to retire from public life. 
Since he never married, he was much with his relatives, at Rising Sun, Ind., 
during the latter part of liis life. His death was sudden and unexpected, occur- 
ring in February, 1852, while attending a Democratic Convention, at Indianap- 
olis, Ind. He was interred near his father, at Rising Sun. 

Jeremiah Morrow, the ninth Governor of Ohio, was born at Gettysburg, 
Penn., in October, 1771. His people were of the " Scotch-Irish " class, and iiis 
early life was one of manual labor upon his father's farm. During the winter, 
he had the privilege of a private school. With a view of establishing himself 
and securing a competency, he bade the old home farewell, in 1795, and set out 
for the " Far West." A flatboat carried him to a little cluster of cabins, known 
by the name of Columbia, six miles from Fort Washington — Cincinnati. He 
devoted himself to whatever came in his way, that seemed best and most worthy 
— teaching school, surveying and working on farms between times. Having 
accumulated a small capital, he ascended the Little Miami, as far as Warren 
County, and there purchased an extensive farm, and erected an excellent log 
house. In the spring of 1799, he married Miss Mary Packtrell, of Columbia. 
The young couple set out upon pioneer farming. Gaining popularity as well as 
a desirable property, he was deputized to the Territorial Legislature, which met 
at Chillicothe, at which time measures were inaugurated to call a Constitutional 
Convention, during the following year, to organize the State of Ohio. Mr. 
Morrow was one of the Delegates to this convention, and steadfastly worked in the 
interests of those who sent him, until its close in 1802. The following year, 
he was elected to the Senate of Ohio, and in June of the same year, he was 
appointed the first Representative to the United States Congress from the new 
State. 



146 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

Ohio was then entitled to but one Representative in Congress, and could not 
add to that number for ten years thereafter. During these years, Mr. Morrow 
represented the State. In 1813, he was sent to the United States Senate, and 
in 1822, was elected Governor of Ohio, almost unanimously, being re-elected in 
1824. It was during his administration that work was begun on the Ohio 
Canal. Mr. Morrow received the national guest. La Fayette, with an earnest 
and touching emotion, which affected the emotions of the generous Frenchman 
more profoundly than any of the elaborate receptions which paved his way 
through America. On the 4th of July, 1839, Gov. Morrow was appointed to 
lay the corner stone of the new State capitol, at Columbus, and to deliver the 
address on this occasion. Again, in 1840, he was in the House of Representa- 
tives, filling the yacancy caused by the resignation of Hon. Thomas Corwin. 
He was elected for the following term also. He died at his own homestead, in 
Warren County, March 22, 1853. 

Allen Trimble was a native of Augusta County, Va. The date of his birth 
was November 24, 1783. His ancestors were of Scotch-Irish origin, and were 
among the early settlers of Virginia. His father moved to Ohio in 1804, pur- 
chasing a tract of land in Highland County. His cabin was remarkably spa- 
cious, and elicited the admiration of his neighbors. He cleared six acres of 
land for an orchard, and brought the trees on horseback, from Kentucky. Be- 
fore this new home was completed, Allen, then a young man of twenty, took 
possession. This was in the year 1805. Four years thereafter, he occupied 
the position of Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and Recorder of High- 
land County. He was serving in the latter capacity at the breaking out of the 
war of 1812. Naturally enthusiastic and patriotic, he engaged a competent 
person to perform his civil duties, while he went into active service as Colonel 
of a regiment he had summoned and enlisted. He was always eager to be in 
the front, and led his men with such valor that they were termed soldiers who 
did not know the art of flinching. His commanding General lavished praises 
upon him. In 1816, he was in the State Senate, representing Highland 
County. He occupied the same position for four terms, two years each. In 
1818, he was Speaker of the Senate, over Gen. Robert Lucas. He remained 
in this office until elected to the United States Senate, to fill the vacancy caused 
by the death of his brother. Col. William A. Trimble. When Governor Brown 
resigned to accept the office of United States Senator in 1822, he succeeded to 
the office, acting as Governor the remainder of the term. In October, 1826, 
he was elected Governor of Ohio, by an astonishing majority. The united vote 
of his three competitors was but one-sixth of the vote polled. Gov. Trimble 
was an earnest Henry Clay Whig. In 1828 he was re-elected. Gov. Trimble 
was married in 1806 to Miss Margaret McDowell. Three years thereafter 
she died, leaving two children. He was united in marriage to Miss Rachel 
Woodrow, and they lived together sixty years, when he died, at home, in Hills- 
boro, Highland County, Feb. 3, 1870. His wife survived him but a few months. 



HISTOKY OK THE STATE OF OHIO. 147 

Duncan Mc Arthur, the tenth Governor of Ohio, was born in Dutchess 
County, N. Y., in 1772. Wiiile yet a child, his parents removed to the west- 
cm part of Pennsylvania, where they entered upon the hard life of pioneers. 
AVliile there, young Duncan had the meager advantages of a backwoods school. 
Mis life was a general routine until his eighteenth year, when he enlisted under 
Gen. Harmer for the Indian campaign. His conduct and bravery won worthy 
laurels, and upon the death of the commander of his company, he was elected 
to that position, although the youngest man in the company. When his days 
of service had expired, he found employment at salt-making in Maysville, Ky., 
until he was engaged as chain-bearer in Gen. Massie's survey of the Scioto 
Valley. At this time, Indian atrocities alarmed the settlers occasionally, and 
his reputation for bravery caused him to be appointed one of the three patrols 
of the Kentucky side of the Ohio, to give the alarm to scattered cabins in case 
of danger. This was during the summer of 179-3. Gen. Massie again secured 
his services, this time as assistant surveyor. He was thus engaged for several 
years, during which time he assisted in platting Chillicothe. He purchased a 
large tract of land just north of town, and under his vigorous and practical 
management, it became one of the finest estates of Ohio, which reputation it 
sustains at the present time. He amassed wealth rapidly, his investments 
always being judicious. In 1805, he was elected to the State Legislature. 
He was a Colonel of an Ohio regiment, and accompanied Gen. Hull to Detroit 
in 1813. At Hull's surrender he was a prisoner, but released on parole, 
returned to Ohio in a state of indignation over his commander's stupidity. 
Soon thereafter he was sent to Congress on the Democratic ticket. Soon there- 
after he was released from parole by exchange, and, greatly rejoiced, he 
resigned his seat, entered the army as a Brigadier General under Gen. Harri- 
son, and the following year succeeded him as commander of the Northwestern 
forces. At the termination of the war, he was immediately returned to the 
State Legislature. He occupied State oflBces until 1822, when he was again 
sent to Congress. Serving one term, he declined re-election. In 1830, he 
was elected Governor of Ohio. When his term expired, he decided to enjoy 
life as a citizen on his farm, " Fruit Hill," and lived there in contentment until 
1840, when he died. 

Robert Lucas was another Virginian, having been born in 1781, in Jeffer- 
son County of that State. While a boy, his father liberated his slaves, moving 
to Chillicothe as one of the early settlers. He procured a proficient tutor for 
his children. Robert became an expert in mathematics and surveying. Before 
he reached his majority, he was employed as surveyor, earning liberal compen- 
sation. At the age of twenty-three, he was appointed Surveyor of Scioto 
County. At twenty-five, he was Justice of the Peace for Union Township, 
Scioto County. He married Mi.'^s Elizabeth Brown in 1810, who dfed two 
years thereafter, leaving a young daughter. In 1816, he married Miss Sum- 
ner, The same year he was elected a member of the Ohio Legislature. For 



148 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

nineteen consecutive years he served in the House or Senate. In 1820 and 
1828, he was chosen one of the Presidential electors of Ohio. In 1832, 
he was Chainnan of the National Convention at Baltimore, which nom- 
inated Gen. Jackson as President of the United States. In 1832, he 
became Governor of Ohio, and was re-elected in 1834. He declined a third 
nomination, and was appointed by President Van Buren Territorial Governor 
of Iowa and Superintendent of Indian Affairs. On the 16th of August, 
1838, he reached Burlington, the seat of government. He remained in Iowa 
until his death, in 1853. 

Joseph Vance, the twelfth Governor of Ohio, was bom in Washington 
County, Penn., March 21, 1781. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and his 
father emigrated to the new Territory when Joseph was two years of age. He 
located on the southern bank of the Ohio, building a solid block house. This 
formed a stronghold for his neighbors in case of danger. In 1801, this pioneer 
decided to remove north of the Ohio River, and eventually settled in Urbana. 
Joseph had the primitive advantages of the common schools, and became pro- 
ficient in handling those useful implements — the plow, ax and rifle. The first 
money he earned he invested in a yoke of oxen. He obtained several barrels 
of salt, and set out on a speculative tour through the settlements. He traveled 
through a wilderness, over swamps, and surmounted serious difficulties. At 
night he built a huge fire to terrify the wolves and panthers, and laid down to 
sleep beside his oxen, frequently being obliged to stand guard to protect 
them from these ferocious creatures. Occasionally he found a stream so swol- 
len that necessarily he waited hours and even days in the tangled forest, before 
he could cross. He often suffered from hunger, yet he sturdily persevered and 
sold his salt, though a lad of only fifteen years. When he attained his major- 
ity, he married Miss Mary Lemen, of Urbana. At twenty-three, he was 
elected Captain of a rifle company, and frequently led his men to the front to 
fight the Indians prior to the war of 1812. During that year, he and his 
brother piloted Hull's army through the dense forests to Fort Meigs. In 1817, 
with Samuel McCullough and Henry Van Meter, he made a contract to supply 
the Northwestern army with provisions. They drove their cattle and hogs 
many miles, dead weight being transported on sleds and in wagons. He 
engaged in mercantile business at Urbana and Fort Meigs — now Perrysburg. 

While thus employed, he was elected to the Legislature, and there remained 
four years. He then purchased a large tract of land on Blanchard's Fork, 
and laid out the town of FincUay. He was sent to Congress in 1821, and was 
a member of that body for fifteen years. In 1836, he was chosen Governor of 
Ohio. Again he was sent to Congress in 1842. While attending the Consti- 
tutional Convention in 1850, he was stricken with paralysis, and suffere<l 
extrenlely until 1852, when he died at his home in Urbana. 

Wilson Shannon was a native of Belmont County, Ohio. He was bom 
during 1803. At the age of fifteen, he was sent to the university at Athens, 




-t^?z.^^ /yi 




se/? 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. IT)! 

where he remained a year, and then changed to the Transylvania University, 
at Lexington, Ky. He continued his studies two years, then returning homo 
and entering upon reading law. He completed his course at St. Clairsville, 
Belmont County, and was admitted to practice. He was engaged in the courts 
of the county for eight years. In 1832, the Democrats nominated him to Con- 
gress, hut he was not elected. He received the position of Prosecuting Attor- 
ney in 1834, in which position his abilities were so marked that in 1838 he was 
elected Governor by a majority of 3,6U0. He was re-nominated in 1840, but 
Tom Corwin won the ticket. Two years thereafter he was again nominated and 
elected. In 1843 he was appointed Minister to Mexico, Thomas W. Bartley, 
Speaker of the Senate, acting as Governor the remainder of the term. When 
Texas was admitted as a State, Mexico renounced all diplomatic relations with the 
United States. Mr. Shannon returned horn and resumed the practice of law. He 
■was sent to Congress in 1852. President Pierce conferred upon him the posi- 
tion of Territorial Governor of Kansas, which duty he did not perform satis- 
factorily, and was superseded after fourteen months of service. He settled in 
Lecompton, Kan., and there practiced law until his death, which occurred in 
1877. 

Thomas Corwin, the fourteenth Governor of Ohio, was born in Bourbon 
County, Ky., July 29, 1794. His father settled at Lebanon in 1708. The 
country was crude, and advantages meager. When Thomas was seventeen 
years of age, the war of 1812 was inaugurated, and this young man was 
engaged to di'ive a wagon through the wilderness, loaded with provisions, to 
Gen. Harrison's headquarters. In 1816, he began the study of law, and 
achieved knowledge so rapidly that in 1817 he passed examination and was 
admitted to practice. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney of his county, in 
1818, which position he held until 1830. He was elected to the Legislature of 
Ohio in 1822. Again, in 1829, he was a member of the same body. He was 
sent to Congress in 1830, and continued to be re-elected for the space of ten 
years. He became Governor of Ohio in 1840. In 1845, he was elected to 
the United States Senate, where he remained until called to the cabinet of Mr. 
Fillmore, as Secretary of the Treasury. He was again sent to Congress in 
1858, and re-elected in 1860. He was appointed Minister to Mexico, by Pres- 
ident Lincoln. After his return, he practiced law in Washington, D. C, 
where he died in 1860. 

Mordecai Bartley was born in 1783, in Fayette County, Penn. There he 
remained, on his father's farm, until he was twenty-one years of age. He mar- 
ried Miss Wells in 1804, and removed to Jefferson County, Ohio, where he 
purchased a farm, near Cross Creek. At the opening of the war of 1812, he 
enlisted in a company, and was elected its Captain. He entered the field under 
Harrison. At the close of the war, he removed to Richland County, and opened 
a clearing and set up a cabin, a short distance from Mansfield. He remained 
on his farm twenty years, then removing to Mansfield, entered the mercantile 

9 



152 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. , 

business. In 1817, he was elected to the State Senate. He was sent to Con- 
gress in 1823, and served four terms. In 1844, he became Governor of Ohio, 
on the Whig ticket. He declined a re-nomination, preferring to retire to his 
home in Mansfield, where he died in 1870. 

William Bebb, the seventeenth Governor, was from Hamilton County, Ohio. 
He was born in 1804. His early instructions were limited, but thorough. He 
opened a school himself, when he was twenty years of age, at North Bend, 
residinof in the house of Gen. Harrison. He remained thus employed a year, 
during which time he married Shuck. He very soon began the study of law, 
continuing his school. He was successful in his undertakings, and many pupils 
were sent him from the best families in Cincinnati. In 1831, he was admitted 
to practice, and opened an office in Hamilton, Butler County, remaining thus 
engaged for fourteen years. In 1845, he was elected Governor of Ohio. In 
1847, he purchased 5,000 acres of land in the Rock Eiver country, 111., and 
removed there three years later. On the inauguration of President Lincoln, he 
was appointed Pension Examiner, at Washington, and remained in that position 
until 1866, when he returned to his Illinois farm. He died at Rockford, HI., 
in 1873. 

Seabury Ford, the eighteenth Governor of Ohio, was born in the year 1802, 
at Cheshire, Conn. His parents settled in Burton Township. He attended 
the common schools, prepared for college at an academy in Burton, and entered 
Yale College, in 1821, graduating in 1825. He then began the study of law, 
in the law office of Samuel W. Phelps, of Painesville, completing his course 
with Judge Hitchcock. He began practice in 1827, in Burton. He married 
Miss Harriet E. Cook, of Burton, in 1828. He was elected by the Wliigs to 
the Legislature, in 1835, and served six sessions, during one of which he was 
Speaker of the House. He entered the State Senate in 1841, and there , 
remained until 1844, when he was again elected Representative. In 1846, he 
was appointed to the Senate, and in 1848, he became Governor of Ohio. On 
the first Sunday after his retirement, he was stricken with paralysis, from which 
he never recovered. He died at his home in Burton in 1855. 

Reuben Wood, the nineteenth Governor, was a Vermonter. Born in 1792, 
in Middleton, Rutland County, he was a sturdy son of the Green Mountain 
State. He was a thorough scholar, and obtained a classical education in L'pper 
Canada. In 1812, he was drafted by the Canadian authorities to serve against 
the Americans, but being determined not to oppose his own land, he escaped 
one stormy night, accompanied by Bill Johnson, who was afterward an Ameri- 
can spy. In a birchbark canoe they attempted to cross Lake Ontario. A 
heavy storm of Wind and rain set in. The night was intensely dark, and they 
were in great danger. They fortunately found refuge on a small island, where 
they were storm-bound three days, suffering from hunger and exposure. They 
reached Sacket's Harbor at last, in a deplorable condition. Here they were 
arrested as spies by the patrol boats of the American fleet. They were prisoners 



mSTOUV OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 153 

four days, when an uncle of Mr. Wood's, residing not far distant, came to 
their rescue, vouched for their loyalty, and they were released. Mr. Wood 
tiicn went to Woodville, N. Y., where he raised a company, of which he was 
elected Captain. They marched to the northern frontier. The battles of 
Plattsburg and Lake Champlain were fought, the enemy defeated, and the com- 
pany returned to Woodville and was disbanded. 

Young Wood then entered the law office of Gen. Jonas Clark, at Middle- 
bury, Vt. He was married in 1816, and two years later, settled in Cleveland, 
Ohio. AVhen he first established himself in the village, he possessed his wife, 
infant daughter and a silver quarter of a dollar. He was elected to the State 
Senate in 182"), and filled the office three consecutive terms. He was appointed 
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He was promoted to the Bench of the 
Supreme Court, serving there fourteen years, the latter portion of the term as 
Chief Justice. He was termed the " Cayuga Chief, " from his tall form and 
courtly bearing. He was elected Governor in 1850, by a majority of 11,000. 
The new constitution, which went into effect in March, 1851, vacated the office 
of Governor, and he was re-elected by a majority of 26,000. The Democrats 
holding a national convention in Baltimore in 1852, party division caused fifty 
unavailing votes. The Virginia delegation offered the entire vote to Gov. 
Wood, if Ohio would bring him forward. The opposition of one man pre- 
vented this. The offer was accepted by New Hampshire, and Frank Pierce 
became President. Mr. Wood was appointed Consul to Valparaiso, South 
America, and resigned his office of Governor. He resigned his consulship and 
returned to his fine farm near Cleveland, called "Evergreen Place." He 
expected to address a Union meeting on the 5th of October, 1864, but on the 
1st he died, mourned by all who knew him. 

William Medill, the twentieth Governor, was born in New Castle County, 
Del., in 1801. He was a graduate of Delaware College in 1825. He began 
the study of law under Judge Black, of New Castle, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1832. He removed to Lancaster, Ohio, in 1830. He was elected Rep- 
resentative from Fairfield County in 1835. He was elected to Congress in 
1838, and was re-elected in 1840. He was appointed Assistant Postmaster 
General by President Polk. During the same year, he was appointed Com- 
mi.ssioner of Indian Affairs. In 1851, he was elected Lieutenant Governor, and, 
in 1853, he became Governor. He occupied the position of First Comptroller 
of the United States Treasury in 1857, under President Buchanan, retaining the 
office until 1861, when he retired from public life. His death occurred in 
186.-,. 

Salmon P. Chase was a native of Cornish, N. H. He was born in 1803. 
He entered Dartmouth College in 1822, graduating in 1826. He was there- 
after successful in establishing a classical school in Washington, but finan- 
cially it did not succeed. He continued to teach the sons of Henry Clay, 
William Wirt and S. L. Southard, at the same time reading law when not busy 



154 HISTOUY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

as tutor. He was admitted to practice in 1829, and opened a law ofiSce in Cin- 
cinnati. He succeeded but moderately, and during his leisure hours prepared 
a new edition of the "Statutes of Ohio." He added annotations and a well- 
written sketch of the early history of the State. This was a thorough success, 
and gave the earnest worker popularity and a stepping-stone for the future. 
He was solicitor for the banks of the United States in 1834, and soon there- 
after, for the city banks. He achieved considerable distinction in 1837, in the 
case of a colored woman brought into the. State by her master, and escapirij;- 
his possession. He was thus brought out as an Abolitionist, which was further 
sustained by his defense of James G. Birney, who had suffered indictment for 
harboring a fugitive slave. In 1846, associated with William H. Seward, he 
defended Van Zandt before the Supreme Court of the United States. His 
thrilling denunciations and startling conjectures alarmed the slaveholding 
States, and subsequently led to the enactment of the fugitive-slave law of 1850. 
Mr. Chase was a member of the United States Senate in 1849, through the 
coalition of the Democrats and Free-Soilers. In 1855, he was elected Gover- 
nor of Ohio by the opponents of Pierce's administration. He was re-elected 
in 1859. President Lincoln, in 1861, tendered him the position of Secretary 
of the Treasury. To his ability and official management we are indebted for 
the present national bank system. In 1864, he was appointed Chief Justice of 
the United States.' He died in the city of New York in 1873, after a useful 
career. 

William Dennison was born in Cincinnati in 1815. He gained an educa- 
tion at Miami University, graduating in 1835. He began the study of law in 
the office of the father of George H. Pendleton, and was qualified and admitted 
to the bar in 1840. The same year, he married a daughter of William Neil, 
of Columbus. The Whigs of the Franklin and Delaware District sent him to 
the State Senate, in 1848. He was President of the Exchange Bank in Cin- 
cinnati, in 1852, and was also President of Columbus «fe Xenia Railway. He was 
elected the twenty-second Governor of Ohio in 1859. By his promptness and 
activity at the beginning of the rebellion, Ohio was placed in the front rank of 
loyalty. At the beginning of Lincoln's second term, he was appointed Post- 
master General, retiring upon the accession of Johnson. He then made his 
home at Columbus. 

David Tod, twenty-third Governor of Ohio, was born at Youngstown, Ohio, 
in 1805. His education was principally obtained through his own exertions. 
He set about the study of law most vigorously, and was admitted to practice in 
1827. He soon acquired popularity through his ability, and consequently was 
financially successful. He purchased the Briar Hill homestead. Under Jack- 
son's administration, he was Postmaster at Warren, and held the position until 
1838, when he was elected State Senator by the Whigs of Trumbull District, by 
the Democrats. In 1844, he retired to Briar Hill, and opened the Briar Hill 
Coal Mines. He was a pioneer in the coal business of Ohio. In the Cleveland 



HISTORV OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 155 

k Mahoning Railroad, he was largely interested, and was its President, after the 
death of Mr. Perkins. He was nominated, in 1844, for Governor, by the Dem- 
ocrats, but was defeated. In 1847, he went to Brazil as Minister, where he 
resided for four and a half years. The Emperor presented him with a special 
commendation to the President, as a testimonial of his esteem. He was also the 
recipient of an elegant silver tray, as a memorial from the resident citizens of 
Rio Janeiro. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, which 
met at CharlesJton in 1860. He was Vice President of this Convention. He 
was an earnest advocate for Stephen A. Douglas. When the Southern members 
withdrew, the President, Caleb Gushing, going with them, the convention 
adjourned to Baltimore, when Mr. Tod assumed the chair and Douglas was nom- 
inated. He was an earnest worker in the cause, but not disheartened by its 
defeat. AVlien Fort Sumter was fired upon, he was one of the most vigorous 
prosecutors of the war, not relaxing his active earnestness until its close. He 
donated full uniforms to Company B, of the Nineteenth Regiment, and contrib- 
uted largely to the war fund of his township. Fifty-five thousand majority 
elected him Governor in 1861. His term was burdened with war duties, 
and he carried them so bravely as Governor that the President said of him : 
" Governor Tod of Ohio aids me more and troubles me less than any other Gov- 
ernor." His death occui-red at Briar Hill during the year 1868. 

John Brough was a native of Marietta, Ohio. He was born in 1811. The death 
of his ftuher left him in precarious circumstances, which may have been a discipline 
for future usefulness. He entered a printing office, afe the age of fourteen, in 
Marietta, and after serving a few months, began his studies in the Ohio Uni- 
versity, setting type mornings and evenings, to earn sufficient for support. He 
occupied the leading position in classes, and at the same time excelled as a 
type-setter. He was also admired fur his athletic feats in field amusements. 
He completed his studies and began reading law, which pursuit was interrupted 
by an opportunity to edit a paper in Petersburg, Va. He returned to Marietta 
in l!^;ll, and became editor and proprietor of a leading Democratic newspaper 
— the Washington County Republican. He achieved distinction rapidly, 
and in 1833, sold his interest, for the purpose of entering a more extended field 
of journalism. He purchased the OJiio Eagle, at Lancaster, and as its editor, 
held a deep influence over local and State politics. He occupied the position 
of Clerk of the Ohio Senate, between tlie years 1835 and 1838, and relinquished his 
jiiiper. He then represented the counties of Fairfield and Hocking in the Leg- 
islature. He was then appointed Auditor of State by the General Assembly, 
in wiiich position he served six years. He then purchased the Phcenix news- 
paper in Cincinnati, changed its name to the Enquirer, placing it in the care 
of his brother, Charles, while he opened a law office in the city. His editorials 
ill the Enquirer, and his activity in political affairs, were brilliant and strong. 
He retired from politics in 1848, sold a half-interest in the Enquirer and carried 
on a prosperous business, but was brought forward again by leadera of both 



156 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

political parties in 1863, through the Vallandigham contest, and was elected 
Governor the same year, by a majority of 101,099 votes in a total of 471,643. 
He was three times married. His death occurred in 1865 — Charles Anderson 
serving out his term. 

Jacob Dolson Cox, the twenty-sixth Governor, was born in 1828, in Mon- 
treal, Canada, where his parents were temporarily. He became a student of 
Oberlin College, Ohio, in 1846, graduating in 1851, and beginning the practice 
of law in Wai-ren in 1852. He was a member of the State Senate in 1859, 
from the Trumbull and Mahoning Districts. He was termed a radical. He 
was a commissioned Brigadier General of Ohio in 1861, and, in 1862, was pro- 
moted to Major General for gallantry in battle. While in the service he wa.'i 
nominated for Governor, and took that position in 1865. He was a member of 
Grant's Cabinet as Secretary of the Interior, but resigned. He went to Con- 
gress in 1875, from the Toledo District. 

Rutherford B. Hayes, the nineteenth President of the United States, and 
the twenty-seventh Governor of Ohio, was born at Delaware, Ohio, in 1822. He 
was a graduate of Kenyon College in 1842. He began the study of law, and, 
in 1843, pursued that course in the Cambridge University, graduating in 1845. 
He began his practice at Fremont. He was married to Miss Lucy Webb in 
1852, in Cincinnati. He was Major of the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry in 1861, and in 1862, was promoted to Colonel on account of bravery 
in the field, and eventually became Major General. In 1864, he was elected to 
Congress, and retired from the service. He remained in Congress two terms, 
and was Governor of Ohio in 1867, being re-elected in 1869. He was again 
elected in 1875, but resigned in 1877, to accept the oflBce of President of the 
United States, Thomas L. Young acting as Governor the remander of the term. 

Edward F. Noyes was born in Haverhill, Mass., in 1832. While a lad of 
fourteen, he entered the ofBce of the Morning Star, published at Dover, N. H., 
in order to learn the business of printing. At the age of eighteen, he entered 
the academy at Kingston, N. H. He prepared for college, and entered 
Dartmouth in 1853, graduating with high honors in 1857. He had begun the 
study of law, and continued the course in the Cincinnati Law School, and began 
to practice in 1858. He was an enthusiast at the opening of the rebellion and 
was interested in raising the Twentieth Regiment, of which he was made Major. 
He was promoted to Colonel in 1862. At the conflict at Ruff's Mills, in 
Georgia, in 1864, he was so unfortunate as to lose a leg. At the time, amputa- 
tion was necessary, but was unskillfully performed. He was brought to Cincin- 
nati, and the operation was repeated, which nearly cost him his life. He reported 
three months later, to Gen. Hooker for duty, on crutches. He was assigned to 
command of Camp Dennison. He was promoted to the full rank of Brigadier 
General, and while in discharge of his iluty at that place, he was elected City 
Solicitor of Cincinnati. He occupied the position until 1871, when he was 
elected Governor, by a majority of 20,000. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 157 

William Allen, the twenty-ninth Governor of Ohio, was born in 1807, in 
Chowan County, N. C. While an infant, he was left an orphan, and his sister 
superintended his education. He was placed in a private school at Lynchburg, 
Va., at the age of fourteen. Two years later he joined his family at Cliilli- 
cothe, and attended the academy a year, when he entered the law oiBce of 
Edward King. Before he was twenty-five he was sent to Congress by a strong 
Whig district. He was elected United States Senator in 1837 and served 
until 1849. In 1845 he married Effie Mc Arthur, who died soon after the 
birth of their daughter. In 1873 he was elected Governor. His administra- 
tion gave general satisfaction. He died at his home at " Fruit Hill," in 1879. 

Richard M. Bishop, the thirty-first Governor of Ohio, was born November 
4, 1812, in Fleming County, Ky. For several years he devoted himself to 
mercantile business in his native State. In 1848 he engaged in the wholesale 
grocery business at Cincinnati, and subsequently admitted his three sons part- 
ners, under the firm name of R. M. Bishop & Sons. He was a member of the 
Council of Cincinnati, and in 1859 was its Mayor, holding that oflice until 1861. 
In 1877 he was nominated by the Democrats and elected Governor of Ohio. 

Charles Foster, the thirty-second Governor of Ohio, was born in Seneca 
County, Ohio, April 12, 1828. He was educated at the common schools and 
the academy at Norwalk, Ohio. Engaged in mercantile and banking business 
at Fostoria, and never held any public office until he was elected to the Forty- 
second Congress; was re-elected to the Forty-third Congress, and again to the 
Forty-fourth Congress as a Republican. In 1879 he was nominated by the 
Republicans and elected Governor of the State, was re-elected in 1881, and 
served through both terms winning the esteem of all political parties. 

George Hoadly, the thirty-third Governor of Ohio, was born at New 
Haven, Conn., July 31, 1826. His parents, George and Mary Ann (Woolsey) 
Hoadly, names well known in the educational circles of Connecticut, were inti- 
mately connected with the commercial and social progress of that State. Gov. 
Hoadly completed his education at what is now known as Adelbert College, of 
which he is a LL. D., while in 1884 he received the same honor from Yale. In 
1844 he entered the law school of Cambridge, Mass.; in 184(5 entered the* 
office of Chase & Ball, Cincinnati, Ohio ; was admitted to the bar in August 
following; elected Judge of the Cincinnati Superior Court in 1851, succeeded 
Judge Gholson on the bench of the present Superior Court in 1859, and was 
re-elected in 1864 ; refused a seat on the Supreme bench in 1856 and again in 
1862 ; was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention 1873-74. He 
was nominated by the Democrats for Governor in 1883 and elected. 

ANCIENT WORKS. 

Ohio has furnished a prolific field for antiquarians and those interested in 
scientific explorations, either for their own amusement and knowledge, or for 
the records of "facts and formations." 



158 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

It is -well known that the " Mound Builders " had a wide sweep through this 
continent, but absolute facts regarding tlieir era have been most difficult to 
obtain. Numerous tlieories and suppositions have been advanced, yet they are 
emphatic evidences that they have traced the origin and time of this primeval race. 

However, they have left their works behind them, and no exercise of faith 
is necessary to have confidence in that part of the story. That these works are 
of human origin is self-evident. Temples and military works have been found 
which required a considerable degree of scientific skill on the part of those early 
architects and builders. 

Evidently the Indians had no knowledge of these works of predecessors, 
which diifered in all r.'spects from those of the red men. An ancient cemetery 
has been fiiund, covering an area of four acres, which had evidently been laid 
out into lots, from north to south. Nearly 3,000 graves have been discovered, 
containing bones which at some time must have constituted the framework of 
veritable giants, while others are of no unusual size. In 1815, a jaw-bone was 
exhumed, containing an artificial tooth of silver. 

Mounds and fortifications are plentiful in Athens County, some of them 
being of solid stone. One, differing in the quality of stone from the others, is 
supposed to be a dam across the Hocking. Over a thousand pieces of stone 
were useil in its construction. Copper rings, bracelets and ornaments are 
numerous. It is also evident that these people possessed the knowledge of 
liardening copper and giving it an edge equal to our steel of to-day. 

In the branch formed by a branch of the Licking River and Raccoon Creek, 
ill Licking County, ancient works extend over an area of several miles. Again, 
three miles northwest of this locality, near the road between Newark and Gran- 
ville, another field of these relics may be found. On the summit of a high hill 
is a fortification, formed to represent an alligator. The head and neck includes 
32 feet ; the length of the body is 73 feet ; the tail was 105 feet ; from the termini of 
the fore feet, over the shoulders, the width is 100 feet ; from the termini of 
the hind feet, over the hips, is 92 feet ; its highest point is 7 feet. It is composed 
of clay, which must have been conveyed hither, as it is not similar to the clay 
found in the vicinity. 

Near Miamisburg, Montgomery County, are other specimens. Near the 
village is a mound, ecjualcd in size by very few of these antiquities. It meas- 
ures 800 feet around tlie base, and rises to a height of sixty-seven feet. Others 
are found in Miami County, while at Circleville, Pickaway County, no traces 
remain. 

Two forts have been discovered, one forming an exact scjuare, and the other 
describing a circle. The square is flanked by two walls, on all sides, these 
being divided by a deep ditch. The circle has one wall and no ditch. This is 
sixty-nine rods in diameter, its walls being twenty feet high. The square fort 
measures fifty-five rods across, with walls twelve feet high. Twelve gateways 
lead into the square fort, while the circle has but one, which led to the other, at 



mSTOJIV (II' TllK STATE OF OHIO. 159 

the point whore the walls of the two came together. Before each of tliese 
outraiices were mounds of earth, from four to five feet high and nearly forty 
feet in diameter. Evidently these were designed for defenses for the openings, 
in cases of emergency. 

A short distance from Piketoii, the turnpike runs, for several hundred feet, 
between two parallel artificial walls of earth, fifteen feet high, and six rods 
apart. In Scioto County, on both sides of the Ohio, are extensive ancient 
works. 

" Fort Ancient " is near Lebanon in Warren County. Its direct measure- 
ment is a mile, but in tracing its angles, retreating and salient, its length would 
be nearly six miles. Its site is a level plain, 240 feet above the level of the 
river. The interior wall varies in height to conform with the- nature of the 
ground without — rangingfrom 8 to 10^ feet. On the plain it reaches 100 feet. 
This fort has 58 gateways, through one of which the State road runs, passing 
between tAvo mounds 12 feet high. Northeast from these mounds, situated on 
the plain, are two roads, about a rod wide each, made upon an elevation about 
three feet high. They run parallel to each other about a quarter of a mile, 
when they each form a semicircle around a mound, joining in the circle. It is 
probable this was at some time a military defense, or, on the contrary, it may 
have been a general rendezvous for games and high holiday festivities. 

Near JIarietta, are the celebrated Muskingum River works, being a half- 
mile from its juncture with the Ohio. They consist of mounds and walls of 
earth in circular and square forms, also tracing direct lines. 

The largest scjuare fort covers an area of 40 acres, and is inclosed by a wall 
of earth, 6 to 10 feet in height, and from 25 to 30 feet at its base. On each 
side are three gateways. The center gateways exceed the others in size, more 
especially on the side toward the Muskingum. From this outlet runs a covered 
means of egress, between two parallel walls of earth, 231 feet distant from each 
other, measuring from the centers. The walls in the interior are 21 feet high 
at the most elevated points, measuring 42 feet at the base, grading on the exte- 
rior to about five feet in heigth. Tliis passage-way is 3G0 feet in length, lead- 
ing to the low grounds, which, at tlic period of its consti-uction, probably reached 
the river. 

At the northwest corner, within the inclosure, is a plateau 188 feet long, 
132 feet broad and 9 feet high. Its sides are perpendicular and its surface 
level. At the center of each side is a graded pathway leading to the top, six 
feet wide._ Another elevated square is near the south wall, 150x120 feet scjuare, 
and 8 feet high, similar to the other, with the exception of the graded walk. 
Outside and next the wall to ascend to the top, it has central hollow ways, 10 
feet wide, leading 20 feet toward tlie center, then arising with a gradual slope to 
the top. A third elevated square is situated at the southeast corner, 108x54 
feet sijuare, with ascents at the ends. This is neither a.s high or as perfect as 
the others. 



160 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

Another ancient work is found to the southeast, covering an area of 20 acres 
with a gateway in the center of each side, and others at the corners — each of 
these having the mound defense. 

On the outside of the smaller fort, a mound resembling a sugar loaf was 
formed in the shape of a circle 115 feet in diameter, its height being 30 feet. 
A ditch surrounds it, 15 feet wide and 4 feet deep. These earthworks liavo 
contributed greatly to the satisfactory results of scientific researches. Their 
builders were evidently composed of large bands that have succumbed to the 
advance of enlightened humanity. The relics found consists of ornaments, 
utensils and implements of war. The bones left in the numerous graves convey 
an idea of a stalwart, vigorous people, and the conquests which swept them away 
from the face of the country must have been fierce and cruel. 

Other mounds and fortifications are found in diflFerent parts of the State, of 
which our limited space Avill not permit a description. 

Many sculptured rocks are found, and others with plainly discernible 
tracery in emblematical designs upon their surface. The rock on which the 
inscriptions occur is the grindstone grit of the Ohio exports — a stratum found 
in Northern Ohio. Arrow-points of flint or chert have been frequently found. 
From all investigations, it is evident that an extensive flint bed existed in Lick- 
ing County, near Newark. The old pits can now be recognized. They 
extended over a hundred acres. They are partially filled with water, and sur- 
rounded by piles of broken and rejected fragments. The flint is a grayish- 
white, with cavities of a brilliant quartz crystal. Evidently these stones were 
chipped into shape and the material sorted on the ground. Only clear, horai*- 
genous pieces can be wrought into arrow-heads and spear-points. Flint chips 
extend over many acres of ground in this vicinity. Flint beds are also found 
in Stark and Tuscarawas Counties. In color it varies, being red, white, black 
and mottled. The black is found in Coshocton County. 

SOME GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. 

Ohio, as a State, is renowned as an agricultural section. Its variety, quality 
and quantity of productions cannot be surpassed by any State in the Union. Its 
commercial importance ranks proudly in the galaxy of opulent and industrious 
States composing this Union. Her natural resources are prolific, and all improve- 
ments which could be instituted by the ingenuity of mankind have been added. 

From a quarter to a third of its area is hilly and broken. About the head- 
waters of the Muskingum and Scioto, and between the Scioto and the two 
Miami Rivers, are wide prairies ; some of them are elevated and dry, with fertile 
soil, although they are frequently termed "barrens." In other parts, they are 
low and marshy, producing coarse, rank grass, which grows to a height of five 
feet in some places. 

The State is most fortunate in timber wealth, having large quantities of 
black walnut, oak of different varieties, maple, hickory, birch, several kinds of 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. IGl 

beech, poplar, sycamore, papaw, several kinds of ash, cherry, whitewood and 
buckeye. 

The summers are usually warm, and the winters are mild, considering the 
latitude of the State. Near Lake Erie, the winters are severe, corresponding 
with sections in a line with that locality. Snow falls in sufficient quantities 
in the northern part to afford several weeks of fine sleighing. In the southern 
portion, the snowstorms are not frequent, and the fall rarely remains long on 
the ground. 

The climate is generally healthy, with the exception of small tracts lying 
near the marshes and stagnant waters. 

The Ohio River washes the southern border of the State, and is navigable 
for steamboats of a large size, the entire length of its course. From Pitts- 
burgh to its mouth, measuring it meanderings, it is 908 miles long. Its current 
is gentle, having no falls except at Louisville, Ky., where the descent is twenty- 
two and a half feet in two miles. A canal obviates this obstruction. 

The Muskingum is the largest river that flows entirely within the State. It 
is formed by the junction of the Tuscarawas and Walhonding Rivers, and enters^ 
the Ohio at Marietta One hundred miles of its length is navigable. 

The Scioto is the second river in magnitude, is about 200 miles long, and 
flows into the Ohio at Portsmouth. It affords navigation 130 miles of its length. 
The Great Miami is a rapid river, in the western part of the State, and is 100 
miles long. The Little Miami is seventy miles in length, and enters the Ohio 
seven miles from Cincinnati. 

The Maumee rises in Indiana, flows through the northwestern part of the 
State, and enters Lake Erie at Maumee Bay. It affords navigation as far a.* 
Perrysburg, eighteen miles from the lake, and above the rapids, it is again nav- 
igable. 

The Sandusky rises in the northern part of the State, is eighty miles long, 
and flows into Lake Erie, via Sandusky Bay. 

Lake Erie washes 150 miles of the northern boundary. The State has sev- 
eral fine harbors, the Maumee and Sandusky Bays being the largest. 

We have, in tracing tie record of the earlier counties, given the educational inter- 
ests as exemplified by different institutions. We have also given the canal system 
of the State, in previous pages. The Governor is elected every two years, by 
the people. The Senators are chosen biennially, and are apportioned according 
to the male population over twenty-one years of age. The Judges of the 
Supreme and other courts are elected by the joint ballot of the Legislature, for 
the term of seven ye^rs. 

During the early settlement of Ohio, perfect social equality existed among the 
settlers. The line of demarkation that was drawn wa-s a separation of the good 
from the bad. Log-rollings and cabin-raisings were mutual affairs. Their 
sport usually consisted of shooting, rowing and hunting. Hunting shirts and 
buckskin pants were in the fashion, while the women dressed in coarse material,. 



162 ULSTOUY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

•woven by their own hands. A common American cotton check was con- 
j-idered a magnificent addition to one's toilet. In those times, however, the 
material was ^1 per yard, instead of the shilling of to-day. But five yards 
was then a large "pattern," instead of the twenty-five of 1880. In cooking 
utensils, the pot, pan and frying-pan constituted an elegant outfit. A few plain 
dishes were added for table use. Stools and benches were the rule, although a 
few wealthy families indulged in splint-bottom chairs. The cabin floors were 
rough, and in many cases the green sward formed the carpet. Goods were very 
expensive, and flour was considered a great luxury. Goods were brought by 
horses and mules from Detroit, or by wagon from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, 
and then down the Ohio. Coarse calicoes were $1 per yard ; tea $2 to §3 per 
pound ; cofliee 75 cents ; whisky, from $1 to §2 per gallon, and salt, $5 to $6 
per barrel. In those towns where Indian trade constituted a desirable interest, 
a bottle was set at each end of the counter — a gratuitous ofiering to their red 
friends. 

OUTLINE GEOLOGY OF OHIO. 

Should we group the rocks of Ohio, according to their lithological characters, 
we should give five distinct divisions. They are marked by diSerence in appear- 
ance, hardness, color and composition : 

1 — Limestone. 

2 — Black shale. 

3 — Fine-grained sandstone. 

4 — Conglomerate. 

5 — Coal series. 

They are all stratified and sedimentary. They are nearly horizontal. The 
lowest one visible, in a physical as well as a geological sense, is " blue lime- 
stone." 

The bed of the Ohio River near Cincinnati is 133 feet below the level of 
Lake Erie. The strata incline in all directions from the southwestern angle of 
the State. In Scioto County may be seen the outcropping edges of all these 
rocks. They sink at this point in the direction south 80i° east ; easterly at the 
rate of 37.j*^ feet per mile. The cliff" limestone, the upper stratum of the lime- 
stone deposit, is 600 feet above the river at Cincinnati ; at West Union, in 
Adams County, it is only 350 feet above the same level. 

The finely grained sandstone found on the summit of the hills east of Brush 
Creek and west of the Scioto sinks to the base of the hills, and appears beneath 
the conglomerate, near the Little Scioto. Although the rock formations are the 
same in all parts of the State, in the same order, their thickness, mass and dip, 
are quite different. 

Chillicothe, Reynoldsburg, Mansfield, Newburg, Waverly and Rockville, are 
situated near the western border of the " fine-grained limestone." Its outcrop 
forms a continuous and crooked line from the Ohio River to Lake Erie. In the 
southwest portion of the State is the "blue limestone," occupying a circular 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 168 

space from West Union via Dayton, to the State line. The conglomerate is to 
the east of the given towns, bending around from Cuyahoga Falls to Burton, in 
Geauga County, and then eastward into Pennsylvania. Near this outcrop are 
the coal-bearing rocks which occupy the east and southeastern portion.s of Ohio. 
From Rockville to Chillicothe, the course is north, about 10° east, and nearly 
corresponds with the line of outcrop of the fine-grained sandstone for an equal 
distance. The dip at Rockville, given by Charles Whittlesey, is 80^°, almost 
at a right angle, and at the rate of 37 feet per mile. 

At Chillicothe, the other end of the line, the general dip is south 70° east, 
30 feet to the mile, the line curving eastward and the dip line to the southwanl. 
This is the universal law. 

The northern boundary of the great coal fields passes through Meadvillc, in 
Pennsylvania, and turning south arrives at Portage Summit, on the summit of 
the Alleghanies, 2,500 feet above the ocean level. It then plunges rapidly to 
the westward. From the Alleghanies to the southwest, through Pennsylvania, 
Virginia and Tennessee, sweeps this great coal basin. 

Much of the county of Medina is conglomerate upon the surface, hut the 
streams, especially the South Branch of the Rocky River, set through this sur- 
face stratum, and reach the fine-grained sandstone. This is the case with 
Rocky, Chagrin, Cuyahoga and Grand Rivere — also Conneaut and A.shtabula 
Creeks. This sandstone and the shale extend up the narrow valleys of thesij 
streams and their tributaries. Between these strata is a mass of coarse-grained 
sandstone, without pebbles, which furnishes the grindstones for which Ohio is 
noted. In Lorain County, the coai-se sandstone grit nearly displaces the fine-- 
grained sandstone and red shale, thickening at Elyria to the black shale. South 
of this point, the grindstone grit, red shale and ash-colored shale vary in thick- 
ness. The town of Chillicothe, the village of Newburg, and a point in the west 
line of Crawford County, are all situated on the "black slialc." 

Dr. Locke gives the dip, at Montgomery and Miami Counties, at north 14'. 
east, six feet to the mile; at Columbus, Whitelesey gives it, 81° 52' east, 22,-'^ 
feet to the mile. The fine-grained sandstone at Newburg is not over eighty 
feet in thickness ; at Jacktown and Reynoldsburg, 500 ; at Waverly 250 to 
300 feet, and at Brush Creek, Adams County, -343 feet. The black shale i* 
251 feet thick at Brush Creek ; at Alum Creek, 250 to 300 feet thick ; in Craw- 
ford County, about 250 feet thick. The conglomerate in Jackson County is 
200 feet thick ; at Cuyahoga Falls, 100 to 120 feet ; at Burton, Geauga County, 
800 feet. The great limestone formation is divided into several numbers. At 
Cincinnati, at the bed of the river, there is : 

1 — A blue limestone and slaty marlite. 

2 — Dun-colored marl and layers of lime rock. 

3 — Blue marl and layers of blue limestone. 

4 — Marl and bands of limestone, with immense numbers of shells at the 
surface. 



164 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

In Adams County, the detailed section is thus : 

1 — Blue limestone and marl. 

2 — Blue marl. 

3 — Flinty limestone. 

4 — Blue marl. 

5 — Cliff limestone. 

The coal-fields of Ohio are composed of alternate beds of coarse-grained 
sandstone, clay shales, layers of ironstone, thin beds of limestone and numer- 
ous strata of coal. The coal region abounds in iron. From Jacktown to Con- 
cord, in Muskingum County, there are eight beds of coal, and seven strata of 
limestone. The distance between these two points is forty-two miles. From 
Freedom, in Portage County, to Poland, in Trumbull County, a distance of 
thirty-five miles, there are five distinct strata. Among them are distributed 
thin beds of limestone, and many beds of iron ore. The greater mass of coal 
and iron measures is composed of sandstone and shale. The beds of sandstone 
are from ten to twenty or eighty feet thick. Of shale, five to fifty feet thick. 
The strata of coal and iron are comparatively thin. A stratum of coal three 
feet thick can be worked to advantage. One four feet thick is called a good 
mine, few of them averaging five. Coal strata are found from six to ten and 
eleven feet. There are four beds of coal, and three of limestone, in Lawrence 
and Scioto Counties. There are also eight beds of ore, and new ones are con- 
stantly being discovered. The ore is from four to twelve inches thick, occasion- 
ally being two feet. The calcareous ore rests upon the second bed of limestone, 
from tlie bottom, and is very rich. 

The most pi-ominent fossils are trees, plants and stems of the coal-bearing 
rocks, shells and corals and crustaceae of the limestone, and the timber, leaves 
and dirt-beds of the "drift" — the earthy covering of the rocks, which varies 
from nothing to 200 feet. Bowlders, or " lost rocks," are strewn over the State. 
They are evidently transported from some remote section, being fragments of 
primitive rock, granite, gneiss and hornblende rock, which do not exist in 
Ohio, nor within 400 miles of the State, in any direction. In the Lake Supe- 
rior region we find similar specimens. 

The superficial deposits of Ohio are arranged into four geological formations : 

1 — The ancient drift, resting upon the rocks of the State. 

2 — The Lake Erie marl and sand deposits. 

3 — The drift occupying the valleys of large streams, such as the Great Miami, 
the Ohio and Scioto. 

4 — The bowlders. 

The ancient drift of Ohio is meager in shell deposits. It is not, therefore, 
decided whether it be of salt-water origin or fresh water. 

It has, at the bottom, blue clay, with gravel-stones of primitive or sedimen- 
tary rocks, containing carbonate of lime. The yellow clay is found second. 
Above that, sand and gravel, less stratified, containing more pebbles of the 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 165 

sedimentary rocks, such as limestone and stone, iron ore, coal and shale. The 
lower layer contains logs, trees, leaves, sticks and vines. 

The Lake Erie section, or " Lake Erie deposits," may be classed in the 
following order : 

1 — From the lake level upward, fine, blue, marly sand — forty-five to sixty 
feet. 

2 — Coarse, gray, water-washed sand — ten to twenty feet. 

3 — Coarse sand and gravel, not well stratified, to surface — twenty to fifty feet. 

Stratum first dissolves in water. It contains carbonate of lime, magnesia, 
iron, alumina, silex, sulphur, and some decomposed leaves, plants and sticks. 
Some pebbles are found. In contact with the water, quicksand is formed. 

The Hickory Plains, at the forks of the Great Miami and White Water, and 
also between Kilgore's Mill and New Richmond, are the results of heavy dilu- 
vial currents. 

In presenting these formations of the State, we have quoted from the experi- 
ence and 'conclusions of Charles Whittlesey, eminent as a geologist, ai»d who 
was a member of the Ohio Geological Corps. 

Ohio's rank during the war. 

The patriotism of this State has been stanch, unswerving and bold, ever 
since a first settlement laid its corner-stone in the great Western wilder- 
ness. Its decisive measures, its earnest action, its noble constancy, have earned 
the laurels that designate it "a watchword for the nation." In the year 1860, 
Ohio liad a population of 2,343,739. Its contribution of soldiers to the great 
conflict that was soon to surge over the land in scarlet terror, was apportioned 
;}10,000 men. In less than twenty-four hours after the President's proclama- 
tion and call for troops, the Senate had matured and carried a bill through, 
appropriating $1,000,000 for the purpose of placing the State on a war footing. 
The influences of party sentiments were forgotten, and united, the State 
unfurled the flag of patriotism. Before the bombardment of old Fort Sumter 
has fairly ceased its echoes, twenty companies were ofiered the Governor for 
immediate service. When the surrender was verified, the excitement was 
tumultuous. Militia ofiicers telegraphed their willingness to receive prompt 
orders, all over the State. The President of Kenyon College— President 
Andrews — tendered his services by eidisting in the ranks. Indeed, three 
months before the outbreak of the war, he had expressed his readiness to the 
Governor to engage in service should there be occasion. He was the first citi- 
aen to make this offer. 

The Cleveland Giays, the Rover Guards, the State Fencibles, the Dayton 
Light Guards, the Governor's Guards, the Columbus Videttes and the Guthrie 
Grays — the best drilled and celebrated militia in the State — telegraphed to 
Columbus for orders. Chillicothe, Portsmouth and Circleville offered money 
and troops. Canton, Xenia, Lebanon, Lancaster, Springfield, Cincinnati, 



166 HISTORY OK THE STATE OF OHIO. 

Dayton, Cleveland, Toledo and other towns urged their assistance upon the State. 
Columbus began to look like a great army tield. The troops were statione<i 
wherever they could find quarters, and food in sufficient quantities was hard to 
procure. The Governor soon established a camp at Miamiville, convenient to 
Cincinnati. He intended to appoint Irvin McDowell, of the staff of Lieut. 
Gen. Scott, to the leading command, but the friends of Capt. McClellan became 
enthusiastic and appealed to the Governor, who decided to investigate his case. 
Being satisfied, he desired Capt. McClellan to come up to Columbus. But that 
officer was busy and sent Capt. Pope, of the regular army, in his stead. This 
gentleman did not suit Gov. Dennison. The friends of McClellan again set 
forth the high qualities of this officer, and Gov. Dennison sent an earnest 
request for an interview, which was granted, and resulted in the appointment 
of the officer as Major General of the Ohio militia. Directly thereafter, he 
received an invitation to take command of the Pennsylvania troops, but Ohio 
could not spare so valuable a leader. 

For three-years troops were soon called out, and their Generals were to be 
appointed by the President. Gov. Dennison advised at once with the War 
Department at Washington, and McClellan received his appointment as Major 
General in the regular army. 

Cincinnati and Louisville became alarmed lest Kentucky should espouse the 
Confederate cause, and those cities thus be left insecure against the inroads of a 
cruel foe. Four hundred and thirty-six miles of Ohio bordered Slave States. 
Kentucky and West Virginia were to be kept in check, but the Governor pro- 
claimed that not only should the border of Ohio be protected, but even beyond 
that would the State press the enemy. Marietta was garrisoned, and other river 
points rendered impregnable. On the 20th of May, 1861, official dispatches 
affirmed that troops were approaching AVheeling under the pi'oclamation of 
Letcher. Their intention was to route the convention at Wheeling. 

Military orders were instantly given. Col. Steedman and his troops crossed 
at Marietta and crushed the disturbance at Parkersburg — swept into the country 
along the railroad, built bridges, etc. Col. Irvine crossed at Wheeling and 
united with a regiment of loyal Virginians. At the juncture of the two tracks 
at Grafton, the columns met, but the rebels had retreated in mad haste. The 
loyal troops followed, and, at Philippi, fought the first little skirmish of the war. 
The great railway lines were secured, and the Wheeling convention protected, 
and West Virginia partially secured for the Union. 

After preliminary arrangements, McClellan's forces moved in two columns 
upon the enemy at Laurel Hill. One remained in front, under Gen. Morris, 
while the other, under his own command, pushed around to Huttonsville, in 
their rear. Gen. Morris carried his orders through promptly, but McClellan 
was late. Rosecrans was left witli McClellan's advance to fight the battle of 
Rich Mountain, unaided. Garnett being alarmed at the defeat of his outpost, 
retreated. McClellan was not in time to intercept him, but Morris continued 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 167 

the chase. Stecdman overtook the rear-guard of Garnett's army at Carrick's 
Ford, where a sharp skirmish ensued, Garnett himself falling. The scattered 
portions of the rebel army escaped, and West Virginia was again free from 
armed rebels — and was the gift of Ohio through her State militia to the nation 
at the beginning of the war. 

At this period, Gen. McClellan was called to Washington. Gen. Rose- 
crans succeeded him, and the three-years troops left in the field after the dis- 
banding of the three-months men, barely sufficed to hold the country. He 
telcgraj)hed Gov. Dennison to supply him immediately with re-enforcements, the 
request being made on the 8th of August. Already had the Confederate lead- 
ers realized the loss they had sustained in Western Virginia, and had dispatched 
their most valued General, Robert E. Lee, to regain the territory. Rosecrans 
again wrote: "If you, Governor of Indiana and Governor of Michigan, will 
lend your efforts to get me quickly 50,000 men, in addition to my present 
force, I think a blow can be struck which will save fighting the rifled-cannon 
batteries at Manassas. Lee is certainly at Cheat Mountain. Send all troops 
you can to Grafton." Five days thereafter, all the available troops in the 
West were dispatched to Fremont, Mo., and the plans of Rosecrans were 
foiled. 

Heavy re-enforcements had been sent to the column in Kanawha Valley 
under Gen. Cox. He became alarmed, and telegraphed to Gov. Dennison. 
Rosecrans again appealed to Gov. Dennison, that he might be aided in march- 
ing across the country against Floyd and Wise to Cox's relief, "I want to 
catch Floyd while Cox holds him in front." 

The response was immediate and effective. He was enabled to employ 
twenty-three Ohio regiments in clearing his department from rebels, securing 
the country and guarding the exposed railroads. With this achievement, the 
direct relation of the State administrations with the conduct and methods of 
campaigns terminated. The General Government had settled down to a sys- 
tem. Ohio was busy organizing and equipping regiments, caring for the sick 
and wounded, and sustaining her home strength. 

Gov. Dennison's stafif ofiicers were tendered better positions in the national 
service. Camps Dennison and Chase, one at Cincinnati and the other at 
Columbus, were controlled by the United States authorities. A laboratory was 
established at Columbus for the supply of ammunition. During the fall and 
early winter, the Ohio troops suflfered in Western Virginia. The people of 
their native State responded with blankets, clothing and other supplies. 

In January, 1862, David A. Tod entered upon the duties of Governor. 
The first feature of his administration was to care for the wounded at home, 
sent from Pittsburg Landing. A regular system was inaugurated to supply 
stores and clothing to the suffering at home and in the field. Agencies were 
established, and the great and good work was found to be most efficacious in 
alleviating the wretchedness consequent upon fearful battles. A. B. Lyman 



168 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

had charge of affairs in Cincinnati, and Royal Taylor held the same position 
in Louisville. J. C. Wetmore was stationed at Washington, F. AV. Bingham 
at Memphis, Weston Flint at Cairo and St. Louis. Thus the care which Ohio 
extended over her troops at home and in the hattle-field, furnished a practical 
example to other States, and was the foundation of that commendable system 
all over the Union. Stonewall Jackson's sudden advent in the valley created 
the greatest consternation lest the safety of the capital be jeopardized, and the 
War Department called for more troops. Gov. Tod immediately issued a 
proclamation, and the people, never shrinking, responded heartily. At Cleve- 
land a large meeting was held, and 2.50 men enlisted, including 27 out of 32 
students attending the law school. Fire bells rang out the alarm at Zanesville, 
a meeting was convened at 10 in the morning, and by 3 in the afternoon, 300 
men had enlisted. Court was adjourned sine die, and the Judge announced 
that he and the lawyers were about to enter into military ranks. Only three 
unmarried men between the ages of eighteen and twenty-three were left in the 
town of Putnam. Five thousand volunteers reported at Camp Chase within 
two days after the proclamation. 

Again in June, the President called for troops, followed by yet another call. 
Under these calls, Ohio was to raise 74,000 men. The draft system was 
advised to hasten and facilitate filling regiments. It has always been a repul- 
sive measure. To save sections from this proceeding, enormous sums were 
offered to induce men to volunteer, and thus fill the quota. 

Counties, townships, towns and individuals, all made bids and urged the 
rapid enlistment of troops. The result was, that the regiments were filled rap- 
idly, but not in suflBcient numbers to prevent the draft. Twenty thousand four 
hundred and twenty-seven men were yet lacking, and the draft was ordered, 
September 15. At the close of the year, Ohio was ahead of her calls. Late 
in the fall, the prospect was chsheartening. The peninsula campaign had failed. 
The Army of Northern Virginia had been hurled back nearly to AVashington. 
The rebels had invaded Maryland ; Cincinnati and Louisville were threatened, 
and the President had declared his intention to abolish slavery, as a war meas- 
ure. During the first part of 1862, artillery, stores and supplies were carried 
away mysteriously, from the Ohio border ; then little squads ventured over the 
river to plunder more openly, or to burn a bridge or two. The rebel bands 
came swooping down upon isolated supply trains, sending insolent roundabout 
messages regarding their next day's intentions. Then came invasions of our 
lines near Nashville, capture of squads of guards within sight of camp, the seizure 
of Gallatin. After Mitclicll had entered Northern Alabama, all manner of depre- 
dations were committed before his very eyes. These were attributed to John 
Morgan's Kentucky cavalry. He and his men, by the middle of 1862, were 
as active and dangerous as Lee or Beauregard and their troops. Morgan was a 
native of Alabama, but had lived in Kentucky since boyhood. His father was 
large slave-owner, who lived in the center of the "Blue Grass Country." His 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 169 

life had been one of wild dissipation, adventure and recklessness, although in 
his own family he had the name of being most considerate. The men who fol- 
lowed him were accustomed to a dare-devil life. They formed and independent 
band, and dashed madly into the conflict, wherever and whenever inclination 
prompted. Ohio had just raised troops to send East, to assist in the overthrow 
of Stonewell Jackson. She had overcome her discouragements over failures, 
for the prospects were brightening. Beauregard had evacuated Corinth ; Mem- 
phis had fallen ; Buell was moving toward Chattanooga ; Mitchell's troops held 
Northern Tennessee and Northern Alabama ; Kentucky was virtually in the 
keeping of the home guards and State military board. And now, here was 
Morgan, creating confusion in Kentucky by his furious raids ! On the 11th of 
July, the little post of Tompkinsville fell. He issued a call for the Kentuckians 
to rise in a body. He marched toward Lexington, and the southern border of 
Ohio was again in danger. Cincinnati was greatly e.xcited. Aid was sent to 
Lexington and home guards were ready for duty. Morgan was not prominent 
for a day or so, but he was not idle. By the 9th of July, he held possession of 
Tompkinsville and Glasgow ; by the 11th, of Lebanon. On the 13th, he 
entered Harraldsburg ; Monday morning he was within fifteen miles of Frank- 
fort. He had marched nearly 400 miles in eight days. Going on, toward 
Lexington, he captured the telegraph operator at Midway, and his messages 
also I He was now aware of the plans of the Union armies at Lexington, 
Louisville, Cincinnati and Frankfort. In the name of the operator, he sent 
word that Morgan was driving in the pickets at Frankfort ! Now that he 
had thrown his foes off guard, he rested his men a couple of days. He 
decided to let Lexington alone, and swept down on Cynthiana, routing a few 
hundred loyal Kentucky cavalrymen, capturing the gun and 420 prisoners, and 
nearly 300 horses. Then he was off to Paris ; he marched through Winchester, 
Richmond, Crab Orchard and Somerset, and again crossed the Cumberland River. 
He started with 900 men and returned with 1,200, having captured and paroled 
nearly as many, besides destroying all the Government arms and stores in seven- 
teen towns. The excitement continued in Cincinnati. Two regiments were 
hastily formed, for emergencies,- known as Cincinnati Reserves. Morgan's raid 
did not reach the city, but it demonstrated to the rebel forces what might be 
accomplished in tlie " Blue Grass " region. July and August were passed in 
gloom. Bragg and Buell were both watchfiil, and Chattanooga had not been 
taken. Lexington was again menaced, a battle fought, and was finally deserted 
because it could not be held. 

Louisville was now in danger. The banks sent their specie away. Railroad 
companies "added new guards. 

September 1, Gen. Kirby Smith entered Lexington, and dispatched Heath 
with about six thousand men against Cincinnati and Covington. John Morgan 
joined him. The rebels ru.shed upon the borders of Ohio. The failure at Rich- 
mond only added deeper apprehension. Soon Kirby Smith and his regiments 



170 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

occupied a position where only a few unmanned siege guns and the Ohio 
prevented his entrance through Covington into the Queen City. The city was 
fully armed, and Lew. Wallace's arrival to take command inspired all with 
fresh courage. And before the people were hardly aware that danger was so 
near, the city was proclaimed under strict martial law. " Citizens for labor, 
soldiers for battle." 

There was no panic, because the leaders were confident. Back of Newport 
and Covington breastworks, riflepits and redoubts had been hastily thrown up, 
and pickets were thrown out. From Cincinnati to Covington extended a pon- 
ton bridge. Volunteers marched into the city and those already in service 
were sent to the rescue. Strict military law was now modified, and the city 
being secured, some inconsiderate ones expressed themselves as being outraged 
with " much ado about nothing." But Gen. Wallacedid not cease his vigilance. 
And Smith's force began to move up. One or two skirmishes ensued. The 
city was again excited. September 11 was one of intense suspense. But 
Smith did not attack in force. He was ordered to join Bragg. On the Mon- 
day following, the citizens of Cincinnati returned to their avocations. In the 
spring of 1863, the State was a trifle discouraged. Her burdens had been 
heavy, and she was weary. Vicksburg was yet in the hands of the enemy. 
Rosecrans had not moved since his victory at Stone River. There had been 
fearful slaughter about Fredericksburg. 

But during July, 1863, Ohio was aroused again by Bragg's command to 
Morgan, to raid Kentucky and capture Louisville. On the 3d of July, he was 
in a position to invade Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. He continued his depre- 
dations, bewildering the militia with his movements. His avowed intention 
was to burn Indianapolis and " take Cincinnati alive." Morgan's purposes 
were never clear. It was his audacious and sudden dashes, here and there, 
which gave him success. Before Cincinnati was aware, he was at Harrison — 
13th of July. He expected to meet the forces of Burnside and Judah, and to 
cut his way through. His plans here, as everywhere, were indefinable, and he 
succeeded in deceiving everybody. TMiile printers in Cincinnati were setting 
up " reports " as to his whereabouts, he was actually marching through the sub- 
urbs, near troops enough to devour them, and yet not encountered by a single 
picket ! They fed their horses within sight of Camp Dennison. At 4 
o'clock that day, they were within twenty-eight miles of Cincinnati — having 
marched more than ninety miles in thirty-five hours. 

The greatest chagrin was expressed, that Morgan had so easily eluded the 
great military forces. A sudden dash was made to follow him. There was a 
universal bolting of doors, burying of valuables, hiding of horses, etc., all along 
the route of the mad cavalryman and his 2,000 mounted men. They plundered 
beyond all comparison. They made a principle of it. On the 14th of July, 
he was feeding his horses near Dennison ; he reached the ford at BuiBngton 
Island on the evening of the 18th ; he had encountered several little skirmishes. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 171 

but he had marched through at his own ■will, mostly ; all the troops of Kentucky 
had been outwitted. The Indiana forces had been laughed to scorn. The 
50,000 Ohio militia had been as straws in his way. The intrepid band would 
soon be upon friendly soil, leaving a blackened trail behind. But Judah was 
up and marching after him, Hobson followed and Col. Runkle was north of 
him. The local militia in his advance began to impede the way. Near Pome- 
roy, a stand was made. Morgan found militia posted everywhere, but he suc- 
ceeded in running the gantlet, so far as to reach Chester. He should have 
hastened to cross the ford. Fortunately, he paused to breathe his horses and 
secure a guide. The hour and a half thus lost was the first mistake Morgan is 
known to have made in his military career. They reached Portland, and only 
a little earthwork, guarded by about 300 men, stood between him and safety. 
His men were exhausted, and he feared to lead them to a night attack upon a 
poj^ition not understood perfectly; he would not abandon his wagon train, nor 
his wounded ; he would save or lose all. As Morgan was preparing next 
morning, having found the earthworks deserted through the night, Judah came 
up. He repulsed the attack at first, capturing Judah's Adjutant General, and 
ordering him to hold the force on his front in check. He was not able to join 
his own company, until it was in full retreat. Here Lieut. O'Neil, of the Fifth 
Indiana, made an impulsive charge, the lines were reformed, and up the Chester 
road were Hobson's gallant cavalrymen, who had been galloping over three 
States to capture this very Morgan ! And now the tin-clad gunboats steamed 
up and opened fire. The route was complete, but Morgan escaped with 1,200 
men ! Seven hundred men were taken prisoners, among them Morgan's brother, 
Cols. Ward, Duke and Hufiman. The prisoners were brought to Cincinnati, 
while the troops went after the fugitive. He was surrounded by dangers ; his 
men were exhausted, hunted down ; skirmishes and thrilling escapes marked a 
series of methods to escape — his wonderful sagacity absolutely brilliant to the 
very last — which was his capture, on the 26th, with 346 prisoners and 
400 hor.ses and arms. It may be added, that after several months of con- 
finement, Morgan and six prisoners escaped, on the 27th of November. Again 
was he free to raid in the " Blue Grass " country. 

John Brough succeeded Gov. Tod January 11, 1864. His first prominent 
work was with the Sanitary Commission. In February, of the same year, the 
President called for more troops. The quota of Ohio was 51,465 men. The 
call of March added 20,995. And in July was a third demand for 50,792. In 
December, the State was ordered to raise 26,027. The critical period of the 
war was evidently approaching. Gov. Brough instituted a reformation in the 
" promotion system " of the Ohio troops. He was, in many cases, severe in his 
measures. He ignored " local great men " and refused distinction as a bribe. 
The consequence was that he had many friends and some enemies. The acute- 
ness of his policy was so strong, and his policy so just, that, after all his severe 
administration, he was second to no statesman in the nation during the struggle. 



172 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

Ohio during the war was most active in her relief and aid societies. The most 
noted and extensive organization was the Cincinnati Branch of the United 
States Sanitary Commission. The most eflBcient organization was the Soldiers' 
Aid Society of Northern Ohio. 

When the happy tidings swept over the land that peace was proclaimed, an 
echo of thanksgiving followed the proclamation. The brave sons of Ohio 
returned to their own soil — those who escaped the carnage. But 'mid the 
rejoicing there was deepest sadness, for a fragment only remained of that brave 
army which had set out sturdily inspired with patriotism. 

A BRIEF MENTION OF PROMINENT OHIO GENERALS. 

George Briton McClellan, the first General appointed in Ohio, was born 
December 3, 1826, in Philadelphia. His father was a physician of high stand- 
ing and Scottish descent. Young George was in school in Philadelphia, and 
entered West Point at the age of sixteen. At the age of twenty, he was a bre- 
vet Second Lieutenant, tracing lines of investment before Vera Cruz, under the 
supervision of Capt. R. E. Lee, First Lieut. P. G. T. Beauregard, Second Lieut. 
G. W. Smith. At the close of the Mexican war, old Col. Totten reported in 
favor of them all to Winfield Scott. He had charge of an exploring expedition 
to the mountains of Oregon and Washington, beginning with the Cascade Range. 
This was one of a series of Pacific Railway explorations. Returning to Wash- 
ington, he was detailed to visit the West Indies and secretly select a coaling sta- 
tion for the United States Navy. He was dispatched by Jefferson Davis, 
Secretary of War, to Europe, with instructions to take full reports of the organ- 
ization of military forces connected with the Crimean war. This work elicited 
entire satisfaction. He returned in January, 1857, resigned as regular army 
oflBcer, and was soon installed as engineer of Illinois Central Railroad. In I860, 
he was President of the Ohio & Mississi);)pi. He removed to Cincinnati, where 
he was at the opening of the war. 

William Starke Rosecrans was born September 6, 1819, in Delaware County, 
Ohio. His people were from Amsterdam. He was educated at West Point. 
When the war opened, he espoused the cause of the Union with enthusiastic 
zeal, and was appointed by McClellan on his stafi" as Engineer. June 9, he 
was Chief Engineer of the State under special law. Soon thereafter, he was 
Colonel of the Twenty-third Ohio, and assigned to the command of Camp 
Chase, Columbus. On May 16, his commission was out as Brigadier General 
in the United States Army. This reached him and he was speedil}^ sum- 
moned to active service, under Gen. McClellan. After the battle of Rich Moun- 
tain, he was promoted to the head of the department. 

In April, 1862, he was succeeded by Fremont, and ordered to Wash- 
ington to engage in immediate service for the Secretary of War. About the 
15th of May, he was ordered to Gen. Halleck, before Corinth. He was 
relieved from his command December 9, 1864. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 173 

Ulysses S. Grant, whose history we cannot attempt to give in these pages, 
was born on the banks of the Ohio, at Point Ploiisant, Clermont Co., Ohio, 
April 27, 1822. He entered West Point in 1839. 

" That the son of a tanner, poor and unpretending, without influential friends 
until his performance had won them, ill-used to the world and its ways, should 
rise — not suddenly, in the first blin<l worship of helpless ignorance which made 
any one who understood regimental tactics illustrious in advance for what he 
was going to do, not at all for what he had done — but slowly, grade by grade, 
through all the vicissitudes of constant service and mingled blunders and suc- 
cess, till, at the end of four years' war he stood at the head of our armies, 
crowned by popular acclaim our greatest soldier, is a satisfactory answer to 
criticism and a suiBcient vindication of greatness. Success succeeds." 

" We may reason on the man's career ; we may prove that at few stages has 
he shown personal evidence of marked ability ; we may demonstrate his mis- 
takes ; we may swell the praises of his subordinates. But after all, the career 
stands wonderful, unique, worthy of study so long as the nation honors her 
benefactors, or the State cherishes the good fame of the sons who contributed 
most to her honor." 

Lieut. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman was another Ohio contribution to 
the great Union war. He was born at Lancaster February 8, 1820. He 
entered West Point in June, 1836. His " march to the sea " has fully brought 
out the details of his life, since they were rendered interesting to all, and we 
refrain from repeating the well-known story. 

Philip H. Sheridan was born on the 6th of March, 1831, in Somerset, 
Perry Co., Ohio. He entered West Point in 1848. During the war, his 
career was brilliant. His presence meant victory. Troops fighting under his 
command were inspired. Gen. Rosecrans said of him, "He fights, he fights." 
A staft" officer once said, "He is an emphatic human syllable." 

Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson was born in Sandusky County, town of 
Clyde, November 14, 1828. 

Maj. Gen. Q. A. Gillmore was born February 28, 1825, at Black River, 
Lorain Co., Ohio. 

Maj. Gen. Irvin McDowell was born at Franklinton, Ohio, October 15, 
1818. 

Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell was born near Marietta on the 23d of March, 
1818. His grandfather on the maternal side was one of the first settlers of 
Cincinnati. 

Maj. Gen. 0. M. Mitchell was a native of Kentucky, but a resident of 
Ohio from the age of four years. 

Maj. Gen. Robert C. Schenck was bom October 4, 1809, in Franklin, 
Warren Co., Ohio. 

Maj. Gen. James A. Garfield, was born in Orange, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 
November 19, 1831. 



174 ISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

Maj. Gen. Jacob D. Cox was born in Canada in 1828, and removed to 
Ohio in 1846. 

Maj. Gen. James B. Steedman was born in Pennsylvania July 30, 1818, 
and removed to Toledo in 1861. 

Maj. Gen. David S. Stanley was born in Wayne County, Ohio, June 1, 
1828. 

Maj. Gen. George Crook was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Septem- 
ber 8, 1828. 

Maj. Gen. Mortimer D. Leggett was born in New York April 19, 1831, 
and emigrated to Ohio, in 1847. 

Brevet Maj. Gen. John C. Tidball was born in Virginia, but removed while 
a mere lad to Ohio with his parents. 

Brevet Maj. Gen. John W. Fuller was born in England in 1827. He 
removed to Toledo in 1858. 

Brevet Maj. Gen. Manning F. Force was born in Washington, D. C, on 
the 17th of December, 1824. He became a citizen of Cincinnati. 

Brevet Maj. Gen. Henry B. Banning was born in Knox County, Ohio, 
November 10, 1834. 

We add the names of Brevet Maj. Gens. Erastus B. Tyler, Thomas H. 
Ewing, Charles R. Woods, August V. Kautz, Rutherford B. Hayes, Charles 
C. Walcutt, Kenner Garrard, Hugh Ewing, Samuel Beatty, James S. Robinson, 
Joseph W. Keifer, Eli Long, William B. Woods, John W. Sprague, Benjamin 
P. Runkle, August Willich, Charles Griffin, Henry J. Hunt, B. AV. Brice. 

Brig. Gens. Robert L. McCook, William H. Lytle, William Leroy 
Smith, C. P. Buckingham, Ferdinand Van Derveer, George P. Este, Joel A. 
Dewey, Benjamin F. Potts, Jacob Ammen, Daniel McCook, J. W. Forsyth, 
Ralph P. Buckland, William H. Powell, John G. Mitchell, Eliakim P. Scam- 
mon, Charles G Harker, J. W. Reilly, Joshua W. Sill, N. C. McLean, Will- 
iam T. H. Brooks, George W. Morgan, John Beatty, William W. Burns, John 
S. Mason, S. S. Carroll, Henry B. Carrington, M. S. Wade, John P. Slough, 
T. K. Smith. 

Brevet Brig. Gens. C. B. Ludlow, Andi-ew Hickenlooper, B. D. 
Fearing, Henry F. Devol, Israel Garrard, Daniel McCoy, W. P. Richardson, 
G. F. AViles, Thomas M. Vincent, J. S. Jones, Stephen B. Yeoman, F. W. 
Moore, Thomas F. Wilder, Isaac Sherwood, C. H. Grosvenor, Moses E. 
Walker, R. N. Adams, E. B. Eggleston, I. M. Kirby. 

We find numerous other names of Brevet Brigadier Generals, mostly of late 
appointments, and not exercising commands in accordance with their brevet 
rank, which we omit quoting through lack of space. They are the names of 
men of rare abilities, and in many cases of brilliant achievements. 

In looking over the "War Record of Ohio," we find the State a great 
leader in men of valor and heroic deeds. It was the prolific field of military 
geniuses. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 175 

Ohio was draped with the garb of mourning at the close of the war. Her 
human sacrifice in behalf of the nation had been bitter. There were tears and 
heart-aches all over the land. Her ranks were swept by a murderous fire, from 
which they never flinched, and many officers fell. 

Col. John H. Patrick will be remembered as opening the battle of Lookout 
Mountain. He fell mortally wounded, during the Atlanta campaign, May 
15, 1862, while actively engaged. He was struck by a canister shot, and 
e.xpired half a hour thereafter. 

Col. John T. Toland, in July, 1863, was placed in command of a mounted 
brigade, including his regiment, and was instructed to destroy the Virginia k 
Tennessee Railroad. He reached Wytheville, Va., on the afternoon of the 
18th of July. The rebels were safely intrenched in the house, and poured a 
galling fire mto the national troops. Col. Toland was on horseback, at the 
head of his command. A sharpshooter sent a bullet with fatal certainty, and 
he fell on the neck of his horse, but was instantly caught by his Orderly 
Sergeant, who heard the fervent words : " My horse and my sword to my 
mother." 

Lieut. Col. Barton S. Kyle accompanied his regiment to the battle of Pitts- 
burg Landing. The regiment was forced back, though resisting bravely. 
Lieut. Col. Kyle was at his post of duty, encouraging his men, when he received 
a bullet in his right breast. He survived five hours. 

Col. William G. Jones was engaged in the battle of Chickamauga, June, 
1863. His regiment, the Thirty-sixth Ohio, was included in Turchin's Brigade 
of the Fourteenth Corps. He wrote in his pocket memoranda : " Off to the 
left ; merciful Father, have mercy on me and my regiment, and protect us from 
injury and death " — at 12 o'clock. At 5 that afternoon, he was fatally wounded 
and e.xpired at 7 that same evening, on the battle-field His remains were 
taken by the rebels, but in December, 1863, they were exhumed and interred 
in Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati. 

Col. Fred. C. Jones held command of the Tenth Brigade, in October, 1862, 
marching from Wild Cat, Ky., to Nashville, through a perpetual skirmish, 
During the battle of Stone River, Col. Jones' regiment, the Twenty-fourth, was 
on the front and left of the line. During the afternoon, when the rebel assault 
upon the left became furious, Col. Jones ordered his men to lie down and hold 
fire, which was obeyed. They rose to pour a deadly volley into the rebel ranks, 
and rush forward in a fierce charge. The capture of an entire rebel regiment was 
thus eflected, but Col. Jones was shot in the right side. He was carried to the 
rear. " I know it ; I am dying now ; pay no attention to me, but look after 
my wounded men." He survived about ten hours. His remains are buried in 
Spring Grove, Cincinnati. 

Col. Lorin Andrews went with his command to Western Virginia, where 
he succumbed to exposure and severe duty. He was removed to his home, 
Gambier, Ohio, where he died surrounded by friends September 18, 1861. 



176 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

Col. Minor Jlilliken was sent to repel the attacks of the rebels at the rear. 
He led a superb cavalry charge against the enemy, vastly superior in numbers, 
and was cut off with a small portion of his regiment. He disdained to sur- 
render, and ordered his men to cut their way out. A hand-to-hand conflict 
ensued. Col. Milliken, being an expert swordsman, was able to protect himself 
with his saber. While parrying the strokes of his assailant, another shot him. 
The regiment, again charging, recovered his body, stripped of sword, purse and 
watch. 

Col. George P. Webster, with his regiment, the Ninety-eighth, left Steu- 
benville for Covington, Ky., August 23, 1862, marching from that point to Lex- 
ington and Louisville. He was placed at the command of the Thirty-fourth 
Brigade, Jackson's division, Cooke's corps. He fell in the battle of Perryville, 
and died on the field of battle. 

Col. Leander Stem was appointed Colonel of the One Hundred and First 
Ohio Infantry August 30, 1862. His premonitions that he should fall during 
his first regular engagement proved too true. As the army was advancing on 
Murfreesboro, the engagement of Knob Gap occurred, when Col. Stem's regi- 
ment charged and took a rebel battery, with several prisoners. The army 
closed around Murfreesboro, and on the evening of the 30th, the One Hun- 
dred and First was engaged in demonstrations against the enemy. Next 
morning, the battle of Stone River began in earnest. When Col. Stem's regi- 
ment began to waver, he called out: "Stand by the flag now, for the good 
old State of Ohio ! " and instantly fell, fatally wounded. 

Lieut. Col. Jonas D. Elliott held his position in May, 1863. During the 
summer of 1864, he commanded the left wing of the regiment at Dodsonville, 
Ala.; in September, he was sent after Wheeler, and was ordered into camp at 
Decatur. On the 23d, he was dispatched to Athens, to participate in the attack 
of Gen. Forrest, of the rebels. Col. Elliott was sent out, with 300 men, and 
being surrounded by Gen. Forrest, with vastly superior numbers, a forced resist- 
ance enabled them to sustain their own ground, until a fresh brigade of rebels 
arrived, under Gen. Warren. This officer instructed one of his men to shoot 
Lieut. Col. Elliott, and a moment later he fell. He lingered nineteen days. 

Col. Joseph L. Kirby Smith took command of the Forty-third Ohio Regi- 
ment. He fell at the battle of Corinth, under Rosecrans. 

Lieut. Col. James W. Shane fell, June 27, 1864, in an assault upon the 
enemy's works at Kenesaw. He survived but forty minutes. 

Col. Augustus H. Coleman displayed the abilities of a successful commander. 
He was in the first charge on the bridge across Antietac Creek. He was 
fatally wounded. His last words were inquiries regarding his men. 

Col. J. W. Lowe commanded the Twelfth Ohio, and was ordered to assist 
the Tenth in the battle of Carnifex Ferry. Cheering his men, in the thickest 
of the fight, a rifle ball pierced his forehead, and he fell dead — ^the first field 
officer from Ohio killed in battle in the war for the Union. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 177 

Lieut. Col. Moses F. Wooster was engaged with his regiment, the One Hun- 
dred and First Ohio, at Perryville. He was mortally wounded on the 31st 
of December, 1862, in the grand effort to stem the tide of defeat at Stone 
River. 

The list of staff officers we refrain from giving, through lack of space. 

At the opening of the war, William Dennison was Governor of Ohio. David 
Tod succeeded him. John Brough was the third War Governor. 

Secretary Edwin M. Stanton was one of the most popular war Ministers. 
He was born in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1815 ; he was engaged in the United 
States Circuit Court, in 1860, in a leading law suit, at Cincinnati, known as the 
Manny and McConnick reaper trial ; on the 20th of January, 1862, he was 
appointed Secretary of War by Mr. Lincoln. 

Ex-Secretary Salmon P. Chase's public services in Ohio have already been 
mentioned in these pages, la 1861, he was appointed Secretary of the Treas- 
ury, in Mr. Lincoln's cabinet. 

United States Senator B^ F. Wade made his reputation in Ohio. This 
Senator of the State stood at the head of the Committee on the Conduct of the 
War throughout its duration. 

United States Senator John Sherman was a leading member of the Finance 
Committee, during the war. For some time he was its Chairman. 

Jay Cooke was the financial agent of the Government, furnishing money for 
the payment of the troops. He was born in Portland, Huron Co., Ohio. 

In our brief review of the war record of Ohio, we have omitted a vast 
amount of detail information that would prove interesting to our readers. We 
believe we have been accurate in whatever we have given, taking as our authority, 
that accepted "encyclopedia" of Ohio war facts — Whitelaw Reid, who has pub- 
lished a valuable volume on the subject. 

SOME DISCUSSED SUBJECTS. 

It may be well in glancing over the achievements of Ohio, her momentous 
labors and grand successes, to refer to the Ordinance of 1787, more minutely 
than we have done, in relation to many events, since its inherent principles are 
not only perpetuated in the laws of the entire Northwest, but have since been 
woven into the general Constitution of the United States. It made permanent 
the standard and character of immigration, social culture and political and edu- 
cational institutions. It was thoroughly antislavery and denounced involuntary 
servitude, which was sanctioned in every other State at that time, with the 
exception of Massachusetts. It protected religion and property. As late as 
1862, Gen. William Henry Harrison, Governor of Indiana, called a convention 
for the purpose of considering the slavery question, and the feasibility of intro- 
ducing the system in the new States and Territories being formed. There 
was at this time a spirited contest, and Illinois, Indiana and possibly Ohio, 
barely escaped a decision that a full support should be given its introduction 



178 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO 

into these States. Its adoption was based upon certain specifications and 
limits of time, which upon a deeper consideration was deemed perplexing and 
impractical. 

An animated discussion arose not long since, regarding the correct author, 
ship of this important ordinance, and its chief worker in gaining its sanction 
by Congress. 

Mr. Webster ascribed its authorship to Mathew Dane, of Massachusetts, 
which statement was immediately refuted by Mr. Benton, of Mississippi, who 
laid claim to it as the birthright of Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia. 

It has been almost impossible to obtain accurate reports of the actions of the 
old Continental Congress, from tiie fact that its meetings were held in secret, 
and any reports either narrated or shown in schedules or lists, were deemed a 
striking lack of trust on the part of the person who furnished the information. 
It was sufficient that its acts and conclusions be proclaimed without any prelude 
or reasoning process. Hence it has been difficult to obtain early Congressional 
documents. But it has been conclusively proven that the great motive power 
in gaining the approbation of the Ordinance of 1787, was neither Dane nor 
Jefferson, but Dr. Cutler. 

He arrived at New York, July 5 of that year, after a journey from Ipswich, 
Mass., in his sulky. He obtained lodgings at the "Plow and Harrow," and 
saw that his good horse was properly cared for and fed at the same place. 
Congress was then in session, and he had come on a mission for the Ohio Com- 
pany, to negotiate their grant and its privileges in the hew Territory of Ohio. 
He remained in New York three weeks, constantly engaged in the work vital to 
the interests of the future great State. But he secured the installment of the 
principles deemed the corner-stone of a future powerful State constitution. Mr. 
Poole, Librarian of the Chicago Public Library, searched assiduously for con- 
clusive proof of Dr. Cutler's right to this honor, and in the North American 
Review, Vol. 122, this is emphatically set forth with substantiating proof under 
his signature. 

Other facts have been discussed and proven at a very recent date, relative 
to the State of Ohio, which heretofore have been omitted, and nearly lost from 
the historic thread which unites the present with the past. 

The first settlement of the lands of the Northwest is necessarily surrounded 
with interest. But those were exciting, troublesome times, and a few links 
were passed over lightly. However, the years are not so far removed in the 
past but the line may be traced. 

Mr. Francis W. Miller, of Cincinnati, has supplied some missing chapters. 
Tlie earliest documentary trace extant, regarding the southern settlement at 
Cincinnati, is an agreement of partnership between Denman, Filson and Pat- 
terson, in the fractional section of land to which the city of Cincinnau was 
originally limited. It bears the date August 25, 1788. This was entered on 
the records of Hamilton County, Ohio, October 6, 1803. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OP OHIO. 179 

A letter from Jonathan Dayton to the Hon. Judge Symmes, dated Septem- 
ber 26, 1789, says : " You have been selling your lands, I am told, for two 
shillings specie, the acre. The price at this moment is, and seems to be, and 
undoubtedly is, a good one; but as much cannot be said of it when you find 
hereafter that in consequence of the rise of certificates, another acre, in another 
payment, may cost you in specie two shillings and sixpence." 

A letter from John C. Symmes to Capt. Dayton, dated April 30, 1790, 
says: "The land in the reserved township is held at much too high a price. 
Not a foot of land beyond the five-acre lots will sell. Five shillings, specie, 
or two dollars in certificates, is the utmost they will bring, and they will rarely 
sell at that." 

This state of afiairs was in a large degree brought about by the breaking-up 
of North Bend and a removal of the town to Fort Washington, or Cincinnati, 
later. A search through the old letters and other preserved documents prove 
that North Bend was at one time the beginning of the great city on the Ohio, 
rather than Cincinnati. Judge Symmes wrote. May 18, 1789: "I have not as 
yet been able to make a decisive choice of a plat for the city, though I have 
found two pieces of ground, both eligible, but not upon the present plan of a 
regular square. It is a question of no little moment and difficulty to deter- 
mine which of these spots is preferable, in point of local situation. I know 
that at first thought men will decide in favor of that on the Ohio, from the 
supposition that the Ohio vdll command more trade and business than the 
Miami. * * * gyj. jf jj. ^gj.g ijyjj^ ^^ ^j^g Miami, the settlers 

throughout the purchase would find it very convenient." 

Another of the earliest selections of town sites was adjacent to the most 
southerly point of what is now Delhi Township. To this the name of South 
Bend was given. Judge Symmes reports November 4, 1790, of this place, 
over forty framed and hewed-log two-story houses, since the preceding spring. 
Ensign Luce is said to have taken his troops to North Bend, but decided to 
remove to Cincinnati, on account of the object of his affections having settled 
there — the wife of a settler. But this story is refuted by contradictory evi- 
dence from Judge Symmes' letters, which illustrate the fact that the post of 
North Bend was abandoned by Ensign Luce and his men in consequence of a 
panic, caused by Indian attacks. The removal of the troops caused a general 
decline of the town. Again, history and letters from the same eminent Judge, 
assert that Fort Washington was completed and garrisoned by Maj. Doughty 
before the close of that same year, and was begun by him during the summer, 
that Ensign Luce must have still been at his post at the bend at that time. It 
has been, therefore, recently accepted that the traditional "black eyes" and 
the "Indian panic," had nothing to do with the founding of Cincinnati, and 
that the advantages of the position gained the victory. 

Cincinnati has advanced, not only in prosperity and culture, but in national 
significance. Our readers must have observed, in perusing these pages, that 



180 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

from this city and the State which it represents, have emanated some of the 
superior intellects which have used their wise faculties and talents, tempered by 
a wise judgment, in behalf of the American Union. 

The originality of the Senecas and Wyandots have been debated at some 
length, while others have called the tribes the same, having two branches. We 
have searched the earlier records and have found an authenticated account of 
these two tribes. 

The Indian tribes of Ohio were originally bold, fierce and stalwart. The 
country watered by the Sandusky and its tributaries was frequented by the 
Wyandot tribe, who came from the north side of the St. Lawrence River. The 
Senecas were blood relatives of this tribe. Both tribes were numbered by the 
thousands. A war originated between them, in this manner: A Wyandot 
chief desired to wed the object of his affections, who laughed him to scorn, 
because he had taken no scalps, and was no warrior " to speak of" To change 
her opinion, he led out a party, and falling upon a number of Senecas, slaugh- 
tered them mercilessly, that he might hasten to the side of his dusky belle, with 
his trophies. This act inaugurated hostilities, which extended through a centurv. 
The Wyandots began to fear extermination, and, gathering their entire effects 
the natives escaped to Green Bay, and settled in several villages. But the Sen- 
ecas made up a war party and followed them, killing many Wyandots and burn- 
ing some of their villages. They then returned to Canada. Soon thereafter, 
they secured fire-arms from the Frencli. Again they followed the Wyandots, 
firing their guns into their huts, and frightening them severely. They did not 
succeed as well as they expected. But the third party nearly exterminated the 
villages, because the young warriors were nearly all gone to war with the Foxes. 
The few at home escaping, promised to return with the Senecas, but desired 
two days for preparation. The Wyandots sent word to the two villages left 
undisturbed, and held a consultation. They decided to go as near the Senecas 
as possible, unobserved, and discover their real motive. They found them feast- 
ing on two roasted Wyandots, shouting over their victory. They danced nearly 
all night, and then fell asleep. A little before daylight, the Wyandots fell on 
them, leaving not one to carry back the news. 

The Wyandots then procured guns, and began to grow formidable. They 
set out to return to their own country, and proceeded on their way as far as 
Detroit, where they met a party of Senecas, on the lake. A fierce conflict 
ensued, and the Wyandots beheld the Senecas fall, to the last man, suffering 
fearful carnage themselves. They soon settled in this part of tlie world, their 
principal village being on the Sandusky. Northwestern Ohio was particularly 
dangerous with new Indian tribes, and the Wyandots were cruelly aggressive. 
The death of their chief, and their total defeat by Harrison, destroyed their 
power forever. 

On the 29th of September, 1817, a treaty was hold, at the foot of the rapids 
of the Miami of Lake Erie, between Lewis Cass and Duncan McArthur, 



HISTORY OF TIIE STATE OF OHIO. 181 

Commissioners of the United States, and the sachems, chiefs and warriors of the 
Wyandot, Seneca, Delaware, Shawnee, Potawattomie, Ottawa and Cliippcwa 
nations. All their lands in Ohio were ceded to the United States forever. 

There was really not a Seneca in the Seneca nation. They were chiefly 
Cayugas, Mohawks, Onondagas, Tuscarawas, Wyandots and Oncidas. But the 
Mingoes were originally Cayugas, and their chief wiis the celebrated Logan. 
After the murder of his family by the whites, the Mingoes were scattered over 
the territory northwest of the Ohio. 

The notorious Simon Girty was adopted by the Senecas. Girty's name was 
a terror and fiendish horror for many years. He not only led the Indians in 
their atrocities, but he added barbarism to their native wickedness. 

CONCLUSION. 

When peace was proclaimed, after the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee to 
Gen. U. S. Grant, the volunteer troops disbanded, and a return to home indus- 
tries instituted, Ohio, like many other States, gave direct attention to the inter- 
ests of returned soldiers. The thrift of the State was augmented by a spasmodic, 
and thereafter recognized as a fictitious, demand for products, commercial and 
industrial pursuits redoubled their forces. But the great wave of stagnation 
swept over this fair land — the re-action of a war excitement. Laborers were 
many, but wages were inadequate. Deeper and deeper settled this lethargy — 
called by many " hard times" — until the wheels of commercial life revolved 
slowly, and from the workshops and the factories went up the echoes of priva- 
tion and distress. There was no famine, no fever, no epidemic, it was simply 
exhaustion. In the larger cities there was much suffering. Idle people loitered 
about, barely seeking employment, the task seeming worse than hopeless. 

During the years 1870, 1871 and 1872, the stringent measures brought 
about by the depressed state of business retarded any material advancement in 
general matters. The years 1873-74 were marked by a prcceptible improve- 
ment, and a few factories were established, while larger numbers were employed 
in those already founded. The year 1875 was under the direction of a Demo- 
cratic Legislature. It was marked in many respects by a " reverse motion " in 
many laws and regulations. 

The Legislature which convened in 1876, January 3, was Republican in the 
main. It repealed the " Geghan Law" passed by the preceding body. At 
the time of its adoption, there was the most intense feeling throughout the State, 
the charge being made that it was in the interests of the Catholics. Among 
the general enactments were laws re-organizing the government of the State insti- 
tutions, which the previous Legislature had ordered according to their own belief 
to follow new doctrines. The office of Comptroller of the Treasury waa abolished. 
The powers of municipal corporations to levy taxes was limited, and their 
authority to incur debts was limited. Furthermore, this body prohibited any 
municipal appropriations, unless the actual money was in the Treasury to meet 



182 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

the same in full. A law was passed for the protection of children under fourteen 
years of age, exhibited in public shows. 

The temperance cause received more vigorous and solid support than was 
ever rendered by the State previously. A common-sense, highly moral and 
exalted platform was formed and supported by many leading men. 

This year witnessed the serious "strikes" among the miners in Stark and 
Wayne Counties. The consequences were painful — distress, riots and distruc- 
tion of property. 

The State Mine Inspector reported 300 coal mines in the State, with only 
twenty-five in operation. Not over 3,000,000 tons of coal were raised during 
the year, owing to the dullness of the times. 

The State charities reported the aggregate number under public care to be 
29,508. The taxation for the maintenance of these classes was one and one 
six-hundredth of a mill on each dollar of taxable property. 

The reports given of the year 1877 indicated a revival of business interests 
and prosperity. The State produced of wheat, 27,306,566 bushels ; rye, 
914,106 bushels; buckwheat, 225,822 bushels; oats, 29,325,611; barley, 
1,629,817 bushels ; corn, 101,884,305 bushels ; timothy, tons of hay, 2,160,334 ; 
clover, tons of hay, 286,265 ; flax, pounds of fiber, 7,343,294 ; potatoes, 
10,504,278 bushels; sweet potatoes, 126,3541 bushels; tobacco, 24,214,950 
pounds; sorghum, sugar, 7,507J pounds; syrup, 1,180,255 gallons; maple 
sugar, 1,625,215 pounds ; maple syrup, 324,036 gallons ; honey, 1,534,902 
pounds. 

The growth of manufacturing industries, the remarkable annual increase 
in stock and in agricultural products since 1877, leave no room to doubt the 
rapid advancement of Ohio in general wealth. 




■^^^ ^^ ' (^^-^^J^^^^^^<^^ 



PART III. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY, 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY, 



CHAPTER I. 

TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 

SENECA COUNTY is bounded on the north by Sandusky, on the east by 
Huron, on the south by Crawford and AVyandot, and on the west Ijy \\'ood 
and Hancock Counties, emlnacing tifteen original siu'veyed townships, extend- 
ing north from the parallel of latitude 41° north to latitude 41° 18', and east 
h'om the west line of Range 18, east of longitude west of Washington, D. C, 
7 oC, the principal meridian, to the east line of Range 17, east of longitude 
west 7° Sty. or over 540 square miles. The population, according to the census 
of ISSO. was 30,1147. Imtthe estimate for LSiSo. based on school statistics, places 
the numlier of inhabitants at 41,000 or 75. 'J2 inhabitants per square mile. 

The altitude at Benvick is 34.") feet above the level of Lake Erie: at Repub- 
lic. 30N feet; at Lodi. in Reed Township. 282 feet, and at Tiffin. 183 feet. 
Geologists claim that Attica is the highest point in the county. 

The Sandusky River enters the county in Section 36. Seneca Township; 
winds east into Section 31. Eden Township; thence west into Seneca Town- 
ship, flowing north by east through the southeastern sections of Hopewell 
Township, the city of Tiffin, the northwestei-n sections of Clinton Township, 
and, entering Pleasant Township, flows on in its tortuous channel, leaving that 
township in Section 5. The Sandusky River is associated with much of the 
early history of Ohio. Along its lianks thi> beginnings of many little common- 
wealths were made, but today those beginnings have almost disappeared, to 
give place to the many im]iortant cities, beautiful villages and pleasant farm 
homes which grace its valley and terraces. 

Honey Creek, a name endeared to hundreds of old settlers. Lidians and 
half-breeds, has its head-waters in Hm-on County, and flows through "S'enice, 
Bloom and Eden Townships, entering the Sandusky in Section 3fi, Hopewell 
Township. This creek is fed by numerous streams, all, like the parent river, 
contriljuting to the wealth of one of the most fertile tracts in all Ohio, Silver 
Creek, which may be called a native of Bloom Townshiji, is one of Honey 
Creek's principal feeders, entering the latter almost on the Eden Township 
line. The ])lateau on Section 20, Eden Township, is lifty-eight feet above the 
summer level (jf Honey Creek. 

Rock Creek has its head-waters in Section 33. Reed Township, flows north 
into Section 17. joins other streams, and thence enters the lake on the Beeghley 
farm, in Section 18. Reed Township; thence runs southwest through Republic, to 
Section 10, Eden Township, where it takes a northw-esterly course, to join the 



188 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Sanduskj', east of Washington Street bridge, at Tiffin. In the history of the 
townships and of Tiffin City, many references are made to this little river. 

Sugar Creek, in its coiu'se through Section 27, Pleasant Township, flows 
42 J- feet below its plateau. Wolf Creek rises in Seneca Township, flows north- 
east through Hopewell, Liberty and Pleasant Townships, and leaves the county 
in Section 6, Pleasant. This creek drains a very large area, being the reservoir, 
so to speak, of the numerous little creeks in Hopewell and Liberty Townships. 
Harrison Creek and the western fork of Wolf Creek rise in Loudon Township, 
and flow north thi'ough Jackson and Liberty Townships, entering the main stream 
below Bettsville. Risdon Creek and tribxitaries flow north through the western 
sections of Jackson Township, and, with Little Portage Creek, afford good 
drainage. There are hundreds of small streams (many of which, like that on 
the Coleman fann in Seneca Township, never fi-eeze up) to be found in the 
county, to which names have never been given; in fact, every section may be 
said to claim some water-right, thus bestowing upon the land a high value. 

Along the Sandusky and other large streams the face of the country is 
somewhat broken, the ten-ace in Section 24, Seneca Township, being 03^ feet 
above summer level, but outside the river valleys proper the land may be said 
to be slightly rolling, escef)t in Thompson Township, which is marked by 
decidedly rolling lands. Even the Big Spring marsh, so long barren, has been 
brought under cultivation. In ten of the fifteen townships, which make up the 
county, there is an abundance of large hardwood timber of almost every 
species. 

Totrnships and Cities. — The fifteen townships, into which the coimty is 
divided, are named as follows, vrith the niunber of original siu'veyed township 
and range: 

Big Spring, 1 north, Range 1.3 east. Bloom, 1 nortb. Range 16 east. 

Eden, 1 north. Range 15 east. Seneca. 1 north. Range 14 east. 

Venice, 1 north. Range 17 east. Clinton, 2 north. Range 15 east. 

Hopewell, 3 north, Range 14 east. Loudon. 2 north, Range 13 east. 

Reed, 2 north. Range 17 east. Scipio, 2 north. Range 16 east. 

Adams. 3 north. Range 16 east. .Jackson, 3 north. Range 13 east. 

Liberty, 3 north, Range 14 east. Pleasant, 3 north. Range 15 east. 
Thompson, 3 north, Range 17 east. 

Tiffin, the comity seat, is a beautiful city, most conveniently situate, and re- 
plete in everything which wealth and intelligence suggests. The main part of 
the city of Fostoria is in this county, and like her older and greater sister 
Tiffin, is one of the most pleasant and business-like towns in noiihwestern Ohio. 

Postal Towns. — The postal towns of the county in 18S5 are Adrian, Alvada, 
Amsden, Angus, Attica, Bascom, Berwick, Bettsville, Bloom^•ille, Carrothers, 
Cromer's, Flat Rock, Fort Seneca, Fostoria, Frank, Green Spring, Kansas, 
Melmore, Morris, New Riegel, Old Fort, Omar, Reedtown, Republic, Rocka- 
way, St. Stephen, Siam, Tiffin, Watson, West Lodi. The pav attached 
to these offices, in 1884, ranged fi-om $4.38 to $2,200, viz. : Angus, "$4.38; Old 
Fort, $34.37; Cromer's, $42.91; Amsden. $48.08: Fort Seneca. $8r).77; Kan- 
sas, $207.79; Bettsrille, $384.70; Fostoria, $1,900; Tiffin, $2,200. Owing 
to the reduction in postage, the value of many of the offices to the incumbents 
has been lessened. The new settlement on the Nickel Plate Railroad, named 
Eer, was established as a postal town in September, 1885. 

Scattered throughoitt the county are a ntrmber of small settlements, many 
of which cannot, however, take on the dignity of vUlages for some years. 
Others consist of a few houses grouped around a post office. These tiny set- 
tlements will, no doubt, spring into activity and request the futiu'e historian to 
record them as villages or cities before m;iny decades. So early as 1844 a few 



HISTORY OF SENECA CPUN'TY. 189 

of these haml(>ts aimed at importance. Then came the central cities and 
the mining stamjiedes, and an age intervened; then came the war, when the 
graces and amenities of civilized life were ignored for the "signal-sonnd of 
strife" and " 'battle' smaguiiiceutly-stern array.'" A large delegation was taken 
fi-om each village to serve in all branches of the new industries the tirst year of 
the struggle, and each succeeding levA' gradually drained the vicinity of very 
much of the enterprise and public spirit which had come in and manifested its 
presence by works in former years. As a consecpience, improvements for the 
period between the firing npon Fort Sumtei- and the siuTender at Appomattox 
were neither immerous, costly nor architecturally elaborate. The same is to be 
remembered with reference to the advent of citizens at that time, neith(>r were 
they niuuerons nor valuable, save, of coui-se, in exceptional instances. The 
^^llage, as will be readily conceded, escaped remarkal)le growth or develop- 
ment; but as years grow apace they give some evidence of advancement. 

Geology. — Political lines have a most sujireme disregard for geological 
lioundaries; but the county in this respect is a part of a vast territory which 
has been mor(> or less carefiilly es])li)r(>d and its obvious characteristics noted. 
The townships of Pleasant, Liberty. Jackson, Hopewell (in the northerly ])art), 
and Loudon (in the northwesterly part), show the Niagara system above the drift; 
sand-formations and healthy looking l)oulder rock. Over the greater area of these 
townships the rock and sand are covered by a di'ift material. A complete knowl- 
edge of the history of a single pebble composing this di'ift would give its possessor 
more knowledge of geology than is now extant in the wide world. East of the 
Sandusky River (the same territory which, in 1820, was attached to Sandusky 
County under the name of Seneca Township) the outcrop of the Niagara rock is a 
phenomenon. The State geologist, in his tirst report on this county, says: " The 
eastern part of the county is considerably more elevated than the middle and west- 
ern, and the siu'face is characterized at once by longer and more consideralile 
undulations, which have the form, very often, of ridges evenly covered by thift, 
I'unning about northeast and sovithwest. * * * There are still, even in 
the eastern part of the county, flat tracts where the di'ainage is so slow that 
the washings from hill sides have leveled iip the lower gi'ounds wth alluvial 
and marshy accumulations. In such cases the elevated drift knolls are 
gfravelly, and show occasional boulders; but in the level tract, which has been 
filled, no boulders, or even stones of any kind, can be seen. 

The Niagara limestone, in Pleasant Township, foimd in the bed of Wait 
Creek and on Section 10, shows a northeast dip, and a variable dip on Section 
20. Below the dam, in the Sandusky, near Fort Seneca, a remarkaVile hard or 
flinty lilue stone, presumably of the Niagara conformation, was quamed some 
years ago. and has since been used for macadamizing and other purposes. On 
Spicer Creek, Section 28, Pleasant Townshij). a more pronounced Niagara lime- 
stone exists. 

In the extreme southeastern corner of Jackson Township, in a tributary 
of Wolf Creek, there is an exposure of limestone, and also along the railroad 
on Section 22. Also in the old town of Risdon, and north of it along the 
county line, the Niagara stone shows itself. The lime mannfactiu'ed at Fos- 
toria is equal to that of S[)ringtield or Carey. 

The outcrop in Ho]iewell Townshij) is decided in Sections 22 and 1<). and 
by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, at liascom. The immense boulders and 
beds of Niagara above Tiffin, in the Sandusky River, also belong to the out- 
crop in this township. 

In Liberty Township, on Section 4, this rock outcrops, dijiping gi'adually 
west. Along Wolf Creek there are several siu'face showings of this rock, and 



190 HISTOR^Y OF SENECA COUSTV. 

in almost eveiy part of the township it may be considered as merely covered by 
the drift. In the southern tier of sections this stone is quarried and exten- 
sively iLsed in housebuilding, bridges, lime manufacture and macadamizing. 
Alx)ut the year 1^70, George King's house was constraeted of this rock. 

In Clinton Township the river may be said to act the part of the old 
quai'iyman. For centiu'ies the Sandusky has been carving an undei channel 
for its waters until, in IS'i-j. man came to its help. Along the fi-ont of old 
Fort Ball, now in Tiffin City, the Niagara or rather Guelph stone shows itself 
very distinctly. In fact the whole north bank of the river may be considered 
a rock, extending from the summer level of the river up the terrace about 
sixty feet in depth, with an exposiu-e of about eighteen feet, dipping from 
five to ten degrees southwest. The main showing of waterlime is found at this 
point. A jiuiction of the Niagara and waterlime formations occiu-s within 
Tiffin City, above Washington Street bridge. 

In Section 22, Hopewell; Section 23, Seneca: and Section 29. Clinton: 
waterlime is exposed, while in many other townships it appears in beds of 
creeks. 

The conformation known as Oriskany sandstone underlies portions of 
Adams, Pleasant, Clinton and Eden Townships. 

The lower corniferous outcrop appears in Scipio, Bloom, Eden and Adams, 
while the upper corniferous gives good exposiu-es in Thompson and Bloom 
Townships, where extensive quarries are worked. 

The ch-ift formation is evident throughout the county, particularly in Eden 
and Venice Townships. 

The economical geology is rejiresented by numerous stone quarries, de- 
posits of bog-iron ore, brick clay and pottery clay. The red brick, manufac- 
tured in almost every division of the cotmty, are of excellent <]uality, but 
wanting in some cases that regular, tradesmanlike finish, which have won for 
foreign manufactm-ers a large trade. This bui'ned clay, when pulverized 
and mixed with other products, such as bone and sand, makes a cement equally 
as dural)le as Portland cement and far less expensive. The tile industry of 
Seneca has made much greater advances toward perfection than the older 
brick-making industry, and for this reason the product of sewer and drainage 
tile, pottery, etc. . has grown very large. A reference to the pages of local 
history will point out many of, if not all, the various workers in the field of 
economical geology. 

Wella and Sjjn'ngs. — A\"ells for domestic use are generally obtained in the 
loose gravel within the di-ift. or in that sheet of gravel and sand which very 
often is the lowest part of the tli-ift. As in Ottawa County such wells are often 
artesian, and show the source of their water in the mineral impurities it con- 
tains. The waters of the mineral spring at Green Spring and of the spring in 
Section 7, Adams Township, issue fi-om the rock, which, although exposed at 
no point within six miles, is ]irol)al)ly the Niagara limestone. Wells, also, which 
do not reach the bottom of the drift, are sometimes supplied by slow seejiage 
from the hardpan, or by penetrating some of the sand or gravel beds contained 
within the di-ift. Wells from such higher beds of gravel are co mm on outside 
the area of the Black Swamp. Within that tract such beds of gravel are more 
rarely met with, above that lying on the rocky conformations. The medic- 
inal qualities of the water at Green Spring are so marked as to induce the in- 
vestment of considerable capital in a Water Ciu-e establishment. The analy- 
sis made by O. N. Stoddard, of ]\Iiami University, Ohio, is published by the 
proprietors. 

The analysis of one gallon of Green Spring water shows the following con- 
stituents : 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTT. 191 

Gbjixs. Grains. 

Sulphate of Lime, 105.41 Bromide of Potassa, 10.76 

Sulphate of Magnesia 36.14 Chloritie of Potassa 2.48 

Sulphate of Iron 6.53 Silica 6.10 

Carbonate of Iron, 19.70 Alumina 98 

Carbonate of Magnesia 22.39 Car. Acid Gas 96.48 cub. in. 

Density, 1.0258. Temperature, (summer and winter same) 50=" Fahrenheit. 

The Big Spriiif;. in the soiithwestein part of the cotmt)', was known in 
early days as the Lime Spring. Unlike the northern waters (Adams) the waters 
of Big Sjiring do not show even a particle of sulphur. 

Gas UV/As. — Gas wells in Ohio, exhaustless fountains of carburetted hy- 
drogen gas, have come into prominence only within the last fifteen years, al- 
though evidences of inexhaustible supply were manifest fi'om the beginning of 
settlement. It was known that the Chinese had for centiuies utilized natiu-al 
gas in their workshops and homes, but not tuitil about a half centiuy ago was 
this knowledge applied in the United States, when a Fredonia, N. Y. , enterprise 
introduced it. Since that time many localities in Pennsylvania and Ohio have 
searched for and found this great light and heat giver, and in 1884-85 local 
enterprise at Findlay, Fostoria, Bowling Green and other places has brought 
this hidden wealth to the doors of Seneca County, leaving little doubt of its 
extension throughout the county with a few years. 

Prof. Edward Orton, in his paper on oil wells in Ohio, says: "The wells 
begin in the Niagara limestone, or in the waterlime. The di'ill goes through 300 
to 40() feet of nearly iinbroken sheets of solid rock. Below this the red shales 
of the Medina group come in, ranging from fifty to 200 feet in thickness. The 
Hudson Eiver group, next below, consists of about 400 feet of calcareous shales, 
gray or blue, and highly fossiliferous. The fossils are found distinct enough 
for identification in the di-illings. The brown or black Utica shale follows next 
in order. It is 250 to 300 feet thick. It has but few fossils, but these few are 
characteristic. The gas 'sand' or 'oil sand' of the driller comes next. 
The Pennsylvania driller knows no rock but a sand-stone as an oil or gas pro- 
ducer, and so this soiu'ce of gas goes by the name of sand-stone. Analyses of 
four samples of the rock from Findlay, Fostoria, Lima and Bowling Green, all 
agree in proving the rock to be an impiu-e limestone, of a different tj-pe from 
any in the Ohio scale. It is clearly the Trenton limestone of the Eastern 
States and of Canada. It has been diilled into for 400 feet in several wells, 
but the gas all comes from its upper surface. No gain has been made by go- 
ing deeper in any case yet. though several thousand dollars have been spent in 
this way in different localities. Toipedoes have been used with good effect in 
several wells. The gas comes to the surface with fair pressure when released, 
but with little of the explosive violence of the gi'eat wells of Pennsylvania. 
These latter are at least twenty times as strong as the strongest of the Findlay 
wells. The relations of the gas territoi-j- to the Cincinnati arch are a matter 
of interest. Newbeny located the arch too far to the eastward, as it now ap- 
pears. He thought the islands of Lake Erie were carried on top of the arch, 
but this is thirty or forty miles out of the way. No determination was possi- 
ble until these drillings were made, and the niuuber is far too small to allow 
any accurate and final determination. The facts so far obtained show Findlay 
to be on the highest part of the arch. Taking the gas-bearing rock as our 
guide, we find it at the following named places and depth below the ocean 
level: Findlay, 310; Bowling Green, 387; Lima, 440; Fostoria, 471; Fre- 
mont, fiOO. The fact that the two points where gas is most abundant are 
found on the highest portions of the lower limestone will be noticed. The axis 
seems to be bearing about north and must pass near Toledo, instead of through 



192 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

the islands. The effect of the arch is, however, problematical. Even two 
swallows do not make a summer. Gas may be found away fi'om the arch in 
some of the wells now going down, in which case the deductions drawn fi-om the 
first facts wordd immediately lose their value. Drilling is sure to go forward 
rapidly in the State, and by means of it we shall learn very much in regard to 
the structure of the arch that we could not otherwise know. After a little ge- 
ology can begin to predict. Already one ^conclusion of much economic value 
seems fairly well established. It is this: When the Trenton limestone is 
reached and penetrated twenty or thirty feet, if no reward is found, the drill- 
ing would best be abandoned. Oil is found at Lima and at Findlay. The oil 
is of the usual type of limestone oils, viz. : Thirty-six degrees gravity, black, 
rather low in lubricating quality and somewhat offensive in odor. It is ' be 
twixt and between, ' being neither well adapted to refining nor to lubricating 
purposes, but, if found in quantity, may prove a source of value. As to the 
quantity, no conclusions are as yet fairly deducible. About 200 barrels are re- 
ported from the Lima well. The geological facts as to the occurrence of the 
oil and gas are very interesting and important. Our siipplies elsewhere 
through the State nearly all come from the Berea Grit, but the new horizon 
lies 2,500 feet below, and, moreover, is a limestone. Its supplies must there- 
fore lie derived from animal life, while the sujjplies of the Berea Grit are de- 
rived from the vegetable matters of the black shale. It appears that gas and 
oil both are rendered characteristic by the source fi'om which they come. 

The well di-illed at South Fostoria, to a depth of 1,775 feet, was not a suc- 
cess. The history of this enterprise is given in the history of Fostoria. The 
proposed well at Tiffin is only a matter of history so far as the projectors of 
the enterprise are concerned. 

Zoology. — There was a time when deer were lulled by the fii-st settlers of 
Tiffin and Fort Ball, within the limits of their villages. The bear, wild hog, 
wolverine and wolf, were all here; while the reptile species claimed many and 
venomoiis representatives. Indeed blue-racers may still be found in this part 
of Ohio, while garter-snakes are still niimeroiis. In July, 1883, foiu- or five 
blue-racers had been killed in the northern part of Jackson Township. San- 
dusky County. The county was at one time a favorite camjiing ground for sea- 
hawks and eagles. It is related that some years before the Senecas left the 
comity, a hawk carried off a pajapoose that was left by its Indian mother in a 
grove which then stood on the south bank of the river, near "Washington Street 
bridge. In June, 1882, Daniel Misner, living on the Aikens farm, five miles 
southwest of Tiffin, shot a bald eagle which measiu'ed seven feet from tip to tip, 
killing it with a charge of number six shot, at a distance of fifty yards. In 
February, 1885, Philip R. Fox, living three and one-half miles soiitheast of 
Fostoria, detected a large bald eagle in the act of carrying away a good sized 
lamb. He procui-ed his gun and shot the eagle at a distance of fifty feet' in the 
air, and brought him down, together with his mutton. 

In the Indian times, the rivers and streams of the county were teeming 
with fish. As settlement advanced, the finny tribe decreased, and ultimately 
faded away in the general ruin which fell upon animals of the woods and waters 
of the wilderness. New species have, however, taken the place of the fish of 
pioneer times, and now inhabit the rivers and streams. In Pleasant Town- 
ship, the breeding of German carp may be classed among the industries. 

Botany. — It is as unnecessary as it is difficult to name the trees, shrubs, 
grasses, herbs and flora of this county. Every plant and flower known in this 
latitude floiu-ishes throughout the length and breadth of Seneca Coimty, whUe 
many exotics may be brought, and are broitght, to perfection in the homes of the 



l( 





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,f ^ * Mlat > u t>t'\. '. 




JL.f! 




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HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 195 

peoislo. Many wild flowers, kuown only to the pioneers, have disappeared for 
ever, hundreds of new ones having usiu'ped their place even within the pioneer 
period. 

Hoi-ticiiltiu-e is well represented, the orchards and ^neyards of the coimty 
being among the tii'st in the northern part of Ohio. In 1S24 the first t)rchard 
of the county was set oiit in Clinton Township l)y John Keller; but prior to 
this many wild trees offered abundance of fruit to the Indians and pi(jueers. 

Clintatohtgi). — It has been stated by very many old settlers of Ohio, that the 
winter of lSS-lr-!S5, and indeed the summer of 1885, reached the very limit of 
the lowest temperature of the resjiective seasons. History, however, does not 
bear out the statf>meut; for about the beginning of the j)ioneer period of the 
county, the wild animals were frozen in their tracks, and vegetation killed. Since 
that time the climate of this latitude has not varied very much in the case of 
Seneca. Atmosj)heric phenomena were rare indeed, and those appalling out- 
bursts of natiu'e which have devastated towns, villages and farm houses in 
other counties, are unheard of here. 

The fiost of May 15, 1834, destroyed all the fi'iiit crop and potato croj), to- 
gether with more than one-half the wheat crop. Later that year, flour, in the 
Tiffin marJcet, was quoted at Sl-t per baiTel. 

The di'ought of 1S3S resulted in destroying the grain crop, and reducing 
the corn crop to the amount of seed sown. A great hail storm swept over the 
county in May, 1839. This part of Ohio may be said to have escaped the fi-ost 
of September, 1885. 

Arrhaolocji/. — The archseologist must be forever a speculator; for, notwith- 
standing the researches of the ethnologists of the world, and particularly of 
oiu' own searchers, the origin of the vase, mound, stone hatchets, flint aiTow- 
heads, and all the rude adjuncts of prehistoric life, remains unsettled. While 
some ol the mounds are doubtless very ancient, others, similar in character and 
equally interesting, have certainly been built up since the advent of Euro])eans. 
A string of sleigh bells much corroded, but still capable of tinkling, was found 
among the flint and bone implements in a mound in Tennessee, whilst in ^lis- 
sissijipi, at the point where De Soto is supposed to have tan'ied, a Spanish coat 
of arms in silver, one blade of a pair of scissors, and other articles of Euro]iean 
manufactiu'e were ftjund in positions which indicated that they were bm'ied by 
the original builders of the moimds. In a Georgia mound two copper plates 
were found, uj)on which were stamped tigiu'es resembling the sculptures ujion 
the Central American ruins. The workmanship is vastly superior to that dis- 
played on the articles of potterv", stone and bone found in the mounds, and their 
origin and piu-pose are not yet explainable. Aside from these plates nothing 
has been found to indicate a connection between the Mound-Builders and the 
Aztecs or the Pueblos, while on the other hand, there appears many reasons for 
not going beyond the Cherokees, and their fellow red men of the Ohio and Mis- 
sissipj)i Valley, to find the origin of these ciu'ioxis erections. The juu-jwse of 
the mounds still remains in some cases a mysteiy, but in oth<>rs they are known 
to have Ik'i'u made sometimes for burial places, and sometimes as foundations 
for Indian villages secmo fi'ora the floods to which the low lands were period- 
ically subjected. 

The old fortifications on Honey Creek, in Eden Township, near the 3Io- 
hawk Eoad, embrace an area of about two acres. They are attributed to the 
military genius of the Fishermen, or Eries, in their war with the Iroquois in- 
vaders; but there is nothing in history or archreology to warrant a statement 
that the Eries were the builders. That the position was defended since the 
introduction of the shot-gun or rifle is told by the fact that leaden bidlets of 



196 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

eveiy size have been fonnd in the vicinity. Joseph Swigart, passing thi'ough 
Honey Creek in ISl'J, stopped at the spring abont a mile northwest of the 
present village of Bloom ville, and, while there, noticed two circular stone works, 
each about 100 yards south fi'om the spring. A well-beaten path led from the 
spring to the entrance of each work. The spring and each work formed a 
corner of a perfect triangle. Stone hammers, flints, etc., have been found 
there. There were remains of the walls as late as 1830, when they were re- 
moved, and burned for lime. 

In 1850 a f(>w of the ancient mounds in Pleasant Township were opened; 
although for years prior to this date several small mounds were plowed over, 
and bones, potteiy, and other relics of a past age. brought to light. The 
explorations of 1850 resulted in the discoveiy of a number of burned sand-clay 
pitchers, pipes, a stone pitcher, and .other curios, many of which are still to 
be seen in the county. Among the collections of fossils, rocks, boulders and 
curios in the county, that of the editor of the Fostoria Democrat is considered 
the best. The fossil remains foiind in connection with the rocks of this county, 
and particularly with the limestone confoiTuation, comprise the Lithostrotion 
mammiiUare, the L.Iongiconicum the CijathophrjUum, fungites, and the Syringo- 
pori'. all belonging to the Pohjpi class. The only evidence of the Echinodermata 
is fiu'nished by the remains of the common species. The Bryozoa class is rej)re- 
sented in the limestone by no less than seven species; the Brachiopoda by 
eighteen species; the Lamellibranchiata by six species; the Trilobites by two 
very distinct species, showing the tails. The remains of fish and rejjtiles are 
very common. Human remains are imcommon in the strata, though in other 
parts they have been found mysteriously commingled with some of the first 
formations. In all the townships east of the Sandusky there are hillocks visi- 
ble, none of which have been explored systematically, if at all. Throughout 
the county, relies of the aborigines have been found; stone and clay pipes, 
volcanic glass spear-heads, arrow heads, and in some instances copper articles 
have been brought to light, all in evidence of the fact that a people dwelt h^re 
long before the immigration of the Indians, who inhabited the Sandusky 
countrv when the first settlers arrived. 



CHAPTER II. 



SENECA'S EED PIONEERS. 

IN the introduction to the Military History of the county, references are 
made to the occupation of Pleasant Township by the English soldiery- under 
the Irish Tory, Butler, in 1782, its subsequent occiipation by Gen. Han-ison's 
troops in 1813, and the occupation of Clinton Township by Col. BaU's cavah-y, 
the same year. All those movements, expensive, and sometimes costing valua- 
ble citizen lives, were not called for directly by Indian aggression. The pres- 
ence of a trans- Atlantic enemy, and the spirit which that enemy's lies and 
largesses fostered in the Indian mind jvere the fii'st causes. The arch-enemy 
being di'iven away and piuiished, Hull's treachery was remedied, and peace 
was restored. 

Tiie Sliaintees. — The Eries, a tribe of fishermen and himters, inhabited the 
country along Lake Erie, and himted through the country southward imtil 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 197 

V)m. when their villages wore destroyed, their women and children slain, and 
their wamors driven to flight or to the grave. The wild chase of those Mooil- 
thirsty Iroquois after human blood, led them away fi'om this portion of the 
wilderness in search of other tribes to miu-der, and in their place came the 
Shawnees, who fled hither frota the Iroquois, who had just evacuated this 
Country. This was in 1()72. In 17"2S they migrated to the Scioto coiintry; 
and thirty-flve years after assumed ownership of the upjier Miami countrv.with 
their jtrincipal villages at the Mac-a-chack towns. This tribe produced 
Tecnmseh. the savage, who checked up Proctor's fiendish cruelly to the 
Americans. Their re.servations and latter-day villages at Wapakoneta.andnear 
Lima. Allen County, are well described in the history of Ohio, so also their 
dealings with the British. This tribe was removed, in 1S31. to Kansas, where 
they are Reservation Indians. 

Till' Wi/aixlof.'! are undoubtedly a branch of the great Algonquin race. The 
histoi'v of their persecution l\v the Iroquois, who di'ove them from the Simeoe 
country in Western Canada to the islands of the St. Mary's River, and thence 
into the country of the Sauks in the lower peninsula of ^Michigan, is one long, 
long tale of cruelty and rapine on one hand; death, disease and poverty on 
the other. They located on the west side of Lake St. Clair in 1690, and dur- 
ing the following century spread out over- the Miami and Sanduskj' country, 
where they were known until 1842, or over a century and a half. Pomoacan, 
tlii'ir great chief, had his wigwam at what is now called Brownstown. below 
Detroit. He is known in history as the Half-King. In 1781 he moved to 
Sandusky, making the calnn of the nefarious Billy Wyandot his abode. Here 
he received the infamous Elliot, and the no less guilty Simon Girty. both 
othcers in the service of the British. This was the Half-King, who, contrary 
to the ni>w practices and laws of his tribe, permitted the Delawares to cany 
out Elliott's sentence against Col. Crawford. At the time of Crawford's 
defeat. Zhaus-sho-toh was their war-chief, and this fellow had no less than 400 
warriors out of a total Wyandot population of over 1,700. Catherine Walker, 
of Seneca Township, was a woman of this nation. 

In 1800 the Wyandot nation nirmbered 2, "200 soids. I7nder the influence 
of Christian example and teachings, the whole tribe decreased to 800 in 1S42. 
In 184:^ only ()()4 members of the tribe moved beyond the ilississippi. of whom 
only ')ST) were on the New Reserve in 1844, and forty years later, only a bare 
representation can be seen. 

The Delawares inhabited the temtoiy known as the State of Delaware up 
to the time when the tide of Eui'opean settlement set in. Before this tide they 
moved westward, and continued to follow the sun iintil 1724. when they located 
on the Muskingum, then a wilderness hitherto uninhabited and unknown. 

In 1780 the greater number of the Delaware devils returned fi'om the Mus- 
kingum, and took up their residence with the Senecas, Shawnees and Wyan- 
dots on the Sandusky: those who remained at the midille village on the Mus- 
kingum were cut down by Williamson's command. Remembering this mas- 
sacre they allied themselves with the British in 17Sl->s2. and were among the 
most diabolical enemies of the United States. Their villages extended along 
each bank of the TjTiiochtee, just south of Seneca Township, one and one- 
half mile north of Crawfordsville. and eleven miles l)elow the old Wyandot 
town, and eight 'miles l)i4ow the new town of Upper Sandusky. AVinge- 
mund was the war-chief, and had his wigwam twenty-five miles east of the 
old town of Sandusbs-, while the notorious Capt. Pi]>e, or Kogieseh<jnanoheel. 
commanded at the Tymochtee villages the Wolf Trilie. He always was in the 
minority when the question of peace with the Long Knives was brought \\\t in 



198 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

council, yet he was one of the most tieudish enemies of Crawford. He died in 
August, 1794. 

The Senecas of Sandusky. — This was a miscellaneous tribe — a nimiber of 
remnants of inter-tribal wars grouped imder one name, who claimed Logan as 
one of theii' nation. The Cayugas formed the leading band, then the Mohawks, 
and a few Oneidas, Onondagas, Tuscarawas, and mixed breed ^'yandots; a few 
Mingoes, relics, as it were, of Logan' s tribe, were among the CajTigas, of which 
tribe the Mingoes were a branch. Their names still live in New York State, 
where wealthy white communities have sprung up on the old hunting 
gi'ounds of those tribes; flying before the incoming tide of immigration, they 
located in the Scioto and Olentangy Valleys a hundred years after the war 
of 1682, and during the first decade of this centiuy moved to the west bank of 
the Sandusky, in this coimty, where they resided until placed on their reserva- 
tion in 1817-19. Here they lived in peace until 1881, when civilization again 
forced them to resume their westward movement, and placed them in the 
Neosha country. In 1831 the Senecas numbered 510, of whom twenty-eight 
died before they left the Mississippi Valley. Death and disease have reduced 
this number now to about lUO. The Mohawks in 1831 niunbered twenty-five 
lodges. 

Indian Christianity and Early Preachers. — The early preachers of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, known at the "Wyandot Mission, all of whom were also 
visitors to the settlements of Seneca County, were John Stewart (colored), James 
Montgomery, Moses Henkle, Sr., James B. Finley (18'21). Harriet Stubbs, 
George Riley, Charles Elliott, Jacob Hooper, John C. Brooke. Between-the- 
logs, James Gilruth (1827). Gilruth was succeeded hj Messrs. Thompson, 
Shaw, Allen. A\' heeler and Squire Grey Eyes. Rev. Mr. Badger, of Lower 
SanduslvV', introduced Presbyterian doctrine, while the Delawares were inclined 
to Moravianism, if to any branch of Christianity. The Indians looked upon 
theii- new Christian teachers as something to be tolerated for convenience sake. 
Plenty of money poured into the district for their conversion, and, with this 
money, they pm-chased new pleasm-es, which ruined them })hysically, and low- 
ered the standard of then* savage code of morals. A reference to statistics, 
showing their numbers to have decreased in forty-three years from 2.2(10 to 6(34. 
reveals the effect of the Christian edvication they received within that time. 

Two Early Treaties. — The treaty of Fort Mclatosh. negotiated Januaiy 21, 
1785, established a boundary line between the United States and the new 
country of the Wyandots. Delawares. Ottawas and Otchipwes. This line ex- 
tended fi'om the mouth of the Cayuga to the portage between that river and 
the Tuscarawas, feeder of the Muskingum; thence down the feeder to Fort 
Laurens, and westward to the portage of the Big Miami; thence along this 
portage to the Maumee, and along the south bank of this river to its mouth; 
thence along the south shore of Lake Erie to the mouth of the Cayuga River. 

A few special reservations were made, six miles square, at the mouth of the 
Maiuuee. one to\N'nship on the j)ortage of the Big Miami, one on Lake San- 
dusky, and two sections on each side of the Lower Sandusky rapids. 

The treaty of Greenville, August 3. 1795. negotiated by Gen. Wayne, pro- 
vided for the reduction of Indian territon' on the east. Again, the treaty of 
1805, at Fort Industry, provided that the boundaiy line of the "Thirteen Fires" 
— the United States — should be a line drawn north and south 'on the meridian, 
120 miles west of the Pennsylvania line to the intersection of the northern 
boundaiy of United States territory, and to that of the south line established 
by the treaty of Greenville. The treaty of Detroit. November 17, 1807. ceded 
a large area of Michigan and a portion of Ohio to the United States, while the 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 199 

treaty of Browustown, negotiated November 25, 1808, jH-ovided for free travel 
and the construction of roads, one 120 feet wide fi'om Lower Saudiiskv to 
the boiindarj' line named in the treaty of Greenville. 

Indian Treaties Affecting Seneca Counti/. — The treaty of the Maumee 
Ea]>ids, negotiated bj' Lewis Cass and D. McArthur at the foot of the jMamiiee 
Bapids. September 29, 1S17, with the Indians commonly called Senecas (Cay- 
ugas, Mingoes Mohawks, Onondagas, Tuscarawas, AVyandots and Oiieidas), 
and the A\'yaudots, Delawaros, Shawnoes. Pottawattomies, Ottawas and Ot- 
chipwes, was the first which affected the disti'ict now known as Seneca County. 
Takaw-ma-do-aw, Josef, Tawg-you, Bunning-aboiit, Coffee-house, Wiping- 
stick, Capt. Harris, Capt. Smith, Is-ahow-ma-saw, chiefs of the several bauds, 
were the signers. Under this treaty a tract of 30,000 acres was set off' along 
the eastern Viank of the Sanduskj' Biver for the exclusive use of the Senecas, 
to which 10,000 acres were added by the treaty of St. Maiy's, September 17, 
1818. This large tract comprised, in Seneca Coiinty, the territory within 
the following boundaries: From a point eighty rods south of the south line of 
Section 7. in Clinton Township, east on the line limning parallel with the south 
section line of Section 7 to Section 18, Clinton; thence to a point south of Sec- 
tion 10, Scipio Township; thence north, through Scipio and Adams Townships, 
to the north boundary line of county, west on that line to the Sandusky Biver, 
and south along the river to the point of beginning, in Clinton Township. 

After the hunting season of 1818 was past, those Indians settled on this 
Beservation cleared their garden patches and erected their cabins. The agenc_y 
provided for in the treaty was established in 1819, when a Methodist preacher 
was appointed agent, with power to feed and teach this red flock. This agent 
was James Montgomery, who settled with his family in one of the block-houses 
at old Fort Seneca, November 19, 1819. Five years and two months later, 
Seneca County was organized, and within nine years the Indian title was 
relinquished. The cession was made at Washington, D. C, February 28, 1831, 
when the Cayiigas accepted a reservation in the Neosho and Cowskin Biver 
country, southwest of Missoui'i. 

Cession and liecession. — In this treaty with the Senecas, a provision was 
made for the Van Meter family as follows: "To John Van Meter, who was taken 
prisoner by the Wyaudots, and who has ever since lived amongst them, and has 
man-ied a Seneca woman, and to his wife and three brothers, Senecas. who 
now reside on Honey Creek, one thousand acres of land, to begin north 45 de- 
grees west. 140 poles, thence and fi'om the beginning, east for quantity." This 
was in Eden Township. The lands were sold to Lloyd Norris in 1828, and the 
Mohawks left in 1829. 

The Ai'mstrong Beservation is founded on the treaty which provided that 
040 acres of land should be set apart for Eobert Armstrong, a captive of the 
Wyandots, in recognition of his services as inteqireter and guide to United 
States officers. The President located this reservation on the west side of the 
river, near the Fort Ball Military Beservation, so with the second Fort Ball or 
the ilcCulloch Beservation. A grant of <)40 acres was made by the treaty of 
Miami of the Lake for the use of the chikb-en of William McCulloch, and 
located north of and joining the Armstrong Beservation, near Fort Ball. This 
^Mlliam McCulloch was employed by Gen. Harrison as interpreter, and while 
engaged on duty at Fort Meigs was struck by a cannon ball and killed. The 
land was parcelled out to his seven children {vide Histoiy of Tiffin and Pioneer 
History). The Amistrong tract of 640 acres was patented October 12, 1S23; 
AiTustrong sold 4()4 acres to Jesse Spencer October 29, same year. 

The John Walker Beservation is a tract of 040 acres in Seneca Township, just 



200 HISTORY OF SENECA COUSTi'. 

west of the Van Meter grant, was bestowed upon the Wyandot woman, Cath- 
erine Walker, and her sons John and William. They sold a large part of this 
grant to A. Liigenbeel and moved to Ujjper Sandusky. The Treaty of Wash- 
ington, D. C by the Senecas, February 28, 1831. provided that IGO acres 
should be granted to Hemy C. Brish in recognition of his sei'\'ices as sub- 
agent, and for special kindness extended to the Senecas. 

The treaty with the Delawares, made at Little Sandusky, August 3. 1829. 
j)rovided for their evaciiation of the Delaware Reservation of nine square miles 
adjoining the Wyandot Reservation, of the Big Spring, and their removal be- 
yond the jMississippi. Of this tribe Wingemund. Capt. Pipe and other notori- 
ous enemies of Crawford were members. The widow Armstrong (known as 
Tishatahooms). Ayenucere, Hoomam-on (known as John Mings), Yondorast, 
John Hill. Isaac Hill, Capt. Wolf, Billy Montoui', Black Raccoon, Silas Arm- 
strong. John Ai-mstrong or Mahantoo. James Armstrong and Capt. Pijie Jr. , 
were living about the t:ime of their removal. 

The parties to the treaty of Washington, in 1831, were James B. Gardiner. 
United States Commissiner, Henry C. Brish, sub-agent of the Senecas. and 
W. H. Lewis, Hemy Tolan, P. G. Randolph, witnesses; George Hemn, inter- 
preter; Hard-Hickory. Seneca-Steel, Good-Hiinter, Small-Cloud, Spicer and 
Coonstick. Coi. Mcllvain. the chief Seneca agent, was not present. Hemy C. 
Brish succeeded James Montgomery in the agency and remained with the 
Senecas until they left the State. 

Their removal was effected in the fall of 1831. when they started in two divis 
ions for theii- Neosha and Cowskin Reservations. The division in charge of Gen. 
Brish and Martin Lane, traveled l)y river to the Missoiu'i River, and there 
waited for the second division, under Hen'in and Hart, who made the trip over- 
land. They met near the mouth of the Missouri, April 20, 1832. when twenty- 
eight were reported to have died en route, and resuming their journey aiTived 
in the Neosha Valley on April 26, 1832. The Senecas then numbered 510' 
strong: but, like their recent neighbors, the Nez Perces. they faded away, as it 
were, until they may be counted by tens instead of hundreds. 

The treaty of McCutcheonville. Januaiy 19, 1832, between the United 
States and the Wyandots of Big Spring Reservation, provided for the cession to 
the United States of 1(),(KK) acres of land, granted to them by the treaty of St. 
Mar}'"s, made September 17. 1818, located at Big Springs on the head of 
Blanchard' s Fork between Upper Sandusky and Fort Findlay. The treaty stipu- 
lated that the 16. (AW acres, in the Big Sj^ring Reservation, should be surveyed, 
offered for sale, and $1.25 per acre paid to the chiefs for the Big Spring band 
of Wyandots, and a reservation of 32() acres kept for Roe-nu-nas. one of the 
oldest chiefs. Joseph McCuteheon was named as ajipraiser and recommended 
as sub-agent. The treaty was signed by J. B. Gardiner, the special commis- 
sioner; Mat. Grey eyes. Isaac Driver, John D. Brown, Alexander Clark, 
John McLean, Roe-nu-nas. Bear Skin. She-a-wah (John Solomon), and wit- 
nessed by Dr. G. W. Sampson of Seneca Coimty, Dick Reynolds, J. C. DeWitt. 
James McCuteheon and C. Clark. The reservation eml)raced twelve square 
miles in Big Spring Township, and twelve miles square adjoining. 

The proclamation authorizing the sale of the various resen'ations ceded in 
1831, was made under date November 13. 1832, by Andi-ew Jackson. 

In this proclamation the location of the Seneca Reservation as well as of 
that of the Wyandots is given. 

This treaty ended the residence of the Wyandots in this county, and led to 
the treaty of Uj^per Sandusky- in 1842, by which they relinquished title to the 
list large Indian reservation in Ohio. In 1832 the lands formerlv belonging 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 201 

to the Senecas and ^Vyau^lots were surveyed by J. A\'. Christmas, offered for 
sale under the President's proclamation, and the homes of the Indians were 
soon occupied" by the white men. 

INDIAN BIOGRAPHY. 

Many references have been made in the first part of this chapter to the 
Indian chiefs who were once masters of this county and neighborhood. Again 
in the tirst part of this book, devoted to a history of Ohio, such names as Pontiac, 
Tecums(>h, Logan, Blackhoof — find a very full mention. For these reasons the 
following personal notices of Indians who were at once famous or notorious, 
are given in a most concise form, each sketch containing only some important 
point or points not credited in the first part of the history. 

So much has been wiitten regarding Tecumseh (pp. 61 to O-t), it is only 
necessary here to make one reference to the man. Few there are who have not 
read of the Ijarbarity of the English troops diu'ing the whole war of the Eevo- 
lution, as well as the war of 1812: fewer still are ignorant of the premium 
offered by the English commanders to their soldiers and Indian allies, ^^"ho 
does not remember the massacres of Fort Meigs and of the River Kaisiu? Who 
has not heard of Gen. Proctor's infamous doings there, of his order to kill all 
prisoners, of his enthusiasm in witnessing, for two hours, how ably his own 
ti'oops and his Indians carried out his diabolical command ? Tecumseh came on 
the scene too late to save all, yet in time to cast a ray of light on his own char- 
acter, and save his Indian brethi'en from the obloquy which, to this day, 
attaches itself to the white man. According to the chronicler, it is said: "He 
sprang fi'om his horse, caiight one Indian by the throat and the other by the 
breast, and threw them to the ground: then, drawing his knife and hatchet, 
and running between the Indians and })risoners, brandished his weapons wildly 
and dare<l the attack on another prisoner. Maddened by the barbai'ity which 
he loathed, he sought Gen. Proctor, and demanded why this massacre was 
allowed. 

' Sir, ' replied the General, ' your Indians cannot be commanded, ' 

'Begone!' answered the chief with a sarcastic sneer, 'you are unfit to 
command; go, you aie not a man.' " Let the rebuke be the reproach of a sav- 
age: it is worthy of recognition to-day, for in the humanity of manhood is. 
the ])hilosophy of life. 

Els<iuata. the twin brother of Tecumsi-h, is known in history as the Prophet. 
This false friend accompanied the renegade Shawnees, under the lead of Tecum- 
seh, to the British service in Canada; returned after the war to Wapakonetta; 
went west of the Mississippi with a large number of his tribe in 1828, and died 
of cholera in 1833 in Kansas. In a reference to him Jonathan Elder says: "I 
was very well accjuainted with the Pro])het. He was not a warrior, but a low, 
cunning fellow. He prophesied many things that did not come to pass. He 
was a vain man, with a great amount of show, but with little sense. His pow- 
ers of prophecy were not well sustained by the Indians in general; in fact, they 
had but little "faith in him." After the treaty of Fort Wayne in 1800, it is 
related by Dr. Hill that th(> Prophet ordered the execution of Leath(>r-lips, a 
noted Wyandot chief, for pretended witchcraft, but really to get rid of his 
influence. Bix "\\'yandot warriors were sent to put him to death. The warri- 
ors and their leader, Eouudhead, went directly fi-om Tippecanoe to execute 
him. They found him encamped on a stream about twelve miles above the 
present city of Columbus. When the warriors aiTived, and their purjsose was 
ascertained, several white men made an ineffectual effort to save his life. A 
council took place, and the wairiors resolved to kill the chief, as ordered. An 



202 HISTORY OF SENECA COrNTV. 

Indian, with much -warmth, accused him of magic or witchcraft; but Leather- 
lips denied the charge. A\'hen the sentence of death was passed upon him, he 
returned to his camp, ate a dinner of jerked venison, washed and dressed in 
his best Indian clothing, and painted his face. He was tall and dignified, and 
his hair quite gray. When the time of his execution an'ived, he shook hands 
with those present, and tm-ned from his wigwam and commenced to chant his 
death song. He then moved toward the point where the warriors had dug a 
grave. When he got to the grave, he knelt down and prayed to the Great 
Spirit. When he finished. Roundhead also knelt and prayed. Leather-lips 
again knelt and prayed, and when he ceased, one of the warriors drew from his 
skirts a keen, new tomahawk, stepped up behind the chief and struck him on 
the head with his whole strength. The chief fell foi-ward in the agonies of 
death. The executioner stmck him again, once or twice, and finished his suf- 
ferings. The body was buried with all his Indian ornaments, and the warriors 
and whites disappeared. An attempt has been made to fix the responsibility of 
this great crime upon the Wyandot chief. Crane. Crane was the friend of the 
whites, and opposed to the schemes of the treacherous Prof)het, and it is clear 
never could have authorized the execution of a fellow \A'yandot chief. 

The Wyandot chief, Roundhead, had a village on the Scioto in the south- 
west corner of Hardin County, where the town of Roimd Head was subse- 
quently laid out. At what precise date the Indians started this village is not 
known, but about the year ISDO Maj. James Galloway, of Greene County, \'is- 
ited them at this point, and says that there was then quite a number of apple 
trees in the village, and that the Indians raised many swine. Some of those 
trees, said to have been planted by this old chief, are yet standing. Round- 
head, whose Indian name was Stiahta, was a fine-looking man. He had a 
brother named John Battise, a man of gi-eat size and personal strength. He 
was well remembered by the pioneers of the Miami and Scioto Valleys on 
account of possessing an enormous nose, which resembled in size and hue an 
immense blue potato full of indentations, and when he laughed it shook like 
jelly. He lived at a place called Battisetown some miles west of his brother" s 
village, joined the English in 1M2, and was killed at the siege of Fort Meigs. 
In 1807 Roundhead was present with Teciuuseh and other chiefs at a coimcil 
^eld at Springfield, Ohio, between the whites and Indians to settle a difficulty 
which arose over the killing of a white man named Myei's, a few miles west of 
Urbana. The execution of Leather-lips, a well known M'yandot chief, which 
took place twelve miles north of Columbus, Ohio, in lb 10, on the charge of 
witchcraft, was intrusted by Tectimseh to Roundhead, who, at the head of six 
braves, came from Tippecanoe and did the deed. 

The celebrated Mingoe chief. Logan, with a band of followers, had a village 
in the southeastern part of Hardin County as early as 1778. It is probable 
that he moved from the lower Shawnee towns on the Scioto, where his cabin 
stood in 1774, to this point, soon after Lord Dunmore's campaign. The exact 
location of this village is not knowTi, some old settlers claiming that it stood in 
the vicinity of "Grassy Point." Col. John McDonald, in his biography of 
Simon Kenton, when telling of his capture in 1778, says: "As the Indians 
passed from Wapakoneta to L^pper Sandusky, they went through a small vil- 
lage on the river Scioto, where then resided the celebrated chief. Logan, of 
JefFerson memory. Logan, unlike the rest of his tribe, was humane as he was 
brave. At his -wigwam, the party who had the care of the prisoner, stayed 
over night." From this account, it seems they also remained the succeeding 
day and night, not leaving for Upper Sandusky until the second morning after 
their arrival at Logan's village. The old Shawnee trail crossed the Scioto 



xf^ ' 




^C^tf-.^--^^ ^rercAX^ 





~OcU<XAri, JPry^-0^^ ^'Ua^c^eJs. 



y^iJLA^ 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 205 

near the residence of the late Jiulf^e Fortius Wheeler, several miles northeast 
of Grassy Point, and as the Indian village was on the Scioto, it is safe to infer 
that th.> wigwams of Logan and his band were in the vicinity of the Shawnee 
fonl and not at Grassy Point. jThe main reason why the latter place has been 
thought to have been the site of the Mingoe Camp, is that the Indians had 
cleared and cultivated some land in that locality, which, upon subsequent 
abandonment, had grown up in blue grass, hence the nam(\ Grassy Point. It 
is more probable that the land refen-ed to was cultivated by the Shawnees and 
^\■yandots, who owned this territory in common, while the Mingoes occupied 
it only by consent of these tribes, who loved it as one of (heir f^vorit(> camp- 
ing grounds, and a sacred depository of their dead. Logan, the noble Mingoe 
chief, and the principal victim of Col. Cresap's mad zeal, belonged to this 
county as much as to any other locality in the State {vide History of Ohio). 
His celetjrated speech, delivered near Circleville, Ohio, conveys an idea of the 
deep wrongs which were, in some instances, heaped upon the Indians throuo-h 
the malice of individuals. This man, more noble than the white man, passed 
the winter of his life in the very neighborhood of Tiffin, and moved away to 
die. He was killed by a brother Indian while sitting at his camp fire. 

Pmupkin, the Taway Indian, was about six feet high, and as savage and ill- 
looking as he was tall. George Heck, in his relations, speaks of this red-skin 
as one of whom even Indians were afi-aid. He killed Mis. Snow, on Cold 
Creek, dm'ing her husband's absence, cut open her womb, took a full gi-own 
l)ab(., roasted the little human being, and made his meal oflF it. The Senecas 
captured this ten-ible savage, brought him to Snow for sentence; but the white 
man feared to avenge the murder of his wife and child, so that Pumpkin was 
allowed to go fi-ee. Some short time after this cannibal quarreled with a 
A\ yandot, and of course killed him. He was then arrested by the Wyandots, 
who placed him on a log, and there six tomahawks were biu'ied in his brain.' 

In the year 1822, Good Spring's mother and three other squaws were 
executed on a charge of witchcraft. It appears that during the summer of 
that year a peculiar disease attacked the Senecas, and they attributed their 
troubles to those four unfortunate women. They were condemned to die, and 
while waiting, proceeded to Lower Sandusky for whisk-v. with which they re- 
turned to hold their last orgie. Diu-ing their drunken" lit, thev called on the 
executioner to end them, when Jim Sty— the drone of the reserv'ation— ad- 
vanced with a pipe tomahawk upraised, and striking each of the old women in 
the head, declared that the witches were gone. 

Death of Seneca John.— This fi-atricidal affair took place in the fall of 1828. 
It api)ears that in 1825, thi-ee Senecas, viz. : Coonstick and Steel, brothers, with 
sub-chief Cracked Hoof, traveled west to seek new hnnting-gi-ounds, lea\'ing 
theu- elde.st brother, Comstock, chief of the tribe, and their youngest brother, 
Seneca John, sub-chief. On retmning they foimd Seneca* John chief, and 
learned that Comstock was dead. Tribal gossip was not idle, but with jealous 
tongue poured stories of John's treachery into the ears of his brothers, who 
accused him of poisoning the head chief, and said that he should die. The 
stoic received the sentence calmly, yet protested his innocence. In the moraimr 
he was executed near the hut of Hard Hickorv, the Indian Shane and his two 
brothers being the executioners. Steel taking the leading part. Hard Hickory 
stated in after years, that prior to John's death, he turned to Coonstick saying: 
"Now brother, you take yom- revenge." Coonstick at once relented and" was 
going to the relief of his tlying brother, when Steel rashed forward and com- 
pleted the murder. 

In 182<J Seneca Steel was brought before the court at Upper Sandusky, and 



206 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

acquitted of tlie charge of mui'der, it being made clear that the murdered chief 
had his brother poisoned. 

In 1832 theWyandots, imder Chief Thomas Koon. resided in Jackson Township 
and passed the whole season there hunting, killing 107 deer, eleven bears, and 
thousands of small game. John P. Gordon, who then had a saloon at Eisdon, 
sold them whisk}' at wholesale, and this, on one occasion, almost led to civil war 
among them. Nestlerode, acting under instructions of Koon. took their knives 
and whisk}' bottles fi'om them, and sent them to camp. He, however, surrendered 
the whisky, and when their di'unken fit was over returned them their knives. 

Tarhe, or the Crane, named by the French Monsieur Grue, or Mr. Crane, 
was born near Detroit, in 1742, and died near Upper Sanduskj', in 1818, 
his biu'ial being attended by various tribes. He was always a remarkable In- 
dian. His wife was a white gii'l named Sally Frost. 

Comstock, chief of the Seneca Indians for some years previous to 1825, and 
eldest brother of Seneca John, Seneca Steel, and Coonstick, was poisoned in 
1825, and Seneca John, the youngest brother elected chief (ride Gen. Brish's 
Narrative). 

Seneca John was a splendid specimen of Indian manhood. He was born 
here in 1787, and murdered by his brothers in 1825, near Green Spring 
{vide Gen. Brish's Narrative). His wigwam was where Dr. AYilliams' house 
now stands. While visiting the Doctor's father's house, east of Eeedtown, his 
little child was scalded. Dr. "Williams did everything to relieve the little suf- 
ferer, but death ensued. 

Seneca Steel, the mui'derer of his brother Seneca John, in 1825, moved to 
the Neosha coimtry in 1831-32. 

Coonstick, the third brother of Seneca John, and participator in his mui'der, 
moved to the Cowskin Eiver country in 1832. 

Hard Hickory, born about 1780 in this district, was considered an excel- 
lent Indian, spoke French fluently and English fairly, and was one of the head 
chiefs of the tribe. Next to Joseph Tequania he was the most polished war- 
rior, and far above him in shi'ewdness, until after his removal to the Neosha 
Country. Previous to leaving Seneca County, he with a few other Cayugas 
received annually Sl.<30() fi'om New York State, and afterward this sum was 
mailed to them on the new reservation. In 1834 Hard Hickory and one of 
the Herrins — either Joseph or George — were deputed to go to Fort Gibson and 
receive cash for their draft. Ha%'ing received the cash, Hickorj' proposed a 
visit to Washington City, believing that the President would refund him any 
moneys expended on such a trip. This journey was accomplished; the Indian 
Department refused to pay for IVIr. Hickon-"s pleasui'es, so that when he 
returned to Neosha ven' little money was ^•isible. This, in addition to a num- 
ber of lies which he told, ch'ew upon him the condemnation of the tribe. He 
resisted the tribal law for a short time, Init was ultimately executed by Shane 
in his own cabin and in presence of his own wife. 

Wiping Stick, referred to in the history of Fort Seneca gamson, was a 
CajTiga chief, who possessed all the noble qualities of his race, without any of 
the bad ones. 

She-a-wah, or John Solomon, who signed the treaty for the Wyandots in 
1818, moved fi'om Big Spring in 1832, and joined the leading band of Wyan- 
dots at Upper Sandusky, where he remained until after the removal of the 
tribe in 1842. He returned to Wyandot in 184U, and made the place his home 
until his death in 1878. The pioneers who assembled at Shoch's Woods, Eden 
Township, September 1, 1877, saw this tall old chief for the last time. There 
he made his last speech. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 207 

Joseph TiMiuaiiia. a half-l)rotlier of Toqiiania. who was killoil by Peter 
Pork, was born about 1 755 ; was a coiumissioued otScer in the French Canadian 
service, and one of the most polished residents of 'Seneca County even up to 
\H'M. when he went ^^'est with his tribe. This man belon<i^ed to the Catholic 
Church, and, with one of his sisters, would proceed long tlistances to att(>nd 
service, dressed in a red vest, white ruffled shirt, lepjgings. hair braided, fancy 
shawl and some jewelry. With all his retinemenl. he looked down upon his 
less fortunate brother Indians, and sometimes hated them for the little they did 
know. 

Strono; Ann T(><iuania, son of the twin-sister of Tequania. the victim of 
Peter Pork and known as the Ono-Eyed Medicine A^'oman. was, like his mother, 
veiy benevolent, and much liked by the settlers. 

Tequania. or Strong- Arm, murdered in 1.S29 by Peter Pork, was the twin- 
brother of the medicine woman of the tribe. Each of them was born with 
only one eye; both were extra good Indians, and great fi-iends of their white 
neighliors. 

Good Springs was a young savage, corresponding with the modern dude of 
white communities. His mother was executed in IS'i'J for witchcraft, and after 
the deed was done by Jim Skj-. this fellow feared to meet the murderer. 

George Washington, who served as scout during the war of the Revolution, 
reached a ripe old age in 1822. During that year his squaw — Martha Wash- 
ington — was condemned to death for witchcraft. The executioners entered her 
cabin, saw the old scout looking on at his doomed wife pounding hominy, and 
then without ceremony. Shane stepped forward, struck her with the tomahawk, 
and called upon Jim Sk\' to cut her neck. 

Peter Pork, whose only good trait was a desire to mm-der villains like him- 
self, was the worst character in the Seneca country. While attending one of 
Benazah Parker's orgies in the latter's saloon at Fort, Seneca. October 4, 1829. 
he stabbed this white wi-etch. immediately after he had administered a mock 
saci-ameut of corn dodgers and whisky to his guests. Parker died of his 
woimds in January. 181^1. having suffered terribly in the meantime. Previous 
to his attack upon Parker, he cut up Tequania or Strong Arm with an ax. 
This occmred while en route home fi-om Lower Sandusky, and would have re- 
sulted in the immediate death of Tequania. had not Dr. Ely Dresbach exer- 
cised his skill in binding up the wounds. The Indian, however, died nine days 
after, and ten days before Parker received his death wounds from the same Pork. 
He also killed Joseph Silas, a Mohawk half-breed, and another Indian, a friend 
of Silas, together with the squaw Brandt, known as "Thomas Brandt's old 
wife." who lived a solitary life in one of Brandt's cabins. In 183(5 Joseph 
Herrin, a Mohawk half-breed and interpreter, revisited Fort^Seneca, learned of 
his cousin Silas' death, and on his retiu'n to the Neosha country cut Peter 
Pork's head off (ride Histoiy of Courts and Bar). 

Mrs. Sally Ingham, in referring to the murder by Pork of Parker, related for 
Mr. Stewart in 1.S73. and for the wTiter in September, 1SS5. the following rem- 
iniscence: '-On the 4th of October. 1829, an Indian of the Seneca tribe, named 
Peter Pork, called at the house of Parker, in a state of intoxication, and de- 
manded some whiskj'. Observing his condition Parker refused to comply \nth 
his demand, when the Indian became exasperated, and said, with an oatli. that 
'he would have some. ' at the same time making a movement to prociu-e the 
'firewater.' Parker seized a tire-brand from the fireplace, and made an at- 
tack on the Indian, in the hope that he would desist. This only tended to 
infuriate the savage, who drew his knife and stabbed Parker in the side, in- 
flicting a painful and dangerous wound, from which he died about a vear 



208 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

afterward. After the committal of the deed, Peter Pork went to his htit and 
made some preliminaiy preparations for defense, well knowing that his deed 
would be detected, He placed his tomahawk within reach of his bed, and 
stuck his knife in a crevice in a wall just above his head. His squaw, notic- 
ing these actions, comprehended that something was wrong, and after he had 
fallen into a sort of dninken stupor, she removed the knife, placing in its 
stead a piece of wood of about the same dimensions. The following persons 
repaired to his house in order to arrest him: Jaques Hulberd (afterward 
judge), Phineas Frary, Anson Gray and Stephen Ross. He was a gigantic 
savage, and on the entrance of the party a teiTible struggle ensued, which 
was cari'ied on in the dark. Pork having kicked the lantern out of the hand of 
Frary at the onset. Mr. Hulberd clinched the Indian, and caught him by the 
throat, when Pork seized the piece of wood, supposing it to be his knife, and 
gave Hulberd a temble stab, the stick penetrating thi'ough his coat. After 
being nearly throttled, the Indian was secui'ed; and April 2S, 1S30, he 
was arraigned before the coiu-t of common pleas of this county, and found 
guilty of 'stabbing with intent to kill.' He was sentenced to three years in 
the Ohio State Penitentiary. ' ' 

Buck-ong-a-he-las, a noted old Delaware chief, mixed much with the 
Shawnees. He is supposed to have been born near Philadelphia, Penn., a 
few years after the treaties with Penn, and, when he lived on the Auglaize, 
was well advanced in age. In colonial days, with Jacobs and other leading 
Delawares, he resided in western Pennsylvania, and is believed at that time to 
have been identical with the ' 'Shingess' ' who entertained Washington, when 
a young man, in 1758. Shingess was an active warrior when Fort Du Quesue 
was taken in 1759. Heckewelder speaks of meeting him at the Tuscarora 
town on the Muskingum, as early as 1760. As early as 1704, King Beaver, 
who was a brother of Buck-ong-a-he-las, is met by Gen. Gibson at the mouth 
of Big Beaver. Just what time he settled in western Ohio is not known. At 
the capture of Col. Hardin, Maj. Tiirman and others in 1792, as bearers of a 
flag of trace from Washington, after having treacherously murdered Hardin, 
the Indians arrived near the Indian town of Auglaize, and reported to the old 
chief, "who was veiy sorry they had killed the men, andsaid,insteadof sodoiug. 
they should have brought them along to the Indian towns, and then, if what 
they had to say had not been liked it would have been time enough to have 
killed them. Nothing could justify them for putting them to death, as there 
was no chance for them to escape. ' ' This chief fought against Harmar, St. 
Clair and Wayne. He signed the treaty of 1795. He must have been over 
one hundi'ed years old. He died at Ottawa village, on the Auglaize, in 1S04. 

One of the most noted chiefs was the venerable Blackhoof — Cul-the-we-ka- 
saw — in the raids upon Kentucky sometimes called Blackfoot. He is believed 
to have been born in Florida, and, at the period of the removal of a portion of 
the Shawnees to Ohio and Pennsylvania, was old enough to recollect having 
bathed in the salt water. He was present, with others of his tribe, at th<> 
defeat of Gen. Braddock, near Pittsbiu'gh, in 1755. and was engaged in all 
the wars in Ohio fi-om that time until the treaty of Greenville, in 1795. He 
was known far and wide as the gr(>at Shawnee warrior, whose cunning, sagac- 
ity and experience were only equaled by the force and desperate bravery with | 
which he carried into operation his military plans. He was the inveterate foe 
of the white man, and held that no peace should be made, nor negotiation at- 
tempted, except on the condition that the whites should repass the mountains, 
and leave the great plains of the West to the sole occupancy of the red men. 
He was the orator of the tribe diu'ing the greater part of his long life, and is 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY'. 209 

said to have been an excellent speaker. Col. Jolin Jolinston says lie was 
probably in more battles than any living man of his day. and was the most 
gracefiil Indian he had ever seen, and possessed the most natxxral and happy 
faculty of expressing his ideas. He was well versed in the traditions of his 
people, and no one understood better their relations to the whites, whose set- 
tlements were gradually pressing them back, and could detail with minuteness 
the wrongs inflicted by the whites on his people. He rememb(>red having 
talked with some of the aged chiefs who had been present at the treaty with 
William Fenn, in 1082. He fought the battles again.st Hai-mar, St. Clair and 
AVayne. hoping to retain his country; but when finally defeated, in 17'J4, he 
decided that fiu-fher resistance was useless, and signed the treaty of Green- 
ville, in 179;"), and continued faithful to its stipulations until his decease, which 
occurred in the summer of lfS81, at Wapakonetta, at the advanced age of one 
hundred and twenty years! Blackhoof is said to have been opposed to polyg- 
amy and the practice of bxu'ning prisoners. He lived forty years with one 
wife, raising a large family of children, who both loved and respected him. 
He was small in stature, not more than five feet eight inches in height. He 
was favored with good health and unimpaii'ed eyesight to the period of his 
death. 

Quasky, his elder son, was the successor to Blackhoof. He possessed many 
of the qualities of his distinguished father. He went West with his people in 
1832, and was living in 1853. He. like his father, was a fine sjieaker. 

The chief Blue Jacket, it will be remembered, commanded the Indian army 
at the battle of "Fallen Timber," in 1794, and, with much rehictance, signed 
the treaty with Wayne, at Greenville, in 1795. He was veiy bitter in his 
feelings toward the ' ' Long Knives, ' ' who were raj)idly settling upon the 
lands that formerly belonged to the red man. His feelings were quite as in- 
tense as those of Tecumseh, though he did not possess his abilities for organi- 
zation. As a matter of prudence, he did not join Tecumseh in the war of 
1812. He is sTipposed to have died at Ottawa village, down the Auglaize, 
just prior to the treaty at Maumee Kapids, in 1817. It apjiears that Gens, 
Cass and ]\IcArthui\ in that treaty, made provision for his family at Wapako- 
netta, in which James, George and Charles Blue Jacket received each about ' 
1,000 acres in the reservation. 

Quilna. another chief, was actually popular among the white pioneers. 
He shared in all their sports and industries; was as good a workman as he 
was a hunter. 

Little Fox, a brother of Pht, was an irreconcilable. Up to the departure 
of this Indian for Kansas, he coiild not beiieve that he was doomed to leave 
Ohio. 

Txirkeyfoot, a peculiar formation, just as broad as he was long, was a sav- 
age capable of entertaining and practicing the most diabolical ideas. At 
times he would induce himself to believe that he was on good terms with the 
whites, and while in such a mood he would make a circuit of all the white 
settlements. 

Beaver, a young Delaware chief, who, with his band, made his home with 
the Shawnees, was a favorite of Gen. Harrison. He it was who executed Lit- 
tle Blue Jacket, in July. 1S13, when that emissary of Proctor was on his way 
to assassinate Gen. Harrison, at Fort Seneca. 

Little Blue Jacket, an itinerant bravado of the Shawnee nation, who passed 
some time with the British at Maiden, was dispatched by Gen. Proctor to 
Ohio to introduce himself into the camp of the American Shawnees and Dela- 
wares, who were then aiding the American army, and, when an opportunity 



210 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

offered, to assassinate the American commander. Owing to the loyalty of Beaver 
his design was foiled, and himself made the victim of his treachery. 

Soo-de-nooks, son of Black Chief, miu'dered John Barnet's half brother 
in October, 1S3(); was brought before a council of the Wyandots (of which 
tribe both were members), and sentenced to banishment, while his property was 
to become common to the tribe. This sentence was vetoed by the tribe, and 
all men over twenty-one years of age assembled to trj' the case. There were 
112 votes in favor of capital punishment and twelve in favor of the sentence 
of the council. Three Chi'istian and three heathen Indians were ai)pointed 
to caiTy out the new decision, viz. : Silas Armstrong. Joe Enos, Francis Cot- 
ter, Lump-on-the-head, Soo-knh-guess and Saw-yan-wa-hoy. These savages 
fired at the miu-derer, and Soo-de-nooks went straight to the country of all bad 
Indians. 

Grey Eyes was a regular Methodist minister — a piu'e A\'yaudot, and an un- 
com]>romising opponent of the sale of the Big Spring and other resei-vations 
until after the majority agreed to sell, when he also acquiesced. In 1843. he 
moved 'West with the tribe, under Chief Jacques. 

La-wa-tu-cheh (John Wolf), was a Shawnee of some note. Col. John 
Johnston hired of him a trading house at Wapakonetta, and he often accom- 
panied the Colonel on his trading trips in the forest among the different tribes. 
He died at "VVapakonetta. 

AVa-the-the-we-la, or Bright Horn, was another noted chief, who was pres- 
ent when Logan was mortally wounded in the contest with Winemac in 1812, 
and was severely wovinded in the thigh in the same tight, but recovered and 
lived at Wapakonetta. He was. with Blackhoof, the especial friend of Gen. 
HaiTison in the war of 1812. He was a brave man. and of sound integrity. 
He fought like a hero for our cause in the war of 1812. He was a large and 
commanding Indian in appearance, and was quite shrewd and intelligent. He 
died in 1826, at Wapakonetta. 

Peter Cornstalk was a chief in succession to his father, who was assassin- 
ated at Point Pleasant, Va. This Peter was a fine specimen of the Indian, 
and a true fi'iend of the settlers in the Auglaize country. He moved to Kan- 
sas in 1828 with the Prophet. 

Nern-pe-nes-he-quali. also a son of Chief Cornstalk, went to Kansas in 
1832. 

Heniy Clay, son of Capt. ^Aolf, was educated under the supervision of 
Col. John Johnston, at Upper Piqua, at the expense of the Quaker Friends. 
He afterward became a leading chief and married the daughter of Jeremiah 
McLain, formerly a member of Congress fi-om the Cohunbus District, in 1835. 

Way-wel-ea-py was the princii)al speaker among the Shawnees at the period 
of their removal. He w-as an eloquent orator, grave, gay or humorous, as oc- 
casion required. At times, his manner is said to have been quite fascinating, 
his coiiutenance so full of varied expression, and his voice so musical, that 
svu'veyors and other "strangers passing through the country listened to him with 
delight, although the words fell upon their ears in an unknown language. 
During the negotiation for the sale of their resei-ve, he addressed his people 
and Mr. Gardiner several times. His refiitation of Gardiner's assumed supe-. 
riority over the Indian race was complete and full of irony. Col. George C. 
Johnston often met this chief at his trading post in Wapakonetta, and says he 
was a fine looking Indian, and cultivated the friendship of the pioneers. He 
was the principal speaker of the Shawnees, and delivered the opinions of 
the tribe at treaties and in pitblie assemblies. He removed ^^'est with his tribe, 
where he died in 1843. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 211 

LoUaway (John Perry), liead chief of Iho Shawneos, often traded at the 
station of Col. Johnston. He signed the treaty of 1S81, at Wapakouetta. 
He eonld converse fluently in English. He was a man of influence with his 
tribe, and of good habits. He was much grieved when he learned that the 
Shawnees had been deceived as to the value of their reservations. He went 
West in KS8'.i, and died in 1843. 

The chief Oxonoxy resided where Charloe Village now stands. About the 
year 1827 this savage killed his son-in-law and grandson; he was tried by a 
council of chiefs, sentenced to be beheaded, but instead of carrying out the 
sentence one of deposition was substituted. 

Between-the-Logs, son of a Cayuga wairior and a woman of the Bear 
band of Wyandots, was born at Lower Sandusky about three years prior to 
Crawford's defeat. At the age of twenty-live years he was sent to the Seuecas 
further up the river to study the doctrine and ways of the Seneca prophet, and 
in 18(1<') visited the notorious brother of Tecumseh on a similar eiTand. He 
exposed those false prophets, and in 1812 opposed the political teachings of 
Tecumseh' s brother, even going so far as to ask the chief to ignore him, and 
join the American anny. Diu'ing the war of 1812 he won all the Senecas and 
many of the Wyandots to the American standard; subsequently settled at Up- 
per Sandusky; became a drunkard, killed his squaw, immediately became tem- 
perate, visited Washington in 1817, and afterward joined John Stewart's Meth- 
odist Mission, of which he was appointed exhorter. He died in 1827, and on 
Januarv 2. the day after, he was biu'ied near the Mission Church, erected in 
1825. 

Warpole, the tirst chief of the Shawnees, elected after the death of Chief 
Deimquot, gave place to Jacques, who was re-elected on New Year's day for 
many years. 

Mononcue. one of the ablest Indians of the decaying Wyandots, and one 
of the chiefs after Warpole, died about 1835. He was an orator of the tribe, 
and considered by old men to be much superior to Pomoacan, the gi-eat chief of 
the trilie in 1782. 

William "\\'alker. son of the squaw Catherine Walker, died in 1874. He 
was a quarter-blood Seneca. 

Among the leading men of the Wyandots in 1843, known to the people of 
Seneca County, were Jacques (the chief). Porcupine, Providence. Split-the- 
Logs, Stand-in-the-Water, White Wing. Mud Eater, Btill Head, Peacock, Big 
River, Big Tree, Black Sheep, Chop-the-Logs, Blue Jacket, Bear Skin, Caiy- 
Hoe, Curly-Head, ^Vashington, Lump-on-the-Head, John Hicks, KiU Buck, 
Spy Buck, and others named in the foregoing sketches. 

Sum-muni-de-A\'at. one of the Christian Wyandots. and a chief of that 
tribe, was one of the tiiiest friends the tirst settlers of Seneca County claimed 
among all the Indians. While entertaining a few whites, alleged land-hunters, 
the guests miu-dered their hospitable host in AVood County in 1841, the genial 
old Indian rested here in Seneca for a while, but in 18-13 his ashes were re- 
moved to Mission Church Cemeteiy. 

White and Colored Captires and Breeds. — Sam AA'ells, the negi'o captive, 
mentioned heretofore, did not go West with the Wyandots. Ho became 
a charge on the people of Wyandot County, under the care of Eeuben Low- 
master, of Eden Township. 

Spibey-tbe-Tailor. a l)reed. and Old Abe Taylor, a negro with Piussell Euss, 
a breed, and a few Indians, were to he found on the borders of this county. 

Spicer's sons and daughters — all of them as grotesque as their father's cab- 
in — married in this coimtv. 



212 HISTORY OF SEXECA COUNTY. 

John Carpenter was made captive by the Delawares (two of whom were 
Moravians and speakers of the Dutch langiiage) in February, 1782. at Buffalo 
Creek, Washington Co., Penn. , and earned into Ohio. He escaped subse- 
quently and returned to Pittsburgh. The same year Thomas Decker, Samuel 
Wells, a negro boy, were also captured. Timothy Dorman and his wife were cap- 
tured near Fort Buchanan, and carried into the wilderness of Ohio, but there is no 
further account of them. About this time, also, the Delawares carried away the 
wife and thi'ee children of Robert Wallace, while he was away from home. 
They murdered Mrs. Wallace and her infant near the Sandusky River; one of 
her boys died in the Sandusky countiy; the other was sold to the Wyandots 
about 1812, and was rescued by his father about 1815. Even in 1817 there 
were several captives among the Senecas and Wyandots, such as Spicer, Knisely, 
Sarah Williams, Mrs. Castleman, Eliza Whittaker, Sally Frost, Van 
Meter and others refeiTed to in the historj* of Ohio. Those who were carried 
away in theii- yoixth, were raised by Indian foster mothers, and became more 
Indian than the Indians themselves. 

Sally Frost was a white girl, raised by a Wyandot woman after her captui'e, 
and survived Tarhe. her Indian husband many years, and was among the 
white pioneers of the Sandusky country. 

Jonathan Pointer, was the name of a negro, who was captured in Virginia, 
taken to the Wyandot countrj', and who grew up here to be the slave of Tarhe. 
He was also Girty's servant, subsequently Capt. Pipe's servant, and again an 
employe of John Van Meter: was a fair interpreter, as well asrenderer of sacred 
vocal music. While at the Van Meter place, he woidd intei-jiret for preacher 
Stewart and others, but when Stewart's doctrine became enigmatical. Pointer 
would look as comic as a negro can look, and add : "I don' t know meself 
whether that is so or not so. ' ' He was leader in all musical entertainments at 
the Mission Chiu'ch, even as he was at an Indian or pioneer dance. 

Benjamin Franklin Warner was not a captive, but a citizen of the Seneca 
nation, having withdrawn fi'om American civilization. He was married to a 
Mohican woman, named Konkepot, and with her came from Green Bay, Wis., 
to Ohio, where he was hospitably recei^■ed by the Senecas. In accompanying 
his Indian- fi-iends to the Neosha. Konkepot died near the mouth of the Mis- 
soiu'i. leaving her child to Warner, who cared for the little Indian until he was 
able to enter life for himself. Warner was the man-of-all-work, liberal, sober, 
industrious and always agreeable. 

Charlieu, like Joseph Tequania, was in the service of the French-Cana- 
dian, and was present on the Plains of Abraham, when the unfortunate death 
of Montcalm gave the victory of that day, and all Canada to the British. He 
subsequently served with the British. Charlieu was born about 1736. as a 
child of the Mohawks, a nephew of the Brandts, man'ied a French half-breed, 
spoke the French language, embraced Catholicism, came to Ohio ■with his tribe, 
and in 1829 Joined the Senecas. When the tribe moved, in 1831-32, to the 
Neosha country, he set out on the overland trip, but died at St. Louis, Mo. , 
April 26, 1832, from eating warm bread, and was interred in the old Catholic 
cemeteiy. 

Wniiam Spicer, or Big Kittles, a captive of the Wyandots, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, made captive about 1775. and broiight to the Ohio River, where 
the Wyandots would tie him to a tree near the river bank, so as to attract the 
attention of white travelers, who, on coming to release the boy, would them- 
selves be captm-ed. He was moved to the Sandusky about 1778, grew up here, 
and became a large stock-raiser and farmer. About 1821 he was beaten and 
then robbed of several thousand dollars, it is alleged, by a carjienter named 




^^■^.yg 



oj uu^ r, 



vk. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 215 

William Eollins, an employe of P. D. Butler, at Fort Ball, in 1821. At that 
time Benjamin Barney and a constable named Pajiineaii, a polished French- 
Canadian, and Caleb Rice espoused Spieer's cause, arrested KoUins, Downing, 
Butler and Case, brought them to trial, and had Rollins sentenced to eleven 
years in the penitentiary. A year later Spicer himself signed a petition asking 
pardon for the robber. A good deal of the ^fijODO or $7,000 stolen was 
returned to this prosperous captive, who died here about 1830. One of his 
daughters was the second wife of Crow, another captive. Spieer's cabin, like 
himself, is said to have been the filthiest west of the Alleghenies. This Will- 
iam Spicer was charged, in 1830, with the miu'der of Drake, the mail carrier, 
sou of Judge Drake, of Marion County. 

Robert Ai'mstrong, to whom a section of land was granted at Fort Ball in 
1817, was made captive in Pennsylvania, and adopted by a woman of the 
Wyandot nation. He man'ied a half-breed Indian, presumably of the Cayugas, 
was emj)loyed as interpreter by the United States, as he could speak English 
and Indian well, and thus ingratiated himself into the confidence of lioth 
parties, until he was rewarded by the United States with this grant of 640 
acres in one of the most beautiful spots in the State. In 1823 the President 
issued a patent to him for this land, and the same year he sold 404 acres of it 
to Jesse Spencer. He moved fi'om Upper Sandusky to Fort Ball that year, 
retm-ned in 1824, and died within two miles of Upper Sandusky in 1825, on 
the Wyandot Reservation. 

William McCulloch, named in the treaty of 1817, was engaged for some 
months as an interpreter by Gen. Harrison, and killed by a cannon ball whOe 
on duty at Fort Meigs in 1813. To his seven childi-en a section of land was 
granted adjoining the Armstrong Reservation at Fort Ball, which was subdivitled, 
and sold. In the history of Ohio McCulloch is mentioned as a half-bred, mar- 
ried to a squaw or squaws. 

John A'an Meter, captured in West Virginia in 1778, by the Wyandots, 
transfen-ed to the Mohawks or Senecas in later years by his foster-mother, 
was married to a Mohawk woman named Susan Brandt, sister of Thomas, Isaac 
and Paulus Brandt, the last chiefs of the Mohawk nation, the remnant of whom 
settled near Tiffin and resided in this county. The treaty of 1817 provided 
that 1,000 acres of land should be granted to John Van Meter, his wife and 
her three brothers. This was known as the ' ' Van Meter Reservation, ' ' on 
Honey Creek, and was the home of John, Sr., until his death about 1824. In 
1828 John Van Meter, Jr. , Thomas, Isaac and Paulus Brandt sold their inter- 
ests in this reservation to Lloyd Norris for §2,500, and in 1829 young Van 
Meter accompanied the twenty-five Mohawk families on their trans-Mississippi 
journey. 

Crow, or Jacob Knisely. was made captive in his youth by the Wyandots at 
Loyal Hannah, Penn. , and canned to the Ohio River; thence brought to the 
Sandusky and transferred to the Senecas, with whom he moved West in 
1831-32. He was made captive in 1778. Fifty years later his father came to 
Seneca County and stayed at Crow's cabin. The captive refused to answer any 
questions, until Mr. Knisely said: "If you are my son, then your name is 
Jacob." Crow responded enthusiastically, saying: "That is my name and I 
am your son. I recollect that, but I kept it all to myself for fear that somebody 
would claim me and take me away." A veiy old \Vvandot squaw, th(> woman 
who adopted young Knisely and named him Crow, was sent for to the ^\'vandot 
Reservation, and she confirmed the fact, but watched her foster-son, lest his 
father would induce him to return to civilization. In early years Crow man'ied 
a Wyandot woman, who died, but before leaving for the West he took William 



216 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY". 

Spicer' s daughter as his wife. He would not retiu-n with his father, parting with 
him forever at Belle%-ue. He died in 1883. White Crow, a son of Crow by 
his second wife, visited the old reservation here in 1852, after leaving his sons 
in school at Dayton. He is now known as Jacob Knisely. When here he 
reported that the interpreter Henin murdered Peter Pork on the Neosha. 

Good Hunter, a full-blooded Cayuga, is supposed to have been born on the 
Sandusky about 1780. After the mxirder of Seneca John he took his place as 
chief and counsellor. 

Catherine Walker, and John Walker and William Walker her sons, were 
well known settlers of Seneca Township. A grant of O-lt) acres was made to 
them under the treaty of 1817, in consideration of John Walker's services to 
the United States as a soldier, and on account of a severe wound which he 
received. Their claim was away west of the Mohawk Resen'ation. Catherine 
and her son William, conducted a store at Upper Sandusky. On their grant 
was some tine timber, and there they established a saw-mill about 1856, liuilt 
a large house and soon cleared a beautiful forest. 

John Stewart, an eighth-breed negi'o and Indian, was a native of Powhatan, 
Va., failed in an effort to commit suicide in the Ohio River, next became a 
convert to Methodism and then considered himself an instrument in the hands 
of God to convert the Indians and even the French. In August, 1817, he 
repeated his -visit of November, 1816, to the Wyandots, used the negro — 
Pointer — and Tom Lyons as interpreters and was making fair progi'ess, when 
Methodist missionaries visited Upper Sandusky in 1S18 and spread the report 
that Stewart was an unlicensed preacher, if not a mere pretender. In March, 
1819, a Methodist Conference at Urbana conferred a license upon him. allowed 
Anthony Banning to assist him, and when, in August, ISl'J, James B. Finley 
was appointed presiding elder of the Wyandot country, this Stewart, as well as 
James Montgomery, the Seneca sub-agent, were appointed missionaries. 
W^hen Montgomery was really established at Fort Seneca he retired fi'om 
missionary life among the Wyandots. Moses Heukle succeeded Montgomery, 
and henceforth John Stewart's teachings and influences declined. 

Buckwheat, a Delaware who had negro blood in his veins, was burned in 
1827 for his secret dealings with witches, a charge proved against him at Little 
Sandusky. Anthony Bowsher, who platted Bowsherville. Ohio, was present at 
this execution, which was only siupassed in cruelty by that of Col. Crawford, 
forty-five years previously. 

Tom Lyons, a Delaware and the fi-iend of Anthony "\^'ayne. who named him 
Tom Lyons, was a veiy old and tierce warrior, having lived with his j>eople in 
Pennsylvania long before they retked into Ohio. He often stated that he sent 
ninety-nine white men to meet in the happy hunting-grounds, and owing to his 
prowess was given the fairest woman of the Delaware tribe as his wife. On 
making his home at Fort Ball, he was accustomed to buy trinkets, ribbons, etc. , 
for this woman, and array her in the outfit of a queen, "\^■hile living in this 
simple way, two white hunters from Delaware County visited Fort Ball, and 
finding Lyons in his cabin, sent him to the happy hunting-grounds. 

Sally Williams, a quarter-breed, daughter of the Castleman woman, who in 
her youth was made captive in Pennsylvania, became the squaw of Solomon 
Johnnycake. Three of her sons by Solomon served in the Kansas Infantry dur- 
ing the war. Johnnycake and his wife weie well known to all the settlers 
along the Sandusky fi'om Tiifin up the river. 

Billy Dowdee, known as Capt. Billy, was a fellow-scalper of old Tom Lyons, 
but an extra-good Indian after the war of 1812. His son Tom. and his son-in- 
law, Nickels, were two of the worst characters in the "\\'yandot country, the 



HISTORV OF SENECA COUNTY. 217 

peers of Pimipkin of the Senecas. Nickels was killed by one of the settlers of 
Wyandot County, much to tUo satisfaction of his fatlier-in-law. 

Abdiictioti of a pappoose. — Immediately after the first business houses were 
established at Tiffin, while yet the forest was Tintonched by the ax, save in a 
few jilaces on Washington Street, south of Peny, the Indians were accus- 
tomed to visit the new stores to trade. On one occasion a large number of men 
and women crossed the river where now is the Washington Street bridge. The 
men hitched then- horses in a grove, which then stood between the site of the 
Shawhan House and the river, while the women left then- pappoose caches stand- 
ing by the ti'ees. All marched up to the village, but were no sooner gone than 
an immense hawk, called by the Indians sea-eagle, swooped down, took one of 
the little Indians in his talons, and soared away. On this discovery being 
made, there was great soitow among the savages. They quieted down after a 
little while, and remained in the grove for three days, observing a solemn si- 
lence all the while. On the thu-d day the sea-eagle retm-ned as if to esjjlore, 
■when one of the women stepj)ed forth, fired, and brought down the gi'eat bird. 
Eejoicing followed, for the death of the little Indian was avenged. 

COSCLUSION. 

The dignity which poets and untraveled persons ascribe to the red man, 
vanished the moment the Eiu'opean appeared. From this time he lost 
all the noble qualities of the child of natiu'e, and measui'ed his evil doings 
by his opportunities. He imbibed, as it were, all the viciousness of the 
whites. Init never essayed to emulate any of the few virtues with which the 
coufjuerors were credited. To-day, in the far West, remnants of those old res- 
idents of Ohio are still to be found, and among them many who rememljer theii- 
old hunting grounds on the Sandusky. With few exceptions they are animated 
monuments of moral deformity and physical decay, growing weaker and weaker, 
dying in their young days with a ciu-se for the white race lingering on theii' lips. 
Only a short time and their- history will alone remain to acquaint the futiu'e with 
their existence; the traveler will never find the camp of Ohio's Red pioneers. 

The Indians with their bitter feuds, their wars of extermination, their alli- 
ances with the British, their invasions, theii' revenues, theii' hates, are all gone. 
Seldom do the thoughts of the higher ])(>ople, who now ovm and cultivate their 
lands, turn toward the West in sympathy with the aborigines. How diflferent 
with the exiles ? In theii* day-dreams, far away in Oklohoma, they look toward 
the rising sun, and long to return to the land where they passed their youth, 
to siuTound themselves again with the memoried scenes. May we not hope 
that liefore they pass away these chihh'en of natiue may learn fi'om the pa-st; 
may an'ive at a high state of civilization and then come among vis to realize the 
l)arbarous condition of theu- fathers, and conceive the littleness of their tribal 
Stlories ? 



218 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER III. 

PIONEEKS OF SENECA COUNTY. 

COULD we evoke the genius of memorj', and draw from those who are pass- 
ing away so rapidly now, the reminiscences of pioneer times, how many sto- 
ries we should glean of hairbreadth escapes in the wilds or in the waters — how 
the hunters retiu'ned from the himt laden with spoil, or of the adventiu-es of 
those who had found some new paradise in their wanderings over the prairie or 
through the forests. We can imagine how, after the long days had passed in 
toil, and the semi-occasional maU had come in, that those few old settlers 
would gather around their respective hearthstones and, with their pipes in their 
mouths, and after carefully perusing the papers, not more than a month old, 
review the events of the times, and compare notes as to progress in breaking 
and clearing the lands. And especially when the shorter days of winter came, 
and alone in the wilderness a month at a time, removed from communication 
with friends or relatives at their Eastern homes, how the ties of "Western 
friendship would seem to di'aw closer, and the gatherings come oftener, and 
when the shades of evening came, the wagon would be havded up, the box 
filled with a generous supply of hay, and the whole family take seats in the 
bottom and hasten to visit their neighbors, a dozen miles away. And then the 
sorrow, when some loved one was nearing the grave, and the doctor, hastily 
summoned fo'om a score of miles away, gave no hope; how the sympathy of 
all the country around was shown in kindly offers, watchers coming a long dis- 
tance to give their aid, and the funeral gatherings, comprising the neighbors 
for miles round. There were many bitter trials and hardships not conceivable 
in these days, biit they had their compensations, too, in the enlargement of the 
love of hiunanity, in the earnest and true-hearted sympathy, and in unbounded 
hospitality. Almost every house was a hotel, but it was a hotel without money 
and without price, every traveler was welcome to come and go at fr'ee will, and 
the thought of compensation seldom entered the minds of those free-hearted 
dwellers in the wilds. 

The first white man to whom travel in northwestern Ohio is credited, was 
P^re Easles. In 1089 Father Rasles came to America as a missionary to the 
Abenaquis Indians. He was a devout man and a scholar, publishing a diction- 
ary of the Indian language as one of the evidences of his zeal. Later on he 
became a missionary to the Iroquois, and followed them in their wanderings in 
the "West. In 1691 he retui'ned to the East, settling in Norridgewock, Me., 
where, on the 12th of Aiigust, 1724, he was killed during an attack upon the 
Indians by Capts. Harmon and Moulton, who ascended the river with a force 
of 20l> men. In August, 1S85, a man named Hitchcock, while digging on the 
site of the old village, unearthed a silver cross aboiit five inches in length, 
bearing the figure of the Saviour and a skull and cross-bones. From marks 
\i])on this relic it is identified as the former property of the slaughtered priest, 
whose memory is reverently regarded, and whose work is again brought to 
mind by this singidar discovery. 

Probably the next white men to pass across this territory were the Mora- 
vians, who, as prisoners, were taken from the Moravian towns on the Tusca- 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 219 

rawas Kiver to Upper Sandusk\% by British emissaries. These peaceable Chris- 
tian Indians were charged with being spies, and with holding treasonable cor- 
respondence with the Americans at Pittsbiu'gh and perhaps other points, and of 
harboring other Indians friendly to the American cause. Upon these charges 
they were aiTested by Capt. Matthew Elliott, of the British army, who had 
uniier his command about 300 hostile Indians. Making no resistance, they 
were made captives, September 11, 1781, and by this overpowering force com- 
pelled to leave their much-loved homes and take up their line of march for the 
Sandusky River. Upon this march they followed the Indian trail down the 
Tuscarawas to the mouth of the Walhonding, in Coshocton County; thence up 
that stream to the mouth of the Kokosing; thence up the Kokosing, passing 
over the spot upon which Mount Vernon now stands, and on to the AVyandot 
town, near the present site of Upper Sandusky. The missionaries thus forci- 
bly removed were Revs. Zeisberger, Senseman and Jungman, of New Sehon- 
brunn; Revs. John Heckewelder and Jung, of Salem, and Rev. "William 
Edwards, of Gnadenhutten. The point at which they were left to take care of 
themselves, their wives, ehildi-en and Indian captives, was on the banks of the 
Sandusky River, not far fr'om where the Broken Sword Creek empties into it, 
about ten miles from Upper Sanduskv'. Here they selected a location, and. 
without delay, built a village of smaU huts to protect themselves fa-om the 
inclemency of the weather. This village soon took the name of ''Captive's 
Town," and was situated on the right bank of the Sandusky River, about a 
mile above the mouth of Broken Sword Creek. 

The first French, Irish and Scotch settlers in the district of which Seneca 
County is the center were distinctly adventurers. Some of them were most 
treacherous enemies of the young Republic, and all their consciences were elas- 
tic when patriotism interfered with their piu'ses or business prospects. San- 
duski was the only true pioneer among them all. In reference to this ancient 
settler in the Sandusky country, Jacob J. Greene, of Tiffin, wi-iting under date, 
February 2S, 1S42, to the American Historical Journal, said: "The name, San- 
dusky, is in such general use in oitr section of the State, that it has become 
more extensively known, perhaps, than any other in the Union. The associa- 
tions connected with it, ever since oiu' State has been known to the whites, 
with its conquest and settlement, are such as to make anj-thing concerning it 
interesting. Thinking that the origin of the name is not known to jou. I send it 
for the Pioneer, if this sketch shoidd fall in with the design of your paj^er. At 
the time the French were establishing their line of trading posts on the Wabash 
and Maumee Rivers, nearly 100 years ago, connecting their operations on the 
Ohio with their settlements at Detroit, a Polish trader, by the name of San- 
dusky, or more properly spelt Sanduski, established himself near the present 
site of Lower Sandiisky, at the foot of the rapids of the river. His operations 
in trading for furs, etc., with the Indians, being entirely confined to the river 
and bay, they soon became known to Eiu-opeans, and aftei"ward to the Indians, 
as Sanduski" s River and Bay. Sanduski, quarreling with the Indians, was 
forced to quit the country for the settlements beyond the Ohio for safety. The 
Indians, sometime after, followed and killed him in Virginia. So far as I can 
learn, there are but two of the name in the country — his grandsons. One lives 
in Kentucky, the other a few miles from Danville, Vei-milion Co. , 111. " 

Capt. INIatthew Elliott, an Irish Tory, who resided in that hot-bed of Tory- 
ism, Path Valley, Penn., remained there until his views led himself with others 
of lik(> opinions to fly to the West or to the British lines. He came to the Mus- 
kingum in 1770, about the time the less prominent enemy of the yoimg Repub- 
lic settled there. November 13, 1770, he, with his squaw, and it is thought. 



220 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

John Leith, started out for the Scioto to treacle, but was followed by six Indians, 
who confiscated his goods and threatened to take his life. He escaped, how- 
ever, and, going to Detroit, he and the notorious Alex. McKee were commis- 
sioned spies and Indian agents: and prior to 17S5 were rewarded by Hamilton, 
the British commandant, for their loyalty to the mother countrj'. Elliott served 
diu'ing the war of 1S12 with the British, was afterward appointed agent of 
Indian affairs, and died in "U'estern Canada about the year ISIS, the year 
Simon Girty died (British Occupation, Longman. London). He it was 
who brought the Moravians into captivity on the Sandusky and led on the 
advance guard of Butler's white rangers, in 1782, and directed the man- 
euvers of the Indians diu'ing the battle. There is but little doubt regarding 
the presence of this British officer at the biu-ning of Col. Crawford. 

Thomas Girty, son of the notorious Simon Girty (who fled from Ireland to 
escape the vengeance of the people, whom he betrayed), was the only one of 
this really vicious band of Girtys, who failed to continue notorious. 

Simon Girty, or Katepa-Comen, son of Simon first, was made a prisoner 
diu'ing Braddock"s war, was adojated by the Delawares, and died a diimkeu 
brawler. He had time to engage in those disgraceful mui'ders which marked 
the warfare of those times against the Americans. This white rascal died at 
Maiden in 1S15, where he resided, receiving a small pittance. 

George Girty, another child of infamy, died without gratifying his 
murderous inclinations. 

James Girty. the foiu'th son of Old Simon, was an officer in the British serv- 
ice. He was made a prisoner diuring Braddock's war. was a notorious crim- 
inal, as a thousand family histories in Kentucky and Ohio can tell, and died the 
death becoming so much cruelty. 

Michael Girty, another son of Old Simon, born after his father's miirder, 
and after the wife" s union with his mm-derer, was the son of an Indian woman. 
This cut-throat served the British in Ohio some lime, but in 1821 moved to 
Illinois, where he engaged in wholesale murder and rapine. In 1827 he was 
interpreter for Gen. Cass, at the treaty of Bureau, subsequently aided Black- 
Hawk, miu-dered the settlers at Indian Creek, carried off the Hall girls and died 
in 1830. 

William Hazle, whose father was a native of the north of Ireland, of 
Scotch descent, and an associate of the Girty boys, must be ranked with them 
in the social record, and hold the same place in the estimation of all good 
citizens. 

Alexander McCormick. one of the traders, who resided at Sandusln' for 
some years following the war of the devolution, may be classed as an Irish- 
American of the Path Yalley Tory type, but not so dangerous as Elliott, McKee, 
Girty, and other.s of that class. 

Francis Lavalle, one of the French traders of Lower Sandusky, was a most 
imjiartial indiridual. He wished to see the British whipped, but detested the 
idea of losing Americans. Indians and Moravians in such numbers. This was 
the man who disobeyed the orders of Simon Girty. who told him: "Drive the 
Moravians to Detroit, round the head of Lake Erie, on foot, and don"t halt 
even to let the women give suck to their children." Not only did he occupy 
four days in taking the iloravians to Lower Sandusky, but sent to Detroit for 
boats to transport them thither. While waiting Girty returned, tkreatened 
to annihilate Lavalle as well as the Moravians, and would at least have made 
them tramp to Detroit, had not the boats arrived. This same Lavalle visited 
the Moravians at New Gnadenhutten, Macomb Co., Mich., afterward, and was 
one of that band of American ftriends which comprised the Godfi-eys, Knaggs, 
etc. , of the Detroit countrv. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 221 

John Leith, a native of Scotland, came to the colonies -with his parents, 
moved to Ohio with an Indian trader, was adopted by the Indians, and alioxit 
177'.'. married a white ca])tive, named Kallie Lowry, abducted from Bij:^ Bone, 
near Pittsbiu'gh. On the dispersion ot' the Moravians, he was factor for some 
British traders at Sandiisky, and may be said to have remained in this neif^h- 
borhood until 17U(), when he moved to Pittsburgh. Before the Senecas left 
this county. Leith returned, and died in 1832. His son, Samuel, was the tirst 
white child of English speaking parents born in the Sandusky Valley, his birth 
taking place about 1771) or 1780. June 3, 1782, he packed his cattle, horses, 
goods and valuables in readiness to flee from Col. Crawford's army, and set out 
on the 4th to Lower Sandusky. Late in the forenoon of that day, he met Capt. 
Matthew Elliott, pushing forward to Upper Sandusky, and, later, encountered 
Col. Butler's white rangers, who deprived him of his cattle, and then gave 
him a permit to proceed to Lower Sandusky. That night he camped in the 
Seneca country, on the west bank of the Sandusky, fourteen miles above the 
lower village. 

Butterfield, in Craicfo)xrs Expedition ac/ainfif Sanduski/, relates the follow- 
ing incident: "It will be , remembered that this man (John Leith) had en- 
camped on the night of June 4. 1782, about fourteen miles above Lower San- 
dusky, on the river. Just after he had lixed his camp and put his horses out 
to graze, a Frenchman, an interpreter to the Indians, made his appeai'ance 
from Ijelow. 'AVelL' said he, " I believe I will stav with voix to-nitrht, and 
take care of you. ' Leith informed his visitor that he was welcome for the 
night, at the same time explaining his intention of making a veiy early start 
on the morrow. Next morning, * * * ^ report was heard which 
they believed to be a cannon at Upper Sandusky. The interjireter claj^ped his 
hands in great glee. 'I shall be there before the battle is begun,' said he, and 
rode off. This Frenchman joined the Wyandots, disguised as an Indian, and 
was shot through the heart the same day on which he parted fi-om Leith. The 
story is told to show that the British regular troops and their artillery were en- 
gaged against the Americans, at Battle Island." At this time also, the Dela- 
ware and Wyandot women and children, and a negro boy, named Samuel 
Wells, a captive among them, were placed in a camp constructed in a deep ra- 
vine, north of the mouth of Tymochteo Creek, in what is now Seneca County. 
The negro stated that this camp was about one mile south of the mouth of the 
Tymochtee, but William Walker assured Butterfield that the young Afi-ican's 
compass, or his idea of it, was wrong. Otherwise the Delaware women and 
children alone camped south of the Tymochtee. 

The treaty of the Miami of the Lake, negotiated September 29, 1817, gives 
some facts of general interest to the reader of pioneer history, because therein 
are set forth a numl)er of names of white captives, who intermaiTied with the 
Indians, and became the first white Ami>ricau settlers in Seneca County. In 
Article VIII, of that treaty, the following provisions are made: 

"To Robert Armstrong, who was taken pri-soner by the Indians about 1786, 
when four years old, and has ever since lived with them, and has married a 
Wyandot woman, a daughter of Ebenezer Zane, (UO acres on the west side of 
the Sanduskj-; to begin at the place called Camp Ball, and to run up the river 
with the meanders thereof 160 poles, and fi-om the beginning down the river 
wth the meanders thereof 100 poles, and from the extremity of these lines 
west for quantity." The name given to him by the Big Turtle band was Ono- 
vandoroh. He died at Upper Sandusky in April, 1825. To the children of 
the late William McCulloch, who was killed in August, 1812, near Manguajon, 
and who are tjuarter-blood Wyandot Indians, CAO acres on the west side of the 



222 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Sandusky River, adjoining the lower line of the tract granted to Armstrong, 
and extending in the same manner, with and from the river. 

James Armstrong, or Zee-Shawhan, a chief of the Delawares, and his 
friend, San-on-doy-oiu--ay-qnay, or Silas AiTQstrong, another chief of the same 
tribe, were granted nine square miles of land for their own use, which was laid 
out at Capt. Pipes' village, at the mouth of the Tymochtee. 

The Tequania family, jiarticularly Joseph, Louis, head chief of the Senecas, 
and the one-eyed medicine woman, twin sister of the chief, possessed a fair 
knowledge of the fii'st civilization of the period, and imitated the French- 
Canadians as far as it was possible for the Indian to mimic. 

South of the Seneca Reservation the Van Meters, Walkers and others, boi'e 
a similar relation to the Americans of the thuieen States, and to them were 
granted large and beautiful tracts of land, within a few miles of the present 
coiinty seat. 

In addition to the grants named, one Elizabeth Whitaker, who was taken 
prisoner by the Wyandots, was granted 1,280 acres (jsresumably for herself 
and her Indian childi-en), on the west side of the Sandusky, just below Cro- 
ghansville. 

Still another grant was made of 1 00 acres, on the east side of the Sandusky, 
below Croghansville, at a place called Negro Point, to Sarah Williams, widow 
of the deceased Isaac Williams, a half-blood Wyandot, and her children, 
Joseph and Rachel Williams, the latter just then man-ied to a half-breed 
named Nugent. Sarah Williams was a white captive of the Wyandots, but 
thoroughly Indian in her habits and manner. 

The Cherokee Boy or Horonn, a chief of the Wyandots, and a great fi'iend 
of the whites, pretending to be a white man himself, was granted a section of 
laud on the Sandusky. His brother, also, was considered in the treaty. 

The Walkers, Van Meters and others, mentioned in the Indian Chapter, as 
well as in the histories of the townships, may be classed among the Indian 
residents. 

Actual Settlement. — The settlement of the county by Americans may be said 
to begin in 1817, though, in reality, the actual useful pioneer did not make 
his presence known here until ISIU, when Eden, Clinton and Pleasant Town- 
ships received their first quota of American pluck and enterprise. In these 
townships, and in those times, men cast aside old friends, childhood' s home, a 
thousand endearing scenes, to embrace a life in the forest, with Indians for 
neighbors and the wilderness for a garden. Then it was that the rail-fence, 
a time-honored institution, was introduced into northwestern Ohio. In Pleas- 
ant and Eden Townships the lirst fences were erected, and there also were they 
entwined in shi-ubs and wild flowers — wild ivy, cinque foil, dewberry, sweet 
fern, anise, artichoke, sun-flower, gaimt mullens, red-capped simiac, rasp- 
berry, and a thousand other weeds and flowers and shrubs, such as the creep- 
ing mallow and hazel. Then the fi'isky squirrel played along his new highway 
and garnered his winter fare at ease, and the animals of the forest came to its 
corners and viewed, as man would some novel sight, the first faint gleam of 
civilization among the trees. 

O Time! preserve this picture; photograph it on my mind! 
In richest colors print it there; leave no outline undetinetl! 
What care I what foreign tourists tell; 'tis of little consequence — 
They can never mar the beauty of the zigzag old rail-fence! 

Erastus Bowe, who was. in fact, the first permanent white settler within 
the present limits of Seneca County, arrived at Fort Ball, November 18, 1817, 
in company with two other men, who remained just long enough to assist him 




^WWVXJ d^M^^' 



HISTORY OF SENECA COONTV. 225 

in erectin<^ a log-house. Tliat log-liouse stood almost in the center of North 
Washington Street, near the bridge, and within it the tirst hotel or tavern in 
Seneca County was established, and the first actual settlement of the county 
begun. 

Erastus G. Bowe, born in Delaware County, Ohio, April 5, 1818, was brought 
to Til in by his parents, June 7, 1 8 1 S, and is the senior old resident of the county. 
He re ides in a brick cottage on the east side of the street, opj)osite St. Mary's 
Chiu-c 1. and gives promise of participating in the Centennial of the first set- 
tlemeii of what now constitutes Tiffin City. 

Paul D. Butler and others, refeiTed to in the history of Tiffin, were con- 
tomporarv settlers, coming fi'om Massachusetts to Delaware, Ohio, in 1808, 
and to Fort Ball in 1817. 

Hugh Welch, son of Felix and Margaret (Barnes) Welch, the former of 
Dem', Ireland, and a soldier of the Eevolutionarj^ war, was born in Beaver 
County. Penn. , February 18, 1801: moved with his parents to Hiu'on County, in 
ISU). and to Seneca Covinty in February, 1819, making the first American 
settlement in Eden Township. He manied, September 18. 1823, Miss Polly, 
daughter of John Gibson: was appointed the second postmaster in the county, 
August 4, 1825; moved to Wyandot Comity about 1884. and was commissioned 
associate judge of Crawford County in Sejitember of that year; founded the 
village of Mexico, and resided in that neighborhood imtil his removal to Green 
Spring. His wife died Jiuie 6, 1869. at the springs, where she was the first 
patient on their opening. January 1, 1868. 

Thomas Welch, brother of Hugh, settled in Eden Township in Febniary. 
1819. and dying here soon after, was the first white American biuied in the 
township. 

John Welch, another brother, settled in Eden Township in June, 1819. 
He was the first preacher stationed at Toledo, and was subsequently represent- 
ative fi'om Seneca County in the Legislature. 

Martin Welch, still another brother, moved to Wyandot County about 1834, 
and died there. 

Felix Welch, the father of these pioneers, was also a pioneer of the county, 
and is biu'ied in Seneca County. 

James Montgomerj', the first Indian agent for the Senecas, and known to 
them by the name, Kuckoo-Wassa, or New Acorn, was born in Westmoreland 
Coimty. Penn.. Novemlier 20. 1776, about the time his father died at Johns- 
town. N. J., while serving in the American army against the British. In 
1798 he. with his mother, moved to Kentucky, and located on one of the Tom- 
ahawk claims. Thirteen years later, in 180(5. he married Miss Keziah Eouse, 
and the same year settled within eight miles of TJrbana, Ohio, where he was a 
local ]\Iethodist preacher. Diu-ing the war of 1812 he was appointed commis- 
sary officer by the governor. In 1819 he was appointed agent for the Senecas, 
and, in November of the same year, moved to old Fort Seneca, in Pleasant 
Township. He resided in one of the block-houses for some time: then moved 
another block-house close to the first one. which the family occuj)ied. and both 
houses formed the agency (juartc'rs until 1826. when he built the log-house 
near the old fort, in which he resided to the time of his death. June 1, 1830. 
Of his eleven children, ^Ii's. Sally Ingham, of Tiffin, alone survives. This 
lady was born in Champaign County. Februaiy 4. 1811; was married, March 
25, 1882, to Milton Frary, who died in 1852. In 1869 she mari'ied Alexander 
Ingham, of Cleveland. Ohio, who died in April, 1870. 

The Barneys. Kices. McNutts, and others, reference to whom is made in 
the history of Pleasant Township, were contemporarj' settlers. 

13 



226 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Nehemiah Hadley was the first white settler in Bloom Township, having come 
here from Fairfield County, Ohio, with J. C. Hampton, who brought his goods 
to this point in 1821. Hampton returned the following year with the Seitzes. 
Kagys and others. About this time the Hadleys left the township, sailing to 
Caii'O, lU., by the water courses, and thence by steamer up the Mississippi, to 
their new hunting grounds in Iowa. Hadley was a most successful hunter and 
trapper, being accustomed to take down a half dozen of deer, in the Honey 
Creek countiy, between sundown and sum-ise. The fii'st permanent settlement 
is credited, however, to Noah Seitz, April 5, 1822. 

William Anway, who settled in Scipio Township in 1821, erected the fii'st 
cabin in the township. His granddaughter, Mary (Anway) Wilcox, was the 
fii'st white child born there, and her father, John Anway, the first man mar- 
ried in the township. 

Michael Arbogast, it is claimed, was the first settler of what is now Seneca 
Township. Owing to the condition of the old records, and the general char- 
acter of the history contained in them, it is difficult to credit the tovmship with 
its first white pioneer. Arbogast settled there in 1820; William Arnold settled 
south of the base line in 1823; the Aikens, Andersons and Crockers located 
there about that time. 

Joseph Parmenter, at whose house the fii'st township election was held, in 
May, 1820, and his contemporaiy settlers, were the first permanent residents of 
Thompson Township — Trapper Snow, however, must be considered the first 
white resident. 

Cornelius Gilmore, a blacksmith, settled on Honey Creek, where now is the 
village of Attica, in 1827. His was the first cabin erected in Venice Townshi]): 
Johnson Ford, Ezra Gilbert and Samuel Halsted cut the first road in this town- 
ship in 1828. 

John Chaney and Williard Sprague may be named as the first settlers of 
Hopewell Township in 1822 or 1823, having made some improvements on the 
school section. Robert and Nathan Shippey were contemporaiy settlers. 

Neal McGaffey, one of the earliest settlers of Tiffin, was also one of the 
first to set foot in Loudon Township. Owing to the fact that the first actual 
settlement of Loudon was effected simultaneously by several families, there is 
no first settler to be named in connection with this division of the county. 
Henry Hoffman, who settled in Jackson Township in 1827, came thither from 
Perrj' County, Ohio, and entered lands on the southeast quarter of Section 36. 
His death is noticed in the local histoiy. 

George Puffenberger entered land on Section 28, Liberty Township, and 
settled there in August, 1825, as the pioneer of the township. 

The Jenkins brothers, old traders at Big Spring, and Arch Johnson, may 
be named as the fh'st settlers of Big Spring Township. 

Seth Read and George Raymond were contempoi ary settlers of Reed Town- 
ship. They came from Steuben County, N. Y. , and entered their lands on 
Section 2-i (near Omar), in January, 1825. The township was named Read, 
but is now known as Reed Township, and Cook" s Gate, on Section 1 2, is known 
as Reedtown. Hunter Snow was a contemporary settler, after his first settle- 
ment in Thompson Township. 

Early Town Builders. — In the foregoing pages brief references are made to 
the men who fii'st entered each division of the county, and opened the way, as 
it were, to future settlers. No sooner were the first clearings made in each of 
the townships, than a continuous stream of immigrants poured in, spreading 
out from Fort Ball in every du-ection imtil almost every section contained a 
family. Among the new-comers were such men as Josiah Hedges, who founded 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 227 

a beautiful city; the Crockors and Fosters, founders of Eome; J. Gorsuch, 
founder of Kisdon ; the Kobertses, Btitlers, Welches, Benjamin and John Jenkins, 
Erastus H. Cook. D. C. Henderson, Anthony Sehindler, Philip J. Price, Julius 
and Tliomas T. Treat. Case Brown, John Miller, Samuel Waggoner, Isaiah 
Hollopeter, John Betts, Abraham Ash, Erastus Bowe, Vincent Bell, John 
Terry, Isaac (Ratlin, Sidney Smith (Sea), Henry F. Kaestner, William Brinker- 
hofF, John Campbell, Frederick Har])ster, Jacol) Korner. George Schock, Will- 
iam ^Miller, Samuel Miller, Hector Kilboiu'ne, Myron Kilbourne and Corneliiis 
Gilmt)re —all founders of cities or villages. Then came the Gibsons, Seneys, 
Nobles and himdi-eds of others, who settled throughout the county, and be- 
queathed, so to speak, to theii' adopted home a number of men who do honor 
to-day to the professions and trades. It is deemed proper to deal with the 
pioneers of 1819—1:0, in the history of the townships wherein they settled; be- 
cause their lives, as a rule, have been identified with the beginnings and prog- 
ress of such townships, and, further, for the reason that the part they have 
taken in building up the county, as a whole, is precisely treated on in the several 
chapters of the general history of the county — notably the organic, political 
and military chapters, the coiu'ts and bar, physicians and other chapters. 

PIONEER ASSOCIATION. 

It has ever been a day of rejoicing when pioneers should meet; when the 
old settlers of the land should come together to renew their memories and 
cheer up their souls. In the dim past, when, after Babel, the migrations of 
the people first assumed an extensive form, the idea of periodical reunion was 
initiated, and soon was rendered practicable. Over 2,00(1 years ago the spot 
on which the capital city of the French republic now stands, was hallowed by 
an assembly of its liist settlers, assembled to sacrifice to the gods in thanks- 
giving for their new and beautiful land. Revert to those olden times, and the 
conception of those happy gatherings will remind us of then- utility. If, then, 
the barbarians of antiquity observed the custom, and were soothed into peace 

dming the observance of such a festival, how much more is it becoming in 

. . . ^ 

the people of this our day to participate with the old settlers in celebrating 

their coming and their stay; to meet old and tried fi'iends; to share in the jovs 
of such an occasion? Throughout the length and breadth of this great land, 
the large-souled pioneers, who contributed iii the first instance to make it 
great, assemble periodically to commune with one another, to interchange 
thoughts of the past, and express their admu-ation of the busy activities of 
the present. The pleasiu'es of such meetings are known only to the pioneers. 
Their children never can conceive the feelings such meetings awaken, or the 
happy memories which they summon up. For the old settlers alone these 
meetings have an undying interest; and though the yoimg may possibly share 
a little in the joys of the old, youth can never summon to its aid the same 
endearing thoiights of the past, or entertain for the soil they tread that beau- 
tiful veiu>ration implanted in the hearts of the old settlers. They alone saw 
the virgin soil, and linked their fortunes with it; their industry tamed the 
beautiful wild land until it yielded retm'iis a hundred-ft)ld; their hands deco- 
rated the forest farm with a modest yet comfortable cottage; and now, in 
declining years, they have that homestead in which to take a pride, and these 
happy meetings to yield them pleasure. 

The meetings of old residents of Seneca County were carried on for years 
irregularly without organization, and were consequently sectional in character. 
During the summer of LSHS and the winter of 18(58-(j9, a determined effort 
was made to organize an old settlers' association. Notices of the meetinors 



228 HISTORV OF SENECA COUNTY. 

were published ia the newspapers, signed by many representative pioneers, 
and February 22, 18fJU, a society was organized — Mrs. Anne E. Seney sign- 
ing the roll lirst. 

The first officers of the association were Heniy Kuhn, president: Philip 
Seewald, vice-president; William Lang, secretary, and Lyman White, treas- 
urer. This organization may be said to have continued intact until October, 
1878, when the president died; and since that time there is no record of trans- 
actions. 

The pioneer society of Crawford, Seneca and Wyandot Counties, has, in 
fact, taken the place of an old association of this county, and is presided over by 
Dr. Isaac Kagy, of Eden Township. The last annual meeting was held in Shock's 
Grove, near Melmore, September 5, l!S85. Dr. Kagy, in an addi-ess delivered 
on this occasion, says : "It was the original pui'pose of the institution of these 
picnics to show oui' respect, and to testify our appreciative regard for the bold- 
hearted pioneers of this country. The events of their useful lives, collated and 
recorded, constitute the histoiy of our country. To locate a home in an Amer- 
ican forest, inhabited by savage beasts and by a still more savage human race, 
and unbroken for miles around by the stm-dy woodsman's blow, was an act of 
moral heroism that equals the most daring exjsloits of the battle-field. His 
dangers, his privations, his arduous labors and his unflagging coiu-age entitle 
.him to be hailed the hero of the forest. But when dangers threatened and 
enemies envu'oned his glorious country the hero of the forest became, also, the 
hero of the field. When we follow his line of march and chronicle his succes- 
sive achievements, we find his labors combined the matters and facts of his- 
tory; the expansion of commimities; the institution of schools and other educa- 
tional agencies; the planting of churches, developing the arts and resoiu-ces of 
peaceful industry; the processes of manufacture, and the means and methods 
of commerce." Gen, W, H. Gibson, ex-Gov. Foster and others dwelt on the 
importance of local history, and related many stories of pioneer days. 

Pioneer Reminiscences. — The story of early settlement is filled with stir- 
ring reminiscences of olden days, some ranging away up in the sublime, others 
lying away down in the regions of the ridiculous, all forming a part in that 
di'ama of real life out of which has risen one of the wealthiest counties of rich 
Ohio. Some of such stories have found a place already in the Indian histoiy, 
a great number find mention ta the histories of the to'miships: in one or two 
instances they creep into chiu'ch histoiy, and even the very diyness of the 
political chapter could not keep them out. Here, however, a few sketches are 
introduced in portrayal of pioneer days, so that the younger reader may hear 
of the manners and customs of the past; the primitive, humble ways in which 
the county was raised in its infancy, and, reading, learn to appreciate the advan- 
tages which the present offers. 

Among the first events which mark the beginning of progress in this county, 
are those referred to in the following memoranda. It could be extended to 
great length, but, in the histoiy of the townshijis, the history of those enter- 
prises is fiilly given. 

The first block-houses erected in the coimtv, other than Indian cabins, were 
at Fort Ball. 

The first road was cut from Upper to Lower Sandusky in 1812. 

Erastus Bowe was the first American settler, in 1817. 

Paul D. Butler erected the first saw-mill, in 1819. 

Ezra and Case Brown erected the first grist-mill, above Melmore, in 1821. 

Oakley or Vance's Town was the first siu'veyed village. 

The first postoffice was established at Oakley in 1820, with David Eisdon. 
jiostmaster. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 229 

The first bigb water in the Sandtiskv, within the historic period, was in 
1821. 
• I'he tirst township election, that of Thompson Township, was held May 20, 
1820. 

The first county elections were held in April, 1824, bnt not till October of 
that year were the annual elections held. 

James Montgomery was the tirst Indian agent, and took a part also in 
proselyting the Indians, ISIU. 

The tirst United States siu'vey of the county was made in 1820. 

Capt. Kice and J. Cbapin made the lirst coi!in, in LS20. 

The tirst patent for lands was issned to John Anway for the west half of the 
southwest quarter of Section 23, Township 2, Range 15. 

The tirst frame honse was erected for Josiab Hedges, in 1822. 

Dr. Eli Dresbaeh was the first resident jAysician, in 1823. 

The first orchard was set out by John Keller, in 1824, in Clinton Township. 

Rudoljibns Dickenson was the tirst lawj'er. in 1824. 

The tirst citizen naturalized in the county was "William Doyle, in 1824. 

The first com! of justice was opened April 12, 1824. 

The tirst person lost in the county was a son of Elijah Brayton, in 1825. 

The tirst jail was completed in March. 1820. 

The second United States survey of the county was made in 1832. 

The first newspaper. The Seneca Patriot, was published in 1832. 

Political parties were first regularly organized in the coimty in 1832. 

The first case of cholera in the county resulted in the death of John Hub- 
ble, in August, 1834. Sixty-three persons died of this cb'eadful disease at that 
time. 

The tirst call for the Seneca County Militia, to take part in the Toledo war, 
was made April 22, 1 835. 

The town of Tiffin was incorporated March 7, 1835. 

The tirst village election held in the eoiinty was that of Tiffin, in June, 1836. 

Dr. Hem-y Kuhn was elected the first mayor of Tiffin, in June, 1836, 

The first agricultural society was organized in 1839. 

The tirst railroad entered the count v in 1839, being constructed to Republic 
that year, and to Tiffin in 1S41. 

The Seneca County Bank opened November 13, 1847. 

The tirst telegraph line was built in 1849. 

The tirst plank and toll roads were begun in 1849. 

Jachso)) idii Daijiiand Maimers. — The {)eople, their manners, their customs 
in their homes and outside their homes, differed materially from the citizens of 
to-day. in the fact that they were better than the times in which they lived and 
acted, and, perhaps, superior in many respects to the remarkable cosmopolitan 
race who came after them to take up their entei-prises and complete the first 
half-century's work. 

Looking back over the last half-century a contemporary writer gives the fol- 
lowing word-]iainting of early times, manners and ciistoms: "The United 
States of to-day is quite another nation from the seven by nine United States of 
Jackson's time. Then California was almost a myth. Indiana was the 'far 
West, ' Peo]ile traveled liy stage coach. Thousands lived and died without 
ever going beyond the bounds of their native counties. The steamboat paddle- 
wheels had just begun chiu-ning our river water. Washington was a dismal 
country village. More than susjiicion of insanity would have attached to the 
man who would have announced that his chikh-eii would ' cal)le ' a message 
from New York to London, or that the people miles apart woidd talk to each 



230 HrSTORY OF SE.VECA COUNTV. 

other viva voce. Sails alone bore the traveler across the Atlantic. Fortunate 
was the ship that made the passage iu three weeks. Cultured travelers from 
Europe were shocked at the rawness and provincialism everywhere prevalent. 
Opera all but unknown. The danseiisevms an immoral spectacle. Negro min- 
strelsy had just commenced its career in the shape of a single burnt cork per- 
former at the circus. His popular melody was ' Jump Jim Crow. ' Popular 
sentiment still handed down fi-om the war of 1812 was bitter against England. 
City landlords sat at the head of their own tables and carved the beef-steak. 
In religion 'liberalism" was heretical. In no ])ulpit was any compromise 
allowed in the matter of eternal punishment. The locality for lost souls was 
then a clearly defined fire and brimstone reality. Preachers of different sects 
waged bitter war against each other. Presbj^erianism fi-owned on Methodism. 
In country towns Catholicism meant the dreaded dominion of the Pope, and 
the burning of all Protestants at the stake, if possible. 'Stocks' and high 
shirt collars were then the fashion for gentlemen's neck wear. Beards and 
mustaches were not respectable. Gentlemen did their own shaving. Panta- 
loons were strapped imder the boots. All boots were • Wellingtons ' and had 
legs. The general school system meant the ' district school, ' and the acad- 
emy, a consiunptive and iiTitable Connecticut teacher, a " box stove ' filled 
with wood, and a Pike's Ar-ithmetic. Party feeling was far more bitter than 
i,o-day. The old Federal and colonial families who had held office since Wash- 
ington' s time, and deemed office theirs by a sort of divine right, had just been 
ousted, and they never forgave Jackson, the ouster. The militia were armed 
with flint-lock muskets. A militia-general was then a man of mark. Every- 
body chewed Mrs. Anderson' s or Miller' s tine-cut tobacco. The spittoon found 
its place even in the family pew at "chiu'ch. A visit to New York by the vil- 
lager resident 200 miles distant was an event to be talked over for months. A 
man who had seen Europe was a marked man for the remainder of his days. 
Doctors dosed with "blue mass,' black di'aughts and the lancet, yet people occa- 
sionally recovered in spite of them. Good butter was a shilling a jiound. and 
eggs dear at 18 pence a dozen. Few men took over one daily paper, and this 
often served more, than one household. Democrats were known as ' Locofo- 
cos,' to whom were opposed the' Whigs. ' All the elders stood bolt-upright 
in church dming prayer. Deacons with red noses were more common than 
to-day. The minister was not averse to a glass of toddy diu'ing a parochial 
call. Pillars of the church and of society sometimes walked home from their 
business offices rather unsteadily about 5 or 6 o'clock. Such habits were more 
overlooked than at present. The yearly expenses of the Federal Government 
was not much over that per annum of the city of New York to-day. Rum was 
the pojiular di-ink: brandy next."' To-day the siu-vivors of pioneer times are the 
most abstemious inhabitants, and all round the countiy the thinking citizen has 
abolished the use of alcoholic di'inks within his home. 

Lc()ul-liinifh)g and Cabin Building. — When the lands of Seneca County 
were declared open for entry, the land-hunters came in great numb(>rs. so that 
by the year 1832 there were very few sections iu the county but belonged to 
the actual settler or sj^eculator. Some buyers were guided to the lands, while 
others relied solely on the United States land map of the district. After many 
troubles and difficulties in finding the location, they generally succeeded, built 
the log-house, and actually made a small clearing. This primitive dwelling 
was constructed of small logs, with a roof of split wood, each rail having a 
channel or gutter hewed on the flat side. Over the under tier of those rails 
was another tier, aiTanged with the semicircular surface exposed, aud the 
edges resting on the verge of gutters cut in the center of the flat side of the un- 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 231 

der tier. The floor was plaukoil with puncheon staves; the door and instruments 
for dealiuij with intruding Indians were also made of the same. The tire-phice 
was coustrneted of clay, which one of the builders pounded into mortar liy the 
Hse of his bare feet. This was mixed with small twigs, and placed in shape. 
The chimney, springing from such a foundation, was formed of small sticks 
and a mortar similar to that just referred to, was generally built outside the log 
walls, but in some instances, as in Bloom Township, within the cabin. There 
are a few of the original cabins still standing; while many modern log-cabins, 
with shingled roofs, plastered and papered interior, and well furnished, are 
found thi'oughoixt the county. Even in Tiffin and Fostoria the modern log- 
cabin is still to be seen, but there is little of the romance of the old home in 
the forest attached to them. 

Temperance Raisings. — The construction of a log-cabin in the wilderness 
generally brought together two parties of men, each party diiferently consti- 
tuted. The first were men accustomed to the use of the as — shanty -men who 
selected a tree at a glance and as soon had it cut down. Those were the log- 
rollers. The second party ranked as raisers, were ruled by the corner-man, and 
labored with a will and earnestness which money could not purchase. The 
chief of the raising-bee was the owner of the prof)Osed cabin, and fi-om him 
was expected all that pioneer hospitality suggested or his means would allow. 
Plenty of whisky was the first actual necessity of such an occasion, and for 
years the primitive cabins were, so to speak, raised and dedicated in whisky. 
The evil was too manifest to he tolerated many' years, and fi'om each corner 
of the county came whisperings that Hezekiah and Jonas, and Elijah would 
have their cabins raised on the temperance plan. "When such resolutions were 
made, they were, as a rule, earned out; -but in some instances whisky had to 
be procured before the log-rollers would proceed into the forest, or the corner- 
man lay the first ground-log. In later years, however, men learned to respect 
the opinions of others, and hundreds of cabins were raised without the presence 
of alcohol. 

Ohl-Time Grist-Mills. — In the earlier years of the coimty, and even for two 
decades after its organization, the corn-gi'inder and wheat-^iounder were gnim- 
bling members of the pioneer's family. The difFerence between the mills now 
used for the manufactiu'o of flour and those of half a centiuy ago are as marked 
as those between the modern woolen-mill and the old-fashioned loom in which 
homespun cloth was manufactiu-ed for the purpose of providing stout and serv- 
iceable garments to clothe the hard-working farmer and his sons. During 
the first days of settlement corn was ground in a hollow stump with a huge 
pounder inserted in it worked by manual labor, and sometimes so an-anged as 
to warrant the apj)lication of horse-power. In this county however, the use 
of this primitive mill was very limited. In ancient times wheateu bread was 
the exception; the daily bread of the riu-al household was made of lye and 
Indian corn. Two or three bushels of wheat were regarded as a sufficient 
allowance for a moderate family, and that ground into flour was kept for such 
state occasions as quiltings, weddings. Thanksgiving and other holidays, when 
the good wife was wont to exercise her culinary skill in compounding short- ' 
cake to gi'ace the bountifully-spread table. It was also considered the proper 
thing to have a loaf or two of wheat bread on hand in the house should the cler- 
gyman or other respect(>d visitor come to take tea. The gi'inding of the wheat 
was usually a matter of considerable solicitude on the part of the owner of the 
gi'ist. A bushel or two was measured u]) in a bag and thrown across the back 
of a gentle and trusty faiin-horse, and the owner would wend his way to the 
mill, where, while waiting for it to be ground, he would have an opportunity 



232 HISTORV OF SENECA COUNTY. 

to gossip with the dusty-coated miller, if that graff individual would only con- 
descend to chat with his customer, The miller, however, would satisfy the 
farmer that the run of stone was perfectly clean, and free fi'om rye tloiu- and 
com meal, and this point settled, the wheat was dumped into the hopper and 
ground. The farmer then wended his way homeward, knowing that the good wife 
would test the flour, and reward him for his supervision of the mill and miller 
by short-cake and golden butter. 

There are several instances of record where the early settlers had to siibsist 
on a soup made of flour and milk or flour and water, so that the small sxipply 
of flour could be extended, so to speak, until the hungry consumers could labor 
under the delusion that they had a meal. During such times the hunters of 
the settlements were not idle; so that while the pioneers were denied many, if 
not all, those various temj)ting morsels which the house-wife could prepare 
from flour, they were treated to rich meals of venison and copious draughts of 
whisky, two staple articles of domestic life in pioneer times. 

Wolces. — Wolves were rather troublesome neighbors in early days. They 
made fi'equent visits to the early settlers, and would make the very earth 
tremble with then- bowlings and complaints to the intruders of their time- 
honored homes. Some parts of the county were unenvial)le settlements on 
this account. One occupation of the boys and larger gu-ls of the day used to 
be to fire the old stumps about the place in the evening, to scare away the 
wolves. On the east side of the river these animals were particularly vicious, 
and for years after the organization of the county, hunters and trappers 
earned large sums of money as bounty for wolf-scalps. There was, however, 
one old wolf, a wanderer, which made periodical trips along the river bank. 
The dogs woTild not molest her, and she seemed to care for neither man nor 
beast. She had been caught once in a steel trap, and all efforts to entrap her 
again were, for a long time, unsuccessful. Even the childi-en, in time, seemed 
to distinguish her voice from other wolves, and were in the habit of listening 
for her on certain nights. She seldom disappointed them, and made night 
hideous with her howls. She, however, went the way of all such game, and 
may be said to be the last of her tribe which made the county a home. 

Deer Hwiting. — It is said that deer were plentifid in the county up to the 
fall of 1832, When the noise made by Jackson Democrats caused them to flee 
to some less demonstrative district. Such hunters as Snow and Hadley had, 
however, something to say in the matter of the disappearance of this beautiful 
habitant of the wilderness. 

Toledo War. — September 7. 1885, a half -century had elapsed since the 
closing up of the Toledo war — well styled the arch-squablile of the pioneer 
days of Ohio and Michigan. This trouble grew out of the claims of Michigan 
to a strip of land, known as the Sis Mile Strip, now belonging to Ohio. It was 
early in the spring of 1835 that Gov. Mason, acting-governor of Michigan, 
ordered Gen. Brown to hold the Michigan militia in readiness, and later the 
militia was called into service. 

A large force was marched down from Detroit, and were joined at Monroe 
by the force raised here, and the army then marched upon Toledo. Capt. 
Hem-y Smith, afterward a colonel in the army, and Alpheus Felch were on 
Gen. Brown's staff, and the late Warner Wing was colonel. One of the most 
conspicuous figures in that campaign, Capt. Lewis Darrah. who commanded a 
company, mostly of Frenchmen, with Gabriel and David Bissonette as lieu- 
tenants, is still residing in I\Iichigan. Capt. Darrah had a gorgeous uniform, 
four rows of gilt biittons, chapeau with red feather and white top, and a sword 
dangling by his side, and was the observed of all. Many of the soldiers of 



;^;o^^ 




ooT^s^. /^^ 



HISTOllY OF SENRCA COUNTY. 235 

Michif^an eand Ohio were armed with broom-sticks, but that did not matter., 
The former were bound to strike terror to the Buckeyes. Intense excitement 
reigned, and a bloody conflict was thought to be inevitable. The army 
marched on to Toledo, but Gen. Lucas kept the larger {)art of his forces on the 
other side of the Maumee, and the Michigan troops entered Toledo without 
opposition. The trooj)s remained there three or four days, and were very 
handsomely treated. Such was the excitement diu-ing the simimer that at one 
time an attack was expected fi'om the Ohio troops, but they did not come. 
Gen. Lucas siirrejititiously organized a coiu-t at Toledo, in the night time, but 
the judge fled in fear of the Michigan troops. The militia of Seneca County 
were all ready for a light. 

Matters finally became so warm that President Jackson recommended Gov. 
Mason to suspend hostilities, which he refiised to do, and consequently was 
removed, and although the AVolverine and Buckeye armies were disljanded 
and matters were quieted down, the dispute was not finally settled imtil Mich- 
igan applied for admittance to the Union as a State, when it was made a 
condition that she should surrender her claim to the disputed ten-itorj' and 
take the upper peninsula instead, which she agreed to. 

The few remaining participants in that bloodless war remember it as the 
most exciting event in the early history of the State, and ridiculous as the 
affair afterward seemed, eveiy man was ready to lay down his life to sustain 
the honor and maintain the rights of his respective State. Many of the sol- 
diers of Seneca who actually marched forward to guard Judge Higgins in his 
attempt to hold coiu-t of common pleas at Toledo, are still residents of the county. 

Indians and Pioneers. — From 1819, imtil the Indians evacuated the 
county, both whites and Indians were on fi'iendly terms, each party making 
an effort to help the other. Dr. B. D. "Williams, in his reminiscenses, printed 
by Stewart in 1874. says: "Diuing the early period of the settlement of the 
township (Read), the Indians were very numerous, and. as a general thing, 
lived amicably with the few whites who were there at an early day. Some- 
where about the year when the first settlements were made, an accident of a 
fatal chiiracter happened to an Indian maiden, a daughter of the renowned 
chief and warrior, Seneca John. The Indians made frequent visits to the 
present village of Reedtown each winter for the purpose of hunting and trap- 
ping. On one of these occasions, a party, encamped here, was preparing an 
evening meal. A large kettle, full of boiling water, was suspended from a 
pole over the fii-e, and the unfortunate girl was lying in front of it. when the 
pole bxu-ned through, letting the kettle fall, spilling its heated contents upon 
the body of the girl. Some of those present immediately enveloped her in a 
blanket, and conducted her to a house near by, where she was attended by 
Dr. "Williams. On removing the blanket the flesh literally clung to it, leaving 
her almost a living skeleton. Death, however, soon ended her suft'erings. 
After her death William Williams made a hand-sled, and a number of the 
Indiaa boys, followed by a mournful cortege, conveyed the remains to the 
Wyandot Cemetery, above Tiifin. Many of the old settlers in Reed. Thompson 
and Clinton Townships well remember this funeral as one of the saddest 
scenes of pioneer days. 

Pioneer WeddiiKjs. — The wedding was an attractive feature of pioneer life. 
There was no distinction of life and very little of fortunes On these accounts, 
the first impressions of love generally resulted in mairiage. The family estab- 
lishment cost but little labor — nothing more. The marriage was always cele- 
brated at the house of the bride, and she was generally left to choose the 
officiating clergyman. A wedding, however, engaged the attention of the 



236 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

whole neighborhood. It was anticipated by both old and young with eager 
expectation. In the morning of the wedding day the groom and his intimate 
friends assembled at the house of his father, and after due preparation, 
dejiarted, en masse, for the "mansion'' of his bride. The journey was some- 
times made on horseback, sometimes on foot and sometimes in farm wagons 
and carts. It was always a merry journey; and, to insiu'e merriment, the bot- 
tle was taken along. On reaching the house of the bride, the marriage ceremony 
took place, and then dinner or supper was served. After the meal the dancing 
commenced, and generally lasted until the following morning. The figiu-es of 
the dances were three and foiu'-han^ed reels, or square sets and jigs. The 
commencement was always a square foiu', which was followed l)y what pioneers 
called "jigging; " that is, two of the four would single out for a jig, and were 
followed by the remaining couple. The jigs were often accompanied with 
what was called ' ' cutting out, ' ' that is, when either of the parties became tired 
of the dance, on intimation, the place was supplied by some one of the com- 
pany, without intenaijition of the dance. In this way the reel was often con- 
tinued until the musician was exhausted. About 9 or 1(1 o" clock in the evening 
a deputation of young ladies stole off the bride and put her to bed. In doing 
this, they had to ascend a ladder from the kitchen to the upper floor, which 
was composed of loose boards. Here, in this pioneer bridal chamber, the young, 
simple-hearted girl was put to bed by her enthusiastic friends. This done, a 
deputation of young men escorted the groom to the same department, and 
placed him snugly by the side of his bride. The dance still continued, and if 
seats were scarce, which was generally the case, says a local writer, every young 
man when not engaged in the dance, was obliged to offer his lap as a seat for 
one of the girls; and the offer was sure to be accepted. During the night's 
festivities whisky was freely used, but seldom to great excess. The infair was 
held on the following evening, when the same order of exercises was observed. 
Matrimonial Pecuh'arifies. — On May 14, 1841), Heni-y M. Stone, of Fort 
Ball, and Mrs. Eliza Mercer, of Tiffin, were man-ied by Rev. F. Putnam, who 
caused the following to be published under the notice of marriage: 

"Health and prosperity to the first couple joined together bj^ me, in Seneca County. 

F. P." 

A peculiar marriage contract is on record, made April 16, 1858, in Hope- 
well Township, between Henry Creeger and Catherine Brendle, and executed 
in presence of Levi Keller, justice of the peace, April 19, that year. It pro- 
vided that before the proposed mairiage Catherine waives all right to all dower 
or expectancy of dower in lands of Creeger, on condition that he, by his last 
will and testament, would j^rovide for the payment to her of §500. This was 
actually accepted by the prospective bride. 

In January, 18(35, another marriage contract — a strange agreement was 
perfected between Catherine (Fridel) Kuemet, widow of Fridol, and her sec- 
ond husband, George Kuemet. After a few disagreements the wife left INIr. 
Kuemet to look after his own affairs. His repentance soon followed, when he 
agreed to lodge §400 with the superior of the convent of Maria at the IManger, 
Wolf Creek, to be paid oiit only on the following conditions: That the lady 
retiun to live with him. the money to go to her in case of his death, or in case 
of her dying first, then to the childien of her first marriage. ' "But should 
both parties separate again (which God forbid), then the priest or bishop shoidd 
investigate whether Kuemet kept his promises to treat his wife dutifully, edu- 
cate her two children until they receive second confirmation, and to disclaim 
all ownership to her property owned before marriage with him, and also 
whether Catherine has discharged her duty as wife, when the money shaU be 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 237 

ordored in conformity with such invt'stigatiou. Should both parties ho the 
cause of such provocations and mischievous conduct, then neither of them shall 
have the money, and the same shall be appropriated for the reformation of 
both in the best possible manner. ' ' This agreement was made between Kue- 
met and Joseph Hemy Dress, and witnessed by William Lang, May 10, 18(56. 

Pioneer Wo)nen. — There are few sons and daughters, to-day, let us hope, 
who have not a good idea of the pioneer mother, and entertain toward her a 
respect born of all that is noble in himianity. She came into the forests with 
her young husband to make a home for a family, and. by her woman' s work 
and woman's judgment, made that home to which her children look back for 
their happiest days. She was the cook, tailor, di'ess-maker, and oftentimes 
cloth manufactiu-er, for the whole household, and, with all this, kept the cabin 
as neat and clean as if such work were her only care. All this was accom- 
plished without any of the modern appliances, without the noise and hurry of 
modern times, and generally without the grumbling that the modern lady be- 
stows upon almost every little easy task which domestic life now may call 
xipon her to perfonu. She took a pleasure in this work, and her life was one 
long stream of usefulness and health, of benevolence and peace. She made 
herself an actual something which any community would miss, and accom- 
plished all this without dradgery. She read and learned and taught as a con- 
sequence of her active life, and in her declining years drew rich rewards from 
her works, going higher, to the better laud, with a consciousness of duty 
done below. She was the Christian mother, whose example it is now found so 
hard to imitate. 

Tobacco Smoking Fashionable. — When the Hall family settled in Bloom 
Township, over a half centiuy ago, it appears that the women smoked tobacco, 
and one who did not smoke this weed was the exception. Mi's. Kiee, in a recent 
contribution to pioneer history, says: "Om- neighbors were a strange mixture 
in regard to nationality, and we covild never get used to their ways or language, 
and if you would ask them a question in regard to a given quantity, they 
would say: 'O, yes, we have a right smart chance.' "When we had lived there 
but a few days a girl called in to see me, and almost the first thing she said 
was, 'Mrs. Rice, do you smoke?' 'No, indeed,' said I. 'Well,' she said, 
'you will have to, or nobody will think anything of you, for everybody smokes 
around here. ' I told her I was sony, but I neither could nor would smoke to 
make friends with anybody. But I found lots of fi'iends. and did not smoke 
either, and when we were sick, and they knew it, they were very kind, and when 
we had the misfortune to have our house burnt down with all its contents, 
homes and hearts were opened to us, and, although we would not take pecu- 
niaiy aid of them, for we had plenty of relatives who were both able and wil- 
ling to assist us, they turned out with men and teams, and in a few days we 
had a nice home again. And the seven years we lived there, though years of 
sickness and toil, we look back upon as among the happiest of our lives." 

Female Cofitnme. — Among the moral folks a fashionable dress goods was 
tiu'key-red calico, with flashy yellow flowers, large as an oak leaf. The great 
scoop bonnet and smoke-stack leghorn formed the h(>adgear. Shoes were 
made fi'om cow-hide leather, with the seams on the outside. Many of such 
ciu'iosities are in possession of Mrs. S. S. Stickney. 

It will not be claimed that the pioneers were faultless; perfection would not 
be expected of them. They were impulsive, too firm in many erroneous ideas 
to be liberal, too narrow in experiences of the world to be able to applaud vir- 
tue in others or decry vice in themselves. With all this, they were men of the 
period — in fact, in advance of the period — strong in heart and arm, enthusi- 



238 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

astic and earnest in the work which they had undertaken, and never equaled 
in the greatest task of their lives, which raised up the wilderness to a garden, 
and gave to Ohio one of her greatest divisions. Looking back some years over 
a half century ago, all the faults of the pioneer must be credited to the time 
in which he lived, and all his virtues to himself, so that, with the poet, the 
writer of this prose will say, with all his heai-t: 

All honor and praise Vo the old pioneers; 

Y'ou never may know all their story; 
What they found but a desert a garden became. 

And their toil and success is their glory. 



CHAPTER IV. 
ORGANIC HISTORY. 

ORG.VNIZ.^TION, COMMISSIONERS', B0.U5D AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 

IN the second part of this work, the History of Ohio, the political divisions 
of the State are named, and their organization noted. The act of Feb- 
ruary 12, 1820, authorized the New Purchase or the territory acquired under 
the Indian treaties, to be laid off into fourteen counties, one of which — Seneca 
— was to embrace surveyed Townshijas 1, 2 and 3, north of latitude 41°; 
Ranges 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, east of the first Ohio meridian. This territory 
was attached to Sandusky County for judicial purjioses until April, 1824, a 
period of four years. During this time a territory (now known as Thompson, 
Reed and Venice Townships, with a strip two and a half sections in width, 
along the east side of the teiTitory, now known as Adams, Scipio and Bloom 
Townships), 143.| square miles, was set off April 25, 1820, by the commis- 
sioners of Sandusky County, under the name of Thompson Township, The 
township of Seneca was set oft' May 8, 1820, This embraced the whole coun- 
ty outside of the original Thompson Township and the reservations. In June 
following, that portion of the present townshij) of Clinton east of the San- 
dusky River, was established under its present name, and one year later the 
present township of Eden was ordered to be organized, and the election to be 
held at John Searle's house June 4, 1821, 

Organization of Seneca County. — The act of the legislature passed January 
22, 1824, provided for the organization of Seneca County, the election of offi- 
cers, continuation of law suits, etc. , etc. The elections under the act were 
held in April. 1824, when Agreen Ingraham received 190 votes for sheriff, and 
Leverett Bradley 206 votes for coroner. Those, with the commissioners, Clark, 
Olmsted and Whitmore, were the only officers elected in April {vide Political 
History), 

The seat of justice for Seneca County was not located until March 25, 
1822, when Herford, Spink and Miner, the commissioners ajipointed for that 
piu'pose, aiTived and selected the village on the east bank of the river to be 
the county seat. 

In the following pages a review of the transactions of the commissioners' 
board from June, 1824, to the close of the Rebellion, is given. 

Transactions of the Commissioners' Board. — At a meeting held at Tiffin, 



HISTORY OF SENECA OOUNTV. 239 

Juno 7. 1824, AVilliam Clark, Jesse S. Olmsteadand Bi'iijamin Whitmoiv. com- 
missioners present, a petition to build a road from the northeast corner of Section 
1(), Township 2, Range 14 east, to Levi Cressa's house and Bowes' land on 
the State road, was granted. Joseph Pool, George Stoner and W. D. Sher- 
wood were appointed viewers, and David Risdon, sui-veyor. A permit was 
granted on the petition ot Isaac Gurnee to build a road from Zinn's Mill to 
Henry Crow's, on the State road. Ezra Brown, Elisha Clark and Rd. Jaijiia 
were viewers, and Franklin Baker, siu'veyor. On petition of Thomas Btjj'd, a 
road was ordered from the south side of Stony Creek to the Seneca Reserva- 
tion. Thomas Boyd, 'WiUiam Wright and AN'illiam Anway were appointed 
viewers, and David Risdon, siu'veyor. Thomas Boyd and Lowell Robinson 
petitioned to have the road known as the Mansfield and Tiffin Road reviewed, 
with the object of changing its course before its opening. Rd. Jaqua, Ed. 
Sutherland, John Seitz, Lowell Robinson, R. Munsell and George Denison were 
reviewers. 

June 7, 1824, Thomas Boyd presented a petition to the commissioners, 
signed by many qualitied electors of Eden Township for the establishment of 
Bloom Township. The petitioners stated: '"Laboiu'ing under grate iuconvin- 
ance from the distance of attending Piiblic Elections, and also having a sutii- 
cient number of quallified electors in the township, we therefore pray that the 
Honorable board to sit off said Township, No. 1 and 2 in the 16th Range, and 
constitute it a legal Township, to be known by the name of Bloom Township." 
The commissioners, in granting this petition, decreed that Townships 1 and 2, 
in the Sixteenth Range, formerly organized with the township of Eden, and 
Townships 1 and 2 in the Nineteenth Range, together with fractional Town- 
ships No. 1 and 2 in the Eighteenth Range be established as one township, 
imder the name of Bloom. 

Bloom Township was established Juno 7, 1824. On the same date Milton 
McNeal was appointed treasurer of Seneca County, and David Risdon tax col- 
lector. A petition to have a road from fractional Section 19, Range 18, on 
the county line, thence on the best route from Tiffin via Mom-oe to Norwalk, 
was granted. S. D. Palmer, Chris Stone and Thomas Webb were viewers. 
This authority was repealed immediately. June 8, 1824, John Mimm was 
allowed §12. 18 for repairing court house. Judge Jacques Hubbard was allowed 
§0 for three days' services as associate judge of Seneca County, and a similar 
amount was allowed Judge Matthew Clark. The svim of S2.2o was allowed 
Nathan ^\'hituey for listing Thompson Township; Joseph Osborne was allowed 
S3. 75 for listing Eden Township; George Park, SI. 87 J for listing Clinton 
Township; Joseph Keeler, $2.25 for listing Fort Seneca Township, and D. 
Smith was allowed §8 for services as clerk of the commissioners' board for thi-ee 
days, and S1.43| for a blank book which he purchased (a book which could l)e 
purchased to-day for 30 cents. — Ed.). June '.), 1824, the commissioners 
authorized the auditor to purchase blank books for the use of the county offi- 
cers, and ]>ay for them from the tirst moneys received into the county treasurj'. 
They also authorized payment to Benjamin Whitmore and Jesse S. Olmstead for 
three days' service, and to William Clark for one day's service as commission- 
ers. This completed, the first meeting of the commissioners of Seneca County 
was something of the past. 

December 0, 1824, Dr. Dunn, Thomas Boyd and Benjamin Whitmore, 
commissioners, met at Tiffin. Elisha Clark presented a petition for a road from 
Seneca Creek, ' " at the Heights of Land, at the j)resent new travelled Road, ' ' to 
the southwest corner of east half of southwest cjuarter, of Section 28, thence 
to "Hem-y Crows' new dwelling house." Franklin Baker, John Downs and 



240 ' HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Selden Graves were appointed viewers, and were instructed to meet at John 
Gibson's house on December 24, to view and locate the road. Case Brown 
petitioned for a road from the corners of Sections 13, 14, 23 and 24, in Clinton 
Township, south to the Kilboiirne State road, at Sections 13 and 14, Eden 
Township. Eoswell ^lunsell, Henry Blackman and Richard Jaqua were ap- 
pointed viewers, 'William Clark, siureyor. and Hamilton McCollister's house 
was designated as the place of meeting. On the same day. on petition of David 
Clark, the same viewers and surveyor were ordered to locate a road from Honey 
Creek through the center of Clinton Township, on Section line between 14 and 
15 and 10 and 11. December (5, 1824, "William Anway presented a petition 
for the establishment of Scipio Township, signed by sixteen legal voters. John 
Cary presented a petition for a road from his house in Crawford Township, to 
Joseph Gates' (or Gales' ) house, thence to the county road and from Joseph 
Chaffee's west. Cyprian Stevens, Peter Carr and Elisha Brayton were ap- 
pointed viewers, and David Risdon, surveyor. 

December 6. 1824, a petition was presented to the commissioners, which was 
recorded as follows: "'December 6, 1824, ilr. William Anway presented a 
petition to the Ijoard from the inhabitants of the second township in Range 16. 
now attached to Bloom Township, beg leave to represent to your honors the 
nedcessity of seting off and organizing said township, and we wish your honors 
to order the same organized, together with such other townships or parts of 
townships as your honors should, in your wise consideration, think proper to 
attach to said township, and that the name may be known by the name of 
Scipio Township." This petition was granted by the board, who declared a 
legal organized township, to be known by the name of Scipio Townsnip, to-wit : 
The second township in Range 16; second township in Range 17 and second 
fractional township in Range 18 shall constitute the same. 

On petition presented by Neal McGaffey, December 7, 1824, a road from 
the public ground at Fort Ball, running across the Sandusky River to the pub- 
lic ground at Tiffin, was authorized. Jesse Gale, George Free and Charles B. 
Fitch were appointed viewers, and David Risdon, surveyor. On petition of 
Joseph Chaffee, authority was granted the people of Crawford Township to 
elect three trustees and one treasurer, on December 25, 1824, to take charge of 
the school lands belonging to Crawford Township. Hopewell Township was 
established December 7, 1824. 

The following is of record: "December 7. 1824, the inhabitants of Seneca 
Township presented an application for a new township, to be set off and or- 
ganizedas follows, to-wit: Composing of original siirveyed Township 2, 
in Range 13, also the original surveyed township in Range 14, excepting 
a fraction on the east side of the Sandusky River, to be known by the name of 
Hopewell Township, was granted by the board, and ordered that the qualified 
electors of said Hopewell Township .shall meet at the house of Joseph Pools, in 
said township, on Saturday, December 25, 1824, and proceed to elect township 
officers. ' ' The board of commissioners declared the above township legally or- 
ganized and to be known by the name of Hopewell Township, and at the same 
time and place the qualified electors shall proceed to elect three trustees and 
one treasurer, whose duty it shall be to take charge of the school lands belong- 
ing to said township, and dispose of the same as the law directs. 

December 7, 1824, Town 1, Range 13. and Town 1, Range 14, were estab- 
lished as one township, under the name of Seneca Township, and the electors 
ordered to meet at the house of Abram Courlwright, December 25, 1 824. 

^'illard Wright presented a petition asking for a county road from the 
countv line, south of David Clark's house to the county road running from 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 241 

David riiderliill's to Sandusky, where the road crosses the center line of 
Thompson Township, thence to the Kilbourne road, and thence by William 
Frink's house to Tiffin. Agreen Ingrabam. Itollin Miiller and Ira Bassett 
were appointed viewers, and David Kisdon, sTirveyor. with instructions to lo- 
cate the road on January 11, 1S"25. Elisha Smith was allowed S8 for list- 
ing Seneca Township. Chris Stone was allowed !57, and Thomas A\'ebb 1J6 
for viewing new roads. The roads from Zinn's Mill to Eden Township, and 
from Honey Creek to Seneca Reservation, were declared public highways, 
December 7, 1824. Reuben Williams asked for a road from the James Bearn- 
sides lane or Mansfield road, in Section '28, Town 2, Range 15, by Eight- 
een Mile Run and William M. Ewen's house, and thence to the Kilbourne road. 
Bearnsides. Williams and Leverett Bradley were appointed viewers. De- 
cember 8, 1824. it was voted that Thomas Boyd be commissioner for one year, 
Benjamin Whitman for two years and Dr. Dunn three years. The auditor was 
ordered to call on Sanduskj' for settlement of revenue and expenditiu'e. 

December 8, 1824, the north room in George Park's house was rented, 
at $1 per month, to be used for clerk and auditor's office. The commissioners 
concluded their first year's work by declaring new roads to be public highways, 
and appropriating pay for their clerk, D. Smith, and themselves. 

December 8, 1824, the commissioners ordered that the fraction on the 
west side of Sandusky River, included in original Township 2 north. Range • 
15, together with the fraction on the east side of the river, included in Town 
2 north. Range 14. be attached to Clinton Township. 

At a meeting of the commissioners, held March 7, 1825, Township 1, 
Range 15; Township 1, Range 16; and Township 1, Range 17, soiith of base 
line, were set off as one township under the name of Sycamore, and an elec- 
tion ordered to be held March 25, 1825. 

A road was authorized from James T. Percas land Section 2, Township 
3, Range 10, to the town of Tiffin. Willard Knight, W. D. Sherwood and 
Joseph Pool were appointed viewers and David Risdon, sru'veyor. Williiim 
Mead, John Craig and Alexander McNutt entered security for the establish- 
ment of this road. Elijah Brayton petitioned for a road from his saw-mill, via 
Chaffee's and Whitaker's stores, to the state road. Agreen Ingraham, RoUin 
Moler and James Gardin were appointed viewers: E. Brayton and James 
Richards were securities. A road from Upper Sandusky to the city of San- 
dusky was authorized. On the application of the inhabitants of Crawford 
Township, the electors of Township 1. Range 13 south, were ordered to elect 
on the last Saturday of March, 1825, three trustees and one treasurer to 
manage the school lands of the district. A similar decree was entered in the 
case of Scipio Township, the meeting to be held at John A^' right's house. 
On petition of Neal McGaffey a road from the east end of Miami Street, Fort 
Ball, to the public square of Tiffin was authorized. McGaffey, Ingraham and 
John Galbraith offered secvirity. 

In March, 1825, John Mimm asked for a road from Tiffin to Thomas 
Leaper's house, on the Negro Town road. N. Egbert, James Earl and S. S. 
Palmer, viewers, Solomon Kuder and Josiah Hedges were securities. Russell 
Vibber, John Seitz and AVillard Knight were appointed viewers of a road from 
the north end of Washington Street to intersect the easterly end of Adams 
Street, in the town of Fort Ball. In JEarch, 1825, the electors of Clinton 
Township were ordered to meet in April and elect three trustees and one 
treasm-er to take charge of the school lands of Clinton. William Connell 
was ap|)ointed keeper of the standard measure on March 9. On the 
same day the commissioners declared the roads which they authorized to be 



242 HISTORY OF SKXECA COUNTY. 

public highways, and, after appropriating their o\\ti and clerks' salaiy ad- 
joiuned. 

The foui'th session of the commissioners was held June 6, 7 and 8, 1820. 
A number of road petitions were granted, and Ijills aggregating about $7t ' 
were ordered paid; including §4.50 to George Park for use of room for fom- 
and a half months. 

The commissioners assembled in special meeting July 4, 1825, to consider 
proposals for building a jail. Elijah Farquson was granted the contract on 
his bid of $450. Josiah Hedges signed the contractor's bond. An adjoui-ned 
meeting was held October 15, to receive Assessor William Patterson's account. 
He was allowed for assessing the county, $48. 

The principal business of the commissioners, in session December 5, fi and 
7, 1825, pertained to roads. December 5, organic changes were made in 
Clinton and Hopewell Townships. December 7. Xeal McGaft'ey was allowed 
$17.85 for blank books and repaii-ing clerk's and auditor's room, and David 
Smith S4. 50 for blank books supplied to the auditor. Benjamin Whitman 
was allowed one day's pay for services on the Board of Equalization and one 
day's pay for inspecting work on new jail. Chris. Stone, appraiser of Clinton 
Township, was allowed SI for his services during the year 1825. Each of the 
commissioners received pay for three days' services. 

December 5, 1825, Agreen Ingraham presented a petition from the 
inhabitants of the townships of Clinton and Hopewell, praying that all that 
part of the original surveyed township of Clinton, lying on the west side of 
the Sandusky River, should he attached to Hopewell Township. This petition 
was granted, it appearing to the commissioners that the want in bridge con- 
veniences justified a partition of the original town of Clinton. 

The commissioners met March 0, 1826. when on petition they authorized 
the establishment of " Tyamochtee " Township fi'om Crawford Township. 
Thomas Johnson was allowed .?51 for blank books. Elijah Farquson received 
SI 50 on account of jail building in S15 orders. The -time of completing the 
jail was extended to July 1. 182(5. March 31, 1826, the commissioners 
met to accept the jail building fi'om the contractor, and issue orders for S200 
in his favor. 

March 7, 182(), an application was made to the commissioners to set 
off Township 1, Range 14 south, fi-om Crawford Townshij) and establish the 
township of " Tyamochtee, " which was granted. The electors of Crawford were 
ordered to meet in April at the house of Joseph Chaiffer to choose ofScers, 
and the electors of the new township to meet at the house of Jesse Gales. 

The special meeting of June 5 and 6, 1826. was devoted to road affairs 
and accoimts. Josiah Hedges was allowed S25.85 in exchange of an order 
issiied and paid for the location of the seat of justice for Seneca County, on 
the treasiu-er of Sanduskv' Coimty. Milton McNeal was reappointed treasurer 
of the coiinty, and William Patterson tax collector. Thomas Boyd. Ben 
Whitmore and James Gordon were commissioners. 

The meeting of December 5, 1826. was devoted to road permits and organic 
changes. Reed and Adams Townships were set off; a portion of Clinton was 
attached to Hopewell. The commissioners organized with James Gordon, com- 
missioner for one year; Timothy P. Roberts, for three years, and Thomas Boyd, 
two years. 

Reed Township was set off December 5, 1826. It comprised Township 2, 
Range 17, together with the fi'actional Township 2. Range 18. including land 
east to Huron Cotmty line. The election was ordered to be held at Seth Reed's 
house in January, l827. 







OMl 



^ 





^i^UHAiljC 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 245 

Adams ToA\Tiship was set off December '), 1820. It comprised fractional 
Townsliiy) 3. Kanj^e 1*5, includiiij^ one tier of sections off the west side of 
Township :', Kange 17. The election was ordered to be held at Samnel White- 
man's house December 2."), 182(). 

The commissioners decreed that all that jnirt of Clinton Township, or Town- 
ship 2, Range 15. lying on the west side of the Sandusky River, should be 
attached to Hopewell Township, December 5. 1N2(5. 

The meeting of March 5. 1827, gi-anted authority to constiiict a nimiber of 
new roads. Milton M. Neal reported f (543. HU in county orders, being part of 
his credits as treasurer for 1820. Neal ilcGaffey presented $27.05 as amount of 
oflice rent and stationery. David Risdon was appointed assessor: a bounty of $2 
in addition to Stat(> bounty, was offered by the commissioners in March, 1827. 
A special meeting was held in June. 1827. David Risdon received -IflS. 50 for 
assessor's services of 1827. The taxes decided upon were 8 mills per dollar 
for State tax; 8 mills per dollar for county tax: 8 mills per dollar for road 
tax, and .j mill [lor dollar for school purposes. In August, 1827. the board met 
to consider the propriety of building a bridge across the Sandusky River, and 
ordered one day's pay for each member. 

Deceml)er 8 and 4, 1827, Case Brown, 1'imothy P. Roberts and Thomas 
Boyd, county commissioners, met at Tiffin. William Toll, jailer, presented 
his bill of 88.40 for fees and boarding prisoners. The repairs of the jail, in 

1827. cost aboit *7(). 

The commissioners met March 8. 1828. John A. Rosenberger presented a 
petition. ])rayiug that a part of the original town of Clinton, on the west side of 
the Sandusky, should l)e attached to Clinton Township; not granted. David 
Bishop was ai)]iointed seal(>r of weights and measm-es. The board at a special 
meeting held March 24, 1828, decided to build a court hoi;se, and on Aiiril 11, 

1828, advertised for proposals. There is no record of their meeting on April 
14, 1828. 

Granting petitions to establish roads was the only business of importance 
liefore the board in December, 1828. 

The commissioners in session, March 2. 1829, ordered that the State treas- 
ury be called i;pon to pay $15.S)1-j^„-, the amoimt of three per cent fund 
apportioned tt) Seneca County, under the act of February '.), 1820. The clerk of 
the court of connnon jileas was authorized to pm-chase a desk for his office. 

At a special meeting held June 1. 1829, Ezra Gilbert presented a petition 
fi'om the peojjle of Township 1. Range 17, praying to have that township set 
off under the name of Venice. 

The township of Venice was set off June 1. 1829; as then established, it 
Comprised Township 1, Range 17, and fractional Township 1, Range 18. which 
was attached to Bloom, foiTuerlv. The petition to establish was presented bv 
Ezra Gilbert. 

David Beck was allowed §24 for making a secretary's desk for clerk's office, 
in June, 1829. Josej)li Howard, the county clerk, was allowed 810 in advance 
to purchase stationery for the use of his office. The board of equalization 
made heavy additions lo the capital of local merchants. 

The commissioners James Gordon, T. P. Roberts and Case Brown — met 
December 8, 1 829. They allowed George Donaldson, trustee of the meeting- 
house, §18 as rent of the same, for May, August and November terms of coiu-t 
in 1829. M'illiam Toll, jailer, presented his account for the year, which 
amounted to 812.42.U 

This session of the commissioners opened March 1, 1830, with Gordon, 
Brown and Roberts, present. Apart fi-om the establishment of public roads. 

14 



246 HISTORY OF SEXECA COUNTY. 

little other business was transacted. Jacob Plane, treasvirer, was instructed to 
demand from William Clark the county orders he received in June, 1828. The 
$15.91y\ of the three per cent fund was appropriated for the Mt. Vernon road 
between Tiffin and Morrison State road. Matthew Clark was allowed S 11. 12 
for a stove for the jail. 

At the June meeting William Toll, jailer, was allowed $83. 79 for boarding 
Peter Pork, 211 days; Walter Bates, 49 days; Merrit Goodyear, 2 days: 
together with jailer's fees, for the year ending June, 1830. One-half of three- 
fourths of a mill was authorized for township tax in Hopewell, 7 mills for 
county purposes and 3 mills for road purposes. Harry Blackman, of Bloom 
Township, was appointed a commissioner to expend the three per cent fund on 
the Kilboiu'ne State road. In August a special meeting was held, which 
adjoiu'ned to September 18. 

January 27, 1831. a meeting was held to consider road petitions. At the 
June meeting a number of roads were authorized; Pleasant Townshij) was 
established. The tax levy was 8 mills for county purposes, 3 mills for roads and 
1 mill for schools. A special session was held in December, 1S31. 

At a meeting of the commissioners, held June 6, 1831, a petition was pre- 
sented by Caleb Eice, from the inhabitants of Seneca Township, praying for a 
new township, to be named Pleasant. The board ordered that fractional 
Township 3, Range 15, and all that part of the Seneca Indian Resei-vation, lying 
within Seneca County, be established under the name of Pleasant. 

The commissioners met March 5, 1832. A number of road petitions were 
granted and viewers appointed. Loudon Township was established. In June, 
1832, Liberty Township was set off. The tax levy was placed at 5 mOls for 
county purjjoses, 1 mill for school purposes, and 3 mills for road purposes. 
Jackson Township was established December 4, 1832. The sum of §6 was 
allowed to George Donaldson, trustee of the meeting-hOuse, as rent for that 
building during the March term of court. 

The commissioners, in their order of March 5, 1832, decreed that Town- 
ship 2 north. Range 13 east, be organized as a separate township under the 
name of Loudon. 

December 4, 1832, the inhabitants of Township 3, Range 13, Jackson, 
petitioned the board to set off that division of the county as a sepai'ate town- 
ship, under the name of Jackson. This petition was granted. 

A petition was presented by John S. Fleck, from the inhabitants of Town- 
ship 3, Range 14, Liberty, then attached to Seneca Townshij), June 5, 1832. 
In gi-anting this petition; the commissioners confen-ed the name of Liberty 
upon the new township, 

March 4, 1833, John Keller, David Eisdon and Case Brown, commission- 
ers, assembled at Tiffin, At this meeting the question of changing the town- 
ship boundaries was discussed. The boundaries of Thompson, Scipio, Adams, 
Clinton and Pleasant Townships were altered so that each would comprise an 
original surveyed township. In March, 1833, John Tennis presented a peti- 
tion praying for the organization of Township 2 north, Range 13, for school 
piuposes. This petition was granted. 

In June, 1833, a number of road petitions were gi-anted. In December 
that portion of original township of Clinton, lying west of the Sandusky, was 
detached fi-om Hopewell and attached to Clinton. The commissioners decided 
to erect county buildings, in December, 1833, and made application to Valen- 
tine Pentzer, of Mechanics Town, Va, , for a loan of !?(>,000. Calvin Bradley 
and John Baugher were appointed commissioners to visit the county seats of 
Lorain, Portage and Richland Counties, and to take a correct description, cost, 



IIISTOUY OF !^EN^:CA COUNTY. 247 

etc.. of eaeb court house. John Seitz, Marcus Y. Graff and John Cnim wore 
commissioners. 

The question of erecting good connty buildings was discussed in Novem- 
ber, lS3>i. John Baugher and Calvin Bradley were appointed commissioners 
by the board to visit Ravenna. Elyria and Mansfield, with a view of selecting 
a plan for the new county buildings. The site for the jail was j)urchased fi'om 
Josiah Hedges. 

In March, 1833, at the twentieth meeting, the boundaries of Thompson 
were so altered as to embrace the original siu'veyed townships 3 north, Ranges 
17 and IS. 

The boundaries of Scipio Township were so changed under order of !March 
4, 1833, as to embrace Township 2 north. Range 16. 

The boundaries of Adams Township were so altered in March, 1833, as to 
embrace the original surveyed Township 3 north. Range 1(5. 

The boundaries of Clinton Township were changed in March, 1833, so as 
to include the fractional part of the original sm-veyed To%vnship 2 north, Range 
15, which lies in the Seneca Reservation. 

The boundaries of Pleasant Township were changed in March, 1833, so as 
to embrace only original siu'veyed Township 3 north. Range 15. 

On petition of George W. Gist, that portion of the original township of 
Clinton, on the west side of Sandusky River, was detached from Hopewell and 
reattached to Clinton. December 3. 1833. In March. 1834. David Risdon pre- 
sented a remonstrance fi'om the inhabitants of this part of the county. 

In Januaiy, 1834, the visiting committee /)/ re coui-t house matters reported 
in favor of adopting the style of the Portage County building. The bill of 
expenses presented by this committee was $'J3. 80, which was ordered to be 
paid. Januiiry 17, the board ordered advertisement for jjroposals to build a 
coiui house, and February 14. the commissioners entered into a contract with 
John Baugher to build a court house in the town of Tiffin, for $9. 500. David 
Campbell was allowed §2 for printing the proposals in the Tiffin and Sandusky 
Clarion. 

In March, 1834, the twenty-second meeting of the commissioners accepted 
a deed from Josiah Hedges for a certain lot of land for the piu'pose of erecting 
a jail, valued at SI 50, in part payment of materials named in said Hedges' 
bond due said county. Marcus Y. Graff, one of the commissioners, notified Mr. 
Hedges that the commissioners required payment of the residue of the moneys 
and materials due on said bond. David Risdon presented a remonstrance fi'om 
the )>eople of that i)ortion of Clinton Township west of the river, against the 
action of the commissioners in reannexing it to Clinton in their order of 
DecemVier, 1 833. The board decreed that it was iuexjjedient to repeal their last 
order in regard to this biennial question. A petition was presented by Charles 
W. Foster from twenty electors in Loudon Township, praying that three trus- 
tees and a treasurer be elected to take charge of School Section 16, agreeable 
to an act to incoi-porate the original siu-veyed township. The petition was 
granted. In March, 1834, Enoch Trumbo asked for an order to elect tnistees 
and treasurer to take charge of School Section 16, in Jackson Township. The 
order was issued. 

Brown and Magill were allowed §3.25 for printing notices to build court 
house, and Calvin Bradley S15 for furnishing tb'aft and bill of particulars for 
court house. Orders for those amounts were issued in March, 1831. A sum 
of S50 was a])pro]iriated toward building a bridge over Rock Run. at th(> 
east end of Market Street, in the town of Tiffin. The board gave a bond to 
Jacob Stem, and authorized him to obtain a loan of $6,000. David E. Owen, 



1 



248 HISTORV OF SENECA COUNTV. 

county auditor, was allowed !?5S. 79 for his services for the year eiidinp; JIarch 
(), 1884. In May. 1S34, Jacob Stem obtained the loan of .*0.0()(), and lodged 
the amount in the Baltimore Savings Institution, Maryland. The lioard loaned 
this money to Stem until April, ] 885, the interest being considered equivalent 
to his services in raising the money. In June $59.42 were appropriated for 
the sustenance of A\'arren C. Burns, a convict in the county jail, fi'om Septem- 
ber, 1883. to May, 1884: James W. G. McChier received this money. At the 
June meeting Enoch Umsted was allowed §18 for the use of Methodist Episco- 
pal Chiu'ch as a coiui room in May. 1884. The cost of assessing the county, in 
1884, was S47.25. The tax of 1884 was 5 mills for county, -i mills for county 
buildings. 1 mill for schools and 8 mills for roads. Nicholas Goetchius. John 
Crum and John Seitz, were commissioners. In August, 1884. $2,000 were 
paid John Baugher on account of work on the court house. The commission- 
ers, in November, 1834, were John Seitz, Benjamin '\^'hitm6re and Lorenzo 
Abbott. A sum of $45 was granted Alonzo Rawson for advertising " ' Exhibit 
of Receipts and Expenditures" in the Independent Chronicle. 

March, 1885, session of the commissioners was devoted mainly to the con- 
sideration of petitions for county roads, ^^'illard ^\"hitney presented a peti- 
tion asking relief from tax on his mercantile capital, as assessed in 1834. 
Reuben \\'illiams resigned his ofiSce of assessor. M. Y. Graff reported the 
expenditure of §50 on the Rock Run bridge, at the east end of Market Street. 
In April a sj)ecial session was held. The June session opened with Benjamin 
Whitmore, Lorenzo Abbott and John Seitz, present. The tax levy ordered was 
4i mills, county: li mills, school, and 2i mills for road f)wrposes, of which 
total, li mills were ordered to be reserved for public Ijuildings. Three mills 
were added to the road tax in Scipio Township. In December, Nicholas Goet- 
schius and Joel Stone presented bills for sustaining the prisoners Benjamin 
Aleut and James King. A sum of $18 was allowed Heniy Ebbert as rent for the 
Methodist Ejiiscopal Church in use dming two sessions of the coiu't in 1835. 
Abel Rawson was allowed §25 tor office rent and fire-wood for the year entling 
December 0, 1835. John AV'alsh was sworn in as assessor. Alonzo Rawson 
was allowed $2.75 for printing the shei-ifp's proclamation. 

Diu'ing the spring and summer sessions of 1836 a large number of road 
petitions was presented and granted. The tax levy Ordered was 41 mills for 
county pui'poses. 1 1 mills for school purposes and 8 mills for road jiiu'poses. 
A further appropriation of .$100 was made to complete the West Market Street 
bridge. In August, 1880, David E. Owen, auditor, resigned, and Levi Davis 
was aj)pointed. In September. 183(). Ebenezer Smith was granted $100 to 
build a bridge over Beaver Creek. In December $27 were granted as rent ftir 
use of Methodist Episcopal Chiu'ch diu'ing the three terms of com-t. Eli 
Norris received $17.50 as rent for jiuy room during two terms in 1834, three 
terms in 1835 and two terms in 1836. 

In March, 1837. Lowell Robinson was appointed county assessor, John C. 
Donnell and A. Maloney were appointed assistant assessors. The auditor was 
sustained in his suit against Latham Stone & Co. , "for attempting to show 
their natural curiosities and horsemanship at Republic, on May 21. 1887." 
One hundi'ed and thirty-three dollars were apjjropriated toward the five bridge 
over the Sandusky road on ^\'est Market Stre(>t. About this time the now 
familiar notice, "no person shall be allowed to ride over this bridge faster than 
a walk, ' ' was adopted. The limit of traffic was confined to ten head of cattle 
or ten head of hogs at any one time. 

The tax levy for 1837 was 4J mills for county, 1 mill for school and 3 mills 
for road purposes. In August, 1837.it was resolved to re-roof the court house. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 249 

and. in Novomber.ll'riiili P. Cooni'iid presented a bill of $281.50 for this work. 
In March, 1838, Isaac P. Ingraham was appointed assessor, vice the 
assessor elect, who failed to give bonds. Joel Stone received $H-i for services 
in guarding prisoners at night diu-ing the year ending June 9. The first 
account for lam]) -oil was n-ndered about this time. John W. Vrowman was 
released from })a\mont of >?7.80. tax on §1,000 alleged to bo loaned by him on 
interest. In December Francis Bernard was allowed $U for calcimining and 
cleaning the county jail. Abel Eawson was allowed §21) for record book and 
transcription of Seneca lands. John Terry, John Seitz and Lorenzo Abbott 
presided at the last session in 1838. 

MEETINGS FROM 1839 TO 1800. 

The several sessions of the commissioners in 1839 were principally devoted 
to road matters. In December Joshua Seney was allowed $30 for attorney's 
services rendered in the suits against Josiah Hedges and Jonatrhan Keed & Co. 

In January, 1840, Lorenzo Abbott and Andi'ew Jloore. commissioners, 
pi'esent, §11 were gi\iuted to Samuel A. Griswold for printing. John 
Terry was present in March, 1840. In June the tax le\y was fixed at 3:'j mills 
for county. 1 mill for school and 3 mills for road piu'poses. The taxes on 
Josiah Hedges" saw-mill, §G. 37.V, were remitted in December, 1840. 

The transactions of the commissioners in 1841, outside of road affairs, com- 
})rise the appointment of G. J. Keen, county agent, to collect §(j4 fi'om James 
Durbin, formerly county siu'veyor, paid him on an order issued July 10, 1838, 
for obtaining platii and field notes of Seneca County fi'om thesiu'veyor-general's 
office, a duty which had to be performed in 1840 by John Terry. In March, 
1841, the sheriff was authorized to give the use of the court house for religious 
and political meetings, as he may deem proper. In June. 1841, the auditor 
was instructed to advertise for proposals to rebuild the court house in the 
Van Biirrnitr and Gazette of Tiffin, the Oliio Statesman and Ohio State Jour- 
nal, of Columbus, the Norwallk Experiment the Sanduslci/ Democrat, and the 
Findtaij Courier. For some time after the com-t house was destroyed in 1841, 
com'ts were held in the Methodist Protestant Chtu-ch. The county paid the 
Methodist Protestant Society $25 for rent for iise of church in ]Mav and June, 
1841. 

In July, 1841. th(> ([uestion of rebuilding the court house was before the 
board; John liaugher projiosod to complete the carpenters' and joiners' work 
for §2,990; Jacob Emick and Jacob liowk contracted to do all the stone and 
brick work for §S00; Allison Philips the plastering for §450. These proposals 
were accepted. John Andrews' bid to point th(f l)riek work for $150 was 
accepted. George Stoner. John Terry and Andi'ew Moore were the commis- 
sioners. 

In ^larch, 1842. Robert G. Pennington presented a petition to the board, 
setting forth that the Seneca County Agricultural Society had organized 
according to law, and asking for a county subscription. The commissioners 
appropriated §100. At this time also the act of January 13, 1829, to '"improve 
the breed of sheep," was adopted by the board of Seneca County. 

In April. 1842, Uriah P. Coonrad received §13.75. for boarding an insane 
man named Samuel Dorland. At the same time Dr. Ely Dresbach pro- 
nounced the man's insanity only periodical, and the commissioners ordered his 
discharge. 

Vincent Bell asked that the assessment for 1842, on his saw and grist- 
mills, be r(>mitted. as they were useless. In December Joseph McClellan 
took his place on tlie boai-d. John G. Br(>slin's bill of §202.50 for publish- 



250 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

ing the delinquent list of the county, was allowed. The notes of the Gran- 
ville Bank and other uncurrent notes were ordered to be exchanged. Eden 
Lease presented a bill of S3. 75 for guarding of the jail live nights diu'ing 
the confinement therein of Thomas C. Bartlett. Dr. N. R. E. McMeen 
received S'2, for medical services to another prisoner, named Hiram Coch- 
rane. 

In June. 1843, the lightning-rod man placed a rod on the jail, at a cost 
of S20. The new comi house was completed in the summer of 1843. Pro- 
posals for building a jail and sheriff's residence were opened June 9, 1843, 
T. B. Piatt's bid of §3,487 was accepted, but he failed to give bond. The 
contract was sold the same month to Ephraim Kiker. of Erie County. In 
December MoiTis P. Skinner took hi.s place on the board. 

In April, 1845, a disagreement between Piatt and Eicker in re the building 
of the jail was settled by arbitration. The business of the board during the 
year was confined to road affairs. 

In January, 1840, the commissioners ordered the auditor to effect an 
insurance on the court house. The tax levj' for 1840 was 5 mills for county, 
bridge and public buildings, 1 mill for school, and 3 mills for road piu-poses. 

In March, 1847, H. T. Dewey was permitted to place a clock in the com-t 
house steeple, which he should be allowed to remove at pleasure if the county 
or citizens did not deem it worthy of being paid for. This was not adopted, 
but some years after Philip Siebold fvu-nished a clock, which was used until 
the last court hoiTse was taken down. 

In March. 1847. Josiah Hedges suiTendered his toll-bridge charter 
(granted under the acts of January 13. 18'29. February 9. 1830. February 7, 
1832, and February 7, 1833) to the commissioners, ou condition that the county 
would build a free bridge. The original bridge, at the north e'nd of Washing- 
ton Street, was swept away January 1, 1847. In March and April the board 
appropriated moneys to build the Washington Street bridge and other 
bridges throughout the county. The tax levy ordered was 1 mill for road, 
lf\- mills for county, -j^q- of a mill for school and -^ of a mill for bridge pur- 
jjoses. 

In March, 1848, the council of Tififin was authorized to build on the public 
square, in part occupied by the coiu't house, and on the south side of the same, 
along ]\Iarket Street, a market house and engine house, and to have control of 
the same for twelve years, after which the commissioners retained the privilege 
of disposing of the location, while the council held that of disposing of the 
buildings. In December John W. Patterson, William Lang and F. W, Green 
formed a joint committee of the commissioners and council to superintend the 
digging of a well on the public ground of Tiffin. 

In Jiuie, 1849, the commissioners adopted the professional tax, assessed 
as follows: Phvsicians, George A. Hudson. B. N. Freeman, J. S. Sparks, H. 
Niles, Peter J. Smith, §1.5(1 each: W. W. Belville, SI; B. Eaymond, E. 
Lynch, S. M'. Bricker, James Fisher. Andrew Heiibru-n. Joseph Boehler, R. 
McD. Gibson. Heury Ladd. Eobert C. Castles, George W, Patterson, Simon 
Bircher, Benjamin E. Vanatta. J. M. Ball, William L. Hamilton, H. L. Harris, 
$2 each; Ely Dre.sbach. J. A. McFarland. S4 each: Henry Kuhn, Rufus Nor- 
ton, Joseph Myers, S3 each; George Sprague, Grafton Bernard, Andrew Ben- 
ham, J. D. Davidson, Jonathan Munger, Benjamin W. Day. Alonzo Lockwood, 
William Wilson, John Bricker, Josiah Brown, E. P. Frazier, R. D. Williams, 
David Heming. Isaiah Frederick. F. S. Kendall, Cvrus Pierce, Walter D. 
Hutching. W. G. Remer, S. B. Owings, D. N. Peter.s and F. A. WaiTen, §1 
each. 



•i 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 251 

In Juue, 1S4'.I, the commissioners adopted the professional tax in the case 
of the hiwj'er.s. and assessed them as follows: AV. W. Culver, §1.50; John 
L. Lamaraux, Leander Stem, James P. Pillars, John L. Graves, Richard 
Williams and AVilliam M. Johnson, SI each; William Lang, S250; Joel W. 
Wilson, Warren P. Noble, R. G. Pennington, Jesse Stem, $3 each; Luther 
A. Hall, S2; Abel Rawson and William H. Gibson, $4 each. 

In March, 18iJ"2, Philip Sj)ielman, county clerk, presented a petition from 
the bar, requesting a complete index to the court dockets to be toade. The 
clerk was ordered to make a complete index up to that time, for which reason- 
able pay would be granted, and to continue the index henceforth without jiay. 

John J. Steiuer was appointed auditor, September 13, 1852, vice Richard 
Williams, deceased, 

May 24, 1853, commissioners Saul. Burns and Clark decided to piurhase a 
fann to be used as a poor farm. On the 25th the board examined the fanus of 
H. H. Steiner, Henry Creager, Charles Miller, W. C. Hedges, Henry Carpen- 
penter, David Rickeubaugh and Daniel Brown. March 18, 1854, the lands 
of Samuel Hen-in, I. C. B. Robinson and heirs of J. C. Murray were 
pm-chased. In December, 1855, the commissioners visited the infu'maries of 
Champaign and Clarke Counties, and David C. Myers was instructed to draft 
the buildings at Champaign. 

In Jime, 1852, the board appropriated $100 for the benefit of the Teachers' 
Institute, on petition of S. S. Rickley and others. A number of appropria- 
tions was made for the purpose of building new bridges and repairing old 
ones in the several townships. The grant of a part of thepublic square bj' the 
county to the city of Tiffin, made March 10, 1848, was rescinded March 17, 
1852, by the commissioners: Barney Zimmerman, David Biu-ns and Samuel 
Saul. 

John C. Dewitt was appointed surveyor, vice G. H. Heming, resigned, 
September 9, 1853. 

Thomas Heming was appointed county treasurer, Jiine 9, 1854. 

January 31. 185(5, the commissioners, accompanied by D. C. Myers and 
N. N. Speilman, visited the poor farm, and staked out the site of the infirmary 
buildings. September 19, same year, the board accepted the buildings. 

In June, 1850, the stun of S36, in uncurrenl and counterfeit money, was 
destroyed by the treasurer. 

The petition of Josejjh Hedges, to have a sti-ip of forty-four feet taken off 
of the public square, for the purpose of widening Virgin Alley, was negatived 
by the board, December (3. 1856. 

Li December, 1858. the board appropriated §100 to Independent Fii-e 
Company No. 4, toward the purchase of a fire engine. 

In December, 1858, the auditor of Seneca County was ordered to redeem 
the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 12, Town 3, Ran^e 
12, Wood County, sold by Wood County for the taxes of 1856 and 1857. This 
land belonged to Seneca County from 1845 to January, 1862, when it was sold 
to M. P. Skinner for a small consideration. 

In March. 1S59, the first order was issued to have the newspapers in the 
auditor's office boimd. 

In March. 18(j0, the petition to incorporate the town of Bettsville was dis- 
missed for the reason that the board did not consider it just ' ' to incorporate 
men against their will. ' ' 

September 7. 1861, the Soldiers' Relief Committee, of Tiffin, petitioned 
the board to aid in the support of volunteers' families. The sum of $250 was 
appro) .riated. December 16, 1861, a tax kny of one-half of 1 mill per 



252 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 

dollar on assessment was ordei'ed, and on the same day $4, 500 were borrowed 
from Tomb, Huss & Co. , for one year at 6 per cent for the retired soldiers' 
families. 

In 1861 the controversy between the corporation of Tiffin and the county 
commissioners, in respect to the title of the court house square, was amicably 
settled. The city agreed to pay all costs and waive claim to title, and to join 
the county in building a new engine house. 

In September, 1862, the commissioners authorized the issue of bonds to be 
negotiated by John JI. Naylor, military treasurer, and proceeds applied to the 
payment of bounties to volunteers. September (i. the sum of .S2,000 was 
boiTowed fi-om Samuel Hemn at 8 per cent interest, to be applied to thi> 
relief of soldiers' families. In January. 1863. the plan for distribution of 
relief fund was changed, the new plan granting -S'i.Go per week to a soldier's 
wife without children, and $4.64 to a wife with three or more children. In 
March, 1863, a sum of $3,000 was transferred fi'om the county fund to the 
relief fund. A bounty of $25 was offered in May, 1863. to all who would 
enlist in the One Hundred and First Regiment or in the One Hundi-ed and 
Twenty-third Regiment. In June a fuiiher transfer of $2,000 was made fi'om 
the county to the relief fund. The amount of soldiers" remittance fi'om 
December, 1863, to March 10. 1864. was $8,535. and of the relief fund $7,200. 
From March W, to June 0. 1 864. the amount of soldiers" remittance was $4, - 
530; from June to September 8, $1,610. and from September S to December 8, 
1864, $6,850.26 relief fund and §3,566.25 soldiers" bountv. The sokliers" 
remittance was $;31,278. From December 8, 1864, to March 8, 1865, there 
was paid out as soldiers' remittance, $16,640; military fund, $5,169.65; relief, 
■112,873.80. and bounties. $37,570.36. 

In February, 1864, the sum of $2,000 was transferred fi-om the relief fund 
to the county fimd in lieu of the transfer of 1863. In March, 1866, the 
amount of relief money due the townships and wards of the county was $0, 443, 
to be distributed among 1,472 necessitous persons, being a fraction of $<).4]J 
to each person. The amount of relief approjsriated for February. 1866. was 
$7, 360, or $5 to each person entitled thereto. 

In June, 1866, there were only 286 persons entitled to moneys from relief 
fund in the county. The sum of $7,672.43 was appropriated, of which $6,864 
was ordered to be distributed in the several townships and wards. July 5. 
1866, the amount to be refunded bv the townships to the countv treasiu-er was 
$12,759.44. 

A simi of $140 was appropriated Ijy the county to Ind. Steam Fire Com- 
pany No. 4, toward the purchase of a steam engine. 

Edson T. Stickuey was appointed county treasurer April 29. 1865, vice S. 
W. Shaw, deceased. 

June 9, 1865, permission was granted for cattle, sheej) and geese to run 
at large within Seneca County. 

In April, 1 865, the question of the distribution of relief fund was consid- 
ered and equalized: a few townships, having received more than then* quota, 
were ordered to pay the amount overdi-awn to the county treasurer. 

From March 8, to May 1, 1865; $1,655.78 were paid out to soldiers' fam- 
ilies: $11,497.45 soldiers" remittance, and §508 soldiers" bounty. From May 
1, to September 12, 1865, the amount of soldiers" remittance was §47,81)0.45: 
of relief. $9,443; of bounty, §27,271.49; volunteer bounty and military. §91). 
From September 12, 1865, to March 8, 1866. the soldiers' remittance 
amounted to $1,647.75; military fund, $1,656. 25; township bounty, .§38,688. 
25; and volunteer bounty. $41.62. 



I- 



•€-i55s. 






- ^\ 





HISTOIIV OF SENECA COUNTY. 255 

In Jiily. 1800, tbo transfer of moneys from the relief, military and volun- 
teer bounty fund to the county and bridge fund, was ordered. The sum of •'r7,()()0 
was transferred fi-om the relief and military fund, and $7,586.09 fi-om the 
volunteer bounty fund. 

From ^March to September. 1S00, there was paid out for r'^lief of soldiers' 
families, is, 001). 53; soldiers' remittance, S177.33; volunteer bounty, $203.45; 
military, $3,255.00; township bounty, $10,177.84. 

To recount the work of the county board since 1860 is beyond the scope or 
object of this histoiy. The most important acts of that body are noticed how- 
ever, in connection with that division of the history which they effect. Thus, 
the history of court houses and jails is given with this chapter, and so on to the 
end. In closing the organic chapter the historian takes much pleasure in 
acknowledging the com-tesies of the late Auditor Stoner, of the Deputy Audi- 
tor, and of Auditor Norton, the present incumlient, and in congratulating the 
county on possessing many valuable records of this important office. 

Treasurer Heabler. — The death of County Treasurer Heabler resulted in 
the discoveiT of a large deficit in the county funds. The first inquiry was 
made by the county commissioners, George Heabler and Capt. MUler. chief 
clerk in the deceased treasurer's office, in presence of George Hepler. Lester 
Sutton and A. B. Brant, a committee appointed \>y the bondsmen. The cash 
actually received was $153,541.22. and assets. $140,081), leaving $12,852,22 
unaccounted for. Mr. Heabler was city as well as county treasiu'er, and on his 
bonds were the following citizens: 

First County Bond — S. A. Ringle. G. A\'. Lemmon, Jacob Wise. Isaac 
Tanner, William King. George W. Hoke, E. Weaver, George Hepler, John F. 
Hoke. Henry- Meyer (tailor), A. B. Brant, Samuel Ernest. Lester Sutton, 
Henry Woolfert, J. M. Sillcox, Samuel H. Leonard, J. W. Link. Hem-v Heab- 
ler. 

Second County Bond — J. L. Couch. Lester Sutton, W. Everingim. J. F. 
Hoke, S. A. Ringle, A. B. Brant, Jacob Wise, W. Souerwine. W. King, 
Edward W(>aver, S. H. Leonard, H. F. Myers, C. Smeltz, Isaac Tanner. 
George Hei)ler. George Heabler, Hem-y Heabler. ' 

First City Bond — J. L. Couch, F. Steigmeyer. G. W. Steigmeyer. M. C. 
Steinmetz. \V. Souerwine. W. Everingim. Andi-ew Hoern, J. M'. Armatage. 

Second City Bond — Lester Sutton. James L. Couch, J. F. Hoke, S. A. 
Ringle, A. B. Brant, James Wise, Henry Heabler. 

Recorder's Office. — Recorder Bennehoff completed, in May. 1885, a general 
index record of all patent deeds recorded in the county, by which he can tell in 
a moment whether or not the patent deed of any piece of land in the county is 
reconled. This is a great convenience, as heretofore it took from one to 
twenty-four hours to ascertain this. The plan of the book is excellent and a 
credit to the Recorder. 

Public Buildings of the County. — In the first pages of this chapt(>r it is 
stated that the commissioners sold to Elijah Farquson the contract for build- 
ing the first jail, July 4, 1825. This was a solid log box. laid off in two 
compartments, with its vulnerable points marked by wagon-tiro bindings. At 
the south end of this little penal institution there was a frame building erected, 
which was the jailer's official residence for some short time. and. in its later 
<lays. John Fiege's cabinet-shop. This building stood on the southeast corner 
of the public square, was completed the last day of March. lS2(i, at a cost of 
$450. The brick used in building the chimney of this jail were the tirst 
burned in the county. Thomas Chadwick was the brick manufacturer, while 
the jailer, William Toll, was the bricklayer, the tir-t completing his kiln in the 



256 HISTORY OF SESECA COUNTY. 

summer of 1827, and the latter finishing the chimney in the fall of same 
year. 

During the winter of 1840-41 this pioneer county building was torn down, 
as it was declared to be a trap for inducing practical jokes on the law. 

Second Jail. — Succeeding the demolition of the old county prison, male- 
factors were variously disposed of. 

Proposals to build a county jail at Tiffin were advertised for up to June, 
1843, when the bid of Epraim Riker, S3, 487, to build a jail and sheriff's house 
on Madison Street, opposite St. Maiy' s Cemetery, was approved. 

The new coimty jail and sheriff's residence was completed in April, 1878. 
The contractors were: X. N. Speilman. of Tiffin, excavation, drainage, stone 
work and brickwork; Fort Wayne Foundry Company, the iron work; Scudder 
Chamberlain, Tiffin, carpenter work; "\V. F. Gearhart & Co., Daj-ton, Ohio, 
galvanized ii-on work; Rood & Co., Toledo, phmibing and gas-fitting; G. B. 
Alexander, Delaware, painting and glazing; J. S. Norton & Co., Toledo, slate 
work and cresting; Miller & Herrig, Tiffin, plastering. D. W. Gibbs, of 
Toledo, was the architect. This building fronts on Market Street, in rear of 
the new court house. Under Sheriff Wlialen's administration this institution 
is well managed. 

Court Houses. — The first meetings of the commissioners' board were held 
in Abel Rawson's office until December, 1824, when the county rented from 
George Park a room in Eli Norris' tavern, standing where is now the National 
Hall Building. This room was used as the clerk's and auditor's office, and 
commissioners' room, until moved to the Hedges Building, on Virgin Alley, 
a two-story frame house which stood on a part of the site of the present Adver- 
tiser office.* and in which Judge Lane opened the first coiirt April 12, 1824. 
The recorder and sheriff used their own offices and charged the county rent 
for same. In May, 1829, the commissioners arranged with Donaldson, trustee 
of the Methodist meeting-house, to have the ixse of such house for terms of 
courts until the completion of a county building, then proposed. This old 
church, a brick structiore, stood where the Joseph Harter marble yard is now 
located; was early English in style, and used by the sacred and profane indis- 
criminately, imtil August 19, 1830, when the fii'st county court house was 
completed. ( Vide Transactions of the Commissioners' Board, Chap. IV. ) 

The court house, which was begun in 1834, and completed August 19, 
1836, was destroyed by fire, ]May 24, 1841. Owing to the energy of the peo- 
ple, part of the county records was saved. The office of Cowdery & Wilson 
was in this building, in connection with which is the story of Judge Lang's 
extraordinary escape. Cowdery learned that a number of valuable papers 
were not yet saved from the flames, and asked Judge Lang, then a young man, 
to rescue the "pigeon-hole" and its contents. Without hesitating the latter 
leaped into the room, cast out the ' ' pigeon hole, ' ' and jumped from the window 
at the moment when the logs and sand of the second floor fell in. Even after 
leaping to the gi-ound, the cornice and debris came tumbling down, from under 
which he had to be extricated. 

From the destruction of the first court house to the completion of the sec- 
■ ond one, in January. 1843. courts were held in the Methodist Protestant Chiwch, 
while the official business of the county was carried on at such places as suited 
the convenience of the officers. July 23, 1841, John Baugher, under con- 
tract with the county, entered upon this work of rebuilding. The walls of 
the old house, then standing, were used in the restored structiu-e, and this 

♦The Hedges frame t'Uilding on Virgin .\lley was purchased about 1856, by P. H. Ryan, for $200, and 
moved to mouth of Rock Creek. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 257 

(with the additions made in 1S(')(')) was tho court house of Seneca County, until 
the spring of 1SS4, when the building was removed to give place to the present 
house, the oflBcers being transferred to a large brick building and frame annex, 
which fi'onted on Market Street, ojDposite the ' ' Lang House, ' ' just east of the 
south vestibule of the present building and the county jail. The cost of resto- 
ration was over $4, 400. The coiu't house square was cleared of the old locust 
trees in April, 1803. 

The New Court House. — The corner-stone of this magnificent building was 
laid June 24, 1884, with appropriate ceremonies. The members of the com- 
mittee, appointed by the commissioners to arrange for the laying of the corner- 
stone, met at the office of N. L. Brewer, and organized by electing N. L. 
Brewer, chairman; J. A. Norton treasurer, and E. B. Myers secretary. On 
motion the following named gentlemen were appointed as a finance committee, 
to raise funds to bear the necessary expenses of the occasion : 

J. A. Norton, chairman; A. B. Hovey, John M. Naylor, S. B. Sneath, John 
D. Loomis, George E. Seney and John M. Kaull. The ward committees 
comprised: First Ward, E. B. Hubbard, Jacob Scheibley and Joseph Van 
Nest: Second Ward, Ai Kaup, William Dore, W. P. Noble; Third Ward, J. 
M. Hershberger. E. W. Shawhan and Jeremiah Eex: Foiu-th Ward, J. H. 
Ridgely, George D. Loomis and John Ehrenfried: Fifth Ward, J. N. Willard. 
A. M. Hart and Julius Kiessling. 

The cornerstone is a huge rock six feet two inches in length, two feet ten 
inches wide, and one foot seven inches thick, and weighs over 6,000 pounds. 
It was. placed in position by the Masonic order, with the usual impressive cer- 
emonies. The officers officiating were G. M. , J. M. Goodspeed, of Athens; 
P. G. M., A. H. Newcomb, Toledo, Sam Stackerwilliams, Newark; G. S. 
W., A. F. Vance, Urbana; G. J. W., Levi C. Goodale, Cincinnati; G. Treas. , 
J. M. Chamberlain, Newark: G. Sec, John D. Caldwell, Cincinnati; G. 
Tyler, C. C. Park. Tiffin; G. Chaplain, Rev. J. S. Keager; G. J. Deacon, Dr. 
C. E. DaN-is. 

Gen. W. H. Gibson delivered the orations in English, while Judge Will- 
iam Lang delivered an historical address in German. J. H. Good, D. D. , 
invoked the blessing on the work. Mayor Royer delivered the address of wel- 
come. Rev. Mr. Reager offered prayer, and then the huge copper box, contain- 
ing mementoes of our times, was placed within the stone, which was put in 
position by the Masons. The box contains the following mementoes: 

Copies of the SenecK Advertiter. Tiffin Tiffin Turner Society. 

Tribune. Tiffln News. Tiffin Presse. Daily K. of P., Pickwick Lodge. 

Herald, Daily Courier, Fostoria Democrat, Grace Reformed Church. 

Fostoria flCTieio.Bcttsville Enterprise, Green Titfln Zouaves. 

Spring Times. Bloomville Record, Attica Ebenezer Evangelical Church. 

Journal, College Monthly. Tiffln Fire Department. 

Historical sketches and names of officers, Tiffin Brudcrbund Society, 

and members of the following societies: Isaac P. Rule Post, (4. A. R. 

Tiffln Lod^ No. 77. F. & A. M. Leander Stem Post, G. A. R. 

Methodist Episcopal Church. Eureka Lodge, Prudential order of Amer- 

Trinity Episcopal Church. ica. 

First fcvangelical Church. First Reformed Church. 

Presbyterian Church. I. O. O. F., Kausas. Seneca Co., Ohio. 

First Baptist Church. St. Joseph's Church membership; 

St. Marys Catholic Church. Bloomville G. A. R. 

Tiffin Public Schools. Electric Light Company. 

Tiffln Lodge Knights of Pythias. Green Spring L O. O. F., Roll of Lodge. 

Kniirhls of St. George. Venice Lodge \. O. O. F., Roll. 

St. Patrick's F. A. and B. A. Adrian Lodge Xo. 494, L O. O. F. 

Heidelberg College. Wyandot Lodge No. 141, L O. O. F. 

Seneca County Medical Society. Fostoria Lodge No. 317. 



258 IllSTDRY OF SESECA COUNTY. 

[• Seneca Lodge 35. Spanish 35 cent piece of 1784. 

Oakley Lodge 317. List of Attorneys in Seneca County. 

Bloomville Lodge 667. Photograph of old court house building. 

Melmore Lodge 174. and historical sketch of same. 

Tiffin Water Works. Gold dollar, silver dollar, silver 50 cent 

Also: Court docket of May term, 1884. piece, silver 25 cent piece, silver 10 cent 

Premium list Seneca County Agricultural piece, silver 5 cent piece, nickel coin. 

Society, 1883. copper I and 3 cent coins. 

Catalogue Heidelberg College. 1884, Memorial badge and Ohio Building Stone 

Official Directory of the City of Tiffin, Company's memo. 

Seneca County. Cards of Contractor R. C. Greenlee. 

Caldwell & Lane, Iron Contractors. Lang's History of Seneca County. 

Tiffin Public Library catalogue and ofB- Card of Commercial and National Ex- 
cars. change Banks. 

The memorial badge worn by the participants in this celebration was quite 
in keeping with the elaborate details of the ceremony. The cost of this mon- 
ument to Seneca County's advancement, was about $215,000, or about §•">. 40 
2)er capita of the estimated mimber of inhabitants in 1885. A complete state- 
ment of costs and expenses in connection with the Iniilding of the new cotu't 
house, piu'chasing additional real estate, etc., is given as follows: 

Real estate appropriated by proceedmgs in the probate court: 

Property of Piege Bros $18,000 00 

Properly of H. P. Fiege 6.900 00 

Property of William Lang :^ (iOd 00 

Property of Vannest heirs 3,300 00 

Attorney's fee : N. L. Brewer 250 00 

Court costs 266 01 

.$31,316 61 

Deduct amount received for the Fiege Buildings. . . 665 00 

Engine House 100 00 

Fence around old grounds 4.55 00 

$1,220 00 

Total addition to real estate 130,096 61 

M. E. Myers, architect for plans and specifications. 4,500 GO 

COURT HOUSE BUILDING. 

Original contract price $145,778 00 

Extra work in foundation 1,3.55 90 

Repairing damage done by frost, etc 834 00 

Other extras to date 658 65 

Estimate of all future extras 500 00 

Total cost of building 149,136 .55 

OTHER CO>TUACTS LET. 

Shaw, Kendall & Co., steam heating 7,950 00 

Contract price of boiler house $4,464 00 

Extra on boiler house, jail connection, etc 604 16 

5,068 16 

Estimate on furniture (order not }'et completed). .. 8.000 00 

Tower and office clocks in place 1,990 00 

Tower bell in place 815 00 

MISCELL.'^SEOUS. 

Grading lot, paving walks and street estimated. ... 3,000 00 

Gas or electric light fixture? 1,.500 00 

R. G. Pennington, superintendent. May 1, 1883, to 

November 1. 1885 3,175 32 

Rent for Probate office, hrce years 300 00 

Advertising for bids and other" items 300 00 

$314,821 64 



HISTOUY OF SKNECA COUNTV. 259 

The total value of taxable property in the county is S21,84r).r)-^0; so it will 
1)0 seen that the total assessment in behalf of this improvement will be less than 
1 per cent, on such valuation; and if paid for in ton years will re(|uire the pay- 
ment of i?l per year ujion every tht)usaiid dollars of valuation on the duplicate. 

A figure rt'presentino; the goddess of justice sui-niouuts this magnificent 
structure, being placed in position May 2('), 188."), 

County Poor Institution. — In the pages dealing with the transactions of 
the commissioners' board, the minutiiip of the history of the Infirmary and Poor 
Farm are given; while in the political chapter the vote on the question of their 
estal)lishment. as well as the votes polled for members of the infirmary direct- 
ors' board, are of record. June 7, 1841. the (piestion of establishing an 
infirmary was submitted to the board. Fourteen years later a site was selected 
in Eden Township, and in bST)*) a building was erected by Messrs. Speilman, 
Myers and Toner, under contract with the commissioners. The fai'm comprises 
240 acres which (with improvements) is valued at ?78. ()()(). 



CHAPTER V. 

POLITICAL HISTORY. 

Ii^KOM what has been written in the histoi-y of Ohio, regarding her politics, 
as well as that which appears in the Organic Chapter, just given, the reader 
may acquaint himself with the events leading up to the organization of this 
division of the State. From 1824 to 1832 county elections were held accord- 
ing to law; but owing to the comparatively small interest taken in local affairs, 
the distances and inconveniences of travel, such elections were carried out 
much on the principle of society elections of the present day, with one great 
objection, that men gathered at the polls, voted, di'ank whisky, smoked, swore, 
wrestled and fought, all for holiday fun. In 1832 this fi-ee and easy method 
may be said to disappear. The campaign of that year called forth all the 
energies of the people and their standard bearers, and gave to political life a 
stimulus which won for it an important place in the minds of the people. 
Since that time party warfare has been earned on regularly. The first elec- 
tions were held in the county (Thompson and Seneca Townships) in October, 
1820. when twenty votes were polled for the offices of Sundusky County. In 
September. 1821. nominating caucuses were held at Lower Sandusky, and in 
October of that year the candidates received the following vote in what is now 
known ;is Si'iieca County: 

ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1821. 
COMMISSIONEK. REPRESEKTATIVK. 

David Smith , 16, Lyman Parrel 96 

Jiles Thompson 10 



AUDITOR. 



SENATOU. 



: Josiah Rumery 1.") 

Ebcn Merry 25 H. J. Harmon 10 

D. Alford Kelly ij 

The Sandusky County candidates of 1822 and 1823 received a full vote 
from the settlers of Seneca; but beyond the total number of votes jjolled there 
is no reoonl. 



260 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



The special election foi' officers of Seueca County was held in April, 1824, 
when Agreen Ingraham received nineteen votes for sheriff and was elected; 
Leverett Bradley. 206 votes for coroner, and was elected: and William Clark, 
Jesse S. Olmsted and Benjamin AN'hitmore were elected county commissioners; 
Milton McNeal was appointed treasui-er: David Eisdon, tax collector; David 
Smith, clerk and recorder; Neal McGaffey. clerk of courts; AVilliam Cornell, 
Jaques Hulbiu't and Matthew Clark, associate judges. Ingi'aham's bondsmen 
for §5,000. were Roll in Moller, Michael Schaul, Joseph Pool and J. A. Rosen- 
berger. 

The first annual election took place in October, 1824. David H. Beards- 
ley was elected State senator; Jeremiah Everett, representative: Agi-een Ingra- 
ham, sheriff; David Smith, auditor; Christopher Stone, coroner: Benjamin 
Whitmore, Thomas Boyd and Dr. Dunn were elected commissioners: Milton 
McNeel was appointed treasiu-er, and Rudolphus Dickenson was appointed 
prosecutor. The vote recorded for Allen Trimble, for governor, was 230, and 
for David Moitow, 50. The Presidential election in November resulted as fol- 
lows: John Q. Adams, Federalist, 112 votes; Heniy Clay, Whig, 37 votes; 
and Andrew Jackson, Democrat, 26 votes. 

1828. 



ELECTIONS 1825. 

The elections of 182.5 ihow a severe fight 
for member of the Legislature; 

Josiah Hedges 23.3 

.Jeremiah Everett 105 

William Cornell 51 

Josiah Rumery 10 

Harvey Harmon 1 

The contest for county commissioner was 
carried on between Thomas Boyd and Will- 
iam Clark, the former receiving 244 voles 
and the latter 154. The other officers of 
the county were re-elected, held over, or 
reappointed. 

ELECTIONS 1826. 

In 1820 Abel Rawson was appointed 
prosecutor; Timothy P. Roberts and James 
Gordon elected county commissioners: and 
all the other officers re-elected. Eber Baker 
was elected representative in the State 
Legislature. Milton McNeal was re-ap- 
pointed treasurer, and William Patterson, 
tax collector. 

ELECTIOXS 1827. 

There were no less than seven candidates 
for the Legislature before the people in (spe- 
cial election) 1827, viz.: .Josiah Hedges, 
George Foe, Samuel Treat. Elier Baker, 
Washington Conklin. Joseph Chaffee and 
Joseph S. Newell. Hedges, who received 
195 votes, and Baker. 80 votes, were the 
only candidates who received votes in 
Seneca County. The others, however, re- 
ceived many votes in the representative 
district, which then comprised Crawford, 
Marion. Sandusky and Seneca Counties. 
The annual election of 1827 resulted in the 
choice of Samuel M. Lockwood. Case 
Brown was elected commissioner; Agreen 
Ingraham. treasurer, and David Risdon, 
county assessor. 



ELECTIONS 

PRESIDENT. 

J. Q. Adams, Fed 

Andrew Jackson, Dem 



317 

99 

GOVEIiNOR. 

Allen Trimble 317 

J.W.Campbell 99 

CONGRESS. 

M. Bartley 283 

AV. H. Hunter 112 

Reuben Wood (Jackson) 19 

SENATOR. 

Asa San ford 9 

David Campbell 323 

George Anderson (Jackson) 88 

Abel Rawson was elected recorder; Will- 
iam Patterson, sheriff; .Jacob Plane, treas- 
urer; David Smith, auditor; James Gordon, 
commissioner, and William Toll, coroner. 

ELECTIONS 1829-30-31. 

In 1829 Timothy P. Roberts was elected 
commissioner, the other officers holding 
over. 

The elections of 1830 resulted in a major- 
ity of three for Gov. Lucas, and in the elec- 
tion of Sam. M. Lockwood, State senator; 
Josiah Hedges, representative; David Bish- 
op, sheriff; Abel Rawson. recorder and 
prosecutor, and Case Brown, commissioner. 
.Joseph Howard was appoiuted clerk. 

The elections of 1831 may be considered 
the dawn of political enthusiasm in Seneca 
County. Whigs and Democrats made regu- 
lar nominations, and swore by their party 
platforms. Harvej' J. Harmon was elected 
representative; David Risdon, commission- 
er; John Wright, county assessor; Benjamin 
Pittinger. Selden Graves and Agreen Ingra- 
ham. associate judges, David E. Owen, 
elected auditor, was proposed by Daniel 
Dildine. Sr,. as full}' qualified to fill the 
office of auditor. He was the first Democrat 
ever elected in Seneca Countv. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



261 



ELECTIONS 1832. 

A incetiug was held in August, 1833, for 
the purpo.se of nomiiiating Ciiiulidates for 
the various county oHices. .John L. Flack 
presided, with Gabriel J. Keen, secretary. 
The AVhigs met suliscquently and made 
their nominations, while the Wirt or anti- 
Masonic party reported through William 
Clark. Andrew Love and John Baker that it 
was inexpedient to make nominations for 
county otiicers.' 

The Wirt party was well organized. In 
September, 1832, a committee of vigilance 
was formed in each township, while a cen- 
tral county committee directed the proceed- 
ings. The members of these committees, 
in each township, are named in the follow- 
ing list: 

Clinton Township. — George Ebbert. Jacob 
Plane, Samuel Rider, Cieorge Donaldson, 
D. H. Philip. James Mercer, Calvin Brad- 
ley, E. Bates, Asa Crockett and Grafton 
Bernard. 

Scipio Township.— A. Hance.Moses Spen- 
cer, W. Smith. William Anway, Timothy P. 
Roberts and Charles Poz. 

Eden Township —John Searles.A. Bratz, 
H. McCollister, John Wolf, T. J. Baker, 
Mathew Clark. Noah Seitz, William Con- 
ncll and Elijah Musgrave. 

Thompson Township.— Samuel Clark. 
Thomas Clark and Ransom Purdy. 

Hopewell Township— O. Hart, John 
Crum, John Rosenberger, Joseph Ogle and 
Andrew Love. 

Reed Township. — Ezra Witter, Thomas 
Bennett. Seth Reed, Elijah Reed andGJeorge 
Raymond. 

Adams Township. — Samuel Elder, S. 
Whileman and Thomas Longwith. 

Lilicrty Township. — A. Crum, J. Siberil, 
J. Craum and Charles Foster. 

Bloom Township. — D.>-. McMullen, John 
Seilz, J. C. JIarter, T. Boyd and George 
Face. 

Seneca Township. — John Crocker and 
Peter Lot. 

Venice Township. — Henry Speaker and 
John Ford. 

The two tickets in nomination, September 
8, 1832, and the vote received in October, of 
that year, are given thus: 

CONGRESS. 

Elnlherous Cook, D 482 

William Patterson, W 549 

SENATE. 

Charles Lindsay, D 482 

Daniel Tilden, W 549 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

Andrew Lugenbeel, D 482 

Samuel M. Lockwood, D 482 

Jeremiah Everett, W 549 

Thomas McMullen, W 549 



SHERIFF. 

David Bishop, D Ago 

William Toll, AV '.■'■'.'■'.'.'.'.'. 5i9 

AIDITOR. 

David E. Owen, D 452 

George W. Ciist, W ' ' ' ' 549 

CO.M.MISSIONER. 

John Keller. D 492 

Enoch Umsted. W 549 

Ethan Smith, Lid 

CORONER. 

George Flack, D 433 

Francis Bernard, W .,[[ 549 

PRESIDENT. 

Andrew Jackson, D 5,55 

Henrv Clay, W .^04 

William Wirt, A. M ."..'.'.";.'.' 

The vote by town.ships. in October, 1833, 
was for Democrats, in Clinton, lO.I: Hope- 
well, 55; Pleasant, 22; Seneca, 39; Liberty 
23; Loudon, 11; Scipio, 58; Bloom 30- 
Adams, 17: Thompson, 38; Eden, 32 and 
other precincts, 52; aggregating 483 votes 

The Whig vote was in Clinton, 130- in 
Hopewell. 78, in Pleasant. 41; in Seneca 
20; in Liberty. 14; in Loudon. 6; in Scipio 
70; in Bloom, 49: in Adams, 30; in Thomp- 
son. 43; and in Eden, 78; aggregatino- 549 
votes. " 

A small vote was polled in Venice and 
Reed Townships, of which no regular 
recori.: was made. 

The Xoveinber elections drew forth the 
full strength of each narty in the county 
The Jackson Democrats polled 5.55 votes 
and the Clay Whigs, 594 votes. There is 
no record of anti-Masonic votes, nor is il 
thought that the Wirt partv cast a vote in 
this county for the head of the anti-Mason 
ticket. The first political jollification 
party ever held in the county, was that by 
the Democrats December 6, 1832 at 
Goodin's HotelTiffin. David E. Owen,' pre- 
siding. Henry Cronise, George Flack 
Xathan L. Wright, Joseph Graff, Col r' 
Jaqua, Uriah P. Coonrad, Gabriel J 
Keen. E. Brown, Jacob Kioh. Col. .Fohn 
fioodin, A. Eaton, Samuel S. Martin. J H 
Brown. E. Locke. Frederick Kishler. P. J. 
Price, William Anderson, John Campbell 
William H. Kessler, Joshua Seney and A. 
Mainz were the leading participants. 

ELECTIONS 1833-34-35. 
Jeremiah Everett was elected representa- 
tive; John Goodin, treasurer; SidneySmith 
(Sea), prosecutor: John Crum, Marcus Y. 
Graff and John Seitz, commissioners: 
Reuben Williams, as.sessor, and David 
Owen, auditor. .Mr. Owen was appointed 
receiver of the Ohio Canal Land Oflice at 
Tiffin, August 27, 18:«. Li June, 1838. Van 
Buren appointed him receiver of the Wyan- 



262 



inSTORV OF SENECA COUNTY. 



dot Indian Land Office. In May, 1840, he 
was succeeded by John Cioodin. 

In March, lH'3a, the auditor was ap- 
pointed clerk of the commissiouers' board 
by nature of his office. 

The elections of 1834 resulted in the 
choice of Joseph Howard, State senator; 
Jacques Hulburt, representative; Luther A. 
Hall, clerk; David E. Owen, auditor; Joel 
Stone, sheriff; Lorenzo Abbott and Benja; 
min Whitmore, commissioners, and Eli 
Norris, coroner. With the exception of 
Owen, all were Whigs. James Findlay, 
(Whig) was nominated for governor, and 
Mordecai Hartley (Whig) for Congi'ess. 

In 183"), W. B. Craighill was elected 
representative; Luther A. Hall, clerk; 
John Goodiu. treasurer; Selah Chapin, 
prosecutor; Benjamin Whitmore, commis- 
sioner, and John Webb, assessor. 

ELECTIONS 1836. 

The campaign of 1836 was opened the 
last day of April by a meeting of Demo- 
cratic-Republicans,held at the Seneca Hotel, 
Tiffin. Col. Henry C. Brish, presided. A 
vigilance committee was appointed for each 
township. In June, following, the Young 
Men's Democratic-Republican Convention 
was called to consider the advisability 
of holding a State convention. The 
Whigs also took steps to organize, and 
by August, the Democratic-Kepulilicans 
and Whi,gs had placed the following names 
before the people as the choice nf their 
conventions. 

PRESIDEKT. 

Martin Van Bureu, D. R 1129 

William H. Harrison. W 948 

CONGRESS. 

William H. Hunter, D 914 

Jabez Wright. W 769 

SENATOli. 

David E. Owen. D 818 

Joseph Howard, W 850 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

William B. Craighill, D 935 

Ezra Williams, W 747 

SHERIFF. 

Elam Lock, I) Party vote 

Joel Stone, W 

.WDITOR. 

Levi Davis, D Party vote 

No Whig nominee.- 

RECORDER. 

Daniel Dildinc, Jr.. D Party vote 

Josiah P. Reed, declined. 
John Goodin, declined. 
No Whig nominee. 

COMMISSIONER. 

Lewis Seitz. D Party vote 

Charles W. Foster. AV 



ASSESSOR. 

John W. Eastman, D Party vote 

John C. Donnell. W 

SURVEYOR. 

George W. Gist, D Party vote 

Jonas Hershberger, D., declined. 

David Risdou, W Party vote 

CORONER. 

Levi Keller, D Part}' vote 

Eli Norris, W 

This was the first time a county recorder 
was elected — previou.sly, he was appointed. 

ELECTIONS 1837. 

Samuel Treat was elected representative; 
John Cioodin. treasurer; John J. Steiner, 
prosecutor; Lorenzo Abbott, commissioner, 
and Robert Holley, county assessor. James 
Durbin was appointed surveyor to succeed 
David Risdon, who served from 1824 to 
1836. 

SCHOOL ES.^MINERS 1837. 

Selah Chapin, Jr Elected 

John P. Clornell. " 

Joseph Howard 

ASSOCIATE JUDGES. 

Andrew Lugenbeel Elected 

Lowell Robinson 

Henry C. Brish (pending). 

ELECTIONS 1838. 

The nominations by the Democratic- 
Republican Convention were made at 
Jamieson's house, September 23, 1838. 
John Clagget presided, with S. H. Brown, 
secretaiy. In July, the State convention 
and Whig county convention were held. 
The elections of October, 1838, are of rec- 
ord as follows: 

GOVERNOR. 

Wilson Shannon, D 117-' 

Joseph Vance, W 959 

CONGRESS. 

George Sweeney, D 1173 

Joseph M. Root, W 9as 

SEN.VTOR. 

William B. Craighill, D ." 1167 

Sardis Birchard," W 939 

REPRESENT.\TrVE. 

John Welch, D 1155 

Evan Dorsey, W 943 

SHERIFF. 

Levi Keller. D .• .1233 

William McClure, W 810 

AUDITOR. 

Levi Davis, D 1277 

Joseph Lease. W 817 




"^S/OTTT-'CA--^-^ 




HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 



265 



CO>rMISSIONER. 

John Terry, D 1163 

Benjamin Wliitmore, W 923 

ASSICSSOR. 

Samuel S. Martin, D 1182 

Jesse AVhiteraan, W 905 

COUONEB. 

Henry McCartney, D 113.5 

Eli Nnrris, W 868 

In May, 1838. a call for a Whig meeting 
was signed by Dr. Kuhn. Eli Dresbach, Jo- 
siah' Hedge.s, Joseph Howard and Erastus 
Bowe, to consider thequestion of abolishing 
slavery. Dr. Kuhn was the only one who 
survived to witness the triumph of the Ab- 
olition party— in ISO.'). At that time he was 
on surgeon's dut}-. at Camp Dennison. A 
great Whig meeting w.as held at Fort Sen- 
eca, with Robert Holly president, May 12, 
1838. Minor meetings were held through- 
out the county. 

The lirst regularly organized temperance 
meeting, held at Tiffin, was that of July 4, 
1888, after the great celebration of that day. 

ELECTIONS 1839. 

Henry C. Brish was elected associate 
judge,and David E. Owen State librarian, in 
January, 1839. John Welch (D.) received a 
majority of 184 over Abel Rawson, people's 
ticket, for representative: W. H. Kessler, 
(D.) beat John Walker (W.) and John P. 
Cornell, People's candidate for the record- 
ership; and Andrew Moore (D.) was elected 
commissioner over John Seitz on the Peo- 
ple's ticket; Jonas Hershberger (D.)was 
elected surveyor, and Joshua Senej- (D.) 
beat Levi Davis (Ind. D.) and John Park, 
People's candidate for the treasurership of 
the county. 

ELECTIONS 1840. 

OOVEIUJOU. 

Thomas Corwin, W 1446 

Wilson Shannon. D 1607 

CONGRESS. 

James Hedges, W 1445 

George Sweeney, D • 1604 

SENATOR. 

Andrew Coffinberry, W 1447 

John Goodin. D. 1583 

UEPRESENTATITES. 

Lorenzo Abbott, W 1466 

R. S. Hicc, W 1439 

McAnelly, D 1606 

Wood, D 1590 

SirERIFF. 

John Baugher, W 1399 

Levi Keller, D 1625 



COMMISSIONER. 

Lorenzo D. Shawhan, W 1434 

George Stoner, D 1604 

AUDITOR 

Thomas Treat, W 1436 

Gabriel J. Keen, D ' 1597 

ASSESSOR. 

Micajah Heaton, AV 1406 

Benjamin Carpenter, D I6I8 

CORONER. 

Timothy P. Roberts, W 1347 

Daniel Brown, D 1630 

PRESIDENT. 

W. H. Harrison. W 1433 

M. Van Buren, D 16I6 

J. J. Birney, L 

Joshua Seney, elector, D I6I6 

Loudon Township gave a majority of ten 
to the Whigs. 

CLERK. 

C. F. Dresbach (appointed). 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

Abel Rawson, W. (did not run). 

Joel W. Wilson, D 1603 

The Democratic Whigs and Van Buren 
Democrats formed the leading parties. 

The year 1839, as well as 1840, may be 
said to be devoted, by the people of Seneca, 
to Whig, Democratic and variegated poli- 
tics, log-cabin raisings, meetings, conven- 
tions and caucuses. ^Agriculture and com- 
merce were only secondary considerations; 
even the record of election passed un- 
heeded. A log-cabin was dedicated, at 
Tiffin, July 8, 1840. A. Rawson, L. A. 
Hall, Jos. Howard, H. Kuhn and J. K. 
Gibson formed the Whig central commit- 
tee. 

In 1840 the office of county assessor was 
abolished by the Legislature, and the duties 
of assessment assigned to the township as- 
sessors. 

ELECTIONS 1841. 
REPRESENTATIVES. 

Ezekiel Rice, W 845 

Chas. W. O'Neil, W 8.50 

Geo. W. Baird, D 1143 

Amos E. Wood, D 1144 

COMMISSIONER. 

Case Brown, W 893 

John Terry, D ]047 

TREASURER. 

Levi Davis, W 9O8 

Jos. Seney, D ]040 

15 



266 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



ELECTIONS 



1842. 



A mass convention of the Whigs of north- 
western Ohio was held at Tiffin. September 
23, 1843. September 13, 1843, a county 
convenlion was held here. 

GOVERNOR. 

T. Corwin, W 1268 

W. Shannon, D 1829 

Leicester King, Ab 35 

SENATOR. 

Sidney Sea, W 1175 

Moses McAnelly, D 1811 

Lowell Robinson, Ab 46 

COMMISSIONER. 

Evan Dorsey, W 1266 

Jas. McClelland, D 1811 

Joseph Jackson, Ab 38 

.\UDITOR. 

Joseph Lease, W 1300 

G. J. Keen, D 1866 

Nites, Ab 36 

RECORDER. 

Daniel Cunningham, W 1226 

W. H. Kessler, D 1858 

Watson, Ab 36 

SHERIFF. 

Joel Stone, W 1348 

U. P. Coonrad.D 1736 

Bennett, Ab 33 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

John Webb, W 1245 

John C. Spinli, W (retired) 

Chapman, W 1357 

H. C. Brish. D 1839 

Geo. W. Baird, D 1822 

Boyd, Ab 86 

Williard, Ab 36 

CORONER. 

Wm. Campbell, W (retired) 

Geo. H. Show, D 1709 

Joseph Gibson, W 1353 

Watson, Ab 87 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

Jesse Stem, W 1340 

J. W. WUson, D 1758 

SURVEYOR. 

David Risdon, W 1289 

Thos. Heming. D 1775 

R. G. Perry, Ab 34 

Total vote 3148 

ELECTIONS 1843. 
CONGRESS. 

Henry St. John, D 979 

Lowell Robinson, L 84 



REPRESENTATIVES. 

Samuel Waggoner, D 951 

W. B. Craighill. D 979 

Joshua Maynard, L 35 

James Merrick, L 46 

TREASURER. 

Richard Williams, D 993 

R. G. Perry, L 35 

COMMISSIONER. 

Morris P. Skinner, D 970 

Joseph Jackson, L 86 

The Democrats were opposed by the Lib- 
erty party. In February, 1842, the Liberty 
party made its first appearance in Seneca 
County, at Republic. A resolution against 
the teachinpjs of F. D. Parish was carried 
by the meeting. 

Richard Williams was Commissioner of 
the Bankrupt Court for Seneca County, 
Ohio, in May, 1842. 

ELECTIONS 1844. 
PRESIDENT. 

James K. Polk, D 2818 

Henry Clay. W 1707 

James G. Birney, L 41 

GOVERNOR. 

DavidTod, D 22i3 

Mordecai Bartley, W 1582 

CLERK OP SUPREME COURT. 

Joshua Seney. D 

CONGRESS. 

Henry St. John, D 2197 

Abel Rawson, W ' 1582 

SENATOR. 

Amos E. Wood, D 2206 

Sardis Birchard, W 1580 

REPRESENTATrVE. 

Henry Cronise, D 2141 

Henry Kuhn, W 1567 

SHERIFF. 

Uriah P. Coonrad, D 2215 

G. F. Kaestner, W 1546. 

AUDITOR. 

Fred W. Green, D 2288 

Isaac Small, W 1547 

CORONER. 

Geo. H. Show, D 2205 

Dan. Cunningham, W 1568 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

Wm. Lang, D 2157 

R. G. Pennington, W 1594 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



267 



COMMISSIONER. 

Jacob Decker, D 3178 

W. P. White, W 1559 

Abel Rinvson was a member of the Whig 
National Convention held at Baltimore in 
1844. 

The above returns show a Democratic 
gain in Seneca County of about 600 over 
1840. 

Democratic Hickory Clubs were organized 
in the townships of Seneca County, during 
the spring and summer of 1844. 

Meetings in favor of the repeal of the 
Union of Ireland and Great Britain were 
held throughout the county,in March, 1844. 

ELECTIONS 1845. 
REPRESENTATIVE. 

Daniel Brown, D 985 

Keating, W 101 

COMMISSIONER. 

Jos. McClellan, D 987 

Schuyler, W 100 

TREASURER. 

Richard Williams. D 996 

Joshua May nard, W 98 

RECORDER. 

W. H, Kessler, D. 995 

Watson, W 103 

ASSOCIATE JXn)GES. 

Henry Ebert 

Wm. Toll 

Andrew Lugenbeel 

SURVEYOR. 

Thomas Heming, D 977 

Myers, W 99 

ELECTIONS 1846. 
GOVERNOR. 

David Tod, D 1962 

Sam Lewis. L 1,57 

William Bebb, W 1263 

CONGRESS. 

Rodolpus Dickenson, D 1860 

Joseph Jackson, L 140 

Ely Dresbach, W 1861 

SENATOR. 

Henry Cronise, D 1894 

Geo. Donelson, L 

John L. Green, W 1228 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

Warren P. Noble, D 1859 

Sam Myers. L 

John Zimmerman, W.* 1312 

•John Zimmerman was killed in the Nolan sand- 
bank about 1851. 



COMMISSIONER. 

Morris P. Skinner, D , . . . 1999 

E. S. Barlktt.L 

Squire Rosenberger, W 1240 

AUDITOR. 

Fred W. Green. D 3039 

Chancey Pool, L 

John Seitz, W 1305 

SHERIFF. 

Eden Lease, D 2023 

Harrison McClelland, L 

John Zimmerman, W 1306 

CORONER. 

Sam Herrin, D 1938 

John Wilkison. L 

W. P.White, W 1328 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

William Lang, D 1901 

Pierce, W 1281 

This campaign is memorable for the in- 
terest it created throughout Ohio. Whigs 
sang such couplets as; 

Get out of the way each local railer. 
Clear the track for Scott and Taylor. 

The Democrats and Liberals had equally 
ridiculous little songs, and all parties still 
sang, drank, swore and fought as they did 
twenty years before. 

ELECTIONS 1847. 
REPRESENTATIVE. 

Warren P. Noble, D 

TREASURER. 

Geo. Knupp, D 

RECORDER. 

R. M.C.Martin, D 

COMMISSIONER. 

Jacob Decker, D 

Elected without opposition. 

Chas. F. Dresbach died in November, 

1847. 

ELECTIONS 1848. 
PRESIDENT. 

Zach. Taylor, W 1637 

Lewis Cass, D 2336 

Martin Van Buren, F. S 483 

GOVERNOR. 

J. B. Weller, D 2071 

Seabury Ford, W 1403 

CONGRESS. 

Rudolphus Dickenson, D 1994 

Cooper K. Watson, W 1421 

SENATE. 

John W. O'Neil, Ab 1486 

Joel W, Wilson, D 1947 



268 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



REPRESENTATIVES. 

Jacob Souder, Ab 1491 

John G. Breslin, D 1985 

COMMISSIONER. 

Samuel Saul, D 2016 

Elisha Umsted, Fed 851 

M. B. Cain, V. B 624 

AUDITOR. 

FredW. Green, D 2015 

T. P. Roberts, Fed T95 

J. A. McFarland, V. B 636 

SHERIFF. 

Eden Lease, D 2126 

G. M. Ogden. V. B 517 

Jos. Gibson, Fed "Se 

CORONER. 

SamHerrin, D 2012 

A. W. Childs. V. B 593 

D. Parmer, Fed 857 

SURVEYOR. 

Geo. H. Heming, D 2012 

G. Jones, V. B 593 

B. F. Parker, Fed 857 

PROSECUTING ATTORNET. 

Warren P. Noble, D 1991 

W. H. Gibson. Fed 920 

J. P. Pillars, V. B 576 

ELECTIONS 1849. 
CONGRESS. 

A. E. Wood, D 1941 

REPRESENTATrv:ES. 

John G. Breslin, D 1361 

Isaac DeWitt, W 769 

John G. Breslin voted to repeal the Black 
laws, and was named among the Abolition- 
ists. 

TREASURER. 

George Knupp, D 1887 

COMMISSIONER. 

Barney Zimmerman, D 1715 

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. 

For 194.5 

Against 90 

The tickets in the field were the regular 
Democratic and what was known as the 
Bolters' ticket. The Abolition candidate 
for the Legislature was elected. Samuel J. 
Baj-ard was appointed one of the Commis- 
sioners on boundary line between Mexico 
and the United States. 

ELECTIONS APRIL, 1850. 
DELEG.\.TE TO CONVENTION. 

EdsouT. Stickney, D 1660 

Abel Rawson. W 1578 

JohnEwing, D* 1882 

♦Senatorial district delegate from Seneca, Wyandot 
and Hancock. 



POOR HOUSE VOTE. 

For Poor House 1031 

Against 1315 

The ofiSce of associate judge was abolished 
by the Legislature this year. Thomas 
Lloyd, chosen to fill vacancy, was the last 
associate judge elected in Seneca Countj'. 

ELECTIONS OCTOBER, 1850. 
GOVERNOR. 

I Reuben Wood. D 1977 

I William John.son, P. T 1081 

1 Edward Smith, Ab 30 



BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. 

Alex. G. Conover, P. T 

Ales. P. Miller, D 



1077 
1960 



REPRESENTATIVE. 

Jacob Decker. D 1598 

Isaac Dewitt, P. T 1883 

SHERIFF. 

Stephen M. Offden. D 1651 

William Burkhalter, W 228 

Samuel Rule, P. T 1072 

AUDITOR. 

Richard Williams, D 1677 

R. G. Pennington, P. T 1347 

RECORDER. 

Jacob Wolf, p. T 1208 

R. M. C. Martin, D 1784 

Charles F. Dresbach, W 33 

CONGRESS. 

Fred W. Green, D 1756 

SENATOR. 

Michael Brackley 2197 

PROSECUTING ATTORNET. 

W. p. Noble, D 1632 

W. H. Gibson, P. T 1386 

COMMISSIONER. 

Levi Davis, P. T 1344 

David Burns, D 1669 

CORONER. 

Jeremiah Williams, P. T 1314 

George Ransburg, D 1669 

ELECTIONS 1851. 
GOVERNOR. 

Reuben Wood. D 2311 

S. F. Vinton, W 1345 

TREASURER. 

John G. Breslin, D 2206 

A. A. Bliss. W 1406 

JUDGE OF COMMON PLEAS. 

Lawrence W. Hall, D 2115 

Cooper K. Watson, W 1-500 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



269 



SENATOR. 

Joel W. Wilson, D 2118 

Abel Rawson, W 1548 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

Jacob Decker, D. . . ..-. 19T6 

William G. Gibson, W 1693 

PROBATE JUDGE. 

William Lang, D 2303 

Gabriel J. Keen, W 366 

CLERK OF COURT. 

Philip Speilman, D 221.5 

M. V. Bogart, W 1437 

TREASURER. 

Thomas Homing, D 2180 

John Kerr, W 1443 

COMMISSIONER. 

Samuel Saul, D 3127 

Lorenzo Abbott, W 1443 

PROSECUTING ATTORNET. 

William M. Johnson, D 2303 

Leander Stem, W 1475 

SURVEYOR. 

George H. Heming. D 2255 

Aaron Schuyler, W 1417 

ELECTIONS 1852. 
SUPREME JUDGE. 

Wm. B. Caldwell, D 2128 

D. A. Haynes, W 1169 

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. 

James B. Steedman. D 2133 

David H. Beardsley, W 1171 

CONGRESS. 

Fred W. Green, D 2133 

Jas. H. Godman, W 1140 

AUDITOR. 

John J. Steiner, D 2182 

Matthew Clark, W 1169 

SHERIFF. 

Stephen M. Ogden, D 2146 

James Robinson, W 1119 

CO.MMISSIONER. 

Calvin Clark. D 2160 

Timothy P. Roberta, W 1115 

CORONER. 

Geo. Ransburg, D 2142 

PRESIDENT. 

Franklin Pierce. D 2809 

Winfield Scott, W ] 1972 

John P. Hale, F. S 118 



ELECTIONS 1853. 
GOVERNOR. 

William Medill, D 1870 

J. W. Barrere, W 873 

Sam. Lewis, Ab 249 

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. 

James Myers, D 1833 

I. J. Allen, W 941 

TREASURER. 

JohnG. Breslin, D 1844 

Backman, W 769 

Chafln, Ab 303 

SENATOR. 

Robert Lee, D 1868 

Geo. Leith, W 932 

John D. Paine (D.) for representative; 
Thomas Heming (D.) for treasurer, David 
Burns (D.) for commissioner; William M. 
Johnson (D.) for prosecutor; and Wm. 
Kline (D.) for recorder, received the full 
party vote of the county, and were elected. 



ELECTIONS 



1854. 



SUPREME JUDGE. 

Jos. R. Swan, F. S 3702 

S. F. Norris, D 1273 

BOARD PUBLIC WORKS. 

Jacob Blickensderfer, F. S 2627 

A. P. Miller, D 1178 

CONGRESS. 

C. K. Watson, F. S 2687 

Josiah 8. Plants. D 1264 

AUDITOR. 

Wm. Stevens, F. S 2640 

J. J. Steiner, D 1168 

PROBATE JUDGE. 

J. K. Hord, F. S 2781 

Wm. Lang, D 1095 

TREASURER. 

Thomas Heming, D 3834 

No opposition. 

CLERK OF COURT. 

Philip Speilman, D 3847 

No opposition. 

SHERIFF. 

Eph. C. Wells, F. S 2684 

Piper, D 1222 

COMMISSIONER. 

Isaac Stillwell, F. S 2833 

Levi Keller, D 1248 

CORONER. 

Alvison Flumerfelt, F. S 2719 

Julius C. Mitchell, D 1219 



270 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



This was the first time in fourteen j'ears 
the Democracy of Seneca was defeated. 
The Know-nothings and Fusionists opposed 
Jhe regular Democratic nominees. During 
Ihe year 1854 a Know-nothing circle was 
organized at Tiffin, followed by one at Fos- 
loria, and the organization subsequently 
spread throughout the townships. It is 
stated on good authoritj' that the United 
Brethren refused to take the oath of the 
Know-nothings, but supported the party at 
the polls. 

John P. Reynolds printed the tickets for 
the Know-nothings of Seneca County, in 
the office of the Tiffin Tribune. Seven 
years later, many of the same class, who 
were so friendly to the Whigs of 1854, took 
out an issue of this journal, and burned it 
in the streets of Tiffin. 

ELECTIONS 1855. 
GOVERNOR. 

Salmon P. Chase, R 2333 

William Medill, D 1961 

TRE.1SURER. 

John G. Breslin, D 1918 

W. H. Gibson, R 2352 

PUBLIC WORKS BOAHD. 

A. G. Conover. R 2342 

James B. Steedman, D 1965 

SENATOR. 

James Lewis, Am 2273 

W. P. Noble, D 1978 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

Joseph Boyer, Am 2273 

John W. Paine, D 1987 

COMMISSIONER. 

James Boyd, Am 2278 

And. Lugenbeel, D 1996 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, 

L. A. Hall, Am 2310 

R, L. Griffith, D 1963 

The American ticket referred to above 
was also called the Know-nothing ticket. 

ELECTIONS 1856. 
PRESIDENT. 

James Buchanan, D 260.5 

J. C. Fremont, R 2565 

Millard Fillmore, Am 103 

DISTRICT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTOR. 

Robert G. Pennington, R 2.565 

SUPREME JUDGE. 

Rufus p. Ranney, D 2396 

Josiah Scott, R 3420 

SUPREME COURT. 

Ozias Bowen, Am 2402 

C. W. Searle, D 2396 



CONGRESS, 

L. W. Hall, D 2416 

Cooper K. Watson. R 2354 

Wm, T. Wilson, Am 57 

JUDGE OP COMMON PLEAS. 

M. C. Whiteley, D 2404 

D. W. Swigart, Am 2421 

AUDITOR. 

Walters. Burns, D 2384 

James M. Stevens, Am 3423 

TREASURER. 

Geo. H. Heming, D 2419 

Louis Seitz, R 2371 

SHERIFF. 

Jesse Weirick, D 24.59 

Erastus Bowe, R 2357 

BECORDER. 

Wm. Kline, D 2482 

S. J. Kirkwood, R 2330 

COMMISSIONER. 

Robert Byrne, D 3394 

Enoch Trumbo, R 3433 

CORONER. 

J. W. Love, D 2394 

Henry Stone, R 2419 

INFIRM.UtT DIRECTORS. 

And. Lugenbeel, D., long term 2447 

J. D. Loomis, R., long term 2365 

A. S. White, D., middle term 2300 

Dan. Brown, R.. middle term 2391 

M. P. Skinner, D., short term 2402 

John Kerr, It., short term 2447 

Jacob Milburne and James Lewis went to 
Tiffin to search up Know-nothings. There 
they met one York, who introduced them to 
the Know-nothing society, and one of them 
was sworn in, Milburne refusing to swear 
political ostracism against foreigners. James 
Lewis returned to Fostoria and organized 
a society there in the basement of the old 
frame Methodist Episcopal Church, when 
100 members were initiated, among whom 
was James Mofflt, now of Milgrove. In the 
southeast part of Loudon the members of 
the United Brethren Church refused to take 
the oath of secrecy, but in lieu thereof they 
took a number of the party tickets anh 
voted for the party, the county giving a 
large part}- majority. At Tiffin the Know- 
nothings carried every point. The late 
Henry Ebert was grand counsellor for 
Seneca County, and chief worker at Tiffin. 



ELECTIONS 



1857. 



GOVERNOR. 



H. B, Payne. D. 
S. P. Chase, R.. 
P. Van Trump. . 



34.59 
2198 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



271 



JUDGE OP COMMON PLEAS. 

Geo. E. Seney, D 3470 

John C. Lee, R 2171 

SENATOR. 

Robert McKcllcy, D 2446 

Guy C. Worth, R 2223 

REPBESENTATIYK. 

John W. Paine, D 2452 

Charles Foster, R 2190 

PROBATE JUDGE. 

Truman II. Bagby, D 3446 

Gabriel J. Keen. Ind 

JohnK. Hord, R 2139 

CLERK OF COURT. 

Geo. S. Christlip, D 2386 

Geo. H. Kyle, R 2159 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

Robert L. Griffith, D 2450 

Leander Stem, R 3197 

COMMI.SSIONER. 

Henry Opt, D 2380 

Isaac Stillwell, R 2040 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR'. 

Jonas Hampshire, D 2420 

Benj. Tomb, R 2110 

SURVEYOR. 

Thomas Burnsides, D 2560 

ELECTIONS 1858. 
SUPREME JUDGE. 

Thos. W. Bartley, D 2285 

Peck, R 2286 

CONGRESS. 

Lawrence W. Hall, D 2165 

John Carey, R 3337 

AUDITOR. 

Walter S.Burns, D 3163 

Erastus Bowe, R 2333 

TRE.\StrRER. 

Samuel Herrin, D 2390 

Louis E. Holtz, R 2144 

SHERIFF. 

Jesse Weirick, D 2468 

J. V. Jones, R 2013 

.irnr.E OF COMMON PLEAS. 

Josiah 8. Plants 

COMMISSIONER. 

Robert Byrne, D 3384 

Wilkinson, R 2330 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

T. Swander. D 3379 

Wm. Randall. R 3340 



John Houck, D 2165 

J. W. Lawhead, R 3204 

LAND APPRAISERS. 

Edwin Pennington. John Gersbert, John 
Seitz, David Burns, D. Rickenbaugh. Wm. 
Fleet, Rezin Ricketts, Gideon Jones, Dan 
Lynch, Nicholas Rosenberger, IraAllerton, 
S. Bemenderfer, R. R. Titus, A. C. Baker, 
S. J. Recher, T. P. Roberts, John Buun. 

ELECTIONS 1859. 
GOVERNOR. 

RufusP. Ranney, D 3661 

Wm. Dennison, R 2461 

SENATOR. 

Thos. J. Orr, D 3636 

James M. Stevens, R 3487 

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION. 

R. R. Titus, D 27.56 

Thos. V. Rebor, R 2369 

REPRESENTATFTES. 

M. P. Skinner, D 2634 

William Lang, D 2429 

.Jones, R 3.531 

Huber, R 3499 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

Robert L. Griffith, D 2688 

N. L. Brewer, R 3423 

RECORDER. 

Albert Beilharz, D 2699 

John E. McCormick, R 2394 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

Andrew Lugenbeel, D 3704 

Wm. Randall, R 2417 

COMMISSIONER. 

Michael Beard. D 2647 

John Swigart, R 2456 

SURVEYOR. 

Denis Molloy, D 2551 

L. E. Holtz, R 2.533 

ELECTIONS 1860. 
PRESIDENT. 

Abraham Lincoln, R 3053 

Stephen A. Douglas, Ind. D 3175 

John Bell, Union 43 

John C. Breckenridge, D 70 

SUPREME JUDGE. 

T. J. S. Smith, D 3185 

Jacob Brinkherhoff, R 2918 

CONGRESS. 

"Warren P. Noble, D 30.57 

John Carey, R 3040 



272 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



PROBATE JUDGE. 

Truman H. Bagby, D 3168 

John H. Pittinger, R 2916 

CLERK OF COUnX. 

Geo. Christlip, D 3113 

M. Heaton, R 3885 

AUDITOR. 

Isaac Kagy, D 3113 

E. G. Bowe, R 2968 

Stephen A. Douglas vLsited Tiffin, Ohio, 
September 24, 1860, and addressed the larg- 
est Democratic meeting ever held in north- 
west Ohio. 

TREASURER. 

Samyel Herrin, D 3184 

Scudder Chamberlain, R 2913 

SHERIFF. 

Francis Wagner, D 2960 

Levi Weirick, R 3089 

COMMISSIONER. 

Henry Opt, D 3137 

Wm. Holtz, R 2941 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

Barney Zimmerman. D 3181 

Hiram McClellan, R 2896 

CORONER. 

Paul Bolinger, D 3101 

John H. Nighswander, R 3937 

Political life in 1860 may be summed up 
as one continued round of excitement and 
uncertainty. The shadow of civil war was 
visible, while in Kansas, affairs took such a 
course as to leave the question of war or 
anarchy to be resolved, immediately. The 
material interest taken by the people of 
Seneca in the Kansas sufferers, is shown by 
the following report: 

First Ward, Tiffin $87 22 

Second " " — per Rev. McLean. . . 20 00 

" Zenser 13 75 

Reed Township — per J. Sanford 44 54 

— per H.B.Rakestraw 33 40 

Seneca " — per J. Brinkerhoff.. 60 00 

" " — per H. Davison.... 11 25 

— perj. Galbraith.... 14 35 

Scipio — per Daniel Brown 8 88 

Republic — per Rev. J. A. Brown 

(Thanksgiving Day)... 35 13 

Egberts Church 14 13 

Lodi and Rock Creek 1 75 

Hopewell — per Levi Keller 19 23 

" — per Schloser 2 85 

Adams— per H. Hall 39 55 

Thompson— per J. C. Horner 86 00 

Bloom— per J. Boyd and T.D. Reed. . 71 15 

Eden— per D. Richards 80 62 

Clinton— per J. S. L. D. and H. E. . . 10 00 

$642 68 

There has been remitted from this place 

to 8. C. Pomeroy, secretary of the Execu- 



tive Committee, at Atchison. Kas., in sundry 
drafts on New York, 1514.22. 

H. G. SPAYTHE, 
December 31, 1860. Treasurer K. R. F. 

While the great majority in the North 
looked toward the horizon and beheld the 
cloud of civil war advancing as the sunlight 
disappeared, there were many in both North 
and South, hanging between doubt and 
certainty. Many looked upon war as inev- 
itable, and every one had an opinion or a 
prophecy. The Abolitionist, the slave-liolder, 
and men who called for peace, all expressed 
themselves. To point out clearl}' the sub- 
stance of all such opinions.in the first month 
of 1861, the following is selected from the 
Raleigh (N. C.) Standard. "If war once 
breaks out it will rage in the interior, on 
our sea coast, on the high seas and on our 
frontiers. One section will let loose the 
Indians on another section. Twenty mil- 
lions of Northern people will at once become 
our enemies. They will war upon us along 
a line of 3,000 miles, from the Atlantic to 
the Pacific. One section will call in foreign 
troops against another section. One con- 
federacj' will humble itself before the powers 
of Europe, to get better commercial terms 
than the other confederacies. Meanwhile, 
war will rage. Negro property will cease 
to be valuable; because the products of slave 
labor and of all other labor will be in a 
great degree cut off from the markets of the 
world. The negroes will know, too, that 
the war is waged on their account. They 
will become restless and turbulent. Heavy 
taxes will result from the wars. These 
taxes must be paid mainly out of slave labor. 
Strong governments will be established, and 
will bear heavily on the masses. The masses 
will at length rise up and destroy every- 
thing in their way. State bonds will be 
repudiated. Banks will break. Widows 
and orphans will be reduced to beggary. 
The sword will wave everywhere paramount 
to all laws. The whole world outside the 
slave-holding States, except Great Britain, 
is opposed to our system of slavery, and the 
whole world, with slave labor thus rendered 
insecure and comparatively valueless, will 
take sides with the north against us. The 
end will be — Abolition." 



ELECTIONS 1861. 
GOVERNOR. 

Hugh J. Jewett.D 3843 

David Tod, R 2633 

SECRETARY OF STATE. 

Wm. W. Armstrong, D 2857 

Benj. S. Cowen, R 2600 

SENATOR. 

Wm. Lang, D 2814 

AV. C. Parsons, R 3615 





l^^c^^^^^.^^^^^^ 



I 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



276 



REPRESENTATIVE. 

R. R. Titus, D 2906 

John J. Steiner, R 2031 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

Alfred Landon, D 2919 

Dan. F. DeWolf, R 2531 

COMMISSIONER. 

Robert Byrne, D 2880 

Levi Keller, R 2585 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

Thomas Swander, D 2863 

Jacob Ilossler, R 2602 

ELECTIONS 1862. 
SUPREME COURT. 

RufusP. Ranney, D 3115 

F. T. Bvickus, R 2114 

SECRETARY OF STATE. 

W. W. Armstrong, D 3090 

W. S. Kennon, R 2129 

CONGRESS. 

Warren P. Noble. D 3131 

S. T. Worcester, R 2094 

AUDITOR. 

Isaac Kagy, D 3142 

J. H. Brinkerhoff, R 2094 

TREASURER. 

Silas W. Shaw, D 3107 

Scudder Chamberlain, R 2108 

SHERIFF. 

Edward Childs, D 3046 

Levi Weirick, R 2172 

RECORDER. 

Albert Beilbarz, D 3177 

John S. Smith, R 2031 

COMMISSIONER. 

Peter Ebersole, D 3106 

A. C. Baker, R 2117 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

Andrew Lugenbeel, D 3111 

Levi Keller, R 2118 

SURVEYOR. 

Denis Malloy, D 3104 

Louis E. Holtz, R 2126 

CORONER. 

Paul Bolinger, D 3105 

Lewis Seitz, Jr., R 2117 

A large meeting was held at Spetzler's 
schoolhouse in January. 1862, to protest 
against flooding the fjtatc with negroes. 
Ira Gulie was cliairman, and Benjamin F. 
Biple, secretary. 



The tickets in the field for State officers 
were the Democratic and Abolitionist. For 
county officers. Democratic and Republican. 

ELECTIONS 1803. 
GOVERNOR. 

0. L. Vallandiuham, D 3229 

John Brough, 11 2906 

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. 

JohnH. Heaton, D 3267 

Barrere, R 2905 

SENATOR. 

William Lang, D 3243 

Charles Foster, R 2917 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

Rassellus R. Titus, D 3271 

Welker, R 2903 

CLERK OF COURT. 

William M. Dildine, D 3241 

James M. Stevens, R 2927 

PROBATE JUDGE. 

William M. Johnson, D 3270 

Andrew H. Byers, R 2904 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

Alfred Landon, D 3273 

Nelson L. Brewer, R 2903 

COMMISSIONER — LONG TERM. 

Thomas W. Watson, D 3266 

D. F. Cramer, R 2911 

COMMISSIONER— SHORT TERM. 

Samuel Grelle, D 3269 

Dicken, K 2907 

INFIR.MARY DIRECTOR. 

Barney Zimmerman, D 3271 

Baker, R 3903 

SOLDIERS' VOTE, 1863. 

Republican 321 

Democratic 20 

ELECTIONS 1864. 
PRESIDENT. 

Abraham Lincoln. R 3042 

George B. McClellan. D 3285 

Republican soldiers' vote 493 

Democratic soldiers' vote 135 

VICE-PRESIDENT. 

Andrew Johnson, R. . . ; 2888 

George 11. Pendleton, D 3033 

SECRETARY OP STATE. 

William W. Armstrong, D 3033 

Smith, R 2833 

SUPREME JUDGE — LONG VACANCY. 

Machias C. Whiteley, D. 



276 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



CONGRESS. 

Warren P. Noble, D 2953 

" Soldiers' vote 86 

R. P. Buckland, R 2387 

" " Soldiers' vote 433 

The county officers elected in 1864 were 
all Democrats, viz.: Edward Childs, sher- 
iff; John F. Heilman, auditor; Silas W. 
Shaw, treasurer; Samuel Grelle. commis- 
missioner; Thomas Swander and George S. 
Christlip, infirmary directors, and Jonas M. 
Hershberger. coroner. 

ELECTIONS 1865. 
GOVERNOR. 

Gen. Geo. W. Morgan, D 30.58 

J. D. Cox, R 2755 

LIEUTEN.VNT-GOVERNOR. 

William Lang, D 2988 

A. G. McBuruej', R 2764 

SEN.\TOR. 

Curtis Berry, Jr., D 3034 

James A. Haigh, R 2763 

REPRESENTATr\-E. 

Isaac Kagy, D 3018 

L. M. Strong.R 2751 

TREASURER. 

J. H. Zahm, D 3008 

J. E. McCormick, R 2740 

RECORDER. 

J. T. Martin, D 2910 

Thomas Kaup, R 2894 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

John McCauley. D 2930 

N. L. Brewer, R 2746 

COMMISSIONER. 

Peter Ebersole, D 3945 

Jonas Foster, R 2815 

SURVEYOR. 

Denis jMalloy. D 8021 

S. B. Gray, R 2761 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

H. Noble, D 3012 

Benjamin Reeme, R 2761 

The soldiers' vote was 52 Republican, 
and 12 Democratic. The tickets were 
known as Democrat and Union. 

ELECTIONS 1866. 
SECRETARY OF STATE. 

William H. Smith, U 2979 

Benj. Lefevre, D 3343 

CONGRESS. 

R. P. Buckland. R 2963 

T. P. Finefrock, D 3336 



JUDGE OF COMMON PLEAS. 

C. K. Watson, R 2947 

Chester R. Mott, D 3335 

COUNTY CLERK. 

Thos. J. Kaup, R 3022 

W. M. Dildine, D 3292 

PROBATE JUDGE. 

G. J. Keen, R 2952 

W. M. Johnson, D 3356 

SHERIFP. 

Levi Weirick, U 2998 

P.P.Myers, D 3310 

AUDITOR. 

I. L. Cramer, U 2957 

J. F. Heilman, D 3353 

COMMISSIONER. 

William Sneath, U 2991 

T. W. Watson, D 3303 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

Patrick Whelan, U '2991 

EdenLease, D 3329 

CORONER. 

Daniel Behm.U 2976 

James Paine. D 3341 

ELECTIONS 1867. 
GOVERNOR. 

R. B.Hayes, R 2739 

A. G. Thurman. D 3584 

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR. 

John C. Lee, R 2709 

Dan. S. Uh!. D 3584 

SENATOR. 

George W.Leith, R 2726 

Curtis Berry, Jr., D 3588 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

Horace Hall, R 2684 

Edson T. Stickney, D 3622 

TREASURER. 

David Huss. R 2733 

Jacob M. Zahm. D 3580 

COMMISSIONER. 

John Rice, R 2720 

H. B. Rakestraw, D 3386 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

Upton F. Cramer, R 2718 

John McCauley, D 3584 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

John W. Barrick, R 3733 

Uriah P. Coonrad, D 3579 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



•277 



ELECTIONS 1808. 
PRESIDENT. 

U. S. Grant, R 2977 

Horatio Seymour, D* 3340 

CONGKESS. 

■William II. Gibson,, R 2878 

Ed. F. Dickenson. D 3588 

AUDITOR. 

William L. Myers, R 2871 

"Walter S. Burns, D 3603 

SHERIFF. 

Robert Adams, R 2884 

Peter P. Myers, D 3584 

RECORDER. 

John O. ICaup, R 2964 

James T. Martin, D 3504 

COMMISSIONER. 

Isaac Karn, R 2889 

Joseph E. Magers, D 3597 

SURVEYOR. 

Samuel B. Gray, R 2864 

Denis Malo3', D 3572 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

Martin Wagner, R 2963 

Harrison Noble, D 3512 

CORONER. 

William Davis, R 2908 

Sylvester B. Clark, D 3565 

JUDGE OF COMMON PLEAS. 

James Pillars was elected .judge of the 
Fourth subdivision. Third District, in April, 
1868. 

Luther A. Hall was presidential elector in 
1868, from Ninth Congressional District. 

ELECTIONS 1869. 
GOVERNOR. 

Geo. H. Pendleton, D 3242 

William S. Rosencrans, D. ..did not accept. 
Rutherford B. Hayes, R 2581 

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR. 

Thomas J. Godfrey, D 8230 

John C. Lee, R 2559 

PROBATE JUDGE. 

A. Landon, D 2543 

W. M. Johnson, R 3177 

•Warren V. Noble was elected an alternate dele- 
gate to the Democratic National Convention, at 
New York, withTlloniaa Beer, delegate. Owing to the' 
latter'9 illness, Mr. Noble representd the district in 
the c'onveniion. William W . .^rnistrong was elected 
Delegate-at-large to the Democratic National Conven- 
tion. 



TREASURER. 

William Lang, D 3041 

D. M. Neikirk, R 2656 

CLERK. 

J. C. Milhelm, D 2880 

Henry Brohl, R 2863 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

E. T. Stickney, D 3265 

JohnSeitz, D 3203 

J. V. Jones, R 2573 

D. D. Ogden, R 2531 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

Frank Baker, D 3236 

H. E. Thompson, R 2531 

COMMISSIONER. 

Stephen M. Ogden, D 2950 

Levi Keller, R. 2855 

INFIR5IARY DIRECTOR. 

Eden Lease, D 3196 

Dorsey Hartsock, R 2504 

SENATOR, THIRTY-FIRST DISTRICT. 

S. R. Harris, R 2583 

A. E. Jenner, D 3233 

ELECTIONS 1870. 
SECRETARY OP STATE. 

Wm. Heisley, D 8176 

Isaac R. Sherwood, R 2690 

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION. 

Dickson, D 3153 

Titus, R 2689 

CONGRESS. 

Chas. Foster, R 2851 

E. F. Dickenson, D 3020 

SHERIFF. 

J. T. Kaup,R 2842 

JohnWerley, D 2942 

AUDITOR. 

Henry Brohl, R 2767 

G. A. Allen, D 3121 

COMMISSIONER. 

Levi Keller, R 2773 

H. B. Rakestraw, D 3103 

CORONER. 

James Lewis, R 2718 

James Van Fleet, D 3177 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

Miron Sexton, R 2718 

U. P. Coonrad, D 3100 

ELECTIONS 1871. 
GOVERNOR. 

Geo. W. McCook, D 3200 

EdF. Noyes, R 2608 

P. M. Weddle, Pro 49 



278 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR. 

Samuel F. Hunt, D 3197 

Jacob Mueller, R 2604 

CLERK SUPREME COURT. 

Chas. Patterson. D 3206 

Rodne3' Foos, R 2607 

Azra Alderman, Pro 45 

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. 

For 4203 

Against 1296 

SENATOR. 

A. E. Jenner, D 3180 

U. F. Cramer, R 2642 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

John Seitz, D 3147 

Isaac Seitz, R 2684 

JUDGE OF COMMON PLE.4^S. 

A. M. Jackson, D 3161 

C. R. Mott, R 2588 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

Frank Baker. D 3178 

N. L. Brewer, R 2643 

TREASURER. 

William Lang, D 3054 

C. C. Park, R 2720 

RECORDER. 

Wm. DeWitt, D 3217 

Wm. R. Smythe, R 2629 

COMMISSIONER. 

Jos. E. Magers, D 3057 

John A. Bradner, R 2731 

SURVEYOR. 

P. H. Ryan, D 3129 

P. J. Wilson, R 2653 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

Jesse Weirick, D 3204 

Mj'ron Sexton, R 2627 

ELECTIONS 1872. 
SECRETARY OF STATE. 

Aquilla Wiley, D 3757 

Allen T. WikofE, R 3166 

Ferd Shumaker, Pro 52 

CONGRESS. 

RushR. Sloane, D 3586 

Chas. Foster, R 3170 

Gideon T. Stewart.Pro 49 

JUDGE OF COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. 

James Pillars, D 3726 

No opposition. 

CLERK OF COURT. 

JacobC. Millhime, D 3838 

Abner Niebel, R 3097 



PROBATE JUDGE. 

Alfred Landon, D 3341 

Upton F. Cramer, R 3513 

Wm. M. Johnson, R. died after nomi- 
nation. 

SHERIFF. 

John Werley, D 3601 

Edward Jones, R 3299 

AUDITOR. 

Levi D. Kagy, D 3699 

James M. Stevens, R 3241 

PRESIDENT. 

U.S. Grant, R 3128 

Horace Greely, D 3462 

Charles O'Connor, D 

Black, Tem 

COMMISSIONER. 

Steven V. Ogden, D a563 

Isaac Stultz, R 3336 

CORONER. 

James Van Fleet, D 3756 

Daniel Behm, R 3193 

INFIRMARY DIRECTORS. 

G. W. Bachman (three years), D 3756 

Peter Haefling (two years), D 3719 

John L. Cross (three years), R 3174 

Henry Davidson (two years), R 3185 

ELECTIONS 1873. 
GOVERNOR. 

Wm. Allen, D 3182 

E. F. Xoyes, R 2290 

Gideon T. Stewart, Pro 203 

Isaac C. Collins, — 33 

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. 

J. D. O'Connor, D 2634 

R. G. Pennington, R 2257 

SENATOR. 

John Seitz, D 3191 

David Harpster, R 2282 

David F. Hamilton, Pro 213 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

Jas. A. Norton, D 3174 

Luther A. Hall, R 2143 

R. McD. Gibson, Pro 283 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

Geo. W. Bachman. D 3196 

E. C. Boyd, R 2305 

TRE.\SURER. 

Francis Wagner, D 2984 

James H. Brinkerhoff, R 24'28 

JefE. Freese, Pro 171 

COMMISSIONER. 

Robert McClellan, D 3095 

Peter Brayton, R 2397 

Christ. Bonnell, Pro 212 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 



279 



INFraMART DIRECTOR. 

John Britt, D 2994 

John M. Kaul, R 2381 

David Buller. Pro 215 

CORONER. 

Geo. W. Willow, D 3197 

Joseph Miller, K 2313 

The Republicans foil behind their vote in 
1872, 876, and the Democrats, 575. 



ELECTIONS 



1874. 



SECRETARY OF STATE. 

Wui. Bell, D 3871 

A. T. Wikoff, R 3005 

J. R. Buchtel, Pro 132 

CLERK OF SUPREME COURT. 

Arnold Green, D 3069 

Rodney Foos, R 3012 

S. B. I^oster, Pro 133 

CONGRESS. 

Geo. E. Seney, D 3721 

C'has. Foster, R 3200 

W. G. Mead, Pro 63 

.lUDGE OF COMMON PLEAS. 

Thos. Beer, D 3865 

Josiah Scott, R 3006 

SHERIFF. 

G. Acker, D 4068 

C. y. Brundage, R 2773 

J.P.Woodruff, Pro 121 

AUDITOR. 

L. D. Kagy, D 3874 

John Rice, R 3025 

RECORDER. 

Wm. DeWitt, D 39.58 

Gabriel J. Keen, R 2892 

Jcflf. Freese, Pro 132 

COMMISSIONER. 

Sol. Gambee, D 3878 

Geo. Stearns, R 2985 

C. Bonnell, Pro 130 

SURVEYOR. 

Denis Malloy D 3790 

E. C. Cooke, R 3132 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

' Peter Haefling. D .3841 

John M. Kaul, R 3002 

D. Butler, Pro 131 

ELECTIONS 1875. 
GOVERNOR. 

Wm. Allen, D 4015 

R. B. Ha5'es, R 3221 



BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. 

v. Hagan. D 4043 

Thatcher, R 3284 

SENATOR. 

E. T. Sticknej-, D 3786 

Thos. J. Mounett, R 32.50 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

James A. Norton, D 3848 

Alfred L. Shafer, R 3446 

CLERK. 

Jeremiah Re.x, D 3774 

J. H. Pittinger, R 3526 

PROBATE JUDGE. 

Upton F. Cramer, R 3743 

Jacob F. Bunn 3,584 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

Geo. W. Eachnian, D 3891 

Lester Sutton, R 3393 

SUPREME COURT COMMISSION. 

Yes 4094 

No 1568 

TREASURER. 

Francis Wagner, D 3919 

James M. Stevens, R 3402 

RECORDER. 

Thos. J. Kintz, D 3938 

J. W. Shaw, R 3335 

COMMISSIONER. 

N. G. Hayward. R 3666 

W. T. Histe, D 3650 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

Chas. Mutschler. D 3774 

Chas. G. Owen, R 3434 

CORONER. 

Geo. W. Willow, D 3935 

Eli Spitler, R 3332 

AMENDMENT TAXING DOGS. 

Yes 1686 

No 947 

ELECTIONS 1876. 
PRESIDENT. 

Samuel J. Tilden, D 4516 

Rutherford B. Hayes, R 3793 

Peter Cooper, G 4 

Green Clay Smith, Pro 11 

James B. Walker 

SECRET.\RT OF STATE. 

Milton Barnes, R 3827 

Wm. Bell, D 4493 

JUDGE OF COMMON PLEAS. 

Thos. Beer, D 4400 

No opposition. 



280 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



CONGRESS. 

Chas. Foster, R 3965 

John H. Hudson, D 4348 

AUDITOR. 

Hiram Longbrake, R 3864 

V. J. Zahm, ,D 4432 

SHERIFF. 

Edward Jones, R 3730 

C!eo. D. Acker, D : 4584 

COMMISSIONER. 

William Ash, R 3925 

Robert McClellan, D 4366 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

D. J. Neikirk, R 3900 

JohnBritt, D 4300 

Among the Presidential electors were 
Wm. Lang and G. W. Stokes. 

George E. Seney was elected delegate to 
the Democratic National Convention, held 
at St. Louis, Mo., in 1876. 



ELECTIONS 



1877. 



GOVERNOR. 

R. M. Bishop, D 3945 

W. H. West, R 3009 

L. H. Bond, — 3 

H. A. Thompson, Pro 84 

Stephen Johnson, G 86 

SENATOR. 

John Seitz, D 3960 

Lovell B. Harris, R 2903 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

James A. Norton, D 3928 

Daniel C. Rule, R 3034 

L H.Davis, Pro 78 

TREASURER. 

John W. Barrick, D 3619 

James J. Zint, R 3339 

J. W. Stinchcomb, Pro 65 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

G. B. Keppell, D 3877 

John H. Ridgley, R 3060 

Florence Cronise, Pro 100 

COMMISSIONER. 

Solomon Gambee, D 3905 

Jacob Raymond, R 3020 

Jesse Bower, Pro 92 

SURVEYOR. 

Samuel Nighswander, D 3983 

Ed. C. Cook, R 3080 

JUDICIAL — COMMON PLEAS. 

Henry H. Dodge, D 3948 

Jacob F. Burkett, R 3038 

John M. Hammond, Pro 85 



INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

Lewis Spitler, D 3742 

Patrick Duffev, R 3058 

A. T. McDonald, Pro 91 

CORONER. 

Wm. Smith, D 3890 

Jacob Wise, R 3032 

J. A. Buckingham, Pro 86 

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. 

For 703 

Against 3467 

FREE BANKING LAW. 

For 1155 

Against 3316 

ELECTIONS 1878. 
SECRETARY OP STATE. 

David R. Paige, D 4210 

Milton Barnes, R 3345 

Andrew Roy, G 544 

Jeremiah N. Robinson, Pro 

CONGRESS. 

E. B. Finley, D 3966 

Charles Foster. R 3710 

O. C. Brown, G 441 

PROBATE JUDGE. 

Jacob F. Bunn, D 4200 

U. C. Cramer, R 3391 

Benj amin F. Siple, G 470 

CLERK. 

Jeremiah Rex, D 4298 

James T.Boyd, R 3237 

O. B. Seitz, G 526 

AUDITOR. 

Victor J. Zahm. D 4042 

J. N. Willard. R 3393 

John H. Carpenter, G 554 

SHERIFF. 

Lloyd N. Lease, D 4120 

James J. Zeut, R 3109 

Jacob Windnagle, G 754 

RECORDER. 

Thomas J. Kentz, D 4240 

Harry Davidson, R 3232 

W. H. Gordon, G 560 

COMMISSIONER. 

W. T. Histe. D 4237 

N. G.Hawward, R 3095 

James D. Rider, G 683 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

George Heplar, D 4570 

Charles Mutschler, R 1584 

Nicholas Lauer, G 533 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



281 



ELECTIONS 1S79. 
GOVERNOR. 

Thomas Ewing. D 4627 

Charles Foster, R 3921 

Gideon T. Stewart, Pro 18 

A, Sanders Piatt, G 108 

BOARD OP PUBLIC ■WORKS. 

Patrick OMarab, D 4670 

James Fullington, R 3858 

James H. Horton Pro 17 

George W. Piatt, G 121 

JUDGE, FIRST SUBDIVISION, TENTH DISTRICT. 

John McCauley, D 4549 

John Stillings, R 3939 

SENATOR, THIRTY-FIRST DISTRICT. 

Moses H. Kirbv. D 4680 

Stephen R. Harris, R 3383 

John Flick, G 119 

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS. 

Judicial, for 5193 

Elections, Section 2, Article 2 5104 

1, '• 8 5250 

4, " 10 5473 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

Amos Decker, D 4645 

William Fleet, R 3845 

John W. Kaga. G 131 

TREASURER. 

John W. Barrick, D 4685 

David M. Neikirk, R 38.54 

Jacob Thomas, G 120 

PHOSECUTrNG ATTORNEY. 

Guilford B. Keppell, D 4663 

Rush Abbott, R 3877 

Jesse N. Lee, G 116 

COMMISSIONER. 

James H. Frv. D 4586 

Charles Leiner, R 3955 

Jacob S. Armstrong, G 121 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

Joseph E. Magers, D 4659 

Jacob Rickenbaugh, R 3875 

Samuel Grelle, G 130 

CORONER. 

William Smith, D 4661 

H. Whiteman. R 3870 

J. H. Price, G 137 

The national vote was 108 against 544 in 
1878. 

The Prohibition vote was 18. The Demo- 
crats polled 177 votes more than on any 
previous year. 



ELECTIONS 1880. 
PRESIDENT. 

James A. Garfield. R 4008 

W. S. Hancock. D 4845 

James B. Weaver, G 109 

I^eal Dow, Pro 23 

SECRETARY OF STATE. 

William Lang. D 4700 

Charles Townsend, R 3853 

Charles A. Lloyd, G 116 

CONGRESS. 

Morgan D. Shafer, D 4636 

John B. Rice, R 3967 

John Seitz, G. .< 130 

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, THIBTY-FIRST 
DISTRICT. 

Jonathan S. Hare, D 4746 

SHERIFF. 

Lloyd N. Lease, D 4824 

Gideon H. Reese, R 4749 

H. Stolzenbach, G 09 

SURVEYOR. 

Samuel Nighswauder, D 4745 

John A. Speilman, R 3827 

Jerry Hill, G 123 

COMMISSIONER. 

Edward Childs, D 4469 

George Heplar, R 4102 

Orville J. Fry, G 104 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

Lewis Spitler. D 4495 

David Asire, R 4012 

John W. Sonder, G 115 

In April. 1880, the question of building 
pike roads was submitted to the people of 
the county; 1,578 votes were recorded in 
favor of this enterprise, while 5,156 opposed 
the project. Tiffin alone gave a majority 
in favor of such roads. 



ELECTIONS 1881. 
GOVERNOR. 

J. W. Bookwalter, D 4273 

Chas. Foster. R 3205 

John Seitz, G 1 15 

A. R. Ludlow, Pro 276 

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. 

Frank C. Dougherty, D 4273 

Geo. K. Nash,ll 3380 

SENATOR. 

Moses H. KirbT. D 4194 

Martin Deal, Pro 388 



282 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



REPRESENTATIVE. 

A. Decker, D 4080 

W. O. Dean, R 3341 

David Hale, G 183 

J.T. Reed, Pro 239 

PROBATE JUDGE. 

J. F. Bunn, D 4228 

J. M. Bever, R 3321 

B. F. Seiple, 6 Ill 

C. C. Nestlerode, Pro 243 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

P. M. Adams, D 4218 

J. C. Rickenbaugh 3342 

J. N. Lee. G 116 

J. R. Wilson, Pro 246 

CLERK OF COURT. 

James V. Magers, D 4133 

J. H. Cole, R 3390 

C. R. Martin, G 103 

J. B. Wagner, Pro 247 

TREASURER. 

JobnHeabler, D 4271 

D. M. Neikirk, R 3287 

H. Spitler, G 99 

M. Borough, Pro 345 

AUDITOR. 

F. E. Stoner, D 3967 

W. H. Schlosser, R 3604 

Jerry Hill, G 99 

R. C. Young, Pro 230 

COMMISSIONER. 

W. T. Histe, D 4152 

E. Thoma, R 3347 

P. King, G 104 

W. Cook, Pro 238 

RECORDER. 

J. H. Bennehoft, D 4112 

R. A. Cole, R 3415 

John Heck, G 104 

W. H. Schultz, Pro 2.53 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

Geo. Heplar, D 4222 

Jacob Kemmet, R 3314 

A. Horn, G 100 

D. F. Hamilton, Pro 249 

CORONER. 

E. Lepper, D 4204 

T. McManigal. R 3269 

J. M. Sparks, G 118 

M. P. Croninger, Pro 268 

SOLDIERS' MONUMENT. 

For 3017 

Against 2877 



ELECTIONS 1882. 
SECRETARY OP STATE. 

James W. Newman, D 4481 

Chas. Townsend, R 3391 

George L. Hafer, G 89 

Ferd. Thomas, Pro 67 

JUDGE SUPREME COURT. 

.John W. Okey. D 4465 

John H. Dovle. R 3406 

Lloyd G. Tiittle, G 89 

John W. Rosenbrough, Pro 67 

CONGRESS. 

Geo. E. Senej-, D 4661 

Lovel B. Harris, R 3189 

John Seitz, G 104 

H. C. Smith, 2 

Martin Deal, Pro 40 

JUDGE OF COMMON PLEAS. 

Henry H. Dodge, D 4.548 

Jacob F. Burkett, R 3324 

SHERIFP. 

Thos. F. Whalen, D 39.50 

Amandus Betts, R 3936 

M. T. Lutz, G 75 

COMMISSIONER. 

Daniel P. Lj-nch, D 4285 

Jacob R. Strandler, R 3617 

Philip King, G 80 

INFIRMARY DIRECTORS. 

William Kline, D.. full term 4434 

John L. Cross, R.. full term 3441 

James Sanders, D., short term 4428 

James J. Patton, R., short term 3403 

Nicholas Lauer, short term 91 

Orville J. Fry, G., short term 92 

ELECTIONS 1883. 
GOVERNOR. 

Geo. Hoadly, D 4910 

J. B. Foraker, R 3677 

Charles Jenkins, G 52 

Ferd. Schumaker, Pro 113 

TREASURER. 

Peter Bradv, D 4919 

John C. Brown, R 3605 

John Seitz, G 58 

JohnM. Whiton, Pro 107 

JUDGE OF COMMON PLEAS. 

George F. Pendleton, D 4864 

L. M. Strong. R 3S44 

George R. Haynes, G 1 

William H. Johnson, Pro 10 





■y-^ 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 



285 



SENATOR. 

J. H. Williston. D 4929 

Philip Kins. 68 

Martiu Deal. Pro 133 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

David J. Stalter, D 4762 

Rush Abbott, R 3796 

W. H. Patterson, G 45 

A. T. McDonald, Pro 107 

TREASURER. 

John Heabler, D* 4953 

John H. Runj-an. R 3598 

John Shannon, G 68 

Jesse 15. Wagner, Pro 105 

COSIMISSIONER. 

Edward Childs, D 4614 

Levi Keller. R 3887 

Edward Wagner, G 43 

Em. Strowman, Pro 89 

SURVEYOR. 

Sam. Nighswander, D 4820 

W. 0. Hulger, R 3682 

Rud. Emerson, G 47 

D. Malloy. Pro 138 

INFIRMART DIRECTOR. 

Dan. Metzger, D 4*52 

N. D. Esbert. R 3691 

David Belts, G r>5 

John D. Reed. Pro 108 

CORONER. 

Edward Lepper, D .5023 

Geo. A. Hlackwell, R 3642 

W. H. Bare, G 52 

AMENDMENT. 

For Prohibition majority 972 

First amendment yes, 757; no, 3905 

Second admendment yes, 3789; no. 3169 



OCTOBEK ELECTIONS 1884. 
SECRETARY OP STATE. 

James W. Newman, D 5064 

James S. Robinson, R 3849 

Evan Morris, Pro 110 

Peter M. Herold, Nat 47 

SUPREME JUDGE. 

Chas. D. Martin, D 3051 

Wm. W. Johnson. R 3878 

John W. Rorebaugh, Pro 110 

James R. Grogan, Nat 48 

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. 

John H. Benfer, D 5016 

Charles A. Flickenger, R 3889 

Wm. J. Kirkendall, Pro 121 

Wm. B. Ogden, Nat 53 

•Dr. Isaac Kaey was appointed treasurer, July 2, 
1885, nee John Ueabler, deceased. 



JUDGE OF COMMON PLEAS. 

Geo. F. Pendleton. D .5016 

Asher Cook, R 4004 

CONGRESS. 

Geo. E. Seney. D 5129 

Dan'l Babst, R 3770 

Chris C. Nestlerode, Pro 117 

Geo. W. Vail, G 50 

PROBATE JUDGE. 

Harrison Noble, D 4931 

John F. Sohn, R 3949 

Henry Cromwell. Pro 127 

JUDGES OP THIRD dKCUIT. 

John J. Moore. D 5022 

Thomas Beer, D 5019 

Henrv W. Senev, D 5027 

Jacob Scroggs, R 3894 

John A. Price, R 3894 

I. N. Alexander, R 3889 

J. W. Timberlake, G 35 

John Z. Crutzer. G 34 

Robt. E. Parker, G 35 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. 

Perrj'M. Adams, D .5051 

A. Stackhouse, R 3856 

James R. Wilson, Pro 116 

COUNTY CLERK. 

Jas. V. Magers, D. 5050 

Wm. H. Schuler, R 3851 

J. Truman Bever, Pro 123 

A. B. McClellan 3 

AUDITOR. 

Francis E. Stoner, D* 5051 

W. H. Schlosser, R 3865 

Ed. Bennuduffer, Pro 124 

SHERIFF. 

Thos. F. Whalen, D 5080 

Frank M. Kelly, R 3835 

John E. Snyder, Pro 119 

COMMISSIONER. 

T. H. Bagby.D 4573 

Ed. F. Gray, R 4329 

William Cook, Pro 98 

RECORDER. 

John H. Bennehoff, D 5053 

IraE. Strong, R 3870 

Joseph Rhoad, Pro 108 

INPIKMARY DIRECTOR. 

James Sanders. D 4968 

Isaiah Kline, R 3931 

Peter Koffman Pro 126 

The Democratic vote for secretary of State 

was 5,064, and the Republican vote, 3,849. 

•J. A. Norton was appointed auditor in August 
1886, vice F. E. Stoner, who died, August 10, 1886. ' 

le 



286 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

NOYEMBER ELECTION, 1884. 



PRECINCTS. 


Dhm. 
Vote. 


Rep. 
Vote. 


Pko- 

PLB'S 

Ticket 


Pbohi- 

BITIOK. 


Total. 




157 
42 
350 
234 
241 
178 
222 
54 
70 
121 
90 
198 
823 
152 
186 
230 
245 
320 
339 
202 
223 
279 
196 
298 


Ill 

95 

94 

239 

154 

203 

155 

157 

65 

104 

191 

95 

516 

181 

170 

282 

124 

96 

207 

165 

174 

191 

152 

133 


...... 


3 


271 


Green SDrinff 


138 


Bie* Stirinff 


444 


Bloom 


8 
1 
6 


16 
4 
3 
5 
5 


497 




400 


Eden 


390 




383 




216 




135 








235 


Bettsville 


11 
1 
2 

15 
1 
4 


4 

"25' 

4 

5 

12 

. . . . 


296 


Loudon 


294 


Fostoria 


886 


Pleasant ... 


353 


Reed 


363 


Scipio 


478 




369 








416 




■ ■ 4' 

10 

14 

3 

7 


14 
6 
4 

2 
1 
4 


660 




377 


'* Second "Ward 


411 




486 


Fourth Ward 


852 




443 








4,950 


4,004 


88 


117 


9,159 



James G. Blaine and Gen. Logan represented the Republicans; Grover Cleveland and 
Thomas Hendricks the Democrats; Benjamin F. Butler the People's ticket, and St. John 
the Prohibition ticket. Dr. Norton was delegate to the Democratic National Convention 
held at Chicago in 1884. 



ELECTIONS, OCTOBER, 1885. 



GOVERNOR. 



J. B. Foraker, R 3601 

George Hoadly, D 4444 

A. B. Leonard, P 258 

G. W. Northrup, G 88 

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR. 

R. P. Kennedy, R 3618 

J. G. Warwick, D 4445 

STATE SENATOR. 

John Hopley, R 8609 

Williston, D 4447 

C. C. Nestlerode, P 246 

REPRESENTATIVE. 

R. L. Knapp, R 3654 

E. B. Hubbard, D 4369 

J. W. Rhodes, P 248 



AUDITOR. 



F. M. Hart, R. . . . 
I. A. Norton, D... 
J. W. Bonnell, P. 



3616 

4357 

228 

TREASURER. 

J. M. Kaull, R 3467 

B. F. Myers, D 4573 

Harry Cromwell, P 231 



COMMISSIONER. 

Levi Haines, R 4537 

Henry Hoeltzel, D 3539 

W. H. Norris, P 300 

INFIRMARY DIRECTOR. 

Adam Kiefer, R 3685 

William Kline. D 4829 

Peter Coffman, P 228 

CORONER. 

Alja Bickford, R 3604 

Edward Lepper, D 4481 

Dr. A. Benham, P , 241 

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS. 

Yes. No. 

Township officers 6182 886 

Section 2, Article 3 6421 605 

Section 1, Article 3 6407 597 

Section 2, Article 10 6414 577 

The amendments related to the aboli- 
tion of the October Election System, a per- 
nicious custom coming down from olden 
times. The majority given by the State in 
favor of the amendments settled the doom 
of October's annual political sun-dance. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. '287 

COUNTY CONVENTION'S, 1885. 

The Democratic convention assembled at Tiffin, August 22, 18So, when T. 
H. Bagby was chosen chairman, pro teni.,a,nd Kora F. Briggs, secretary; and 
the following committees appointed: 

Credential. — Adams, W. C Shellhammer; Green Spring, A. McHasser; 
Big Spring, Jacob Bloom; Bloom, Henry Kirgis; Clinton, George Kegerreis; 
Eden, Joseph Walter; Hopewell, Henrj' Downey; Jackson (N. P.), J^orh 
Rhinebolt; Jackson (S. P. ), Christ Stahl; Liberty, Anson Anderson; Bettsville, 
(P.), Abram Kerchner; Loudon, S. Ricketts; Fostoria, C. C. Clark; Pleasant, 
William Shuman; Reed, Ed. Yale; Scipio, X. F. Charles; Seneca, Joseph 
Sailor; Thompson, Frank Matz; Venice, Jacob Ringle; First Ward, W.R. McFar- 
land; Second Ward, John B. Schwartz; Third Ward, Elias Bcehler; Fourth 
Wai-d, Joseph P. Myers; Fifth Ward, Julius Keissling. 

Resolutions. — Adams, Charles W. CofFman: Green Spring, John Joseph; 
Big Spring, H. C. Smith; Bloom, J. L. Hershberger; Clinton, T. L. Park; 
Eden, Samuel Koch; Hopewell, Milton Ricketts; Jackson (N. P.), Homer Noble; 
Jackson (S. P.), Daniel Parish; Liberty, W. Brown; Bettsville, C. O. Snyder^ 
Loudon, T. J. Leahy; Fostoria, N. Burtscher; Pleasant, George Sechman; 
Reed, J. L. Lake; Scipio, .Samuel Musselman; Seneca, Jacob Smith; Thomp- 
son, Joseph Dick; Venice, J. W. Walker; Tiffin, First Ward, Dr. Leon McCol- 
lum; Second Wai'd, Leonard J. Martin; Third Ward, Anthony Krupp; Fourth 
Ward, Jacob Scheiber; Fifth Ward, John Houck. 

Permanent Organization. — Adams, Daniel Metzger; Green Spring, A. Mc- 
Hasser; Big Spring, Andrew Werley; Bloom, Jacob Klahr; Clinton, Coliunbus 
Harding; Eden, John Vorndran; Hopewell, S. M. Kime; Jackson (N P.), 
Martin Murphy; Jackson (S. P.), J. E. Chilcoate; Liberty, A. C. Reice; Betts- 
ville, (P.), B. F. Seem; Loudon. John Rinebolt; Fostoria, George Yarger; 
Pleasant, Joseph Bauman; Reed, Hiram Hippler; Scipio, E. T. Stickney; Sen- 
eca, John L. Clark; Thompson, Charles Paine; Venice, A. B. Brant; First 
Ward, Frank Holmes; Second Ward, P. M. Adams; Third Ward, J. C. Royer; 
Fourth Ward, Harvey Piatt; Fifth M'ard, John W. Barrick. 

Central Committee. — Adams, Daniel Metzger; Green Spring, John Joseph; 
Big Spring, B. G. Wullenschneider: Bloom, J. W. Snyder; Clinton, T. H. 
Bagby; Eden, G. A. Allen; Hopewell, L. D. Creeger; Jackson (N. P.), W. F. 
Myers; Jackson (S. P.), Joseph Shoup; Liberty, George Hoke: Bettsville, C. 
W. Harris; Loudon, George D. Acker; Fostoria, N. Burtscher; Pleasant, 
George Willow; Reed, J. W. Gambee; Scipio, Henry Mansfield; Seneca, 
Charles Nepper; Thompson, Alonzo Bui-man; Venice, F. H. Steigmeyer; 
Tiffin, First Ward, W. W. Keller; Second Ward, William H. Dore; Third 
Ward, Charles Baker; Fourth Ward, Louis LTrich; Fifth Ward, Julius Keissling. 

Congressman Seney was elected permanent chairman, the reports of com- 
mittees were received, and the convention proceeded to nominations. Dr. E. B. 
Howard was selected as representative; James A. Norton, auditor; Benjamin 
F. Myers, treasurer; Henry Hoeltzel, commissioner; William Kline, Infirmary 
director, and Edward Lepper, coroner. 

The Prohibitionist convention, assembled at Tiffin, Augiist 26, 1885. Harry 
Cromwell was chosen chairman, and H. G. Day, secretan'. The convention 
was opened by prayer, by Rev. R. Rock, of Fostoria. The following commit- 
tees were appointed: Prohibition Work, J. W.Rhodes, chairman; Finance, Rev. 
A. Crabtree, chairman; Nominations, C. C. Nestlerode, chairman; Resolutions, 
Rev. R. Rock, chairman. The following county ticket was nominated: repre- 
sentative. James W. Rhoades; autlitor, Jesse W. Bonnell; treasurer, Henry 
Cromwell; commissioner, A\'illiam H. Non-is; infirmary director, Peter Coff- 
mau; coroner, A. Benham. M. D. 



288 HISTORV OF SENECA COUNTY. 

The Republican county convention assembled August 29, 1885, when ex- 
Gov. Foster was elected chairman, and J. C. Eickenbaugh, secretary. The 
delegates were: 

Adams. — R. B. Harris, D. C. Rule, A. Parmeter. A. Cole, William Zech- 
man. Committeeman, R. B. Hairis. 

Clinton. — James Patterson, Normau D. Egbert. Lewis Clouser, D. M. Xei- 
kirk, John K. Rohn, James Stinchcomb, Lysander Reynolds, Edward H. 
Swander. Committeeman, James Patterson. 

Eden. — Isaiah Kline, C. Y. Brundage, A. R. Fleet, James BrinkerhofP, I. 
R. Holmes, Adam Keifer, Horace Klaiss, James Patton, G. W. Kishler, I, L. 
Cross. 

Liberty. — James Lott, B. Stackhouse, B. Struble, F. C. Miller, Scott 
Sheets, Upton Ash, ]\Iarion Feasel, Amandus Betts. H. Cromer, C. H. Zeis, 
Edward Chatman, George Hartsock, John Jones. 

Pleasant. — O. P. Saine, J. R. Drown, J. H. Loose, AV. W. Jones, Byron 
Rule, Ephraim Parker, J. R. McDonald, A. L. Shafer. 

Scipio. — J. W. Stewart, W. S. Eastman, James H. Knapp, J. L. Anway, 
George Stearns, D. B. Crissel, B. F. Moore, E. F. Gray, Leon Smith. A. T. 
Jones. 

Seneca. — Levi Haines, John M. Laughlin, William Sheldon, Daniel Reisz, 
Heniy Davidson, Sr. , S. P. Bemisderfer. 

Tiffin— First Ward.~C. K. Walker, Dr. H. L. Wenner, John L. Lott, 
W. W. Sheibley, Charles Strauch, Henry Strouse, W. S. Cramer. Alternates, 
Hany Ford, Antirew Shriner. 

Second Ward. — A. C. Baldwin, A. M. Campbell, George Transue, William 
Roland, Rush Abbott, George B. Stone, Jeff. Daywalt, J. F. Zeller. Com- 
mitteeman, George B. Stone. 

Third Ward. — George Delauter, H. Housel, Charles Morlock, John Fan- 
ning, Joseph Secrist, James A. Sohn, Lewis Morlock. George M. Eidt. 

Foiu-th Ward. — Levi Weirick. Daniel Seeholtz, R. A. Gray, William Clay, 
Ed. Jones, J. T. Sterner, John Helm. 

Fifth Ward.— E. W. Stephenson. A. H. Pope, J. N. WiUiard, Philip 
Scheib, Jesse Sneath, H. S. A\'enner, J. W. Myers. James S. Yerk. Com- 
mitteeman, E. W. Stephenson. 

The nominations made were as follows: For representative, the names of 
Russell L. Knapp, of Tiffin; J. H. Loose, of Pleasant, and J. H. Brinkerhoff, 
of Eden, were announced. Mr. Knapp was nominated on the first ballot. 
For auditor, William Derr, of Clinton, and F. M. Hart, of Hopewell, were 
announced, and ]Mi\ Hart nominated on the first ballot. For treasui'er, John 
M. Kaull was nominated by acclamation. For commissioner, Levi Haines, of 
Seneca; William Ash. of Jackson; J. J. Cessna, of Liberty; W. H. A. Boyd, 
of Jackson, and S. B. Hossler, of Bloom, were presented. Mr. Haines was 
nominated on the second ballot. For infirmary director. Adam Kieft'er. of 
Eden Township, was nominated on the second ballot. For coroner, Norman 
D. Egbert, of Clinton Township, was nominated by acclamation; he declined, 
when A. Bickford was selected. The coimty central committee (composed of 
one member fi'om each ward and township) selected the following executive 
committee; J. C. Rickenbaugh. Titfin: Dr. T. J. Li^-ers. Tiffin; U. F. Cra- 
mer, Tiffin; George B. Stone, Tiffin; Dr. H. L. Wenner, Tiffin; Dr. William 
Harman, Attica, and A. M. Dildine, Fostoria. The executive committee or- 
ganized by electing J. C. Rickenbaugh chairman, and Judge U. F. Cramer 
secretary. 

October Electiotis and Liquor Question. — All through the State, a movement 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 289 

among business and professional men has started, which has for its object, the abo- 
lition of the present system of electing State officers in October. Ohio is the only- 
State that does so, and all classes vigorously ask that Ohio bi> put in the roll 
of November States, for the sake of peace and the business interests. The 
October State and November presidential i>lectioiis of tliis year knocked the 
bottom out of business. Hand in hand with the movement, is one for the 
adoption of a registration law, in place of the present slipshod system. The 
Legislatui-e has already, by joint resolution, resolved to amend Section 4 of 
Article X, relating to the election of township officers, and Articles II, III and 
X, so as to provide for the election of all State and county officers in November, 
instead of October. This question was decided affirmatively by the people in 
October. 1S«5. 

Another, and perhaps the most interesting question before the peojsle, is 
that known as the liquor question, or the Scott Law. A statement by the 
commissioner of internal reveniie, shows that, at the close of April. 1830, 
the total number of liquor dealers in the State, as evidenced by the payment 
of the special tax. at the close of the tax year, April 30, 18S3, was 15,735, of 
which number. 1 5, 3U9 paid the tax as dealers in all kinds of liquors, and 336 
as exclusively in malt liquors. The Scott law was passed April 17, 1883, and 
took effect in the payment of the tax, June 20, 1883. From a statement fur- 
nished by the auditor of the State of Ohio, the number of the retail liquor 
dealers paying under the Scott law up to September, 1883, was 10,fi31. They 
paid a revenue of tax of §1,785,509.85. This would show by the operation 
of the law, a reduction of the number of retail liquor dealers, of about 5, ( tOO. 
Four weeks later, in October, 1833, the crusade for the second amendment, 
and against the Scott law, was commenced in earnest and resulted in a Demo- 
cratic Legislature and supreme com"t. 

At the close of April. 1884, there were 13.218 liquor dealers paying special 
tax and on April 30, 1885, 14,920. The Scott law was repealed April 14, 
1884. Intt a part of it was re-enacted. In November. 1884. the majority of 
the State Supreme Coiui declared the tax unconstitutional, and soon the work 
of refunding the special liquor tax was commenced. The Supreme Comt of 
Ohio, before whom the validity of the tax was broitght. comprised Judges 
Mclllvaine, Follett, Okey, Owens and Johnson, — two Republican and three 
Democratic judges. 

CONCLUSION. 

In this chapter a full effoii has been made to deiil intelligibly with political 
battles for the last half centtuy. To this end all disquisition had to be avoided 
and a close adhesion to facts observed; therefore, he who expects tn find the 
winter's opinions on the different parties and their jjlatforms in this work, 
must be disappointed: for he who would be just in local history must not ex- 
press an opinion, particularly as the readers of such works are all able to form 
their judgment on the facts as presented. In connection with the chapter, it 
must, however, be said, that a great amount of labor and expense has been 
the result of former official carelessness in the matter of election records. 
Without th(> aid of the press, within and wthout Seneca County, it would bo 
impossilile for the State or county to supply the names and figures and party 
tickets given in these pages, and to the i)ress, particularly to the Advertiser, 
the writer is principally indebted for the success which, he believes, marks 
this chapter. 



290 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE COURTS AND BAR. 

AS man is the capital of nature, so does he afford to man a subject for 
deep inquiry. It has been understood throughout the ages that crime is 
hereditary. The gambler who placed his fortune at the small mercy of a die 
long centuries ago, may possibly be the ancestor of a notorious mountebank 
of the present time; and the creature whose passions led him to the crime of 
murder, while yet Caesar ruled the Roman empire, may possibly have been the 
first of a race whose representatives disgraced every generation of the past 
and continue to stain the civilization of our time. Whatever faith may be 
placed in the hereditary theory of crime by the great majority of people, it 
seems to be approved by facts; demonstrations of passions transmitted fi'om 
father to son are common, and therefore it is not a matter of surprise to learn 
that he who is convicted of a great crime followed in the very footsteps of 
some ancestor. Though the advance of civilization has materially retarded an 
indulgence in criminal acts, it has not stayed the workings of nature in regard 
to the tierce passions of man. They who in former times followed the voca- 
tions of their fathers, now seek out varying labors, and thus the tendency of 
intuitive viciousness is held in check, though it can never be whoUy subdued. 

Very few hereditaiy criminals join the fortunes of an early settlement; 
they come in after years, often with the best intentions, and for a time observe 
all the conventionalities of life; but afterward the ruling passion begins to re- 
assert its terrible superiority over the mind, and the result is crime, some- 
times insignificant, but generally monstrous and shocking. 

To preserve the lives and properties of the people against the machinations 
of such men, the State promulgated her ' 'statutes, ' ' or legal rules, which not 
only prescribed the penalties and punishments to be inflicted on transgressors, 
but also defined the manner in which the laws shoTild be administered. 

The people of Seneca put these laws in operation the moment they organ- 
Eed the township of that name. The old justices, associate judges and chief 
jnstice were the centers of equity. The primitive appearance of the early 
courts, the desire to do justice, evident in the words and gestures of the 
judges, their genial dispositions, and the free and easy characteristics of the 
bench, bar and clients, made the administration of the laws, admirably dem- 
ocratic, fully suited to the requirements of the time, and capable of adjusting 
all discords that might creep into existence within the young county. Under 
the second order of affairs many cases of a serious character were present- 
ed to the coiu-ts. With the advance in population and knowledge new 
sources of discord became known — land disputes, boundary rights, even 
forgery and perjury became common, and the era of divorce was introduced. 
A few murders were perpetrated, one of which is treated on in the Indian 
Chapter, and other causes, calling for legal aid, sprang up, and as the court 
calendar extended itself, so also ambitions grew, and out of the evil came the 
good that gave to the county a large number of men learned in law and 
public economy. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 291 

Men of that large profession, who can speak 
To every cause, and things indeed contraries, 
Till they are hoarse again, yet all be law; 
That with most quick agility can turn 
And return, make knots, and undo them. 
Give forked counsel, take provoking gold 
From either side and put it up. 

The first robbery, and the first law case which occurred in Seneca County, was 
in 1821, when the Indian captive, William Spicer, was robbed of several thou- 
sand dollars. This Spicer had his cabin and stock farm on top of the 
plateau, on the west side, opposite the north end of the island in the Sandusky, 
and toixr miles south of the old military post. While alone in the cabin a 
carpenter from Fort Ball, named William Rollins, entered, told Spicer to give 
up his gold and silver, and then struck him to the floor. While in a semi-con- 
scious state, he heard Rollins laugh and address other men who joined him; but, 
on recovering, the robbers were gone and with them several thousand dollars 
in gold and silver. Louis Papineau was then constable, and he, assisted by 
Benjamin Barney and Caleb Rice, arrested Rollins, Butler, Case and Downing, 
brought those of them who did not escape to trial, and succeeded in having 
Rollins sentenced to eleven years in the penitentiary. 

The history of the courts and bar of Seneca County may be said to begin 
with the settlement of Rudolphus Dickenson, at Fort Ball, in 1824, and the 
opening of the circuit court in Hedges' Building on Virgin Alley, April 12, 
the same year. During the short period which elapsed between the date of 
his settlement at Fort Ball and the opening of the circuit court, the cele- 
brated case of Spencer vs. Hedges, known to Judge Lane as the ' ' Dam ' ' case, 
was prepared by him. Judge Ebenezer Lane, Associate Judges William Cor- 
nell, Matthew Clark and Jacques Hulburt opened court on April 12; when 
Neal McGaffey was appointed clerk. Agreen Ingraham, who was elected 
sheriff a few days prior to April 12, opened coUrt in regular form. The 
case of Spencer vs. Hedges was begun in September, 1824, the particulars of 
which are given in Vol. I, Court Records, now in Clerk Mager's office, at Tiffin. 

The first case on record was that of Josiah Hedges vs. Jesse Spencer, tried 
in chancery before Judge Ebenezer Lane, September 21, 1824, on a bill filed 
May 3, 1824, in the clerk's office. R. Dickenson, for the defendant, filed his 
demurrer, denying the sufficiency of the plaintiff's case as well as the authority 
of the covut. In April, 1825, the plaintiff withdrew the suit and the defend- 
ant was empowered to recover costs. 

The next entry is made May 1, 1826, in the case of Thomas Butler vs. 
Josiah Hedges and Jesse Spencer; the plaintiff being represented by C. Boult, 
and O. Parish and R. Dickenson for defendants. In June, 1826, the case was 
still before the courts, A. Coffinberry, representing Hedges, and continued to 
May, 1827, and the demurrer sustained. In November, 1827, Ebenezer Lane, 
Jacques Hulburt, William Cornell and Matthew Clark presided. In March, 
of that year, the case of Spencer vs. McNeal was concluded, the complaint 
being that the former left a note of about $150 value on the counter of the 
latter, which was taken posession of by McNeal, and that he delivered to him, 
by mistake, another note of $9(X), both of which McNeal refused accounting 
for. A. Coffinberry was for plaintiff and Dickenson for McNeal. The bill 
was dismissed with costs, it being apparent to the court that the defendant 
had settled such notes. This was followed by the case of Spencer t\s. Dicken- 
son; A. Coffinbery for plaintiff, and O. Parish for defendant. The defeat 
which waited upon Spencer was disastrous.' 

In November, 1828, Dickenson & Rawson, representing Abraham and 



292 HISTORY OF SE.N'ECA COUXTr. 

Isaac Van Meter, appeared before Judge Lane and associates against Isaac 
Brandt, and stated that the plaintiffs were tenants in common with the three 
Brandts in l.OOt) acres, known as the Van Meter Tract, granted to John Van 
Meter, deceased, and his wife's three brothers, the Brandts, by the treaty of 
September 29, 1817, and by that of St. Mary's, in 1818; also that Abram, son 
of John Van Meter resides at Fayette, Ind. , and Isaac in Belmont County, 
Ohio, and the three Brandts on the original gi-ant. The bill prayed for a 
partition of the reservation. The bill was tiled in 1827. continued by their 
attorneys C. L. Boalt and O. Parish, and dismissed with costs, in November, 
1828, by request of Van Meter's attorneys, on account of infoi-mality. 

In November, 1S28, the case of Men-itt Goodyear vs. Charles Fitch and his 
childi-en A. Goodyear and James F. Goodyear, arose out of one of those pecul- 
iar family quarrels which are bred by strong drink. Dickenson & Rawson 
appeared for the father. Owing to the absence of the children in New York 
State the case was continued to November, 1829, when the conditional deed 
given, pending the reformation of MeiTitt Goodyear, was declared invalid, and 
a deed ordered to be executed by Charles B. Fitch, gtiardian of Goodyear' s 
childi-en. to the reformed father for the east half of the southwest quarter of 
Section 15, Town 2 north. Range 15 east. 

The case in chancery of Josiah Hedges vs. Thomas Butler, Agreen Ingraham, 
Alexander Long and Sally Ai-mstrong, administrators of Robert Ai-mstrong, 
(deceased), and Silas Mclntire Armstrong and Catherine Anustrong. was heard 
in November, 1828; was presented by R. Dickenson, Thomas Butler, heir of 
Paiil D. Butler, and James Purdy, guardian ad litem of Silas, Catherine and 
John Ai'mstrong, answered the complainant, and had the bill dismissed. This 
case, as well as that of Isaiah, Jane and Marcus Heylin vs. Spencer, Hedges, 
Long and the Ai'mstroug family (brought before the court, at this time) are 
made important by the fact that they relate closely to the settlement of Fort 
Ball. The case of Agreen Ingraham vs. Mary, Benjamin, Martin, Fronica, 
Esther and Samuel Messer, or Musser, was introduced by Abel Rawson and 
R. Dickenson. May 30, 1827, was completed in November, 1828, when seventy- 
five and a half acres were ordered to be conveyed to Ingraham, at §3 per acre. 
This land is situated in the northern part of the southwest quarter of frac- 
tional Section 36, Town 2 north, Range 14 east, and was valued by James 
Gordon, "William Clark and Ezra Brown, api^raisers. In September, 1825, 
"William Sponable. son of John Sponable (deceased), applied for jiermission to 
sell his late father's lands in this county. John Welch, David Clark and 
James Mathers were appointed appraisers: but after several continuances the 
case was dismissed in May. 1 829. 

The bill in chancery filed by James Gordon, Joseph Pool and Sidney 
Moore «.s. Jesse Spencer and Agreen Ingraham was heard in May, 1829. This 
was simply a suit on promissory note against Spencer, and also against Ingra- 
ham, as sheriff, who held some moneys arising from previous sales of Sjiencer's 
property. The sheriff was ordered to pay to the plaintiff the sum of §ir32.26 
and costs, $8.71. Alexander McNutt tiled a bill vs. Caleb Rice, Andi-ew Cut- 
right, justice of peace, and HaiTy Fuller, in May. 1829, as an appeal from 
justice Cutright's eoiui (March, 1828), and a protest against a supjiosed decree 
of the court of common pleas, alleged to l>e issued in 1828. Caleb Rice, the 
original plaintiff', withdi-ew the suit and paid S2().4() costs. 

The bill of Jacob Foncannon i-.s. Mary Foncannon, Jane, Amanda and 
Samuel Chadwick was filed by Abel Rawson in 1829. This set forth that 
Michael Foncannon (deceased in 1827), entered in Februaiy. 1822, the west half 
of the northeast quarter of Section 29, Town 2 north. Range 15 east, which 




^^^./^^U.<^^'^ 




HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 295 

lands were claimed by the defendants. The court decreed that this property 
should he conveyed to Jacob Foncannon, and that the decree should be a valid 
conveyance in itself, in the event of the respondents not conveying such lands 
in legal form. 

In June, 1831, president Judge David Higgins, with associate judges 
Selden Graves and Agreeu Ingraham, present. The petition of IVL's. Shaver, to 
sell land, was the first case brought before them. 

In October, 1830, the bill of Josiah Hedges vs. Zane McCuUough, Elliott 
McCullough. Samuel McCullough, Sidney McCullough, Levi Davis, Antkew 
Lugetibeel and Rollin iloller was filed, and heard by judges Higgins, Graves, 
Pittiuger and Ingraham. in ilarch. 1882, A. Cofiiuberry representing Hedges. 
The case against the respondents was dismissed and the plaintiff ordered to 
pay all costs. The petition for partition, filed by Orrel Kilboiu'n, vs. Case 
Brown, Elizabeth Ann, James M., Maiy Ann, William C. and Samiiel C. 
Stevens, heard in March, 1832, dealt with that part of Jlelmore on the west 
half of the southwest quarter of Section 23, Town 1 north, Range 15 east. 
Elisha AVilliams, George Dennison and John Downs were appointed appraisers, 
with instructions to set off a fourth part to OiTel Kilboiu-n: three equal eighth- 
parts to Case Brown: and three equal eighth-parts to each of the chikh-en of 
James M. Stevens (deceased). This was followed by the bills of Buckley 
Hutchins and Alice Stevens, administrators of the deceased, J. M. Stevens, 
asking the coiuis to complete the contracts of the deceased J. M. Stevens with 
Daniel Palmer, George ilcLaughlin and John Gibson. Judge Higgins author- 
ized the petitioners to complete such contracts and convey the lots refeiTed to. 
In October, 1S32. Thomas W. Williams (who came from Great Britain in 1801, 
was proven, by Reuben Williams and Calvin Bradley, to have resided in the 
United States continuously for over five years) was natui-alized. John Sulli- 
van, a native of Ii'eland, was also natiualized, Patrick Kinny giving evidence 
of his residence. 

In October. 1832, Joel Chaffin applied for the benefit of the act for the 
relief of insolvent debtors. David Andi-icks and Benjamin Carpenter pre- 
sented like petitions. In 1832, the bill of the State of Maryland vs. Jacob Plane 
and Josiah Hedges, was heard to compel the former to pay over to Jacob 
Rusher a large sum of money, which he took with him to Seneca County, 
belonging to the said Rusher, of W'hom he was guardian, and to draw away 
from him the protection of Hedges. Parish and Bayard were counsel for 
plaintiff. Lawjer Wilcox for defendants. Owing to want of jiu'isdiction, the 
bill was dismissed bv Judge Higgins. This case was returned for hearing in 
1830. 

In May, 1833, the case of Joseph Walker and John Walker vs. Archibald 
Johnson was heard. This was a suit to compel Johnson to convey to the 
Walkers certain lands on Section 14, Town 1 north. Range l-teast, which he 
delayed doing according to repeated verbal and written contracts. Prior to 
judgment this case was settled out of cotu-t. At this term, also, John Sender, 
executor of William Montgomeiy (deceased), petitioned for leave to complete 
contract with John Leatherman. entered into by Montgomery, in September, 
1830. for the sale of six acres in the soittheast corner of Section 7, Town 2, 
Range IT). Sidney Smith, guardian (td litem, represented Samuel Humb, 
AN'illiam and Isabella Montgomeiy. minors. The petition was granted. In 
March. 1S33. Jehosaphat McCauley was arrested and imprisoned at the suit 
of Heniy Cronise, and in October, 1833, he ap[)lied for the benefit of the act 
for the relief of insolvent debtors. 

In October, 1833, the bill filed bv Enoch B. Merriman and John Miller^ 



296 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

partners, James McCrea, Moses Champion, David C. Morrow, John McCrea, 
Nathan Merriman and George Moyer, vs. Edward R. Foreman, stated that 
long before 1882 one Joseph Foreman owned lands on Section 33, Town 1 
north. Range 17 east, and also Lot 8, in Location 3; but that such lands were 
now (1833) in possession of his son, the defendant; that Joseph Foreman ob- 
tained several lots of goods on the strength of his ownership of the lands and 
then left for parts unknown. The petitioners were represented by Rawson & 
Smith. Foreman's demurrer was set aside, and a decree against the estate, 
in favor of the plaintiffs, was entered, 

Delilah Litt, who died in 1833, owned the northeast part of the west half 
of the southwest quarter of Section 31, Town 2, Range 15 east. George W. 
Gist was appointed administrator, and C. L. Boalt guardian of his minor heirs 
ad litem. 

In October, 1834, Stales Edwards applied for the benefit of the Insolvent 
Debtors Act, also J. Adam Houseknecht. In May, 1835, Robert W. McClure 
made application. 

In March, 1835, the case of Reuben "Williams vs. Hedges was heard. This 
set forth the contract for building the Washington Street bridge. Williams 
was represented by Sidney (Sea) Smith and Hedges by S. Smith. The bill 
was dismissed. 

The first case in coromon pleas was that of Jesse Spencer vs. Josiah Hedges, 
petition for the issue of a summons. This was heard September 22, 1824, 
was granted, and served by Agreen Ingraham, the same day. Rudolphus 
Dickenson appeared for plaintiff, and Coffinberry, Parish and Parker for defend- 
ant. The bill then filed by Dickenson set forth the following causes of action: 
"That the said Hedges, on the 1st day of May, 1823, and at divers other days 
and times between that day and the commencement of this action, with force 
and arms, etc., broke and entered a certain close of the said Jesse Spencer, 
situate, lying and being in the township of Seneca (Clinton), and then and 
there pulled down, prosecuted and destroyed a great part, to wit: forty perches 
of a certain mill-dam of the said Jesse Spencer, of great value, to wit: of the 
value of §200; and also then and there tore down and dug up great quantities, 
to wit: 1,000 wagon loads of stone from off the said close and dam of the said 
Jesse Spencer, to wit: to the further value of 1300, and then and there took and 
carried away, and converted the same to his, the said Josiah Hedges' own use. 
***** And also, that the said Josiah Hedges, on the day 
and year last aforesaid, and on divers other days and times, etc. , broke and 
entered another close of the said plaintiff, situate abutting toward the west 
on that part of the Armstrong Reservation, which lies between a place forty 
poles north of the place called Camp Ball, and the south line of the said Arm- 
strong Reservation, and abutting toward the east on the eastern bank of the 
Sandusky River, opposite the saw-mill on said reservation, etc., etc.. etc." 
The defendant filed a demurrer and had the case continued until April, 1825, 
when Hedges was found guilty by a jiuy, and assessed S8 damages and $26. 75 
costs. The jury in this case comprised Elisha Clark, Ezra Brown, William 
Foncannon, Peter Yeaky, Ezekiel Sampson, James Cutright, Jacob S. Jennings, 
Samuel Scothorn, Smith Kentfield, James Mathers, John C. Donnell and Jesse 
Gale. 

The first bill filed for naturalization or citizenship was that by William 
Doyle, of Ireland, September, 1824. There was never a more demonstrative 
or devout renunciation of loyalty to any government, or a more earnest deter- 
mination to be true to his new citizenship, than that made by the said Doyle 
before the said court of common pleas. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 297 

Peter Pork stabbed Benazah Parker at Fort Seneca October 4, 1829, was 
tried in April, 1830, found guilty, and sentenced by Judge Lane to three years' 
imprisonment, with costs of trial, 169.28. The jury in this case comprised Ezra 
Baker, Henry Keller, Thomas R. Ellis, William Whitney, Thomas Brundage, 
Joseph Foncannon, Solomon Dimick, J. Baughman, Adam Pennington, Sel- 
din Graves, W. L. Clark and William Hunter. In October, 1829, when the 
murder became known. Associate Judge Jacques Hulburt and others secvtred a 
warrant for his arrest, and the judge, accompanied by John Harris, Jeremiah 
Hays, Jonathan Abbott, Stephen Ross, Silas Pike, Anson Gray, Henry Yearky, 
and some young people, proceeded to Pork' s cabin, was admitted by his squaw, 
and after a hard struggle, in which Hulburt was severely stabbed, captured the 
desperado. Parker was equally notorious, and no one regretted his end, when 
he died from the result of wounds in January, 1831, while Pork had his whole 
mischievous head cut off in 1836 by the interpreter Herrin, whose three friends 
he had murdered. Justice waited on Parker and Pork {vide Indian History). 

In October, 1830, the trial of Merrit Goodyear for the murder of Arthur 
N. Dezing was begun before Judge Lane and associate judges. The murder 
was committed January 1, 1830, in Clinton Township, but notwithstanding the 
barbarous manner in which it was carried out, Goodyear was indicted only on a 
charge of manslaughter. Abel Rawson prosecuted. The jury was made up of 
the following-named persons : William L. Clark, Julius Smith, Lyman Amsden, 
Thomas Clark, George Dunbar, John Kime, Jacob Garm, Ed Cooley, Noah 
Seitz, Joseph McClelland, Ozias Hart and Da\'id Underbill. They held the 
defendant not guilty. """ 

In May. 1834. Patrick Murphy sued Andrew McMillan and James S. Parka 
for $5, 0(X) damages, for malpractice, in not setting and curing his dislocated arm. 

Before the close of 1834 a large number of cases for gaming for money and 
property were before the courts, also for selling liquor without licenses, and a 
few cases of charivari, assault and battery, etc., etc. 

The pioneer lawyer was a mixture of the sublime and the ridiculous. Like 
stage actors, these old law interpreters could appear ' ' as mad as hatters, ' ' or 
"as mild as lambs," but in both conditions they remained the pioneer lawyers 
still, treating one another with childlike kindness out of court, but in court, 
endued with the feelings of their clients, they fumed and fretted, roared at and 
badgered witnesses, and made the neighborhood of the court house seem a very 
babel. The presiding judge was sometimes subjected to their peculiar, good- 
natured jokes, and the old associate judges never escaped their shafts of wit. 
As a rule the only thorough enemies the old bar had were the old associate 
judges, whom they called ' ' broom sticks, " " Judge Lane' s dummies, ' ' and 
svmdry equally uncomplimentary names. From early morning until late at 
night, whether traveling, in court, hotel or private house, the lawyer of early 
days— the members of "Judge Lane's gang" — never lost an opportunity to 
laugh at some one' a expense, and thus, while earning their fees, they treated the 
people to a circus performance which presented more solid, side-splitting fun 
in one hour than all Barnum's funny men could offer in a week. 

In his reminiscences of the pioneer courts. Judge Burnett writes : ' ' The 
journeys of the court and bar to those remote places through a country in its 
primitive state, were unavoidably attended with fatigue and exposure. They 
generally traveled with live or six in company, and with a pack-horse to trans- 
port such necessaries as their own horses could not conveniently carry, because 
no dependence could be placed on obtaining supplies on the route; although 
they frequently passed through Indian camps and villages, it was not safe to 
rely on them for assistance. Occasionally small quantities of com could be 



1! 



298 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 

purchased for horse feed, but even that relief was precarious and not to be 
relied on. In consequence of the unimproved condition of the coiuitiy. the 
routes followed by travelers were necessarily circuitous and then* progress 
slow. In passing from one county seat to another they were generally fi'om six 
to eight, and sometimes ten days in the wilderness, and at all seasons of the 
year were compelled to swim eveiy water-course in their way which was too 
deep to be forded; the country being wholly destitute of bridges and fen-ies, 
travelers had, therefore, to rely on their horses as the only substitute for those 
conveniences. That fact made it common, when piu'chasing a horse, to ask if 
he were a good swimmer, which was considered one of the most valuable quali- 
ties of a saddle horse." Twenty years after Samuel Waggoner describes the 
travels of a band of lawyers in this very district of Ohio. He says; "On 
Thursday morning, February T), 18-16, the day after the ^^'hig State Convention 
which nominated William Bebb for governor, a stage-coach of the Concord 
pattern, owned by Neil, Moore & Co. . left Columbus for Toledo with a full load 
of passengers, including Morrison E. Waite, Samuel M. Young, Hemy Reed, 
Jr.. and Abner L. Backus, of Maiuuee City; Ralph P. Buekland and Ruther- 
ford B. Hayes, of Lower Sandusky (now Fremont); and Alfi-ed P. Edgerton, 
of A\'illiams County. There were others not remembered. 

' ' The route of the stage was by the old ' Mud Pike, " thi-ough Delaware, 
Marion, Upper Sandusky, Tiffin. Lower Sandusky and Maumee City. The 
January thaw had been followed by heavy rains, and the mud was very deep: 
consequently, the stage made slow progress fi'om the start. The male passen- 
gers often found it desirable to get out and walk for miles at a time, and 
freqiiently a long distance in advance of then- conveyance. Near '\^'ol•thiugton 
thi'ee or four- of them went about half a mile to a sugar camp, and there 
enjoyed a ' taffy pull. ' The company reached Delaware (twenty-fom- miles) 
at midnight. After a capital supper at the ' Old Griswold Tavern, ' they 
passed on. The night was dark, and before they had gone a mile the stage 
upset. This caused a delay of two hoiu's for repair of damages to the stage, 
and to procui'e a surgeon to sew up the scalp of a passenger, Marion was 
reached about midnight of the second day out. Proceeding at about the same 
rate the stage aiTived at Lower Sandusky Sunday morning, having made the 
distance (105 miles) in seventy-two hours. It reached Toledo (forty miles) on 
Monday morning, at the end of the fonrth day. The more rapid move- 
ment of the last day is accounted for by the fact that between Lower Sandusk}' 
and Perrysbiu-g the road had been macadamized, leaving only the distance 
from Maumee City to Toledo to be traversed in mud. Not less interesting than 
these details of the trip is the fact that each of the passengers named has been 
permitted to make the passage over substantially the same route by the Colum- 
bus & Toledo Railroad in about as many hours as was then requh-ed in days. 

On such trips one of the party would sing such quaint old songs as ' ' Lord 
Lovell," and "Rosin the Bow,"" while all would join in the chorus. 

Even as the lirst circuit court was preceded by Dickenson's settlement at 
Fort Ball, the coming of Abel Rawson. in June, 1S25, was premonitory of the 
advent of the supreme court. July 28. 182(5, Judges Charles R, Sher- 
man and Jacob Biu-nett, accompanied liy almost the whole bar of northwest- 
ern Ohio, appeared at Tiffin, a few of whom were present here May 5. 
same year, at the second term of the common pleas court, 3klr. Rawson was 
appointed prosecutor diu-ing the May term, and, though a little over a year in 
the county, claimed a high place among the genial legal lights who now gath- 
ered around him. 

The nine judicial districts formed tinder the constitution of 1S5H, the first 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 299 

of which embraced Seneca, were redistricted in 1853, and this county, with 
Wood. Hancock, Wyandot and Crawford, was phiced in the third sub-division 
of the Third Judicial District, with Lawi-ence W. Hall, judge of the district. 
Judge Hall was elected in October, 1851, on the Democratic ticket vs. Cooper 
K. Watson. Judge M. C. Whitely was elected in October, 185(), although his 
opponent, Swigart, had a majority of sixteen votes in this county. In April, 
1857, an act was passed, providing for the election of an additional judge for 
this district, and in the fall George E. Seney was elected judge of common 
pleas over Lee, his Whig opponent. Josiah S. Plants was elected in the sec- 
ond sub-division in October, 1858. In 1866 Charles R. Mott was elected over 
Cooper K. Watson, the Republican candidate. A. M. Jackson succeeded in 
1871, bis election being opposed by Judge Mott. On Judge Jackson's resig- 
nation Judge Beer was appointed to fill vacancy. James Pillars was elected 
without opposition in 1872; Thomas Beer defeated Josiah Scott in 1874. and 
was re-elected without opposition in 1876. Henry Dodge was elected in 1877, 
and John McCauley in 1879, as one of the judges of the first sub-division of 
the Tenth District. In 1882 Hemy H. Dodge was elected; in 1883 George F. 
Pendleton, who was re-elected in 1884. 

The circuit court, re-established in 1884, claims Seneca County in the 
Third Circuit. In October of that year, Judges Henry W. Seney, Thomas 
Beer and John J. Moore were elected by large majorities over their opponents 
of the Republican and Greenback parties; as given in the political chapter. 

The redistribution of judicial districts since 1857 was effected with profit 
to the people. Under the act of April 8, 1858, the Tenth District was organ- 
ized, and Seneca, Crawford and Wyandot named as the third sub-division, 
On April 12, same year, Seneca County was set off as the fir.st sub-division of 
the Tenth District. " The act of May 1, 1862, disestablished the Tenth Dis- 
trict, and in its j)lace the Third Judicial District was reorganized — Seneca, 
Hancock, Wyandot and Crawford being its fourth sub-division, thus intro- 
ducing Whitely, Metcalf, Latta, La-ssTence and Plants to the judiciary of this 
coiinty. February 21, 1868, Marion County was added to the fourth sub- 
division, and in this form it existed down to 1879, when the legislatiu-e re-es- 
tabli.shed the Tenth Judicial District, with Seneca, Wood. Hancock and Har- 
din its tu'st sub-division. Under the provisions of this act an additional judge 
was elected in Octoljer, 1879, in the person of Judge McCauley. 

The probate court was established under the new constitution of 1850. 
William Lang was elected judge of probate that year, and served until Janu- 
ary 1, 1855, when John K. Hord succeeded him. T. H. Bagby was elected in 
1857, re-elected in I860, and was succeeded by W. M. Johnson, who served 
three full terms from January 1. 1864, to January 1, 1873. Upton F. Cramer 
was elected in 1872. and re-elected in 1875, serving until succeeded by Judge 
J. F. Bimn, January 1, 1879. Harrison Nol)le was elected in October. 1884, 
and is the present judge of the proliate coiu-t. 

Ebenezer Lane, first president judge of Seneca Count)', was a lawyer of 
Norwalk, Ohio, and one who may be said to have administered the law honestly 
from the head-waters of the Sandusky to the mouth of that river, and at a 
time too, when it was a difficult and dangerous task to make the circuit. He 
was generally accompanied by the old bar, Purdy. Spink. CofiinbenT. Hall, 
"Tom" Backus (a man who well deserved his name), C. L. Boalt. James H. 
Godman, ^Milo D. Pettibone. J. M. !May. the Parish brothers, and others. 
Judge Lane was one of the supreme court judges of Ohio, and served for 
years after his retirement from the common pleas court. 

Judge David Higgins, a good lawyer and an honorable judge, the successor 



300 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

of Judge Lane, was one of the heroes of the Toledo, and was credited with the 
common sense of being desirous to fly from Toledo, rather than approach the 
threatened seat of justice. He was elected president judge of the Second Dis- 
trict in 1829, and held the position until 1837. Prior to 1830 his name appears 
among the lawyers of the circuit. While buggy-riding near Delaware, Ohio, 
he was thrown out, and, as a result, lost his leg by amputation. He was ap- 
pointed clerk at Washington, D. C, and died there. 

Judge Ozias Bowen, whose district comprised Seneca, Sandusky, Erie, 
Marion and Crawford, succeeded Judge Higgins. He opened the spring term 
(April 2) 1838, at Tiffin, and was president judge of the district until Novem- 
ber, 1851, when he retired after fourteen years' service. Moses H. Kirby was 
chairman, and K. G. Pennington, secretary of a committee of the bar "com- 
prising Cooper K. Watson, J. Plants, J."D. Sears, E. M. Kelly and J. P. 
Pillars, who presented him with an address on his retirement. He was born 
in Oneida jJounty, N. Y., July 23. 1805, and died at Marion, Ohio, Septem- 
ber 26, 1871. His career was marked by kindness and courtesy to all. 

Andi-ew Coffinberrj-. favorably and generally known as Count Coffinberry, 
was one of the leading lawvers of the first circuit court of northern Ohio. He 
never resided in Seneca County, but was known as a member of "Judge 
Lane's gang." The Count was born in Virginia, August 20, 1778, where his 
French and German grandparents settled in 1750, and moved with his parents 
to Ohio in 1806. He served two years under Bainbridge and Hull, and under 
his father in the war of 1812. From 1815 to 1836 he studied and practiced 
law at Mansfield, Ohio, moved to Perrysburg in 1836, and died at Findlay, 
May 12, 1856. His son, James Coffinberry, was born at Mansfield in 1818.' 
James Purdy. born in 1793, was known as the major of Lane's brigade! 
For over half a century he was an active member of the bar of northern Ohio, 
and one of the pioneer lawj-ers of Mansfield. 

John M. May, a lawyer, as sharp as a knife, was possessed of a great fund 
of merriment. 

Charles L. Boalt. brother-in-law of Judge Lane, practiced here until about 
1843, and then went into railroad work. His name is connected with the first 
law cases heard in this county. 

Orris Parish died at Columbus years ago. He was one of the best soldiers 
of '-Judge Lane's gang," as well as one of the ablest lawyers of the old bar. 
Francis D. Parish, an old resident of Sanduskv, now "living at Overland 
attended the first courts at Tiffin. ' ' 

Josiah Scott, of Bucatus, practiced in the courts of Seneca County. 
John C. Spink, commonly called the leading actor in Judge Lane's circus 
was a circuit lawyer and an old resident of Wooster, Ohio. He was one of the 
practical jokers of the circuit, and the musician or violinist of the old bar 
James Purdy was accustomed to chide Spink on his penchant for mimicry 
antics, music and general mischief, but remained very much attached to this 
funny man of northwestern Ohio. 

Lawrence M". Hall, the successor of Judge Bowen, in 1852, presided over 
the circuit court until the close of 1856. 

William Lawrence, a lawv'er of Bellefontaine, Ohio, entered on the duties 
• i, ^*^ \oo\ ' ■ -^^ '^ T^^^^t^A of him that when he opened coiirt at Marion, 
m May. 1861, he instructed the sheriff to hoist the stars and stripes above the 
court house. This official refused to do so. was brought up for contempt, fined, 
and then, when he had to obey, hoisted the national flag. In 1862 he entered 
the army In 1864 he was elected a member of Congress, and in 1880 was 
appointed first Comptroller of the Treasury. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 301 

Josiah S. Plants, whose election as judge of common pleas, is noticed in 
the political chapter, was wounded while hunting in Indiana, and died shortly 
after. 

Chester E. Mott, born in Susquehanna County, Penn. , in 1813, was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1837. at Erie, and moved to Upper Sandusky in 1844. He 
was elected judge of common pleas in 1865. Judge Mott has filled several 
important positions in Wyandot County. 

Eleutheros Cooke, an attorney of 18'29-30, was the solemn man of the pio- 
neer law circle, and one of the good pleaders of the old bar. 

^\". H. Hunter was the attorney for Leonard H. Alexander vs. Joseph Par- 
meter, of Thompson Township, in 1829. 

Philemon Beecher, an old resident of Sandusky City, practiced in the early 
courts of the county. 

Ezra M. Stone, of Norwalk, practiced here in the early courts. 

Brice J. Bartlett, of Fremont, was an early lawyer. 

John M. May was the trombone player, and generally accompanied Spink, 
the violinist, and sometimes played a duet with Coffinberry, another trom- 
bonist. 

H. J. Harmon and M. M. May were lawyers here in 1836. 

Smith & Chaffin were solicitors here in 1836. 

Jude Hall was a good lawyer, and an able abettor of his fellow- lawyers in 
all jokes. 

Joseph M. Boot, Charles Olcott, and one Parker, practiced in the early 
courts. 

Asa Way, an old lawyer of Eepublic, and W. V. Way, of Perrysburg, were 
on the pioneer circiiit. 

Kudolphus Dickenson, born in Massachusetts, December 28, 1797, was 
admitted to the bar of Colvunbus, settled at Fort Ball early in 1824, and was 
appointed prosecutor that year. He moved to Lower Sandusky in May, 1826, 
and married Miss L. Beaugrand there in 1827. He was elected Congressman 
in 1846-4S. and died at Washington, March 20, 1849. 

Abel Rawson, born at Warwick, Mass., May 11, 1798, studied law at New 
Salem and Northtield, Mass. , and was admitted to the bar in Aiigust, 1823. 
He practiced at New Salem, visited New York in 1824, taught school at Dover, 
Ohio, in 1824, and at Norwalk in 1824-25, and was admitted to the Supreme 
Court of Ohio, in August, 1825. He settled in Tiffin in June, 1825, was pros- 
ecutor from May, 1826, to October, 1833, and died August 24, 1871. 

Robert G. Pennington, born in Delaware County, Penn., in 1816, came 
with parents to Tiffin, May 24, 1834; entered the office of Abel Rawson in 
1839: was admitted to the bar in 1842; was presidential elector in 1856, and 
in 1861, with Col. Lee and Maj. De Walt, organized the Fifty-fifth O. V. I., 
and joined that command with rank of quartermaster. In 1862 he was com- 
missioned adjutant-general on Gen. McLean's staff. 

William H. Gibson, born in Ohio, May 16, 1822; read law in the office of 
Rawson & Pennington; admitted to the bar in 1845; elected State treasurer in 
1855; was commissioned colonel of the Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry 
in 1861; commanded in forty-two battles, and was commissioned brigadier 
general for distinguished service. He retired from the practice of law in 1872, 
and was commissioned adjutant of State in 1880. 

Warren P. Noble, l)orn in Luzerne County, Penn., June 14, 1820, came 
with his parents to Jackson Township, Seneca County, in 1836; studied law 
in the office of Rawson & Pennington from 1842 to lS-i4, and was admitted to 
the bar in 1844. He was elected State representative in 1846, and re-elected 



■302 HISTORV OF SENECA COUNTY. 

in 1847; elected prosecuting attorney in 1848, re-elected in 1850, and in 1860 
and 1862 was elected member of the Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth Con- 
gress (ride General History and Biography: also History of Tiffin). 

Luther A. Hall, born August 80, 1813. in Onondaga Coimty. N. Y. : aixived 
at Tiffin, May 5, 1833: read law with Abel Kawson; gi-aduated from the Cin- 
cinnati Law College in 1841; was admitted to the bar the same \ear, and con- 
tinued in practice until his death. June 16, 1880. 

Frederick Lord was one of the early lawyers who studied at Tiffin. 

Edson Goit, an early settler of Lower Sanduskj-, where he presided over a 
grammar school; stiidied law under AbelEawson. and became one of the well- 
known circuit lawj'ers of this district. Died at Bowling Green within past five 
years. 

John H. Pittinger, born December 10, 1828, in Frederick County, Md. , 
moved to Tiffin with his parents in 1830: studied law. and was admitted to the 
' bar in 1850. In 1877 he was elected mayor of Tiffin, which office he filled: was 
one of the organizers of the Tiffin Fire Department, assisting in forming the first 
company — the old No. 1 — of which Gen. W. H. Gibson was foreman, and him- 
self treasurer, afterward secretaiy and treasui-er. He held this office until the 
formation of the Young America Hose Company, when he was elected treasurer 
of that organization, and still held the office at the time of his death, which took 
place very suddenly, January 14, 1885. 

Cooper K. Watson, born in Kentucky, June 18, 1810; was admitted to the 
bar at Columbus in 1831; practiced at Newark, Delaware, Marion and Fre- 
mont; came to Tiffin in 1850; was elected by the Free Soil party a member of 
Congress, in 1854; died at Sandusky, Ohio, May 20, 1880. 

Joseph Howard was appointed clerk of coiu't in 1830, and served until 
1834, He subsequently was appointed to a position in the Department of 
State at Washington, where he died. 

George E. Seney, born at Uniontown, Penn., May 29, 1832; graduated 
from Norwalk Seminary; studied law under Ltither A. Hall; was admitted to 
practice in 1853; elected judge of common pleas in 1858; went to the fi'ont 
with the One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantiy in 1862, before the 
expiration of his judicial term, and served two years as quartermaster of that 
command. In 1874 he received the Democratic nomination for Congress, lead- 
ing the Republican nominee in this county by 521 votes, but losing the district 
majority. He was elected Congressman in 1882, and re-elected in 1884: was 
delegate to the Democratic national convention at St. Louis, and is the author 
of Seney' s Code. 

James Pillars was elected judge of common jjleas. without opposition, in 1872. 

Jesse Stem was admitted to the bar at Columbus, in 1842: moved to Texas, 
and was there killed by the Indians. 

John L. Lamareaux, a resident of Attica, was a member of the Seneca 
County bar. 

R. P. Buckland. a prominent lavs-yer and politician, may be named among 
the members of the Seneca County bar. 

William Lang, a native of Germany, was admitted an attorney at law July 
25, 1842; filled many public positions, and is stUl a resident of Tiffin. The 
second historical work on Seneca County was written by him. 

Sidney Smith, otherwise Gon. Sea, formerly a shoe-maker in Connecti- 
cut, moved to Tiffin in 1832; purchased lands in Scipio Township: moved to 
Cincinnati in 1838: retiu-ned to Scipio in 1840: had his name changed to Sea 
in 1841. and henceforth practiced law. and made more ordinary noise in this 
county than "Judge Lane's gang" ever could make (see Military History and 
Pioneer Sketches). 




ty^'c^a e ^ <t^u^tt^i^^^ 



insToav OF senega countv. 305 

Joshua Seney, born in N(<w York City, November 20. 1 T'.)8, trradnnted from 
Columbia College and the University Law School; came to Tiliin in 1831; 
was presidential elector in 1840, clerk of the sujireme coiu"t. treasurer of 
Seneca County, and one of the leading lawyers of Ohio. He died suddenly, 
February 10, 1854 (see General History). 

■William W. Culver went to Fremont, and died there. 

John J. Steiner (see Military History), a native of Frederick County, Md. , 
was admitted to the bar at Tiffin, and practiced law until he entered the 
anny. 

John K. Gibson was the lii-st law student in the county, having studied 
under Abel Rawson. His death occiuTed in 1S41, a short time prior to that 
set for seeking admission as an attorney at law. 

Selah Chapin, a partner of Abel Rawson, died previous to 1842. 

INIanly Chapin was a partner of Abel Rawson in 1838—40; he died at Cin- 
cinnati. 

Cm-tiss Bates went to Iowa City, and was elected judge. 

Hugh M. Martin, a native of Seneca County, read law in Gibson & Tun- 
ison's office; moved to Iowa about 1S59, and while traveling in Colorado was 
killed by a landslide. 

Alfred Landon, deceased (see Pioneer History of Tiffin). 

John K. Hord, now of Cleveland, was a lawyer of this connty, and one of 
its probate judges. 

Anson Burlingame, of Chinese Treaty celebrity, was a school teacher in 
Eden Township; was admitted to the bar of Michigan, but never practiced in 
this county. 

Harrison Noble, born in Wayne County, Ohio, Januaiy 28, 1826; was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1849; was elected Probate Judge, 1884. 

John McCauley, born in Columbiana County, Ohio, December 10, 1834, com- 
pleted his studies at Delaware University ; was admitted an attorney at law in 
1860; elected prosecutor in 1865; appointed delegate to the constitutional con- 
vention, rice O'Connor, deceased, and elected judge of common pleas in 1879 
(see Political Histoiy). 

Nelson L. Brewer, born in Washington County, Md. , September 17, 1832; 
graduated from Heidelberg College in 1855; was admitted to the bar in 1858. 

George W. Bachman studied law at Tiffin; was elected prosecuting attor- 
ney, and was mayor of Tiffin; was killed by being thrown out of his buggy. 
Mrs. Bachman still resides at Tiffin. 

James Welsh was the first lawyer at Fostoria, having settled there about 
1849 or 1850; after live or six years he moved to Wyandot County, thence 
to Hancock County, and died. 

John L. Cole, Republic, was admitted to the bar in 1S02. 

Junius V. Jones, born in Gallia Coimty, Ohio, January 23, 1823; moved 
to Wood County with his parents in 1832, and settled in Fostoria in 1846. 
He was admitted an attorney at law in 1868, and to practice in United States 
courts in 1877. 

John C. Lee, born in Delaware County, Ohio, studied law, and located at 
Tiffin. He was commissioned colonel of the Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infan- 
try, November 25, 1861, and resigned in 1863; was commissioned colonel of 
the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio National Guards, and was mustered out 
in 18(54, as brevet brigadier-general. In 1867, he was elected lieutenant-governor 
of Ohio, and re-elected in 1869. Gen. Lee is now a member of the law firm 
of Lee, Brown & Lee, Toledo. 

Milo D. Pettibone, was a native of Connecticut, and it is believed that he 



306 HISTORV OF SENECA COUNTY. 

was also a graduate of Tale. He came to Delaware in 1818. was a good scholar, 
and soon became a sound and trustworthy lawyer, occupying a highly respon- 
sible position at the bar to the time of his death, in 1840. He devoted con- 
siderable time to speculation in land. He died before the war. 

John Masten came to Fostoria before the war, and before its close went 
South. 

A. H. Selden was the third lawyer who came to Fostoria, ai-riving in 1860 
or 1861, from Medina. Ohio: had his office with Squire Jones, and with Mr. 
Jones was engaged as pension lawyer until 1866, when he went to Paulding 
County; was elected prosecuting attorney; went to Kansas, and died there 
about seven years ago. 

William J. Rigby, bom in Fairfield County. Ohio, May 22, 1815: was ad- 
mitted an attorney at law in 1860; opened an office at Fostoria, in 1867 (see 
History of City). 

David Hays, a native of Beaver County, Penn, born December 19, 1819; 
settled at Fostoria in 1837; was admitted an attorney at law in 1860. 

Nelson B. Liites, born in ^^'yoming County, Penn., March 1, 1848; settled 
at Tiffin in 1870, and was admitted to the bar in 1873; now of the firm of Lutes 
& Lutes. 

John H. Eidgeley, a native of Allegany County, Md. , born August 16, 
1845; graduated from Heidelberg College, and was admitted to the bar in 1869. 

Joel W. Wilson came to Tiffin about 1840; died in 1856. 

R. L. Griffith, a native of Seneca County, was mayor of Tiffin, and prose- 
cuting attorney of the county. He moved to Detroit, and died there. 

John Payne, a farmer of Adams Township, was admitted to the bar, and 
served two terms in the Legislature. 

Oliver Cowdeiy, born in Veimont, October 3, 1804, is said to have been 
one of the compilers of the Monnon Bible, as he was one of its most ardent 
followers; came to Tiffin in the fall of 1840, where he resided until 1847, when he 
rejoined Strang's Monnons in "Wisconsin; proceeded to Missoiu-i the same year, 
and died there in 1848. From the fact of his books and papers being in the 
court house at the time of the fire of 1841, it is said that he had an office 
there, as well as on Market Street. It was he who examined Squire Jones, in 
1841, for school teacher. 

John Smith was an old attorney of Republic. 

Albert Pike, now of Toledo, a foreign Hebrew, studied law at Tiffin; was 
admitted to the bar there, and moved to Toledo some years ago. 

T. C. Tiuiison, a brilliant young lawyer of Tiffin, died there. 

Porter H. Jayne. born in Pennsylvania in 1853; was admitted to the bar in 
1878; is now in practice at Tiffin, and is a justice of the peace. 

Robert McKelly, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in Ohio in 1834: was 
admitted to the bar in 1842, and opened an office at Bucyrus, In 1845, he 
was appointed register of the United States land office, at Upper Sandusky; 
held local offices; in 1857, was elected Senator from the Thirty-first Ohio Dis- 
trict, and was president of the Ohio & Indiana Railroad, before its consolida- 
tion. 

Peter A. Tyler, an old lawyer of McCutcheonville, moved to Upper San- 
dusky in 1852. After serving a short time with the Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry he retiu-ned to Upper Sandusky, and some years later was wounded 
in a row. from the effects of which he died, 

John B. Barnes, born in Mahoning County, Ohio, Jime 20, 1846, was ad- 
mitted to the bar May 3, 1870, located at Fostoria in 1877, now residing in 
Kansas. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. '307 

P. B. King, who was admitted to the bar in April, 1873, moved to Merced 
County. Cal.. and diod thero in 1880. 

David H. Everett, a native of B''ranklin County. Ohio, born Febniary 6, 
1841), was acbnitted to the bar in October, 1871, settled at Fostoria in 1874, 
now resides in Columlius, Ohio. 

J. M. Belver. a native of Seneca County, born December 9, 1853, gradu- 
ated from Otterbeiu Uuiversitv, Ohio, and was admitted an attorney at law, 
April 11, 1878. 

Charles Guernsey, born January 31, 1858, in Wood County, Ohio, was 
admitted to the bar July 11, 1879, and the same year settled at Fostoria. 

John A. Bradner, born at Niagara Falls, N. Y. . August 13, 1833. settled 
in Ohio in 1849, and at Fostoria in lSt)3, was admitted an attorney at law in 
1879. 

Miss Nettie Cronise was admitted to the bar in April, 1873, on recom- 
mendation of a committee of the bar, composed of George E. Seney, N. L. 
Bi'ewer. R. G. Pennington, John McCauley and W. H. Gibson. Miss Cronise 
was the first lady admitted to practice law in Ohio. She studied at Heidel- 
berg College and graduated in 1873. She was mamed to N. B. Lutes, who 
was admitted to the bar on the same day. 

Miss Florence Cronise graduated from Heidelberg College in 1870, studied 
law with ^\'aiTen P. Noble, was acbnitted an attorney at law and is now prac- 
ticing at Tifliu. 

Miss Edith Sams read law at Tiffin, was admitted to the bar, married a 
lawyer named Seiders. and is now a resident of Paulding. Ohio. 

Peny M. Adams, born in Wood County, Ohio, December 2, 1850, studied 
law in the office of Hon. W. P. Noble, was admitted to the bar April 13, 
1876. elected prosecuting attorney in 1881 and" 1884; is now a member of the 
firm of Noble & Adams. 

F])ton F. Cramer, born in Seneca County, January 19, 1842, studi(>d at 
Heidelberg College, was admitted an attorney at law in 1867, and elected 
probate judge for three terms. 

Charles H. Cramer, born in Seneca County, was admitted to the bar in 
June, 1S75; is now in Sandusky City. 

Lafayette L. Lang, a native of Tiffin, son of William Lang, read law in 
Judge Lang's office and was admitted an attorney at law in 1877; is now clerk 
of the Ohio penitentiaiy. 

John B. Schwartz, born in Texas, November 1, 1854, was admitted to the 
bar in 1879. at Tiffin. Ohio. 

V,'. L. Kershaw, born in New York City in 1856, was admitted an attorney 
at law July 20. 1879; is now at Bellefontaine, Ohio. 

H. J. Weller. a native of Seneca County, born January 21, 1856, was ad-' 
mitted to the bar June 2. ISSO, at Columbus. 

Frank Baker was admitted to the bar at Tiffin, practiced some time here, 
moved to Chicago some years ago, where he has now a lucrative practice. 

Gerald E. Sullivan, a native of Tiffin, born June 20. 1856, was admitted 
an attorney at law December 12, 1878; now editing a newspaper in Iowa. 

James F. Leahy, a native of County Kerry, Ireland, born ^Nlay 14, 1855, 
was admitted to practice, at Tiffin, December 30. 1879. 

J. C. Royer, mayor of Tiffin, a native of Thompson Township, born in 
1856; graduated fi'om Heidelberg College in 1879, was aihuitted to the bar in 
1881. 

Walter S. Cramer, now attorney at law and insurance agent, was admitted 
to the bar at Columbus. 



308 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

John C. Eiekenbiuigh, partner of flavor Eoyer. is a native of this county. 

Ira E. Strong, a la-wyer and real estate dealer, studied law at Tiffin. 

Warren F. Noble, son of WaiTen P. Noble, studied law in his father's 
office; he was educated in the State university and admitted to the bar, at 
Columbus. 

Lester Sutton, Attica, born in 1836, in Steuben County, N. Y., was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1867. 

John P. Cornell went to Cincinnati; studied under Abel Rawson; died at 
Cincinnati. 

Alexander Brown, a native of Peny County, Ohio, born in 1832, was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 186-1, and settled at Fostoria iu 1872. 

James R. Wilson, born in Greene County, Penn. , May 19, 1825, settled 
with his parents in Bloom Township, in Apiil, 1834; he was admitted an 
attorney at law in 1866. 

John W. Schaufelberger, Viorn at Fostoria, Januai-y 29, 1853, studied at 
Heidelberg College; continued law readings in Judge Seney's office, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1877; is now partner of Judge Seney. 

Rush Abbott, born in Seneca County, was admitted to the bar April 12, 
1877. 

Guilford B. Keppell, born in Seneca County, May 8, 1845, graduated from 
Heidelberg College in 1869, admitted an attorney at law in 1871, and was 
elected prosecutor in 1879. 

H. C. Keppell, born in Seneca County, March 20, 1847, studied at Heidel- 
berg College, and was admitted to the bar in 1872. 

Jacob F. Bunn, l)orn in Seneca County, June 6, 1847, graduated from 
Heidelberg College in 1870, was admitted to the bar in 1871 and elected pro- 
bate judge in 1878 (see Political chapter). 

Jacob K. Hottal, born in Seneca County, October 8, 1846, was admitted to 
the bar in 1871, and two years later becameeditor of the Tiffin Star; is now in 
Georgia. 

William M. Johnson was elected and re-elected probate judge some seven 
years ago. 

Frank Dildine. born at Tiffin, October 15, 1849, graduated fi-om Heidel- 
berg College in 1869, and was admitted to the bar in 1872; is now in Indiana. 

John K. Rohn. now a lawyer of Tiffin, is a native of Clinton Township. 

Leander Stem (see Military History). 

Robert B. Hurd was a lawyer of Findlay in 1860. 

Chester Church was a lawyer of Findlay in 1860. 

William C. Hedges, son of Josiah Hedges, was admitted to the bar, but 
did not practice much in the coiu'ts. 

James M. Patterson read law in W. P. Nobles' office; was admitted to the 
bar, and subsequently practiced in Missouri. 

Thomas Biu'nside was admitted to the bar here, went to Missoiu'i, where 
he died near Appleton. 

Orlo D. Skinner read law under Judge Seney, attended the Cincinnati Law 
School, where he contracted a fever, from which he died. 

James H. Piatt, city solicitor, born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1854, 
graduated fi-om Heidelberg College in 1875; was admitted to practice in 1881; 
in 1883 and 1885 was elected city solicitor. 

R. B. Reed read law in Judge Seney's office, and was admitted to the bar at 
Columbus; is not now a resident of the county. 

David W. Speilman read law at Tiffin, and studied at Cincinnati; is not 
now a resident of the couuty. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 309 

John W. Leahy read law iimlor Ju<lt;fe ^FcCaulcy: admitted to the bar at 
Columbus; is now engaged Lu practice with his brother, James F. , in Tiffin. 

Charles AV. Repp was admitted to the bar, and practiced in this county. 

Darius D. Hare, mayor of Upper Sandusky, was born in Seneca County in 
1848; he was admitted to the bar in 1S()7. 

Frank Hess read law under P. H. Jayne, was admitted to the bar in 1883, 
and is now a citizen of Kansas. 

John L. Lott, admitted to the bar at Cohimbus in 1SS4, is a native of 
Liberty Township. 

Aiigustus Skransewfky is practicing law at Tiffin and engaged in real estate. 

ililton Piatt read law in Tiffin, was admitted to the bar at Columbus, and 
is now in practice at Findlay. 

J. H. Dean read law xinder James Pillars, and is now a member of the 
Kansas State bar. 

C. A. Dimn, now of the State of Kansas, studied law at Tiffin, was 
admitted to the bar here, and engaged in practice for some time previous to 
going to Kansas. 

Jasper Pillars, son of Judge Pillars, of Tiffin, studied law in his father's 
office, and is now a practicing attorney at Bowling Green. Ohio. 

AVilliam H. Dove, a native of Tiffin, born April 0, 18G"2. studied law under 
Warren P. Noble, was admitted to the bar in 1884, and is now practicing at 
Tiffin. 

John F. Sohn, now a lawyer of Tififin, is a native of this city. 

J. D. Finch, of Green Spring, is in partnership with Thomas P. Dewey. 

A. J. Staekhouse, born in Columbiana County, Penn.. in 1850, graduated 
in 1881; read law under N. L. Brewer, was admitted to the bar at Columbus 
in 1888, and is now in practice at Fostoria. 

C. S. Burton is one of the north countrv' lawyers, having an established 
law and collection office at Green Spring. 

Charles G. Barnd, a native of Licking County, Ohio, came to Fostoria 
from Findlay in 1881, but is not now in practice. 

Mr. Corbett, son of one of the old settlers of Eden Township, is studying 
law in Judge Seney's office. Other aspirants for legal honors are also to be 
found scattered throughout the various law offices of the county. 

Thomas P. Dewey, of Finch & Dewey, Green Spring, is one of the popu- 
lar lawyers of the town. 

John Gwyun was a lawyer of Tiffin in 1802, and continued in practice 
there until his death in November, 1884. 

George Gassman, born in Liberty Township, August 24, 1837, was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1867. Prof. Gassman has traveled extensively on this 
continent and throughout Europe, and is a master of several languages. He 
conducts a classical school at Tiffin. 

Associate Judges. — Jacques Hulburt, one of the pioneers of old Fort Sen- 
eca, purchased the fort lands in company with Shepard Patrick. He taught 
the first grammar school in the count j', piu'chased the Fort Stevenson Reserva- 
tion, and. moving thither, opened a store at Fremont. He was elected asso- 
ciate judge of Seneca County in 1824, sei-ved Sandusky County in the Legisla- 
ture, and died December 25, lS8fi. 

Matthew Clark, elected associate judge in 1824, was an old settler of Eden 
Township. Notwithstanding his high position, one Hamilton McCollister, a 
jiistice of the peace of Eden, had him aiTested and tried for Sabbath breaking, 
and had him fined November 18, 1S27. This led to th(^ caitfie celehre of that 
time. Clark rs. McCoUister for false imprisonment; Dickenson & Rawson for 



DIG HISTOaV OF SENECA COUNTY. 

plaintiff, David Higgins for defendant. The jiiry assessed damages at 821.50, 
biiti McC!ollister appealed the case, the jiuT disagreed, and McCollister 
brought the subject before the supreme coiu-t, where it was discontinued. 

AViUiam Cornell, one of the pioneers of the county, was elected associate 
judge in 1824. 

Agreen Ingi'ahara, the first sheriflp, was subsequently elected treasurer, and 
filleil a large space in the pioneer official life of the county. He was elected 
associate judge in 1831. 

Selden Graves, who was elected associate judge in 1831, was a pioneer 
physician, a man, in word and deed, of the old, old school. He settled in Eden 
Township, March fi, 1822. He served fi-om 1831 to the close of his tenu on 
the bench, and, like the other associate judges, despised the members of the 
old circuit. 

Benjamin Pittinger, born in Frederick County, Md., in 1798, came to Tif- 
tin in September, 1825, with his brother John, and opened a store there, which 
they carried on until 1834. In 1 832 they established the Peny Street tanneiy. 
Benjamin Pittinger was elected associate Judge in 1831 on the AN hig ticket, 
and served on the bench with Judge Higgins for many years. In 1860 he 
moved to his farm in Eden Township. 

Heniy Colgate Brish, elected associate judge in 1838, was a native of Fred- 
erick Coimty, Md. , born in 171)9, died near Tithn, in February, 1800. In 1809 
he was clerk in the recorder's office of that county, and remained imtil 1824, 
when he manied Mrs. Eleanor S. Care}'. In July, 1828. they came to Seneca 
County, making the trij) in a small covered j^haeton, and arriving July 0, that 
year. Mi's. Brish, noticed among the pioneers, died recently. Gen. Brish 
succeeded Montgomery as agent for the Senecas. 

Andrew Lugenbeel, born in Maiyland, in 1800, moved to Seneca County in 
1832, was elected associate judge in 1838, and re-elected in 1845. He died 
December 10, 1803, thirteen years after his judicial term ended. 

Lowell Robinson settled in Bloom Township, Section 8, in 1823, was elected 
associate judge in 1838, and had the unenviable notorietj' of has-ing to vacate 
the bench to answer a charge of ' 'assault and batteiy, " ' made by his wife. 
Some years after this scandal he moved to California, and died there. 

William Toll, reference to whom is made in the Organic and Political chap- 
ters, was one of the pioneers of Tiffin. At the beginning of his public career in 
the county he was deputy sherifF, and had something to do in the care of feeding 
prisonei-s. He was elected coroner in 1830. and associate judge in 1845. 

Henry Ebbert was one of the hatters of Tiffin in early days, and always one 
of the city's working politicians. He was elected associate judge in 1845, and 
was one of the leaders of the American or Know-nothing jiarty of this county 
in 1852-55. His antipathy to foreigners was all political, for when Mrs. Hoff- 
man died of cholera, in 1834, her child, Charlotte, was adopted by the Ebberts, 
the same who married Mi'. Lee, of Toledo, in recent years. 

Thomas Lloyd was elected associate judge to till vacancy, and served until 
the "abolition" of the " 'side judges. " 

STATE BAR ASSOCIATION. 

Following are the names of the officers of the State Bar Association, elected 
at the meeting in Columbus, in 1885: 

President — A. AV. Jones, of Youngstown. 

Vice-Presidents — Fir.st district. Aaron F. PeiTv; Second, James M. Smith ; 
Third, T. J. Godfi-ev; Fourth, S. E. Williamson: Fifth, F. F. Bingham; 
Sixth. Charles F. Follett; Seventh, Wells A. Hutchins; Eighth, D. A. Hol- 
lingsworth; Ninth. M. Stuart: Tenth, John McCaiiley. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 311 

Executive Committee — John \s'. Herron, R. D. Marshall. Henry Newbe- 
gin, John Dovle. P. C. Smith. C. H. McElrov, C. H. Grosvenor, A. W. Train, 
Rush Taggart, and E. B. Finley. 

On Admission — W. A. Davidson. T. J. Pringle, C. A. Layton, A. T. 
Brewer. C. A. White. J. C. Devin. A. W. Vorhes, R. G. Richards* R. W. Tay- 
lor and H. C. Carhart. 

Judicial Administration and Legal Refonn — Lawrence Maxwell, H. 
EUiott, Isaiah Pillars, E. P. Greene, T. A. Minshall, A. K. Dunn, O. F. 
Moore, M. M. Granger, AV. A. Lynch and H. T. Van Fleet. 

Legal Education — Judson Harmon, M. B. Earnhart. John E. Richie. R. 
P. Ranney, James E. Wright. V. R. Mclntre, ■\\\ B. Loomis, H. T. Stock- 
well, G. F. Arrell and R. W. Johnson. 

Grievances — John J. Glidden, W. M. Rockell, J. L'H. Long, L. Russell, 
George Lincoln and D. Dielam. 

Legal Biogi-aphy — M. F. Force, E. H. Muuger, S. N. Owen, J. E. Inger- 
sol, W. H. Safford, J. W. Bannon, I. H. Miller and S. R. Han-is. 

Thomas Corwin, so prominent in the legal circles of Ohio, was at Fort 
Seneca in July, 1813, freighting over the Delaware Army Road to this point 
supplies for the army. From this occupation he derives the name of "Tom, the 
Wagon Boy." 

A few names of lawyers, omitted in this chapter, find mention in the pio- 
neer section of the township histories, and many of the lawyers now residing in 
the county are fully treated on in the chapters devoted to personal history 
and reminiscences. 



CHAPTER VII. 
PHYSICIANS OF THE COUNTY. 

SO early as 1822, while yet the county was only tenanted by a few hundred 
white people, the first physician arrived. The succeeding year more adven- 
turous spirits pushed fiu-ther westward, and thencefoi-ward physicians came 
here to reside or visit. In 1852 the medical profession was so niuuerously and 
ably represented in the county, it was deemed desirable to organize a society. 
This was accomplished the same year, when a number of physicians assembled 
in the oflice of Dr. Dresbach, adopted a constitution, and elected Dr. J. A. 
McFarlaud president, with Dr. George Sprague secretary. There is no record 
extant of the proceedings of this society. Of its members, however, the news- 
paper press has kept a record, and from those old records much, if not all, re- 
lating to them in the following pages, has been obtained. To the comiesy of 
Dr. Gibbon, secretary of the present society, the writer is indebted for being 
enabled to give the names of the physicians of the county in oiu* own times. 
Dr. Stephenson, of Hm-on County, was the visiting jihysician in 1819-20. Dr. 
Brainard, of Sandusky, practiced medicine fa'om that point to Tymochtee, and 
attended the Seneca Indians previous to 1821. 

Selden Graves, the first resident physician of Seneca County, settled in 
Eden Township, March 0, 1822. In 1831 he was elected associate judge. Ely 
Dresbach. born in Northumberland County. Penn., in l.S()2, settled with his 
parents, David and Catherine Dresbach, in Pickaway Coimty, Ohio, and came 



312 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 

to Fort Ball February 23, 1823. having previously studied medicine at Circle- 
ville, under Dr. Luckev. For over thirty years he labored in Seneca Countv, 
and died at Tiffin April 14. 1853 (vide Historj' of Tiffin). 

Henry Kiihn. born in Frederick County, Md. , in 1802, graduated from the 
medical school of the University of Maryland in 1825. In 1829 he came with 
his family to Tiffin, and was among the men who cleared the forest on Market 
Street, between Washington and Mom'oe Streets, that year. His office was on 
East Market Street, and in recent years stood in rear of the new jail. Miss 
Catherine Baltzell, of Woodsboro, Md., to whom he was married in 1826, died 
at Tiffin in 1 813. His second wife. Miss Maria Pennington, of Tiffin, su^^•ived 
her husband, who died October 16, 1878. 

Robert C. J. Carey, a native of Maryland, born in November, 1800, settled 
at Fort Ball in 1823, and was a partner of Dr. Dresbaeh. ■ His death took 
place November 9. 1836, when he was buried in the old cemetery. 

James Fisher, the founder of Elizabetlitown, was born in Frederick Countv, 
Md., January 1, 1801, settled at Tiffin in 1832. In July, 1829, he man-ied 
Elizabeth M. , daughter of Dr. Thomas Boyer, and was accompanied by his 
father-in-law to Tiffin in 1832. Mi-s. Fisher died September 19, 1878. " Dr. 
Fisher was appointed postmaster at Tiffin shortly after his settlement here, 
many years prior to his departure for Springfield, Mo. 

Thomas Boyer, of Uniontown, Md. , whose daughters were maiTied, Eliz- 
abeth to Dr. James Fisher, and Mary M. to Lloyd Morris, in July, 1829, set- 
tled at Tiffin in 1832, and died here in 1835. Mrs. Boyer died in 1847. 

J. A. McFarland, the fii-st president of the old Seneca County Medical So- 
ciety, settled at Tiffin in 1837; died June 1. 1883. He was delegate to the 
great convention of physicians, held at San Francisco, Cal., in 1871, and one 
of the most estimable citizens of the county. 

E. J. McCollum, born in Richland County. Ohio, in June. 1825. graduated 
from JefFerson Medical College, Philadelphia, in March, 1853, and settled at 
Tiffin about same time. He was at McCutcheuville in 1849. 

J. N. Heckerman, born at Chambersburg, Penn., November 22, 1825. com- 
pleted his medical coiu'se at the Columbian School of Medicine, Washington, 
D. C, in 1846. and came to Tiffin in 1849. 

E. W. Sullivan, born at Tiffin. March 22, 1856, graduated fi-om the 
Wooster Medical College in 1878. 

Dr. C. L. Jones, the pioneer physician of Attica, is still in practice. 

H. B. Gibbon, born at Big Frame, Wayne County, Ohio, March 12, 1852, 
graduated from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery in June, 1877, 
and located at Tiffin in 1880. He practiced for a short time at Kansas and 
Bettsville, in this county. 

J. B. Bland, born in Muskingum County, Ohio. July 22, 1840, is a grad- 
uate of Starling (Columbus) Medical College. In 1869 he entered on the prac- 
tice of medicine at Benton. Crawford County, Ohio. 

L. E. Robinson, a graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1873, 
located at Republic in 1876. 

Benjamin S. Stover, born at Brooklyn, Cuyahoga Co.. Ohio, June 13, 1856, 
a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, located at Republic in 1878. 

H. B. Martin, born at Chillicothe, Ohio, November 15, 1823. graduated 
from Charitv Hospital. Cleveland, Ohio, in 1850; came from Melmore to Tiffin 
about 1866-67; died March 1. 1884. 

F. W. Schwan. born at Lancaster. Penn. . March 3, 1843, is a graduate of 
Rush Medical College. Chicago, of the class of 1867. 

W. H. Paul, born in Richland County, Ohio, April 14, 1848, gi-aduated 



f 



^ 



SWf 




HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 315 

from tho Miami Medical College, Ohio, in 1872. and opened his office at A^irian, 
Big Spring Townshiji, in 1876. 

Miss Julia Riimsey, a female physician of Tiffin, was lost in the wreck of 
the Pewabie. 

Ariel B. Hover, born in Orleans County. Vt. . February 9, 1829, entered 
Oberlin College in 1843, where he studied until 1849 and also read medicine in 
Dr. Johnson's office there. In 1850 he continued his medical studies under 
Prof. Ackley. of Cleveland, gi'aduated in IMarch, 1852, and the same year 
settled at Tiffin. His death occiu-red October 2. 1884. 

JIaurice Leahy, born in Kerry County. Ireland, ilarch 14, 1853, gi'aduated 
from A\'ooster I^niversity, in February. 1S78. and entered on the practice of 
his profession at Tiffin, in July, that year; he studied under Dr. McCollum. 

John D. O'Connor was born at AVoodsfield. Ohio, Sejatember 24. 1822; 
studied medicine under Dr. Dillon; gi'aduated from Miami Medical College in 
185S; was elected senator in ISOl. reelected in 18()3; settled at Tiffin in 1866, 
and died while attending an adjoiu'ned session of the constitutional convention, 
at Cincinnati. February 21, 1874. In 1845 he was mamed to Miss Ruth C. 
Neff. of Clariugton. Ohio. 

C, A. Henry, born in "Wood County, Ohio. January 5, 1844, located at Fos- 
toria in 1871, as a j)artner of Dr. A. H. Williams. 

Park L. Myers, born at Fostoria, May 28, I860, graduated from the Ohio 
Medical College of Cincinnati in 1879. and began the j^i'actice of medicine in 
Fostoria in 1880. 

F. J. Schaufelberger graduated from the Jefferson Medical College of 
Philadelphia in 1884, and commenced practice in Fostoria same year. From 
1873 to 1882 he was engaged in the di'ug trade here. 

John H. Norris has practiced medicine at Fostoria since 1881. Previous 
to this time he was a physician of ^^'ood County. 

Amos S. Williams has practiced at Fostoria since 1867. 

John H. Williams, a graduate of Wooster, commenced practice at Fostoria 
in 1877. 

Dr. William C. Cole moved to Republic in 1841, thence to Tiffin. 

Dr. Pennington, who died January 23, 1862, studied medicine at Tiffin, 
under Dr. Kuhn. He practiced some years at Delphos, Allen Co. . Ohio. 

Dr. Williams, born January, 1812. in Genessee County, N. Y. , settled at 
Reedtowu in 1835, as a physician; died about three years ago. 

Dr. Henry Wertz was a physician in Hojiewell Township in 1852, 

Dr Miuard Obermiller, an old resident of Tiffin, died at Toledo, Sep- 
tember 28, 1884. 

Dr. I. T. Gilbert, who died at Bryan, Ohio, in recent times, was one of 
the early physicians of Reed Township. 

Dr, Robert R. McMeens, born in Pennsylvania. February 26, 1820, set- 
tled at Tiffin in 1841. man-ied Miss Ann C. Pettinger, in 1843; moved to 
Sandusky in 1846; died at Perry ville, Ky., October :!0, 1862, 

Dr. ^\'. H. Heckerman. who graduated from Heidelberg College in 1878, 
studied medicine and practiced in this county; he died in January. 1885. 

Dr. George W. Beigh. who was engaged in practice at Plymouth. Md., died 
April 14, 1882. and his remains were brought to Republic for interment. 

Dr. A. S. U1)eiToth. of New Riegel. met his death at Stoner Wood, on the 
Indianapolis, Bloomingtou ic Western Railroad, February 16, 1883. On the 
evening of Februaiy 16 he sent a dispatch to his wife stating that he would be 
at Berwick on the night express, and requesting her to send his hired man to 
meet him. The hired man was at the depot at Berwick, and as Mr. Uberroth 



316 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

did not arrive he made inquiiy of the conductor, who infonned him that a man 
answering the description of the Doctor was put o£F the train just south of TifRn 
becaus(> he refiised to pay his fare, and claimed that he bought a ticket and lost 
it. The hired man retiu'ued to New Riegel. and Mrs. Uberroth immediately 
sent friends in search of her husband. They followed the railroad track fi'om 
Berwick toward Tiffin, and found the body at the place above stated. 

Dr. Usher Parsons joined Gen. Harrison's army at Camp Seneca, and sub- 
sequently was with PeiTy on the lakes. In later years he made his home at 
Cincinnati. 

Dr. A. H. Christy died September 19, 18S4. 

Dr. J. F. E. Fanning, a son of one of the pioneers of the county, born in 
Tiffin in 1844. is president of the Medical Association of Seneca County. 

Dr. John Montgomery died at Adi'ian, January 29, 1885, aged sixty-three 
years. He was for many years a resident of that part of the county. 

Dr. Joseph Boehler located at Tiffin prior to 1845. 

Dr. G. W. Sampson was one of the witnesses to the treaty of McCutcheon- 
ville, January 19, 1832. and was an old physician of the district. 

Dr. John Kerr, a Thompsonian practitioner, resided at Rome in 1847. 

Dr. E. B. Hubbard, born at Chester, Mass., December 28, 184(). came to 
Tiffin in January, 1874, and. with Dr. Hershiser, established the Hubbard Drug 
Store, southwest corner of Market and Washington Streets. He never prac- 
ticed in this county. 

Dr. Hudson, who practiced in specialties in his day, died in 1809. 

Dr. Simon Bricker, one of the pioneer physicians of the western part of 
Seneca County, and an old resident of Fostoria, died in 1850. His was the 
fii'st biu'ial in the Fostoria City Cemetery. 

Dr. T. S. Lang located at Spring\Tlle in May. 1830. 

Dr. Isaac Young, a resident of this county for a number of years, was sent 
to the Seneca County Infirmary in August, l885. He was at one time quite a 
prominent citizen. He was freight and express agent on the Indianapolis, 
Bloomington & Western Railroad at Benvick in the "sixties," and was also a 
very successful physician. He moved fi'om Bei-wick to Melmore, and thence 
to Fostoria. His appetite for strong drink was his worst enemy, and it seemed 
impossible for him to overcome the habit, ^^'hile at Fostoria he, for a long 
period, abstained from di-ink. and did a good business at his profession. 

Di'. F. Jaeck died April 1 0, 1 850, aged thu-ty-nine years. 

Dr. A. Metz, of Fostoria. was a practicing phvsician and di'Uggist there 
prior to 1849. 

Dr. Asa Brayton, born in AVyandot County in 1831, studied under Dr. 
Metz, of Fostoria, in 1 849, and entered on practice at McCutcheonville. 

Dr. E. W. Dubois, son-in-law of Mi-s. Ditto, died July 2, 1873. 

Dr. A. A. Freyman, born August 10, 1833, died October 6, 1874. 

Dr. F. W. Entriken, of Findlay, also practiced in Seneca County before 
the war. 

Dr. J. Snyder was proprietor of the Tiffin Eve Infirmary (Houck's Block) 
in April, 1800. 

Dr. J. R. Buckingham is an old resident physician, having practiced at 
Attica for years prior to 1804, when he moved to Bloomville, retui'ning in 1872. 

Dr. H. G. Blaine, a member of the faculty of the Toledo Medical College; 
a member of the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, and of the Board 
of Censors of the Indiana Medical College, was a member of the North- 
western Ohio Eclectic Medical Association, and came to Attica in 1801. 

William J. Culver, noticed among the pioneers of Scipio, was the fii'st 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 317 

physician at Republic. Drs. H. K. Spooner, J. A. Magiiire, J. Eoop and Dr 
Storor have bocu for years identitiod with the profession in this division of the 
county. 

Henry Kegg Hershiser. born in Bedford County, Penn. , in 1831, graduated 
from Columbus jNIedical College. Was in professional capacity dui'ing the 
war. and subsequently engaged in the di-ug business for nine years, then re- 
sumed practice of medicine. 

Charles Sandmeister, bom in Germany in 1831, came to Thompson Town- 
ship in 1858. where he commenced the practice of his profession. He gradu- 
ated from the Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, in 1804. 

Dr. 8. D. Jones opened an office at Attica in 1847. 

Dr. Stephen Fowler, the pioneer physician of the territory, now known as 
Wyandot County, also practiced throughout Seneca County. He came to the 
Sandusky Plains in 1827. and died at Upper Sandusky December 26, 1847. 

Dr. M. H. Mills, now a resident of Attica, has practiced in the county for 
about nine years. 

Dr. Pagin was a visiting hydi'opathic doctor in 1860-61. 

Dr. Gibson, of Bloom Township, was commissioned surgeon of the Seneca 
County militia in 1835. 

Dr. Spicer was a pioneer physician as well as a pioneer preacher. His 
medical and religious methods were particularly peculiar, and sometimes led 
to trouble in the locality in which he resided. 

Dr. A. W. Knight settled at Attica in the spring of 1884. 

Dr. Seymoui' came to Attica Station in July or August, 1885. 

Dr. George Rubard is a native of Thompson Township, born in 1847; 
graduated from Cincinnati Eclectic College in 1871, and commenced practice 
at Flat Kock. 

Other physicians, past and present, referred to in the history of the town- 
ships, are named as follows: 

Drs. D. Peters and G. H. Scoles, Springville (in 1847); George Spragiie and 
Hon. J.A. Norton, Tiffin;S. T. Finch and Thomas Cochran, Green SjsringiAlouzo 
Lockwood, Simon Bricker and George Patterson. Eome: A. Metz. R. C. Caples 
and Marcus Dana, Risdon; Robert P. Frazer, Eeed: Bellville and Peter J. 
Smyth, Bloom; F. M. Bell, Fort Seneca; Daniel M. Bate, Melmore: I. Breid- 
inger, W. G. and G. P. "Williard, Tiffin; Pierce, William L. Hamilton, F. S. 
Kendall, J. S. Sparks and John Ball, Republic; Joseph Myers and Hemy L. 
Hairis, Thompson; William Crawford, Tiffin: Charles Beilhartz, denti.st 
(1842), J. R. Huss and Wells. Tiffin; Barber and J. C. Myers, Venice (the former 
gone to Iowa; the latter died Jauuarv 18. 1884); F. H. Lang, Tiffin; A. M. 
Magers, Alvada; H. C. Wells and Leon"McCollum, Tiffin; J. W. Hoy, Bloom- 
ville; M. Nighswander and Chancellor Martin, Fort Seneca; F. M. White, 
New Riegel: H. Ladd. J. W. Holmes and Steele, Melmore; A. M. Martin, 
Bloomville; Marshall Brothers, C. R. Walker, Skeggs, L. H. Sprague, I. W. 
Moliere. F. W. Entrikin, A. R. McKellar, David P. Campbell, L. E. Robin- 
son, J. L. Brown, and Thomas Cochran, Green Spring; W. P. Buckingham, 
Bettsville; C. L. Jones, A. Force, C. A. Force, Attica: D. E. Bowman, Kan- 
sas; AVatson, I. H. Norris, Myers, W. M. Cake, John Bricker and P. E. Bal- 
lon. Fostoria; Charles T. Benner, Homer J. Bricker. S. A\'. Bricker. A. M. 
Campbell, Levi Corfman, Fred Scheil and Henrv C. Wells, T. J. West and 
T. E. Wells. Tiffin; C. A. Henn', L. G. Williams. Fostoria; A. D. Orwig, 
Reed: M. H. Mills, D. J. Deck.'Venice; R. M. Sproul. Adams; W. H. Focht, 
Big Spring; T. J. Foster, Bloom; O. B. Whittecar. C. M. Comer, Hopewell. 

The physicians of this county, who served as army surgeons or assistant 
surgeons diu'ing the war of the Rebellion are named as follows: 



318 HISTORY OF SENECA COUXTY. 

Drs. Leopold Zander, Robert \\. Thrift. W. H. Park. H. B. Lung. S. A. 
Smith, S. H. Spencer, J. Kling, Joseph Hebble, Henry K. Spooner, J. L. 
Morris. James C. Myers, Thomas M. Cook. George S. Yingling. Walter Cas- 
well. Heniy F. Lacey. H. H. Russell. O. Ferris. W. B. Hyatt. J. H. Will- 
iams, N. B. Brisbani, R. R. McMeens. George Weeks and Gibson, of Bloom, 
(latter surgeon of Seneca Militia, dui-ing Toledo war). 

The practicing physicians on the southern borders of the county, residents 
of AVyandot County, previous to 1845, were: 

Joseph Mason and David AVatson, of Crane; Xoah Wilson, of Ridge; David 
Adams, of Richland: William Cope, of Jackson; Westbrook (183")), Hall, Chis- 
ney and Ferris, of Marseilles: Clark and Foster, of Crawford; Bingham. Free, 
Letsou, Ranger, G. W. Sampson (1828) and Dunn, of Tymochtee; A. A\'. Mun- 
son, of Antrim; J. H. Dnimm. of Pitt, and Stephen Fowler (1827) and J. B. 
McGill. of the same township : McConnell. of Upper Sandusky. Dr. Fowler 
was well known to the tirst settlers of Seneca, while Dr. Sampson settled in this 
county before taking up his residence south of the coiinty line. Dr. E. J. Mc- 
Collum settled at McCutcheonville in 1849, and practiced there for two years. 

MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS. 

Fostoria Medical Society. — The Fostoria Medical Society was organized 
April 18, 1876, with J. W. Bricker. F. J. Bricker (removed)," R. W. Hale, R. 
C. Caples, G. L. Hoege, W. M. Cake (in Michigan). A. S. Williams, C. A. Henry, 
L. Williams, A. J. Longfellow, G. N. Lewis (Michigan). A. G. Owen. E. D. 
Powers (druggist, removed), and A. E. Watson. Shortly after the organization 
of the County Medical Society, the senior membei's of the profession at Fostoria 
joined the new association. 

Seneca County Medical Society. — September 13, 1878, a number of physi- 
cians met at Dr. McFarland's office at Tiffin, and issued an invitation to the 
physicians of the countj' to meet on September 25th for the pui-pose of organiz- 
ing a society. On the day named there were present: Drs. J. A. McFarland, 
A. B. Hovey, E. J. McCollum, J. F. E. Fanning. G. P. Williard. B. F. Hittle, 
Maurice Leahy, E. W. Sullivan, A. L. Waugaman. H. B. Martin. Simon Bricker. 
J. W. Heckerinan. J. T. Livers, of Tiffin; T. J. West, of Melmore; Barber, of 
Attica: Nighswander, of Fort Seneca; A. S. Martin, of Bettsville; Whittaker. 
of Bascom: G. L. Hoege, of Fostoria; W. H. Paul, of Adi-ian; A. S. Uberoth, 
of New Riegel, and H. B. Gibbon, of Kansas (now of Tiffin). A resolution to 
organize a medical society was carried, when A. B. Hovey was elected president, 
J. A. McFarland, vice-president, A. L. Waugaman. secretary, and H. K. Spooner, 
treasui-er. Drs. Martin, of Bettsville. Nighswander. of Fort Seneca, and Wau- 
gaman presented a form of constitution, which was adopted. 

J. B. Bland, of Benton: Henderson, of Green Spring, and Patterson, of 
McCutcheonville. were admitted to membership October 23, 1S78. Dr. Benner 
was a member prior to this date. Febniaiy 26, 1879. F. W. Schwan. of Benton; 
Wert, of Mexico; Ray R. Mitchell, Bellevue; Hoy, of Bloom\'ille; B. S. Stover. 
of Republic; W. R. Martin, of Melmore. and Chancellor Martin, of Fort 
Seneca, were received as members. June 25. 1879, G. W. Sampson, of Mc- 
CutcheonvUle, L. G. Williams. R. W. Hale. A. S. AVilliams. R. C. Caples. A. 
J. Longfellow, W. M. Cake. John Bricker and C. A. Henry, of the Fostoria 
Medical Association, were admitted to membership ; Dr. Martin, of Bloomxalle, 
was admitted Januaiy 28, 1880. and L. E. Robinson April 28. that year. Di-s. 
Wenner, Foucht. Keller, McKellar. J. P. Kinnaman, J. S. Yingling and W. 
H. Hershiser have been admitted since 18SU. 

Dr. Waugaman was elected delegate to the American Microscopic Associa 
tion convention at Buffalo, which was held August, 1879. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 319 

May 28, 1879, Drs. "VVilliiird, Bland and Fanning were elected delefjates to 
the Ohio State Medical Society, to be held June 3, 1879, with C. Martin, 
Spooner and Hovey, alternates. 

Dr. Norton received the thanks of the society May 28, 1879, for his efforts 
in havinj^ the anatomy act passed by the Legislature. 

In September, ISTU, officers were elected as follows: J. A. McFarland. pres- 
ident; A. S. Martin, vice-president; A. Wangaman, secretary; E. W. Sullivan, 
assistant secretary; E. J. McCollum, treasiu-er. 

In September, 1880, H. K. Spooner was elected president; E. W. Sullivan, 
secretary; J. F. E. Fanning, treasiu'er; M. Leahy, assistant secretary. Those 
officers held over until the close of 1882, owing to there being no election in 
1881. 

The election of September, 1882, resulted as follows: President, Dr. J. U. 
Heckerman; vice-president, Dr. G. P. "U'illiard; treasm-er. Dr. H. B. Gibbon; 
secretary. Dr. E. AV. Sullivan. Executive committee: Drs. McFarland, 
Hovey and McCollum. Finance Committee: Drs. Williard, Leahy and Ben- 
ner. Medical ethics: Drs. Spooner, Gibbon and Fanning. Committee on 
admissions: Drs. Hovey, Williard and Sullivan. In 1883 there were elected: 
E. J. McCollum, president; J. F. E. Fanning, vice-president; E. W. Sullivan, 
secretary; H. B. Gibbon, treasurer. On Dr. Sullivan's removal from the 
county his ]iosition as secretary devolved on Dr. H. B. Gibbon, the present 
secretary of the society, and Dr. "West was appointed treasurer. 

The election of 1884 resulted in the choice of Dr. J. F. E. Fanning, presi- 
dent; Dr. F. J. Livers, vice-president; Dr. H. B. Gibbon, secretaiy; Dr. 
^\'est, treasui'er. Dr. Wenner, of Tiffin, was elected a member of the society 
and Dr. Steel, of Melmore, was also admitted a member. 

Nortli irestern Ohio Eclectic Medical As.sociation. — This is not a local associa- 
tion, but owing to its social connection with Tiffin, where many of its meetings 
have been held, it claims a brief notice. The last meeting of the association 
was held at Tiffin, October 10, 1884, when Dr. Breidinger, the president, de- 
livered an address entitled ' " Medical Tiiith. ' ' Dr. DeCrow, of Gallon, read 
an essay on "Laceration of the Perinseum," and Dr. Sandmeister.of Belleviie, 
on ' ' Pathology and Treatment of Typhoid. " ' The officers elected were 
Dr. H. DeCrow, of Gallon, president; J. A. Grove, of Mt. Blanchard, Ohio, 
vice-president; H. Thomas, of Ada, Ohio, second vice-president; W. X. 
Mundy, of Forest, Ohio, secretary; J. M. Crismore, of Helena, Ohio, corre- 
sponding secretary; Charles Sandmeister, of BeUevue, Ohio, treasurer. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE PKESS OF SENECA COUNTY. 

A GOOD newspaper is something which is above all price, when the quality 
of its goodness springs from editorial principle rather than from mana- 
gereal cupidity. The newspaper, when well conducted, is one of the e\'idences 
of true advancement. It is to the people a great educator, and. when faithful 
to its mission, forms an exponent of national ideas, a guard against treason 
from within and treacliery without. Half a centiuy has glided into the past, 
since the first newspaper was issued in this coimty. With the growth of the 



320 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

county tho pross has kept pace, until now one daily newspaper, and several 
weekly journals are supported directly by the people; while the daily press 
of Toledo, Chicago and Cincinnati meets with a very liberal patronage. In the 
following historical review, the writer confines himself to a brief notice of the 
establishment and progress of the local newspapers, leaving the personal histor}- 
to be treated on by the writers of the l;ist part of this volume. 

TIFFIN NEWSPAPERS. 

The pioneer newspaper was the Seneca Patriot, printed August 4. 1S32. bj' 
J. H. Brown, and edited by Elisba Brown. The press used on this occasion 
was taken beyond the Alleghenies to Washington. Perm., about the year 1800, 
by James Coleriek: thence to several localities in Tirginia and Ohio by J. P. 
McAa-dle, who located his oiSce at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, in ISlfi, and published 
the Register. On the establishment of a printing office at Clinton, Ohio, this 
itinerant press was present, next it appears at Xorwalk. then at Sandusky City, 
afterward at Tiffin, finally settling at Toledo. It appears that the Brown Broth- 
ers purchased McAi-dle"s office at Noi-walk. established an office at Sandusky, 
and in 1S32 moved to Tiffin with their printing outfit. The Browns made an ef- 
fort to conciliate all political parties, but failed in this impracticable scheme. so 
that November 17, 1832, the Patriot surrendered to the Jackson Party, the 
Whigs and anti-Masons withdrew their support, the editor of the Patriot 
retired to Cincinnati where he died, N. Y. Magill taking his place November 
30, 1833. J. H. Brown remained a little while until the office passed into the 
charge of MagiU. who managed it until the spring of 1 834. when Abel Rawson 
piu'chased the printing business for his brother — Alonzo Eawson. 

The Independent Chronicle and Seneca Advertiser, issued on the ruins 
of the Patriot April 20, 1834, was printed by Alonzo Rawson and edited by 
Abel Rawson. This journal was conducted on independent principles for a 
short time, biit for the greater part of its tn-o years' existence it advocated 
Whig principles, and brewed another storm which ended in its sale in Novem- 
ber. 1835. 

The Tiffin Gazette and Seneca Advertiser was projected by Josiah F. Reed, 
November 25, 1835, and within a short time claimed Democratic support in San- 
diisky County as well as in Seneca. It reached its nineteenth number April 
16, 1836, and continued regular publication untU the close of February, 1838. 
when Luther A. Hall purchased the office and abolished all its Democratic 
symbols, retaining the name Tiffin Gazette and Seneca Advertiser alone. 

The Tiffin Gazette, an ultra- Whig newspaper, was established in February, 
1838, by Luther A. Hall and Joseph Howard. Commercially it was the suc- 
cessor of the Gazette and Advertiser, but from a journalistic stand-point it 
differed very widely from its parent. As Hall abolished all signs of Democracy 
in the office, so Howard attacked the old title, dropping the name Seneca 
Adverti.ier. April 7, 1838, Joseph Howard, who succeeded Mr. Reed as 
editor of the Gazette, retired. S. A. Griswold. the new editor and proprietor, 
took charge the same day. Under the new management it received a thorough 
support. 

The list of delinquent tax-payers for the year ending September 19, 1838, 
occupied seven columns of the Tiffin Gazette. This occasioned a delay in 
issuing the paper, and brought forth a request from the editor that the readers 
of the Gazette would not cry. because the paper had at length got a good adver- 
tisement. The paper continued to be regularly issued ( except for four weeks in 
September and October. 1839.) until September, 1842. when it ceased publica- 
tion. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 321 

The Van Burenite joiu'nal was estatilished by Joshua Soney. Henry Cronise 
and Gabriel J. Keen in 1N4(I. as a campaign weekly journal. It was comj)lete 
in political satire, and lived its full len<^h.dyinjj in the fall of 1841. The salu- 
tatory, written by Joshiia Seney, is iriven as follows: '• We shall advocate with 
a becoming zeal, and digniliedly in manner, the great Democratic Kepul)liean 
principles, as established and taught l)y Thomas Jefferson. That ours is a 
government of specified and limited — not general — powers, and ought so to be 
strictly obsers-ed, to attain the ends for which it was established, all must 
admit. The few and venerable patriots, who, when our government dated its 
existence, were upon the bright summit of glory, and have lived till this late 
day. are willing to exclaim that our system of government has eminently 
exceeded the most sanguine expectations of those who achieved the glorious 
victory ujion which it was established, and liecame an object, not only of 
admiration, but of en^•y and emulation by th(> world. It is therefore our duty, 
rendei'ed imperious by the position we occupy as a nation, to presei-ve for its 
character as jiure and untarnished as the bright and illustrious spirit of liberty, 
which dictated its existence among its framers, and still serves as a beacon 
light to the benighted, and a home for the oppressed of mankind, the object 
for which the blood of our forefathers and heroes — and labor of our ages — 
have been bestowed to obtain. In regard to the present Federal administra- 
tion, we unhesitatingly declare that we will wage against it and its measures 
an unyielding opposition. We would banish from us all prejudice, cast off all 
party ])redilection and admonish the Amc^rican j)(>()])le to view the awful and 
deplorable condition of oiu' country, brought about hj the short Federal pre- 
domination of one year, and ask themselves if this is the ' change ' to which 
they were invited. The Democracy who, in tiying times, have been entreated 
to rally and rescue our government, must appreciate the present as a crisis 
equally important, and prepare to restore her from the dominion of an unprin- 
cipled and r(>ckless political party, who are now plunging her into debt, dis- 
gi"ice and dishonor, regardless of consequences. \\'e shall endeavor to 
maintain a com-teous but decided position in regard to the principles we intend 
promulgating, and in discussion have a strict obsei-vance for the truth of what 
shall apj)ear in our paper." ****** 

The Chasseurs' Own was issued on Thanksgiving day, 1861, by the First 
Ohio Volunteer Chasseius, at the front. The names of Seneca County soldiers 
engaged in editing and printing this newspaper have not been given. 

The Sunday Adveriiser was issued in May and June, 1861. This was is- 
sued from the Adrertisfr office. 

The Seneca Advert ixer was first issued by John G. Breslin, May 6. 1842, 
he having purchased the office of the Van Burenite. Its new press and new- 
type established the paper, which has been caiTied down to our own times with 
commercial and political success. In lsr)4 Mi-. Breslin received the nomina- 
tion for State treasurer, leased the Advertiser to John Flaughor. who conducted 
the i)aiier until the close of 1855, when W. W. Armstrong took the position of 
editor and publisher. In 1857 he was sole owner of the office, and published 
the Advertiser regularly until the close of the winter of 1862-63, when he re- 
tired from newspaper work to attend to the duties of Secretary of State, he be 
ing elected to that important office in 1862. He subsequently, in April. 1865, 
became owner of the Plain Dealer, which he sold for §7(MMM) in December, 
1884. Early in 1868 J. M. Myers and Charles Beilharz leased the Adrerti.ier. 
In 1S64 Mr. Myers liecame sole lessee and subsequently proprietor, conduct- 
ing the Atlverti.ser with marked ability up to 1S84, when he sold toL. A. Bnin- 
uer A: Co. , of which com{)any he is still a member. The paper is now edited 



322 HISTORV OF SENECA COUNTV. 

by L. A. Bninner, assisted by Kora F. Briggs. The management is in the 
hands of John "\V. Geiger. John M. Myers also devotes some attention to the 
literary department. 

S. A. Grisworld, editor of the Lancaster Gazette, in a letter to the -KTiter, 
dated May 18, 188D, says: "I can only state that the printing press referred 
to was sold by me to Jacob Rosenbui-g, of Findlay, Ohio, in the spring of 
1843. Kosenbmg, with the material of the old Tiffin Gazette, included in my 
sale to him, started a Democratic paper at Findlay, which, according to my 
recollection, lived only long enongh to enjoy the county printing for a year or 
two. Later I was informed that the press went to Toledo, at the end of Kos- 
enbiu'g's ownership, and I have somehow got the impression that it has been 
there preserved in some collection of antique relies. Of its antecedents I have 
no exact information further than that its owner, immediately prior to that of 
myself, was Joseph Howard, then a prominent attorney of Tiffin, who pui'- 
chased it of Messrs. Brown, father and son (Justin Brown was the name of 
the son). The press was a wooden 'Eamage.' of the very earliest pattern, and if 
tradition told the truth about it, was one which had been owned and worked 
by B. Franklin himself. The platen was but half the size of the bed, so that 
it required two pulls of the " devil' s tail ' to print one side of a foiu'-page 
newspaper. 

The Star was established May 5, 1869, and the fii'st number issued that 
day by Elmer White and L. L. Orwig as a joui'nal ' " Independent on all sub- 
jects, neutral on none, ' ' with the office in Gross' building. The press and 
material were bought fi'om the Unsere Flagge. This was a re-organization of 
the Tiffin Star, said to be issued for a short time in lSt58, by Frank Eader and 
Elmer White. The office of the Star was purchased in 1873 by Frank Dildine 
and J. K. Huddle, and conducted by Mr. Huddle successfully, from 1ST4 for- 
ward. In December, 1874, the Tiffin Daily Star, a 3 cent evening paper, was 
issued from this office. In 1875 this enterprise, this pioneer daily newspaper 
of Tiffin, ceased to exist, owing to the veiy limited support offered h\ the 
people. 

The Seneca County Fair Bulletin, printed in the Advertiser office, was is- 
sued in October, 1869. This was a yearly journal, devoted to advertisements 
and Fair news. 

The Whig Standard was issued at Tiffin, by George L. Wharton. Novem- 
ber 19, 1845. This was a strict Whig jom-nal. instituted to convert the 
' ' Locofocos, ' ' who appeared to Mr. Wharton as the very embodiment of po- 
litical heathenism. In 1848 the editor transfen-ed the Standard to Abraham 
Laubach. who sold the office to Capt. McKee, one year later. The Standard 
battled with its Democratic opponent until 1855. when McKee gave his edito- 
rial place to W. C. Gray. ^\ barton's salutatory contained several paragraphs, 
one of which is as follows : ' ' We shall enter our protest against the Locofoco 
party, and labor ardently for those principles bequeathed to us by the patriots 
of the Revolution — the principles of the Whig party; a party whose origin 
was oiu' country's Revolution, and whose fidelity and patriotism achieved oiu' 
independence. Upon this broad basis we shall stand, adhering firmly to lib- 
erty, despising anarchy and despotism, with an eye single to the interests of 
our country, feeling assiu'ed that upon the integrity of the ^^'hig party rests 
ottr destiny as a nation. " 

The Western Whig Standard was issued (the first number, March 3, 1849), 
by George L. Wharton, who also published The Northwestern Continent, 
October 1, 1850. 

The Tiffin Tribune, successor to the Whig-Standard, was established by 





U'>a± 



iQJl- H'c^Jo'^ 



HISTOIIV OF SENECA COUKTV. 325 

W. C. Gray in 1855, and conducted by him until May, 1S57. when the office 
was piucliased by H. L. McKee, of Tlic Iloint' Compainnu, then j)nl)lished at 
Fiudlay. Ohio. In 1861 John Bobbins bought the office, piiblished the Trib- 
une for four years, and sold it to Abraham Kagy in 1S()5. About the time 
the echoes of the Rebellion were dying away the office was pui-chased by 
Myers & Miller. O. T. Locke. C. N. Locke and W. G. Blymer pvuchased the 
paper in November, 1SG8. from Myers & INIiller. and issued the tiist number under 
the new management, November 5, 18()8. The Tribioic is now the property of 
Otis T. Locke, by whom it is edited, with H. E. Simon, assistant editor and 
manager, and Fred L. ^\'enner, local editor and reporter. Ei;ssell L. Knapp, 
foreman in this office for the past fifteen years, received the Republican nomi- 
nation of representative in August, 1885. 

The Seneca Adler was the first German newspaper published at Tiffin, the 
th'st number being issued on April 5, 1848, with William Lang, editor, and John 
G. Breslin, publisher. The publication of the Adler was suggested by the 
political necessities of 1848, and the recommendations of the Democratic cen- 
tral committee, addressed by John G. Breslin. "William Lang, Richard Will- 
iams and Joel W. Wilson, to the Gennan residents of the county. This has 
been generally known as the pioneer German newspaper of this division of the 
State; but the general knowledge must be somewhat astray, since a jiaper 
printed in German was established twenty-thi-ee days previously. The Adler 
was issued every week for six months, when its political mission ended. 

The Nortlurestern Continent was issued by George L. Wharton, at Tiffin, 
October 1, 1850. In November, 1850, the names of W. J. Forbes, Charles 
Warner, A. F. Reed, W. M. McCracken, appear as printers. 

The Erenincj Herald was established by W. H. Keppel, Januaiy 9, 1877, 
and conducted by him uj) to November, 1880, when he sold the office to the Hei-- 
ald Printing Company, Messrs. J. A. Norton and Henning. Dr. Norton was 
the editor, with Mi-. Henning. business manager, and Mr. Burdette, local edi- 
tor and solicitor. Mi'. Biu'dette was subsequently local editor and manager. 
August I), 1877, the form of the Herald was changed, and the " New Issue " 
form adopted. In August, 1885, Mr. Biu'dette resigned, and September 1, 
Charles Parker assumed charge of the local department of the daily Herald. 
Mi\ Parker learned the printer's trade with the editor of the Neirs several 
years ago at Port Clinton, Ohio. Dr. E. B. Hubbard is owner and editor. 

T. H. Bobbins who published the Tribune in 1863. returned in June, 1865, 
to establish an abolition paper to be called the Journal. The question of what 
he was going to abolish was a secret. 

The Unsere Flagge was founded by J. M. Zahm in October, 1854. as a Dem- 
ocratic German paper. This continued publication imtil January, 1867, when 
it ceased to apjiear. The office material was sold in 1869 to the <S7ar. 

Die Tiffin Presse, a German Democratic joui-nal, carefully edited and well 
printed, was first issued January 6, 1871, by George Homan, and it has been 
published continuously since that time by George Homan & Son. 

The Tiffin Gazette was founded in A])ril, 1878. by Charles L. Zahm. as a 
family joiu'nal. The publication of this paper was discontinued in 1879. 

The Tiffin \eu-s was established by D. J. Stalter, in 1880. and the first 
numb(>r issued April 8, that year. Mr. Stalter purchased the printing office of 
the Tiffin Gazette, from C. L. Zahm, in 1880, introduced a new ecjuipment, 
and since that year has published a first class weekly newspaper. The editor 
represented Seneca Coimty in the last Legislature. 

The Tiffin Mont id ij Trade Rei'ieir was issued from the press of E. R. Good & 
Bros, in July, 1879. It had a circulation of about 2.(100 copies per mouth; 
but was discontinued when the Heidelberg Journal was begun. 13 



326 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

The Heidelberg Monthly Journal vfas first issued, October 1, 1880, bvE. R. 
Good & Bro. at Tiffin. This journal is devoted solely to college matters and 
literary contributions, and claims a bona fide monthly circulation of 500 copies. 

The Tiffin Daily Courier, a morning paper, founded in 1884, was regulaiy 
issued by Mr. Mann as editor, for some time, then passed into other hands, and 
soon after ceased publication. 

The Enterprise was established by the Enterprise Printing Company, in 
1885. 

The Reporter and Advertiser, issued during the annual fair of Seneca 
County, is published by J. S. Yerk & Co. for free distribution. The issue 
under notice, that of September, 1882, is good in its mechanical make up and 
advertising pages. 

FOSTORIA NEWSPAPERS. 

The Fostoria News was founded in February, 1800, by J. H. Foster, now of 
Van Wert, and conducted by him until 1866, when, August 13. that year, Julius 
V. Jones and W. G. Blymer, j^iu-chased the office. ^Mthin the following year 
Mr. Jones purchased the entire interest. In August, 1866, the name was 
changed to Fostoria Review. When, in Februarj-, 1860, the first volume of 
the Fostoria News appeared, its motto was ' ' Peace with all mankind, ' ' and its 
principles "Neutrality in politics." February 22, 1861, the fii'st issue of 
Volume II, the Netcs announced itself in favor of that party which should stand 
by the Union and the Constitution, and in 186(i adopted the principles of the 
Republican party. 'Mi. Jones sold to E. W. Thomas, in 1868; he sold to Miss 
L. Foster and l\Ir. Wilkerson, who in turn sold it to J. V. Jones. Mr. Jones 
conducted the Rem'ew until 1876, when the office was purchased by O. J. and 
J. P. De Wolfe, and earned on by them until 1883, when J. P. De Wolfe be- 
came sole proprietor. 

The Observer, an academical paper, was published for a short time at Fos- 
toria. This journal gave place to the College Echo, in 1884, a paper now 
published in the interest of the College of Music and of the Fostoria Acad- 
emy. 

The Fo,storia Democrat was founded July 19. 1875. by Meyer & Baird, in 
which firm Frank Hays had one-third interest. The Democrat was continued un- 
der the original management until May, 1876, when Jlr. Hays purchased James 
B. Baird' s interest, and, with R. C. Meyer, conducted the paper until July 22, 
1880, when Frank Hays purchased the sole control. The Democrat is a five 
column quarto, well printed, ably edited, and is one of the leading Democratic 
papers of northwestern Ohio. The office gives employment to from four to 
seven hands. The circulation is about 1,100 copies weekly. 

ATTICA NEWSPAPERS. 

The Attica Journal was first issued April 6, 1876, by C. W. Clough, who, 
that year, came from Mom'oeville, Ohio, bringing with him a full equipment 
for a newspaper office. He sold the office to A. H. Baldsley (now of Findlay), 
who sold the office to Dr. J. C. Meyers, who. in fact, ovs-ned the Journal up to 
his death, January 18, 1884, C. W. DeBrant being editor and publisher for 
the greater part of this time. Shortly after Dr. Meyer's death T. B. Walker 
purchased the office, and conducted the Journal to January 1, 1885, when Dr. 
H. G. Blaine became editor and proprietor. G. C. Lake, who has been con- 
nected with the Journal for seven years past, is local editor, and superintends 
the printing room. 

■The Medical Compend, pronounced by Rowell to be the cheapest medical 
journal in the world, was issued at Attica in January, 1884, and regularly 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 327 

every month since that time, by H. G. Blaine, M, D. It claims a monthly 
circulation ranging from 1,5(K) to "2,000 copies, always increasing. The C'ohj.- 
pend is issued in magazine form. 

The Noonday Sun. issued from the Journal office, Attica, March 3, 1885, 
is a monthly magazine, devoted ])nncipally to religious reading; is edited by 
Rev. \\'. A. Keesy, of the United Brethi'en Church. 

GEEEN SPRING NEWSPAPERS. 

The Green Spring Senthwl was issued May 1, 1874, at Green Spring, by 
A. D. Ames. This was a weekly newspaper, independent in political matt<>rs. 

The Green Spring Tiuien was established in 1M7<) by G. A. Seiders, after- 
ward sold to Vi'. J. Johnson, who sold it to D. S. Caldwell, and subsequently 
repmchased it. In 1881 the office was piu'chased by M. F. Van Buskirk, of 
Mansfield, Ohio. In Febniary, 1884, a partnership was formed between M 
F. Van Buskirk and H. J. Erusberger, the latter also of Mansfield, under the 
firm name o{ Van Buskirk & Co. The Times office changed hands in August, 
1885. M. F. Van Buskirk selling his interest to D. B. Kowell. 

The Mutual Undrrwrifer is edited and published in the Green Spring Time* 
office. It was established in Columbia. Penu. , in 1870, subsequently piu'chased 
by J. R. Vernon, of Salem, and lastly by the present publishers. It is de- 
voted to the interest of assessment insiu'ance, and is the only paper of the kind 
extant. It is the official paper of the cause in Ohio and neighboring States. 
The New Academy was founded in 1884, edited by Rev. J. S. Axtell. and 
printed by the publishers of the Times. It is devoted to the interests of modern 
academic training. 

BLOOMVILLE NEWSPAPERS. 

The Bloomrille Enterprise was founded July 4, 1874, by Robert Lockhart, 
preacher, who transferred his interest in it to J. N. Lee, in October following. 
Sir. Lee sold the outfit to D. W. Fisher, in October, 1874. 

The Bloomville Banner, founded January 1, 1875, as successor to the 
Enterprise, by D. W. Fisher, was conducted by various parties for short terais 
until \y. S. Hammaker took the office and published the paper with some regu- 
larity for about eight months, when he ceased publication. 

The Seneca County Record was founded by O. M. Holcomb, in July, 1878, 
who purchased the Banner office fi'om W. S. Hammaker. 

The Bloomrille Record was founded in July, 1878, and the first number 
•issued July 5, that year, by 0. M. Holcomb, of Fayette, Ohio, who pmxhased the 
old office. The Record is an eight column folio, has a circulation of 700 and 
is independent in politics. 

The Bloomrille Daily Record was issued July 4, 1879, from the Record 
office. 

BETTSVILLE NEWSPAPERS. 

The Optic was founded December 15, 1882, at Bettsville, by R. M. 
Scott, who conducted the paper until .July 1, 1883, when F. C. Miller, John 
Miller, H. S. Raff and J. L. Hosier purchased the office. 

The Bettsville Enterprise, successor to the Ojitic, was founded by the pur- 
chasers of the last named office and the first number issued July 13, 1883, with 
J. L. Hosier, editor. This paper has now a circulation of fiOO. It is a neat 
four-page paper, well jirinted. newsy, and neutral in politics. In October, 
1883, !Mr. Hosier purchased the interests of his j)artners in the office. 

OTHER PUBLICATIONS. 

The first history of f5eneca County was published about 1817. by Con.suJ 



328 HISTORY OF SEfJECA COUNTY. 

W. Butterfield, of Melmore. The names of the supporters of this little book 
are ^iven in the history of the townships, where such supporters resided. 

The second history of the county, written by Judge ^^'illiam Lang, was 
published in 1880, an excellent work showing much care in its compilation. 

There has been a work written by a citizen of the county, which, more than 
any other literaiy effort, has made the name of Seneca County familiar through- 
out the whole country. The author is the son of one of the pioneer lawj'ers of Tiffin, 
and is, himself, one of the ablest members of the present bar, and, indeed, one 
of the most useful members of the United States Congress. The book is titled 
Senei/^s Code, and the author is George E. Seney. 

The educational papers by Prof. Aaron Schuyler, who in early days was 
connected with the Seneca County Academy at Republic, have earned for him 
a high reputation. Prof. Schuyler afterward tilled the chau- of mathematics at 
the Baldwin University, Berea, Ohio. P. H. Ryan has compiled a work of 
the most complete character, which awaits publication. It embraces Algebra 
and Mathematics. 

CONCLUSION. 

Many of the printers are gone to that land where there are no " devils. " 
Their "ems" have been counted, and like all good typos, they have been rewarded 
a hundi'ed-fold for their labors. Many of the editors, too, have mingled with 
their old fiiends of the composing-room, and already met their brothers in the 
happy hunting grounds, where there are no weekly quaiTels, no criminations 
or recriminations. The experiences of the joru-ney thither have brought forth 
this grand result, and looking down on then- old confreres of the press, they 
wonder why it is that civilization has not yet encu'cled them, or left untaught 
the lessons of peace and kind words. There ai-e many of the old printers and 
editors, fortiinately, left. They are not wdthout their faults; but such faults 
are the excesses of their virtiies, and incidental to the profession, if not part 
and parcel of oiu- own times. In the pioneer chapter and in the chapters of 
this work devoted to personal history and reminiscences, mention is made of a 
large number of them, and to these the reader is referred. To the whole press 
of Seneca County the writer is specially indebted for much substantial aid in 
obtaining material for this volume, and to each of its members he offers his 
sincere thanks, as history itself owes them thanks. 



CHAPTER IX. 

jnLITARY HISTORY. 



IN this chapter the writer deals with the whole military history of the comity 
from 1782 to the present time: omitting here only local military organiza- 
tions, such as Grand Aj-my Posts and latter day militia commands, which are 
referred to in the histories of the cities and townships. Nothing is taken on 
presumption in the following pages, and thus, perhaps, it may happen that a 
few events and names are not recorded. It is notably the case with the history 
of French military occupation that no mention is made of this district. The 
French military posts at Sandusky, Miami, Presque Isle and Fort Ducjuesne 
have each a history; but the travels, explorations and dealings of the French 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 329 

soldiers and citizens with the Indians of this particular part of the Sandusky 
country are not of record. The tirst authentic reference to the territory, now 
embraced in Seneca County, is contained in a report of Capt. Butler to the 
British commandant, at Detroit. 

It is known that the English, under Bradstreet. with Israel Putnam in 
command of a comjaany of militia and a numV)er of Iroquois, sailed up the 
Sandusky in 1 704, and made a treaty of peace with the Wyandots, but whether 
they proceeded from Lower Sandusky to the villages of Capt. Pijje and Half- 
King, which were there located, is a question that cannot now be decided. 

This Capt. Butler, an Irish Tory in the English army, was dispatched to 
the Sandusky country by Depeyster, the British commandant, to aid the In- 
dians in repelling Col. Crawford's advance, in June, 1782. On the night of 
June 3. 17.S'2. Butler's white cavalry and mounted batteiy, and Elliott's com- 
mand camped within the great bend of the river, about fovu-teen miles above 
Lower Sandusky (Pleasant Township), and thence proceeded to the south line 
of the county, where a camp was pitched and from which jsoint they advanced 
toward Battle Island, within three miles of I'pper Sandusky, to assist the Del- 
awares and AVyandots in the fight of June T), 1782, which cost the Americans 
the loss of seventy men of Col. Crawford's force of 480, and led to the hoixible 
death of Crawford, in the township named after him in Wyandot County, re- 
corded in the first part of this work. With Butler was Simon Girty, a less 
refined villain than the captain, but etjually well versed in cruelty Wide Pio- 
neer History). 

From 1782 to 1812 little or nothing was heard of military affairs in this 
district. During the latter year Gen. Bell, acting under orders from Gen. 
Harrison, proceeded, with a small staff, down the west bank of the Sandusky 
River, and marked a trail along the plateau or high ground, to be used as a 
military road. John Meeker had charge of the workmen, and followed up 
Bell so closely with the work that all small trees and shrubs were cleared away 
between Uj)per and Lower Sandusky, within an hour after the genera! an'ived 
at the lower ])ost. This highway was subsequently improved a little from Del- 
aware to Lower Sandusky, and by this route Han-ison, Ball. Wells. McPherson, 
McMahon, Croghan and other commanders led their troops northward in 1813. 

Building of Fort Ball. — This military post was established in 1813, prior 
to the construction of Fort Seneca, lower down. It appears that Gen. Han-i- 
son sent forward Col. Ball's cavaliy command to erect quarters for the troops 
at some favorable sjjot on the banks of the Sanduskj-, where they could rest 
and recruit while acting as a coips of observation. Col. Ball was led to the 
place by some fi-iendly Indians, and was not disa])pointed when he beheld the 
locality. Near the river bank a stream of crystal water poiu-ed forth fiom its 
spring, and here the Colonel determined to erect the stockade. The command 
worked steadily, and in a few days a camp (with diill-ground and houses) was 
ready for occupation. The troops named the place Fort Ball, in honor of 
their commander. After the completion of Fort Sen«'ca a portion of Harrison's 
infanti-y replaced the cavalry gan'ison of Fort Ball, and made an entrenched 
camp. During the month of July several soldiers died at Fort Ball, and even 
on the morning of July 31, 1813. when the garrison moved to Camp Seneca, a 
few died before the fort was lost sight of. John Searles. who served in the 
war of 1812, moved with his family to Fort Ball in 1S20. and made his home 
in one of the blockhouses of the old fo7-t. Paul I). Butler and David Risdon, 
who boarded with him, lived in the same house during the building of Spencer' s 
saw-mill, when Henri or Levi Creesy, the blacksmith, and David Smith, 
the fiddler, had still another room in this quaint old hotel. At that time the 



330 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

three block-houses were intact, all facing the river, with a half-acre parade 
ground extending north. This gi'oimd was enclosed by posts twelve inches 
thick, fixed firmly in the earth and fastened near the top with old bayonets, 
and all sniTounded by a deep ditch. The roofs of the houses were simply clap- 
boards. This post was occupied at intervals until peace was restored, when 
it was allowed to go the way of all frontier buildings. Where the old fort 
stood are the beautiful homes of a prosperous city' s people, and close by 
stands a magnificent pile of granite to link together the glories and soitows of 
1813 and 1801-05. 

Buikling of Fort Seneca. — Early in June. 1813, a Mi. Connor and some 
friendly Indians appeared before Gen. Han-ison to describe the country along 
the Sandusky River, above the trading post at Lower Sandusky. Their infor 
mation confirmed him in the opinion he had entertained of its strategic im- 
portance. In June, IS 13, to further satisfy himself that such a post was 
necessary, he met a number of Delaware, ^^'yandot, Shawnee and Seneca In- 
dians at Franklinton, and interviewed the chiefs regarding their militaiy sym- 
pathies. He failed not to discern that, under their assurances of friendship, 
a design existed to aid the English, and seeing this he determined to erect a 
fort some nine miles above Sandusky post. In July of that year he arrived on 
the giound with a force of 000 men, including Ball's and Wells' dragoon com- 
panies. Diu-ing the first week the site was selected on Sections 8 and U. Pleas- 
ant Township, and lumber prepared. Then the work of constriiction was 
carried forward with energy. This post stood on the west side of the river, 
where the bank was about forty feet above the river-bed level. One acre and 
a half of land at the springs was enclosed by oak posts twelve inches thick 
and 144 inches high, with a clay wall six feet thick on the east front, and an 
nnstaked embankment between the ravine on the south and the single picket 
fence of the fort. The embankment on the north was capped by a strong 
ehevaujc-de-frise work. On the northeast corner was the bastion, used as a 
store-house for ammunition. On the northwest was a strong block-house 
twenty-five feet square and sixteen feet high, while sixteen feet square blocks 
commanded the southeast and southwest corners. 

Here the British conspired with the Indians to have Gen. Harrison assas- 
sinated, and with this object hired a Shawnee, of Wapakonetta, at Maiden, 
Canada, named Little Blue Jacket, to join the few Shawnees and other fi-iendly 
Indians, then en route to Camp Seneca, thus gain admission to the camp, and 
murder the American commander. He confided his intention to Beaver, a 
Delaware, in the following words: "I will kill the General, even if I was siire 
that the guard will cut me into pieces no bigger than my thumb nail. ' ' The 
Beaver, already a fi-iend of Han-ison, was now a confidant of the Shawnee. His 
duty was questionable. "While debating within hims(>lf. Little Blue Jacket came 
up, and at the sight of the drunken brawler and miu'derer, he formed the res- 
olution to save the General. Addressing the Shawnee, he said: "Blue 
Jacket, you must be a great warrior. You will not only kill this white man 
(Col. McPherson) for treating you as you deserve, but yoii will also murder 
our father, the American Chief, and bring disgrace and mischief upon us all. 
But you shall do neither; I will serve you as I would a mad dog!" So saying, 
he struck the Shawnee to the ground, and one more of Proctor's fellow-con- 
spirators completed his eaiihly coiu'se. 

This fort was untenanted fi'om the close of the war of 1812 to November 
19, 18 ly, when Rev. James Montgomery arrived to take up his oifice as agent 
for the Seneca Indians. The site, three miles distant from the village of Fort 
Seneca, is still distinguishable, but every vestige of the building has disap- 
peared, like the men who erected it. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 331 

Harrison at Fort Seneca. — Few readers are unacquainted with Maj. 
Michael G. Croghau's magnificent disobedience of Gen. Hamson's orders in 
holding Fort Stephenson (Lower Sanduskj'), and in totally defeating the In- 
dians and British, under Gen. Proctor, on August 2, 1813. For some time 
prior to this, Gen. Harrison made his headquarters at Fort Seneca, a half 
day's march up the river from Fort Stephenson. Having the opinion of a 
militaiT council that Croghan's position was untenable against the approach- 
ing Indians and British, he dispatched Thomas Connor to that post with orders 
for its instant evacuation. Connor and his giiides did not ari'ive there until 
July 28, when the commandant returned an answer to the general, that orders 
came too late and the fort would be defended to the last. On July 30, Col. 
Ball and Maj. Wells, in charge of two cavalry companies were sent for- 
ward to arrest Croghan and place Wells there to carry out the evacuation. 
Croghan was brought before Gen. Han-ison, explained his plans, was restored 
to his command, and on returning to Fort Stephenson completed his prejjara- 
tions and disposed his lt)() men to receive the British and Indians. This re- 
ception was held August 2, 1813, a most disastrous one for the English and 
their allies. On August 3, Harrison's force evaciiated Fort Seneca to pursue 
the allies. 

Toledo War. — This ridiculous squabble of 1835, actually claimed the ear- 
nest attention of the very men who laid the foundations of two great States. 
No less than 300 men were enrolled in Seneca County, of whom the greater 
number marched to the ^Michigan line under Gen. Henry C. Brish. A mention 
of the fact that a large number of able-bodied men were drawn away fi'om 
their farms and their workshops in the spring of the year 1835, a time when 
the county required the presence of all her workingmen, is enough to point out 
the childishness of the two administrations. A fall reference to this "Comedy 
of Errors' ' is made in the second part of this work, the histoi-y of Ohio, in the 
sketch of Judge Higgins in the historj- of the Coiu-ts and Bar, in the pioneer 
chapter, and in several personal sketches and reminiscences. 

Pioneer Militia of Seneca Coiaify. — On August 7, 1832, Col. Lowell Rob- 
inson and Adjt. Calvin Bradley called a meeting of fi-eeholders to meet at John 
Goodin's house, at Tiffin, August 17, 1832, to elect officers of Company Four, 
Fii-st Regiment. First Brigade, Seventeenth Division Ohio Militia. A military 
review of officers of First Regiment was held August 31, 1832, at the request 
of Lieut. -Col. William Toll, and repeated annually until 1834. In 1835 the 
Seneca Blues organized, with Hemy Ebert commanding. This organization 
served five years. This was a unifonned company armed with flint-lock mus- 
kets supplied by the State. Gen. George W. Gist of the First Brigade Ohio 
Militia, appointed Jonathan Parker brigade major, James H. Wilson, aid-de- 
camp, and John Staub, quartermaster, in June, 183*). A celebration of July 
4, 1830. was the leading event of the kind up to that year. Eli Stem, briga- 
dier-general First Battalion. Seventeenth Division, Ohio Militia and James 
Durbin. brigade major, called a meeting of the First Battalion, at Sam Leard's 
house, June Ifi, 1838. 

In May, 1839, the officers of the First Regiment met at Staub' s house, in 
Tiffin, the officers of the Second Regiment at Jlichael Hendel's house, in Re- 
public, and the Third Battalion at the house of Sam Leard. in Rome, by com- 
mand of Maj. Gen. John Bell and John Walker, quartermaster. 

In June. 1831), Thomas M. Brashear was appointed brigade major; R. 
W. Reid, aide-de-camp, and John Staub, quartermaster. 

Col. Peter Lot ordered a muster of officers of First Regiment, at Tiffin, 
August 30, 1839. 



332 HrSTORY OP SENECA COUNTV. 

Lewis Baltzell commenced the organization of a cavalrj' company at Tiffin, 
in November, 1S41. 

A militai-y encampment at Tiffin was held in July and August, 1842. 

Maj.-Gen. John Bell was com-t-martialed in February, 1843. Brig. -Gen. 
Sea, then captain in a light-horse company, was a member of the coirrt, against 
whom Bell lodged a protest which led to his removal by Sergt. -at-arms Lang. 

Mexican War. — The fact of a war with Mexico was made known to the 
people of Seneca thi'ough the press and by the following notice: 

HEADQUARTERS 
FIRST BRIGADE, SEVENTEENTH DIVISION, O. M. 

ORDER NO. 1. 

Cherry Lawn, May 28, 1846. 
Our countrj' is invaded. Her citizens have been slaughtered on her own soil. Rise, 
People of Seneca, and let them be avenged. 

Every Patriot is expected to convene at Tiffin, on Saturday, the 30th day of May, inst.. 
at 10 o'clock, A. M.. to give his voice for the honor of the UNION. 

By orderof theMajor-General, Sidney Se.\. 

Oeneral of Brigade. 

This meeting was held, and the names of forty-nine volunteers were en- 
rolled. The total enrollment was fifty-six. 

The volunteers were presented with a flag June 8, 184G, by W. P. Noble, 
on behalf of the ladies who made it. 

Under instructions fi-om Asst. Adjt. -Gen. B. W. Price, Jr., June 17. 1846, 
the Seneca company was ordered to be attached to J. F. Chapman" s command 
of the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 

Of the fifty-six men whose names were enrolled, thirty-nine from this 
county went to the field under Capt. Chapman, viz. : John H. Flenner, first 
lieutenant; Smith D. Baldwin, second lieutenant; Thomas Little and Louis 
A. Beilharz, sergeants; William Boyer, James Biu-rows, William Carney. John 
Cobert, Edward Dougherty, Peter Schultz. James Goshorn. Ben Gee, Jacob 
Hessenauer, HeniT Hoffman, L. Hoeffling, N. Hall, John Kennedy, George 
and Daniel Kelly. Nick Kirsh. Martin Lieb, Christian Myers, G. Melcher. J. 
Morehead, Arch McMuUen, AV. Non-is. George Probasco, Joshiia Prebble, L. 
Prentz, T. Eosevelt, George Eockwell, N. Kichards, Aloysius Rouk, Russel 
Smith, Sol Smith, M. Smith, William Smith, Jacob T\'olf and WUliam Wells, 
private soldiers. Men from adjoining coiinties came to Tiffin and enlisted. 

In November. 1846, the Seneca volunteers were at Matamoras. Up to that 
date the company lost two men — Arch McMullen and George Probasco. 

Col. C. J. McNidty died July 12, 1846, en route to Mexico. 

The Seneca volunteers left Cincinnati in Col. Ciu-tis' command, July 3, 
1846. 

Peter Foncha, a sergeant of the United States Army, was engaged in Feb- 
ruary, 1847, in enlisting Seneca County volunteers for the Mexican war, on a 
112 boimty. A few recruits joined the army at that time. 

Seneca in the War for the Union. — Owing to the extent of this chapter, a 
plain statement of facts is only given. Local events are arranged chronolog- 
ically. 

The proposed attack on Fort Moultrie, December 27, 1860, by a Charles- 
ton moll, caused intense excitement throughout the county. 

April 17, 1861, a large war meeting was held at Tiffin. W. H. Gibson, 
W. P. Noble. Dr. Kuhn, J. K. Hord, T. C. Tunison and J. C. Lee were the 
princijjal speakers. A telegram from the adjutant-general, in reference to or- 
ganization, was replied to, saying that a company was organizing, a beginning 
being made by thirty-three volunteers. 





J^tyt 




HISTORY OF SENECA COUNT V. 335 

A pju-t of the edition of the TiiMa Tribune was bnrnetl April I'j, ISOl, on 
the streets of Tiffin. 

The mayor appointed a force of ninety special constables, in addition to 
the ))olice of Tiftin. same; month, to prevent a re))etition of the affair. 

The Home Guard was organized in April. ISOl. Artillery Company A was 
commanded by A\'. H. Gibson, captain, M'. H. I'arks. tirst lieutenant, and H. 
S. Ivendig, second lieutenant; Cavalry Company B. by K. McD. Gibson, cap- 
tain, H. A. Spayth, first lieutenant, and Frank Abbott, second lieutenant. 

Capt. Franklin's company of Seneca sharp-shooters left Tiffin April 22, 
18G1, ('II route to Cleveland. Their departiu'e was signalized by the presenta- 
tion of the silk banner carried in ISBO by the Douglas Gun Squad. D. F. De- 
Wolf made the presentation on behalf of Capt. Bagby. Supt. Rice, of the 
S. C. ct D. Railroad, furnished a special train. This company was mustered 
into the Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at Cleveland. May 2, 1S61. 

Foster & Co. , of Fostoria, appropriated ¥1,< 100 for the support of volun- 
teers' families, in April, ISOl. D. Hays also made a liberal donation for the 
purpose. 

The Seneca Sharpshooters organized in April, 1861, with F. E. Franklin, 
captain. B. F. Ogle, first lieutenant and C. W. Barnes, second lieutenant. 
The vohmteers were : S. S. Keisinger, S. F. Poonuau, Enoch Travis. Andrew 
Shi-iner, John Kaiip, Lem Snover, Jacob "W'ademan, Daniel Barnliart, George 
Baugher, Henry Baugher, Charles Kipka, Jacob Ranch. Charles Ranch. J. W. 
Walker, Daniel Lee, William Niles. David Bell. D. L. Dubbs, Hemy Bloom, 
William Brestle, F. McBride, ]Marcus Dawd, Henry C. Myers. John Redd, A. 
D. Lutz, J. Cloidence, John Loring, John Nichols; J. M. Henry, Henry Bri- 
ner, J. H. Beatty, W. H. Pockmire, Val Bennington, Nick Barks, William 
Bostin, Austin Beck, J. W. Canary, Jr. , Thomas McBride, L. D. Arnold, M. 
B. Linn, E. J. Navlor, Charles Lampkin, Ed Bush, J. S. Harrison, Jacob 
Smith, J. L. Wilson. Hemv Bair. J. W. Long, A. Miller, P. Groover, J. W. 
Cramer. Val Shultz, S. Z. Bean, J. A. Hoover, D. F. DeiT. S. C. Sloat. J. C. 
Bowersock, George W. Beard, L. Huffman. Aug Shertzberg, W. H. Haas, S. 
J, Loon, D. A\'. Hoffman. Joseph Coller, E. W. Clark, A. H. Byers. Joseph 
Wismich. Andi-ew Miller, C. J. Hoote, H. H. Clark. James Branderberg, Louis 
Sears. Joseph Gratis, John Gordon, John Herman. Maxime Fredo, M. W. 
Shoemaker. D. J. Goodsell, Jr., Charles Seewald, H. Fleiserman, J. C. Lang- 
don, Joseph McDowell, N. Drill, J. A. Julien, T. Neeley, James Logan. J. P. 
Arnold, J. W. Vantassell, George W. Bristle, Henry Till, Ed Jones, George 
Talbot, Daniel HeiTing, Joseph Leipold, Alonzo AVood, Isaac B. Lightcap, 
Heni-j' Gall, Con Shoup. AMlliam JIcDowell, J. M. Humphiies, Vincent Hud- 
der. George Brown. John Blair and D. H. Dawalt. The first casuality was 
that of John Cramer, who accidentally shot himself at Cleveland, April 2(3, 
1861. 

April 22. ISfll, John E. McCormack entered on the work of organizing a 
company. Before the close of the week ninety men enlisted, with John E. 
McCormack, captain, Joseph Park, first lieutenant, and Hiram Brettin, second 
lieutenant. 

Company A, Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry was the first company raised 
in Seneca County for the war of 1801-65. 

Dr. Franklin, ca])tain of the Seneca Sharpshooters, was elected first lieu- 
tenant-colonel of the Eighth Ohio Infantry, in May, 1S61. 

The daughter of G. \\'. Beard, of Tiffin, Ohio, was adopted as daughter of 
the Eighth Regiment. 

A lady, dressed in volunteer uniform, joined Company B, Third Regiment, 



336 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Governor's Guards, at Camp Dennison. She was in camp three weeks before 
she reported herself to the captain as a female volunteer. 

Camp Andreii's, at Tiffin, was named in honor of Lovin Andrews. Capt. 
McCormack's company, of over 100 men, encamped there in April, 1861. 

Gibson's Kifle Company, formerly the Light Artillery Company, of Tiffin, 
was reorganized as a rifle company, April 80, ISfil, with AV. H. Gibson, cap- 
tain. Col. Gibson was presented with a very valuable horse before leaving 
Tiffin with his command. 

When Col. Depuy addressed the question to the Seneca company. May 26, 
1861, "how many will enlist for three years' service ?" sixty-three members 
of the Sharpshooters stepped 100 paces to the front, with the flag presented to 
them at Tiffin. This company reorganized in June, 1861; Capt. Winslow and 
Lieuts. Ogle and Barnes in command. 

The Tiffin Union Grays completed organization June 6, 1861, with D. F. 
DeWolf, captain, Van C. Coonrod, first lieutenant and Kobert Lyle, second 
lieutenant. 

Lieut. -Col. Franklin and Capt. Clark left Tiffin June 3, 1861, with thirty 
recruits for Camp Dennison. 

The Clinton Guards completed organization June 5, 1861, with Robert 
Crum, captain; Leander Stem, first lieutenant and Itev. E. E. Higbee, second 
lieutenant. 

A list of the Fostoria Invincibles, the first company organized in 1861, pre- 
sents the following roster: A. M. Blackman. captain; M. H. Chance, first 
lieutenant; Jonas Foster, second lieutenant; B. C. Harman, sergeant; A. T. 
McDonell, second sergeant; J. L. Hollopeter, third sergeant; Sampson Swit- 
zer, foiirth sergeant; Hiram Chance, Thomas Conley, Jacob J. Bowman and 
William Martin, corporals. The private soldiers were: F. J. Santer. J. 
Myers, G. W. Foughty, A. Stearns, John Cregg, S. Crawford, T. \\'hitaker, 
J. W. Swander, C. E." Fritcher, W. W. Mourier, W. S. Bonnell, C. Warman, 
J. J. Fry, F. Werner, G. M. Davidson, H. W. Kunkle, A. L. Cramer. D. F. 
Eaton, Joseph Cramer, A. Wagner, G. Sabins, J. W. Grove, W. Whitaker, 
N. G. Turner, G. W. McEwen, A. P. Hays, J. E. Kunkle, O. B. Biu-dette, R. 
Adams, C. Bin-er, W. Leslie, F. M. Smith, C. Kredler, F. Metz, W . P. Noel, 
F. Crowell, W. M. Dresskill. C. Days, J. R. Slaughterbeck. G. W. Bagley, 
Thomas B. Boughton, M. Ash, M. Stahl, C. Wonders, A. Bates, P. Green- 
swike, M. Rinehart, Moses Parkhurst, G. F. Beightle, W. Rollins. J. Hahn, 
J. H. McCoy, P. Martin, H. Shontz. Jr., J. Zimmerman, M. Saum, M. M. 
Hartsonck, W. Saum, M. Longernecker, J. H. Dicken, G. W. Slaughterback, 
W. Miller, Jr., W. S. Moses, Olmer G. Jacobs. Em Lyberger, H. Beatty, S. 
J. Graham, Ambrose Fry, William Harley, Al Everett, H. Whiteford, J. Boss- 
ier, G. A. Gessner, J. M. Lacey, D. Smith, M. Miller, J. S. Oaks, George 
Grove, G. W. Grove, H. H. John, J. B. Moore, Robert W. Adams. John Bry- 
ant, Thomas Bouskin, Clayton Everett, A. J. Miller, S. C. Miller, J. Y. Yates, 
O. P. Norris and H. S. Woolman. The original roster is printed on sheep- 
skin, and was presented to the company in 1861 by J. W. Foster, of the Fos- 
toria News. 

In June, 1861, Republic organized a company for throe years' service with 
Asa Way, captain, Wesley Chamberlain, first lieutenant, and Daniel Metzger, 
orderly sergeant. 

Fort Seneca Guards organized in June, 1861, with Mark Hams, captain, 
Alexander Johnson, first lieutenant, and D. S. Blue, second lieutenant. This 
company was well uniformed and armed with spears. 

The farmers in the neighborhood of Fort Seneca organized a cavalry com- 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 337 

pany in June, 1861, with Augustus Hoke, captain, Le^'i Z. AVagner, first 
lieutenant, and John Hoke, second lieutenant. 

Boos' Tiffin Cornet Band, of Tiffin, was employed by the Eighth Ohio Vol - 
iinteers in June, 1861. 

Capt. Blackman's company was organized in Fostoria and neighborhood in 
June, 1861. 

A comet was visible here diu-ing the last days of June, 1S61, which was 
taken by the superstitious to denote a long and bloody war. 

Col. Franklin and Capt. E. \V. Clark, Jr. , in an advertisement of July 19. 
1861, for volunteers in the Ohio Zouaves, state that a bounty of $100 cash and 
160 acres of land will be paid to every man enlisting in that command for fidl 
term, and !f()0 extra bounty to three months' service-men, who will re-enlist. 

A company of Zouaves was organized at Tiffin in July, 1861, with M. Sul- 
livan, captain; V. C. Coonrod. first lieut. , and H. S. Kendig, second lieut. 

Twenty volunteers, under Capt. Higginbotham, left Tiffin for New York 
July 22, 1861. to wait for other volunteers from Green Sjjring and Clyde. 

Col. A. S. Piatt's Seneca County Zouave Company was organized in July, 
1861. In September, 1861, Messrs. Hord and Zigler were recruiting for 
Piatt's Second Zouave Regiment. 

On the last day of July, 1861, Col. William H. Gibson received the fol- 
lowing despatch: 

War Dep.'^rtment, Washington. D. C. July 30, 1861. 

Your regiment has been accepted. Acceptance sent by mail. Muster in by companies 
at Tiffin. Complete in twenty-one days. 

On August 6, Capt. Langworthy' s company arrived from Hancock County, 
103 strong, to be incorporated in Col. Gibson's command as Company A. The 
place where they camped was named Camp Noble, in honor of Congress- 
man Warren P. Noble. On August 12, the company raised by Capts. McCor- 
mack. Porter and Abbot, joined Col. Gibson's camj) on Augttst 12, 1861. Be- 
fore the close of August, 1861, Capts. Ciilver, Keller and Bartlett's three 
companies had joined his command; then organized as the Forty-ninth Ohio 
Vohinteer Infantiy, and the field official list was completed with AVilliam H. 
Gibson, colonel; A. Blackman, lietitenant-colonel; F. Drake, major; H. A. 
Spayth, quartermaster; V. C. Coonrod, adjtitant; Dr. Shrift, surgeon; Dr. W. 
H. Parks, assistant surgeon; E. H. Bush, chaplain. In the final organization 
C. W. Norton was appointed adjutant i-ice Coonrod. On September 9th, the 
evening before departiu'e, a recejition was held at Camp Noble. Miss Ella 
Gibson was adopted as the daughter of the regiment. 

John L. Osborne and Frank Abbott were engaged in organizing a company 
for the Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in September, 1861. 

The condition of the Fifty-fifth Eegiment early in October, 1861, accord- 
ing to Maj. Lee's account. WTitten at Norwalk, was as follows: Capt. Gam- 
bee's company and Capt. Steven's company nearly complete: Capts. Bement's 
and Shipman's companies had the minimum; Capt. Thomas, of Bettsville, had 
only sixty men; Capt. Robinson, of Republic, only forty; and Capts. Patrick, 
Jeny, Wildman, Powers, Sutton and AVickham had each a squad. 

Lieut. -Col. Faulhaber. of Fostoria, joined his company with the Fifty- 
seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantiy. 

The Adriatic Guards, Comjjany B, Forty-ninth Regiment, was organized 
with B. S. Porter, captain, John E. McCormack, first lieutenant, and Moses 
Abl)ott, second lieutenant. 

Senecas and Wyandots, Company D. Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
fully organized with G. "W. Culver, captain, Jacob Mosier, tlrst lieutenant, 
and John Gear, second lieutenant. 



338 HISTORV OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Company K, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized in Sep- 
tember, 1861, with J. M. Patterson, captain, Kev. Mr. Turner, fii-st lieu- 
tenant, and John Smith, second lieutenant. 

Capt. J. M. Steven's company of the Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
was organized at Melmore in September, 1861, with E. Eastman, fu'st lieuten- 
ant, and Robert Poole, second lieutenant. 

The Township Committees appointed in 1861. by the County Militaiy Com- 
mittee, in October, this year, requested the people to send articles of clothing 
and blankets to those committees for the use of soldiers in the field. 

The Ladies" Military Aid Society, of Seneca, was engaged actively in mak- 
ing clothing for the troops dm-ing the fall of 1861. 

The Seneca County Agricidtiu-al Society appropriated 8325, the net pro- 
ceeds of the fair of 1861, toward the support of soldiers" families. 

On Thanksgi%-ing Day, 1861, the Fii'st Chasseiu-s Ohio Volunteer Infantry 
issued a newspaper entitled The Chasseurs' Own. A copy was sent at once to 
the Tiffin newspapers by Regimental Postmaster Hope. 

The Congressional Military Committee of the Ninth Congressional District, 
in October, 1861, comprised: R. P. Buekland. John Jenny, H. L. McKee, 
Alexander S. Ramsay. Robert McKelly and D. W. Swigart. This committee 
held a meeting at Tiffin, October 11, 1861, when a military committee 
for Seneca County was appointed, viz. : Leander Stem, John J. Steiner, J. 
M. Zahm, G. M. Ogden and Charles Foster. Township committees were ia 
tiu-n appointed by the county committee (see list). 

Michael Sullivan, of Tiffin, was commissioned suttler of the Fifty-fifth 
Regiment, with H. S. Kendig and A. W. Miller, clerks, in October, 18(51. 

Dr. Leopold Zander, formerly of Seneca County, served as first surgeon in 
the Red Shirt Regiment, near "Washington, in October, 1861. 

CjI. Gibson was in command of Rosseau's brigade at Camp Nevin. during 
that officer's illness, in the fall of 1861. October 14 he delivered an address 
to the command, which was noticed throughout the North and South. 

Victor J. Zahm, of Tiffin, was commissioned adjutant of the Third Ohio 
Cavalry in October. 1861. 

Lieut. B. Bnindage issued his advertisement for volunteers for the Seventy- 
second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in October, 1861. 

Lieut, "William Smith made a last call for volunteers to fill a company for 
Col. Piatt" s brigade. 

The Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry was formed in November, 
1861, with R. P. Buekland. colonel. H. Canfield, lieutenant-colonel, and G. 
M. Ogden, major. Thomas ^^'. Egbert was one of the first company com- 
manders. 

The organization of the Eighty-second Ohio Infantry was authorized in 
November, 1861, under Col. James Cantwell. 

In November, 1861, Maj. John C. Lee was promoted to a colonelcy; Adjt. 
DeWolf was commissioned major Fifty-fifth Infantry, and Capt. Winslow. of 
the Seneca Sharpshooters, major of the Eighth Ohio Infantry. George C. 
Benham, formerly of Tiffin, was appointed assistant commissary with rank of 
lieutenant, and assigned duty with the Ohio troops in Kentucky. 

Lieut. James Furnald advertised for volunteers for the Seventy-second 
Ohio Volunteer Militia, in November. 1861. 

Leroy Crockett was appointed major of Seventy-second Infantry, vice G. 
M. Ogden, declined; John B. Rice, siu-geon, and Dr. Kaul. assistant siu-geon. 

Up to December 1. 1861, a force of 1.23(l men represented Seneca County 
in the Eighth, Twenty-fifth, Forty-ninth, Fifty-fifth and Fifty-seventh Ohio 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 339 

Infantry commands, in Company I, First Chasseiu-s, and in tho Third Cavahy. 
In addition to this numbor 3(X) men from this county were serving in various 
commands. 

A ffi't'ut fair for the benefit of soldiers was held at Union Hall (formerly the 
Wigwam) on December '22, 1S(U. 

Cajit. S. S. Carroll, of the Tenth United States Infantry, was appointed 
colonel of the Eighth Ohio Infantry, vice DePny, resigned. 

There were only nineteen deaths in the Forty-ninth Regiment fi'om date of 
organization to December 1, 1861, including Hollingshead, who died at Camp 
Nevin, December 1. 

A loan of $4, 500 was made by Tomb, Huss & Co. to the commissioners, in 
January. 1862. at per cent. This money was devoted to the relief of the 
soldiers' families. Under the act of May 10, 1861. providing for the relief of 
soldiers' families, the commissioners authorized a tax of one-half of 1 mill per 
dollar valuation, adopted a series of rules, and appointed relief committees 
for the townships. 

The amounts allowed to soldiers' families per week are given as follows : 
Wife without childi'en or parents. SI; guardian of minor childi'en of soldiers, 
$1; wife with one child. $1.25; wife with two children, $1.50; wife with three 
or more childi'en, $1.75. 

The township certifA'ing committees were appointed in Januarj% 1862. 

Capt. Callahan, of the Forty-ninth Ohio Vohtnteer InfantiT, resigned in 
Janiifirj', 1862. when Isaiah Bernard was commissioned in his place. 

Eev. Vt'. G. Caples (formerly of Fostoria), chaplain in Price's rebel com- 
mand, was made prisoner, and incarcerated at St. Louis, in Febniary. 1862. 

Capt. Higginbotham, of the Fu'st United States Chasseiu's, sent forward his 
command fi-om Tiffin, in IMarch, 18(^)2. David Milne was first lieutenant, and 
Hem'v Ellis, second lieutenant, of this command. 

A meeting to rejoice over the occu})ation of Nashville by the Union troops, 
was held March 5, 1862, with J. A\'. Miller, president, and J. D. Loomis and 
G. W. Cunningham, vice-presidents. 

Maj. DeWolf received a present of a valuable horse fi'om his Tiffin friends. 
March 17, 1862. The presentation was made at Camp Kelly, Va. , by U. K. 
Flenner. 

At the battle near Winchester, in March, 1862, the Eighth Ohio Vohtnteer 
Infantry lost six killed and a large niuuber wounded. 

Maj. Crockett, Surgeon Kaul. Da^dd Kaul, Capt. Buckland and others 
were taken prisoners at Pittsburg Landing; Lieut. J. Post was killed. 

The Scipio Soldiers' Aid Society was organized April IS, 1862, with ]Mrs. 
D. M. lihoad, president; ]Mrs. Dr. Hamilton, vice-president; Mrs. Lyman 
Hall, treasxu-er, and Mrs. John Milliman. secretary. 

The Tiffin thi-ee-months' men organized at Camp Chase in June, 1862, with 
A. H. Byers, captain, J. B. Hymer, fu-st lieutenant, and W. L. Myers, second 
lieutenant. This company retiu-ned at the close of September, 1862. 

David Hays, X. Portz and 'M. Ebersole entered on the work of organizing 
a military company in the neighborhood of Fostoria, August. 1862. 

Judge AVilliam Lang received authority to raise tho One Hundred and 
Twenty-thu-d Infantry Regimept. in August. 1862. Company A was organized 
with F. K. Shawhan, ca})tain; H. L. McKee, fii'st lieutenant, and J. W. Leon- 
ard, second lieutenant. Much indignation was exhibited by aU parties when 
Gov. Tod refused to issue a colonel's commission to the organizer. 

The Squirrel Hunters, organized iit Cincinnati in September, 1862. elected 
Michael Sullivan, of Tiffin, captain. G. M. Ogden. of Republic, first lieuten- 
ant, and William Naylor, of Tiffin, second lieutenant. 



340 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Dr. W. H. Park was proraoted brigade surgeon in December, 1862. 

The Melmore Aid Society was organized in 18r32. with Mrs. E. H. Webb, 
secretary. Miss Mai-\' Ebert was the secretary of the Ladies' Aid Society of 
Tiflin. 

In January. 1868. Drs. Gibson and McColhim, and Messrs. William Nay- 
lor, Michael Sullivan. H. A. Buskirk and Andrew Arndt left Tiifin to take care 
of the wounded at Miu-freesboro. 

The Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry arrived home February 17, 1864. 
The reception to this regiment of thirty-one battles was as demonstrative as it 
was deserved. This command returned to the field on March 14, same year. 

Three soldiers of the Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry were shot in 
Fiilton's drag store, at Buc_t,tus, March 14, 1864, by a copperhead mob. 

The quota of the county under the call for 500,000 men was 512; under 
the call for 200.000. in 1864. it was 278. 

Rev. G. S. Phillips, of Tiffin, was elected chaplain of Forty-ninth Regi- 
ment in April. 1S68. 

The National Guards of Seneca, called out in April, 1864, for 100 days' 
service, assembled at Tiffin in INIay. and elected John C. Lee, colonel, i-ice 
DeWolf resigned. A. S. Bement was elected lieutenant-colonel; Michael Sul- 
livan, major; D. ^M. Arndt, adjutant, and A. C. Baker, quartermaster. The 
ruling price of substitutes ranged from §100 to §150. 

The list of Seneca County soldiers, on board the exploded steamer "Sultana," 
at the time of its destruction were J. M. Feseler. Company B, Forty-ninth In- 
fantry; N. Gregory, Company C, Fifty-fifth Infantiy, saved; B. Pease. Com- 
pany E, Fifty-fifth Infantry; Jacob Rohr, Company H. One Hundred and 
First Infantry, saved; E. Sharp, Company E, Fiilty-fifth Infantry; J. A. 
Shaffer, One Hundred and First Infantry; Lieut. E. J. Squire, One Hundred 
and First Infantry; S. E. Whyler, Company D, Fifty-fifth Infantry, saved; 
John Huffey, Forty-ninth Infantry, saved; James M. Phenceie, Forty-ninth 
Infantiy, saved; Albert Miles, Fifty-fifth Infantiy, saved; Capt. Taggert, 
saved. 

The United States 10-40 bonds, authorized by Congi-ess March 8, 1864, 
were presented for sale by the Tiffin banking fimi of Tomb. Huss & Co. , in 
May, 1864. 

The proclamation of the auditor of Seneca Covmty, Isaac Kagy, issued 
June 17. 1864. treated on the relations of the militia act of March 31, 1864, 
to the eni'olled militia of Seneca Comity. 

The Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantiy arrived at Tiffin July 15, 1864, where 
a public reception was tendered. 

The funeral of Maj.-Gen. McPherson took place at Clyde July 29, 1864. 
His death took place within sight of Atlanta, after leading his command 140 
miles into the heart of Georgia. 

The number of eni'oUed militia in Seneca County in July, 1864, was 2,043, 
together with 2,036 actually in service at that time. 

In August, 1864, notice was given that should the 725 men called for as 
the quota of the county, under the call for 5()0.000 men, not be filled by Sep- 
tember 5. the quota would be increased to 1.450 men. 

The One Hundred and Sixty- fourth Regiment. Ohio National Guards, re- 
turned to Tiffin August 27, 1864, after 100 days' sei-vice. The command lost 
twenty men while in service, and left a number in hospital at Washington. 

The Home Relief Association was reorganized in October, 1864, with Mr. 
Burns D. Fisher, president, and Mrs. ^^'. H. Moe, secretary. 

Walter Burns, a Seneca County Volunteer, in Company E. Twenty-first 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 341 

O. V. I., serving under Sherman, in the march through Georgia, captured 
Gen. Howell Cobb"s $25,000 pacing mare. Some time after this young 
Burns was captured by the Rebels, who shot him through the brain and cut 
his throat. His companions found his remains, and avenged his death with 
Indian determination. 

Peter Kissler of the Eighth O. V. I., re-captured Col. Hxindley of the 
Thirty-first Alabama Infantiy, while escaping in Federal dress from Johnson's 
Island. 

Under the call for 300,000, dated December IS. 1804, the quota of the 
Ninth District was placed at 1.888 men. The quota of Seneca County was 386. 
Tiffin City made a levy for bounties equal to $100 for each recriiit, thirty-seven 
being the quota of the two wards. The greatest excitement prevailed. No 
one knew whose name might turn up in the lottery of death, and all heartily 
wished that the war was over. 

The military statistics of Seneca County, published January 20, 1865, are 
as follows: Number of soldiers in service, 2,036; of whom 219 died and 153 
were disabled in the service. The number of soldier's families was 576, com- 
prising 1,599 persons. Of this number 291 families of 994 persons were ne- 
cessitous. The amoiint received fi-om soldiers in the army for deposit in the 
county treasivry was §33,011, from November 15, 1863, to November 15, 1864; 
which with $1,578 to credit of lodgments for year ending November 15, 1868, 
gave a total of $34,589. Of this total all was disbursed save $18,007 in treas- 
urj' November 15, 1864. 

Capt. McCormack, formerly of the Forty-ninth O. V. I. , was engaged in 
em-olling a company for the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Regiment, in 
January, 1805. A government bounty of $100 and a local boimty of~$400, for 
one year's service were offered. 

Capt. John Reid. of the Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was comi mar- 
tialed in February, 1865, and found guilty of embezzling $13,910 due substi- 
tutes and di-afted men who were being transported fi-om Tod BaiTacks to the 
Army of the Potomac. He was cashiered and forever prohibited from holding 
any United States office, and ordered to be imprisoned until the sum embez- 
zled was restored. 

Maj. Skiles, commanding at Tod Barracks, gave the first news (in April, 
1865, ) that no more soldiers were required. 

The news of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln aiTived April 15, 1865. 
Newspapers, without regard to politics, iised moui-ning lines, business houses 
closed, bells tolled, flags were draped, and the whole county placed under a 
cloud of sorrow. 

Provost Marshal John J. Steiner, of the Ninth District, resigned in April, 
1865, when Capt. "Wildman. of Norwalk, was appointed. 

Ct)mpanv D, One Hundred and Twentv-third Infantrv, arrived at Tiffin, June 
30. ISOO. 

Companies B and F, Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, arrived at Tiffin, 
in July, 1866. 

BECORD OF OFFICERS. 

Officers of the Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. — Col. W. W. Gibson, 
took command in July, 1861, was commissioned in September of the same year, 
and served as brigade commander. Col. Joseph R. 13artlett was commissioned 
colonel in Jime. 1865, and mustered out same day with rank of lieutenant- 
colonel. 

The lieutenant-colonels of this command were A. M. Blackman. from Au- 
gust 17, 1861, to September 30, 1862, when he resigned; Levi Drake, Septem- 



342 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

ber, 1862, to Januarj^ 1. lSf)3, when he was killed at Stone River. Benjamin 
S. Porter succeeded Drake and seiTed until appointed major in the Invalid 
Corps in July, 1868. Samuel F. Gray served from October, 1868, to October, 
1864; Luther M. Strong, from December, 1864. to March, 1865; Joseph E. 
Bartlett, fi-om May, 18*55, to date of promotion: Milton F. Mills, from June 

26, , to June 26, 1865, mustered out on day of promotion, with rank of 

major. 

All the above named, except Gen. Gibson, served as majors prior to promo- 
tion. The following named majors were not promoted: J. Kessler, June 26. 
1875, mustered out same day: George W. Pool, September 4. 1865. mustered 
out same day. 

The siirgeons were R. W. Thrift, commissioned August li. 1861; W. H. 
Park, September 23, 1864; each served a full term, the latter having been com- 
missioned assistant surgeon. August 17, 1861. H. B. Lung, S. A. Smith and 
Samuel H. Spencer served as assistant siu-geons. 

The chaplains were Eurotus H. Bush and George S. Phillips, the latter 
from 1868 to 1864, former for one year in 1861-62. 

The captains of this command in order of date of commission were: A. 
Lancrworthy. Benjamin S. Porter. Amos Keller (killed at Stone River. January 
1, 1863). George W. Culver, William Callahan. Joseph R. Bartlett, Luther SL 
Strono-. Orrin B. Hays, George E. Lovejoy and James M. Patterson, all of whom 
received their commissions September 18. 1861. Samuel F. Gray, Jonas 
Foster. Lyman W. Mow, John E. McCormack and Morris C. Tyler were com- 
missioned captains in 1862; Hiram Chance, killed June 24, 1863; John Green, 
Daniel Hartsough and Samuel M. Harper were commissioned in 1 868. John 
L. Hollopeter, J. Kessler. George "W. Pool. Thomas J. Ray, Shephard Green 
(mortally wounded November 26, 1864). Theo C. Perault (died August 25. 
1864), James Ewing, Jacob Her, George S. Crawford. Dwight R. Cook. Francis 
R. Stewart and Milton F. Miles received their commissions in 1864; Nathan L. 
Lutz, Anthony W. Adams and Jonathan J. Eapp were commissioned captains 
in 1865. 

Those who served as first lieutenants are named as follows and the year in 
which their commissions were issued, noted: Charles A. Norton, Samuel F. 
Gray, JohnE. McCormack. Aaron H. Keller (died of wounds January 26. 1863), 
Jacob Mosier, Jonas Foster. IMorris C. Tyler. Daniel Hartsough, Hiram Chance. 
A. F. Prentice and 'William C. Turner in September. 1861; James W. Davidson, 
"William Martin. Moses Abbott (declined), C. "W. Drake. John Green, J. L. 
Hollopeter. John Kessler. Samuel 'M. Harper. M. F. Miles and H. A. Spayth 
in 1862; J. A. Redman, M. Cowgill. Shephard Green, J. C. Miller, T. C. Pero, 
G. W. Pool, Thomas J. Ray and Isaac H. White in 1863; James Ewing. John 
C. Ramsav (killed at Dallas. May 27. 1864), Jacob Her, John Gleek. Silas W. 
Simons (killed May 27, 1864), Charles Wallace (killed June 21, 1864), Georg:e 
S. Crawford, Dwight R. Cook. F. R. Stewart. John K. Gibson (died of wounds), 
N. L. Lutz. D. M. Fultz. A. W. Adams. J. J. Rapp. John Vandanburg. E. P. 
Dana. J. W. Cline, J. J. Fry and C. W. England in 1864; George W. Yail. 
Ezra P. Phelps, James F. Harper, John H. Yarger. James J. Zint, C. 
Flaugher. B. H. Fansey, Caspar Snyder. F. H. Gibens and William Whittaker 
in 1865. 

The second lieutenants were Heni-y A. S]iaythe. James W. Davidson. Moses 
Abbott. Amos B. Charlton. John Green. A\"illiam Martin. Timothy Wilcox, S. 
M. Haqjer, John L. Hollopeter, C. W. Drake and John C. Smith received their 
commissions September 18. 1861: M. F. Miles. John Kessler. Jeremiah Bern- 
ard, W. F. Cannon. G. S. Blackman, A. N. Ellis, A. G. Brown, Milton Cow- 




^er^hy'J^ yrli^M^ 



HISTORY OF SE.VK.CA COl'NTV. 345 

gill, J. A. Rocliuond, John C. Ramsey, J. C. IMiller, I. O. Totten, I. H. "White, 
S. Green, T. J. Riiy. Theo. C. Peraiilt ■n(>re commissioned in ISfVi; Jacob Iler, 
John Glick, Harvey Johns, Jacob Woolf (killed in 1.SG3), Henry F. Aintt 
(killed in 18()8), Silas W. Simons, Charles "Wallace and George S. Crawford 
were commissioned in 1803; John K. Gibson, Edwin Haff, F. R. Stewart, D. 
R. Cook, N. L. Liitz, Sheldon P. Hare, "W. F. Gibbs and Daniel M. FiUtz re- 
ceived their commissions in LS()4. 

The foregoing roster and the record of private soldiers show, that the 
Forty-ninth Ohio '\'olunteer Infantry claimed about 5(H) men fi-om Seneca 
County. The total enrollment was ioTt'l. Of the officers 8 were killed in battle, 
mortally wounded and 14 wounded: 127 privates were killed in battle, 
71 died of mortal wounds, 105 died of disease or fatigue, 7 died in Reljel 
prisons, 016 were discharged on account of wounds or disability. The com- 
mand was mustered out November 30, 18()5. 

Officers of the Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. — Col. John C. Lee 
ranked as colonel of this regiment from November 25, 1861, was commissioned 
January 20, 1862; resigned May 8, 18(53, when Charles B. Gambee, who en- 
tered the service as captain in September, 1861, was promoted to till the va- 
cancy. He was killed May 15, 1804, and on June 6, 1805, Lieut. -Col. Edwin 
H. Powers, who entered the service as captain in 18(]1, was promoted colonel 
and served until mustered out. 

The lieutenant-colonels were George H. Safford, ranking September 11, 
1801, resigned in March, 1803, when Maj. Gambee was promoted lieutenant- 
colonel, and in March, 1863, Maj. Stevens was commissioned, vice Gambee 
promoted. Edwin H. Powers was commissioned June 27, 1804, and was suc- 
ceeded by Charles P. Wickham, who served as lieutenant-colonel and was 
mustered out with rank of major. 

The majors were Lee, Gambee. Stevens and Wickham promoted. Daniel 
F. DeWolf. commissioned November 25, 1862, ranking from November, liS()l, 
Rudolphus Robbins, ranking fi'om May 8, 1801, was killed May 15, 18')4, and 
Hart well Oslwrne, ranking June 0, 1805, and mustered out same day with 
rank of captain. 

The siu'geon was Jay Kling, succeeded in 1804 by Joseph Hebble. The 
assistant siu-geons were H. K. Spooner, J. L. MoiTis, Joseph Hebble and 
James C. Myers. 

The first chaplain, John G. \\'. Cowles, served about six months, and Al- 
fred ^Vheeler one year. In August, 1803, the troops apjaear to have ignored 
the uses of a chaplain, as no one was appointed to succeed Rev. Wheeler. 

The caj)tains of this command were Charles B. Gambee, August M. Be- 
ment, Horatio N. Shipman, David S. Brown, F. A. AVildman, James M. Ste- 
vens, R. Robbins, I. C. Terry, H. Robinson (killed at Chancellorsville), 
Ed H. Powers, B. F. Eldridge and Charles P. "Wickham, all commissioned 
in 1862. , Henry Miller, Albert E. Peck (killed May 15, 1864), Frank "W. 
Martin, Robert Bromlev, Franklin J. Sauter (killed at Chancellorsville), 
Charles D. Robbins and H. "W. Persing in 1863. Hartwell Osborne. F. "W. 
Boalt. R. "W. Pool, Francis H. Morse, Butler Case, C. INI. Stone (killed March 
16, 1865), C. M. Smith, August M. "Wonnley, T. "W. Miller, Henry H. Moore, 
John R. Lowe, Jesse Bowsher, "W. S. Wickham, O. B. Gauld, Russel H. 
Bever, were commissioned in 1864. Benjamin F. Evans, Joseph H. Gallup 
and John H. Boss, Jr., received their commissions in 1865. 

The first lieutenants of this command who are not named above, as pro- 
moted, were Robert G. Pennington, W. D. Sherwood, Jacob Thomas, R. 
Eastman. R. F. Patrick, all commissioned in 1802, ranking fi'om the fall of 

19 



346 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

1861. B. C. Taber, Raymond Biut. Thomas O'Leary (commissioned in 1862), 
Charles M. Stillman, James P. Jones, Phil C. Lathrop. Pliny E. "Watson. 

A. B. Chase (commissioned in 1804), Adam Cramer, Lewis Peck, H. B. War- 
ren, F. Eesser or Kessecqne, James T. Boyd. John Bellman, K. Fewson, 
Thomas S. Hosier. John Burkett and Heni-y J. Pelton. commissioned in 1865. 
W. E. Childs and W. H. Hessinger declined commissions and served as private 
soldiers. 

Among the second lieutenants whose names do not appear among the high- 
er officers were" William H. Long. A. Cranston. James K. Agnew, Walter 
W. Thomas (died April 6, 186'2), Nelson Crockett, Henrj' M. Regan. Edward 
Bromley (died March 24, 1863), and a few others to whom complimentary 
commissions were issued after muster oiit on July 10, 1865. A large nmnber 
of fii'st and second lientenants were promoted, and their names appear in the 
rank of last promotion. 

This command claimed on its roster 1,350 men, of whom 750 were either 
killed or wounded in battle, and eight officers died of wounds received in 
battle. 

Officers of the One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry. — Col. 
Leander Stem ranked fi-om August 14, 1862, was commissioned September 15 
of that year, and killed December 26 following. He was succeeded by Maj. 
Isaac M. Kirby, who commanded the regiment until final discharge. 

Lieut. -Col. John Trautz served from August 9 to October 14, 1862, when 
he resigned and was succeeded by Moses F. Wooster, who died of wounds 
January 3, 1863. John Messer, his successor, resigned in 1864, when B. B. 
McDonald was commissioned and served until muster out of command. 

The majors were Wooster. Kirby and McDonald promoted. Daniel H Fox. 
who served fi-om Febraavy, 1864, to September that year, and John A. Latti- 
mer, who served from May, 1865, to muster out. Siu'geon Thomas M. Cook 
served the full term. The assistant surgeons were George S. Yingling. Wal- 
ter Caswell. Heniy T. Lacy and H. H. Russell. Oliver Kennedy served as 
chaplain from August, 1862, to November, 1863, and E. M. Cravath from Jan- 
uary. 1864, to muster out. 

Among the captains were Lieut. -Cols. Kirby, McDonald and John Messer, 
and Maj. Lattimer. Charles C. Calaghan. T. C. Fernald, -H. G. Sheldon, W. 
C. Parsons. Jesse Shreiver. Newcomb M. Barnes. Montgomeiy Noble. Frank- 
lin Pope, Lvman Parcher. Leonard D. Smith. Asa R. Hillier. all commissioned 
in 1862. D. H. Fox, John P. Fleming, M. F. Ebersole. S. B. Becksvith. W. 
H. Kelmer and Robert D. Lord, in 1S63. George E. Seney, William N. Beer, 

B. F. Bryant, H. C. Taggart, I. B. Reed, H. D. Olds. John F. Neff and 
George W. Hale in 1864. James M. Roberts and Jay C. Butler in 1865. 

Of the first lieiitenants Seney, Fleming, Ebersole. Smith. Beckwith, Pope, 
Lord, Fox, Beer, Lattimer, Taggart, Bryant, Hale, Olds, Neff, Reed. Roberts, 
Hillier, Parcher, Kelmer, J. C. Butler were promoted. Charles McGrath was 
killed at Chickamauga; Alex C. Hosmer died May 12. 1864; J. B. Curtis and 
Isaac Anderson resigned; H. G. Ogden. Robert Lysle. Philip T. Kline 
resigned in 1863; John M. Butler and John G. Petticord resigned in 1864; 
E. J. Squire. John S. Millman. Jay C. Smith, J. F. Webster, William R. 
Davis, O. J. Benham, C. Mosfoot, James R. Homer, John Shuman and David 
Allison served as first lieutenants until mustered out. 

Among the second lieutenants who did not aiTive at a higher rank, were 
John B. Biddle, killed December 31, 1862: O. L. Peck, honorably discharged 
in April, 1864; Isaac P. Rule, killed at Chickamauga; Samuel Strayer, died 
February 6, 1863, and Samuel S. Blowers, resigned January 9, 1864. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 347 

This command was mustered out at Huntsville, Ala., Jmie 12, 18C5, and 
Riibsefjuently discharged at Camp Taylor, near Cleveland. 

Officcns of the One Hundred and Twentij-third Ohio Voliaiteer Infantry. — 
The tirst actual colonel of this regiment was Judge \\'illiam Lang, who pre- 
sided over and took a most active part in its organization from August 14 to 
October 14. 18()2. Owing to some peculiar influence exercised over (lov. Tod. 
Judge Langs claims to the honors of commander were set aside in favor of 
one 'William T. Wilson, who had nothing whatever to do with the organization 
of the regiment, but received a colonel's commission October 14, 1S()2, rank- 
ing fi'om September '2(), that year. The history of this command is a record of 
militaiy toils and misfortunes up to the day of Appomattox, when it was rescued 
by the victorious Union troops from the hands of the rebels, who held the 
whole command prisoners. Col. Wilson was mustered out June 12, 1805. 

H. B. Hunter was commissioned lieutenant-colonel October 14, 1802, and 
served until December 8, 1804, when he was succeeded by Maj. Horace Kel- 
logg, who aided Judge Lang in organizing the regiment in August, 1802, and 
served with the command throiTgh all its perils. 

Maj. A. Baldwin Norton commissioned in August, 1862, resigned March 3, 
1803, when Kellogg succeeded him. On the latter' s promotion, John W. 
Chamberlin was commissioned as major until June, 1805. 

The first chaplain was Rev. L. Molin, whose election was also set aside in 
favor of Rev. Charles G. Fen-is. who resigned in June, 1804. Dr. O. Ferris 
was commissioned surgeon in October. 1802. resigned in November, 1804, and 
was succeeded by William B. Hyatt, formerly assistant surgeon. J. H. ^^'ill- 
iams and Napoleon B. Brisbine were assistant siu'geons. 

The first cajitains were John W. Chamberlin, Horace Kellogg, Charles 
Parmeter. F. K. Shawhan. Samuel W. Reed. Cm-tis Beny, Sr. , Charles H. 
Riggs. John Newman and Richard A. Kirkwood received their commissions in 
October, but ranked from August, 1802, when they shared with Judge Lang 
and others in the work of organization. Lewis Zimmers was commissioned 
November 3, 1802, and Alonzo Robbins in December, 1802. V. R. Davis, 
D. S. Caldwell, William H. Bender, died in South Carolina. September 15, 
1864; Dwight Kellogg, J. F. Randolph. Jr., and O. H. Rosenbaum received 
their commissions in 1803; Edwin H. Brown. W. V. McCracken in 1864; 
Abner Snyder, H. S. Beveiion. B. F. Blair. M. H. Smith, Josephus F. Schuy- 
ler and Joshua W. Leonard in 1805. 

The first lieutenants, whose records do not show promotion to a higher 
rank, were Edgar Martin. R. B. Ferris, Caleb D. Williams, who was killed 
July. 1804; James H. Gilliam, who died; F. B. Colver, honorablv discharged, 
April, 1865; J. W. Leonard. T. 'W. Boyce. M. W. A\"illoughbv, E. E. Husted, 
C. H. Sowers. C. M. Keys. David Miller, F. A. Breckenridge, F. C. Mick- 
ham. George A. Scoby and James Healy. all mustered out with regiment; 
S. A. Johnson, honorably discharded in January, 1865: J. B. Pumphrey, on 
detached service at muster out: Geo. D. Acker, resigned in 1805. 

Among the second lieutenants not promoted, were A. P. Ingerson. resigned 
in 1803: W. A. Williams, honorably discharged. July 29, 18<)4; W. B, Jen- 
nings, Seymom- C, Lester, Charles Long and Closes Allison mustered out. 

SENECA SOLDIERS IX THE W.\R OF 1801-65. 

The following list of soldiers from this county in the late war is based upon 
the corrected list jiul^lished in the Tiffin News last spring. Many changes and 
additions have been made, and the record confined to name, date of enlistment, 
company and number of regiment, and date of death or discharge. '\\'here the 



348 IIISTORV OF SENECA COUNTY'. 

regimental number only is given, it refers to one of the Ohio Volunteer Infan- 
ti-y or Ohio National Guard commands, the former numbered from One to One 
Hundi-ed and Twenty-nine, the latter fi-om One Hundred and Thiiiy to One 
Hundred and Seventy-two, and other volunteer commands fi'om One Hundred 
and Seventy-two to One Hundi-ed and Ninty-seven. Where soldiers enlisted 
in cavalry or artillery commands or in regiments of other States, or in United 
States' commands, the full regimental title and number are given. 

Adams, C A., 8th, died in liospital at Washington. D. C, in Nov., 1862. 

Armitage, George W..Co. D 86th, e. May 10, 1862. 

Armitage. Jolin W., e. fall 1863, militia; dis. Aug. 24, 1864. 

Armstrong, J. G., Co. G 164th, e. Mav 2, 1864; died Aug. 16, 1864. 

Alspaugh, Michael, Co. K lOlst, e. Aug. 18, 1862; dis. April 12, 1865. 

Auble, Peter, Co. G 164th, e. May 2, 1864. 

Arnold, Abraham M., Co. G 43d, e. Dec. 2.5, 1861; dis. Aug. 1, 1863. 

Arndt. Henry F.. Co. B 49th, e. Aug. 12, 1861; killed Nov. 25. 1863, at Mission Ridge. 

Axt, Harman, Co. I 2d. e. April IT, 1861; dis. Aug. 9, 1861; re-e. Sept. 10, 1861, Co. I 4th, 

U. S. C, dis. Sept. 10, 1864. 
Arndt, Samuel F., e. Co. B. 101st, wounded at Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862; died Jan. 3,1868. 
Ash. Jacob, Co. E 164tli. e. May 2, 1864. 
Amende, F. A., Co. A 164th. e. May 2, 1864. 
Ash, Abraham. Co. E 164th, e. May 3, 1864. 
Atkins, Richard, Co. A 164th. e. May 2, 1864. 
Alcott. R., Co. I 164th, e. May 2, 1864. 

AUcuit, David, Co. I 123d. e. Aug. 18, 1862; dis. June 29, 1865. 
Albert, John Q., Co. I 123d. e. Aug. 22, 1862; dis. June 13, 1865. 
Ash, E, R,, Co. K 101st. e, Aug. 14, 1862; dis. Sept. 18, 1865. 
Alley, James H.,Co. B 48th, e. Julv 20, 1861; re-e. Jan. 1. 1864; dis. Nov., 1865. 
Adams, Martin. Co. I 123d. e Aug. 22. 1862; dis. June 13, 1865. 
Adams, R., e. Aug. 27, 1861; dis. Sept. 32, 1862. 
Abbott, Capt. Moses, Co. B 49th. e. Aug. 13, 1861; re-e. Co. 108th, July 29, 1864; dis. 

July 25. 1865; died May, 1885. 
Abbott, Lyman, Co. D 123d, e. Sept. 24, 1862; dis. March 16, 1864; re-e. Co. B 195, March 

15, 1865, final dis. Sept. 18, 1865. 
Anders, David B., Co. II 101st, e. Aug. 13, 1862; dis. June 19, 1865. 
Acker, George D., Co. I 123d. e. Aug. 18. 1862; dis. March, 1865. 
Armstrong, John W., Co. K 101st. e. Aug. 14, 1862; dis. June 39, 1865. 
Arnold, L. D., 8th, trans, to 6th U. S. 0. 

Aunspach, Edward, Co. C 93d P. V. I., e. Sept. 21, 1861; dis. Oct. 38, 1864. 
Ames. Dillen, Co. K 9th O. V. C, e, 1863; dis. Aug. 20, 1805. 
Altafl'er, Isaac M., Co. H 38th, e. Sept. 1861; dis. June 18, 1863; appointed to navy June 

18, 1864; dis. Mar. 26, 1866. 
Ash, G. W., Co. E 164th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 20, 1864. 
Barnes, C. W., a Seneca Count}' soldier and lieutenant in his command was wounded at 

Antietam and died at Chambersburg. Penu., Oct. 4, 1862. 
Burns, Walter (see history items preceding roster). 
Brendle, George, Co. D 58th, e. Dec. 6, 1861; dis. Aug. 6, 1862. 
Blackwell, George A., Co. G ,55th, e. Sept. 21. 1861; final dis. July 21, 1865. 
Bleckley, Andrew, Co. K 123d, e. Aug. 22. 1862; dis. June 13, 1865. 
Boos. Charles F., 55th, e. Oct. 12, 1861; dis. Aug. 1862. 
Brewer. Capt. M. L.. Co. A 164th, e. May 3. 1864; dis. Aug. 37, 1864. 
Beals, Thomas M., Co. K 4th U. S. I., ". June 31, 1873; dis. Dec. 16, 1873. 
Beard, Selden M., Co, D 123d, dis, June 28, 1865, 
Beard, Ct,, W,, 8th, transferred, 

Beckraau, Solomon, Co, K 66th, e, 1863; dis. at Washington, 
Beard, Osro R.. Co, D 123d, e, Aug, 17. 1862; died at Wilmington. Apr,. 1865, 
Beard, Samuel, cavalry, e, Nov, 1863; dis, at Indianapolis, lud,, Nov, 10, 1865, 
Burns, C. H,, Co, K 45th, e, July 3, 1862; dis, June 12, 1865. 
Buessav, Peter, Co, 1164th, e. May 2, 1864; dis, Aug, 27, 1864. 
Buskerk, Albert, Co, A, 164th, e. May 2, 1864; dis, Aug, 27, 1864, 
Burkhart, William, Co, B 86th, e. May, 1863; ree. farrier of Co. L 10th O. V, C, dis, July i 

24,1865, ' 

Boyd, Franklin, Co. E 123d, e, Aug, 12, 1862; dis, June 12, 1865. 
Boyd. William, Co, G 164th, e. May 2. 1864; dis, Aug, 27, 1864, 
Burkhalter, William H,, e. at Tiffin, 

Boyer, Jeremiali, Co, I 68th, e, Dec. 30. 1864; died at Rome, 6a., July 14, 1865. 
Brandeberry, Andrew, Co. D 86th, e, July 18. 1861; re-e, Co, E 10th O, V, C, Oct, 20, 1862; 

transferred to Co. A 14th U. S, L, Feb, 7, 1863; final dis, Oct. 20,. 1865. 



IlISTOUY UK SENECA COUNTY. 349 

Bowman J. J., Co. II 2tst. e. April 17, 18G1; ro e. Co. I. 123d; (lis. May 20, 1865. 
Bevorson, William, Co. G Ifith P. V. I., e. May 15, 1861; re-e. Co. D 87th P. V. I., 8th 

army corps, Sept. 19, 1801; ilis. Oct. 3, 1863. 
Bower, .Joseph A., Co. D 123(1, e. Aug. 22, 1862; rlis. June 12, 1805. 
Buckley, Michael, Co. E 72(1, e. Dec. 2, 1861; re-e.; final dis. at Vicksburg, Miss., Sept. 

10, 1865. 
Bowen, H. C, Co. M 1st O. V. H. A., e. July 23, 1863; dis. at Columbus, Aug. 4, 1865. 
Bowe C. W., Co. A 104tli, e. May 2, 1864; re-e. Co. B 195th, Feb. 7, 1865; dis. Dec. 18 

1865; died in Kansas, .lulv 25, 1884. 
Borer, Stephen, Co. H 57lh, c. Nov. 8, 1861; dis. Nov. 21, 1864. 
Berger, Wm. A., Co. E 164lh, c. May 2, 1864; died in Washington, Aug. 13, 1864. 
Berger, Jacob H., Co. K 101st, e. Aug. 4, 1862: died at Chattanooga, Tenn., Nov. 13, 1863. 
Boehler, E., Co. G 3d O. V. C, e. Sept. 12. 1861; dis. Oct. 3, 1864. 
Barger. John, Co. H 101st, e. Aug., 1801: dis. June 30, 1865. 
Babcock, Joseph N., Co. H 49th, e. Aug. 15, 1861; re-e. same company, Jan. 15, 1864; dis. 

March 11, 1805. 
Bonnell. E. W., Co. I 164th, e. May 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Billvard, Thomas, Co. I 164th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Bonnell. Christian. Co. I lC4th, e. May 2, 1804: dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Beams, S. Z., wounded ut Komney, and dis. from 8th O. I. 
Bonnell. Moses, Co. I 123d, e. Aug, 22, 1862; dis, June 29, 1865. 

Benham. George, Co. A 49th, e. Aug. 6, 1801: dis. at Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 13, 1864. 
Bricker, John Homer, Co. D 80th, e. May 20,1802: re-e. Co. I 80tb, Aug. 1, 1803; re-e Co 

A 164th, 3Iay 2, 1804; dis. Aug. 26, 1864; re-e. Feb. 27. 1865; dis. Dec. 18, 1865. 
Bower, Sam., Co. E 164lh. e. May 2. 1864: dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Baird. William H., Co. B 55th, e. Sept. 1802; re-e. in Lookout Valley, Tenn., Dec 13 

1863; final dis. Aug. 1865. 
Burditt, O. B., Co. II 21st, e. April 23, 1861; re-e. Co. I 123d, Aug. 23, 1862; dis fall of 

1864; re-e. 164th, May 3. 1804; final dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Bish, Henry, Co. D99tli,"e. Aug. 12. 1862; dis. at Camp Dennison, Jan. 21, 1865. 
Bean, Joseph. Co. D T2d. e. Nov., 1861; re-e. same company; dis. June, 1865. 
Burger, James A., Co. D 123d, e. Feb. 23, 1804; dis. June lo, 1865. 
Bower. Moses, Co. F 8th, e. April 8, 1861; dis. June 24, 1861. 

Brinkler, A. W., Co. I 123d, e. Aug. 23, 1862: killed Sept. 3. 1804, at Berryville, Va. 
Burrier, John, Co, B 55th, e. Sept. 19, 1861; final dis, July 11, 1865. 
Bonnell. John. Co, I lOIst, e. Aug, 12, 1862; dis, June 12, 1805, 

Burks. David P., Co. D .50th I, V, I,. Aug. 26. 1861; di.s. at Indian.ipolis, Ind., Jan. 5,1865. 
Bowersock. John C, Co. B 4Sth, e. Aug. 2, 1861; wounded at Pittsburg Landing, April 7, 

1862, dying next day. 
Burton, Cyrus S., Co. E 47th, e. Dec. 4. 1864; dis. May 31, 1865. 

Beeler. W., Co. K 3d brigade, 3d div,, 11 army corps, e. August 22, 1862; dis. June 12, 1865. 
Beaver, Russell H., Co. II 5th, e, September 25, 1801; dis, July 2, 1865. 
Bear. Joseph, Co. C 80th. e. Aug. 1, 1863: re-e. May 2, 1864. 164th; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Bogart. Jacob, Co. K 164th, e. May 2, 1864, re-e. Sept. 16, 1864, Co. K 45th; dis. April 2, 

1860. , 

Bowersox, David R., Co. D 123d. e. Aug. 23. 1862; dis. June 29. 1865. 
Braum. Fred G., Co. K 100th, e, Aug. 3, 1862; dis. Jan, 21, 1865. 
Bemisderfer, Simon P.. Co. I 101st. e. Aug. 12, 1862; dis, June 12, 1865. 
Babione, Elias, Co. A lUth, c. Aug. 13, 1803; dis. June 27. 1865. 
Bassett. William James, Co. K. 123d, e. in 1864; died in service at Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 

4, 1865. 
Bartlett, Hiram, Co. E 49th, e. Jan. 1864; dis Jan. 30, 1865. 
Burkert, Joseph. Co. H lOOth. e. M.iy 2. 1864; dis. Sept. 4, 1864. 
Bctts, J. F,, Co, F.55th, e. 1801; dis. 1803. 
Briner, Henry. Co. A 8th. e, April 18, 1861: dis. July 16, 1864. 
Brobst. Franklin S.. Co. G 15th, e. in 1861 Co. K 49"th, re-e. at TiflJn, April 8, 1863; dis. at 

Louisville, Ky.. March 16. 1803. 
Baeler, George, e. Co, C 180th; dis at Columbus. Ohio. 

Bender, Jerry. Co. I 3d Col. Cav,, e. Aug. 23. 1864; dis. at Denver, Dec. 29. 1864. 
Beits, A., Co. D 123, e. Aug. 1862; dis. June, 1865. 

Bachtel, Samuel. Co. B 195th, e. Feb. 14. 1865: died at Alexandria, Va.. Sept. 26. 1865. 
Bchm. Daniel. Co. K 104th, e. May 2. 1864: dis. Aug. 27, 1804. 
Behm. Abraham, Co. K I64th, e. Slay 3. 1864: dis. Aug. 27, 1864, died in Seneca County, 

Aug., 1883. 
Beelman, Jacob, Co. A 169th, e. May. 1864: dis, June, 1864. 
Boyd. J. T,. Co. G .55th, e. Sept. 2.-)," 1861 ; dis. July 25. 1864. 
Boyd, Jacob H, C, Co. E 180tli. e, Feb, 0. 1805; dis. Sept. 18, 1865. 
Byers. H,. Co, K 101st. e. Aug.. 1862; dis. Jan., 180.5. 
Barrack. G. W., Co. B UUth. e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 3, 1864. 



350 HISTOKV OF SENKCA COUNTV. 

Burtel, G. W., Co. A 8th, e. April IS, 1864; re-e. Co. K 4th U. S. I., March 4, 1865; dis. 

March. 1866. 
Burkftt, Abraliam, Co. B 5.5th, e. Sept. 30, 1861; re-e. Jan. 1, 1864, same company; dis. at 

Cleveland. Ohio, Julr 17, 1865. 
Sumside, John, Co. D liUd, e. Aug. 22, 1862, dis. June 28, 1865. 
Bercaw, S. W., Co. G 6tli, mustered in Sept., 1863; dis. April, 1865. 
Beck, Israel, Co. B oStb, e. Feb. 23, 1864; dis. Sept. 16, 1865. 

Bonuell, Rd.. Co. I 101st, e. at Tiffin, Aug. 2. 1862; die.l Feb. 5. 1863, at Nashville, Tenn. 
Bonner. William. Co. D 123d, e. Aug. 22. 1862; dis. June 29, 1865. 
Brayton, Peter, e. Mav 29. 1862: dis. Aug. 1. 1862. 

Brevman, Mahlou, Col D LiOth P. V. I., e. Aug., 1862; sur£reon>bv detail; dis. April 27, 1868. 
Burd. John, Co. B 207th P. V. I., e. Sept. 1864; dis. June 5. 1865 
Boyd. Hugh W. A., Co. C 86th, e. June 15. 1863; ree. Co. E. 164th, May 3, 1864; re-e. Co. 

G, lei3d, Oct. 10, 1864; dis. July 17. 1865. 
Barthesou, Cephas. Co. A 49th. e. Aug., 1861; re-e. same company; dis. April 27, 1865. 
Borer, George J., 197th, e. April 5, 1865; dis. July 31, 1865. 
Beals. Ilalsev, Co. B 164tli. e. Mav 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Bellman, John G., Co. K l82d. e. 'Oct. 1, 1864: dis. July, 1865. 
Bender. William H., Co. I 123d, e. Aug. 22, 1862; held at Libby prison 15 months; died at 

Columbus. S. C. Oct. 8. 1864. 
Backenstop, William. Co. I 123d, e. Aug. 16. 1863; dis. June 13, 1865. 
Bonnell. James P.. Co. C 164th, e. May 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Brooks. Samuel. Co. B 64lh. e. May 2." 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Babbetl. Lewis, Co. D 34th. c. Dec". 1864: dis. Feb. 20. 1865. 
Baker, Frederick, Co. E 47tli, mus. in Sept. 28, 1864; dis. May 31, 1865. 
Baugher, George. Co. A 8th, e. April 17, 1861; dis. 1864. 

Bate, Joseph M., Co. 1 137th. e. April 2. 1864; re-e. March 10, 1865; dis. May 15, 1865. 
Bloom, F. P., .55tli, e. Oct. 4, 1861; dis. Aug. 18, 1862. 
Bloom II., 8th. transferred. 

Brooks, Theron. Co. B, 164th. e. May 2. lo64; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Barrack, S. F., Co. B 164th. e. May 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Bastian, Alfred, Co. D34th, e. Nov., 1863; dis. July, 1865. 

Baker, Samuel, Co. B 164tli, lieut., service 100 da.ys, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 37, 1864. 
Beelman, Edmund, dis. 

Brown, Delaplain. Co. D 123d, e. Aug. 23, 1862; dis. June 15, 1865. 
Beatty. J. H.. 8tli. was killed. May 12, 1804. at Spottsylvania. 
Gamp, J. L.. 8th, wounded at Wincliester; was discharired. ' 
Coughlin, John, -Co. D 123d. e. Feb. 4, 1864; dis. June 28, 1865. 
Crawford, James, U. S. Receiving Ship "Grampus," ship's steward, e. March 13, 1864; dis. 

March 24. 1865. 
Cridler, Charles W.. Co. H 31st. c. April 23, 1861; re-e. Co. A 15th U. S. I., Sept. 3, 1861; 

dis. May 16, 1863. 
Craun, Isaac, Co. E 164tli. c. May 3, 1804: dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Craun. Jacob A., Co. G Ulth. e. Aug., 1863: dis. .July, 1865. 
Cashner. Jonathan. Co. G 55tli. e. Sept. 25. 1861; dis. April 25, 1863. 
Carson. Jacob. Co. C 123d, e. 1863; dis. 1865. 
Cheney. Robert, 9th Ohio Sharpshooters, forming Co. Q 20th, e. Feb. 29, 1864; dis June 

1, 1805. 
Craig, II. M., Co. G 118th P. V. I., e. July 28, 1862; dis. July, 1865. 
Croslcy. John A. J., Co. G 25th, e. June 18. 1861: re-e.: dis. June 18, 1866. 
Chilcote, John W., Co. H 49th, e. Aug. 15, 1861; dis. May 10. 1865. 
Collier. James T., Co. K 49th. e. March 8. 1863; dis. Nov., 1865. 
Craig. A. William, Co. A Ulth, e. Sept. 5. 186i: dis. March 7. 1863. 
Church. lailher E.. Co. I 9th O. V. C, e. Nov. 10, 1863: dis Nov. 24, 1865. 
Chamberlain. James. 1st Heavy Artillery, e. Sept.. 1863: dis. Aug., 1865. 
Campbell, Robert R., Co. E 98th P. V. I.; dis June 25. 18(!5. 
Carriek. Charles, Co I 67th, e. Aug. 12. 1862; dis., S. C, May 7, 1864. 
Corbelt, Martin, Co. B 164lh. e. Jlay 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Coon. Jacob, Co. H 57th, e. Nov. 8. 1861; dis. Nov. 3i, 1S64. 
Carriek. P.. Co. B 164th, e. May 3, 1864: dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Cline, Charles, Co. C 64th, e. Sept. 22, 1864; dis. .July 16. 1865. 
Cline, Jacob, Co. D 49th. com. lirst lieut.. e. Aug.. 1861; resigned in May, 1865. 
Cline, Geo., e. in Jacob Cline's Co.; was dis. at Atlanta in Sept.. 1864. 
Chitterlev, M. A., Co. G l64th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 16. 1864. 
Campl)eli, A. M., Co. A 164th. e. May 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Campl)ell, John W., Co. B 12th, e. April 28. 1861; re-erCo. D59th; dis. July 3. 1865. 
Corigan. Peter. Co. D 123d, e. Aug. 22. 1862; dis. June 38, 1865. 
Currigan, Edward W., Co. H lOfst, e. Aug. 5, 1862; roe. Co. B 195th, Feb. 28, 1865; dis. 

Dec. 18, 1865. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 351 

Chadvvick, H. C. Co. C 1st U. S. C, e. Dec. 1856; re-e. Co. L 1st Mich. V. C, at De- 
troit, Mich., J>ine 10, 1862; final dis., at Salt LalvC City, Utah, .Jan., 1866. 

Cramer, .John W'.. Co. D 86th. e. Mav 27, 1862; dis. Dec. 25, 1863, 
Chamberlain. S. 0.. Co. E -IGth, e. Auar. 12, 1.S61; re-e.; final dis. Dec. 81, 1865, 

Craun, T. M., Co. A 21st. e. April 13, 1861; ree. Co. F .")5th, Sept. 13, 1861; re-e. iu Co. 
C 49th, April 12. 1862; dis. Sept., 186.-). 

Courtney. William, e. May 2, 1861; dis. July 27, 1864. 

Ciiaser, Michael .T., e Sept. 16, 1861; dis. May 5, 1863. 

Chamberlin, .1. W., Co. A 123d, e. Aug. 12, 1862; twice brev. major; dis. June 2, 1865. 

Crimshaw, Samuel, Co. G 131st P. V. 1., e. March 2, 1862; dis. Dec. 1, 1864. 

Carpenter, ,John H., Co. I 123d, e. Auij. 22, 1862; dis. .June 1.5, 1865. 

Cook, William, Co. D 25th, e. Oct. 3, 1864; dis. Nov. 3, 1865. 

Crunning, Ira S., e. 100th; held at Belle Isle 6 months; died from ill treatment. 

Carpenter, Daniel, Co. C 65th, e. Oct. 27, 1801; dis. Dec. 1, 1865. 

Crosley, .Jacob, Co. G 25th, e, Feb. 16. 1863; dis. .lune 18, 1866. 

Chance, M. H., Co. H 31st. e. April, 1.S61; re-e, in Au>?., 1801; dis. Aug., 1864, 

Cook, Lloyd A,, Co. G 187th N. Y. V. I., c. Sept. 24. 1804; dis. Sept., 1865. 

Craven, .John, Co. C 133d, e. June 30, 1864; dis. at Washington, June 20, 1865. 

Craun, Jacob, Co. G 65 th, e, Oct, 1.^04; dis. July, 1865. 

Childs, Francis. Co. H 146th, May 14, 1804; dis. Sept.. 1864. 

Chance, T. U.. Co. C 9th Ind. V. I., e. April 14, 1861; re-e. Co. K 30th Ind. V. I., Sept. 
1.5. 1861; final dis. .July 14, 1865. 

Carlisle, T. G., Co. I 123d. e. Aug. 22, 1862; dis. June 13, 1865. 

Crarablet, Elisha, Co. G 4:^, e. D"ec. 21, 1861; dis. July 19, 1862. 

Cramer. I., e. Sept. 17, 1861; re-e.; dis. Aug. 28, 1805. 

Cake, William M.,reg, surgeon, .53d, e. Oct."3. 1861; dis. Feb., 1864; re-e.; dis. Sept. 20, 1864. 

Caldwell, David, Co. C 6th, e. June 16, 1863; dis. Feb. 10, 1864; re-e. Co. D. 6th O. V. C, 
Feb. 13, 1864. ; dis. Virginia, Aug, 7, 1865. 

Canary, J. W., served iu 8th. 

Cramer, Adam, Co. B 55th, e. Sept. 20, 1861; re-e. Jan. 1, 1864; final dis. Aug. 13, 1865. 

Cramer, Upton F., Co. D 164th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 23, 1864. 

Cole, James H., Co. F 3d, e. April 17, 1861; dis. Aug. 4. 1861 ; 153d, re-e.; dis. Nashville, Tenn. 

Crawford, J. S., Co. H 2d 111. V. C, e. Aug. 6, 1803; dis. June 11, 1805, 

Curtis, L. R., Co. F 100th, e. Aug. 8, 1863; dis. July 1, 1865, 

Cahill, Patrick, Co. H 3d Battalion, 18th U. S. A., e. March 24, 1862; wounded at Mis- 
sionary Ridge. 1863, captured at Mumfordsville, Ky., 1862, paroled; dis. March 24, 1865. 

Chilcoto. .Joseph S.. Co. I 133d, e. Aug. 33, 1803; wounded near Winchester, Va., captured 
at Richmond, June 1.5, 1863; dis. July 13, 1865. 

Covell, Joshua. Co. A 164th. e. May 3, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864, 

Carlisle, William H., Co. I 9th O.V.C, e. Oct. 24, 1863;dis. July 6, 1865; diedAug. 16, 1879. 

Copley, John B., 78th, mus. Sept., 1804; died at .Jeffersou Barracks, Mo. Feb. 10, 186.5. 

Cunningham, G. W., Co. G 81st, e. Nov. 9, 1801; dis. Nov. 9, 1864, 

Cowsill, Miltou, Co. G loth, e. April 20, 1861; re-e. Co. D 49th, Aug., 1861; captured at 
Stone River, Dec. 31, 1863. 

Cole, Leonard G., Co. H 101st, e. Aug. 2, 1862; dis. June 12. 1865. 

Crooks, Henry, Co. A 164th, e. May 2, 1S64; dis. Aus. 37, 1864. 

Copley, Richard, Co. D 180th. e.; (lis. Aug., 1865; died in Auglaize Co., O., March, 1868. 

Colwell, F. X. and A. D., served in 8th O. V. M. 

Deacon. Isaac, 49th. died at Louisville. Ky., in Sept,, 1861. 

Dowd, Michael, died at Grafton. Va., in Sept., 1861; served with 8th. 

Dean. William O.. Co. G 164th, e. May 3. 1864; dis. Aug. 37, 1864. 

Durfee, Dialectus D., 64th O. M., e.; died. 

Decker, Jacob, Co. C 164th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 

Dunn. Arlington. Co. D 123d, e. Aug. 32. 1862; dis. June 28, 1865, 

Doran, James, Co. C 180th, e. Sept. 2, 1864; dis. July 13, 1865. 

Doran, John B., Co. C 180th, e. Aug. 29, 1804; dis. May 3, 1865, 

Doran, George W., Co. K 49tb, e. Sept. 2, 1803; killed at Alatoona. Ga., May 27, 1804. 

Duiulore, Ad'am, Co. I 101st, e. Aug. 19. 1862; died at Danville Hospital, Nov. 7, 1862, 

Dildine. Samuel H., Co. A 8th. e. .June 18, 1861; dis. .luly 13, 1S64; died May 20, 1884, 

Dildine, A. 11 . 8th; was killed at Gettysburg July 3, 1863. 

Daywalt. Wallace P., Co. I 101st, e. Aug. 13, 1862; dis. Camp Dennison, Ohio, May 25, 1865, 

Dildine, John H., Co. II 55th. e.; died of wound at Portsmouth Grove, R. I. 

Drake, A. W.. Co. H 88th. e. July 2, 1863; dis. March 15, 1864, 

Debusmann, Frederick. Co. K 107th. e. Aug. 25. 1803; dis. July 12, 1865. 

Dicken, J. M.. Co. E 186th, e. Feb. 13, 1865; dis. Sept. 19, 1861 

Debusman, Jacob, e, at Missouri July, 1861; service in Fremont's Battery No. 4; Co. K 
107th, re-e. Aug. 25, 1863; dis. Aug". 10, 1865. 

Drenning. Samuel, Co, E 49th, e. Dec. 30. 1863; dis. Nov. 30, 1865. 

Dickens, Jesse S., Co. K 49th, e. Sept. 5, 1861; dis. at Texas, Nov. 30, 1865. 



352 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Daywalt, David H., Co. A 8th, e. April 19, 1861; Co. B 49th, re-e. ; mus. out Dec. 22, 1865. 

Dildine, .Tames. Co. F 9th Iowa V. I., e. Aug. 27, 1861; dis. Sept. 24, 1864. 

Dildine. Henrv A., Co. I 123d, e. Aug. 21, 1862; re-e. Co. I 164th; dis. Aug. 27, 1864; died 

Feb. 12. 1868. 
Dildine, A. M., Co. E 49th, e. Aug. 4. 1861; dis. June 2. 186.5. 
Dozer. .Je^se L., Co. A 26th 111. Vet, V. I., e. Feb. 14, 1864; dis. July 28, 1865. 
Derr, William. Co. D 164th. e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Daywalt. William J.. Co. B 49th, e.' Aug. 12, 1861; di.s. June 24, 1865. 
Diehl. Philip. Co. A 8th, e. May 12. 1861; dis. July 14. 1864. 
Debusraann. William A., Co. D 86th. e. May 27, 1862, re-e. Co. A 164th, May 2, 1864. 

dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Diehl. Julius, blacksmith, e. Dec. 19. 1864; dis. March 28, 1865. 
Davi.s John W.,Co. A 49th, e. Aug. 4,1861; wounded May 27. 1864; dis. Oct., 1864. 
Dickcn, J. W., Co. K 101st, e. Aug. 12, 1862; dis. May 27, 1865. 
Duffey, Patrick, Co. E 25th, e. Oct., 1863; dis. June. 1865. 
Doe, C. A., Co. 1 123d, e. Aug. 22, 1862; dis. June 12, 1865. 
Drenning, Samuel, Co. E 49th, e. Dec. 30. 1863; dis. Dec. 30, 1865. 
Davidson. J. H., Co. D. 123d, e. Aug. 22, 1862; dis. June 25. 1865. 
Disler, Jacob, Co. tJ I'.lth, e. Aug. 22, 1862; dis. Aug. 27. 1865. 
Durfee, Homer, Co B 55th, e. ^ept. 19, 1861; died of wound at Washington Sept. 11, 

1862. He was buried at Fort Seneca. 
Day. Homer, Co. K 46th, e. Feb. 17, 1864; dis. Nov. 30, 1865. 
Drayton, George, Co. A 67th, e. Dec, 1861; dis. 1864. 

Decker, Simeon. Co. D 64th, drafted Sept. 23, 1864; dis. Camp Dennison May 26, 1865. 
Derr. John T., Co. D 164th, e. May 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Drew. Horace, Co. K 164th. e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Dennis. Phares, Co. A 131st P. V. I., e. July 25, 1862; dis. May 23, 1863. 
Dittman, .John F., Co. G 42d Ind. V. I., e. July 20, 1862; dis. July 20, 1865. 
Doughty, Arthur, Co. D 22(1, e. Sept. 3, 1861; re-e. July 21, 1863, Co. L 11th O. V. C.;dis. 

July 21, 1866, in Wyoming. 
Ebersole, M. A., received severe wounds in the Georgia campaign, and died Jul}', 1864. 
Etcher, Louis. Co. B 57th, e. March 31, 1864; dis. Aug. 14. 1865. 
Ennis, John B., Co. D 133d, e. Aug. 24, 1862; dis. at Washington July 3, 1865. 
Echelberry, J. Peter, Co. H 101st, e. Aug., 1862; Co.K 104th, re-e. May, 1864; dis.Dec.,1864. 
Echelberry, Niles W.,Co.G 3dO.V.C.,e. Sept. 12, 1861; re-e. in same company Jan. 14,1864: 

dis. Jan. 3, 1866. 
Earhart. George W.. Co. C 193d. e. March. 1865; service two months. 

Emerson, ILeonard K., Co. G 49th, e. Sept. 3, 1861; dis. Sept. 1, 1863; died Sept. 25 fol. 
Emerson, William W., Co. G 49th, e. Aug. 15. 1861; dis. March 3. 1863. 
Emerson, John H., Co. 1 101st, e. .luly, 1862; dis. close war: died Nov. 16, 1867, at TifBn. 
Emerson. Bartholomew, Co. G49th, e. March 1, 1862; killed at Mission Ridge Nov. 25, 1863. 
Egli. Jacob, Co. H 107th, e. Aug. 12, 1862; dis. June 13, 1865. 

Ewing, J. T., Co. E 49th, e. Aug. 20, 1861; sameco., re-e. Jan. 1. 1863; dis. Dec. 28, 1865. 
Emmons, Lorenzo P., Co. E 49th. e. Aug 12, 1861: dis. Aug. 24. 1864. 
Evenbeck, Benjamin, Co. E 130th, e. May 5, 1864: dis. Dec. 15, 1864. 
Eissler. John, Co. K 107th. c. Sept. 19. 1862: dis. June 30, 1865. 
Eaton. D. F.. Co. A 21st, e. April, 1861; Co. B 57th, ree. Jan., 1862; killed at Shiloh, 

April, 1862. 
Enos, George, Co. 1 1st O. V. H. Art., e. Jan. 13, 1863: dis. July 25, 1865. 
Evy, Lewis, Co. E 186th, e. Feb. 14, 1864; dis. Aug. 28. 1865. 
Enslow, James, Co. I 164th, e. May 2, 1864; died at his home in Crawford County, Jan. 

9. 1866. 
Egbert, N. D.. Co. I 101st, e. Aug 12, 1862: Co. H 164th, re-e. May2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Engler. William. Co. A 49th, e. Jlay 2. 1864: dis. Sept. 1864. 
Fogel, Frederick, Co. A 13th, e. April 15, 1861; dis. 1804. 
Ferris. O., surgeon of 15th. e. May. 2 1861. same rank, 123d, re-e. Dec. 14, 1862: dis. June 8. 

1865: died at Upper Sandusky. Ohio, May 8, IS76. 
Fisher. Frederick, Co. G4lh, e. April 18, 1861; at Franklin, Va., re-e. June 11, 1862; dis. 

July 28. 1865. 
Fres. Robert, 38th. e. Sept., 1861; died at Chattanooga. March 8, 1863. 
Frees. Hiram, Co. E 49th, e. Aug., 1861; died at Atlanta. Ga., May, 1864. 
Fox. Robert, Co. B .55th, e. SeptT 22, 1861; dis. Oct. 6, 1862. 
Faulhaver. Phillip, Co. B 57th, e. Oct. 4, 1861; captain; killed at Vicksburg, Miss., Dec, 

28, 1862. 
Flenner, Jos. L., lieutenant 2d; was drowned at Cincinnati in Sept., 1861. His services at 

the first battle of Bull Run won him promotion. 
Flenner. U. L.. Co. G 12th Ind. V. I., e. April 22, 1861, Co. D 86th. sergeant; re-e. June 7, 

1862; in detached service, P. A. Taylor's detachment, re-e. Feb. 27, 1864; final dis. 

Aug. 22, I860. 



HISTORY OF SENECA rOlNTV. 355 

Fitz. G. W., Co. M nth Penn. V. C, e. Sept. 9, im',: (lis. .June, 1864. 

Fetro. Daniel, Co. D 1st 111. V. Art., e. Nov lo, ISKl; dis.. 1864. 

Fredonck, Calvin Z., Co. D 49th. e. Jan. 4, 1864; dis. Jan. 4 1866. 

Fredfiifk. Jacob, drafted for one vear, Sept. 2.i, 1863; dis. Sept. 25, 1864. 

Fisli II. W.. Co. II 88th, e. July 2."), 1863; dis. July 5, 180.J. 

Frederici. Frank, Co. A 48th Penn. V. I., e. Aug. 15, 1861; re-e.;dis. at Alexandria, Va., 

July IT. 1865. 
Fniver. John. Co. I 101st, e. Aug. 11, 1862; dis. June. 1863. 

FoKlesong. Simon, Co. C 180th, e. Sept. 2, 1804; died at Lenora Institute, S. C, April, 1865. 
Ford, James, Co. C 164th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 16, 1864. 
Funk, C. M., Co. I 101st. e. Aug. 14, 1862; dis. June 19. 1865. 
Ferirnson, A.. Co. I 21st, e. Aug. 15, 1861; dis. April 4, 1865. 
Fro'-it. J. R., Co. H 101st. e. Aug. 10, 1862; dis. Dec., 1863. 
Franklin, A. G., Co. 1 123d, e. Aug. 18, 1862; dis. June 12, 1865. 
Fortney, A., served with 8th. 
Foster "Capt. Jonas, Co. H 21st, e. April 23, 1861; Co. E 48th, e. at Fostoria, Aug., 1861; 

dis. April 27, 1864. 
Fell. John. Co. A 8th, e. June 11, 1801; dis. July 13. 1804. 

Fatziniter, Tillman W., Co. I 47th, Penn. V. I., e. Aug. 5, 1861; dis. Sept. 18, 1864. 
Floyd.^Jo.spph E., Co. C. 12th Penu., V. C. e. Jan. 27, 1S62; dis. Feb. 21, 1865. 
Free, \V. II., Co. G 164th, e. May 2. 1804; dis. Aug. 27. IS04. 
Fisher. 1). L., Co. G 164th. e. May 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Flavian. W.. Co. H 65th, e. Oct. 22. 1864; dis. Oct. 21, 1865. 
Frankhouser, Nicholas. Co. G8th, e. April 9. 1861; dis. July, 1864. 
Frankhouser, H., Co. G 65th, e. Sept. 26. 1864; dis. June 16.^1865. 
Frankhouser, S., Co. A 64th. e. Sept.. 1864; dis. May 28.1805. 
Frarv, Justin, was captured at Chickamauga and died in Danville prison, Va. 
Frontz. John, Co. I 72d. e. March 20. 1864; dis. May 29. 1865. 
Froutz, Samuel, Co. E 25th, e. April, 1861; dis. July 20, 1864. 
Fox, James B.. Co. H 101st. e. Aug. 15, 1862; discharged. 
Fables, George, Co. K 101st, e. Aug. 15, 1862; dis. Aug.. 1865. 
Feasel. Isaac. Co. K 1st O. V. H. A., e. Sept. 27, 1804; dis. June 20, 1865. 
Frees, Amon. Co. K 101st. e. Aug. 12, 1862; dis. July 13, 1805. 
Farver. John K., Co. A llllh, e. Aug. 14, 1862; dis. Dec. 21, 1805. 
Fleet, John Henry, Co. E 123d. e. May, 1804; dis. June. 1865. 
Funk, Henry K.."Co. K 49th. e. Oct. 26, 1861; re-e.; dis. Dec. 21,1865. 
Fritcher. Geo. W., Co. H 49th, e. Aug. 15, 1861; dis. May 29. 1863. 

Fizer. James E., of the 7th Iowa Infantry, died at Bird's Point, Mo., Nov. 10, 1861. 

Goodsell, I). J.. Jr., was killed at Gettysburg, while serving with 8th. 

German, D. F., Co. E 8th. e. April 1, 1803; re-e. May 2, 1864, Co. A 164th, final dis. Aug. 
16, 1864. 

Gettinger, W. H., Co. H 55th, e. Sept., 1861; dis. Sept., 1864. 

Green, M. W., Co. A 25th, e. Oct. 17, 1864; dis. Oct. 12, 1865. 

Gallatin, Henry, Co. E 17tbi, e. April 19, 1861; re-e. Sept. 12, 1861, Co. E 49th; final dis. 
June 16, 1865. 

Groeich, Joseph, Co. I 7th O. V. S. S.. e. October, 1862; dis. June, 1805. 

Gibson. W. H., (vide hist, of Regt.) The general had seven nephews in his regiment, 
of whom only one survives. 

Gibbins, F. H.. Co. E 49th, e. Aus.'12, 1801; final dis. Dec. 30, 1865. 

Green. James N., Co. A 8th. e. June 3. 1801; dis. 

Gettinger. Robert H. Co. D 104th. e. May 1. 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 

Gormley, L. A., Co. A 144th. e. May 1, 1864: re-e. 1864 Co. F. O.V.C, Kirkpatrick's brig- 
ade; dis. June 6. 1805. 

Glick, William II., Co. H 49th, e. Aug. 15, 1861; re-e. Jan. 1. 1864; dis. Nov. 30, 1865. 

GroiT, Silas W.. Co. D 123d. e. Au2. 22, 1862; dis. Aug. 3, 1805. 

Griffin. Thoma.s, Co. K 12th Ind. V.I.. e. Aug. 11, 1802; dis. Jan. 18, 1805, 

Gruver, John, Co. A 160th, e. Jlay 2, 1864; re-e. JIarch. 1805. Co. D 187th; dis.March,1866. 

Gettinger, John D., Co. H 55th. e. Oct. 12, 1861; dis. Oct. 23, 1864. 

Gifford Samuel, Co. G 49th. e. Feb. 22, 1804; dis. Nov. 30. 1865. 

Grummel. Henry, Co. K 123d. e. Aug. 22. 1862; dis. June 13, 1865. 

Grove, David. Co. D 2d Md. Art.; dis. .June 7, 1865. 

Godfrey, John, Co. B 21st. e. Aug. 28, 1861; dis. Sept. 24, 1864. 

Garrison. T. M.. gunboat Monegan, e. Aug. 22. 1864; dis. May 22, 1865. 

Grove, Abraham, e. Co. E 7th Md. V. I.; ree. in Co. D, 33d U. S. I., Dec. 1, 1866; di8. 
Feb. 28, 1868. 

Gorham. Jacob. Co G 147th Pa. V. I., e. Sept. 15, 1862; dis, Dec. 4, 1864, 

Gaddas, J. W., Co. G 25th, e. June 18, 1861; dis. June 18. 1866. 

Green, Owen P., Co. H 101st, e. Aug. 7. 1801; dis. .lunc 10. 1865. 

Green, John G., Co. B 5.5th. e. Sept. 20, 1861; dis. July, 1865. 



356 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Green, G. H., Co. I 164tb, e. May 2, 1864; dis, Aug. 2;. 1864. 

Gray, R. A., Co. C 67th. e. Dec. 1861; dis. April 5, 1862. 

Gaddas, John, Co. C 164th. e. May 11, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 

Gilbert, John W.. Co. A 44th Ind. V. I., e. Aug. 25, 1861: dis. Sept. 14, 1865. 

Gries, P. J., Co. K 3d O. V. C. e. Oct., 1861; dis. Aug. 18, 1862. 

Green, Isaac H., 164th, e. May 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 

Georgia, Ansil. Co. F 4th Mich. V. I., e. Sept. .5. 1864; dis., at Detroit, Mich., May 20. 1866. 

Gabower, Charles. Co. K 107th. e. Aug. 19. 1863; dying in fiehl hospital July 12. 1863. 

Good, Noah, Co. B 5.5th, e. Sept. 23. 1861; transferred to Bat. A 1st 111. Art.; dis. Oct.. 1864. 

Grove, Levi, Co. E 49th. e. Aug. 18, 1862; mortally wounded at Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 2, 

1864. dying same day. 
Gifford, G. W., Co. G 164th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Greise, T. J.. 8tli, was captured at the Wilderness. 
Gray, Henry, Co. B 164th. e. Mav 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Gray, John H., Co. C 39th Mo. V. I., e. 1863; dis. 1863. 
Gregory, O., Co. H 166tli. e. May 2, 1864; dis. Sept. 25, 1864. 

Gaines. Bondy, Co. G 55th. e. Sept. 21, 1861; died at Grafton, W. Va., March 8, 1862. 
Groves, Sampson F., Co. M 1st 0. V. H. A., e. Dec. 22, 1863; dis. Au^. 3, 1865. 
Higginbotham, T. P., colonel of 65th N. Y. Chasseurs, was killed at Cedar Creek, on the 

Shenandoah, Oct. 19. 1864. His company, which was raised in Seneca County, fought 

with this command. 
Harr. Thomas, Co. F 1st Md. V. C, e. April 2, 1862; dis. April 38, 1865. 
Hartsock, G. W., Co. K 101st, e. Aug., 1862; re-e. Co. K 164th, May 2, 1864; final dis. Aug. 

27, 1864. 
Heilman, John, Co. C 180th, e. Sept. 12, 1864; dis. Aug., 186.5. 
Hunt, Frank M., Co. I .5.5th, e. Sept. 18, 1861; dis. OctT 24, 1864. 
Harrison, A. J., e. July 31, 1861; dis. July 7, 1865. 
Haines. Owen, Co. B 164th. e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 

Harst, Joseph W., Co. C 48th. e. Slay 28, 1862; transferred to 164th; dis. Aug. 37, 1864. 
Hunker, Matt. W.. Co. D 43d, e. Nov. 16. 1.S64; dis. July 13, 1.S65. 
Hawkins, Richard, Co. A 21st, e. Aug. 28. 1861; wounded July 13, 1865. 
Hawkins, Richard. Co. A 21st. e. Aug. 28, 1861; wounded July 9, 1864; dis. Sept. 24, 1864. 
Hospelhaun, George. Co. 6 3d O. V. C. e. Aug. 1. 1861; prisoner at Kenesaw Mountain, 

June 27, 1864;' dis. July 15, 1865. 
Houcks, William. Co. B 164th, e. Mav 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Heddem. H. F.. Co. C 164th. e. May 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 16, 1864. 
Heater, John L., Co. K 164th, e. .May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27,1864. 
Hoover. Martin, Co. D 34th, e. Aug. 1, 1861; dis. April, 1865. 
Hoover. J. A., dis. 
Heslington, Thomas C, Co. G 1st battalion, 15th U. S. I., e. Sept. 7, 1861; re-e. Co. A 

164lh May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Harman, Charies, Co. C 49th, e. Aug. 13, 1861; re-e. Co. C 49th, Aug. 15, 1863. 
Haas, M. D., Co. — 86th, e. June 2, 1862; re-e. Co. I, June 16, 1863; re-e. May 2. 1864; dis. 

Aug. 27, 1864. 
Helm. John. e. for service in the Mexican war at Chicago, June 17, 1846, 1st 111. V. I., dis. 

June 17, 1847; e. Co. G 2d. April 17. 1861; dis. Oct. 11, 1863. 
Hushour, A., Co. E 104th, e. Feb. 19, 1864; re-e. Co. G l()2d June 27, 1864; dis. June 18, 

1805; was in three-months' service, e. .luly 3, 1861, dis. Nov. 17, 1861. 
Haas. A. F.. Co. 1 128th Penn. V. I. e. Aug. 6, 1862; re-e. Battery L, 3d Penn. H. A., 

Feb. 25, 1864; dis. Nov. 9, 1.865. 
Heck, D. G., Co. B 176th, e. Mav 2, l.%4; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Hartzell, H. W., Co. I 8th, e. March 30. 1862; dis. May 35. 1865. 
Hissong, Lyman J., Co. I 68th. e. Oct. 21, 1861; re"-e. March, 1865. .5th U. S. H. Art., 

major, promoted lieut-col.; brevetted colonel by President Johnson at expiration of 

term of service; dis. June. 1866. 
Hayes. Orrin B., Co. H 49th, e. Aua. 20, 1861; first enlistment at Fremont, April 23. 1861, 

Co. H 21st; dis. Aug. 13. 1861; died at Fostoria Nov. 30, 1863. 
Hartsoch. Dorsey, Co. K 101st, e. Aug.. 1862; dis. May 31. 1.865. 
Henry, George W., Co. I 9th O.V. C, e. Nov. 9. 1863; dis. July 20, 1865. 
Hossler. P. J.. 8th. served a full term with this command. 
Hathaway, W. W.. 8th. discharged for disability. 
Heisserman, H. 8th. dis. for wounds received Dec. 13. 1862. 
Helsel, Jacob, Co. A 72d. e. Nov. 8, 1861; dis. March 30, 1865. 
Haas, W. H., 8th, served full term. 

Harper, Frank, a nephew of Gen. Gibson, and a captain in 49th. died in Kansas. Oct., 18.85. 
Harper, S. M., a brother of Frank, was a captain in the same command, died in Kansas 

two years ago, both of wounds received or disease contracted during the war. 
Hewitt, F. K., Co. C 5th N. Y'. V. Art., e. Mar. 6, 1862; re-e.; final dis. Feb. 13, 1865. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 357 

Hughes, Gilbert, Co. K 101st, e. Aus. 12, 1862; dis. May 27, 1865. 

Hale, Allen, Co.II 49th. e. Aug. 15, 1861 ; re-e. to Co. I 164tb, May 2,1864: clis.Aug.27, 1864. 

Hall, George W., in the Mexican war, Co. I McGroden's bat. 1st L. A., e. Aug. 1847; dis. 

Get. 1848; Co. E 48th, e. Sept. 8, 1861; ree. Feb. 28,1864; dis. Dec. 30, 1865. 
Heilman, John, Co. D 58th, e. Oct. 16, 1861; dis. Sept., 1864. 
Hollopeter, John L., 21st, e. Apr. 22, 1861; re-e. Co. H 49th, Aug. 15, 1861; ree. Mar. 3, 

1863; dis. May, 1866, with rank of major. 
Hamilton, George. Co. B 125th N. Y. V. I., e. Aug. 2, 1862; dis. June 15, 1865. 
Hartman, Lewis, Co. A lG4th;(iis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Holt, William, Co. A 164th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Herzog, Felix, Co. C 57th, e. Jan. 7, 1862; dis. Aug. 1862. 

Hartsook, Nelson, Co. E49th,e. Mar., 1864; died in camp near Green Lake, Tex., Aug. 1,1865. 
Heabler, George, Co. C, 164th. e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Hiskey, R. B., Co. D 34th. e. Dec. 1862; service 4 years. 

Hartzell, James, Co. D 123d, e. Aug., 1862; killed at the 2nd Winchester, Va., battle. 
Holtz, William, Co. I lOlst, e. Aug. 12, 1862; died in Andersonville prison. Mar. 20, 1865. 
Horner, Hi/.ukiah, Co. D 34th, e. Sept., 1862; dis. May 27, 1865. 
Heisserman, Henry, Co. A 8th, e. Apr. 16. 1861; dis. Apr. 4, 1863. 
Hahn, Martin, Co. B ,57th, e. Sept. 19, 1861; dis. Oct. 3, 1864. 
Hoover. John A., Co. K 101st, e. Aug. 14, 1862; dis. June 12, 1865. 
Hartzell. A. J., Co. K 28th Penn. V.' I., e. Aug. 8, 1861; dis. Dec. 22, 1865. 
Hays, Austin P., Co. H 21st, e. April 23, 1861; re-e. Co. H 49th. Aug. 20. 1861; died on the 

march near Huntsville. Ala., July 0, 1862. 
Huffsej'. John, Co. B 49th, e. Aug., 1861; dis. 1865. 
Haines, E. M., Co. C 21st Penn. V. C, dis. July, 1865. 
Harter. Joseph, 55th e. Oct. 2. 1861; dis. Aug. 26, 1862. 
Hale. Robert W., oth, O. V.'C, asst. surgeon, e. Apr. 16, 1862;dis. Sept. 1, 1862; re-e.l64th. 

May 2, 1864, surgeon; dis. Aug.2~, 1864. 
Haltv. Charles, Co. H .55th, e. Oct. 22, 1861; dis. Oct. 1864. 
Hart Francis M.. Co. D 123d, e. Aug. 22, 1862; dis. June 30, 1865. 
Hathawav, Philo \V., Co. K 144th, e. May 11, 1864; dis. Sept. 1864. 
Hemming. Albert, Co. K 101st, e. April 20, 1861; dis. June 15, 1865. 
Hospelhaun. Henry, Co. D 49th, e. Aug. 8. 1861; kdled at Kcnesaw Mountain. 
Holmes. Edwin. Co. H. 55lh, e. Sept. 16, 1861; dis. Oct. 8, 1862. 
Haefale, Nicholas, Co. A 31st, mus. Sept. 20, 1864; dis. July 1, 1865. 
Harley, J. 1).. Co. F 55th. e. Sept. 18(11; dis. Oct. 1.5, 1864. 

Harris, Vaihel H., U. S. gunboat "Benton," e. Sept. 3, 1864; dis. Aug. 4, 1865. 
Heifer William, Co. I 164th, e. May 2, 1.864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Huifman J. W., Co. C 65th, c. Nov., 1861; re-e. Co. D 85th. July. 1862; re-e. Co. C 164th. 

May 11, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Hiteshaw, Alfred, Co. D 49th, e. Aug. 15, 1861; dis. Aug. 16, 1864. 
Hollinger, John N.. Co. K 2d P. V. L, c. April 27, 1861; re-e. Co. K 65th N. Y. Chasseurs, 

March 15, 1862; dis. March 15, ]8fi5. 
Halter. .John, Co. A 111th. e. Aug., 1862; dis. July 16, 1865. 
Henry, J. M., 8th, served full term. 

Hemminger, Lewis, Co. A 111th, e Aug. 5. 1862; dis. June 27. 1865. 
Hawkins, Simon, Co. G 36th. e. Aug. 11, 1862; dis. July 5, 1865. 
Hossler, Samuel B.. 164th. e. May 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Hoatz, Moses H., Co. K 107tb, e." Aug. 26, 1862; dis. July 26. 1865. 

Hicks. Abraham, Co. B 49th, e. Jan. 20, 1,S64; died Feb. 27, 1864, at Chattanooga, Tenn. 
Holtz, Jacob S., Co. II 164th, c. May 2, 1864; died July I, 1864, at Fort Strong Hosp., Va. 
Horton, John \V., Co. F 101st. e. Aug. 9, 1862; dis. May, 1865. 
Huffman, Andrew W., Co. I 123d, e. Aug. 17, 1862; dis. June 13, 1865. 
Heabler. David, Co. C 164tb, e. June. 1862; dis. Sept., 1864. 
Hunt, Edward ^M., Co. I .55th, 18(12; killed at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. 
Hill. Jerry, Co. H 101st. e. Aug. 9, 1862; dis. April, 1863. 
Huffman." Joseph, Co. I 123d, e. Aug. 22, 1862; dis. June 12, 1865. 
Isler, Isaac, Co. 15 .55th. e. l'^(il; re-e. close of 1863; dis. August, 1865. 
Jones E.. 8th, wounded at (tettvsburg and discharged. 

Jewett, John IC, Co. M 1st, O. V. II.' A., e. June 22, 1863; dis. Aug. 2, 1865. 
Johnson, Philip, Co. I 101st. e. Feb. 15, 1864; dis. Nov. 2. 1865. 
Jackson, Joseph, Co. A 111th, e. Aug 14, 1862; dis. July 14, 1865. 
Jones. William W.. Co. (i 2d P. V. I., e. April 26, 1861; ree, Co. C 6lh P. V. C, Aug. 22, 

1861; re-e. Co. C I7th P. V. C. Sept. 10, 1862; final dis. Aug. 22, 186.5. 
Jones, William. Co. E 1st Del. V. L, Sept., 1862; transferred May, 18(54, to "New Hamp- 
shire" battle ship; transferred to sloop-of-war "John Adams"; dis. Sept. 14, 1865. 
Johnston, John, Co. H 49th e. Aug. 15, 1861; dis. for wound, June 2, 1865. 
Johnson, Isaac, Co. D 49th, e. Dec. 24, 1863; served one year, 
Jones,Williain I., Co. C 88lh LV. I., c. Sept. ,1861, serg.; killed at StoncRiver. Dec. 31, 1862. 



358 HISTORY OF SEXECA COUNTY. 

Jones, James M., Co. F l()3d, e. Sept. 8, 1862: dis. June 22, 1865. 

Jones, Decatur, e. May 11, 1862; dis. April 28, 1863. 

Keiffer. A. R. 8tli, dis. 

Kellev Francis M.. Co. C 23d. e. May 20. 1861; re-e. Nov. 15, 1863; dis. July 26, 1865. 

Keller, Levi, Co. D 123d. e. Aug. 20. 1862; dis. June 19, 186.5. 

Knup, A. T., 55th, e. Oct. 4, 1861; dis. Aug. 18, 1862; wounded mortally at Gettysburg; 

died July 24, 1863. 
Knapp. Russell L.. Co. B 132d. e. May 2, 1864; dis. Sept. 14, 1864. 
King. W. H., Co. I 164lli. e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Kintz, William J., Co. B 4!)tU, e. Aug. 19, 1861; re-e. Jan. 1, 1804; mus. in at Grafton, May 

17, 1861: dis., Co. C loth, Aug. 19, 1861; final mus. June 24. 1865. 
Kuder, Benjamin F., Co. F olli P. V. I., e. Jan. 13, 1862; dis. Jan. 12. 1885. 
Keflfer. Peter D., Co. D 86tli, e. May 28, 1862; ree. Co. F. 10th O. V. C, Oct. 25, 1882; dis. 

June 25, 1864. 
Kisinger. J. A., Co. I 101st, e. Aug. 15, 1862; dis. at Clinton, Iowa. 
Kisinger, William H., Co. K 65th N. Y. V. I., e. July 15. 1861; dis. Sept. 12, 1864. 
Kaufman. Adam. Co. B 57th, e. Sept. 16, 1861: dis. July 28. 1864. 
Knepple, John C. Co. C 49th, e. March 10. 1863; dis. June 30. 1863. 
Krieger, Jacob, Co. K 101st, e. Aug. 14. 1862; dis. June 12, 1865. 
Kooken, Jefferson, Co. K 55th, e. Nov. 7, 1861; re-e. Co. 1 123d, Dec. 25, 1863; shot blind 

at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864; dis. May 26, 1865. 
Kesling, George, Co. H 72d, e. Oct. 3, 1862; dis. Aug. 1. 1863. 
Kimball, John, Co. C 164th. e. May 29. 1862; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Kipka. J. C, 8th, was killed at Gettysburg. July 3. 1863. 
Kiessling, Julius. Co. H 4th U. S. I." e. June 11, 1863; dis. Nov. 28, 1870. 
Keller, A. O., Co. A 164th. e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Kaup, Thomas A., Co. I 1st brigade, 1st division, 4th Army Corps, e. 1862; dis. June 11, 

1863; died in Tiffin, Oct. 13, 1876. 
Kishler, George W., Co I 101st. e. 1862; re-e. Co. A 164th, May 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Keesv. William Allen. Co. 1 .55th, e. Oct. 24, 1861; drafted Co. D 64th, Sept. 23, 1864; dis. 

June 16, 1865. 
Klair, George, Co. G 164th. e. May 2, 1864; re-e. Co. B 195th. Feb. 23, 1865; dis. Dec. 15, 1865. 
Keller. W. H., Co. A 164tli. e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Kuder. James S. Co. G 180th, e. Aug., 1864; dis. July 20. 1865. 
Koch. Samuel M., C". C 129th P. V. I., e. Aug. 5, 1862; re-e. battery G, 2d P. H. A., 

at Philadelphia, Dec. 1863. 
Koch, Wilson J., Co. A S9th P. V. I., e. Sept.. 1863; re-e. battery G 2d P. H. A.; 

transferred, 1st U. S. Flying Art., Nov., 1864; sent back to battery G. April, 1865; 

wounded at Petersburg, Va.. Sept.. 1864. 
Kaskev. John, Co. B 195th. e. Feb. 15, 1865; dis. Dec. 18. 1865. 

Kline. C. M.,Co. H.55th,e. Nov. 25, 1861; dis. July 20, 1865; died at Liberty Center, Jan. ,1870. 
Kershner, J. K.. 8th O. I., full term. 

Kershner, Levi, Co. K in4th. e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 37, 1864. 
Kistner, Christian. Co. K 107th, e. Aug. 18, 1862; dis.' June 2, 1865. 
Kiser, L. D., Co. G 178th, e. April 18, 1861; dis. June 28, 1H65. 
Kershner. J. A , Co. K 199th P. V. I., e. Sept. 6, 1864; dis. June 28. 
Klair, Jacob, Co. F 197th. e. March 22, 1865; dis. Aug.. l.%5. 
Koch. Hubert, Co. D 123d, e. Sept. 22. 1862; dis. June 29, 1865. 
Kuder, W. J., Co. C 180th, e. Aug.. 1864; dis. July 20, 1865. 
Linn. M. B., 8th, died Sept., 1861, at Grafton, Va. 

Lee, Wilbur, Co. I 101st, e. July, 1862; re-e. in the 100 days' service; dis. Aug. 18, 1865. 
Libeusparger. Louis, Co. G 25th. e. Feb. 20. 1864: dis. June 18, 1866. 

Leeper. Edward, Co. 1 101st. e. Aug., 1862; re-e. Co. A 164th. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Leitner, Julius, Co. H 49th. e. Aug. 1. 1.S61: transferred; dis. Nov. 18, 1865. 
Lysle, Robert, Co. I 101st, e. June 27. 1862: re-e. Co. I sOth. June 16, 1863; dis. Feb. 10, 1864. 
Lewis, J. R., Co. A 8th. e. June 11. 1861; dis. July 13. 1864. 
Langdon, H. L., C. Lampsin, J. B. Lightcap, R. Lowe and J. W. Long, served full term 

with 8th 
Lutz, Harrison S., Co. 128th P. V. L, e. Aug. 9. 1862; dis. June, 1864. 
Leonard. W. L., Co. K 38th. e. Jan. 22, 1864; dis. July, 1866. 
Laniberson, Virgil D., Co. H 101st, e. Aug. 12, 1862; Co. I Marine Regiment, re-e. March 

11. 1863: dis. Jan. 24. 1865. 
Lauizenhizer, John, Co. A 164th, e. Mav 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Leightuer, A. J., Co. D 123d. e. Aug. 22. 1862; dis. June 15, 1865. 

Lim'baugh, Christian. Co. I Kentucky Independents, e. June 29, 1862; dis. July 10. 1865. 
Lewis, John B., Co. K 10th Ind. V. I., e. April 23. 1861; Aug. 6, 1861, e. in Rabb's Bat- 
tery; Co. B 64th. drafted Sept. 24. 1864; dis. June 22. 1.S65. 
Lutz, M, T., Co. B 49th. c. Aug. 16, 1861 ; sunstruck in Te.xas, July 10, 1865; dis. Jan. 1, 1866. 
Lane, Joseph W., Co. F 55t.h, e. Sept. 20, 1861; dis. at Louisville, Ky., July 11, 1865; died. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COC'NTV. 359 

Lutz, Scott 31., Co. I 101st, e. Aug. 30, 1862; died of typhoid fever at Xashville, Tenn , 

Dec. 30. 1,'*62. 
Leedes, Isaac B., Co. A 21st. e. Au^. 38, 1861; dis. .lau. 7, 1863. 
Lowe. George W., Co. I 101st, e.; deceased. 

Leeward. Charles. Co. A 8th. e. April 13, ISIJI; reg. reorganized .Tune 22, 1861, for 3 years. 
Livers, T. (J.. 19-lth. app. asst. surireon, JIareh 20, 1865; promoted surgeon June 20," 1865 
Lackens, L W.. Co. I 99th Penn. V. I., e. Feb. 22. 1865: dis. .July 11, 1865. 
Linhart, .John McCrou. Co. H 7th Va. V. I., e. Sept. 2. 1861; dis. Dec. 12, 1862. 
Leeoh. W. II. II.. Co. E 49th; e. Aug. 12. 1861; dis. Oct. 25. 1865. 
Leech. Oliver C. Co. I 164th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. at Cleveland Aug. 37, 1864; died Sept. 

15. 18(i4, at Fostoria. 
Luallen, .Joseph R.. 65th U. S. Chasseurs, e. 1861; sergeant, 67th N. Y. Vet. V. I. or U. S. 

Chasseurs, re-e. Sept. 1, 1864; dis. .July, 1866. 
Lenip, (Jeorge, Co. I 164th. e. Jlay 2, 1864"; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 

Lambright. Isaac. Co. B.55th,e. Sept. 32. 1861; diedof measles at Frederick, Md., Sept., 1862. 
Lepard, Isaac. Co. M 1st O. II. A., e. Dec. 30. 1863; dis. Aug., 1865. 
Lebold. .John. Co. A 25th. e. .June 19. 1861. dis. June 19. 1864. 
Lockhart. Samuel, Co. D 49th. e. Feb. 34, 18(>4; dis. Nov. 30, 1865. 
Lumbar. Francis A., Co. G 25th. e. June 18, 1861; dis. June 18, 1866. 
Longlcr. S. J.. Co. E 186th. e. Feb. 1865; dis. Oct. 1866. 
Lang, David A., Co. E 164th, e. May 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 20. 1864. 
Lewis. John W.. Co. K 164th, e. Mav 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Latham, James. Co. B 164th, e. at Tiffin. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Littler, A., Co. D 3d O. V. C, e. Sept. 10. 1861; dis. Aug., I860. 

Lawrence. James L.. Co. G3d O.V. C. e.Aug. 29. 1861; wounded near Franklin. Tenn., 1862. 
Leidy, L. C. Co. B 195th. e. Feb. 20, 1865; dis. Dec. 24, 1865. 
Ludwig. Jacob J.. Co. D 72d. killed at Meridian, Miss., June 13, 1865. 
Loomis. W.. Co. B 164th. e. Mav 2. 1864;di3. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Lutzenberser. T.. Co. B 164th. e. Mav 2. 1864: dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 

Lehman. IST. S., Co. Q 164th. e. Mav 4,1864; re-e. Feb. 14.1865, Co. B 195th; dis. Dec. 34, 1865. 
Luman, David. Oo. A 64th. e. Oct. 7, 1864; dis. June 6. 1865. 
Layman. H. T., Co. E 101st. e. Autr. 5. 1862; dis. Aug. 1865. 
Lvtle. William. Co. D 10th O. V. C. e. spring. 1864;'dis. May 27. 1866. 
Lehman. S. S.. Co. D 86th. e. May 27. 1862; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Lanning, William, Co. C 122d. e. June 29, 1864; dis. Julv 15. 1865. 
Lyberger. X. B., Co. K 49th, e. Oct. 1861; dis. in Tennessee. 1865. 
Luman, Auson, Co. C 180th, e. Aug. 3, 1864; dis. Julv 25, 1865. 
Lutz. Matthew T., Co. B 49th. e. Aug. 16. 1861; dis. Dec. 31. 1865. 
Lockhart. James, Co. B 164th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Loughlin. John M., Co. F 101st. e. Julv 29, 1862; dis. June 12, 1865. 
Libe, Henrv A.. Co. I 3d O. V. C, e. Sept. 10. 1861; dis. 1865. 

Lombard, William, e. Mav 22. 1863; re-e. in Co. C 164th. May 11, 1864; dis. Oct. 5, 1865. 
Musgrave. W. H.. of Co. K 49th. died at Nashville. Tenn.. Feb. 5, 1863. 
Metealf, George, Co. H 14th. e. Sept. 5. 1861; dis. July 21, 1865. 
Moore. James C, Co. A. .55th, e. Jan. 1, 1862; dis. Jan. 1. 1865. 
McHener, A. D., Co C 164th, e. May 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 16, 1864. 
Mcllener, Eli, Co. I 12.3d, e. Oct. 18(il: killed at Winchester. Va., Aug. 13. 1868. 
McUener. Martin W., Co. L 123d, e. Oct. 1861; killed at Bearville. Va., 1863. 
Martin, John E., Co. F 30th O. V. C, e. Dec. 16. 1863; dis. Aug. 5. 1865. 
Martin, James H. F., Co. A 72d. e. March, 1864; dis. Jidy 24, 1864. 
McMartin. John. Co. A 72d. e. Julv, 1864; dis. Sept. 1864. 
McCormaek. J. E., Co. B 49th. e. Aug. 13. 1861; re-e. in Nov., 1864, Co. B, 135th; 

brevetted maior Sept., 1865; dis. Dec. 24. 1865. 
Miller. William M.. Co. K 49th, e. Sept. 5, 1861; e. again May 3, 1864, Co. C, 164th; 

dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
McBride. F.. 8th; served full term. 
Miller. William H.. Co. D 164th, e. May 3, 1864; dis. Aug. 37. 1864. 

■ - - - -- - 1,863; died at Washington Aug. 19, 1864. 

1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 

10. 1.804; died at Goldsboro. N. C, March, 1865. 
March 15, 1865; dis. Aug. 18, 1865. 

1863; dis. at Camp Chase. 

, 1861; re-e. Co. D, 86th, 1863: re-e. Co. I 86th, June, 
1803; 1st lieutenant, dis. 1803. « 

Myers, William. 8th. was wounded at Gettysburg Julj' 3, 1863. 

M"vers, D. K., Co. A 164th. e. .Mav 2. 1864; assigned to med. dep.; dis. Aug. 27, 1864 
Myers, A. J., Co. A 164th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1804. 



Miller, Daniel F., 


Co. I. 164th, e. Mav 


Miller, W. W., Co 


. I 164th, e. May 2." 1 


Miller, A. K.. 8th. 




Maule. Charles L., 


Co. D 43d, e. Nov. 


Martin, Dr. H. B., 


asst. surg. 192d, e. ; 


Martin, S. H., 8th 




Montague. L., Co. 


G, 12th 0. V. C.,e. 


Myers. William L. 


. Co. A 8th, e. April, 



360 HISTORY OF SENECA COCNTV. 

Mitchell, Joseph, Co. E 2r)th, e. June 12, 1861; dis. July 26, 1864. 

Myers. Joseph P., Co. I. 101st. e. Aug. 8, 1862; dis. istfs. 

Martin, Gideon. Co. D. 123d. e. Dec. 23, 1863; dis. June 38, 1865. 

Mvers. William H.. Co. I 47lh Penn. V. I., e. Aug. .5. 1861: e. April 34, 1861; dis. July 27 

1861; third enlistment in Fla., Oct. 8, 1863; dis. Jan. 16, 1866. 
Mizen. J. A., Co. A 83d Pcnn. V. I., Sept. 16, 1861; dis. Sept. 15, 1864. 
JIvers. Jacob. Co. H o5tb; dis. July 11. 1865. 
Mays. John P.. Co. A 88th. e. Aug. 28. 1862; dis. July 3, 186"). 
Myers. H. C, Co. B 49th; dis. Nov. 30, 1865; died April 15. 1883, at Tiffin. 
Murray, A. C, Co. B 55th. e. Sept. 20, 1861; dis. Nov. 4, 1864. 
Myers. W. H., Co. F 8th. e. May 14, 1861; dis. July 13. 1864. 
Mosev. Martin, Co. K 133d P. V. I., e. Aug. 12, 1862; Co. K 208th P. V. I., re-e. Aug. 19 

1864; dis. June 8. 1865. 
Miller, Anselm, 6th Ind. Bat. Art., e. Sept. 8, 1861; dis. Sept. 19, 1864. 
Martin. Paul, Co. D 25th N. Y. Militia, e. April 16, 1861; Co. D 18th P. V. C, re-e. Sept 

1862; dis. May 23. 1865. 
Maring, J. S.. Co. E 15th, e. Aug. 30, 1861; dis. Sept. 20, 1864. 

Miller. Aden ^Yalter. Co I 101st, e. Aug. 12. 1862; killed at Chickamauga, Sept. 19, 1863 
Mason, James P., Co. C 102d, e. Aug. 4. 1862; dis. July 8. 1865. 
Mowen, David C, Co. D I23d, e. Aug. 22. 1863; dis. March 11, 1865. 
Miller. W. L., Co D 164th, c. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Myers. J. H.. Co. I 123d, e. Aug. 22, 1862; killed at'^Milroy, Va., June 13, 1863. 
Morgan. G., Co. K 21st. e. Aug. 28, 1861; dis. May 5, 1863. 
Myers. George, Co. B 57th, e. Sept. 30, 1861; dis. Aug. 16, 1863; died at New Riegel, July 

27, 1869. 
Miller, Henry. Co. B. 57th, e. Sept. 22, 1861; dis. Sept. 26. 1864. 

Mowry, David, Co. K 101st, e. Aug. 11, 1862; and in 1st U. S. Eng.; dis. June 30, 1864. 
Myers. J. L., Co. C 193d. e. March 14. 1865; dis. Aug. 12. 1865. 

Mohler, John H.,Co. K 101st, e. Aug. 14, 1862; rc-e.Co. K 21st, Feb.l0,1864,dis.June 18,1865. 
McCormack, O.. 8th, died in hospital at Culpepper Court House, in Oct., 1863. 
Musser. Charles. 9th Ind. Bat. L. A., e. 1863; dis. Aug. 27, 1863. 
McDole, Joseph, 7th O. Ind. Bat., e. Feb. 28. 1864; dis. Aus. 11. 1865. 
McCracken, John L., Co. H. 21st, e. Feb. 2.5, 1864; dis. Jan. 11, 1865. 
Mason, J. P.. Co. C 102d. e. Aug. 2, 1862; dis. July 8. 1865. 

Millhime, Edward, Co. E 49th, e. Aug. 12. 1861; died at Camp Nevins, Ky., Dec. 12, 1861 
McDonel, George H., Co. D 72d, e. Dec. 29, 1863; dis. Oct. 10, 1864. 
McLaughlin. Michael, Co. E 11th 111. V. I., e. March 1, 1865; dis. Sept. 30, 1865. 
Maclntyre, Peter W., Co. G 128th. e. Nov. 12, 1863; dis. July 5, 1865. 
Maloney, Thomas H.. Co. I 123d, e. Aug. 22, 1862; dis. June 13. 1865. 

Marshman, Robert, Co. K 32d, e. Aug. 12, 1861; re-e. Feb. 1864, Co. K 32d; dis. Aug. 1865. 
Moses, John, Co. I 72d, e. Oct. 16. 1861; re-e. Jan., 1864; final dis. Sept. 11, 1865. 
McEwen. George W.. Co. H 49th, e. Aug. 15. 1861; re-e.; final dis. Dec. 31, 1865. " 
Martin. Jacob AV., Co. K 101st, e. Aug. 14, 1862; dis. June 12, 1865. 
Mitchell, Joseph, Co. E 25th, e. June 12, 1861; trans, to 75th; dis. July 26, 1864. 
3Iichaels, Leroy, Co. A 164th. e. May 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 

Miller, Jacob C, Co. E49lh, e. Sept., 1861; killed at Mission Kidire, Tenn., Nov. 25,1863. 
Martin. John K., Co. D 56lh. e. Sept. 30, 1861; died in Bloom. April 10, 1862. 
Munirer, Charles F.. Co. B .55tli. e. Oct., 1861; dis. July 11, 18(55. 
McAllister. James, Co. B 3d Iowa V. C. e. Aug. 22. 1861; dis. .Sept.. 1864. 
McClelland. T. A., Co. A. 12th O. V C, e. Oct. 1, 1803; dis. Dec, 1865. 
Martin, George M., Co. K 164th, e. May 2, 1864; re-e. Feb. 14, 1865, Co. B 195th; dis. Dec 

10. 1865. 
Martin, John A., Co. A 5th. O. V. C, e. Feb.. 1863; dis. Nov. 25, 1865. 
McDowell. Andrew S., Co. D 123d. e. Aug., 1862; dis. June 12, 1865. 
Mclntire. Valentine. Co. B 49th, e. Feb. 22, 1864; dis. Nov. 30, 1865. 
Mirer. John. e. Co. F.55th; dis. 
Miller. George S., e. Sept. 20, 1864; dis. Jan.. 1865. 
McKeen. John K., Co. B 1st Iowa V. C, e. May 8, 1861, and re-e. Dec. 16, 1863; dis. Feb. 

15. 1866. 
Merchant. W. J.. Co. K 49th. e. Sept. 5, 1861; dis. Sept. 10. 1863. 
Miller. John R., Co. H 169th. e. May 4. 1864; dis. Sept. 4. 1864. 

McMeen. Robert. Co. I lOLst. e.Aug.12.1862; wounded; died Jan.l9,1863,at Nashville,Tenn 
McKev, George S.. Co. E 101st. e.'May 14. 1862; dis. June 19. 1865. 
May, Emory W., Co. H 164th, e. May 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Miller, W. H. H.. Co. H 14th, e. Sept. 5, 1861; dis. July 20, 1865. 
McDaniel. J. H., Co. D 72d, e. March 28, 1864; dis. Avig. 7, 1865. 
Mills, W. A.. Co. G .55th. e. Aug. 11, 1862; dis. June 17, 1865. 

Moore. Theodor^i R.. Co. C 164ih. e. Mav 11. 1864; dis. 1864: now lives in Indiana. 
Moore, D. B., Co. C 123d, e. Aug. 20, is'62: dis. June 14, 1865. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 361 

Minkli.Elias, e. April 4, 1864; dis. Oct., 1866. 

Milrov, nlivcr, Co. H o5th, e. Sept. 16, 1861; (lis. Sept.. 186.5. 

Milkr, S.. Co. F 2d Jlich. V. C, e. Sept. 16, 186."); dis. Aug. 18, 1865. 

Mohr. .Tames F.. Co. K 176th Penn. V. I., e. Nov. 7, 1862; dis. Aug. 19, 1863. 

MeCiirter, .lames, Co. C 126th, e. 1862; dis. 186.5. 

Mcaahcr, W. T.. a member of Capt. Way's company, was killed near Cheat Mt. Dec, 1861. 

Nort'on, K. JI.. Co. A 8th, e. April, 1861; served three years. 

Norton, James A., Co. K 101st. e. Aug. 16, 1862; commissioned first lieutenant in I23d U. 
S. I., Oct. 7, 1864; made prisoner at Chickamauga Sept. 31, 1863, and released same 
day. 

Norton. Riifus II., Co. I 164th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Auir. 27, 1864. 

Neff. Henry. Co. (4 8th, e. April, 1S61; rce. Sept. 26, 1864, Co. I 3M; dis. June 5, 1865. 

Naylor. C. T.. Co. A 8th. e. April 16, 1861; wounded; twice captured by Mosby's com- 
mand; dis. July 14, 1864. 

Negele, William, Co. A r)5th, e. Sept. 22, 1861; dis. Feb. 27, 1862. 

Niebel, John. Co. B 195th, e. Feb. 22, 186.5; dis. Dec. 18, 1865. 

Norris, Omar P., 25th, e. April, 1861; re-e. July, 1862, Co. B 111th; dis. July, 1865. 

Norris, Chas. P., 101st; died at Louisville, Ky., Nov. 25. 1862. 

Norris. James. Co. H 49th. e. Aug. 15, IWil; re-e. Co. H 49th. Feb., 1864. 

Neiderhouser. J. J.. Co. K 101st. e. Aug. 4. 1862; dis. June 25, 1865. 

Norton. C G. Co. K 101st, e. Aug. 2, 1862: dis. July 9, 1866. 

Noble, John, Co. D 86th, e. Aug. 1, 1863; dis. Dec 1863; re-e. Co. I 164th, May 2, 1864; 
dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 

Nedvv, John F., Co. K 49th, e. in 1862; dis. at Columbus. 

Niebel, J. H. Co. A 123d, e. Aug. 20, 1862; dis. at Columbus, Ohio. 

Nolan, John. Co. D 86th, e. Jlay 27, 1862; dis. Sept. 25. 1862. 

Norris, Thomas C. Co. B 111th, e. July, 1862; dis. Aug. 1. 1865. 

Needham, Samuel A., Co. I, 9th, e. Dec. 1862; dis. July 20, 1865. 

Nighswander, David, Co.G 8th, e. April 25, 1861; dis. July 16, 1864; re-e. July 16, 1864; 

■ final dis. Oct. 17, 1865. 

Niebel, Elijah, Co. D 72d. e. Oct. 39, 1861; dis. and re-e. .Tan. 1, 1864; dis. June 19, 1865. 

Needham, Amos K.. Co. I. O. V, C, e. November, 1863; dis. July 20, 1865. 

Neelv F., 8th; served full term. 

Nighswander, B.,"Co. B 195th, e. June 15, 1865; dis. Aug., 1865. 

Nigliswander, Dr. Martin, Co. B J:5th, e. Sept. 15, 1861; dis. and re-e. Jan. 1, 1864; final 

■ dis. June 10, 1865. 

Ncsbitt, Samuel, Co. H 49th, e. Sept. 9, 1861: dis. Sept. 13. 1864. 

Selkirk, D. J., Co. G. 164th; mus. May 8. 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 

Neikirk. Samuel Co. K 101st, Aug. 1-5, 1863; Co. K 164th, re-e. May 3, 1864; final dis. Aug. 

27. 1864. 
Noble. Jlontgomery. Co. K, 101st, e. July 30, 1863; dis. May 30, 1863. 
Nuson. William, and Joseph served in 8th. 
Nichols, .1. H., 8th; served full term. 
Ogle. B. F.. e. in 8th, Dec. 1861; resigned Dec.1862. 
O.sterholt, Derick D., Co. K 123d, e. Aug. 20. 1862: dis. Feb. 26, 1863. 
Osmund, W, H., Co. B .57th. e. Oct. 1, 1861; dis. Oct. 1. 1864. 
Olmslead. C, Co. I. 164th. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Ohmler. Jacob, Co. I 164th. Mav 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
OConnell. Michael. Co. I 101st: 

Olds. H. B.. Co. G 55th, e. Sept. 25. 1861; dis. and re-e. Dec. 31; dis. July 25, 1865. 
Ogden. II. G., Co. G 25th e. May 18, 1861; dis. March 1863: re-e. May 3, 1864, Co. H 164th: 

final dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Owens, J. F., Co. D 164th, Jlay 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Owens, Allen D., Co. B 166th;"dis. in 1S64. 

Olds, Gilbert O., Co. G 55th. e. Sept. 25, 1861; dis. Dec. 1, 1864. 
Ogden, (Jeorge S. Co. G 25th. e. June 18. 1861; sent to Washington and died. 
Orwig, J. S., Co. K 101st, e. Aug. 30, 1862; dis. Mav, 1863. 
Orme, A. J., 8th, and 6th U. S. Cav. 
Orwig. J. B., Co. I. 101st: died April 18, 1865 
Pitteuger, R. M., Co. D 164th; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 

Powers. Koliert S., Co. B 2.8th P. V. I., e. Feb. 1, 1864; dis. June, 1865. 
Powell. Andrew. Co, D 133d, e. Aug. 22, 1862; dis. June 28, 1865. 
Post, William. Co. G 3d, e. Nov., 1861; dis. April 4, 1863. 
Palmer. A., 8ih, dis. 

Parks, David, Co. 55th, e. Sept., 1861; killed May 1, 1863. 
Pitticord. John G., Co. K 101st. e. Aug. 2. 1862; dis. Oct., 1865. 
Park. C. C. Co. D 86th, e. Mav 27. 1862; dis. Dec. 25, 1862. 
Park. John. Co. D 86ih. e. Mav 27. 1862; dis. Sept. 25, 1862; Co. A 164th; re-e. May 2, 

1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 



362 HISTOKV OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Parks, Peter, Co. B 49th. e. 1864; dis. 1865. 

Park. T. L.. Co. H 164th, e. May 2, lb64: dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 

Pew, Samuel, Co. A 164th, e. May 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 

Page, W. J. Co. C 1st. e. Sept. 9, 1861; dis. Sept. 9. 1864. 

Preble, Edward. Co. B 4th, U. S. I., e. in the Me.xicau War in 1847; Co. B 5oth, e. in the 

Civil War, Sept. 20. 1861; dis. Sept. 20, 1864. 
Peters, Joseph D., Co. E 197th, e. March 0, 186.5; dis. Aug. 8. 1865. 
Poorraan, George S., Co. A 164th, e. Maj- 2 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Phillips.John W.,Co. D 144th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 8, 1864. 
Pancoast, William. Co. G 25th, e. June 18, 1861; dis. June 25. 1864. 
Pancoast, George W., Co. G 49th. e. at Mission Ridge, Nov. 25, 1863. 
Pockmyer, W. H., wounded Sept. 13. 1S62; and dis. 
Quinn David, Co. I 101st, e. Jan., 1864; dis. Oct. 19, 1865. 
Ranch J. J., 8th. was killed July 3, 1863. 
Rouch, Chas., 8th, died in hospital Sept., 1861. 
Ray, H. H., served full term with X\h. 
Redd. J., dis. for disabilit)' from sth. 

Richardson, W. P., killed Sept. 17, 1.S62. while with 8th Inf. 
Reiff, J. W.. Co. K 144th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 31. 1864. 
Richards. William. Co. I 71st. e. Dec. 9. 1864; di.-,. Nov. 30. 1865. 
Reid. W. L., Co. K 164th, e. Mav 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Ruddick, C. E., Co. A 71st, e. Julv 5, 1861; dis. May .5, 1862. 
Reese, J. D., Co. K lOIst, e. Aug.'l6. 1862; dis. July 1, 1865. 
Robinson, W. H., Co. G 55th, c. Sept. 25, 1861; dis. July 31, 1865. 
Robinson, Horace, Co. G 55th, c. Aug.. 1861; wounded Mav 2, 1863. 
Rinele, Andrew, Co. G 149th; dis. Aug. 23, 1864. 

Rogers. James P., Co. D 68th; e. Nov.. 1862; dis. andre-e. March, 1864; dis. Julv 10, 1865. 
Rule, Isaac P., Co. I lOlsl, e. Aug. 12, 1862; mortally wounded Sept. 19, 1863. 
Robinson, Charles F., Co. G 25th; e. June 18, 1861; dis. July, 1864. 
Robertson, John, 65th, e. Oct. 11, 1861; dis. Oct. 11. 1864. 
Richardson. C. F., Co. G 55th, e. Nov. 25. 1861; dis. Aug. 37, 1865. 
Rossiter, William, Co. I 123d, e. Aus;. 22. 1862; dis. June 12. 1865. 
Ross, William, Co. A 72d, e. March 1, 1864; dis. June 13, 1865. 
Reisz. Daniel, Co. B 04th, mus. Sept. 28, 1864; dis. June 16, 1865. 
Royer, L. B., Co. D 34th, e. Aug., 1862; dis. Aug., 1865. 
Robenalt, William, Co. G 49th; e. March 10, 1862; dis. March 10, 1865. 
Robertson, John, Co. K 80th, e. Jan. 7, 1862; dis. Jan. 6, 1865. 

Runneals, James C, e. Aug. 14, 1861; dis. Sept. 10, 1864; died at Fostoria in Ma}', 1884. 
Roniig, John. e. May 2, 1864; and served 100 days with 164th. 
Ruch, David T., e. May 2, 1864, in 164th. 

Richardson. Charles, e. Aug. 22, 1^62; dis. Feb. 6, 1863; died near Tiffin, Ohio, in 1874. 
Richardson. Joseph, e. in 1861; wounded at Antietam, and dis. in 1864. 
Ritchart, W. H., e. Dec. 28, 1861; dis. March 30. 1863. 

Rhodes, Daniel, e. Aug. 22. 1862; wounded at Winchester, Sept. 19, 1864; dis. April 11. 1865. 
Rogers. L. B., e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 

Reed, G. W., e. Aug. 16, 1862; died in Cumberland Hospital in Jan., 1863. 
Raj'mond. Jacob, e. Mav 2. 1864; dis. after 100 days' service. 

Reinbolt, Henrv, e. May 2, 1864; re-e. Nov. 5, 1864, in 18th U. S. Inf.; dis. May 18, 1866. 
Reinbolt, Joseph, e. in 18(;3. 101st Kegt. 

Reinbolt, Michael, e. Aug. 11, 1862; served three years in 101st. 
Reinbolt, Adam, e. in 1864. 15th U. S. Inf.; was dis. in 1867. 
Rienbolt, Frank, e. in the 17th U. S. Inf.. June, 1866. 
Rodegel, Jacob, e. in 55th; died at Frederick City, Md., Sept. 20, 1862. 
Rodegel. Isaac, died at Murfreesl^oro. Tenii., while serving with 49th, April 14, 1863. 
Rodegel. Daniel, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. Served three years in the State Jlilitia. 
Revnolds. Lysander, e. May 2, 1864; served 100 davs. 
Ruess, Anthony, 164th, e. May2, 1864; served 100 days. 

Ryan, Nathan, e. May. 1863; was in the hands of the reliels for 8 months; dis. July 1864. 
Robbins, T. H., e. Apr. 20. 1861; dis. July. 1865. 
Ridgley. J. H., e. June, 1863, re-e. Apr., 1865; dis. July, 1865. 
Rhorbacker. G. W.. e. Feb. 1, 1862; dis. Feb. 28. 1865. 

Reeme, D. E., e. Aug. 22, 1862, wounded Sept. 19. 1864, captured; dis. June 22, 1865. 
Reitcr, Chas.. e. Mar. 14, 1865; dis. Sept. of that year. 

Rollins. W. B., e. Apr. 14, 1861, re-e. 49th. was wounded, held prisoner; dis. Mar. 21, 1865. 
Seewald, Chas., e. 8th. wounded at Gettvsburg; died at Washington. July, 3, 1863. 
Sanford, Benjamin F., Co. G3dO. V. C'.. e. Sept. 9, 1861; dis. Mar. 22, 1862. 
Shoalts, Jacob, Co. B 72d, e. Nov. 9, 1861; dis. Sept. 13, 1862. 
Sailers, H. A.. Co. E 123d, e. Aug. 16, 1862; dis. 1865. 
Spencer, Samuel, Co. H 186th, e. Sept., 1861; dis. Oct. 16, 1864. 




Tt A5, .U-€>C-^^ 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. , 365 

Sutcr. Davitl, Co. KSth, e. Dec. 21. 1861;clis. Aui;. 29. 1865. 

Sisdale, Charles C.,Co. E 133d, e. 1.S63: dis. Nov. 4, 1SG4. 

ShauU, Saimiil U., e. 186'3; served ;{ years. 

Spayth. Henry A., 49th; dis. June, 1863; died at Tiffin, July, 1878. 

Schacfcr. Joe, Co. K 5Tth, e. June 30, 1863; re-e. Co. G 2d N. Y. Mounted Rifles. Jan. 20, 

18ti4; dis. AuR. IT, 1865. 
Strausbaush, William C, Co. K 101st, e. Aug. 14, 1862; dis. Dec. 13, 1863. 
Straw, David, Co. M Md. State Guards, e. HUr. 1863; dis. May, 1865. 
Seaman, John, Co. D 3d O. V. C, e. Apr. 1861:dis. Aug., 1865. 
Smothers, Henry E.. Co. I 95th, e. Auff. 1863; dis. June, 1865. 

Shiley, Andrew, Co. E 31st, e. Sept. 1861 ; died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., Apr. 27, 1863. 
Swallow, Abel, Shertzberg, Schriener, Slart, Sloat, Smith, J. Snover, Snyder, J. W. 

Sopber, Sencr, C. and Stoner, P., served with 8th. 
Smith, George, Co. E 33il, e. Feb. 15. 1865; dis. July, 1865. 

Seney. George E., 101st. e. July 28,1863; dis. Dec. 1864; now congressman for 9th district. 
Scannell, M., Co. A l()4th, e. May 3, 1864; re-e. Co. C 130th, Nov. 3,1864; dis. July 20, 1865, 

at Charlotte, N. C. 
Sheibley, \V. W., Co. E 1st battalion Penn. V. I., e. July 16, 1864; dis. Nov. 14, 1864. 
Stanlev, W. B., band 55th, e. Oct. 4, 1861: dis. Aug. 18, 1863. 
Schule'r. William H.. Co. B 115tb. e. Julv 13. 1863; dis. July 5, 1865. 
Snyder. W. A., Co. B 49th: dis. Nov. 30, 1865. 
Spcier, Wm., Co. K 107th, e. Aug. 30, 1863; dis. Oct. 6, 1864. 
Shuler, A. J.. Co. M. 1st N. J. V. C, e. Oct., 1861; re-e. Co. I 9tli N. J. V. I., June, 1863; 

dis. May 36, 1865. 
Snyder, Merret, Co. D 308tli Penn. V. I., e. Aug. 25, 1864; dis. June 1, 1865. 
Sheets, Frank. Co. D 133d, e. Aug. 33, 1862; dis. June 38, 1865. 
Stone, M. C. Co. D. 65th, e. Nov. 15. 1864; dis. June 30, 1865. 
Schreiner. Andrew, Co. A 8th, e. Apr. 17. 1861; dis. July 13, 1864. 
Shaull, Jacob S., Co. D. 64th, e. Sept., 1864; dis. at Nashville, Tenn. in 1865. 
Shaull. David N.. e. at Tiffin, service two years. 

Strayer, Thomas H., Co. B 144th, e. Aug. "8. 1863; dis. July 31, 1865. 

Stoner, J. C. Co. H 101st. e. Aug., 1863; dis. June 30, 1865. 

Schneider, Clement. Co. K 133d, e Oct. 16. 1863; dis. March 4. 1864. 

Seeholtz, Daniel. Co. A 164tli. e. Mav 3. 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 

Slolzeubach. H. J.. Co. G 2d Penn. H. A., e. Penn., Jan. 13, 1864; dis. Jan. 39, 1860. 

Schnor, Leonard, musician 55th. e. Oct. 13, 1861; dis. Sept. 2, 1862. 

Shaull, Cieorge J., served three months. 

Stockman. Jlartin, Co. B 133d, e. June, 1862; service three years. 

Schwartz. Augustus, e. in Mexican war from Md.. Sept. 4, 1848; dis. Texas, Sept. 4, 1856. 

Smith. Henrv, Captain in 2d. 111. Cav.. n-as made prisoner at the battle of Lexington, Ky. 

Schneider. Michael. Co. K 133d. e. Aug. 33. 1802; dis. June 13, 1865. 

Stem. Leander, 101st, e. Sept., 1863; colonel, mortally wounded at Stone River, Dec. 31, 
1863; died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., Jan. 5, 1863; the G. A. R. Post at Tiffin, is named 
in his lionor. 

Snyder, Simon. Co. I 101st, e. Aug. 14. 1863; dis. June 34, 1864. 

Stofer, B. F.. Co. F 10th, O. V. C. e. Sept. 5, 1863; dis. July 34, 1865. 

Stone. U., Co. A 164th, e. May 3. 1864; d'is. Aug. 37, 1864. 

Sherpan. Eldridge, Co. G .55th, e. Sept. 35, 1861; dis. Jan. 32, 1864. 

Stover. W. H.. 49th. e. at Tiffin. Aug. 15, 1861; 19th battery O. L. A., re-e. Aug. 11, 1862; 
dis. June 38, 1865. 

Schmidt. Bruno, Co. K 133d, e. Sept. 10, 1862; dis. June 5, 1865; died at Tiffin, May 26, 1876. 

Snj-der. H. D., Co. H 164th, e. May 2. 1864: dis. Aug. 27, 1864; Co. B 195th. re-e. Feb. 1865; 
dis. Dec. 18. 1865. 

Strawman. J. G., Co. H 14th, e. Sept. 1 1861; dis. Julv .5. 1865. 

Stewart. F. R. Co. H 49th, e. Aug. 15, 1861; captain, Dec. 21, 1864; dis. Dec. 31, 1865. 

Schuvler, Josephus S., Co. I 133d, e. Aug. H'i, 1863; dis. June 13, 1865; died at Fostoria, 
April 39, 1881. 

Snook. James H.. Co. I 101st, e. in 1864: died at Wilmington, S. C, March, 1865. 

SipleB.. Co. B 164tli e. May 2, 1864: dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 

Stearns, Sylvester. Co. K 49th. e. Sept. 5, 1861: dis. Nov. 80, 1864. 

Simons, Silas W.. Co. E 49th. e. Aug. 4. 1861: Co. E 49th, re-e. Feb. 10, 1864, captain. 

Snyder. Eli. Co. I 123d. e. Aug. 12. 1.863; dis. June 13. 1865. 

Snyder. David W.. Co. D 8.sth Ind. V. I., e. Aug. 4, 1862; dis. Aug. 28, 1865. 

Shoe. J. W.. Co. E 49th. e. Aug. 12, 1861; dis. Dec. 30, 1865. 

Sprout. D. A.. Co. E 49th. e. Aug. 13, 1861; dis. Nov. 33, 1865. 

Sabin. William. Co. 15 55th, e. Sept. 30. 1861; dis. July, 1865; died Fostoria, Dec. 21, 1865. 

Sabins. James. Co. K49lh, e. Sept. 3, 1861; dis. Jan. 7. 1864. 

Schneider. Auselm. deceased. 

Sheller, John J.. Co. 1 123d, e. Aug. 22, 1862; service 2 years and 10 months. 

20 



366 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Shroades, Samuel A.. Co. A. 1st 111. V. I., e. July 3, 1861; re-e.'Nov. 25, 1861, Co. K. 57tli; 

dis. Dec. 22. 1864. 
Smith, Henrv, Co. E 49th, e. Feb. 29. 1804; dis. Dec. 30, 186.1. 
Savage, John", Co. B IstU. S. Fusiliers, e. Sept. 25, 1861; Jan. 28, 1862, re.e. Co. I 1st ID. 

V. L. A. ; dis. Feb. 1865. 
Stoliper, Jacob, died at Nashville, Tenn. 
Saur, Uriah. Co. F. .loth, e. Sept. 15, 1861; dis. Aug.. 1865. 

Stewart, William H., Co. K 101st. e. Aug. 1862; re-e. May 2, 1864, 144th; dis. Aug. 1861. 
Sparks, James P., Co. H 101st, e. Aug. 11, 1862; dis. July 5, 1865. 
Shetterly, James K., Co. G .>5th, e. Aug. 6, 1H62; dis. June 16, 1865. 
Saum, Solomon, Co. K 101st, e. Sept., 1862; dis. June, 1865. 
Spencer, R. B., 2d Ky. V. I., e. May 13, 1861; re-e. June 4, 1861, Co. D 24th; ree. Oct. 25, 

1862, Battery M 4th U. S. Art.; re-e. Sept. 7, 1864, Miss. Squadron on "Black Hawk;" 

final dis. June 18. 1865. 
Stone. Frank M., e. Co. G. 27th N. Y. V. I.; re-e. March 24, 1864, 1st N. T. Vet. Cav. ; dis. 

July 20, 1865. 
Stone, Capt. C. M., Co. G 55th; was killed near Goldsborough, N.;.C., March 16, 1865. He 

was interred on Smith's farm, N. C. 
Spooner, Henry K., 55th, e. Sept. 15, 1861, surgeon, with rank of lieutenant of cavalry; 

promoted surgeon of 61st, ranking as major; promoted surgeon in charge of 1st divis- 
ion, 20th army corps, June 25, 1864; dis. April 1, 1865. 
Stahl, Israel, Co. C 86th, e. June 15, 1863; dis. Feb. 10, 1864. 
Staley, Eli, Co. F 8th, e. May 5, 1861; dis. May 5, 1863. 

Saine, Baker, Co. B 55th, e. Sept. 15, 1861; ree. Co. K 49th; dis. March 25, 1863. 
Spooner, Jesse M.. Co. G 55th, e. Sept. 25, 1801; dis. Dec. 25. 1864. 
Sage, Edwin R.. Co. K 144th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. after six months' service. 
Six, H. S., Co. A 164th. e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Shaw, Patrick J., Co. H 12th Mass. V.I., Nov.1863; Co. G 29th Mass. V. I., then to Co. C, 

32d Mass. V. I. 
Seitz, Isaac, Co. G 164th. e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Sipple, Richard, Co. E 21st. e. Auir. 20. 1863; dis. Aug. 1864. 

Saum, Wm.. Co. H 21st. e. April 23, 1861; re-e. May 2, 1864, Co. E 164th; dis. Aug. 27,1864. 
Smith, A. J. C, Mi.ss. Squadron; e. Nov.. 1863; dis. Aug., 1864. 
Springer, John C, 5th, e. the Mexican War, Sept. 1, 1846; dis. Aug^, 25, 1848. 
Shelt, Samuel, Co. B55th, e. Sept. 20, 1861; dis. July 13, 1862,died July 30,1864, Fostoria. 
Schatzel, Jacob, Co. E 192d, e. Feb. 17, 1865; dis. Aug. 18, 1865. 
Shinuess, Benjamin, Co. A 164th, e. May 2, 1864; dis Aug. 27, 1864. 
Simonis, Peter, Co. B 43d, e. Nov. 29, 1^64; dis. July 13, 1865. 
Shaull. James M., Co. I 65th, e. 1861; died Feb., 1864, at Alexandria, Va. 
Sirouse. John, Co. K 164th. e. May 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Saltsmau, Norman, Co. G 189th, e. Feb. 23, 1865; dis. Sept. 28. 1865. 
Shawman, Jacob, Co. G 164th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Shireman, John, Co. D 144th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug., 1864. 
Shirkey, William, Co. E 164. e. >Iay 4, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Shaull. Dennis H., Co. A 164th, c. Jlav 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Snyder. John W., Co. A 8th, e. June 10, 1861; dis. July 13, 1864. 
Shaw, William F., Co. K 49th, e.; dis. May, 1863. 
Swigart. W. H., Co. G 25th, e. June 22. 1861; dis. Aug., 1862. 
Schuster, Joseph, Co. F 55th, e. Sept. 21, 1861; dis. Sept. 30, 1864. ' 

Spindler, H. C, Co. A 164th. e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. I 

Stiger, David, Co. A 64th, e. Oct., 1864; dis. Sept. 15, 1865. 
StuU, R. Solomon, Co. C 180tb, e. Sept. 19. 1864; dis. May 29, 1865. 
Shaull, George N., Co. K 101st, e. Aug. 30, 1862; dis. Dec. 24, 1862. 
Sullivan, Michael, 164th, e. May 2, 1864; major; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 

Sechman, Jesse D., Co. K 101st. e. Aug. 30, 1862; died Murfreesboro, Tenn., Feb.;20, 1863. 
Shuman, William F., Co. K. 101st, e. Aug. 80, 1862; dis. June 25, 1865. 
Sheidler, Abraham D., Co. B. 195th, e. Feb. 13, 1SH5; dis. Dec. 19, 1865. 
Shedeuhelm. James W., Co. K 65th, e. July 15, lt<61; dis. Sept. 17, 1864. 
Sellers, David, Co. G 164th, e. May 2, 1864; re-e. Feb. 25, 1865, Co. B 195th; dis. Feb.l2fi, 

1866. l: , 

Smith, Jacob W., Co. G 178th, e. Sept. 1, 1864; dis. June 29, 1865. 

Smith, John B., Co. A 21st, e. Aug. 23, 1862; dis. June 15, 1865. ; 

Smith, Samuel, Co. F 131st P. V. I., e. March 2, 1862; re-e .in Co. D 74th, P. V. I.; dis. Aug. 

20, 1866. 
Sopher, Joseph, Co. A 8th, e. March, 1861; reg. reorganized for three years at Camp Den- 

nison, June 25, 1861; dis. Jan. 20, 1864. lIZ) 

Smeltz, Conrad, Co. C 164th, e. May. 2, 1864; re-e. Oct. 28, 1864, [in Co. G .55th; dis. July 

11, 1805. 
Swing, Lebokl, Co. A ItUth, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 367 

Sloat, B. .v., Co. D 123il: e. Feb. 27, 1864; dis. Jan. 28, 1865. 

Skinner, William, Co. K I3tli U. S. C, e. Feb. 17. 1865; dis. March, 1866. 

Sheelv, William, Co. I 123(1, e. Ausf. 23, ISfi2: dis. .luno 12. 186.5. 

Sheeley, Chrislian. Co. C 164th. e. Ma)' 11, 1864; dis. Alio;. 27, 1864. 

Spencer. John, Co. I 123d, e. Aug. 22, 18(i2; dis. .lime 12, 186.5. 

Spencer, .Tames, Co. I 123d, e. Aug. 22, 1S62; dis. .lune 12, 1865. 

Smith, Martin, Co. C 6,)lh, e. Oct. 31, 1861; dis. Dec. 14, 1864. 

Seiple. II. II., Co. B 164, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 

Stewart. James R.. Co. II 101st, e. Aug., 1862; service three years. 

Start. John W., 192d, e. Feb, 9, 186.5; dis. May 1.5, 1865. 

Spencer, William, Co. C 164th, e. May 11, 1.S64; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 

Spencer, Ichabod A., Co. C 164tli. e. May 11, 18(i4; dis. Aug. 37, 1864. 

Stephenson, William H.. Co. F (12d. dratted Sept. 14, 1864; dis. June 1.5. 1865. 

Shumaker, I. J., Co. M 12th O. V. C, e. Oct. 20, 1862; dis. May 20, 1865. 

Shumaker.Wm. H., Co. I 101st, e. Aug. 2, 1862; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Feb., 1863. 

Sparks, John G., Co. G 25th, e. June 18, 1861; re-e. Jan. 1, 1864;"dis. June 18, 1866. 

Smith, Calvin, Co. K 110th, e. April, 1863; dis. June, 1864. 

Starkey, Levi, Co. B 164th, e. Jlay 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 

Seiple, E. W.. Co. B 164th, e. 3Iay 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 

Savior, .lohn. Co. K 47th, e. Feb. 24, 1864; dis. Dec. 25. 1865. 

Shadle, William II., Co. D 34th. e. Aug. 22, 1802; dis. June 20, 1865. 

Setchell. William, Co. F 3d O. V. C, e. Sept. 5, 1861; dis. June 24, 1863, 

Travis, J. N.. lieut. 8th. 

Tench, J., and Thurwaechter, H. G., served in the 8th. 

Troester, Christian, Co. 1 3d. e. April 25, 1861 ; re-e. Co. C 180th, Sept., 1864; dis. .July 10, 1865. 

Trucsdall, T. J., Co. D 112tli, N. Y. V. I., e. Aug. 6. 1802; dis. May 13, 1864.5 ..■?^.^*^ 

Trumbo. Pliny, Co. E49th. e. Sept. 13, 1862; dis. June 14. 1865. 

Tuttle, George K., Co. F 2d Ind. V. C, e. Oct. 28, 1862; dis. July 22, 1865. . _.»-'*'^? 

Tro.xel. David. Co. A 8th, e. April 21, 1861; dis. July 13, 1864. 

Tomb, Beuj. F., Co. D 86th, e. May 27, 1862; re-e. Co. A 164th, May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 

1864. 
Town, Charles, Co. D 12th N. Y. V. C, e. Nov. 19, 1862; dis. after two years and nine 

months; had previouslv served three months in 7tli Co. 79th N. Y. Militia. 
Tm-ner. James, Co. K 164tii. e. May^'i. 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Trumbo, Marquis D., Co. E 164th, e. Jlav 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Taber, W. II., Co. G 164th, e. May 7, 1864; dis. Aug. 16, 1864. 
Teel. William A., Co. G 55th, e. Sept. 25, 1861; transferred to Co. G 4th O. Art. in 1862; 

dis. Nov. 11, 1864. 
Turner, E. J., Co. K 164th, e. May 3, 1864: dis. Aug. 27, 1864 

Thomas. Jacob, Co. F 55th, e. Sept. 15, 1861; 1st lieut., Oct. 1, 1861; resigned, July, 1862. 
Thorn, John. Co. K 123d. 

Tindall, Elijah, Co. F .55th, e. 1864; dis. at Louisville. Ky. 
Taylor, Henry L., Co. G 101st, e. Aug. 11, 1.S62; dis. May 17, 1864. 
Tittle, William R., Co. H .55th, e. Dec, 1862; dis. Dec. 29, 1864. 

Thomas, C. J., Co. A, 2d div.. 3d brig., 4th army corps; e. Oct. 13, 1864, dis. Oct.113, 1865. 
Thatcher, W. P., Co. G, .55th; e. in i864, service 10 months. 
Tittle, Ralph W., Co. B, 164th; e. Jlay 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Toll. Edward R.. Co. G, 3d O. V. C, lieutenant; e. Aug. 29, 1801, dis. April,'1864; died in 

Tiffin, May, 1864. 
Terwilliger, John M., Co. D. 34th; e. .July 21, 1861. dis. June 21, 1865. 
Tubbs. George, Co. I, 141st X. Y. V.I.;e. Sept. 10. 1863. promoted captain; dis. Aug. 5, 1865. 
Trott, Jacob. Co. .M, 3d O. V. C; e. Nov. U. 1861, dis. Dec. 30, 1864. 
Tittle, S. W., Co. B, 164th; e. May 2, 1864, dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Tittle. J. ^Vllen, Co. B, 164th; e. May 2, 1864, dis. Aug. 27. 1864 

Tmxler, A. J., Co. I, 101st; e. Aug., 1862, mustered out with regiment; died at Tiffin. 
Updegraff, William, Co. B, 195tli; e. Nov. 15. l.soii. dis. Feb. 18(55. 
Unsei-, Phil., Co. D. Ui5th; e. Feb. 1865, dis. Jan., 1866. 
Valentine, T. G.. 55th; e. Sept. 21, 1861, dis. fall of 1864. 

Valentine. James, Co. K., 164th; e. May 2, 1864, dis. Aug. 27, 1864; died in Bloom Town- 
ship, Aug. 16, 1872. 
Vanllorn, \Vilson S.. Co. I, 8d O. V. C; e. Oct. 7, 1861, re-e. Jan. 4, 1864, Co. I., 3d O. V. 

C; lii.^. Aug. 4. 1865. 
Virden. James, Co. H, 12th U. S. I.; e. April 8, 1862, dis. at San Francisco, Cal., April 

13, ]x~\. 
Vedder, Orlando H.. 164th: e. May 2, 1864, dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Vannatta, James H., Co. B, 49th;. e. Aug 16. 1861, died of wound in hospital at Murfrees- 

boro, Tenn. 
Vanfossen, J., Co. E, 17th Penn. V. C: e. Sept. 10. 1864. dis. June 20, 1865. 
Valentine, Irviii, Co. E, 31st; e. Aug. 26, 1862, dis. June 10, 1865. 



368 lllSTOKY OF SENECA COUNTV. 

Voglesong, Jacob. Co. I. 164th; e. Jlay 2, 1864. dis. Sept. 27, 1S64. 

VanNest, John. Co. B, l-ith Ind. V. I.; c. April l.">. 1.%1, dis. June 34, 1864. 

VanNest, Josepli. Co. I, 101st; e. Aui;. 11, 1862, dis. July 20, 1865. 

VaiiNesl, W. H.. Co. C, 130th; c. >I;iy 2, 1864. dis. Sept. 28, 1864. 

Woessucr, George, Co. K, 12;M; e. Aug. 22, 1802, dis. June 12, 1865. 

Walter, Stephen, Co. A, 1st Va. L. Art.; e. Sept. 1, 1801, dis. Sept. 5. 1864. 

Werner, Charles H., Co. H, 49th e. Aug. 6, 1861, ; re-e. April 13, 1865, Co. H, 8th V. V. 

U. S. I.; dis. at Washington. 
Wentz. James H., Co. D, 123d; e. Aug. 24, 1862, dis. June 12, 1865. 
Watcher N., served with 8th. 
Watcher. Lewis, Co. A, 8th; e. April 22, 1861, dis. July 13, 1804. lie served in 81 battles 

and skirmishes. 
Walker, C. K., Co. B. 4th; e. April 10. 1.861, re-e. Sept. 4, 1861, Co. E, 20th; dis. Sept. 12.1864. 
Warring, Silas H.. Co. E, 1st Bat. O. L. Art., e. June 9, 1861, veterinary surgeon, re-e. 

Dec. 1, 1S04. 6lh O. V. C; final dis. Sept. 1, 1865. 
Wilkison, John E., Co. C, 21st; e. April. 1861, dis. August, 1861. 
AVinslow, A. H.. major 8th. 
Washnick, J., 8th; was killed at Petersburg. 

Wolfe, O. J. D., Co. G 22d. e. May 11. 1801; re-e. Co. F 56th. Sept. 11, 1861; 2d lieuten- 
ant, June 2. 1862; 1st lieutenant. Aug.. 1864; dis. Nov. 4, 1864. 
Werner, Frederick, Co. H 21st, e. April 19, 1861; re-e. Co. H 49th, Aug. 14, 1861; dis. Aug. 

12, 1863, 
Wilcox, Abner L.. Co. G 178th, e. Sept. 15, 1863; re-e. Co. B 2d U. S. I., Oct. 6, 1864; re-e. 

Oct. 6, 1867; re-e. Co. A 16th V. S. I., Oct. 6, 1870; dis. Sept 1, 1874. 
Watson, D. G., served full term with 8th. 

Weaver, A., Co. H 49th. e. Sept. 9. 1861; re-e. same com., Feb. 1863; dis. Nov. 21, 1865. 
Wagner, Daniel, Co. D 21st. e. June 5, 1861; dis. July 18, 1865. 
Wolf. John, Co. F 91st N. Y. V. I., e. Sept. 8. 1864; dis. June 10, 1865. 
Wood, John. Co. E 49th, e. Aug. 12. 1861; re-e. Dec. 31. 1863; dis. Dec. 30, 1865. 
Whiteman, Herman, Co. H 101st. Aug. 12, 1862; dis. July 15, 1865. 
White, G. W., 8th, dis. for disability. 

Wallace, R., Co. D 83d, e. Aug. 17, 1863; re-e. Co. A 182d. Aug. 1, 1864; dis. July 4, 1865. 
Weaver, M., Co. I 104th. e. Mav 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Wesley, Julius, Co. E 189th, e. Jan. 23, 1865; dis. Sept. 19. 1865. 
Worman. John J.. Co. E 6th U. S. C, e. Aug. 27. 1861; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Weaver, Daniel, Co. B 195th, e. JIarch 2, 1805: dis. June 21, 1865. 
Wise, Levi, Co. I 101st, e. Aug. 11. 1862; dis. June 23. 1865. 

Wall, Philip, Co. D 123d. e. Aug. 20, 1862; killed at New Market. Va., May 15, 1864. 
Woods, Alexander. Co. D 86tb. e. Aug. 1, 1863; re-e. Co. A, 1st Bat., 16th U. S. I., March 

26, 1864; dis. JIarch 26, 1867. 
Wheeler, H. H., 4th Vt. V. I., e. Aug., 1861; dis. Aug., 1862. 
Williams, Richard R., Co. K 49tb, e. Dec, 1863; dis. Dec. 30, 1865. 
Williams, W. H. H., Co. D 144th, e. Jlav 2. 1864; dis. Sept. 4, 1864. 

Worman, C. W., Co. H 21st, e. April 16, 1861; re-e. Co. B.joth. Oct. 16, 1861; dis. Nov., 1865. 
Watson. T. A., Co. D 96th. e. Au^. 0, 1862; transferred to Yet. Res. corps, Co. C, at 

Chicago. Oct. 26, 1864; dis. June 12, 1865. 
Walters, Michael. Co. I 72d. e. March 29. 1863; dis. Aug. 7, 1865. 
Williams. Daniel. Co E 49th, e. Sept. 8. 1862; dis. June 13. 1865. 
Wickersham, Peter. Co. C49th O. V. M., e. May 26, 1862 (164th); 'dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Walters, John W., Co. G 65th, e. Oct., 1864; dis. July, 1865. 
Wolf, Frederick, Co. K 49th. e. Sept. 21. 1861; dis. Sept. 19. 1864. 
Wymer, John F.. Co. B 57th, e. Oct 1, 1861; dis. ilarch 23, 1863. 
Watson. Avery R., Co. A 6th Ohio Battery, e. Feb. 14, 1864; died at Chattanooga, Tenn., 

April 7, 1864. 
Wood, Lewis. Co. E 49th, e. Aua. 20. 1861; killed at Pittsburg Landing April 7, 1862. 
Weiker. Isaac. Co. F 32d, e. Sept.. 1864; dis. Aug.. 1865. 
West, A. D., Co. B 195th. e. Feb. 22. 1805; dis. fall of 1865. 
Wood. Lewis. Jr., Co. I 164th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864; died Jan. 12, 1883, at 

Mound City, Mo. 
Wagner, FredeVick, Co. D 123d. e. Aug. 22, 1862; dis. June 29, 1.865. 
Woessner. Jacob, Co. G 74th, 111. V. I., e. 1862; died in Andersonville prison, July 34, 1864. 
Walker, J. C, Co. C 16th U. S. I.. May 17. 1862; dis. May 17, 1865. 
Wise. Daniel, Co. B 57tb. e. Sept., 1861; dis. 1864. 
Whealan. P. S., Co. D 123d. c. Aug. 22, 1862; dis. June 12. 1865. 
Wiseman. A. T.. Co. H 168th. e. May 2, 1864; dis. Sept. 8, 1864. 
Werthmiller. J. H.. Co. I 164th, e. Jfay 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 

Witter. Jonathan. Co. H 101st. e. Ausi. 26. 1862; dis. Mav 7. 1863, after 9 months' service. 
Wing, Edward. Co. B 164th. e. May 2, 180t ; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Whealan, John, Co. D 123d, e. Au^. 22, 1862; wounded 1863; dis. 1864. 



IIISTORV OF SENECA COUNT V. 869 

Wright, M. W.. Co. D33rl, e. Aug.. 18G1; dis. .Vug.. ISHS. 

Wellcr, Luke, Co. K IGith, e. May -3. 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 18(54, 

Weaver, Washington C, Co. D (Uth, drafted; dis. May 29, 1865, 

Way, Asa, e. Co. G 25th, captain; dis. after two rears' service. 

Wagoner. Sylvester, Co. I 86th, e. June 13, 1862; ree. Co. B 49th, e. May 21, 1863; dis. 

Nov. 30, 186.1. 
Willsanis, James O., Co. G 25th, e. June 18, 1861; ree. same company, Jan. 1. 1864: dis. 

June 18, 1866, 
Wolf, Daniel W., Co. C 180th, e. Sept., 1864; dis. 1S65. 
Woodruff. J. G., Co. I 72d, e. Oct., 1861; ree. Co. K 9th O. V. C, Nov. 16, 1863; dis. 

Dec. 22, 1865. 
Williams, William J., Co. E 123d, e. Aug. 16, 1862: dis. June 12, 1865. 
Wolf, Daniel, Co. C 180th, e. Sept. 17, 1864; dis. May 29, 1865. 
Watson, Elijah R., Co. E 10th O. V. C, e. March, 1863; killed at White Store, N. C, 

March 4,' 1865. 
Yunker, D., 8th. killed at Antielam, Sept. 17, 1862. 
Yinirling, Geo. S., 1st asst. surgeon. lOIst, e. Aug. 15, 1862: appointed 1st asst. surgeon. 

llUth. May 2, 1864: dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
YouHi;-. Joliu."Co. I 123d, e. Aug. 22, 1862; dis. June 12, 1865. 

Veager. Jacob F., e. April. 1861; Co. H lOlsl. re-e. Aug. 11, 1862; dis. June 29, 1865. 
Yemrpetie, John D., Co. E 49lh, e. Feb. 16, 1862; dis. Dec. 31, 1865. 
Y'eager, II. W.. Co. C 180th. e. Sept. 17, 1864; dis. July 12, 1865. 
Y'ou'ngblood. Philip, Co. H 42d, e. Nov. 22, 1861; dis. Jan. 15, 1863. 
Y'oung, John, Co. D 123d, e. Ausr., 1862; dis. March 27, 1863. 
Y'oung, George, Co: D 164th. e. Mav 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 

Y'erk, Charles M.,Co. K 2d, e. for the Mexican war at Columbus, May, 1846; dis. June, 1847. 
Y'oung, (4. W.. Co. I 164th, e. May 2, 1864; dis. Aug. 27. 1864. 
Y'ounsi-. Abraham H., Co. I 49th, e. Aug. 13, 1861; dis. July 16, 1862. 
Yant,\T. T.. Co. A 104th, e. Cct. 3, 1864: transferred to Co. I, 183d; dis. July 17, 1865. 
Y'oung. I. M.. Co. D 49th, e. Jan. 2, 1862; dis. May, 1866. 
Zeander. Leopold, a physician of Seneca County, served as 1st surgeon in the Red Shirt 

Regiment, near Washington, Oct.", 1861. 
Zucrn.'Geo., Co. K 107th. e. Aug. 21, 1862; dis. Feb. 24, 1864. 
Zabriski, George, Co. D 65th, e.'Oct. 20, 1864; dis. Nov. 30, 1865. 
Zeller, .1. F., Co. K 76th, e. Nov. 12, 1861; dis. as paroled prisoner. 

Zahni, V. J., 3d O. V. C, e. Sept., 1861: Co. A 164th, re-e. May 2. 1864; dis. Aug. 27, 1864. 
Zimmcr. John, Co. F 2d U. S. Art., e. Jan. 14, 1861; dis. at Vicksburg, Miss., Jan. 14, 1864. 
Zinunerman, Soloman. Co. I 49th. e. Aug. 10. 1862; dis. June 13, 1865. 
Zimmerman, J. B.. Co. B 49th. e. Sept. 18, 1861: dis. 1863. 
Zeiber. Henry, Co. D 34th, e. Sept. 5, 1862; dis. May 26, 1865. 
Zeiter. Philip. Co. H 123d. e.: dis. June 12, 1865. 
Zint. John Burgert. Co. I 101st, e. Aug. 12, 1862, afterward the Vet. Res. Corps; dis. July 

5, lf<65. 
Zerby, Willoughby, Co. E 180th, c. Oct. 8, 1864; dis. June 25. 1865. 
Zimmerman, Joseph, Co. H 21st, e. April 23, 1861; discharged; Co. B 57th; re-e. 1862; 

killed at Shiloh. Tenn.. April 6, 1862. 
Zimmerman, William, Co. E 186th,e. Feb. 6. 1865; dis. Sept. 18. 1865. 
Zimratrmau. Thomas, 26th, e. 1861; died at Pittsburg Lauding. Tenn., May 11, 1862. 

i'oW/ers' Monument. — The question of erecting a soldiers' monument was 
first discussed in the spring of 18()(), but the proposition slept for eighteen 
years. A reference to the political chapter will point out the vote for and against 
the erection of a monument to the soldiers of Senoca County. In accordance 
with this vote the commissioners purchased from Michael Scaiuiell, himself one 
of the soldiers of ISHl-Ho. the gore, or angular jiiece of laud, situate exactly on 
the site of old Fort Ball, within the original village of Oakley or Spencerstown, 
and there, on May 8, ISSo, laid the base stone of the Soldiers" and Sailors' 
Monument. This is of Westerfield granite, weighing 10 tons and 300 
poimds. Henry Cromwell, who was present at the comjiletion of this beauti- 
ful memorial, early on the morning of May V]. ISSo. says: " The citizens of 
Seneca County may well feel proud of having erected the gi-andest memorial of 
respect to her loyal soldiers of any county in the State of Ohio." 

The monument bears the following inscriptions: 



370 HISTORV OF SENECA COUNTY. 

On the east front, commencing at the top,"Shiloh,Vicksburg, Gettysburg (Die), Seneca 
County to her Loyal Soldiers." On the north front " Athinta, Antietam, Appomattox 
(Die), Fort Ball 1813." On the west front ■ Nashville. Cedar Creek, AVilderness." On the 
south front "Resaca. Stone River, Mission Ridge." 

The qttestion of placing this monument in the Cotu't House Square was 
seriously considered by many of the people, bitt the better sense of the majority 
prevailed, and now one of the historic spots of the continent is marked by an 
artistic j)ile of granite and marble, which gi-oups, as it were, the recollections of 
1812 and of 1805. 

The unveiling and dedication of the montmient took place July 3, 1885. 
Ex-Gov. Foster was president of the day ; Gen. W. H. Gibson, dedicator ; 
Joseph P. Myers, marshal, and J. A. Thrapp, chaplain. At the close of the 
president's address, H. Vi'. Yeager, the contractor, unveiled the monument, 
and the ceremony of dedication commenced. Addressing Gen. Gibson, the 
president said: 

"Commander of the G. A. R., I am authorized to ask you at this time to aceept from 
the citizens of Seneca County, at the hands of its otKcial rejjrcsentatives, this memorial, 
and to request that it may be dedicated liy you to the noble purpose for which it has been 
erected." 

Gen. Gibson then responded in one of his happiest speeches, and called on 
the adjutant to detail a guard. 

Adj. Edward Lepper then road the following names, and each one reported 

present: 

Schriner, of Leander Stem Post. 
Blackwell. of Isaac P. Rule Post. 
Carson, of W. T. Brown Post. 
Turner, of W. T. Brown Post. 
Callihan. of Norris Post. 
Day, of Powell Post. 
Grove, of Rice and Creglow Post. 
Eckelberry, of Robinson Post. 

He then responded: 

"Commander, the .e>iard is present." 

Com. Gibson — "Officer of the Day. you will direct the Officer of the Guard to station 
this detail about the memorial shaft." 

After they had been placed about the monument he proceeded: 
"Holy Scripture saith: 'The Lord gave the word; great was the company of those that 
published it.' Ps. Ixviii, 11. 

" 'Declare ye anions the nations, and publish and set up a standard." Jer. L, 3. 
" 'In the name of our God we will set up our Ijanners.' Ps. xx, 5. 
"Officer of the Day, you will order the guard of honor to raise the flag." 
Officer of the Day— '"'OtHeer of the Guard, let the flag be raised." 

The flag was then drawn up the pole, and as it unfolded itself to the breeze 
the chortis of forty or fifty male voices broke forth in the inspiring strains of 
the ' "Star Spangled Banner. ' ' 

Commander— "The forces of the nation are divided into two great arms: that of the 
navy and that of the army. Senior Vice-Commander what words of Holy Scripture may 
apply to the navy?" 

James Crawford, S. V. C, then responded as follows: 

"They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, these see 
the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep. For He commandelli and raiscth the 
stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.. .Then they cry unto the Lord in their 
trouble, and Ilebringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm so that 
the waves thereof are still. Then are tliey glad because they be quiet, so He bringeth 
them into their desired haven. Oh that meii would praise the Lord for His goodness, and 
for His wonderful works to the children of men! ' Ps. cvii. 33, 34, 2T), 38-33. 

Commander— "Officerof the Day. let the Guard of Honor set up the symbol of the 
navy and let a sailor be detailed to guard it." 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 371 

A large anchor was then set up against the south side of the monument, 
and Capt. C. P. Bragg, di-essed as a United States sailor, with di-awn cutlass, 
mounted the base and stood guard. 

The Commander then asked — 

"Junior VictCommaiider. what Scripture may apply to the army?" 

Oscar Chamberlain. J. V. C. , responded — 

" ' To your tents, O Israel. . .So all Israel went to their tents.' — 2. Chron. x. 16. 'The 
children of Israel shall pitch tlicir tents, every man bj' his own camp, and every man hy 
his own standard, throughout their hosts.' — Num. i. .52. 'Thou hast given a banner to them 
that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.' — Ps. Ix. 4. 'The Lord shall 
utter His voice before His army; for His camp is very great; for He is strong that executeth 
His word; for the day of the Lord is great and verj' terrible; and who can abide it'?' — loel ii. 
11. 'Some trust in chariots and some iu horses; but we will remember the name of the 
Lord our t!od.' " — Ps. xx. 7. 

Commander — "Officer of the Day, let the Guard of Honor set up the symbol of the 
army, and let a soldier be detailed to guard it." 

A mtisket with Ijayonet, canteen, haversack and knapsack were then placed 
against the north side of the shaft, and W. J. Daj^walt, in full soldier uniform, 
armed with a musket with fixed bayonet, was placed on gitard. 

Gen. Gibson then asked — 

"Officer of the Daj', if the work of the navy and army be well done, what proclama- 
tion from Holy Scripture can }'ou make'?" 

Frank Frederici, Officer of the Day, then responded: 

"A proclamation of peace. 'Lord thou wilt ord.ain peace for us; for Thou also hast 
wrought all our works in us.' — Isaiah xxvi, 12. 'How beautiful upon the mountains are the 
feet of him that briugeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings 
of good, that publisheth salvation; that sayeth unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!. .The 
Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the 
earth shall see the salvation of our God.'" — Isaiah lii. 7. 10. 

Commander — "The chaplain will now offer the prayer of dedication." 

Kev. J. A. Thrapp, the chajjlain, offered prayer. 
Gen. Gibson then said: 

"Attention! G. A. R! In the name of the Grand Army of the Republic, I now dedicate 
this memorial shaft. I dedicate it to the memory of those who in the navy guarded our in- 
land seas and ocean coasts. and fell in defence of the flag. I dedicate it to the memory of those 
who in tlie army fought for our hillsides and valleys and plains, and fell in defence of the 
flag. I dedicate it to the memory of those who on land and on .sea fought for the Union, 
and fell iu defence of the flag; who on land and sea fought for the authority of the Consti- 
tution, and fell in defence of the flag; who on land and on sea fought for their country.and 
fell in defence of the flag. Comrades, salute the dead!" 

After a brief pause the Commander called "Attention ! At ease! " and then 
said: 

"Mr. President, our service of dedication is ended. In the name of my comrades I 
thank you and those you represent for your courtesy in permitting us, who are bound by 
special ties to them, to honor our dead." 

"AlleiitlonI G. A. R! As we close these services the guard of honor is withdrawn, the 
symbols of army and navj' are removed, the flag is lowered, but the memorial we have 
dedicated remains guarded by our dead. So long as it shall endure it .'^hall speak to us 
and to all the loyalty and lieroism in the army and the navy, and of that significant na- 
tional authority of which our flag is the s\-mbol to every true American heart." 

"Officer of tlie Day, remove the symbols." (After a pause). "Lower the flag." (Another 
pause). "Dismiss the guard. Chaplain, pronounce the benediction." 

The benediction was then pronounced, and one of the most beautiful cere- 
monies ever witnessed in the county concluded a tittiug close to the military 
history of Seneca. 



372 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER X. 

SOCIETIES OF THE COUNTY. 

IN the chapter ou pioneers, the history of the Seneca County Pioneer 
Association finds a place; the law circle is mentioned in the chapter on the 
Courts and Bar, while to the physicians of the county a whole chapter is de- 
voted. Here a record is made of the Agricultiu'al Society and a few kindi-ed 
organizations, and here. also, the history of the Teachers' Institute is given. 
Such organizations as the Agi'icultural Society and the Teachers' Institute are 
complete in the elements of usefulness; both are educators, great formers of 
opinions and workers in the fields of agricultural and mental development. In 
noticing such associations, their organization and membership only are pub- 
lished, because the annual fair of the first is an established fact, as are the 
meetings and good works of the latter recognized and known. 

Seneca County Agricultural Society. — This society maybe said to have orig- 
inated in a call issued by David E. Owen, under authority of the county commis- 
sioners, and in compliance with the legislative act of Febraary 25, 1S33. This 
meeting was held June 28, of that year, but failed to effect an organization. 
The legislative act of March 12, 1839, to promote agi-icultural associations, 
met with much greater success in Seneca. Gabriel J. Keen advertised a meet- 
ing to be held January I, 1842. The convention to form an agricultural so- 
ciety was held at Tiffin, January 1, 1842. with Sam Waggoner, temjiorary 
chairman, and R. G. Pennington, secretary, who were elected permanently, 
with Agi'een Ingraham, vice-president; Evan Dorsey, recording secretary; E. 
G. Pennington, corresponding secretary; Lloyd Non'is. treasurer; Andrew 
Moore, George Stoner and John Teny, executive committee. 

The first fair of the Seneca County Agricultural Society was held in Octo- 
ber, 1842. This organization was successful from its beginning. In 1843 
the executive committee ' ' crew, " so to speak, over the success of the society, 
and advertised as follows : 

BANK OP TERRA FIRMA. 

SEJJECA COUNTY AGRICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 

Agi'een Ingraham, president; Levi Davis, vice-president; R. G. Pennington, 
recording secretai-y; Sam Waggoner, corresponding secretarj'; Lloyd 
Norris, treasurer ; George Stoner, John Terry and 
Joseph McClelland, executive committee. 
The capital of this institution in March. 1843. consisted of 345,000 
acres of land in Seneca Coimty, and the membership at that time was 200. 
The present constitution, under which the society works, was adopted in 1870. 
The reports to the annual meeting held in December, 1884, showed that 
the society was in good condition as compared with the previous year, the in- 
debtedness having been reduced over §2.000. E. T. Stickney was re-elected 
president and C. Y. Brundage. vice-president. The nine managers elected for 
the ensuing two years are as follows: Big Spring. Peter Brayton; Clinton, 
Edward H. S wander; Eden, Samuel Koch; Reed, David F. Jordan; Scipio, 
James Van Fleet; Seneca, Peter Haefling; Thompson, John Well er; Tiffin, J. 







\^ttoy^72a ^^i^y^ 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



375 



A. Norton; at lar^o, Joseph T. Kobinson. The members holding over are 
Adams. John Wales; Bloom, John Rice; Hopewell. Henry Downey; Jackson, 
Montfjomery Noble: Loudon, George D. Acker; Liberty, John B. M'eaver; 
Pleasant. Jacob Zimmerman; Venice, D. J. Neikirk; Tiffin. T. J. Livers. The 
following committee was ajipointed to aiTange for the Farmers" Institute to be 
hi>ld at National Hall. Tiffin, Januarv 28 and 24, ISJSu: Charles Flumer- 
felt. Old Fort; W. S. Cramer, Tiffin; Bert Rico, Attica; G. D. Acker. Fosto- 
ria: Charles Spencer, Mexico. 

Immediately after the adjournment the board met and re-elected "W. S. 
Cramer, secretary and H. J. ^\'cller, treasurer, after which the following exec- 
utive committee was appointed: E. T. Stickney, "W. S. Cramer, T. J. Livers, 
Edward H. Swander and Joseph T. Robinson. 

The roll of life members of this society comprises the following names: 



Altcubiiusb, J.L.* 
Adams. Henry 
Allen, Gideon* 
Anwaj', J. L. 
Anderson. Anson 
Buskiik. Albert 
Barnes. A. T.* 
Brewer, X. L. 
Bairbv, T, II. 
Baker. A. ('.* 
BaltzcU. Tbomas 
Boyer. II. A. 
Brown, G. K. 
Bvers. A. H. 
Biiskirk. G. W. 
Biiskirk. H. A. 
Behni. .Jacob 
Brundaire. C. Y. 
Biuliraan. G. W* 
Bloom. Frederick 
Burkliardl. W. 
Burpee. .loseph 
Bnrirer, Frantz 
Bravton. Peter 
Baldwin. A. C. 
Baker. F. A., Sr. 
Barljour, A. C. 
Boyer. R. M. 
Baker. .Samuel 
Brown. Abraham 
Brinkerliofr. J. II. 
Bvers. Philip 
Bilker. William 
Bork. Louis P. 
Cunningham. G. W. 
Crawford. W. .J. 
Chamberlain. S. 
Cramer, I). F. 
Chamberlain, J. 
Crooks, Henry 
Crissel, \V. .1.* 
Conaglian. .Joseph 
Con hell. George* 
Cramer. U, F. 
Childs. Edward 
Cromer. Thomas* 
Cramer. Daniel 



Dunn, W. N.* 
Dow, Alvin 
Diehl, Lewis 
Derr, Ezra 
Dutrow, T, H, 
Dutrow. E. W. 
Downe}-, Henr}' 
Downs. J. L. 
Ernest, George 
Emich. Philip* 
Egbert, J. AY. 
Einsel. I^ewis 
Eyler, Henry 
Engler. William 
Fisher. John L. 
Fiege, John* 
Fleet, W, D,* 
Flumerfelt, Charles 
Free. John* 
Foncannou. M. 
Finch. S. L. 
Fry. F, J. 
G:dbraith. William 
Grelle. Samuel 
Gibson, W. H. 
Grummel. Fred 
Grummel. Philip 
Gross. .John G.* 
Good. Reuben 
Gilbert, Samuel* 
Goodsell. D J. 
Gwynn. John* 
Gever. Charles 
Huss. John T.* 
Huss, George R. 
Huber. Horace* 
Hartsoek. Dorsey 
Hartman. J. G. 
Holtz, Dennis 
Hall, L. A,* 
Huddle, Lewis 
Helderbrake, J. 
Hamilton. E. h. 
Herold. AVilliam 
Hulh, Adam 
Holtz, Jaeob P, 
Heilman. John 



Dildine, William M.* Hordm, L. S.* 
Dorsey. Stephen* Hall. Horace* 

Dull. John Heiltaan, .Tohn 



Heiter, William 
Harter, Joseph 
Huddle, D. B, 
Holtz, George 
Hedges, W. C* 
Hensinger, M, A, 
Herrin, Samuel 
Haefling, Peter 
Herr, Peter 
Ink, Theodore M,* 
Johnston. W. M.* 
Jones, Erastus* 
Kirchner, AI. J, 
Keilholtz, W. H* 
Kline, William 
Keller, Reuben* 
Kagy, Isaac 
Kirchner. M. 
Keating, G. L. 
Kaull, J. M, 
Keen, G. J, 
Keifer, Moses 
Keubler. B. 
Kisecker. A. 
Kern. Isaac 
Ivoch. Samuel 
Keller. Levi, Jr, 
Keller, John W. 
Knapp, J. H. 
Jjeiner, Charles 
Jjoomis. J. D. 
Lutz, G. W. 
Loose, John H. 
I>ee. John C. 
Landon. Alfred* 
Lease. L. X. 
J^antz. John W. 
Lamkin. Charles* 
Letterhos, Joseph* 
Loesscr, John* 
Lamlierson. William* 
Livers. Thomas J. 
Myers, D. C* 
Martin, .John W. 
Mvers, Michael 
Mvers. P. P.* 
McClelland. H. 
Mueller. Christ 
Marquardt. J. F. 
Martin, Melkiah* 



Maloy. Dennis 
Jlyers. John 
MtCaulev, John 
McColluin, E. J. 
McClelland, R. 
McClelland, W. H. 
Mull. Samuel 
Murraj', Jerome 
Myers, Joseph P. 
Mvers, E. S. 
Naylor. J. M. 
Xoble, H. 
Xoble. W, P. 
Nyman. P, 
Noel. Xicholas 
Neikirk, .John 
Neikirk, AVilliam 
X'cikirk, Jeremiah 
Navlor, E. T. 
Ourand, T. W. 
Ogden, G. M. 
OWen, C. G. 
Ogle. Thomas 
Park. C. C. 
Pennington, R. G. 
Pennington, I. 
Patterson, James 
Pittenger, John 
Poorman, John 
Pillars, .James 
Paine, W. J. 
Pittenger, J, H,* 
Pecher, S. J. 
Paine. W. J. 
Ryan, P. H. 
Rice. John 
Rickenbaugh. ,1, 
Riekenbaugh, S. 
Rawson, Abel* 
Roirers, R. H. 
Ruess, A. J, 
Rust, H. 
Robinson, J, T. 
Reinholt, Charles 
Randall, Edward 
Reeme, Benjamin C. 
Sullivan. M.* 
Sneath. A. G.* 
Skinner, M. P.* 
Shawhan, R. AV. 



•Deceased. 



376 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



Spencer, Charles J. 
Tomb, Benjamiu* 
Tomb, Thomas B. 
Tunison. D. C. 
Tokayer, P. 
Titus, R. R. 
Troxel, Charles 
Utz, Samuel 
Umsted. X. 
Vorndran, John 
Vollmer, Joseph* 
VanNest, Peter* 
VauNette, B. N. 
Virts, William H. 
White. L. 
Weller, Henr)' J. 
Wagner, Frank 
Watson, J. L. 



Weirick, Levi 
Wenner, H. S. 
Weirick. Jesse* 
Wisler, Lewis 
Wales, John 2d 
White. John D. 
White, John S. 
Weaver, John B. 
Wade, Washingtou 
Weller. John 
Yerk, J. S. 
Young, Jacob 
Zahm, J. M.* 
Zeigler, John 
Zeller, O. C. 



Sullivan, E.* Schultz, Peter 

Seney, George E. Smoyer, William 

Smith. D. S. Shawhan, F. K. 

Steinau, A. Seitz, Christian 

St. John, L L. Scheib, Philip 

Stoner, S. H. Strong, Jesse* 

Snyder. Justin* Searles, H. 

Schneider, Clem Seigley, Benjamin 

Sneath, S. B. Six, Levi 

Slaymaker, F. Schrickel, Fred 

Souder, John W. Snook. C* 

Swander. D. J. Souder, H. H. 

Smith, v.* Staub, Joseph G. 

Stoner, John A. Shetenhelm. G.* 

Sexton, M. Sager, Jackson 

Swigert, John Smith. Henry 

Spindler, H. C* Swander, Edward H. 

Shaull, John M. Stickney, £. T. 

The Grange Organization. — In the fall of 1873 the Grange movement was 
introclucecl into the county by J. W. BaiTack, organizing deputy, and others. 
The Melmore Grange was the first organized, September 16, 1878, with E. 
Shoemaker, M. , and R. McMartin. secretary. The Grange at Tiffin followed. 
November 29, 1873, with C. C. Park, M., and William Miller, secretary. 
Grand Rapids Grange and Seneca Grange, were organized December 2(1. 1873. 
Maj'flower Grange No. 290, was organized December 22, 1873, with John 
Greer, M. , and J. R. Higgins, secretary. Palo Alto Grange was organized 
December 20, with Jeremiah Rex, M. Repulilic Grange. Green Spring 
Grange and Fostoria Grange were organized in January, 1874, with 'William 
Baker, R. H. Slaymaker and Montgomery Noble. Masters, respectively. 
Bloom Grange No. olO, Harmony Grange (Reed Township), Thomjison Cen- 
tre Grange, Loudon Grange and Venice Grange were all organized in the 
spring of 1874, and, with the farmers' circles mentioned above, must be consid- 
ered the pioneers of a movement which occupied a great deal of public atten- 
tion, if it did not actually become a problem of political economy. Seneca 
County Council, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized at Tiffin, November 27, 
1874, with the following members : C. C. Park, James Patterson. A. L, Shafer, 
S. B. Resh, W. Hvter, O, S. Watson, J, W. Banack. J. W. Souder, D. M. 
Neikirk, ^^'illiam Den-, W. H. Miller and F. Baker. 

Stock Breeders' Association. — The Northwestern Ohio Association, for the im- 
provement of stock, was organized at Clyde, March 22, 18(55, with J. L. Greene, 
of Sanduslcy, president: T. H. Bagby, of Seneca, seeretfpy; Michael Sullivan, 
of Seneca, treasurer, and Samuel Herrin, of Seneca, a member of the directors' 
board. 

Short-horn Breeders' Association Meeting. — A meeting was held at the 
court house, February 26, 1881, piu-suant to call, for the purpose of organiz- 
ing a Short-horn Breeders' Association, The following named persons became 
members: E. T. Stickney, George Holtz, D. W. Brown, Jeremiah Neikirk, J. 
AV. Keller, Peter Haefling, E, B. FeiTee, George AVeed, Joseph Shaw and 
John Males. A temporary organization was effected by electing George Holtz, 
president; J. W. Keller, vice-president, and H. J, A\"eller, secretary. 

Bee Keepers' Association. — About 18()1. the movable comb bee-hive was in- 
troduced in the county by J. T. Martin, who, in 18()8, with others interested 
in bee cultm-e, made an efPort to organize a society. This effort failed. 
March 16, 1884, a society was formed with eighteen members, representing 
26(1 colonies of bees. The election of officers followed, resulting in the elec- 
tion of E, J. C, Troxel as president, J. L. Fisher, vice-president, J. T. Mar- 

♦Deceased. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



377 



tin, seci'etary, William C. Hamilton, treasurer, and M. Holtz, J. L. Fisher 
aud J. T. Martin, executive committee. In 1807 the Bolin apian' was 
established in Reed Township. From one swarm, in ISOT, the industry 
increased to 125 separate swarms. 

Tlw Clinton Protect ives Society was organized at Tiffin. January 2, 1 840. Lewis 
Baltzell, D. F. Cramer and AMlliam Lang formed the committee. Thomas 
Lloyd was president in 1857, Benjamin Toml), treasurer, and R. W. Shawhan, 
captain. This society has changed merely in name since that early date. In 
its advertisement calling the attention of horse thieves, it says : ' " The ' Seneca 
Horse Guards ' were organized years ago; have never permitted a thief to get 
away with a horse stolen from the society, but one; has a sufficient fund on 
hand for all practical piu'poses, and is in every way ready at all times for any 
emergency. ^^'e would suggest that it might b(> well for horse thieves to 
make a note of these facts, and tile it away for future reference." The officers 
are C. C Park, president, A. J. Davidson, secretary, Samuel Koch, treasiuer. 

The members of this association in 1884-^5 were : 



Arbogast, Michael 
Ablioti, Frank 
Arnold,, J. L. 
Anderson, Anson 
Arnold, J. W. 
Abbott, A. L. 
Adams, Jacob A. 
Acker. George D. 
Bowerso.x. Jacob 
Baker, W. H. 

F. A. 

John W. 

Sila.s W. 

Kiifus M. 

Frank 

Samuel 
L. F. 



Baker, 
Baker, 
Baker. 
Baker, 
Baker, 
Baker, 
Bender 



Britt, John 
Beard, John F. 
Bowser, Thomas B. 
Byrne, Edward 
Best, Henry L. 
Burnside, Joseph Vi 
Barrack, William 
Barrack, John \V. 
Barrack, George W, 
Barrack, Simon F. 
Barrack, Luther C. 
Balliet, .(oseph 
Bare, James M. 
Buchmaii, John 
Bridi-nbaugh, John 
Hrt-ndle, Jacol) 
Bihm, Frank 
Benninl, Aaron 
Bernard, 0. P. 
Bernard, C. C. 
Bloom. W. II. 
Bloom, Jacol) 
Bloom, A. J. 
Bagby, T. H. 
Brown, A. 6. 
Beard, Charles S. 
Burger. David 
Bowersox. Daniel 
Benuehoff, Henry 
Brown, J. S. 



Boes, Frank 

Bigger, D. D. 

Bacon, W. S. 

Blasius, Martin 

Brewer, N. L. 

Bogart, Jesse 

Bercaw, Silas 

Conaghan, Joseph 

Conaghan, H. D. 

Cahill, John 

Clark, John L. 

Conrad, Reuben 

Cupp, E. B. 

Creeger, Henrv W. 

Crum, Elias W. 

Cook, A. P. 

Cobly, Frank A. 

Corbet, Martin 

Crum, Oliver 

Cramer, Claridon 

Doran, C. W. 

Davidson. Henry 
. Davidson, H. C. 

Davidson, William H. 

Davidson, G. W. 

Davidson. A. J. 

DeWilt, H. S. 

Derr, David H. 

Derr, John T. 

Deil}', Allison 

Dunn, Alington 
A. Downs. Lemuel 

Derr, Dennis F. 

Doran, James 

Detterman, George 

Dippelhofer, Andrew 

Dilliplain. Brown 

Engler, W. M. 

Egbert, J. W. 

Egbert, N. D. 

Einsel. Lewis 

Eakin. Samuel 

Eakin. Perry 

Eastman, William S. 

Emerine. Lawrence 

Einsel, William 

Funk, J. H. 



Fry, Frank J. 
Frv, O. J. 
Fr'v. P. H. 
Fruth, John N. 
Frulh. F. M. 
Falkner. Benjamin 
Fraver, John 
Flumerfelt, Charles 
Fritz, William C. 
Panning, J. F. E. 
Feabels, George 
Fox, Philip 
Guernsey, Lucius 
Gillig, Joseph 
Grummell, Fredrick 
Gillis, Michael 
George, Stephen 
Gehris, Peter 
Galbrealh, William 
Glenn, F. J. 
Goetschins, Evan 
Goetschins, George R 
Iloltz, Jacob P. 
Holtz, Dennis 
Holtz, John 
Holtz, Charles D. 
Holtz, George 
Huss, Jacob S. 
Hvter. William 
Hiielling. Peter 
Huber, Eugene 
Huber, John 
Houck, Henry 
Houek, Ezra 
Houck, Isaac, Jr. 
Houek, Peter 
Holt. William 
Heck. John 
Haines, A. 
Horn, Samuel 
Hepler, George 
Hollbauer, Joseph 
Heninger. H. II. 
Harlcy, Daniel 
Hunker, Jacob J. 
Hoover. Jacob 
Hunker, Mathias 



Haugh. T. F. 
Huth, Xichol.as 
Heilman, John 
Hunter, John 
Haines, Erastus M. 
Hile, John 
Helfrick, Albert 
Hershy, Luther C. 
Heating, Lafayette 
Her, Conrad 
Ink, Charles W. 
Kesecker, Andrew AV. 
Koch, Samuel 
Knight, Thomas 
Kaull, William 
Kaull, J. M. 
Keller, John W. 
Kinzer. CJottlieb 
Kiser, Samuel 
Koerper, Michael 
Keef, John.. 
, Kepple, Henry D. 
Kishler, George W. 
Kemp. Philip 
Krupp, John 
Kiser, Daniel 
Kinnej', Bartholomew 
Kieffer. Adam 
Kagy, Isaac 
Kramer, Franklin 
Loose, E. J. 
Loose, Daniel 
Loose. John H. 
Loose. William H. 
Lonzway, Joseph 



Lewis 
Joseph A. 
Sylvester 
Julius J. 



Lonzway 
Lonzway 
Lonzway 

Lonzway. 

Lang, William 
Lani:-. Walter O, 
Lutz. F. K. - 
Lutz. B. F. 
Leidv. J. C. 
Lawiiead. J. W. 
Liv,-rs. T. J. 
Lilzenberger, T, 



378 



HISTORy OF SENECA COUNTY. 



Littler, Austin C. 
Lytle, Clias W. 
Lumberjack. John 
LUtham. J. S. 
McClellan. Robert 
McClellan, Walter 
McClellan, S. C. 
McClellan, W. B. 
Magers, J. E. 
Marscha, Andrew 
Miller, Daniel 
Miller, Peter 
Miller, Adam 
Miller, N. A. 
Miller, John K. 
Miller, W. W. 
Michaels, Leroy 
Miitschler. Charles 
Manjtus, Charles P. 
McEwen, Jesse 
Martin. Chas. 
Martin, Absalom 
Murtin, George M. 
Moore, John W. 
McXamee, John 
Neely, Jesse 
Noble, Warren P. 
Noble, Harrison 
Norris. William 
Norris, John T. 
Nighswander, Martin 
Nepper, Charles 
Newcomb, V. D. 
Owen, Charles G. 
Ogle, Joseph 
O'Connor, Timothy 
Oiler, J. W. 
Park, C.-C. 
Park, T. L. 
Price, Daniel 



Price,J. H. 
Pittenger, John 
Pittenger, D. C. 
Peters, David 
Powel, Andrew 
Patterson. James 
Pott^iger, James C. 
Pennington, T. J. 
Rumslaugh, Barnhart 
Reynolds, L. 
Reohrer, Benoni 
Rickenbaiigh. Samuel 
Rickenbaugh, B. P. 
Remele. John A. 
Rex, William 
Rex. Jeremiah 
Reidclpach, Donard 
Rickets, Milton D. 
Rumslaugh, Henry 
Ridgely. John H. 
Rohrer, Elias W. 
Reed. William L. 
Ruse, Solomon K. 
Reiff, J. 

Reinjuger, Gustavus 
Rhoades, Joseph 
Rice, John 
Rice. Henry, Jr. 
Rhuly, Christian 
Rhuly, D. E. 
Reeme, B. C. 
Rosenberger. Jacob 
Reinhart, Martin 
Seifert, Philip 
Shannon, George 
Swander. Edward 
Swander, E. H. 
Swander, E. T. 
Swander, D. J. 
Staib, Jacob 



Staib, Jacob 
Staib, Christian 
Staib, Eugene 
Staib, Herman 
Sexton, Myron 
Stinc^comb, James 
Strausbaugh, Henry 
Strausbaugh. Joseph 
Strausbaugh, A. B. 
Strause, Stephen 
Schubert, Herman 
Schubert. John 
Shultz, Peter 
Souder, John Vi. 
Shumaker, George 
Shock, Henry M. 
Sherman. Eldridge 
Peney, George E. 
Swigert, Aaron 
Shaffner, William 
Staufer. David 
Scott. George D. 
Swabley. Gustus 
Strausbaugh, George 
Smith, Henry 
Smith, Martm 
Smith. John 
Saul. Jesse 
Starky, Alexander 
Searls, C. F. 
Swartzmiller, John 
Seigley, W. W. 
Stultz. James 
Shimiaker. Al)raham 
Sheidler,"B. F. 
Spitler. John K. 
Stackhouse. Benjamin 
Thorn. John 
Titus. R. R. 
Trout, S. D. 



Theis. Michael 
Tintsman, Morris 
Unser, John 
VanXetle, Brognard 
VanNette, Kate 
VanNette, Westley 
White, John D. 
Wank, John 
AVank, Joseph 
Watson, Oliver S. 
Werline, Simon 
Wickerham. Peter 
Welly. Joseph 
Wall. Nicholas 
Welly, Michael 
Welly, Thomas 
Welly, Henry 
Weirick. E. B. 
Weirick. John B. 
Warnament, J. B. 
Warnament, Nicholas 
Wannemaeher, S. G. 
Wolf, Solomon 
Wilson, E. W. 
Watson, Robert H. 
Whalcn. T. F. 
Walter. Joseph 
Warner. J. W. 
AVood, J. J. 
Williams. Adams 
Young. George 
Yeager. J. C. 
Zook, Abram 
Zeiser, Andrew 
Zimmerman, Jacob 
Zimmerman, Hiram 
Zimmerman, J. B. 



Seneca County Teachers^ Institntc. — The last meeting of the institute, and, 
as it is stated, its most important meeting, was held at Republic, August 17, 
1885. in response to the call of the following named oliicers: 

H. C. Ostien, president; J. M. Collier, secretary; Grant S. Lott, Ella 
Khoades, Ethel Stewart, executive committee. 

Following is a list of those in attendance, and members of the institute: 

J. W. Knott. Tiiiin: B. B. Hall, Milan; J. D. Luse. Mentor; C. H. Shock, 
Bloomville; Z. E. Eutan, Eepiiblic; W. H. Patterson, Bloomville: B. E. Mil- 
ler, Tiffin; B. W. Knejiple. Mon'is; A. "Weinandv. Adrian; L. T. Montgomeiy, 
Fort Seneca: Albert Shuman, Tiffin: S. H. Gettinger. Green Spring; S. H. 
Kimmel. W. H. Egbert. Tiffin; E. C. Palmer. Eepublic; J. S.Good, Fostoria; 
R, B. HaiTis, Green Spring; Mrs. Z. E. Eutan, Eepublic: Dora Berry. Re- 
public; J. D. Groesbeck, Bloomville; John L. Cole, Eepublic; W. Eobenalt, 
Republic; Delia Waterman, Bellevue; Cora Shadle. Belle\ite; Ressie Robinson, 
Rejniblic; Laura Laughrey. Rejmblic; Addie Lapham. Republic; Clara Nei- 
kii'k. Republic; Kittie Anway. Republic; Douglas Brown, Reptiblic; John A. 
Colwell. Republic: Nora Shaw. Republic: Mary Stroh, Republic: Marietta 
Brown, Republic; Eva Stewart, Republic; Clara Roop. Attica; Flora Lepard. 
Attica; May Rogers. Reedtown; T. E. Wyant. AVestLodi: Hat Cutler. Repub- 
lic; Mav Seiple. Bloomville; E. A. Kellv. Siam; L. J. Todd. Attica: Amelia 
Sauer. Tiffin; Eva Bacher. Tiffin: ^NIi-s. M. E. Zaitman. Tiffin: J. R. Sherman, 
Milan; ili-s. J. Sherman. Milan; R. B. Drake, Attica; O. A. Lake, Attica; J. 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 379 

M. Collier, Bellevue; W. H. St('i>hi"nsoii, Attica: S. J. Boeghly. Attica: Belle 
Michner, Attica; Icedore Hutt'uian, Attica; Alice Sanford, Attica: William 
Kassing, Jr., Fostoria; David Hilsinger, Republic: E. C. Hardruan. Clyde: 
Minnie Nye, Bloomville; L. D. Bevington, Bloom ville; C. D. Fisb(>r. Bloom- 
ville: I. L. Stinebangb, Rockaway; F. L. Bowser, Titiin: J. J. De\Mtt, Tiffin; 
Mattie Cummiiigs, Republic; Cora Cummings, Republic: I. J. Hoffman, 
Rejniblic; 51. J. Feasel, Bettsville; Grant Lott. Bettsville; Bm-ton Ramsl)urg, 
Republic; Delia AVilcox, Republic; (i. A. Allen, Melmore; Lizzie Shooffuer, 
Bloomville: Vesta Geiger, Bloomville; Minnie Stewart. Bloomville; Irena Olds, 
Bloomville; Alice Bowman, Bloomville; Luella Bare, Tiffin; Lallie Hoke. Fort 
Seneca; Florence Moore, Plymouth; Ida Sidel, Fostoria; Nellie Heniy. Fos- 
toria; F. J. Stinchcomb, Tiltin; L. Anway, Republic: Fannie Pettys, Republic; 
D. P. McCartv, New Riegel; F. M. "Worley, New^ Riegel; S. M. Kime. Tiffin; 
F. R. Mann. Tiffin; E. D. Klose, West Lodi; S. F. Lebold. Attica: Ella King, 
Morris: Katie Lynch, Tiffin; Addie Bloom, Tiffin: Emma Kuhn. Tiffin: Mollie 
McCartv. New Riegel; Amelia Dreitzler, Fostoria: J. B. Smith, Re])nl)lic: J. 
Hill. Tiffin; G. M. Hoke. Fort Seneca; Charles Lewis. Bloomville: Charles 
Lee. Clyde; Nellie Green. Fostoria; Nettie Green. Attica; Nellie Chittenden, 
Attica; Hannah Kemp, Attica: Leora Moore. Republic; Becca Boling. Republic; 
Hattie Jordan. Republic; Lula Boling, Repiiblic: Mary Good. Tiffin; Theresa 
Pittenger, Tiffin; H. C. 0.stein. Republic: L. A. Ostein, Republic: Libbie 
Eastman, Republic; Ollie England, Republic; Mp-ta Ellitt, Republic: Joseph- 
ine Meier, Republic; T. T. Beaver, Clyde; E. H. Good. Belle^•ne; E. E. 
Mefford. Clyde; Aggie Breneman, Fort Seneca: Jennie Littler. Fort Seneca: 
Laiu'a Hodge. West Lodi: IMi's. George W. Kimmel. Fostoria: Ella S. Emmick. 
Tiffin; Katie Kime, Tiffin; Alta Keating, Tiffin: M. L. McKibben. Repul)lic: 
A. B. Stewart, Bloomville; Ella Rhoades, Fostoria: Mary Ai-mstrong, Repulilic; 
Lillie Suiter, Attica; J. W. Micheuer. Attica: Hettie Young. Tiffin: Ella 
Young. Tiffin: Velora Huddle, Tiffin: Mattie McHenrv", West Lodi; Lillian 
Annstrong, Republic; J. P. Viekeiy, Clyde; Elnora Collier. Belle^aie;' D. "W. 
Fisher, Bloomville; A. A. Krush, Bollevue: Mary Swope, Fostoria; J. K. 
Wolf. Bloomville; Katie Dormer, Fostoria; Nora Sloman, Tiffin; Sophia Fink, 
Berwick; Esther Allen, Melmore: Dora Dowtis, Melmore; Nettie Downs. Mel- 
more: Mrs. C. A. Norris. Republic; C. A. Non'is. Republic: W. M. Baker. 
Rej)ublic; Callie Rickenbaugh. Tiffin: Cora Stinchcomb. Tiffin; Ethel Stewart. 
Bloomville: Mell Griffin, Republic; Nellie Griffin; Bloomville; A. Englehart, 
Attica: Clara Cooper, Attica; Millie Brant, Attica: J. J. Benninger, Mon-is: C. 
Cummings, Republic; C. C. Down. Watson: P. A. Tompkins. West Lodi: Ida 
Searing, Rockaway: Nelson Smeltz, Attica: M. F. Hosier. Attica: Homer Ste- 
phenson. Attica: Avilla Albright. Bloomville; C. M. Link, Attica; Lida Cunning- 
ham, Fostoria; JIi's. E. J. Loweiy. Republic; Delia Collins, Moiris; Maud 
Knepple, Moms; B. F. Myers, Tiffin; R. J. Dunn. Republic; N. R. Heatun, 
Tiffin; Homer Metzgar, Republic: C. E. GiUick, Tiffin: J. L. Newcomer. 
Bloomville: David Hull. CaiTothei-s: D. M. Hidl. CaiTothers: James Caiisenter, 
Republic; Sylvia Terwilliger, Flat Rock: Clara Decker. Bellevue. 

The election of officers for the ensuing year resulti'd in the choice of the 
following: 

President. E. C. Palmer. Republic: vice-president. R. B. Hairis. Green 
Spring; secretary. Miss Lida Cunningham, Fostoria; assistant secretary. Miss 
Alta Keating, Tiffin; treasurer. B. F. Mvers, Tiffin. 



380 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XI. 

KAILEOADS. 

SCARCELY ten years had elapsed from the time the Granite Quarry Eaih'oad 
was built oiit from Qiuney. Mass. , in 1826. when the idea of railroad construc- 
tion ciept across the Alleghenies and settled in Ohio. The Sandusky & Mans- 
field Eailroad was begun prior to 1835. In 1832 there was held a railroad 
meeting at TitKn. and in September. 1885. work was begun on the i\Iad River 
t^ Lake Erie Eailroad. Early in 1831) the whistle of the locomotive was heard 
within the boundaries of Seneca County, while above the noise of the train the 
song of the passengers could be heard: 

"The mothers ran out with their children about, 

From every los-cabin Ihejhail; 
The wood-chopper, he stood, delighted to see, 

The law makers ride on a rail I 
The horses and cattle, as onward we rattle, 

Were never so frightened before; 
We are bound for the city that grows in the woods. 

The city by Honey Creek's shore." 

Mad River cf- Ldke Erie Railroad. — The question of constructing a railroad 
was brought before the i>eople of this county in Sejstember, 1832, when Henry 
Cronise and Josiah Hedges, railroad commissioners, advertised in the Patriot 
that stock-books would be opened at Eli Norris' tavern October 4. that 
year. The work of construction was already in progress, the first sod being 
tiu'ned September 7, 1835, at Sandusky, by Gen. Harrison. The road was 
opened to Bellevue in September, 1838, to Republic in 1839 and to Tiffin in 
11^41, when a passenger train was run into the ^illage by engineers Poppen- 
burg and Ken-ian. The trains on the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad were 
running April 1. 1839, on regular time table. R. M. Shoemaker was engineer 
and superintendent. 

From among the published reminiscences of this road the following sketch 
is selected: The line having been comjsleted as far as Belleviu> in the fall of 
1838, the first train by locomotive power was chartered. Thomas Hogg was 
engineer; John Paull. since deceased, was fireman, and Charles Higgins, also 
deceased, was conductor. The train consisted of the "Sandusky" locomotive, 
a small passenger car, and a still smaller freight car, not exceeding twenty feet 
in length, which latter ear remained for some time the only accomodation for 
conveying merchandise. This jjrimitive combination started from the foot of 
Water Street. Sandusky, and. with "flying colors," made a single trip up 
and down daily. AVe are informed that the "Sandusky" was the first locomo- 
tive in America to which a regular steam whistle was applied. At this time, 
as above stated, the track was known as the " Mad River & Lake Erie Rail- 
road " and ran through Belle\-ue to Tiffin, via Republic. Another route was 
opened through Clyde, the old track taken up, and over 191 miles of rails 
operated under the title of the "Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland Railroad," 
including the branch road from Carey to Findlay. 

This company issued the fii'st report in June, 1849. It shows that the road 
fr"om Sandusky to Springfield, 134.^ tuiles. was built at a cost of ?1.T54.2()3.()9. 



HISTORY OF SENICCA fOUXTV. 381 

For tlio eleven months ending June 1, 1S49, the receipts from passenger traffic 
amounted to $147,l(V_Mn. and fi-om freight to S].jL0(«.4r), total 821)8.105.61. 
The expenditures amounted to Sl;^7,2r)4.()2i, lea^^ng net earnings for eleven 
months of ?l()((,9()l.r)S.V. The rolling stock consisted of 17 old-time locomotives, 
lo passenger cars, 8 eight-wheeled baggage cars and 810 freight cars, all cost- 
ing >!"2l)4,r)22.S7.\. The number of i)assengers transported during the eleven 
months was 77. VM. 

Indiana. Bloom incjt on & Western Railroad. — The Mad Eiver & Lake 
Erie Eailroad Company, chartered January 5, 1832, located its road from 
Tiftin to Sandusky r/a Belle viie, as shown in the historj' of that road. In 1851 
the Sandusky City & Indiana Railroad Com])auy commenced to build a parallel 
road via C'lyde. which was completed in 1854. and leased to the Mad Kiver & 
Lake Erie Railroad Company in December of that year. In June, pre^•ious, the 
Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Comjiany leased for fifteen years the Springfield 
& Columbus Kailnjad. agreeing to pay operating expenses, interest on §150,000 
out-bonds, the balance of earnings to go to lessor. February 23,1858, the Erie 
County Common I'leas Coiu-t decreed that the name of the company should be 
the Sandiislcy, Daj'ton & Cincinnati Railroad Company. In October, 1865, 
mortgages were foreclosed and O. Follet appointed receiver. Ih January. 1866, 
the road was sold to trustees representing the stockholders, and in July that 
year the company was reorganized as the Sandusky & Cincinnati Railroad 
Company. In October the road was leased to the C. D. & E. R. R. Company, 
btit in Jaimary. 1868. the lease was siUTendered to the Sandusky & Cincinnati 
Railroad Company. A few days later the title was changed to the Cincin- 
nati, Sauduskj- & Cleveland Railroad Company, who, in June, 1870. leased the 
road for UU years to the Columbus, Springfield & Cincinnati Railroad Company. 
In March, 1881, the road was leased to the Indiana, Bloomington & Western 
Railroad Company for 91) years, and they now operate it. The road enters the 
county southwest of Adrian Village and leaves at Green Spring. 

Mel Dion' <t Bt'puhlic Railroad. — The books for this road were opened at 
Jacob Buskirk's house, in Melmore, Calvin Bradley's, in Tiffin, and Miller's, 
in R(']iublic, July 4, 1836, but the road was never built. 

Oliio. Mianti <t- ^]'aha.slt Railroad. — Subscription books for this proposed 
road were ojiened at John Park's house. Tiffin, May 30, 1836. 

Fort Ball and Ijower Sanduakij Railroad. — A meeting of the stockholders 
was called at Lower Sandusky, April 15, 1846. The call was signed by 
Rufus M'. Reid, H. C. Brish, Lorenzo Abbott, Ezra Baker, James Justice, 
Sardis Birchard, John R. Pease, R. P. Buckland and James Moore. 

Tiffin <t- Fort Wayne Railroad. — This company was organized in November, 
1853. with Josiah Hedges. W. H. Gibson. W. D. Scott, John D. Loomis, J. 
"\V. \\"ilson, George Kuupp, AA'illiam C. Hedges and A. C. Baldwin, corpora- 
tors. The capital stock was placed at 81.000,000. In the advertisement the 
names of K. G. Pennington and Joseph AValker appear. The chart of the road 
was [>r<'pared by Peter Ferguson, of Tiffin. The length of the pro])Osed road 
was 102 miles, showing a total elevation of 231) feet and a total declination of 
114 feet, thus leaving Fort Wayne twenty-five feet above the level of Tiffin. 

Cleveland, Fort Wayne & Chieayo Railroad (middle division — Tiffin & Fort 
Wayne). — This road commenced before the war, and, dormant for some years, 
was revived in the fall of 1865. 

C'olnndin.i. Tiffin d- Toledo Railroad. — A company was organized in 1869 
for the purpose of constructing a railroad fi'om Crestline to Toledo via Tiffin. 
In May, 1869, J. R. Straughan, chief engineer, presented his report on this 
pi'oject to the Tiffin iV Toledo Railroad Committees (R. G. Pennington repre- 
senting Tiffin), as follows: 



382 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 

' ' Their road is located to extend from the city of Toledo via "\^'oodville and 
TifiSn to Crestline, a distance of seventy-five miles — having no obstacles to 
divert the line, and no costly spots to overcome. 

The bridging, besides the river at Toledo, consists of three, each of about 
260 feet in length, with rock foundations and convenient quarries of good 
building stone. 

No grades gi'eater than at the rate of forty feet per mile, and these only 
for short distances. 

Pr(>liminary lines have been run, jirofiles projiared and estimates made iipon 
the whole line, except for the bridge and depots at Toledo. The estimated 
cost is §1,438,000. 

The. means relied upon consist of a cash local subscription of 8500,000, 
and the issue of $1,200,000 of first mortgage bonds. 

We have assurances from substantial capitalists in New York that these 
bonds can be sold at the usual favorable rates upon the amoiint of basis above 
mentioned. 

As a necessary preliminary step, the people of TiiSn siibscribed SI 00. 000 
to the capital stock, and organized the company by electing a board of direc- 
tors, with L. A. Hall for president and myself chief engineer. 

They have allotted to each town and neighborhood along the line an amount 
of stock to be taken by each in order to aggregate $500, 000, and mo.st of the 
points have now made up, or nearly made up, their quota. 

The amount so assessed Toledo is $200,000. and as no further progress can 
be safely made until it shall be secured, we come to you in the confident 
expectation that you will cordially and promptly join in the enterprise. 

Pittsburgh, Canton d- Chicago Railroad. — This company was organized 
August 9, 1870, with the following incorporators: James A. Saxton, C. Ault- 
man, Jacob Miller. Isaac Harter, George Cook, Louis Schaefer, Charles Foster, 
John T. Hviss, John D. Loomis, J. M. Naylor and Warren P. Noble. 

Baltimore d" Ohio Railroad. — This road enters the county at Fostoria. runs 
east through Bascom. Tiffin and Eepublic, and leaves the county just northeast 
of Attica Village. It may be said to date its history back to March 13, 1S72. 
when the Baltimore, Pittsburgh & Chicago Eailroad Company filed articles of 
incorporation, and received authority to build a road from the west line of 
Pennsylvania to the west line of Ohio. The work of construction was liegun 
at Chicago Junction, and pushed forward by moneys advanced by the old Bal- 
timore cV Ohio Railroad Company. June 10, 1874, the road was built over a 
line of 878 miles (Defiance, Ohio), and in December, 1874, the entu'e road to 
Chicago was opened for traffic. 

Columbus, Hocking Valley and Toledo Railroad. — A company, named the 
Columbus & Toledo Railway Company, was chartered May 28, 1872, to build 
124 miles of railroad from Coliunbns to Toledo. October 15, 1873, the 
road was located ria Fostoria; in November, 1876, trains were iTin between 
Marion and Columbus; in November following, the use of the Pennsylvania 
Company's road from AValbridge to Toledo, was acquired; in January. 1877, 
through business was opened, and, in July of that year, the road was completed 
and equipped at a cost of $3,338,507.54. In July, 1881, this road was sold 
to the Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo Company, under whom it is now 
operated. This road enters the county about a mile south of Springville in 
Big Spring Township, and after passing through Fostoria leaves the county at 
the northwest corner of Section 18, Jackson Township. 

As everyi;hing connected with it is new. even its history, we cannot do bet- 
ter than take a sTOopsis of its history from the fii'st annual report of Presi- 






.^4 



«^ 







HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 385 

dent Greene. The company was incorporated May 28, 1872, under the general 
act of May 1, 1852, the corporators being M. M. Greene, P. W. Huntington, 
B. E. Smith, W. G. Deshler, James A. Wilcox and John L. Gill, of Columbus, 
for the construction of a railroad from the city of Cohimlsus to the city of Toledo, 
through the counties of Franklin, Delaware, Marion, Wyandot, Seneca, Wood 
and Lucas, a distance of 128 miles. The capital stock was fixed in the certi- 
ficate of incorporation at $2,r)()0,(H)(), and on the 1st of July, 1872, subscription 
books were opened in Cohimbus and Toledo. October 15, 1878, the line of the 
road was permanently located through the towns of Delaware, Marion, Upper 
Sandusky, Carey and Fostoria. It was originally designed to run the road due 
north from Delaware, but an extra $10,000 of stock had the effect of producing 
a slight curve in it, so as to carry it through Delhi and MidcUetown. Bids for 
the construction of the road were opened on the 4th of August, and on the 1 Gth 
of the same month a contract was concluded with Miller, Smith & Co. They 
commenced work on the 17th, and in November, 187(5, the portion between 
Columbus and Marion, a distance of forty-six miles, was sufficiently finished to 
justify the company in complying with the urgent solicitation of stockholders 
and business men along the line, to operate the same. On the 10th of Janu- 
ary, 1877, the entire line was so far completed that through business was com- 
menced and regular trains run between Columbus and Toledo under an 
arrangement with the contractors, who were, however, occupied for some time 
after that in finishing up the road, so that it was not fully completed and 
accepted by the company imtil July following. 

Ohio Central Railroad. — This road was originally designed to run fi-om 
Toledo on the Maiunee, to Pomeroy, on the Ohio, was chartered as the " 'Lake 
Erie & Atlantic," and for the first nine years struggled onward under the 
presidency of Thomas Ewing. The road became so involved in debt that the 
company resorted to very questionable measm-es for its relief, sued the stock- 
holders for moneys they never owed, but were beaten at their own game. ^Vhen 
the road was sold its named was changed, and the work of completion pushed 
forward, so that by the close of 1880, cars were run over the road via Fostoria. 
It enters the county in Jackson Township, about a mile north of Fostoria, and 
after passing through that city takes a soiitheastern route and leaves the 
county at McCutehenville in Seneca Township. 

Manfifiekly Coldwafpr d- Lake Michigan Railroad. — This line was graded and 
had ties laid in Dec. ,1872, along the gi-eater length of track. In Hopewell Town- 
ship the rail was placed, biit when the enterprise collapsed the rails were taken up 
and sold. In 1884 John M. Lemmon, of Clyde, was appointed master com- 
missioner for the old Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Railroad stock- 
holders. The claims and cost of rent amounted to $231,941.(30, — 20 per cent 
of $1,288, (350, amount of stock owned by the Pennsylvania Company, was realized 
in 1885. 

Northtvestern Ohio Railroad. — This was foiTuerly known as the Tiffin, 
Toledo & Eastern Railroad, and was completed May 1, 1873, and, consolidated 
with the Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Railroad, forms the North- 
western Ohio Railroad. J. S. Morris, of Tiffin, is the superintendent of this 
important line of road, and the Pennsylvania Company the owners and 
operators. This road enters the county at Carrothers in Venice Township, 
passes through Bloomville, Tiffin and Bettsville, leaving the county imme- 
mediately northwest of last named village in Liberty Township. 

New York, Chicago &• St. Loui.^ Railroad, or "-Nickel Plate." — The con- 
struction work on the New York. Chicago & St. Louis Railway was virtually 
completed September 1, 1882. The •■ Nickel Plate" extends from Buffalo 

21 



386 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

to Chicago via Dunkii'k, Erie, Ashtabula. Cleveland, Fostoria and Fort 
Wayne. The first survey was begun in the last week of February, 18S1, and 
actual construction commenced in the early part of June of the same year. A 
magnificent equipment for passenger and freight service was delivered in 
October, ISSl, and a year later was open for traffic. This road crosses the 
Baltimore & Ohio, Lake Erie & Western, Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo 
and Ohio Central at Fostoria; crosses the Northwestern Ohio Railroad at 
Linden, passes by Fort Seneca and Green Spring, and leaves the county in 
Adams Township. The opening of this road has given new life to the north- 
eastern townships of Seneca County. In the foreclosure suit of September, 
1885. tried at Cleveland, a judgment for nearly $3,000,000 was recorded 
against this road. 

Lake Erie <£ Western Railroad. — This road enters the county in Section 5, 
Liberty Township, penetrates Jackson Township in Section 12. and. running 
through Fostoria, leaves the county at its western boundary within the limits 
of that city. This road was known as the "Lake Erie & Louisville Railroad."' 

Akron & Fort Wayne Railroad. — The certificate of incorporation of the 
Akron and Fort Wayne Railroad, with principal office at Tiffin, was filed with 
the Secretary of State in February, 1885. The capital stock is §100,000, and 
the company, which is to operate in Ohio, is also, it is understood, to con- 
nect with new lines built in Pennsylvania and Indiana, and eventually form a 
trunk line. The Ohio Company is the Akron & Fort WajTie Railroad Com- 
pany, and is organized with a capital stock of $100,000, and the following 
incorporators: William Thorpe, New York; James F. Cone. New York; War- 
ren P. Noble, John M. Naylor and Samuel B. Sneath, Tiffin. One branch of 
the road is to commence at the east line of Mahoning County and exteud to 
Fort Wayne. Ind. Another branch is to extent from Akron to Ashtabula and 
thence to Buffalo. Warren P. Noble is one of the directors and the legal 
adviser of the board in Ohio. 



CHAPTER XII. 

BANKS AND INSURANCE. 

FOR years after the settlement of Seneca the banking house, as we know it 
to-day, did not exist in the county. Private enterprise, however, supplied 
the wants of the period, and moneys were loaned at any rate of interest which 
might be agreed upon, with u-onclad security. In many cases financial aid was 
given by one neighbor to another, with simply a ' ' promise to pay ' ' when con- 
venient. A reference to the organic chapter points out the fact that loans of a 
few thousand dollars — a large sum for that period — were negotiated in Vii-ginia, 
and later in the more important cities in Ohio; then followed the "wild-cat" 
banks and counterfeiters' dens, which, on being wiped out, gave place to le- 
gitimate banking houses. The first bank may be said to have been established 
in July, 1847, when A\illiam H. Gibson, Benjamin Tomb, Samuel Waggoner, 
R. G. Pennington, Alfred Johnson, Rufus W. Reid, Daniel Smith, William 
Fleet, William M. Buel and Daniel Brown subscribed $15,000, and applied 
for power to open a banking house. Less than a month later the application 
was amended, the capital stock raised to §100.000. other memlsers added to 
the original company, and a charter granted by the county commissioners. 



HISTORY UF SENKCA COUNTY. " 387 

Aiif^iist 1), 1S47. Tbo bank was opened November 18, 1847. This was fol- 
lowed by the Bank of Tiffin, organized in iSoS; the National Exchange Bank, 
organized in ISC)."); the Tiffin Savings bank, organized in the spring of IS73, 
and incorporated March li, 1873, and the Commercial Bank, opened in June, 
liS76, one of the leading houses of northwestern Ohio. Fo.ster & Co. and 
Emerine & Co., of Fo.storia. are among the leading Ijankers of the State, while 
in the princijial villages throughout the county regularly organized banks are 
found, all of which are noticed in the township and city histories. 

Insurance Companies. — The first local insurance corporation was known as/ 
the "Seneca County Mutual Fire Insurance Company" , chartered by the State, 
and organized March 19, 1850, with Antlrew Lugenbeel, president, and J. 
W. AVilson, secretary and general agent. The first policy was issued October 
29, 1850. The secretary died at the beginning of the winter of 1S5(), when Will- 
iam Lang, who was president in 1851, was elected secretary. He found the 
company's affairs in bad condition, was unable to extricate the concern, and 
finally John McCauley was called in as directors' attorney, to coUect assess- 
ments, pay off debts and wind up its affairs. 

The Farmers' Mutual Relief Insiirance Company was established in 1858, 
and reorganized under State law, April 12, 1878. Among its leading members 
are grouped some of the best citizens of the county. 

The Tiffin Mutual Aid Association was organized January 23, 1879, with the 
following named members: Albert L. Flack. John Houck, Edward Joncw, W. 
P. Noble, A. J. Brickner and E. J. McCollum, M. D. This is one of the 
floiu'ishing local insiu-ance companies of the State. 

The Golden Rule Aid Company, of Tiffin, was organized October 19, 1 880, 
with J. W. Ridgely, J. W. Chamberlin, S. Chamberlin, Charles Martin and 
L. Montague, members. 

The Mechanics' Mutual Protection Society No. 25, was organized under State 
law, January 20. 1849, on motion of D. Cunningham, with H. T. Dewey, S. 
P. ; John Pool-man, J. P. ; Cyrus Milhouse, R. S. ; William Kielholls, Jacob 
Huss and Cyrus Milhouse, trustees. The first annual election of officers of the 
Union Aid Society of Tiffin, was held August 1 8, 1883, and the following 
officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, W. H. Myers; vice-j)resi- 
dent, L. Friedel; secretai-y, Nicholas Smith; treasurer. John Lawrence. 

The foreign insurance companies introduced their business into the county 
about twenty-nine years ago, when the Home Insurance Company wrote 
policies. This was followed by the Mias., and so on until the capital repre- 
sented liere now may be said to amount to $1,000,000,000. 

Gabriel J. Keen insured at a time when all policies were written at the 
home offices of the companies he represented. John T. Huss, whose tragic 
ending is refen-ed t« in other pages, was also an insurance agent. Bachman 
<fc Keppel transacted a very large business here for some years. A. H. Byers 
and A. L. Flack were also extensively engaged. The latter was succeed(>d by 
H. T. Hell(>r. of Ottawa County, who has now one of the leading insurance 
agency offices of the county. A. C. Barber's agency was established about 
1873, and conducted by him until his interests wore purchased by Charles J. 
M. Sullivan, ten years later. The companies represented by Mr. Sullivan are 
among the best known doing business in the United States. 



388 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

STATISTICS OF SENECA COUNTY. 

A REFERENCE to the pioneer organic and political chapters of the general 
history will convey a fair idea of the condition of the county in 1824, 
when it was organized; while the military and Indian histories, as well as the 
chapters devoted to the township and city histories, point out its pre-organic 
condition. 

This chapter is compiled specially as the concluding one of the general 
history, to confirm by figiu-es all that has been related hitherto, and to bring 
within easy reach of the inquirer into the progress of the county a set of facts, 
authenticated by county, State and national records. 

Early Surveys — Schools in 1847. — The siuTey of lands up to 1832, and con- 
dition of schools up to and including the year 1847, are given as follows: 



TOWNSHIP. 



Adams 

Adams 

Big Spring 

Big Spring 

Bloom 

Clinton 

Eden 

Hopewell 

Jackson 

Liberty 

Loudon 

Pleasant 

Pleasant 

Reed 

Scipio 

Scipio 

Seneca 

Thompson 

Venice 



SURVEYOR. 



Sylvanus Bourne 

C. W. Christmas (Indian grant). 
. J. Glasgow 

C. W. Christmas (Indian grant). 

Sylvanus Bourne , 

J. T. Worthington 

, J. T. "Worthington 

T. Worthington 

J. Glasgow 

J. T. Worthington 

Glasgow 

T. Worthington 

, C. W. Christmas (Indian grant), 

Price J. Kellogg 

, Sylvanus Bourne 

, C. W. Christmas (Indian grant) 

J. T. Worthington 

. P. J. Kellogg 

P. J. Kellogg 



3 

a 


-1 

ill 


2 a ■ 


Sri 

o a 


1820 
1832 


$4,448 


11 


677 


1820 




6 


645 


1832 






1820 
1820 


3,691 


11 

12 

11 

9 

9 

9 

11 

8 


749 
1 296 


1820 
1820 


1,254 


663 
520 


1820 
1820 


5,229 


406 
631 


1820 




650 


1820 
1832 


1,040 


604 


1820 
1820 


2,943 


15 
14 


676 
953 


1832 






1820 
1820 
1820 


800 

11,090 

2,783 


10 
12 
12 


718 
700 
686 



The surveys of 1832 were carried out under the provisions of the treaties 
with the Senecas, Wyandots and Delawares, referred to in the Indian history. 
Those of 1820 were provided for in the treaty of 1817. 

School Statistics. — In the memorandum of early surveys, and of the schools 
of the county in 1847, reference is made to the schools of that period. The 
condition of the schools of Seneca Covinty at the close of August, 1884, is 
shown by the following statistics: Balance on hand September 1, 1883, S52,- 
708.10; State tax, $17,901; irreducible school fund. $4,007.1)4; local tax $08,- 
007.50; amount realized from sale of bonds, $18,000; from fines, etc., $8,109.- 
06; total revenue, $168,913.30. Paid teachers, $00,403.32; management, 
13,449.90; sites and buildings, $16,070.92; interest on bonds $4,420; fuel and 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNT V. 



389 



sundries. $25,688.96; total expenditure, $110,099.16; balance on hand, Sep- 
tember 1. 188-t, $58,814.20; number of school districts 156, with 162 houses, 
of which 7 were erected in 1883-84, at a cost of $26,752; number of school 
rooms. 220; total value of property, $305,600; number of teachers employed, 
349; average salaries $29, $36, $57 and $67; number of pupils enrolled, 8,499 — 
4.493 boys, and 4,006 girls; average daily attendance, 5,892; number enrolled 
for attending high schools, 154 boys, and 215 girls; number of pupils enrolled 
between sixteen and twenty-one years of age, 1,214 — 706 boys, and 508 girls 
{vide township and city histories). 



POPULATION 1830-1880. 



Name. 


1830. 


1840. 


1850. 


1860. 


1870. 


1880. 


Adams Tp. in. village 


830 


1,250 


1,416 


1,661 


1,537 


1,624 
331 


Qreeu Spring, part of 


Big Spring Tp. in. villages 




925 


1,932 


2,377 


2,224 
257 


2 048 


Adrian 




211 


New Riegel 












Springyille 




35 
1,168 

13 
2,195 

728 






236 
1,492 

400 
7,174 
5.648 
3,275 
2,373 


367 


Bloom Tp. in village 


889 


1,742 

70 

4,330 

2,718 


1,720 

'6,041 ' 
3,992 


2 161 


Bloomville 


689 


Clinton Tp. in. city 




9,581 
7,879 
1,328 
1,534 
1,997 


Tiffin 


600 


Ward 1 


•• 2 











■' 3 










■• 4 












1,378 
1,642 


" 5 












Fort Ball 




129 

1,471 

127 

918 

34 

586 








Eden Tp 


819 


1,584 


1.721 


1,671 


1,598 


Melmore 


Hopewell Tp 


549 


1,288 


1,488 


1,477 


1,632 


Bascom 


Jackson Tp. in. part of Fostoria 




995 


1,258 


1,131 


1,399 
158 


Fostoria. part of 




LibertvTp.„ 




1,084 

23 

763 

80 

39 


1,400 


1,541 


1,668 


2,157 


Bettsville 




Loudon Tp. in. part of Fostoria 




1,781 

' ' ' 212 ' 
1,592 
1,494 


2,465 
1,027 


3,133 
1,733 


4,315 
3,040 


Rome or Fostoria. part of 




Risdon " 




Pleasant Tp 




1,522 
1,631 


1,352 
1,334 


1,417 


Reed Tp 


264 


1,240 
30 

1,556 
161 

1.393 
52 

1,404 

1,222 

148 

27 

80 


1,527 


Lodi 


Soipio Tp. in. village 




2,321 

917 

1,617 


1.835 

636 

1,823 


1,642 

481 

1,580 


1 836 


Republic 




715 


Seneca Tp 


369 


1,519 


Fort Seneca 


Thompson Tp 


362 


i,668 
1,830 


1,702 
2,013 


2,070 

1.781 

375 


1,901 

2,231 

663 


Venice Tp. in. villages 


Attica 




Caroline 










Fostoria (total) 




300 


1,027 


1,743 


8,569 
4 111 


., J don Tps. Seneca Co., ^ .„, 
•s J • i¥T 1. • * V Total. 




1 and in. Washington 
[Tp.. Hancock Co. ... J 
tSreen Spring in. Adams Tp. 
Seneca Co. and in. Green Creek Tp. [ 
Sandusky Co 












720 
















5,159 


18,128 


27,104 


30,868 


30,827 


36,947" 





'These are not the totals oftbe cnlumos but are the totals of population for eacb decade. 



390 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 

The census enumerators in 1880, were Christian Hoetzel, James Y. Magers, 
Oscaa- M Holcomb, V. D. Lamberson, H. C. Pitman, John Corrigan, H. W. 
A.. Boyd, J. D. Reese, George D. Acker, J. C. Milhime, J. H. Davidson, Jamt^s 
Ford, William Bogart, R. W. Brown, J. A. Feese and David Stanford. Each 
nam<! represents a township in alphabetical order. The enumerators for the 
live wards of Tiffin were Henry J. Weller, John B. Schwartz, Albert Beil- 
harz, Ephi'aim Messer and F. H. Lang. 

In 1889 there were 3,13-4 white male inhabitants of Seneca County, over 
twenty-one years of age. In 1JS43 the number increased to 4,059. 

Population of Seneca in 1810, was 18,128, with sixteen postoffices and a 
tri-weekly mail. 

The number of white male inhabitants in Seneca County, in 1880, above the 
age of twenty-one years, was 9,649. In 1835 there were '2,828. 

The number of males of all ages in the county in 1880 was 18,667, and of 
females, 18,280. 

T.4XES, 1826-1884. 

During the years 1820-21-22-23-24, a nominal tax was collected in the town- 
ships of Thompson, Seneca, Clinton and Eden (all organized while the county 
was attached to Sandusky County), but the aggregate amount did not exceed 
that now paid by one or two city lot holders for the improvement of a sidewalk. 
In 1825, a nominal tax was collected under authority of the commissioners of 
this county. In 1826, hwwever, the genius of taxation began to make itself 
felt, when the fi-eeholders were asked to contribute over $62. 26. The amount 
of tax paid by Seneca County each year, from 1826 to 1836, is shown in the 
following statement, 

1826 $ 63.26^% 1831. $ 720.26f\, 

1827 354.49i*ij 1832 832.63,«, 

1828 326.32 1833 834.79J, 

1829 444.44f>, 1834 954.80ji, 

1830 600.05/0 1835 814.13Jj 

1836 |9,707.26i% 

Receipts, $7,784. Expenses, |4,289. 

The annual payment of what was known as "the Canal Tax," 1820-35, 
drew from the county the following sums: 

1826 $ 14.97/0 1831 1470.92(3, 

1827 147.49-,<b 1832 553.64i'ii 

1828 191.65,% 1833 466.14 

1829 310.81^5 1834 282,88/5 

1830 400.«3i% 1835 167.77i«5 

In April, 1837, Seneca County received $31,756. 74 from the surplus rev- 
entie fund. The county revenue for j-ear ending June 11, 1838, was $15,950.- 
55; the expenditiu-e, $13,425. The receipts of the county for the year end- 
ing, June 8, 1839, amounted to $19,544.91 : the expenditui-es to $18,246.85. 
The taxes increased to $25,047 by 1842, of which $22,000 were expended. In 
1844 thev increased to $28,472, while the expenditui'e was only $12,000. In 
1846 the total tax was $31,187.31, and the expenditm-e only $11,989.69. From 
this forward, until 1861, the tax had a natural growth, while the expenditures 
were not at all marked by extravagance. 

In 1862 the taxes to be collected were placed at $110,874,37; in 1863 the 
amoiuit was increased to $135,834.13. 

The 5 per cent special income tax for 1863 was levied that year also. 
Among the hea^T tax pavers were Charles Foster, $800: Henry Zalim, $429.65; 
R. W. Shawhan* $373.25; A. G. Sneath, $223.25; M. Sxillivan, $1(55.35; 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 391 

Benjamin Tomb, $158.15; R. G. Pennincrton, $100; F. Carpenter. $104.10; 
William Rininger. $170; Richard Baker, $188; Harry Grey, $101. Henry 
Ebert was the deputy collector for this county. 

In ISfi-l the county, State and local tax was placed at $210,658; while the 
5 per cent income tax collected in 18()4 from Seneca County was $18,45().70. 
The total tax in 1805, payable in December of that year, was $'209, 158. 50. 
In June, 18f)5, there were 168 pianos in Seneca County valued at $22, '249. 
Liberty and Jackson Townships did not claim even one of those instruments. 
The tax levied by the commissioners of Seneca County, due in December, 
1866, was $165,122.05. The total income tax, for the eighth subdivision, com- 
posed of First Ward — Tiffin, Bloom, Clinton, Eden, Scipio, Thompson, Venice 
and Reed — in 1866, was $12,515.68. This was raised on 5 per cent on 
incomes over $()00 j)er year. R. W. Shawhan was taxed on a $9,063 income; 
Charles Foster, on $10,'80(); C. W. Foster, on $5,766. In 1867 the expendi- 
tures decreased, the taxes paid being $116,313; so that out of a large total 
revenue in 1868 there was only the sum of $115, 192.64 paid, which almost 
covered the entire amount to be collected on assessment that year; the total 
revenue being $200,358.04. The sums standing to the credit of the county 
from 1869 to the present time, made up of balances and delinquencies, are as 
follows: 1869, $196,480; 1870, $200,208; 1871, $193,593; 1872, $208,277; 
1873, $249,978; 1874, $248,318; 1875, $250,923; 1876. $264,941; 1877, 
$280,270; 1878, $286,335; 1879, $287,714; 1880, $292,812, dog tax, $3,892; 
1881, $290,762, dog tax, $3,896; 1882, $331,717, dog tax, $3,156; 1888, 
1819,707, dog tax, $2,914; 1884, $239,887, dog tax, $2,674. The amounts 
of warrants redeemed by the treasurer for the year ending March 5, 1885, foot 
up as follows: 

County Fund $18,979 .50 

Bridge Fund 9,275 72 

Poor Fund 5,02:^ 50 

Buildini; Fund 3,182 29 

Road Fund 2.976 41 

Township Fund 9,364 0.5 

School Fund 5.3,570 63 

Corporation Fund .S2,.o.54 .38 

Ditch Fund 13,3.53 84 

Do^Fund 232 00 

Court House Fund 46.018 40 

Court House Site Fund 1,725 00 

Soldiers' Monument Fend 1.8^3 10 

Special Fund 1,874 69 

Tax Redemption Fund 1 00 

Total 1200,014 51 



V.\LUATION OF REAL AND PERS0N.4.L PROPERTY. 

In 1825 the assessed value of horses in the cotinty was $13,160, for 322 
horses; of cattle, $9,890. for 1,097; of manufacttu-ers' and merchants' stocks, 
$12,500, and of houses, $1,750 — aggi-egating $37,800. Ten years later the 
total assessed value of personal property, including eighteen carriages, was 
$166,983, increased in 1847 to $907, 141. " The recapitulation of footings of 
the assessment made in 1841 of the fifteen townships then forming the county, 
gives a total value of $1,233,080. The number of acres of land assessed was 
318,7863%, valued at $879, 195, including buildings. The total value of town 
lots was .$81,219. There were *^, 548 horses valued at $141,720; 8,287 cattle 
valued at $65,896; merchants" capital and moneys at interest amounted to 



392 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

$62,610; carriages numbered 40, valued at 12,440. The aggregate tax 
levied was $17,677.48. The total delinquent tax from 1840 was §1,593.77. 

The valuation and taxation of Seneca County (1884—85) are shown by the 
following statistics: Acres of land, 340,314; value, $12,223,360; and town 
lots, $3,711,560, with personal property valued at $5,910,600, being the total 
valuation up to $21,845,520, or two-fifths of the true value. The total State 
tax levied was $61,167.48, and the total county and local tax, $273,176.46. 
The State, county and other taxes, with a small amount of delinquent taxes, 
brought the amount of the duplicate up to $340,649.99, exclusive of $2,674, 
dog tax. 

Agricultural Statistics. — The agricultural statistics of Seneca County in 
July, 1861, gave the following figures: Acres of wheat, 39,992 — bushels of 
wheat, 677,789; acres of corn, 27,869 — bushels of corn, 1,007,461; acres of 
oats, 15,323 — bushels of oats, 536,679; acres of potatoes, 1,391 — bushels of 
potatoes, 150,633; pounds of butter, 667,326; acres of rye, 514 — bushels of 
rye, 7,481; acres of barley, 642 — bushels of barley, 12,247; acres of hay, 
26,566, tons of hay, 42,069; pounds of cheese, 32,735; sheep killed by 
dogs, 515, valued at $969; sheep injured by dogs, 429; estimated value of in- 
juries, $429. 

In 18S0 there were 3,168 farms; 247,031 acres of improved lands, valued 
at $21,513,612; farming implements valued at $563,961; value of livestock, 
$1,428,339; cost of building and repairing fences (in 1879), $74,294; estimated 
value of all farm productions in 1879, $2,825,399. 

The crop and produce statistics of Seneca County, for 1884, are set forth as 
follows: Acres of wheat, 65, 118 — product of crop of 1883, 520,037 bushels; cost 
of commercial fertilizers, $234; acres of rye, 321 (about 3,200 bushels); acres 
of buckwheat, 134 — product, 1,088 bushels; oats, 19,551 acres — product, about 
700,000 bushels; barley, 558 acres — product, 11,558 bushels; corn, 38,263 
acres — product, 911,418 bushels; broomcorn, 15 pounds; meadow, 20,874 acres; 
hay, 24,542 tons; clover, 16,397 acres; hay, 17,557 tons; seed, 14,519 bushels; 
plowed under for manure, 845 acres; flax, 94 acres — product, 879 bushels of 
seed ; potatoes, 1,728 acres — product, 208,610 bushels; tobacco, 20 pounds; milk 
sold for family use, 19,200 gallons; home-made butter, 760, 536 pounds ; cheese, 
80 pounds ; sorghum, 58 acres — 90 pounds sugar and 3, 537 gallons of syrup; 
maple sugar, 3, 537 pounds and 7, 130 gallons of syrup; bee hives, 2,064; pounds 
of honey, 26,122; eggs, 401,574 dozens; acres of vineyards, 14 — pounds of 
grapes, 21,235; gallons of wine, 367; sweet potatoes, 3 acres — 454 bushels; 
orchards, 5,989 acres; bushels of apples, 93,683, of peaches, 161, of pears, 
1,183, of cherries, 35, of plums, 16; acres of land owned and cultivated, 199- 
698 — in pasture, 27,044, in woodland, 60,708, waste, 1,140; total acreage, 288- 
590; wool shorn in 1883, 325,907 pounds; milch cows, 8,298; dogs, 2,273; 
sheep killed by dogs, 398, injured, 261 ; animals died from disease, hogs, 
2,081, sheep, 1,338, cattle, 297, and horses. 170. 

The following is an abstract of the personal property, moneys and credits 
in Seneca County, as returned by the assessors and equalized by the city and 
county boards for the year 1885: 



•'^•,vi 



\ '■■■•■ - - 



I /- >\ 



* / 




^ /f M^S^££e<^o^ 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



395 



No 



Townships 

AND 
rRKCINCTS. 



Adams 

Green Spring. 

Big .Spring 

Bloom 

Clinton 

Eden 

Hopewell 

Jackson 

Liberty 

Loudon 

Fostorla 

Pleasant 

Reed 

Scipio 

Seneca 

Thompson 

Venice 

Tiffin 

Totals 



Horses. 



No. Val. 



407 
77 
S96 
534 
603 
624 
511 
646 
762 
624 
210 
631 
636 
660 
644 
667 
799 
618 



122065' 
3810 
32295, 
22261), 
30665 
30930 
25000i 
33105; 
37294 
28915 
12515 
26705 
29945 
35250 
36980 
31640 
40255 
23522 



S602931 18700 



Cattle. 



No. Val. 



76U 

125 
1093 
1177 
1274 
1491 
1066 
1421 
1,512 
1026 

116 
1002 
1260 
1171 
1285 
1196 
1437 

.300 



S11450 
1611 
14010 
I1O40 
16255 
17165 
14260 
16542 
15708 
16460 
1960 
12335 
16015 
13840 
17252 
14620 
17285 
4808 



Mules. 



No. 



$232606 



Val. 



J.33.5, 

lOo! 

,390 
735 
120 
370 
200 
476 
306 
6.50 
160 
180 
4251 
460 
320 
406 
665 
1060 



1631 $72451 



Sheep. 



No. Val. 



6891 
1030' 
1756 
7521 
4253 
6700 
922 
1805 
1616 
1385 
71 
4281 
7226 
11542 
2024 
1043 
8070 
4 



$8810 
17»5 
2765 

11785 
6886 

11530 
147" 
2810' 
2293' 
2540; 
165 
6,540' 



Hogs. 



No. Val. 



1703 
235 
27991 
1714 
1907 
2402 
2207 
2235 
2738 
1404 
139 
1980 



11980 I 1646: 

18330, 1 16781 

34671 25931 

20651 2149 



12866, 
6 



2.3211 
363 



$4220 
654' 
5400| 
4240 ' 
6650 
5995! 
4270] 
6608; 
60491 
3440 
420, 
4825 
4055 
4405 
6421 
52571 
6205! 
8571 



Carriages. 



No. Val. 



109 
13 
176 
80 
296 
169 
129 
167 
149 
70 
137 
131 
222 
210 
129 
248 
191 
421 



$2130 
566 

4215 
1090! 
6440 
6816 
2705 
6400 
3715 
2485 
5615 
3630 
4540 
6130 
3180 
4760 
6760 
15365 



Other 
Pers'n'l 
Prop- 
erty. 



67040,$107096 [32213 $77871 1 2987 $85430 



$14236 
1621 
24026 
26105 
28186 
36145 
22640 
22980 
24641 
19460 
31900 
21B90 
19450 
26315 
29064 
23268 
23816 

106719 



$500348 



No 



Townships 

AND 

Precincts. 



1 Adams 

2Qreeo Spring... 

SJBig Spring 

4Bloom 

5Clinton 

6 Eden 

7 Hopewell 

Sjjaclcson 

9 Liberty 

10 Loudon 

11 Fostoria. 



Pleasant.... 

Reed 

Scipio 

Seneca 

Thompson.. 

Venice 

Tiffin 



Totals.. 



Watches. 



No. 



65 
16 
17 
49 
83 
49 
38 
73 
64 
18 

147 
10 
61 

115 
69 
97 

132 

260 



Val. 



Pianos and 
Organs. 



$626! 
248 
196 
735 
955 
675 
460| 
970 
704 
316 

3242 
170 
725 

1565 
474 
770 

1865 

6572 



1343 $20245 



No. Val. 



$765 
690 
5,66 
1500 
1225 
1215 
690 
1755 
1807 
350 
6650 
965 
1366 
3440 
1380 
1205 
2620 
13000 



990 $11067 



Mer- 
chants' 
Stock, 



8679 

3365 

20140 

25 

1096 

940 

300 

14050 

11540 

2,500 

6750 

12620 

882 

2300 

32030 

165132 



$384748 



Value 
Listed 



Banker, 
Etc. 



200 



$3775 



Manu- 
factur- 
ers' 

Stock. 



Value 

of 
Moneys 



$1655i 
1730 
220 
3316 
1076 
3130 
1400 
1876 
2780 
2060 

164.38 
2560 
6126 
5306 



2450 
10320 
25416 



Money 
Value 1 Inv'st'd 

01 I in 
Credits.! Bonds, 
Etc. 



$11246 

3225 

13351 

1230J 

104260 

7295 

69145 

10550 

12420 

72125 

27225 

8890 

65935 

8680 

3980 

3730 

8173 

44109 



$62076!. 

7572'. 

86845. 

161805 . 



$85534 $163542 



79120 



59326 

66844 



20910 



74710 
66346 
250 
74370 
63060! 
105500 
16.5747 1 
1161091 



1200 
8760 



3450 



$1177677 $34310 $3724576 



Total 
Value, 
Except 
Dogs. 



$120640 
32100 
175660 
265980 
221630 
199480 
142970 
162695 
187610 
148680 
296170 
166280 
166560 
210620 
166450 
197870 
328690 
527720 



No. 

of 

Dogs. 



125 
14 
141 
133 
123 
105 
201 
167 
171 
172 
173 
98 
140 
152 
202 
178 
162 
168 



2615 



Following is the assessors' returns of the wheat crop of 1884-85. 




TowHsmps, Ward and Prkcdicts. 


Acres 
sown 1884. 


Bushels 
produced 

1884. 


Acres 
sown 1886. 




3.605 
456 
4,482 
3.661 
3,869 
4.220 
4,468 
8,792 
2,933 
1.216 
3.888 
4.379 
3.174 
3.088 
4.673 
6.234 
3,319i 
30 


50,184 
6,829 
59,778 
55.029 
53,246 
78,164 
63.888 
47.74.5 
37,094 
1,5,247 
55.059 
59,523 
44,926 
37,052 
68,148 
125.405 
49,774 
525 


3,585 


Green Spring Vil 


480 


Biir Sonnir 


4,349 


Bloom 


3,572i 


Clinton 


4,514 


Eden 


4,466 


Hopewell 


4,632 


Jackson 


3,792 


Liberty South Precinct 


3,132 


Liberty, North Precinct 


1,364 


Loudon 


4,042 


Pleasant 


4,376 


Reed 


3,225 


Scipio 


3,133 


Seneca 


4,703 


Thompson 


3,338 


Venice 


3 831 


Tiffin— Third Ward 








Totals 


6I,437J 


907,616 


60,533i 



396 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



NEW STRUCTURES. 

Below we give the number of new buildings returned by the assessors 
in 1885, giving the aggregate values as returned. These values are likely to 
be changed somewhat by the city and county boards of equalization: 



Townships, Wards and Pbeciscts. 



Adams j 6 

Big Spring ■ | 17 

Bloom 



Clinton 

Eden 

Fostoria 

Green Spring 

Hopewell 

Jackson 

Libert}' — South Precinct. 

Liberty — Bettsville 

Loudon 

Pleasant 

Reed 

Scipio 

Seneca 

Thompson 

Venice 

Tiffin— First Ward 

" — Second " 

" —Third " 

" —Fourth " 

" —Fifth " 



No. 


Value. 


6 


$ 1,48.1 


17 


3,300 


• 


3,97.5 


8 


2,325 


4 


2,800 


43 


19,225 


5 


1,935 


11 


2.975 


9 


2.950 


3 


2,200 


7 


1.375 


6 


990 


3 


400 


16 


4,675 


8 


1,280 


8 


3,440 


11 


6,200 


7 


3.625 


9 


12,440 


6 


1,525 


3 


800 


14 


8,175 



Totals 212 



$87,895 



BIRTHS AND DE.\THS. 

Report of the births and deaths in Seneca Countv, for the vear ending 
March 31, 1885. 



Township, Wards and Precincts. 



Adams I 18 

Green Spring i 3 

Big Spring 25 

Bloom 29 

14 
12 
26 
12 
23 
10 
17 
17 
7 
18 
23 
35 
15 
23 
1 

13 

18 

13 

7 



Clinton 

Eden 

Hopewell 

Jack.'ion 

Liberty, South Precinct. 
Liberty, North Precinct. 

Loudon 

Fostoria 

Plea.sant 

Reed 

Scipio 

Seneca 

Thompson 

Venice 

Tiffin- First Ward. . . . 

" —Second " .... 

" —Third " .... 

" —Fourth " .... 

■' —Fifth •• .... 



22 
5 
52 
52 
38 
31 
55 
24 
27 

i 1^ 
28 

34 

15 

36 

41 

i 43 

I 42 
49 

! 20 
28 
23 
30 



Totals 368 ,339 707 



Deaths. 



199 



10 
1 
23 
23 
16 
39 

le 

15 
12 

9 
10 
31 

5 

9 
31 
21 
24 
17 

5 
13 
20 
14 

6 



160 3.59 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



397 



THE ASSESSORS. 



Table showing the time occupied by the assessors, the assistance received, 
and compensation allowed in 1885. 



Townships, Precincts, Wards and Assessors. 



Adams, E. B.Williams 

Oreen Spring, D. K. Hill 

Big Spi'inc, Peter Goshe 

Bloom, S. S. Lehman " • 

Clinton, M. L. Woodside 

Eden, R. A. Cole 

Hopewell, Namon C. Knight 

Jackson, Jacob W. Good 

Lilierty, North Precinct. Anion Frees. 
Liberty, South Precinct, George Schuster. 

Loudon, John J. Peter 

Fostoria, W. II. H. Leech 

Pleasant, Lewis Shannon 

Reed, James Decker 

Scipio, Alva Jones 

Seneca, Joseph W. Parks 

Thompson, Jacob Greulich 

Venice, J. T. Myers 

Tiffin— First Ward, P. H.Ryan 

" — Second " David Bowersox.. 

" — Third " JohnSilvers 

" — Fourth ■' Frank Comely... 

" —Fifth " Nicholas Hafley., 

Totals 



.1 6 1 


■o 


u 






a. 


5 










o 


S 




00 










M 


a 


30 


3 


19 


— 


30 


9 


32 


6 


87 


9 


28 


19 


36 


10 


28 


5 


21 1 — 


22 i — 


33 


8 


37 


11 


36 


7 


28 


5 


30 


6 


30 


15 


31 


5 


31 


5 


37 


9 


31 


10 


41 


— 


43+ 


— 


36 


10 


727i 


152 5 

1 



$ 66 00 
38 00 
78 00 
76 00 
92 00 
94 00 
92 00 
66 00 
42 00 
44 00 
82 00 
96 00 

86 00 
66 00 
72 00 
90 00 
72 00 
72 00 
92 00 
82 00 
82 00 

87 00 
92 00 



The uninterrupted prosperity and success which have attended the various 
branches of enterprise and industry in the county from its earliest settlement 
to the present day, the change from an almost unbroken wilderness to a rich 
and populous county in a brief space of time, natm-ally lead the mind to con- 
templations of deep interest and inquiiy, with regard to the condition which 
the progressive energies of its people will work out in its future. We have 
only to examine the resources of wealth which the county naturally presents 
for improvement — the strength, skill and aptitude of the people to lay hold of 
natural advantages and convert them to the most profitable form, in order 
justly to appreciate the energies which have been i)ut forth by the early set- 
tlers and the new, the results of which are so attractive to the traveler. It 
should be borne in mind that the county was not settled by capitalists, bringing 
large amounts of money to expend in subduing and cultivating new lauds, but 
almost exclusively by men who were unable to purchase farms in the old 
States — whose physical and mental energies constituted their funded wealth. 
This was the capital invested in the settlement and improvement of the county 
— a currency not subject to fluctuations. The pioneers were men of independ- 
ent minds and (>fToi'ts. whose activities were controlled by the dictates of their 
own judgments. The bosom of the earth, teeming with fertility, was spread 
out before them, and it is to their labors that we must look for the beginnings 
of nearly all of the wealth of the county. It is universsilly atlmitted that the 
smest index of the progressive energies of an agricultiu'al commimity is dis- 



398 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

covered in the condition of homes, farms and society; their light of science tO' 
illuminate and invigorate the natural powers, facilities of communication which 
tend to develop the social nature of man, and bring into visibility the various 
interests by which he is connected with society; as these are appreciated, culti- 
vated and brought into constant use, the vital energies, the endiuing strength 
and substantial wealth of a community are advanced. If we adopt this gen- 
eral rule in the county and take the condition of its public institutions as a 
criterion of its advancement in intelligence and wealth, we shall tind that it 
has few rivals. While acknowledging all the labors, all the intelligent work 
of the pioneer settler, the new-comer must not be forgotten. Among the men 
and women who settled in Seneca County since the close of her pioneer period 
are many who have spread around them the blessings and benefits of well 
directed enterprise in all branches, whether manufactm-ing or commercial, 
educational, religious or social. No county in the Union, of an equal number 
of inhabitants, can look back to a fairer moral record, or point out a gi'eater 
proportion of inhabitants engaged in health and wealth-giving labors. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 



ADAMS TOWNSHIP, or original surveyed Township 3 north, Eange 1& 
east, was surveyed outside the boundaries of the Indian Reservation, by 
Sylvanus Bourne, in 1820, and, after the last treaty of cession by the Indians, 
the remainder was surveyed by C. W. Christmas, in 1832. 

The outcrop of the lower corniferous conformation on the southeast corner 
of Section 34, and the several exposures of this and other rocks made by 
quanymen, together with the niimerous brick and tile yards visible throughout 
the township, convey at once an idea of the geological value of the township, 
viewed from an economical stand-point. The State geologist, writing in 1873, 
makes mention of the Sulphur Spring. He says: " The gi'eatest natural cu- 
riosity in Adams Township is the Sulphur Spring. This is nearly in the middle 
of Section 7, on land formerly owned by Josiah Hedges, the original proprie- 
tor of TifiBn. This spring is a natural rising of water impregnated with all 
the ingredients which are contained in the spring of the famous watei' cure, 
situated in the town. Green Spring, of which further mention hereafter. The 
spring in question issues from the earth, and is cold and refreshing, and not 
unpleasant to the taste. Many petrified substances are found in the bed of this 
spring. The current flowing from it is large and steady, no drought ha\"ing 
any apparent effect in diminishing the supply. After a southerly course of 
almost thirty rods, it mingles with the waters of Beaver Creek. ' ' Just north 
of the county line is the great Sulphur Spring, referred to in the chapter on 
geology, as well as in the sketch of Green Spring. 

The creeks of the township are known as Sugar Creek, watering the south- 
western sections, and Beaver Creek, which may be said to dr'ain the whole town- 
ship. This latter stream rises in Section 36, flows west to the Scipio Bend, 
thence in a general course northwest to Grove" s Lake, on Section 7, passing south 
of the Great Sulphur Springs, in the southeast quarter of that Section, then 
through Sections 12 and 1, Pleasant Township, to the north line of the county. 



ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 399 

The eastern fork of Beaver Creek rises in Thompson Township. Hows generally 
■westward, and enters the main creek on the line of Sections 9 and 16, Adams 
Township. A small creek courses thi'oiigh the extreme northeastern part of the 
township, while a few riviilets.or small spring creeks, are found almost in every 
section. The name, Beaver Creek, is derived from the fact that it was a favorite 
camping resort of the beavers, long before the Senecas came to this district. 
On this creek, jnst west of the township line, Josiah Hedges had a grist-mill 
erected in 1S8S. 

The township has a rolling surface, is very fertile, and is inhabited by a good 
class of citizens. The population in 1830 was only 830; in 1880 it increased 
to 1,624, and is now estimated, including Green Spring Village, at 2,000 in- 
habitants. 

Railroads are represented in the township by the Indiana, Bloomington & 
AVestern and the "Nickel Plate." the former an old friend of its northwestern 
corner, the latter a new friend, equipped after the fashion of modern days. 

Organic and Official. — The township, as established December 6, 1820. com- 
prised Township 3, Range 1(5, and the western tier of sections in Township 3, 
Range 17; minus the lands of the Seneca Indians, to which the Indian grant 
was added in 1832. The first election was held at Samuel AVhiteman's house, 
December 25, 1826, when Martin Olds, L. T. Butler and Thomas Longwith 
were elected trustees: Charles Shelby and Thomas "SA'hiteman, ovei-seers of 
the poor; G. Lee and Samuel Hartsock, fence viewers; Cyrenius Wright, 
treasiu'er; "William Myers, William Mead and Francis Evans, super\-isors. and 
Moses Pyatt, constable. 

Twelve yeai's after the organization of Adams Township, on December ti, 
1838, a petition was presented to the commissioners, asking for the establish- 
ment of a new township, out of Adams and Pleasant, to be named Sulphiu- 
Springs. This petition was not granted. 

1827. Record partially destroyed; Samuel Whiteman, justice of peace. 

1828. Martin Olds, William Mead, Samuel Whiteman, trustees; Abram 
Bine, clerk. 

1829. Lyman Amsden. Thomas Webb, Samuel Whiteman. tnistees; 
Abram Rine, clerk. 

1830. Samuel Elder, Samuel Whiteman. Lyman Amsden. trustees; 
Abram Rine, clerk: Samuel Whiteman and Martin Olds, justices. 

1831. Same trustees; W. Mead, John Paine, M. Olds, trustees of school 
laws. 

1832. Same trustees and clerk. 

1833. Samuel Elder, Jacob Rine. Lyman Amsden, trustees; Abram Rine 
and Zimri Butler, justices; Samuel Whiteman, clerk. 

1834. John Bebe. Samiiel Elder. Abram Rine, trustees; Samuel White- 
man, clerk. 

1835. James C. Hocket. D. H. Dana, Abram Rine, trustees; E. D. Fol 
let, clerk; Ira Phelps, justice. 

1836. John Paine. E. Smith, James Crockett, trustees: E. D. Follet, 
clerk. 

1837. John Petticord, S. Whiteman, John Paine, tnistees: A. Crockett, 
clerk. 

1838. D. H. Dana, John Craig, John Petticord, trustees; S. Whiteman, 
clerk; E. D. Bradley, justice. 

On May 5. of this vear. the township was laid oflF into school districts. 

1839. 'd. B. Lee." John Petticord. John Waters, trustees: I. W. Small. 
clerk. 



400 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

1840. James Crockett, Samuel ^\'hiteman. J. A. Watrous, trustees: I. W. 
Small, clerk. 

1841. Earl Church. Samixel Whiteman. J. A. ^^'artrous, trustees; I. V\'. 
Small, clerk. 

1842. George Kline, John Guisbert, John Petticord, trustees; J. W. 
Payne, clerk. 

1843. George Kline, Ephraim Porter, John Petticord, tnistees; Abram 
Kine, clerk. 

1844. George Kline, Ephraim Porter, Reuben Drinkwater, trustees; I. "\\'. 
Small, clerk. 

1845. Jacob Bogart, Isaac Smith, Abram Rine, trustees; James Paine, 
clerk. 

The persons over eighteen and imder twenty-one years of age in the town- 
ship, in 1845, numbered twenty-seven, over twenty-one and under forty-five, 
sixty -one. 

1846. Nicholas Noel and Isaac W. Small were elected justices; Abram 
Rine, H. Neikirk and D. B. Lee, trustees; L. C. Stone, clerk. 

1847. A. M. Stem, Ezra West, Abram Rine, tnistees; L. C. Stone, clerk. 

1848. D. B. Lee, Ezra West, Abram Rine, tiiistees; L. C. Stone, clerk; 
John W. Payne, justice. 

1849. Same trustees; George Kline, clerk. 

1850. R. B. Alexander, A. G. Whiteman, D. Petticord, trustees ; James 
Collins, clerk. 

1851. D. H. Patterson, D. Petticord, A. G. Whiteman. tnistees; Isaac 
Stillwell, clerk. 

1852. Levi Coup, D. H. Patterson, A. G. Whiteman, trustees; R. B. 
Mead, clerk. 

1853. Levi Coup, William Jordan, A. G. Whiteman, trustees; D. H. Pat- 
terson, clerk. 

1854. AbnerNims, William Jordan, A. G. Whiteman. trustees; Isaac StiU- 
well, clerk. 

1855. Samuel Himter, Aliner Nims, Vi,'. Jordan, trustees; J. B. Buck, 
justice; A. G. Whiteman, clerk. 

1856-57. Samuel Myers, J. W. Payne, James Crockett, trustees; Joel Bar- 
ber, clerk. 

1858. N. Noel, D. Hartsock, J. Crockett, tnistees; Horace Hall, justice; 
George K. Kline, clerk. 

1859. N. W'est, J. T. Kistler, Henry !Metzger, trustees: D. H. Patterson, 
clerk. 

1860. Isaac Stillwell, J. T. Kistler, Henry Metzger, tnistees; H. White- 
man, justice; Isaac Stillwell, clerk. 

1861-02. A. G. Whiteman, W'. C. Myers, I. StillweU. trustees; Horace 
Hall, D. H. Patterson, justices; J. Goodin, clerk. 

1863. D. Petticord, A. G. Whiteman, James Crockett, tiiistees; J. 
Goodin, clerk. 

1864. ISIonroe Kistler, D. Petticord. Thomas Almond, trustees; J. S. 
Brown, Isaac Stillwell, justices; P. H. Myers, clerk. 

1865. J. S. Myers, Thomas Almond, H. P. Whiteman. tnistees; Daniel 
Metzger, justice; P. H. Myers, clerk. 

1866. Same tnistees; Humphrey Whiteman, justice. 

1867. James Paine, John ANales, Jr., J. S. Myers, trustees; P. H. Myers, 
clerk. 

1868. Peter CofFman. P. S. Myers, James Paine, trustees: ^^'. P. Jlyers, 
clerk. 



ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 401 

18()tt. S. H. Smith, Humphrey Whitoman, Thomas Almond, trustees; 
Jacob Bounell, clerk. 

1870. J. Mclntire, M. H. Hensinger, H. Hoeltzell, trustees; J. S. Myers, 
clerk. 

1871. Same trustees; John Summers, justice; J. S. Mvers, clerk. 

187:2. B. F. Pontius, H. Hoeltzell, James Mclntire, trastees; W. J. 
Payne, clerk. 

1873. F. S. Mohr, M. Kistler, Sol. Eeiter, trustees; John S. Myers, clerk. 

1874. J. J. Miller, F. S. Mohr, Jesse Paine, trustees; John S. Myers, 
clork. 

1875. John Guisbert, J. J. Miller, 'W. H. Groves, trustees; Wilson Pon- 
tius, clerk. 

1876. John Westerhouse, John Guisbert, W. M. Engler, trustees; John 
Gibbons, clork. 

1877. J. S. Myers, John Guisbert, H. Detterman, trustees; John Gib- 
bons, clerk.' 

1878. Monroe Lee, John Guisbert, Edward Nims, trustees: James 
Drinkwater, clerk. 

187y. A. McHasser, M. Kistler, S. Detterman, trustees; Daniel Metzger, 
John S. Myers, justices; James Drinkwater, clerk. 

1880. W. J. Johnson, S. Detterman, Monroe Kistler, trustees; J. C. 
Metzger, clerk. 

1881. W. J. Payne, M. Kistler, Frank Crockett, trustees; E. K. Will- 
iams, justice; J. C. Metzger, clerk. 

1882. Frank Crockett, W. J. Payne, E. B. Williams, trustees; W. J. 
Merchant, A. Kistler. justices: J. C. Metzger, clerk. 

1888. Michael Schriner, J. H. Westerhouse, H. Harrison, trustees; 
William Engler, clerk. 

1884. C. D. Holtz. J. H. 'Westerhouse, M. Schriner, tnistees; R. K. 
Williams, justice; William Engler, clerk. 

1885. D. W. Whiteman, George W. Fitz, C. D. Holtz, trustees; William 
Engler clerk; D. J. Myers. Walter Merchant, justices. 

The to\vnship and school boards of Adams, have generally attached great 
importance to economical administration. Notwithstanding this feature of the 
township's official life the roads are well made, the schoolhouses are numer- 
ous and substantial, and all those minute details which mark the progress of 
each little commonwealth of the coimty are observed. 

Scliool Lands. — September 30, 1843, a meeting of the citizens of Adams 
Township w&s held to vote on the question of selling school lands — the west half 
of Section 12. George Kline, Solomon Drown and L. C. Stewart, judges, and 
T. W. Small and James Paine, clerks, conducted the election. The number of 
votes polled was eighteen, all in favor of the sale of school lands. On May 
14, 1S45. John T. Kistler piu'chased the west half of northwest quarter of 
Section 12; Isaac Parker, the east half of the northwest quarter; John Kistler, 
the west half of the southwest quarter, and Isaac Parker, the east half of the 
southwest quarter. The entire tract brought $2,780, and the sale was con- 
ducted under order of chancer}' on appraisement of Thomas R. Ellis, Jacob 
Souder and William Toll, and on the Heming survey. (Record of School 
Lands in Auditor's office.) The sale of school lands in Adams Township has 
been attended with some peculiar features. For years after the township 
was established there was no Section 10 acknowledged, as that sec- 
tion was within the Seneca Indian Reservation, and consequently without 
the reach of all parties, save the Indians, for whom it was reserved. Under 



402 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 

the treaty of Washington, negotiated February 28, 1831, the tribe ceded their 
40,000 acres, and in November, 1832, the tract was offered for sale — the school 
section excepted. Prior to this, however, in 1826, the west half of Section 12 
was granted to Adams in lieu of Section 16. Nothing was done toward the 
sale of half-Section 12 until May 14, 1845. Eleven years before this, and under 
authority of an act approved January 30, 1836, all Section 16 was granted to thi^ 
township for school purposes, and its sale was soon after effected, thus giving 
Adams one section and a half, or 320 acres more than should be apportioned. 
In 1846 an effort was made to rectifj' this en-or, but the subject was dropped 
until recent years, when it was re-opened under the title of "Andrew Jackson' s 
Mistake. ' ' 

Pioneers of Adams Toiniship. — The settlement of the township was effected 
without the noise and bustle which marked the occupation of the older town- 
ships of Seneca. This was due to the fact that it was not a wilderness in the 
sense that the country west of the Sandviskj' was ; but a well-trailed land, partly . 
surveyed, and adjacent to the old settlements. In all other respects the work 
of the pioneer did not differ in quantity or quality fi'om the earlier settlers of 
Venice or Big Spring, Thompson or Liberty, Reed or Loudon Townships. It 
is true that the romance of life among the Indians of the great Sulphur Spring 
region, and the pleasures which the neighborhood of natural phenomena or 
curiosity bring, were present to lighten, as it were, the load of care by with- 
drawing attention from ordinary life among the great trees, and lending it to 
the wonderful in nature. In the following sketches several prominent pioneers 
are named; while the greater nvunber of pioneers and old settlers find mention 
in the personal histoiy of Adams Tovmship, and in the chapters of the general 
history. 

Samuel and Elizabeth (Rating) Bartlett, natives of Main, grandparents of 
Robert M. Bartlett, of Adams Township, settled in this county in 1826, where 
they died. Oliver L. Bartlett, their son, the father of Robert M. , began farm 
life in this county at an early day, and maiTied, in 1844, Hannah E. Warner, 
of Virginia, whose mother, when a widow, came about 1833, with her family, 

to this county, where she died George R. Bosworth, a native of Vermont, 

born in 1800, came with his family to Adams Township in 1834 Jacob 

Bowerman settled in the township in 1830, died in August, 1876 John 

Bowerman settled in the township in 1831; served in the war of 1812 

Elijah and Catharine Brown, parents of Mrs. Edward Crockett, of Adams 
Township, formerly of Scipio Township, (former a native of Maryland, latter 

of Perry County, Ohio.) came to the county in 1842 Warren Brown, born 

in New Hampshire, in 1814, came, in 1839, from Pennsylvania with his par- 
ents, Solomon and Fanny (Dennis) Brown to this county (where the latter both 
died), and settled in Adams Township. 

James and Mai-y P. (Haskell) Crockett, former born in Maine, in 1798, 
parents of Edward Crockett, of Adams Township, born in Pleasant Township, 
in 1833, came to this county in 1S28, settling in Pleasant Township; James 
Crockett was a soldier of the war of 1S12, and a temporai-y settler of 1823. 

They both died in 1875 Josiah and Harriet (Beymer) Crockett, parents of 

Edwin W. Crockett, of Adams Township, came to this county in an early day. 
Josiah was accidentally killed in 1879, while engaged in excavating a hole for 

a huge boulder. His widow resides in Clyde Earl and Colena (Titus) 

Chiu-ch, natives of New York and Connecticut, respectively (parents of Mrs. 
Daniel C. Rule, of Adams Township, born here in 1839), came here in 1837. 

John H. Detterman, born in Prussia, in 1810. came to America in 1833, 
and to this countv in 1834, in which vear he married Miss Kathrina Steige- 




M , % f 






^ 



ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 405 

meier, also a native of Pnissia. After liviujf ono year in Seipio Township, and 
tivo years in Honey Creek. Bloom Township, they located in Adams Township. 
Mrs. Detterman died in ISfifi, and Mr. Detterman then married Mrs. Ann 
Somers, a native of Pennsylvania, and in 18()S they settled permanently in 

Bloom Township Hamian H. and Mary E. (Beinedick) Determan, natives 

of Germany, came to this coimty in 1884; Henry A. Determan, of Adams 

Township, where he was born in 1851, is their son David W. Dudrow, a 

native of Maryland, born in 1825, came to Seneca County in 1845, settling in 
Adams Township; his wife, Mary J. (Rnle), born in this township in 1834, 
is a daughter of Daniel and Jane (Groscrost) Rnle, old settlers. 

Francis Evans settled here in 1825 Jeremiah and Lney (Rule) Eg- 
bert, parents of Mi's. ClayHoltz, of Adams Township, were early settlers in the 
county. . . .Uriah and Susanna (^\'illiams) Egbert, parents of Mrs. George R. 
Strickling, of Adams Township, formerly of Pleasant Township, came from 
Franklin County, Ohio, to this county in 1822, and here died, former in 1876, 
and latter in 1875, both at advanced ages. 

Solomon and Mary Gambee. parents of Mrs. William J. Payne, of Adams 
Townshi]),were early settlers of Reed Township, coming fi-om New York State. 
....John and Elizabeth (Whiteman) Guisbert (deceased), parents of Mrs. 
John AVales (second), of Adams Township, were natives of Maryland and 
Pennsylvania, respectively, and were among the first settlers in the county. 

Jacob P. and Susannah (Huss) Holtz, parents of Charles D. Holtz, of Adams 
Township, born in Pleasant Township in 1840, were early settlers of and still 

reside in that township William and Catherine M. (Cramer) Holtz, 

parents of Clay Holtz, of Adams Township, were early settlers in the county, 
the former of whom died here in 1862. Mrs. Holtz still resides in the county. 
. . . .Benjamin and Hannah Huddle, parents of Mrs. John W. Payne, were 
among the lirst settlers of the township. 

Henry and Elizabeth Kestler, jiarents of Mrs. Enoch Bolin, of Adams 

Township, and a native of Pennsylvania, settled in this county in 1888 

John T. and Eve (Brish) Kistler, parents of Moni'oe Kistler, of Adams Town- 
ship (the latter born in Pennsylvania in 1880), settled in this township in 

1838, and died in 1870 and 1878 respectively Joseph and Catharine (Shaw- 

beiTy) Kistler, parents of l\Ii's. Henry A. Determan, of Adams Township, 

were early settlers of the county, where they still reside Jacob and Marj- 

(Reiner) Kanney, parents of J. C. Kanney, of Green Spring, Adams Town- 
ship, were early settlers in the county; still living in Reed Township. 

David and Mary A. (Miller) Lee, natives of Pennsylvania and New York 
State, respectively, parents of John M. Lee, of Adams Township, came with 
their parents to this ct)unty at a very early day. and here David died in 1883; 
his widow resides in Adams Township .... George Lee was one of the pioneers. 

William Mead settled here in 1826 Daniel Metzger, Adams Town- 
ship, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1818, came into the county in 1888, 

and bought his first land in this township in 1841 Henry and Catharine 

(Wise) Metzger, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of Daniel Metzger, of 
Adams Township, came to this county in 1 888, Henry being one of the first to 

enter land in this county An early settler of this name died March 4, 1868. 

....Smith and Catharine (Larkins) Mclntp'e (deceased), parents of James 
MeInt_\Te, of Adams Townshi]), and who was born in M'ayne County, Ohio, in 
1825. came to this county in 1882 Samuel and Rebecca (Holtzel) Metz- 
ger, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively, came fi-om Pickaway 
County, Ohio, to this county in 1 886, and purchased land in Adams Township. 
They were parents of John C. Metzger, of this township, born here in 

22 



406 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

1888 Simon and Hannah (Mix) Miller, natives of Pennsylvania, parents 

of W. W. Miller, of Baseom. were early settlers in Adams Township Dan- 
iel and Anna (Bergstresser) Miller, natives of New York State, parents of Mrs. 
John C. Metzger. of Adams Township, were among the first to settle in 
this county, where ili'. Miller still lives Jacob J. Miller, of Adams Town- 
ship, a native of New York State, born in 1829, came, in 183S, with his par- 
ents, Daniel and Anna (Bergstresser) Miller, to this county; latter deceased, 

former now living in Clinton Township John and Elizabeth (Kyne) 

Myers, early settlers of Adams Township (about 1825), were married Novem- 
ber 11, 183(1. Mrs. Myers died January 24, 1885 William Myers, a 

native of Virginia, settled in Adams Township in 1825. 

John Noel, who settled in Adams Township in 1830. died'October 29. 1863, 
in his eighty-seventh year. This pioneer was the father of fifteen children. 

many of whom are still residents Nicholas Noel. Sr. . settled in Adams 

Township in 1830. died in 1847 Mrs. Catherine (Rinebold) Noel, of 

Adams Township, died July 4, 1884. In 1840 she moved with her parents, 
George and Sarah Einebold, to Scipio Township, and was maiTied in 1841 or 
1842. 

John and Sarah (Lawrence) Paine, parents of James Paine (deceased), who 
was born in Pickaway County. Ohio, in 1818, moved to this county in 1832, 
locating in Adams Township; John Paine was a soldier of 1812, and is 
credited with settlement here as early as 1830, although 1832 is the only 

authentic date James and Maria Ann (Kline) Paine, parents of Mrs. 

Nancy M. Pontius, of Adams Township, were among the early settlers of the 

county John Petticord settled here in 1830 Moses Pyatt was 

also one of the pioneers of the township Samuel Pontiiis (deceased), born 

in 1814, in Pickaway County, came to this county in 1842, and settled 
in Adams Township; his widow still resides in this townshij). 

Abram Rine settled in Adams Township in 1824 Solomon and Cathar- 
ine (Powell) Eobenalt, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of Mrs. Jacob J. 
Miller, of Adams Township, came to this county aliout 1833; they both died at 
advanced ages Daniel and Jane (Groscrost) Rule were among the fii'st set- 
tlers in this township, where th(>ir son, Daniel C. Rule, still resides. 

Thomas and Elizabeth (Whitestine) Strickling, parents of George R. Strick- 
ling, of Adams Township, who was born in 1819, came fi'om Fairfield County, 
Ohio, to this county in 1829, locating fii'st in Clinton Township, then in Scipio 

Township, and finally settling, in 1837, in Adams Township Jacob Stem, 

born in 1792, in Maryland, came to Tiffin about 183(1; he bought large tracts of 
land, laid out the village of Green Spring; built mills, etc., etc.; he died in 
1860. aged sixty-eight years. 

Jacob and Catharine (Russ) Wales, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of 
John Wales (second), who was born in Thompson Township, in 1835, came to 
Seneca County in 1828, where they died James A. and Hannah F. (Car- 
penter) Watrous, parents of Mrs. Dr. D. Proctor Cami^bell, of Adams Township, 
were from Connecticut originally, and came to Ohio in 1831, settling fiist in Huron 
County, then a few years later in Green Spring, where they died .... William 
Webb settled in Adams Township in 1822-23, and was one of the first traders. 
. . . .Joseph Weiker, of Adams Township, born in Pennsylvania, in 1807, came 

to this county about 1840 Jacob and Mary (Deal) Weiker, parents of 

Joseph Weiker. came to this county in 1N34. and both died here several years 

ago Hugh Welsh, the ])ioueer of Eden Township, has been a resident of 

Adams Daniel and Susan (Coleman) Whiteman (both now deceased), par- 
ents of late Mrs. Daniel Metzger. of Adams Tcnvuship. came fi-om Peunsyl- 



ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 407 

vauia to this county in a very early day Col. Williams, whoso sister was 

the wife of Uriah Egl)ert. served in the Revolution five years, died in Adam.s 

Township, in 1S41. and lies Imried here Cyrus 'Wright settliHl here 

in IS'24 Cyrenus and Diana (Cole) AVright. former a native of the State of 

New York, latter of IVIontreal, Canada, parents of Charles ^^'right, of Adams 
Township, settled in this county in IS'JT; both are now decea.sed. 

Charles and Catharine (Spangler) Yoniifr. parents of All)ert R. and Josiah 
Young, of Green Spring, came fi'om Germany to this county in 1845. 

Among the lirst settlers the names of Ezra West, L. T. Butler, Bishop 
Adams, Martin Olds, Thomas Longwith, Squii'e Rider, C. McEwen, the 
Culbertsons, Stephensons, Charles Shelby, Solomon Hoppes, Daniel H. Dana, 
Adam vSpade and Samuel Hartsock must not bo forgotten. Together with 
Daniel ^Vhiteman, referred to. were his brothers, Samuel, Jacob and Abra- 
ham, all pioneers, and gone with the majority. 

The red pioneers left theii' hunting grounds here over a half-century ago. 
The savages, who were known to the early settlers, are gone where all good 
Indians go, even their children have passed away, and now the grandchildren 
of the tribe, few indeed in number, remember the Sandusky country only as 
something of which they heard their fathers speak. 

Common Scliook. — In 1836 '•the School Section'' was sold as ordinary 
school land, although the west half of Section 12 was gi'anted to the tovraship 
in IS'if) in lieu thereof, as Section 16 was then the property of the Senecas. 
Immediately after the sale of this section the school board was formed, and in 
1.S88 the township was laid off into school districts. In 1S45 the west half of 
Section 12 was sold, and the common school system was fully established 
throughout the township, as shown in the figures for 1847, given in the chap- 
ter on statistics. 

The present contlitiou of the schools of Adams Township is portrayed in the 
following statistics (1884): Pupils enrolled— boys, 109, girls, 126— total 295; 
number of houses, 10; value of property, §12,000; nvimber of teachers, 21; 
average j)av of teachers, $43 and S27; total receipts, $5,242.64; total expenses. 
?3, 943. 02;" local tax, $1,862.66. 

Statisiics. — The assessment roll of Adams Township in 1840-41, shows 
22,593 acres, valued at $57,620; value of town lots and buildings, $1,559; 
horses, 221, valued at $8,840; cattle, 613, valued at $4,904; mercantile capital 
and money at interest, $2, 767 ; total value, $75,690. Total tax, $1,040.73; de- 
linrpiencies. $20. 92. 

The statistics of assessment and tax le^'y of Adams Township and Green 
Spring Village, for 1884. iire given as follows: acres in township, 22,756; in 
village. 1(')5; the former valued at $798,790 and the latter at $53,780. The 
personal property in the township is valued at $220,750, and in the village at 
$51,790. giving the total valuation of the township, $1,019,540. and of the vil- 
lage, $105,570. This valuation equalized j>rr cdjiita would give $693.41 to 
each of the 1.624 persons in the township, according to the census of 1880. 
Crediting the township with 1,624 and the village with 331. each resident of 
township would be worth $627.79, and each one in the village, $318.89, -the 
population as taken at present being 1,624 in the township and 331 in the vil- 
lage. The State tax levied in 1884-85 amounted to $3,150.31. and the total 
tax levied, $15,930.98, together with $131 dog tax. The true value of the 
township is estimated at $2,700,000. 

The general statistics of Adams Township for 1884 are as follows: acres 
under wheat 4,294, product, 26,154 bushels; acres of rye, 31; acres of buck- 
wheat 5. product. 67 bushels; acres of oats, 1.343: product of 1.239 acrer. in 



408 HISTORY OF SENECA COLFNTV. 

1883, 51,972 bushels; barley, 24 acres; corn, 2,254: acres, product about 
40,265 bushels; 1,808 acres of meadow, 1,486 tons of hay; 1,113 acres of 
clover, 1,201 tons of hay and 1,225 bushels of seed; 182 acres plowed under; 
potatoes, 112 acres, product about 17,000 bushels; home-made butter, 49,050 
pounds; sorghum, 3 acres, 211 gallons of s_\Tup; maple sjTup, 1,291 gallons; 
91 hives, 780 pounds honey; eggs, 35.450 dozens; apple trees, 410 acres, 
7,030 bushels in 1883; pears, 4 bushels; plums, 2 bushels; cultivated lands, 
12,018 acres: pasture, 2,338; woods, 3,497; waste, 48; total, 17,901 acres; 
wool in 1883, 33.105 pounds; cows in 1883, 488; dogs, 128; sheep killed and 
injured by dogs, 153; died of disease, 17 hogs, 121 sheep, 19 cattle and 9 
horses. 

Villages. — Sulphm- Springs on Section 7, was laid off in 1833 by David 
Risdon for Josiah Hedges and Solomon Krider, near the great sulphur- springs. 
The enterfwise was prematiu-e. othei-wise thi'ough the business genius of Mr. 
Hedges the now thriving town of Green Spring would undoubtedly have been 
at this point. 

Adamsville, on west half of southwest quarter of Section 36, was surveyed 
by Thomas Heming for Daniel Kistler, in April, 1 S46. The settlement called 
Cooperstown is alniost on the site of the quondam town of Adamsville. 

Lowell, on the northeast quarter of Section 19, was surveyed for Lowell 
Robinson by G. H. Heming, April 27. 1849. Lowell shows some signs of life, 
and may reach the height for which its originator hoped. 

TOWN OF GREEN SPRING. 

This settlement may be said to begin shortly after the time when Jacob 
Stem an'ived at Tiffin (1830). The location was well selected, for it embraced 
one of the most beautiful tracts of land in the two counties of Seneca and 
Sandusky. The village was surveyed by David Rees and David Ri.sdon, in 
May, 1839, for Jacob Stem, who had a fii'st addition surveyed by G. H. Hem- 
ing, in Jime, 1852. at right angles to the railroad; a third addition. May 2, 
1855, and Stem' s foiuih addition to Green Spring, surveyed by G. H. Heming. 
in August, 1859, for Elizabeth, Lydia and Clementine Stem. Stephen T. 
Finch's first addition was surveyed by Heming; his second addition, June 17, 
1852, and his southern addition in September, I860. P. H. Ryan smveyed 
Robert Smith's addition in 1872. John Sea volt's addition was made in May. 
1873, and S. E. Roy's, in May, 1875. 

Organic and Official. — The petition to the commissioners, from the people, 
of what now constitutes Green Spring Village, asking to V)e incorporated, was 
presented December 6, 1871. The names of the petitioners are as follows: 
Gideon Gordon, C. S. Buiion, S. H. Rodebaugh, H. Welsh. G. W. Brestell, 
E. D. Stein, H. "Waterman, H. Goetchius, J. P. Dichel. J. H. Baughton, D. 
Stineheard. John Noah, Peter Overmier, C. H. NefF, D. H. Hutchison, J. Q. 
A. Bennitt, I. C. Parker. J. W. Stineheard. P. H. Mvers, Dr. J. L. Brown, 
W. P. Myers, W. J. Merchant. F. J. ^^'ehr, John Fisher. L. Freese. W. B. 
Kudler, J. S. Borland. U. Fink. W. Lot. W. Stevenson, L. C. Bair, P. F. 
Cardies, J. J. Luman. O. Dyermann. E. Dick. O. W. Osborn, M. Gray. George 
Setzler, Adam Bose, F. M. Kenavd, B. M. Reed, A. N. Dennis, F. Yantassel, 
C. Golls, C. Augustus, T. Cavalier, J. S. Vantassel, J. C. Sharer, J. B. Buck. 
J. A. Bloomfield, George Kinney, "\\'illiam Frey and B. F. Hottle. Judge H. 
Welsh was agent for petitioners. Februaiy 5, 1872, authority was granted 
to organize; but the first election was not held until April, 1873. 

1873. John A. Wright, mayor; H. B. Adams, clerk: G. W. Brestel, mar- 
shal; F. Davis, H. Goetchius, G. W. Davis, John Neteher, Ezra Stoner, A. N. 



ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 409 

Dennis and D. Gale, councilmen. W. P. !Myers was clerk vice Adams, who 
did not qualify. G. Gordon was ajipointed mayor in July. 1878, cice AN'right 
resigned. 

1874. G. "W. Davis, John Netcher and Charles Gale, councilmen; John 
Eisenhart, Joseph Concannon and J. O. Brown, first cemeteiy trustees; G. Gor- 
don, mayor; William Jodon. clerk. 

1875. A. N. Dennis, W. J. Merchant and A. McHesser, councilmen; V. 
Harry, marshal; James P. Tiu'uer. clerk, rice Jodon deceased. 

187<). John S. Myers, Fred Hahn and H. AV. Church, councOmen. 

1877. C. S. Burton, mayor: James P. Turner, clerk; H. Ennis, marshal; 
John Kobinson, John Howell and M. Shriener, councilmen. 

1878. James Jackson. H. Young and O. Mclntu-e, councilmen. 

1879. J. S. Myers, mayor; J. P. Tiu-ner. clerk; Fred Hahn, M. Schriener 
and H. D. Frank, councilmen. 

1880. G. M'. Earhart, G. Gordon and J. W. Stinchcomb, councilmen. 

1881. J. S. Myers, mayor; Orson McIntjTe, clerk; H. Ennis, marshal; C. 
S. Burton, solicitor. 

1882. H. D. Frank. James Boughton and W. J. Merchant, councilmen. 
1888. B. M. Reed, mayor; Dell McConnell, clerk; A. R. Young, W. J. 

Merchant and Michael Shriener, councilmen. 

18St. B. M. Reed, mayor; Dell McConnell, clerk; C. O. Grove, J. A. 
Hamilton, M. F. VanBuskirk and O. J. Shutts, councilmen. 

1885. B. M. Reed, mayor; W. J. Merchant, clerk; J. C. Kanney, treas- 
urer; John C. Tarris, 1883-8t) marshal; O. H. P. Strong, George Setzler and 
S. P. Sproul, councilmen. 

W. J. Merchant served as secretary of the board of education for fourteen 
years previoiis to 1885, and was re-elected for three years in April, 1885. The 
present board of education comprises J. A\'. Robinson, John Noah, A. R. 
Yoimg, J. C. Kanney, W. J. Merchant and H. H. Grown. 

The corporation debt of Green Spring was reduced in the year ending April, 
1885, fi-om $2, 'it )().(■)() to ffKKS.lfi. 

Business Interests. — The advance made by Green Spring within the last few 
years has been of a very marked character. The editor of the Times, writing 
in February, 1885, says: " Oiu' vOlage is not an exception to the general rule, 
and, for the pm-pose of demonstrating how utterly groundless these misan- 
thropic views are, we have compiled the following list of business men and 
business places in Green Spring diu'ing the year of 1881 and that of 1885. Al- 
though that of 1885 may be greatly augmented before it ends, yet the com- 
parison is very flattering indeed, and shows a decided increase in point of busi- 
ness. Diuing the year 1881 the following were in business: C. O. Grove, 
Mrs. Kinney, J. W. Stinchcomb & Co., D. S. Caldwell, C. S. Burton, I. G. 
Speck, J. C. Sharer, G. Gordon, James Boughton, G. W. Earhart, Porter 
Yates, J. B. Schwendt, A. N. Dennis, John S. Myers, Joe Schaefer, A. 
McHesser. Indianapolis. Bloomington & "Western Elevator, Sash, Door and 
Blind Factory, J. Netcher, First National Bank, William Schrader, Newacheek 
& Julian, A. R. Young. R. M. Seaman. J. A. Watrous. H. G. Ogden, H. W. 
Church, John Noah, William Frey and F. Hahn." 

The professions, trades, etc., in 1884, were represented as follows: James 
Boughton, blacksmith; J. L. Brown, physician; C. S. Burton, lawyer: Dr. D. 
Proctor Campbell, successor to Dr. Hillbish: H. F. Case, floiu--mill: A. Cohn, 
dry goods; A. N. Dennis, Nelson House: J. R. Brown, proprietor health resort ; 
George AV. Earhart. bakerj-: D. A. Egbert, livei-y; F."\V. Entrikin, physician; F. 
AV. Entrikin & Co. . Green Spring Sanitarium: E. B. Finch, Green Spring 



410 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Hotel; J. Foncannon & Co. , planing-mill ; William Frey, fiu'nitiu'e; G. Gor- 
don, boots and shoes; John Gordon, real estate; Green Spring Academy: the 
Greeu Spring Times; Van Buskirk & Co.. printers; Grier & Co., grain dealers; 
C. O. Grove, books; F. Hahn & Sons, tanners; J. A. Hamilton, fancy goods; 
Levi Huber, saw-mill; Walter Hiiber, saw-mill; John Johnson, carriages; J. 
C. Kanney, grocer: Mrs. S. Kinney, millinery; J. T. Laii-d, dentist: A. Mc- 
Hesser &Co. . grocers; Orson Mclntyi'e, insurance; Arch. K. McKellar, phy- 
sician; J. C. McNutt. saloon; M. R. Marks, clothing; Charles Mowry. saloon; 
J. S. Myers, grocer; L. H. Spragiie, physician; J. Netcher, hub mannfaetnrer; 
A» R. Newhard. jeweler; C.W. Xewman, hardware: G. W. Knepper &Co.. livery; 
— iSIighs wander, saloon; John Noah, meat market; Henry Parker, drayman; B. 
M. Reed, justice of the peace; L. W'. Roys & Co., bankers; Jennie Rule, 
dressmaker; L. E. Robinson, physician: William Schrader, Jr., saddlery; J. 
Schaefer. saloon; M. Schriener, flour; J. B. Schwendt. boots and shoes; Mrs. 
R. M. Seaman, millinery: Setzler, Newaeheck & Co., carriages; R. M. Sproul, 
druggist; Southard & Lutz. livery; I. G. Speck, hardware; J. W. Stinchcomb. 
dry-g(X)ds: Stoner House; J. T. Sutton, agent Indiana. Bloomington & 
Western Railroad Company, and manager Western Union Telegraph Company: 
"Nickel Plate"' Railroad offices; Lucy Taggart, millineiw; United States Express 
Company; C. R. AValker, physician: J. A. Watrous, stoves; Will ard Wentz, 
barber; George Whitmore, wood turner; Porter Yates, druggist; A. R. Young 
& Co., tindeiiakers, R. M. Bartlett, lumber, and Josiah Young, brick-yard. 
Presbyterian, Catholic, Methodist and United Brethren Churches. Masonic, 
Odd Fellows and Grand Army lodges, and village council. 

The following is a rej^ort of the amount of business done at the two railroads 
at this place. AVe give the Indiana, Bloomington & Western first: 

Charges on freight received 159,497.29 

Tonnage, lbs 44,.583.901 

Charges on freight forwarded 1:36.003,43 

Tonnage, lbs 1 7.997,469 

Ticliet sales |:?.975.2.i 

The above does not include transfer business from August 17, 18S4. to 
February 1, 1885. which will amount to 

Freight received ?150, 000.00 

Freight forwarded 100.000.00 

Amount of di'afts paid Indiana, Bloomington & Western for 

Freight and charges received |194,.'j04.93 

Received of Indiana, Bloomington & Western. _. 72,460.27 

Number cars transferred '. 18.250 

At the ' "Nickle Plate' ' is the following : 

Freight received 140,399.29 

Freigli t forwarded 88,524.24 

Ticket Sales 3,100.00 

The above is the amotint of business done by the railroads here for the year 
ending Februaiy 1, 1885. 

Churches. — St. Jacob's Reformed Church, of Adams Township, was founded 
in 1834, by Rev. Conrad, as a Union Reformed and Lutheran Church. Dur- 
ing the administration of Rev. J. J. Beilhartz, a house of worship was erected 
on land donated by Jacob Gruber. In 1851 Rev. J. H. Good became pastor; 
he organized the Reformed Society and remained here. 

Salem Reformed Chiu'ch, of Adams Township, was organized by Rev. F. 
Rehauser, and a house of worship was buUt in 1837 on land donated by John 
German. The original members were Eli Bought. Joseph Kunes, Jacob 
Britten. Eli Kaishner. John Hensinger and Andrew Mitower, who organized 



ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 411 

as a Union Reformed and Lutheran Society. The present house of worshi[), 
erected in ISfiS. is tlie fourth l^uildiiif^ raised by the congregation. It and the 
Reformed Church, of Thomjsson Ttjwnship, are served by the same preachers 
(i-idf History of Thomjison Towashij)). 

The Evangelical Lutheran Churc^h. of Adams Township, was reorganized 
imder Statif law, October 1(5, 1S5(), with John Kistler, chau'man, and John 
Beniu^hoff, secretary, Reuben BennehofF, William Muhn and John Kistler were 
elected trustees. 

The English Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Adams Township, was in- 
corpt)rated September 14, 18(57. On the same day a resolution to build a 
church on a lot of land piu'chased fi'om Joseph Neikirk was adopted. The 
trustees elected were Jacob Neikirk, Samuel Metzger and John Clay. The 
building committee comprised H. AVhiteman, Joseph Neikirk and D. H. Nei- 
kirk. In November, 18(58, John Clay, David Wyand and David Smith were 
elected trustees to represent other societies, to whom the new chiu'ch was de- 
clared open for service. 

The German Baptist Society, of Green Spring District, was incorporated 
under State law. in March, 1874. The meeting was held at the Union Church, 
Adams Township, with J. T. Eversoll, chairman, and Jacob Brennemau, secre- 
tary. Jacob E. Brenneman, David AVise and Stephen Cocher were elected 
trustees. 

St. Joseph's Catholic Church, foimded about twelve years ago, now claims, 
among its members here, the following families: F. Welty. A. Folmer. Charles 
Diu'and, Thomas Kenny. Adam Haas, A. Kanuey. Patrick Fox, Patrick Gor- 
man, John Smith, Thomas Scanlon, IVIi's. Knepper, Mrs. Maracus. Leonard 
Muelliard, James Hennessy, and a few others. The chui'ch is a neat fi'ame 
building erected about twelve years ago. The mission is attended from Clyde. 

The United Brethren, Green Creek Circuit of the United Brethren Church, 
was established in 1848, with J. C. Bright, pastor. Prior to that year the 
pastor of the Honey Creek Circuit attended to this section. Rev. W. Henlug- 
ton was preacher in 1849; R. Wicks, in 185(1; J. Newman,in 1851; and M. Long 
in 1852. At this time there were 150 members in the circuit. Mi'. Long was 
preacher until succeeded by William Jones, in 1855; and he by James Long 
and H. Curtiss in 185(5. S. T. Lane preached in 1858; D. G. O^lgen, 1860; 
James Long, 18(51; Michael Long, 18f33; S. Foster, 1864; William Miller, 1865; 
Peter Flack, L860; R. K. Wvant, 1867; J. Matthews, 18(58; D. F. Senter. 
1869; S. H. Roudebaugh, 1870-71; D. D. Hart, 1872; B. M. Long, 1874; E. 
B. Maurer, 1875: A. Powell, 1876; D. S. CaldweU. 1878; Joseph Bever, 1879; 
S. T. Lane, 1880; T. D. Ingle, 1881; J. W. Hippie, 1883. The present house 
of worship at Green Spring was erected in 1878. The members at the present 
time are Lewis Coy, John Tarris, Daniel Baker, James Steele, James H. John- 
son, J. D. Rutter, Albertus Steele, Rev. J. ^\'. Hippie. Amelia E^^^ Jennie 
Tarris, Charlotte Baker, Minnie Baker, Mary Stonebraker, Saiab Ailer, 
Phcebe Arter, Nellie Evy, Mary A, Rutter, Lucy Steele, EUa Sharpe, Eliza 
Titiis, Alice dinger. Calista Hippie. Rev. J. W. Hippie was appointed pastor 
in Sejitember, 1883. 

The ' 'United Brethren Church, ' ' of Hedgestown, about two miles southwest 
of Green Spring, claims the following named members: D. B. Anders. George 
J. Shedeuhelm. W. S. Slaymaker, W. H. Miller, A. C. Brown, J. H. Van 
Horn, Abl>ie Anders. Anne Jopp, Jerusha Jopp, Hecla Myers, Laura Shedeu- 
helm, Alice Slaymaker, Mary McKeen, Mary E. Shedenhelm; now attended 
from Green Spring. 

Brick Chapel, of the United »3rethren Society, live miles southeast of Green 



412 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Spring, has now tbii'ty-foiir members, including the Hoffman, Beigh, Decker, 
Hoetzel, Metzger, Moriier, Neikirk, Norris, Stigamire. Nace and Minich fami- 
lies, with a few other members; now attended fi'om Green Spring. 

The Methodist Episcopal Chm-ch is one of the oldest and largest societies 
in the township. Rev. T. J. Gard, one of the old pastors of the primitive church 
of Honey Creek, is preacher in charge. The church building stands on the 
corner of Main and Morgan Streets. Joseph Cole is superintendent and 
William Xon-is assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school. 

The Presbyterian Church, corner of Main and Sand Streets, is an old or- 
ganization. 

The corner-stone of the new Lxitheran Church building, near the Butz 
Schoolhouse, Adams Township, was placed in position June *J, 1SS5. 

The new church, known as the Christian Union Chapel, was dedicated No- 
vember 9, 188-t. G. W. Hagans is preacher in charge. 

Green Spring Academy. — The Western Resei-ve University was chartered 
as Western Reserve College. Febniaiy 7, IS'26. and located at Hudson, Ohio. 
After many years of successful labor it received increased endowment, and in 
1882 was removed to Cleveland, Ohio. It now includes two colleges and two 
academies: Adelbert College and Cleveland Medical College, both of Cleve- 
land, Ohio; Western Reserve Academy, of Hudson, Ohio, and Green Spring 
Academy, of Green Spring, Ohio. 

The Academy at Green Spring, Seneca Co., Ohio, was founded by the 
Synod of Toledo, in 1881. After two years of such struggles as are incident 
to new institutions, it was connected with the Western Reserve University as 
a preparatory school for Adelbert College. It remains, however, under its own 
board of tiiistees, and continues to give special attention to preparation for 
teaching and general cultiu-e, as well as to preparation for college. Normal 
work is introduced so far as is practicable, and an attempt is made to cultivate 
all departments with that thoroughness which is necessary in a preparation for 
higher cultiu-e. In the past years good work has been done, and it is the pur- 
pose of the trustees and teachers to keep up with all the improvements and 
demands of the times. The trustees are R. B. Hayes, president, Fremont; 
D. J. Meese, secretaiy, Sandusky: J. A. P. McGaw, D.D., Toledo; I. G. 
Hall, Lima: J. W. Cummings, Toledo: Samuel Smith. Green Spring: Carroll 
Cutler, D.D., Cleveland: E. Bu-shnell. D.D., Cleveland; C. P. Wickham, 
Norwalk. 

The faculty is made up as follows: Rev. J. S. Axtell, A.M., fjrincipal, and 
instructor in Greek and Science: Prof. E. O. Loveland, instrvictor in Com- 
mercial Course and Mathematics: Prof. W. J. Alexander. A.M., instructor in 
English, German and Latin: Miss Rose Giddings, instiiictor in Instrumental 
and Vocal Music; Miss Kate BlajTiey, instiiictor in Drawing and Painting. 

Rev. R. B. Moore, of Tiffin, was the first principal, being in charge from 
the establishment of the academy until 1883. 

Cemeteries. — Butternut Ridge Cemeterv Association, was organized August 
17, 1877, with W. E. Lay. F, Crockett, H. F. Niles, Denis Downs, John T. 
Perrin, Alpheus Lee, H. S. Lay, J. D. Lefever, ]Mi-s. S. A. Kistler. Han-y Tuck, 
H. A\'. Han-is and J. R. Downs, members. 

St. Jacob's Union Cemetery Association, of Adams Township, was organized 
at the Reserve Church, November 1, 1884, with the following members: Joseph 
Hilsinger, H. Brinkman, George Detterman, P. Happas, D. Shawberiy, H. 
Lynn, E. Miller, Jacob Gruver, W. F. Miller, Daniel Griiver, Samuel Deter- 
man, H. Miller, H. A. Determan, George Brinney, J. J. Miller, H. H. Det- 
erman and F. F. Mever. 




7/ 



/ ( (rr t '%^^ 7 c c 



/' 7, 



/ 



J^irv^ 



ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 415 

There are other cemeteries in the township: One on the northeast quarter of 
Section 2: one on the northwest quarter of .Section "20; one on the Albright 
farm, in Section 24; two on the south line of Section 32, undone in the north- 
west corner of Section 30. 

p()xti)j]icc. — The first postmaster at Green Spring was Daniel H. Dana, 
appointed about 1840. Robert Smith was appointed subsequently, and was 
serving in 1847-48. and up to the time lli-s. Matilda Bartlett was apj)ointed. 
In August. 1885. MissM. L. Bartlett, the lato postmistress, retii'ed, and Ancb'ew 
McHarser took charge. 

Banks. Bankers, etc. — Robert Smith, the old postmaster of Green Spring, 

may be said to have founded the first bankint; lu)use in the villasre. 
' . . . ■ " 

The First National Banking Company, of (Troen Spring, chartered some 

years ago. met in February. 1881. and resolved to go into liquidation as a 

national bank, and transact business under the laws of Ohio. The same mouth 

this resolution was carried out. when Addison Hills and L. W. Roys piu'chased 

the entire stock, and opened the banking house now known as L. W. Roys 

& Co. 

The Green Spring Building and Loan Association was incorporated March 
22. 1873, with J. AV. Stinchcomb. C. D. Brick, George W. Da\ns, J. L. Stoner 
and John Nash, members. The capital stock was. $80,000. 

Secret and Benevoleni Societies. — Green Spring Lodge No. 318 I. O. O. 
F., was chartered June 11, 1857, with the following members: N. C. West, 
B. F. Porter, J. B. Buck. Ezra Twombly, George T. Bell. James lilcGregory 
and M. W. Plain. The lodge was incorporated November 2, 1867, E. 
Twombly presiding, with H. D. Parmeter. secretary. Hugh Goetchius, 
William Stevenson and Fred Isenhart were elected trustees, and Gideon Gordon, 
clerk. All records, prior to July 1, 1870, were destroyed in the fire of Jiuie 29, 
1S70, so that the first record extant is of date July 0, 1870, being a letter from 
the Grand Lodge agreeing to issue a new charter instead of the one destroyed. 
The Past Grands since that date are named as follows: J. A. Kettle, H. D. 
Parmeter, :\I. Gray, F. J. Wehr, B. F. Boetz, W. Groves. R. H. Slaymaker, 
A\'. P. Myers, C. R. Huss. John Eisenhart, J. C. Sutton. James Boughton, 
M. L. Huss. W. C. Gray. F. Hahn, G. E. Whitmore, O. J. Shutts. John 
Gordon. John Yoirng. A. Ferguson, A. Waldi-on, William Ross, James Mcln- 
tire, il. Thraves. C. L. Rathbun. F. Clink, N. V. Egbert. A\'. H. Waldron, 
J. AV. Stinchcomb, A. R. McKellar. C. Holtz, G. W. Davis. The secreta- 
ries since 18(0 have been M. Gray, B. F. Bretz, R. H. Slaymaker, W. P. 
Myers, J. C. Sutton, W. C. Gray. M. L. Huss, G. W. Davis. A. Ferguson, 
G'. E. AA"hitmore, John Gordon,' O. J. Shutts, O. J. Shutts, M. L. Huss, A. 
Ferguson. A. Ferguson. George W. Davis. John Gordon, O. J. Shutts. G. 
Gordon, G. Gordon, G. Gordon, G. Gordon, O. J. Shutts, serving his seventh 
term. 

Daughters of Rebekah, No. 82, Green Spring, was chaiiered October 17, 
1S72. 

Green Spring Lodge No. 427 F. & A. M. . was chartered October 20, 
1801), on petition of S. T. Finch. Horace B. Adams. Tniman Grover, E. B. 
Finch. Sidney Tuck, Yal. Ham. Thomas Almand. C. D. Buck, L. E. Sprague, 
D. H. Clark and L. H. Sprague. The records of this lodge. j)rior to October 
1873. were destroyed, so that the names of masters and secretaries from this 
date forward can only be given: Past Masters. — Thomas Almand, 1873; 
George Raymond, 1874-75: H. B. Adams. 187(); E. T. Gettins, 1877-78; 
Walter J. Merchant, 1879-80: George Raymond, 1881-82-83; A, R. McKel- 
lar, 1SS4: M'. F. Huber, 1885. Secretaries. —G. W. Brestel, 1873: W. 



416 HISTORY OF SENECA COUXTV. 

Jodon, 1874; W. Wilson. 1875; W. J. Merchant. 1876; Tniman Grover, 
1877; W. J. Merchant. 1878; E. W. May. lS7U-8(); W. J. Merchant. 'l 88 1; 
Ed Walden, 1882; C. O. Grove. 1883: H.' C. Campbell. 1884; J. W. Stinch- 
comb. 1885. A. A. Jones is acting secretary. The lodge claims a member- 
ship of twenty-six, with hall in Pearson Block, in good financial condition. 

Potter Post, 105, Green Spring, was instituted under charter July 19, 
1881, and named in honor of Heniy C. Potter, whose record is given in the 
military chapter. The charter members were G. W. Brestel, James ilartin. 
James P. Turner. A. Grove. Jacob Shidtz, P. Unser, A. N. Dennis. J. C. 
Tarris. William Ross, \\". Fitz. James H. Boughton, J. AV. Stinchcomb, 
Francis Keenan, M. Alspaugh. H. H. Roselle, D. H. Hutchison. Porter 
Yates, John Seaman, Rufus Slaymaker. John Kimsman. G. W. Earhart. AV. J. 
Merchant. Walter Huber. HaiTj' Crull, M. dinger, John Noah, Henry 
Ennis. Daniel Guisbert and George Ra^'mond. The commanders are named 
as follows: J. W. Stinchcomb. 1881;" G. W. Earhart, 1882; J. W. Stinch- 
comb, 1883; G. W. Brestel. 1884; A. A. Jones. 1885. The post has now 
about fiftv members. The adjiitants were \\'. J. Merchant, 1881 ; Hemy 
Ennis, 1883; George W. Brestel, 1883; J. W. Stinchcomb, 1884: A. G. Per- 
rine, 1885. 

The Green Spring Temperance Aid Society was organized September 9, 
1862, with jVIrs. Dr. Brown, president; Mrs. \A'. L. Bartlett. vice-president; 
Sam. Stoner, treasiu'er, and Miss P. Finch, secretary. This society sent a 
great quantity of valuable clothing to the volunteers in the field. Temperance 
organizations in one form or another have been carried down since 1862, 
always exercising a beneficial influence. 

Green Spring Grange. Patrons of Husbandry, was incorporated Septem- 
ber 19, 1876, with M. Alspaugh. M. D. Jopp and John Shulls, trustees; B. 
F. Britz. secretary, and E. May. master. 

Green Sjjrnig Cure and Health Re,sort. — The mineral resources of the 
Green Spring District were first developed in 1867, and a home for visitors 
and patients opened January 1, 1868. The fii-st patient was ill's. Hugh AN'elsh, 
who died at the Spring June 6. 1869. When the Cure was erected and the 
entei-prise organized. Charles E. Stockley was manager, and Dr. I. "\A'. Moliere, 
physician. Since that time it has had its vicissitudes, but is now one of the 
best supported institutions of the kind in the West. The Marshall brothers 
succeeded Dr. L. H. Sprague as physicians in charge in 1885, while John 
Koller took charge of the hotel, making all the departments diu'ing the season 
of 1885 a success. The legend of the spring is as follows: ""Once, a num- 
ber of ' moons " ago, a fair Indian maiden, the daughter of a great chief of 
the Ottawa tribe, was taken dangerously sick with a malady unknown to the 
wisest of their medicine men. The poor girl was becoming worse eveiy day. 
and many fears were entertained of an early dissolution. A young chief, who 
was her lover, and to whom she had promised her hand, felt keenly the illness 
of his promised bride. One day he was out hiinting, and becoming tired, he 
lay down under the shady branches of a large oak and fell asleep. A\"hile 
sleeping he had a dream, in which he was advised by the " Great Spirit ' of 
the existence of a wonderful pool of water, the use of which cirred many of 
the numerous diseases of the body. The dream depicted this modern pool of 
Siloam as lying far toward the setting sun. and to reach it a person must 
encounter many dangers and untold hardships. The young chief was greatly 
impressed with the di-eam. and resolved, at all hazards, to procm-e some of this 
water for the sick maiden. Accordingly, he called his wawiors together, and 
selecting a few tiiisty braves, he started on the joirrney. After many days he 



ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 417 

roaebed his destination, and fonnd the spring. He procivrod some of the water 
and returned to his nation. The maiden partook of the water, and soon recov- 
ered fi'om her sickness. 

This beautiful summer resort is situated about KU) rods north of the Indi- 
ana, Bloomingtou & A\'estern Depot at Green Spring. Natm-e has done her 
duty nobly in giving the grounds a pictiu-esque and pleasing site for the loca- 
tion. The hotel stands upon a hill a few hundi-ed feet back fi'om the street, 
and is suiTounded by a heavy foliage of trees that during the warm summer 
months shade every walk and avenue about the gi'ounds. At the foot of the 
hill is the Sulphiir Spring, which discharges about 701) cul)ic feet of water per 
minute thi'ough a tissure in the bed rock. The water is as clear as crystal, of 
a slightly greenish cast, and possesses remarkable ciu-ative properties, and hun- 
dreds of invalids avail themselves of its benefits every year. The hotel is in 
keejiing with the management of the Spring, and has accommodation for 150 
guests. 

SfatLsfics of Corporation. — The general statistics of Green Spring, for 18S4, 
are as follows: Acres of wheat, 652; acres of rye, 15; of oats, 78; of corn, 
60; of meadow, 182, product, 273 tons; of clover, 94, product. 111 tons, 48 
bushels of seed, with 12 acres plowed under; of potatoes, 4, yielding 1,790 
bushels; home-made butter, 3,200 pounds; 1 acre of sorghiim yielded 41 gal- 
lons of syrup; maple trees yielded 50 i^ounds of sugar and 120 gallons of 
syiiip; 5 bee-hives; 2,240 dozens of eggs; 41 acres of ajiple trees yielded 819 
bushels of fiiiit in 1883; acres of land cultivated, 1,130; of pasture lands, 264; 
of woodland, 346 acres; waste land, 15 acres; total acreage, 1,755; wool, 
5,233 pounds in 1883; milch cows, 38; dogs, 9; sheep killed and injm-ed by 
dogs, 16; 54 sheep, 2 cattle and 1 horse died of disease. 

The Green Spring schools presented the following statistics at the close of 
scholastic year, 1884: number of pupils, 201 — 99 boys and 102 girls — of whom 
41 are attending the high school; one school building valued at $9,000; 4 
teachers; average salaries, $95 and $30; local tax, $1,347.15; revenue, 
§4,213.27; expenditxu-e, $3,451,62. 

CONCLUSION. 

There are so many incidents connected with the settlement and progress of 
this division of the county, related in the chapters of the general history- as 
well as in that on the personal history and reminiscences of the township, that 
this chapter is confined especially to matters pertaining directly to Adams. It 
presents a plain record of pioneer and official, religious and social, commercial 
and statistical history, and as such lays claim to so much completeness as 
history based on records and authentic statements warrant. 



418 HISTORV OF SEXECA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XY. 

BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP. 

THIS township was siirveyed in 1820 by J. Glasgow, outside the bounda- 
ries of the reservation, and. on the cession of the Iftdian lauds, C. W. 
Christmas surveyed the reservation in 1832, all forming Township 1 north, 
Range 13 east. The Indian Treaty of September 17, 1S18, provided that 
Ifi.OOO acres should be set apart for the use of the Wyandots of Solomon's 
Town and Blanchard's Fork, with the center of such tract at the Big Spring of 
Seneca County. By the treaty of January 19, 1832, all this reservation was 
ceded, except 320 acres kept for Roenunas. The President's proclamation, 
ordering the sale of the lands thus ceded, was made November 13, 1832, and 
the work of pioneer settlement was begun. 

The spring from which the township takes its name, is near the hamlet of 
Springville. It is an ordinary lime spring, showing no traces of sulphur, 
clear, pure and invigorating. 

The creeks of the township are all native, that is, finding a soiu'ce and an out- 
let within the township; the soil is fertile, and the 4.000 acres, still classed as 
forest-land, are well timbered with valuable hard wood. The drains in the 
southern sections have drained the great swamp. 

Organic and Official — The commissioners established this township March 6, 
1833. and April 4, following, the first election was held. * Richard Rej-nold 
and E. Bogart were elected trustees; "William Brayton. clerk; Hugh Mullhol- 
land, treasurer; Cornelius Bogart, And. Springer and Joshiia Watson, fence 
viewers: Elijah Brayton and Charles Henderson, overseers of the poor; and 
Austin Knowlton, constable. The records for 1834, 1836 and 1837 are gone 
where too many good records go, so that there is no certain way of supplying 
the names. 

1835. — John Ellerton, Jacob Grove, Peter Lantz, trustees; William Briiy- 
ton, clerk. 

1838. — William Benham, Peter Lantz, Ezekiel Bogart, trustees; Israel 
Harmas, clerk. 

1839. — E. H. Cook, John Jenkins, David Bowersock, trustees; I. Harmas, 
clerk. 

1840. — W. Benham, Frederick Waggoner, Peter Lantz, trustees; I. Harmas, 
clerk. 

1841-42.— N. L. Hulling. Peter Lantz. John Elarton, trustees: David 
Byrnes, clerk. 

1843. — John Elarton, Peter Lantz, N. L. Hulling, trustees; John Luza- 
der, clerk. 

1844-45. — William Smith, Theo Frink, Peter Lantz, trustees; Abram 
Dow, clerk. 

1846. — H. Davis, Theo Frink, Samuel Young, trustees; A. Battenfield, 
clerk. 

1847. — H. Davis, Theo Frink, Samuel Young, trustees; H. J. Flack, clerk. 

•Originally attached to .Seneca Township. 



BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP. 419 

1848. — William Smith, T. Frink, A. Frederick, teustees; Samuel Lutz, 
clerk. 

1849.— Hii-am Davis, T. Frink and S. Young, trustees; Montgomery 
Noble, clerk. 

1850. — Hiram Davis, T. Frink, S. Young, trustees; D. Biu-ns, clerk. 

18r)l.— Hiram Davis, T. Frink, Feter A\'enner, trustees; J. C. DeWitt, 
clerk. 

1852. — Hiram Davis, Adam Vetter, Henry Bouclier, trustees; J. C. De- 
Witt, clerk. 

1853. — John Werley, Adam Vetter. Hiram Davis, trustees; John C. De- 
M'itt, clerk. 

1854. — John Yentzer, John Werley, H. Davis, trustees; J. C. DeWitt, 
clerk. 

1855.— H. Davis, T. Frink, P. Simons, trustees; J. C. DeWitt, clerk. 

1850. — A. J. Sanders, Peter Simons, Jacob Von Blon, tru.stees; John C. 
DeWitt. clerk. 

1857. — David Bm-ns, J. Von Blon, James KeesbeiTy, trustees; Daniel Rin- 
sel. clerk. 

1858. — Joshua Watson, P. Simons, J. Von Blon, trustees: Daniel Rinsel, 
clerk. 

1850. — Joshua Watson, J. Von Blon, A. Vetter, tnistees; Daniel Piinsel, 
clerk. 

1800. — Peter Wagner, J. Von Blon. A. Vetter, trustees; Joseph Zint, clerk. 

18()1. — Peter Wagner, J. Von Blon, A. Vetter, trustees; J. W. Lantz, 
clerk. 

1802. — Peter Wagner, J. Von Blon, A. Vetter, trustees; George M. Shu- 
muker, clerk. 

1803-04. — William Smith, J. Von Blon, A. Vetter, trustees; George M. 
Khumakor. clerk. 

1805. — Thomas Rinehart, J. W. Lantz, C. Wagner, trustees; J. F. Frink, 
clerk. 

1807. — Thomas Rinehart. A. J. Sanders, C. Wagner, tnistees; J. F. Frink. 
clerk. 

1808.— John P. Genzler, I. W. Cline, P. Wagner, tnistees; W. Bearly, 
clerk. 

180U-70.— JohnP. Genzler, I. W. Cline, P. Wagner, trustees; D. Rens- 
ley. clerk. 

1871. — Ernst Keixian, I. W. Cline. P. Wagner, trustees: D. Rensley. clerk. 

1872.— Matt Faller, I. V,\ Cline, J. P. Genzler, trustees: S. Bearly, clerk. 

1873. — Matt Faller, A. Vetter, J. P. Genzler, trustees: James V. Magers, 
clerk. 

1874. — Joseph Lafontaine, J. P. Genzler, A. Vetter, tnistees; James V. 
Magers. clerk. 

1875-70. — Joseph Lafontaine, Thomas Rinehart, A. Vetter, trustees; James 
V. Magers, clerk. 

1877. —Nick Marks, A. Vetter. Thomas Rinehart, trustees; James V. Ma- 
gers, clerk. 

1878. — Nick Marks, Dominick Arndt. Thomas Rinehart, tru.stees: Jame.'j 
V. Magers, clerk. 

187U. — Nick Marks, Dominick Arndt, John Mathias, trustees: James V. 
Magers, clerk. 

1880-81.— Michael Goshe, D. Arndt, N. I\rarks. trustees; B. J. Murjihy, 
clerk. 



420 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

1882. — M. Goshe, D. Ai-ndt, John Mathias, trustees; B. J. Mm-pliy, clerk. 

1883. — John N. Kinn, John Mathias, D. Arndt. trustees; William Haines^ 
clerk. 

1884. — Paul Huss, N. Kinn. John Mathias, trustees; WUliam Haines, 
clerk. 

The officers of Big Spring Township, elected in 1885. are Paul Huss, Nich- 
olas Kinn. A. W. Simonis, trustees; William Haines, clerk: Charles Shubert. 
treasurer; Peter Goshe. assessor, ^A'illiam Haines, T. M. Frink, I. W. Cline, 
and Charles Shubert. justices of the peace: J. Vetter. and Joseph Wullen 
Schneider, constables. 

Schools. — The township of Big Spring was laid off in six school districts, 
June 22, 1838. The people of Big Spring Township voted on the question of 
selling the school lands of that township, June 22, 1850. Samuel Young. 
Theo. M. Frink and Hiram Davis were judges. There were fifteen votes 
cast. October 25. 1851, a sale of the west half of east half of Section 16, 
Town 1, Range 13 was sold to John Houck for §270. and of the we.st half of 
west half of Section 16, Town 1, Range 13 to Theo. Pierce for §270. These 
tracts were sold with Liberty Township lands. The remaining tracts were not 
sold owing to want of piu'chasers at appraised price. September 3. 1853, the 
east half of the east half of Section 16. was sold to M. Zinder for §275, and 
the east half of the west half to Jesse Boucher for .§264. The following sta- 
tistics give the state of the schools in Big Spring Township, outside the vil- 
lages, for the year ending August. 1884: Local tax. §2,362.76; total receipts, 
§4.513.06: expenditures, §3,373.11; number of schoolhouses. 9 ; value of jn'op- 
erty, §4,000; number of teachers, 14; average pay, §41 and §29; number of 
male pupils, 154; of female, 88. 

Statistics. — The assessment in 1841 gave the following figures: 24,721 
acres of land and improvements, valued at §38,474: value of town lots. $1,544; 
139 horses, valued at §5,560; 483 cattle, valued at §3,864; merchants' capital 
and moneys at interest. §2.500; total. §51.942. Total tax, $662.26. Delin- 
quencies of 1S40. $64.27. The value of 20,885 acres of land in Big Spring 
Township in 1884 was placed at §617,150: 1.750 acres in Adrian School Dis- 
trict at 173,030. and 64 acres in NewRiegel Village at §22,180. The personal 
property in'the township was valued at §216,640: in Adrian District at §31,090 
and in New Reigel at §58.840. giving a total of §1,018.930. This sum eqiial- 
ized according to population of 1880 woiild give to each of the 2. 048 persons, 
then forming the population, §497.50. The total tax levied in 1884-85 was 
$9,6)25.30 and $150 dog tax. The actual value of the township may be placed 
at $2,800,000. 

The general statistics of Big Spring Township for 1884 are as follows: 
Acres of wheat, 5.154 — product of 1883-84. 27,557 bushels; 15 acres of rye 
produced 202 bushels; 16 acres of buckwheat, 87 bushels; 1,315 acres of oats, 
42.440 bushels; 2.594 acres of corn. 62.245 bushels; 1.575 acres of meadow 
yielded 1.290 tons of hay; 732 acres of clover produced 740 tons of hay and 
925 bushels of seed; 116 acres of potatoes yielded 15.019 Inishels; home-made 
butter. 3<i.()()0 pounds: 8 acres of sorghum. 637 gallons of sjTup; maple trees 
produced 29 gallons of syrup; 77 hives yielded ()05 pounds of honey: eggs, 
11,845 dozens; orchards, 295 acres — 3. 771 bushels of fi'uit; acres of land culti- 
vated, 11,412; acres of pasture land, 5,611; acres of woodland. 3.859; total 
acreage, 20,882; pounds of wool, in 1883, 4,096; milch cows, 534; dogs, 150; 
animals died of disease — hogs, 917: sheep, 108; cattle, 20: horses, 14. 

Pioneers and Old Settlem. — When the first permanent settlers an-ived in the 
township, they literally stepped in the tracks of the original owners, who 



BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP. 421 

just moved out to give them place. The locality subsequently named Spring- 
ville. was the only garden spot in the townshij). and around it the first settle- 
ments were made, within a year or two of the period when the township was 
organized. South of the township line the families of Asa Lake and Nehemiah 
Earls settled as early as 1819. Daniel Hodges in 1821. Christopher Baker, 
William Brown and John James in IS'22. John Carey in 1828. Smith Kenttield 
in l.S'2'") and Hiram J. Starr in 1830. Many of those pioneers of the Delaware 
and Wyandot country were acq\iainted with the big sjiring. coming and going 
over the Wyandot trail fi'om thi^ Big Spring Reservation to the Upjier or 
Twelve-]\lile Reservation, so that when the pioneers of this township an'ived 
they were within easy distance of the pioneers of what is now Wyandot County. 
\\'illiani Brown entered his lands, just south of the base line, in 1822, and may 
lie counted among the pioneers of the township. The Jenkins brothers were 
early traders, and, it is believed, the first white residents of Big Spring. The 
Bray tons, pioneers of Tymochtee Township, Wyandot County, came in 1882; 
the Knowltons. Bogarts. Mullhollands. Hendersons, Youngs, Springers, Peers 
and Reynolds were all here prior to organization. 

The year 1 883 witnessed the true beginnings of settlement, and immigra- 
tion then commenced and continued to fiow in for years, until the whole town- 
shi|) was peopled with as IndTistrious and good a class of citizens as it is th& 
fortune of any county to possess. 

Stephen Bearld. orBeardlj". pui'chasedthe west half of northeast quarter. Sec- 
tion 1 2, from Jacob Haser. in 1 833, and entered on its improvement .... Hiram 
Bogart. E. Bogart and Cornelius Bogfirt were among the very early settlers .... 
Elijah and Anna (Holebrook) Bray ton, parents of Peter Brayton, natives of 
^'eriuout, where they married and lived for a few years thereafter, moved to 
Fremont, Ohio, in 1814, thence about 181 fi to Hiu'on County, and later to 
Wyandot County, where they remained until 1832, when they settled on what 
is known as the Big Spring Indian Reservation; Mrs. Brayton died here in 

\Hi>\ : Mr. Brayton in 18*58 AMlliam Brayton, son of Elijah Brayton, and 

brother of Matthew Brayton, who was lost in the woods in 1825, moved into 
Big Spring Township in 1832; is now in Wyandot County; Matthew was 
lost as mentioned when a child of eight years, while searching for cattle 
with his brother "William, and about 1859 a captive appeared who stated 
that he was captured by the Copperheads, a liand of Canadian Indians, 
who named him Ohwaowah-kish-me-wah. In 1851 this man man-ied 
Tefronia or Tame Deer, daughter of O-wash-kah-ke-naw, and by her had 
two chiUb-en: Tefronia and Qululee. Thirty-four years after the capture 
the Cleveland Herald contained an advertisement of a captive who did 
not know his original name. William Brayton, now living, proceeded to 
New York State, having with him a description of the marks on the boy, 
and there, in the house of one Smith, he found his alleged brother, but, 
on clos(>r investigation, the stranger proved to be one of the Todd family, 
of Michigan, who was known as William Tudd. He entered the army in 18(11 

and died at Nashville. The fate of IMatthew Brayton is unknown Lande- 

lin and Elizabeth Brosemer. natives of Baden, whi-re they married, came to 
.\merica about 1832. and settled on the farm now occupied by their son. who 
was born in this township in 184(i. Mr. and Mrs. Brosemer afterward lived 
in New Riegel until Mrs. Brosemer's death, caused by a team of horses nmning 

away. Landelin Brosemer was born in 1808; died in 1885 The Bakeis 

family, of whom Nicholas Bakeis is a member, have resided for over forty -three 
years on their homestead. 

(leorge and Mary Cline, natives of Maryland, and parents of Mrs. William 



422 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Johnson, came from Lancaster County, Penn., to this county about 1836. and 
here the former died in 1861. and the latter in 1856. 

Frederick and Frederica Dible (both deceased), parents of Mr.s. John 

Luzander. born here in 1 838, were early settlers of the township Isaac and 

Eleanor De A^'itt. parents of Mrs. Samuel Kiser, of Loudon Township, were 
pioneers. 

Anderson and Julia Ewing, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of John F. 
Ewing, of Adi'ian, came from Pennsylvania, in 1840, to this coiuity, where 
Mrs. Ewing died in 1847; Anderson Ewing subsequently manned, and removed 
into Wyandot County, where he died in l875. 

Theodore M. and Sabrina (Torrey) Frink. natives of Massachusetts, 
the foi-mer born in 1804, the latter in 1808, came to this township in 1837. 
from Tymochtee Creek, where they spent the winter of 1836; IMi's. Frink died 
in 1805. 

Jacob Gvrj-er was in the township in 1S3'2. but was not a settler. Many 
depredations were credited to this old resident of Stark County while among 
the lii'st settlers of Seneca Coimty. About the time of the ^Michigan con- 
spiracy case he was aiTested on a charge of miuxler. escaped fi-om prison, and 
completed a bad career by suicide. . . .John and Margaret (Limbauch) Grine, 
natives of Belgium, came to Seneca County in 1847, and here ]\Ii-s. Grine died 
in 1839. . . .John and Elizabeth Guilliam (both deceased), parents of IMi-s. John 
Mathias, were early settlers in this county. 

Joseph W. and Elizabeth (Titler) Harsh, natives of AA'ayne County, Ohio, 
born in 1823 and 1829. respectively, came to the township in 1848. . . .Charles 
Henderson was an early settler .... John Hile settled in the township at an 
early day; died in 1869. . . .Nicholas and Catharine Huss, and their son Paul, 
all natives of Germany, the latter born in 1843. came direct from the father 
land to this coimty in 1846, where Mrs. Huss died in 1873. Nicholas Huss 
and his son Paul are now residents of New Riegel. 

Ben Jenkins, the trader at the Big Spring, was among the tir.st settlers of 
the township, and with John Jenkins caused the site of Springville to be sm-veyed 
into town lots .... Lewis and Margaret Jenny, natives of Em-ojie, parents of 
Mrs. Francis Kalmes, came in an early day to this township, where they died. 
. . . .Archibald Johnson, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in Big Sj)ring Town- 
ship about 1820: was killed by lightning in 1845; his widow died in 1879. 

Francis Kalmes. a nativ(> of Belgium, born in 1822. came to this county in 
1846. . . .A. J. Kinney. liorninNew Jersey in 1807. came from Wyandot County, 
Ohio, about 1843, and settled here. . . .Austin Knowlton. born in Massachusetts 
in 1809, has resided in this county since 1830, and is called the ''Father of 
Big Spring. ' ' Mrs. Ehoda Knowlton (widow of Timothy Knowlton. who died 
in Massachusetts in 1823), mother of Austin Knowlton, after her husband's 
death moved with her family to M'yandot County, Ohio, and after remaining 
there a few years settled here, where she died at age of eighty -six. 

Joseph Lafontaine and his parents (Nicholas and Mary Lafontaine), all 
natives of Belgium, came to America in 1841. and settled in Big Sjjring Town- 
ship, where the parents died .... Christian and Catharine Leiiner. natives of 
Bavaria, where they maiTied. came to New York in 1831 ; to Stark County. 
Ohio, in 1832. and in 1837 to this township, where ili-s. Lenner died in 1876; 
Christian Lenner lives with his son Daniel .... John Lugader. born in Boss 
County. Ohio, in 1814. came fi-om Wyandot County to this county in 1833. 

John B. ^Martz and his parents. Hem-y and Margaret Maiiz. all natives of 
Belgium, came direct fi-om their native land, in 1846. to Big Spring Township, 
where the parents died .... Nicholas and Theresa Marks, natives of Gennany, 



f 







J(fi^Qu2 



BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP. 425 

where tlioy were maiTiod, former born in LSOO, latter in 1823, came direct 
from thi>ir native land to this county in ISoO, and settled in this township .... 
Joseph E. and Mary A. (Sneeringer) Magers, pioneers of Stark County, Ohio, 
natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively, settled in Seneca County 
in LSri'i; the jn'esent clerk of Seneca County is their eldest son.... Lewis 
and Josejjhino Mathias, natives of Eiu'ope, settled here at an early day, and 
hero their son Nicholas, of New Riegel, was born in 184!); Lewis Mathias 
died in 1878; his widow siu-vives him ..!. Lewis and Clara Mathias (both 
deceased), natives of Luxemluu-g, (xermauy, came to America in 1810, and set- 
tled here. . . .Mack and Eliza McCullough, parents of Mrs. John F. Ewing, of 
Adi-ian, settled in this county in early times, thence moved to Wyandot 
County. Ohio, where they died .... John and Magdalena Miley, natives of Vir- 
ginia, parents of Mrs. Jacob Black, came, about 1828, to Seneca County, 
where Mrs. Miley died in 1850, Mr. Miley, in 1874 .... Dr. John Montgomery, 
after a long and painful illness, died at Adrian, January 2U, 1885; Dr. Mont 
gomery had been a resident for a great many years and was widely known .... 
Hugh Mullholland was elected the first treasurer of the township in April, 
1838. 

John Peer and Philip Peer settled in the township, previous to its organiza 
tion .... Nichols and Elizabeth Plenz, natives of Germany, parents of Mrs. 
Paul Huss, of New Riegel, came here about 1848, and have ever since resided 
here. 

Richard Reynolds was a settler prior to 1833, in Big Spring Township. 
Anthony Schindler, who settled on Section 12, Big Spring, in 1883, may 
bo considered one of the pioneers of the German colony .... Charles Schindler 
settled on his farm in 1835 .... Christian and Elizabeth Schlemmer (both de- 
ceased), parents of Mrs. Jacob Herbert, were early settlers in the county. . . . 
Adam and Kathrina (Effert) Simonis, natives of Germany, parents of Peter. 
Simonis, of Fostoria, were among the pioneers of this township .... Com-ad and 
Elizabeth Smith, natives of Germany, parents of John M. Smith, came to Seneca 
County in 1834, whore latter died in 1870, former in 1880. . . .Timothy and 
Catharine Smith, natives of New York, parents of William Smith, of Big Spring 
Township, who was born in 1815, in New York State, came to Seneca County 
in 1833, and here died, former in 1853, latter in 1883 .... Jacob SjDraw, a native 
of Bavaria, born in 180'J, came to Ohio in 1832, locating in Big Spring Town- 
ship .... Andi'ow Springer was one of the first American pioneers. 

Henry Tull, born in Luxemburg, Germany, in 1819, came to America in 
184y, locating in this county. 

Dr. A. S. Uboroth, one of the physicians of the township, was mangled to 
death by a train on the Indiana, Bloomington & Western Railroad, IVbruary 
16, 1883. His watch, umbrella and other articles were found scattered along 
the track. This showed that he had boon dragged by the train for some dis- 
tance and met with one of the most hoiTilile deaths which it is possible to depict. 
George Wehrle, of New Riegel, who settled in the town.ship in 1833, was 
the first president of the village .... Michael Wagner, one of the oldest inhabi- 
tants of this county, died at New Riegel, September 1), 1885, aged one hundred 
and two years. . . .John and Elizabeth A\'ullonschneider, natives of Germany, 
married in Licking County, Ohio, and settled here many years ago, where former 

died in 1860 Joshua AVatson was one of the first settlers; his name is 

almost forgotten. 

John Young and family settled in Big Spring in 1833, and were among the 
first settlers in the wilderness .... Samuel and Isabella Young, natives of Penn- 
sylvania, parents of Mrs. Jonathan A. Haines, were married in Wayne County, 

23 



426 HISTORV OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Ohio, where they remained until 1833, then came to this township, wh^re Mr. 
Young (lied in 1859; his widow remarried and now resides in Adrian; Mrs. 
J. A. Haines was born in Seneca County, in 1835. 

Nimrod and Mary Zender, native of Switzerland and Luxemburg, respect- 
ively, came here at an early day, where they died. Here their son Joseph was 
born in 1835. 

ADBIAN VILLAGE. 

Oregon (now Adrian) was surveyed by R. M. Shoemaker, in February, 1844, 
for Erastus H. Cook and DeWitt C. Henderzon. on west half of northwest 
quarter of Section 30, Big Spring Township. Prior to this time the location 
was known as Foster's Mills, under which name it was established a postal town 
early in the "thirties," with "William White postmaster. He was succeeded 
by John Carr, who had the office in 1847. C. G. Fenn was succeeded in Au- 
gust, 1885, by William Haines. The town has since been extended into Sec- 
tion 35. 

The Business Circle is made up as follows: D. F. Bascom and Adam Vetter, 
blacksmiths; Isaac W. Kline, grocer, business now owned by William Haines; 
James Curtiss, dry goods: Lewis Etchin, boots and shoes; Shober Bros., meat 
market; J. H. Snyder, stoves and tinware; Miss Anna Haines, milliner; Mrs. 
Catherine Kroll, hotel; John F. Ewiug, eai-penter. E. Slack's flouring-mill 
was burned in 1884. Dr. W. H. Paul left Adrian in the summer of 1884, and 
Dr. John Montgomery died here in February, 1885. C. G. Fenn has been 
postmaster for almost a quarter of a century, succeeding Lou Anderson and 
James Curtiss in that office, James Kline established a steam saw-mill in the 
winter of 1883-84. 

Schools. — Adrian High School Association was incoii^orated January 13, 
1809, with James C. Runneals, Frederick Hahn. Timothy B. Hawkins. James 
T. Ewing, James J. Zint, H. B. Cm-tiss, M. L. Knowlton, William Nease 
and Dr. J. A. Lutz, members. The object was to build a house and conduct 
a high school at Adi'ian. 

The condition of the schools of Adrian, August 31, 1884, was as follows: 
Number of male pupils, 20, of female pujjils, 34, of whom 20 were in the high 
school; one house valued at $2,000; 2 teachers receiving $30 and $30, each, per 
month; local tax, $207.44; revenue, $800.04; expenditures, 513.07. 

Societies. — Adrian Protection Horse Company was organized April 20, 
1874, with the following members : James J. Zint, B. Cojjley, L. Walton, 
J. R. Higgins, John Baker, John Kimble, D. Wander, Martin Wenner, John 
Haines, and the trustees then elected George TS'ander, Levi Haines, and 
David Leuhr. 

Adi'ian Lodge No. 494, I. O. O. F., was organized under State law, Janu- 
ary 20, 1877, with Joseph Zint, G. W. Shober, Louis Etchen, Jacob Bloom, 
W. H. Slaymaker, A. Johnson, John Greer, T. B. Hawkins, Frederick Sho- 
ber, John Snyder and Josiah Haines, original members. 

May Flower Grange 290, was organized at Adrian, January 30, 1877, with 
W. H. Coply, J. R. Higgins, Daniel Lemer, John Grier, J. W. Eckleberry, 
G. W. Miillholland, H. Vogle, Charles Bier, D. H. Wander and Benjamin 
Coply, members. 

Churches. — Methodist Episcopal Church. The early records of this church 
are not to be found; the oldest record is that of the Sunday-school, which 
points out that the Oregon Sunday-school was organized May 17, 1845. The 
subscribers were Charles Foster, L. C. Anderson, Stephen McKennie, Al 
Yancer, William "^'hite, Anthony Frederick, Samuel Young, William Blew, 
J. W. Frederick, I. C. Waggoner, W. Young, Austin Knowlton, F. Waggon- 



BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP. 427 

er, Petor Wonnor, Levi Haro. eJacob Yancer, Al. Loy, S. H. Foster, Svisan An- 
derson, R. Taft. Hannah Clark, Mary Whittlesey, Curtis Beny, Thomas Ba- 
ker, Ira Taft, Aaron Stronse. Sarean Blew. Andrew Vance, Josiah Flack. 

The early preachers at Adrian were Kev. AN'arner, who was here aVjont 
thirtv-eight years ago with Mr. Dodge and Philij) Cole, 1850; James Milligan 
and Philip A. Drownd, 1854: Mi-. Close, 1850; Mr. Biggs. R. K. Good, LSHO: 
Jlr. Holmes, IHCt'i, and J. W. Miller, the last preacher from the Carey Circuit. 
In 18^)8 Adrian was detached fi'oiu Carey, and created a circuit, with Samuel 
L. Boggs, i)reachcr. In 1870 K. M. Ciilver came. He was followed ]>v J. W. 
Hill, in 1873; I. N. Kalb. 1875-78; Philip A. Drownd, 1878; John Houghtl<-y, 
1880; Benjamin L. 'Rowand, 1882; Rev. M. C. Howey, the present pastor. 
The society has a membership of thirty-seven. The present brick church was 
erected in 1854, but jirior to this time, services were held in the old school- 
house on the Knowlton farm. 

The Catholic Church of St. Nicholas was founded in 1855 for the accom- 
modation of the French poi)ulation; but. fi'om the beginning, half the member- 
ship was made up of Germans. The church, however, is known as the French 
Church. The jiastors who have had charge of the eongi-egation since 1855 
are named as follows: Revs. L. Molon, Bally, Dolweek, Laux, Moes, Magen- 
hann, Burkell, and the present pastor. Rev. Joseph P. Gloden. The house of 
worship, located on the highest point of land in the county. Section 23, Big 
Spring Township, was erected in 185G. The membership is about 500. 

Universalist Church of Adi-ian was organized in 1870, with the followiag 
named members: John Slaymaker. Sr. , and wife, J. T. Ewing, I. A. Lom- 
biird and wife, AVilliam Haines and wife, F. Hahn and wife, S. Keenan and 
wife. Josei)h Zint and wife. The present membership is about twenty. The 
chui'ch was erected prior to the regular organization in 1861). at a cost of aboul 
$1,000. The first pastor (1870) was Rev. N. A. Saston. He was preceded 
by George R. Brown, of Clyde. The pastors since Rev. Saxton's time have 
been varied. Rev. D. R. Biddlecomb was the last preacher, who left for Akron 
several years ago. The organization is observed, but no regular services have 
been held. 

Evangelical Trinity Church of Adrian was founded in 180',), by B. Popley, 
John Wonder, William Brayton, Eli Gear, James Loy. John Seheirman and 
Rev. E. B. Crouse. The church was erected the same year at a cost of alx)ul 
?2.000. Since George Wonder settled here in 1871, he has been connected 
officially with the society. The original society was organized years ago, but 
never erected a house of worship. Rev. C. M. Rinehold succeeded Rev. IMr, 
Wingerd in April, 1885. The congregation numbers aboitt fifty. 

NEW RIEGEL VILLAGE. 

New Riegel was siu'veyed by G. H. Heming in January, 1850, for Anthony 
Schindler. ^\' alter Myers' addition to New Riegel was surveyed by Heming in 
April, 1855. within th(> angle formed by Tiffin and Perry Streets. John Wer- 
ley's addition to New Riegel was surveyed in January, 1877. 

Organic and Official. — New Riegel Village was incoiijorated December 2, 
1882, 'on petition of B. J. Miu-phy and thirty-nine other residents, presented 
to the commissioners of the county. December 28, 1881. The local records, 
however, acknowledge the order of February 5, 1883, as the act of incorpora 
tion, because under this order, the first village elections were hold April 2, 
1883. 

The record of this election is as follows: For trustees, Andrew W'erley, 
42 votes; B. G. Wullenschneider, 47; Celestine Friedman, 44; N. Pleuz, 2'.); 



428 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Peter Clause, 26; John '\\"erley, 28. The first three named were elected. 
Andrew A^'erley was chosen president, which position he now holds; Charles 
H. Kloin was appointed clerk, which position he still holds in conjunction with 
the treasurership. Joseph Zender, elected first marshal in 1883, was succeed- 
ed by Joseph A\'ullenschneider, who is now serving (March, 1885). In June, 
1884, sidewalks and street crossings were authorized, and a series of public 
and private improvements commenced. 

Andrew Werley, the first postmaster at New Kiegel, was appointed in 1877, 
and served until April, 1878, when he resigned in favor of C. H. Klein, who 
has also been notary public since November, 1881. 

The Business Circle is made up as follows : Altwise Bros. , and George 
Klein & Son, furnitui'e; N. Dandlinger, blacksmith; William H. Focht, F. 
Walter and F. M. White, j)hysicians (Dr. J. M. Drescher has removed); Peter 
Huss, John ^\'issler, shoe-makers; C. H. Klein and J. & A. Schalk, dry goods, 
etc. ; C. H. Klein and N. Mathias. groceries; Joseph Zender, butcher; Peiffer& 
Clouse, saw-mill; Smith & Clouse, agents for well augers and earth elevators; 
Nicholas Petty, wagon-maker; A. & C. Wangler, builders and contractors; Mar- 
tin AVetzell, harness-maker; B. G. Wullenschneid(n', proprietor of the Empii-e 
House; Thomas Marks and John Zimmer, saloons. Joseph Plentz, who was 
shoe-maker here, moved to Tiffin in 1885. Andi'ew ^N'erley established his 
gi'ain trade here in 1881, and built an elevator the same year. 

Churches. — The Catholic Church. — As early as 1825 a few Catholics moved 
to the vicinity of New Kiegel, who were visited at intervals by the Redemptorist 
fathers. Ten years later Rev. Father Trehenhens, C. S. S. R., visited the 
neighborhood, and has been engaged ever since as a traveling missioner, 
journeying on foot thi'oughout Seneca and the adjoining counties. In 1845, 
the congregation of the Most Precious Blood established a mission at New 
Riegel, with Fathers Sales and M. Bnmner and five priests of the congi'egation in 
charge. The property of the chiu-ch at New Riegel is valued at $25,000, the 
chiu'ch itself is one of the finest buildings devoted to religion in northwestern 
Ohio, while the monasters', convent and schools are buildings equally suited to 
the wants of a large religious community and a great congregation. The num- 
ber of the congregation is over 000, princij>ally Germans. The Catholic schools 
are attended by 160 scholars in charge of two sisters and one lay teacher. 

Other religious denominations claim representation here, but are without 
>rganization or house of worship. 

Schools. — The statistics of the schools of New Riegel for the j'ear ending 
August 31, 1884, are as follows: local tax, $34.32; revenue, $542.74; expendi- 
tures, $245.25; one schoolhouse — value of property, 1450; two teachers, average 
salary,- $35; number of pupils enrolled, 23 — 18 boys and 5 gu-ls; average attend- 
ance, 1 1 . This was set off as a special district about ten years ago. The schools 
of St. Boniface in connection with the chiU'ch are in charge of two sisters, and 
the male school has been in charge of Jacob Schiffer for the last seventeen 
years. 

SMALL SETTLEMENTS. 

Springville, on the southeast half of Section 29, Town 1 north. Range 13 
east, was sui-veyed in May, 1834, by D. Risdon for Benjamin and John Jenkins. 
Springville does not i;iow contain any business house. Mr. Cooke carried on a 
store there for many years, imtil the building biu'ned down. 

Charles Foster, John Ganz, Adam Felter, and Eli Gehr were the first set- 
tlers at Springville. 

Dr. D. Peters and Dr. George H. Scoles were resident physicians at Spring- 
ville. in 1847-48; but Dr. Lang was the pioneer resident physician in 1834. 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 429 

French Town is tho name given to the French settlement, west of Now 
Riegel, settled by the Lafountaines and others between IS H) and 1847. Com- 
fortable homes and well cultivated farms characterize that portion of the town- 
ship known under this name. 

Alvadia. or Alvada, a small settlement in Section IS, was surveyed in Jan- 
naiy, 1S70, by A. C. Tm-ner for AVilliam Smith and T. J. Anderson. The 
business men of Alvada are Beitler Bros., general store; James Beitler, black- 
smith; Louisa Ludwig, grocer; Nicholas Schira, shoe-maker; H. J. Star & Son, 
gi'aiu dealers; Frank Koptier, hotel; N. Schira, Peter Nye and F. Kopfler, 
saloons; Benjamin L. Ludwig, postmaster. 

KAILROADS. 

The railroads which cross Big Spring Township are the Indiana, Blooming- 
ton & Western and the Ohio Central; the former enters the township in the 
northeast quarter of Section 25, takes a southwesterly course, passing through 
Aib'ian Village, and leaves the township at Section 35; the latter penetrates the 
township in the northwest quarter of Section 2, runs in a southeasterly direc- 
tion, jia.ssing close to New Riegel Village, and leaves the township at Sec- 
tion 111 

CONCLBSION. 

This township, now one of the richest in the county, was originally settled 
by native citizens. To-day it is a rare thing to meet an American born 
resident other than the childi-en of the German and French pioneers, who 
now may be called the sole possessors of the southvcestern division of Seneca 
County. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 



BLOOM, or Town 1 north, Range 10 east, is one of the oldest and richest 
divisions of the county. The population in 1S3(1 was 389, increased in 
1880 to 2, 11)2, including the village of Bloomville. which then contained ()89 
inhabitants. The township is watered by Honey Creek, Silver Creek and trib- 
utary streams. Honey Creek enters the townshij) in the northeast quarter of 
Section 1, flows in a general southwestern course, and leaves the township in 
the southwest (juarter of Section 18. Along its banks are numerous springs, 
and here, too. many of the early saw and gristmills were erected. The pio- 
neers selected the neighborhood of the crei'k for their homes, and opened their 
first farms. Silver Creek may be called a native stream, has its soiu'ce in the 
southeastern corner of the township, and. flowing generally northwest, leaves 
the township in the northwest quarter of Section 1 5). The county drain enters 
this creek, and it is also fed by a number of rivulets. 

The geological formation of Bloom has been referred to in Chapter I. The 
State Geologist, in Volume V, page 033, says: " For building purposes the 
limestone which is quarried from the cornifi^rous formation at Bloomville. Sen- 
eca County, has a higher reputation than the Holderberg limestones, and in- 
deed, it is said, that these quaiTies produce one of the best limestones in north- 
western Ohio. The material has been quite extensively used in Tiffin for many 



430 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

years foi; trimmings and stone fronts, and also for general building purposes 
in Mansfield and siuTounding country. Good material for flacrginsr, bridces 
and foundations is quan'ied. and a slab twenty-five feet square might be ob- 
tained. It has already displaced in a measure the sandstones which are quar- 
ried in that vicinity." 

The specimens of this stone are of an attractive gi'ay color, and are highly 
fossiliferous. Some fossils have apparently been entirely removed at some 
period, and their places supplied with a clear crystalline calcite, and some of 
the fossil forms are therefore strikingly apparent upon polishing the sui'face of 
the stone. Under the microscope the stone is foi;nd to be a grand aggregate 
of fossil fragments, among which are rhombohedi'al crystals. 

In November, 1884, a dynamite explosion took place at the old Francis 
Stone quarry, just east of Bloomville. A dynamite blast had failed to dis- 
charfife, and Alexander West, a brother of Dr. West, and two Germans were 
trying to remove the dynamite and prepare a new fuse, when it exploded. Mr. 
West's hands and arms were terribly mangled, one of his eyes badly injured 
and the side of his face frightfully bruised. The Germans were only slightly 
hurt. 

The soil is fertile, and a glance at any or all the farms will justify the name, 
"Bloom," in its literal acceptation. 

Orgnnic and Official. — Bloom Township, as established in 1824, comprised 
the towns of Bloom, Scipio. Reed and Venice (vide transactions of commission- 
ers' board), and was named in honor of the German patriot. Bloom, on the 
suggestion of John Seitz. In after years, Scipio," Venice and Reed were organ- 
ized, and this township was reorganized within its present boundaries. In De- 
cember, 1824, Scipio was detached; in December, 1826, Reed was established, 
and in June, 1829, Venice was set off as a separate township. Owing to the 
vagrant character of the pioneer clerk' s office, the records of the fii'st decade of 
the township are not to be found. The record of elections from 1835 to the 
present time has been fortunately preserved, and fr'om these old books the fol- 
lowing list of leading town officers is made: 

1S3-5. — Henry Opt, I. G. Watson, J. Q. Hammond, trustees; H. Perky, 
clerk. 

1836. — Isaac G. Watson, John Newman, Abraham Kagy, trustees; H. 
Perky, clerk. 

1837. — Abraham Hammon, Abraham Kagy, James Dornan, trustaes; W. 
B.^ Smith, clerk. 

1838. — Abraham Hammon, James Boyd, Samuel Gross, trustees; Thomas 
Treat, clerk. 

1839. — James Boyd, Samuel Gross, Lewis Seitz, tmstees; Thomas Treat, 
clerk. 

1840. — Jacob Myers, J. C. Martin, Lewis Seitz, trustees; Joseph Pen- 
nington, clerk. 

1841. — Joseph McClellan, Samuel Gross, Lewis Seitz, trustees; Joshua 
Preble, clerk. 

1842. — Benjamin Huddle, Samuel Gross, Joseph McClellan, trustees; John 
A. Morison, clerk. 

1843. — Benjamin Huddle. Jacob Hossler, Joseph Swigert, trustees; Julius 
A. Treat, clerk. 

1844. — Jacob Hossler, Heiu-y Opt, John T. Reid, trustees; Henry Perky, 
clerk. 

1845. — Hemy F. Hall, Heniy Opt, Jacob Hossler, trustees; Samuel Grose, 
clerk. 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 431 

1846. — Jacob Hossler, Jamos Boyd, Henry Opt, trustees; Abraham Kagy, 
clerk. 

1847. — Same trustees and same clerk as in 1840. 

1848. — Nathan Martin, Louis Spitler, James Boyd, trustees; Abraham 
Kagy, clerk. 

1849. — Same trustees; Jacob Hossler, Henry Perkey, justices; Abraham 
Kagy, clerk. 

1850.— Same as in 1848. 

1851. — Ira Gulick, Henry Opt, Nathan Martin, trustees; Lewis Seitz, Jr., 

185'2.~SamGasin 1851. 

1853.— W. H. H. Hedden, Henry Opt, Ira Gulick, trustees; H. M. Betz, 
clerk. 

1854.— W. H. H. Hedden, John T. Reid, Ira Gulick, trustees; H. F. Hoss- 
ler, clerk. 

1855.— John Wax, J. T. Reid, H. F. Hossler, trustees; H. F. Hossler, 
clerk. 

1850. — George A. Blackwell, D. H. Watson, John Wax, trustees; John 
Newman, clerk. 

1857. — H. Opt, Ira Gulick, G. A. Blackwell, trustees; John Newman, clerk. 

1858. — John Einsel, D. H, Watson, G. A. Blackwell, trustees; Jacob Gei- 
ger, clerk. 

1859.^— John F. Heilman, Henry Geiger, G. A. Blackwell, trustees; Jacob 
Geiger, clerk. 

1800.— D. H. Watson, I. B. Steinbaugh, L. R. Owen, trustees; W. T. 
Brown, clerk. . 

18()1.— D. H. Watson, I. B. Steinbaugh, L. R. Owen, trustees; W. T. 
Brown, clerk. 

1862.— D. H. Watson, I. B. Steinbaugh, Henry Geiger, trustees; W. T. 
Brown, clerk. 

1803. — Ed Saul, H. Geiger, Daniel Spitler, trustees; William DeWitt, clerk. 

1804. — Jacob Hossler, R. A. Blackwell, D. H. Watson, trustees; Jacob C. 
Geiger, clerk. 

1805. — R. A. Blackwell, J. Wax, John Newcomer, trustees; Jacob G. Gei- 
ger, clerk. 

180().— D. T. See, H. Einsel, John Wax, trustees; W. DeWitt, clerk. 

1807.— D.H. Patterson, H. F. Hossler, Hemy Einsel, trustees; W. De- 
Witt, clerk. 

1868. — Edward Saul, Henry Geiger. D. H. Patterson, trustees; W. De- 
Witt, clerk. 

1869.— John Wax, William Mitchell, M. Finch, trustees; W. DeWitt, clerk. 

1870. -Samuel Mull, H. F. Hossler, Henry Geiger, trustees; W. DeWitt, 
clBrk 

1871.— H. Kirgis, L. R. Owen, H. F. Hossler, trustees; W. DeWitt, clerk. 

187'2. — I. B. Steinbaugh, L. R, Owen, H. F. Hossler, trustees; S. S. Leh- 
man, clerk. 

1873.— Daniel Seitz, I. B. Steinbaugh (I. G. Watson, deceased), L. K. 
Owen, trustees; S. S. Lehman, clerk. 

1874.— S. H. Wolf, I. B. Steinbaugh, L. R. Owen, trustees; S. S. Leh- 
man, clerk. 

1875. — Daniel Seitz, S. H. Wolf, I. B. Steinbaugh, trustees; S. S. Leh 
man, clerk. 

187().— Daniel Seitz, Conrad Klahr, I. B. Steinbaugh, trustees; U. E. 
Cory, clerk. 



432 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

1877. — Daniel Seitz, Conrad Klahr, Abraham Sponseller, tnistees; S. S. 
Lehman, clerk. 

1878. — Michael McNamara, A. Sponseller, C. Klahr, trustees; iS. S. Leh- 
man, clerk. 

1879. — Henry Einsel, Michael McNamara, A. Sponseller, trustees; S. S. 
Lehman, clerk. 

1880. — John Newcomer, J. P. Echelberry, Eli Spitler, trustees; P. F. 
Samsel, clerk. 

1881.— S. B. Hossler, George M. Martin, Eli Spitler, trustees; P. F. 
Samsel, clerk. 

1882.— Same as in 1881. 

1883. — Daniel Seitz, Eli Spitler, George M. Martin, tiiistees; P. F. Sam- 
sel, clerk. 

1884.— John E. Miley, Henry Scheerer, W. L. Reid, trustees; P. F. Sam- 
sel, clerk. 

The officers of Bloom Township in 1885 are William Reid, Republican, S. 
B. Hossler, Republican, Henry Kirgis, Democrat, tnistees; P. F. Samsel, 
Democrat, clerk; H. S. Samsel, Republican, treasurer; S. S. Lehman, Repub- 
lican, assessor; B. H. Spitler, Democrat, Fred Bolland. Republican, constables. 

Pioneers of Bloom Township. — When Hadley and Hampton beheld this 
township in 1821, it appeared beautiful in its wildness. In 1822 the van- 
guard of the pioneers arrived, and then was begun that round of labor 
which resulted in giving to the county even before its organization, a garden 
spot for all time and a well-organized community. In reviewing the history of 
the settlement of the county, the following names are selected to represent the 
pioneers of Bloom. The few who may chance to be left unnoticed in this partic- 
ular portion of the work, find mention in one or other of the many chapters de- 
voted to general, local and personal history. 

James Beauchamp, who owned 135 acres on the southwest quarter of Sec- 
tion 6, died in 1830, when Thomas McMillan was appointed administrator of 
the estate. Sidney Smith was appointed guardian ad litem for his five chil- 
dren .... Jacob and Rosa Bessey, natives of Germany, jiarents of IVIrs. Abraham 
Sponseller, who was born in this county in 1842, came to Bloom Townshij) in 
an early day. Mr. Bessey died in 1867 ; his widow now resides in Crawford 
County .... Joseph Burnsides or Birnside, who subsequently settled near the 
present City Cemetery of Tiffin, located land near Bloomville in 1822, but found 
it to have been previously piirchased .... The Bixler family must be named 
among the pioneers, so also Henrj' Blackman, a name familiar in all old resi- 
dents' societies .... George Bever, Robert McClellan, Jacob Black, Noah Rhine- 
hart were the only supporters in this township of Butterfield's History, in 
1848 .... Thomas and Elizabeth (Hughes) Boyd, located on Honey Creek in 
1822, being the first permanent settlers, where they resided until their death — 
Mrs. Boyd dying in 1834, Mr. Boyd November 27, 1847 .... James Boyd, born 
in 1805 in Pennsylvania, came to Bloom with his parents in April. 1822. man-ied 
Miss Eliza Steele and after her death mamed Miss Mercy Smith, who died in 
1865. Mr. Boyd died in 1 871 at his home on Honey Creek .... James T. Boyd, 
son of James Boyd, was born in Bloom Township in 1842 . . . .Adam and Cath- 
erine (Fike) Buchman, natives of Bavaria, came in 1833 to Bloom Township, 
where the former died in 1881 .... James and Eliza Boyd (both deceased), par- 
ents of Mrs. George Shiunaker, of Pleasant Township, came from Pennsylvania 
to Bloom Township in an early day. 

Edward Cooley was one of the early settlers, liut the exact date of his com- 
ing cannot be ascertained. He erected the first house on the site of the present 




M 




( 




'^^j^^^ 




2/ 



BLOOM TOW.NSHU'. 435 

village of Bloomville .... David Crapo was among the pioneers of Hie third 
decade of this eeutuiy. 

John and Hannah (Kershner) Davis, former a native of Maryland, born in 
1785. latter of Pennsylvania, born in ITUt), were married in 1816, and Novem- 
ber 12, 1824, came fi'om Pen-y County, Ohio, to Si>ction 8, Bloom, where they 
permanently settled. John Davis and Kussel Miinsell built, in 1820, a saw-mill 
on that farm, which mill was rebuilt later and sold to John Shoutz. Mrs. 
Davis died in 1840, Mr. Davis in 1849. Their son, William M., of Bloom 
Township, was born in 1819, in Perry County, Ohio. . . .Jacob and Elizabeth 
Detwiler, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of Jacob Detwiler, who was born in 
1828 in Columbiana County, Ohio, settled here in 1844. Jacob Detwiler, Sr., 
died in 1 Sr)0, his widow in 1800 .... Edward Delaney came from Ii-eland in 
18151 or 1832, and selected the beautiful wilderness of Bloom for a home. . . . 
Mrs. Mary Donnell widow of James Donnell and sister of the pioneer, Thomas 
Boyd, came in 1822. James Boyd, a brother, arrived at the same time. The 
latter moved to Iowa in later years with his sister, and died there .... James 
Don;dd. who was one of the builders of the first saw-mill, arrived jirior to 
182(). . . .Evan Dor.sey first settled in Bloom, and afterward became interested 
in other townships .... William DeW'itt, father of Mrs. James T. Boyd, of this 
township, was a pioneer of Bloomville. 

John and Elizabeth Einsel, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, respect- 
ively, jiarents of Henry Einsel, who was born in 1834, came fi'om Fairfield 
County, Ohio, to this county in 1833, where Mrs. Einsel died in I86r), and 
Mr. Einsel in 1872. 

John and Barbara (Myers) Fisher, of Maryland, located here in 1835. 
John Fisher died in 1879. his wife in 1859. . . .James Fisher, M. D.. a name 
well known in the histoiy of Tiffin, and who is referred to in the chapter on 
physicians, first settled in Bloom .... George Free settled here about 1823, 
and was known as " Section 3;" he passed to his reward long years ago. . . . .■ 
George and Elizabeth (Ellenberger) Free, former born in 1785, died in 1848, 
latter born in 1796, died in 1867 (parents of John Free, late of Reed Town- 
ship, born in Virginia in 1819, died in 1874), came to Bloom Township in 1822. 

Samuel Gross, one of the oldest men living here, was born in 1810 in 
Pennsylvania, and in 1831 moved with his j^arents to Tiffin. He maiTied, 
in 1830, Miss Ann Owen, born in Pennsylvania in 1807, and they then located 
in Bloom in 1831. The old couple still occupy the log house which they built 
on coming here, which is the oldest residence in the township, and Mr. Gross' 
workshoi) still stands, a well-known landmark. 

Nehemiah Hadley and J. C. Hampton, who settled in Bloom in 1822, are 
referred to in the chapter on pioneers, .It is there related that they were tem- 
porary s(>ttlers as early as 1821, the former accompanving the latter on a com- 
mercial inciu'sion. Hadley was a great hunter, and was known to the pioneers 
of Iowa, where he settled. . . .John Coles Hampton, born in Virginia in 1803, 
settled permanently in Bloom Townshii) in 1822, and here mamed. in 1832, 
Elizab(>th Long. He was an auctioneer here for nearly forty years, until his 
death in 1S85. . . .Bev. Henry F. and Susan (Sellon) Hall, parents of Mrs. 
John Rice, of Bloom Township, who was born in New York State in 1826, 
settled here in 1835. {vide Pioneer Chapter) .... John George and Cath- 
erine Hawblits, natives of Germany, came to Stark County. Ohio, in 1830, 
bringing their son, Peter Hawblits, now of Bloom Township, who was born in 
1829. After nine years' residence in Stark County. Ohio, they settled in 
Bloom Township, but are now residents of Venice Township. . . .Jacob Hoss- 
ler, born in 1806, in Pennsylvania, father of Samuel B. Hossler (latter born 



436 HISTORY OF SENECA COUXTV. 

there in ■ 1842), moved with his parents (his father, Frederick Hossler, was 
born in Pennsylvania in 1782) to Stark County, Ohio, in 1821, and there mar- 
ried Anna Funk, a native of the place, and in 1834 came to Bloom .... Jonas 
Hossler, Benjamin Hottel and Isaac Jeffries are named among the old resi- 
dents of the county. . . .Michael and Hannah Hiinsicker, parents of Mrs. Con- 
rad Briner, of this township, were early settlers here. , 

Abraham Kagy, born in Virginia in 18(^3, came with his parents, in 
1820, to Faulield Coimty, Ohio, there married Miss Elizabeth Kuch, of that, 
county, and in 1823 they settled in Bloom Township. They had a large family, 
and at one time owned over 1,000 acres of land. John, their son, has lived all 
his life in Bloom Township. Abraham Kagy still lives on the old homestead. 
His wife died in 1803. His mother, Hannah Kagy, died in this township when 
over ninety years of age .... Truman King, George King and Rufus Kirstmer 
were all early settlers here .... John and Eve (Eeigle) Koller, foimer a native of 
Pennsylvania, settled on Honey Creek. Bloom Township, fi'om Pennsylvania, in 
1834. Mr. Koller built the lii'st brick house in the tovmship. He died 
in 1845, and his widow, who subsequently manied WOliam Watson, died in 
1863. Nathaniel, son of John and Eve Koller, was born here in 1834. . . . 
Simon Koller was born in 1802, in Pennsylvania, married there Mi-s. Mary 
M^gdalena Bricker, also a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1810. In 1.838 they 
came to Ohio, and to Bloom Township in 1846. Mrs. Koller died in 1881, 
Mr. Koller in 1882. 

D. T. Lee settled in the township abotit 1835. . . .John Lewis, wife, four 
sons and one daughter came to Bloom Township in December, 1833, and settled 
on the Marion State )-oad near the county line. John Lewis died there about 
1845, and Mrs. Lewis in 1840. Both are buried in Rock Creek Cemetery in 
Eden Township .... In June, 1835, Henry F. Hall settled in the northeast 
corner of Bloom Township, having come fi-om Steuben County, N. Y. , in 
June of that year. His daughter, Mrs. John Rice, refers to the farm as fol- 
lows: "There was also a pretty good log-house that the original builder had 
intended to be a nice one for those pioneer times. The doors and wind(;ws 
were cased nicely; the gable ends were sided up and the roof was covered with 
shingles instead of clapboards, but he had sold out before it was all finished, 
and a man named John Lowman owned it. He was a rare specimen of the genus 
homo, and spent his time in studying out a jierpetual motion, and the doors, 
both outside and inside, were covered with ch'cles, angles and ciu'ves and all 
sorts of geometrical designs that would almost have di'iven an inventor crazy. 
He was too much of a genius to spend his time on commonplace things. He had 
lived there live years without any sash or glass in his windows. In winter they 
hung blankets over them, and in summer he said they put a chau' in at 
night to keep out the dogs. Unlike most of the houses of that day. the chim- 
ney was built inside of the house, but the big lire-place occupied a large place 
below the stairs, and the chickens had a nice comfortable roost behind the 
chimney on the ends of the sticks of which it was made, and those that did 
not come in at the door, found their way in through the chinks between the 
logs. Father had the true Yankee i)luck and went to work, and soon the dogs 
and chickens found out that a new family had moved in." 

Nathan and Elizabeth (Devins) Martin, former born in Pennsylvania in 
1785, came from Canada to Bloom, in 1839, where his two brothers had set- 
tled at an earlier date. He died in 1862. his widow in 1870. This old settler 
was a soldier of the Revolution .... John Chapman Martin born in 1798, in 
Pennsylvania, came to Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1812, and there maiTied 
Miss'Maiy Ann McCandlish, a native of Ohio. They came here in 1828. 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 437 

Mrs. JIaitin ciiod in 1S70, SIi-. Martin in 1881 . . . .Goorgo and Magdalona 
(Troxol) iNIiickloy, former a nativo of Germany, latter of Pennsylvania, jiari^nts 
of Mis. Jacob Dotwiler, of Bloom Township, who was born here in 1884, 
came from Stark County, Ohio, in 183:1 Mr. Muekloy died in 1843, and his 
widow marrii'd Isaac Kohrer and now lives in Mahoning County, Ohio .... 
Joseph McClelland, born in Miillin County, Penu. , August '25, 1 787, moved to 
Shelby County, Ky., in 1815, to Bloom Township in 182'2, to Hopewell in 
185 1. where he died aged seventy-two years,' four months and thirteen days .... 
A. B. McClelland, born January 7, 1818, in Centre County, Penn., settled in 
Bloom in November, 1834 .... Jacob Meyer was a settler of the third decade 
...Butler and Mary (Boyd) Muusell, parents of Mrs. Isaac S. Baldwin, of 
Bloom Towushi]!. who was born in this township in 1838, were early settlers 
hero. . . .Roswell Munsell settled in Bloom in 1822, and the following fall as- 
sirited Davis in erecting the first sfiw-mill .... Aaron Malony and wife, Mrs. 
Edwin Bristol, S. G. Malony and John C. F. Malony left Maryland in October, 
1830. and arrived in Bloom Township in January, 1831. Kaehel McLelland, 
two daughters and one son, James Beecham and wife and childi-en came also 
to Bloom in 1831. and the three families settled in this township. 

Levi Neibel, John Newman, Samuel and Hemy Nisley were all old and 
useful residents. 

Lewis E. Owen, born in 1815, in New York State, came to Bloom Town- 
ship from Scipio Township, in 1835 .... Zeli Owen and William Owen were also 
old settlers. 

John Pennington and Henry Perkey, are named among the old residents. 
.... Philij) J. Price one of the early settlers of Eden, moved to Bloom Town- 
ship, and is mentioned in the history of Tiffin. 

Samuel and Elizabeth (Parks)Ralston, parents of Mrs. Samuel B. McClel- 
land of Bloom Township, who was born in Virginia in 1828. settled in this 
townslv]) in 1834. Mi-. Ralston died about 18G7 ; his widow stOl resides here. 
.... John T. Eeid, born in Maryland in 1807, came to Fairfield County, Ohio, 
in 1813, with his imcle, and to ISloom Township in 1831. It is also stated that 
this settler amved in 1828 .... Lowell Robinson settled in Bloom in 1823; 
dieil in California. He served the county as associate judge, and for this 
reason, a sketch of him appears in the law chapter. . . .Gain Robinson and Ly- 
man Robinson are names identified with the early years of Bloom .... Rev. 
James Robinson settled here in 1830, and took a prominent part in the 
chiu-ch work of that period .... Jacob Rodezel settled in Bloom about 1 829 

Timothy P. Roberts, so well known in the histoiy of Scipio, is said to 

have erected the first frame house in this township .... Isaac Rohrer was 
another old settler. 

John Seitz. a native of Virginia, born in 1 790, came to Fairfield County, 
Ohio, with his parents, in 1801. There he man-ied, in 1811, Miss Magdalena 
Spitler. also a native of Virginia, and in 1823 they located j^ei-manently in this 
townshij), the name of which was bestowed by Mr. Seitz the year previous. 
Mi-s. Seitz died in 18(')2, Mr. Seitz in 1874. Their son Daniel, born in 1825, 
and the first white male child to see the light of day in Bloom Township, is 
now the oldest resident of this part of the county. . . . Elder Lewis Seitz, a na- 
tive of Fau-tield County, Ohio, born in 1802, father of Aaron Seitz of Bloom 
Townshi]) (who was born in the township in 1844), man-ied, in 1823, Miss Bar- 
bara l^agy, and in 1824 moved here. Mi-s. Barbara E. (Bretz) Seitz, wife 
of Daniel Seitz, of Bloom Township, daughter of David and Frances Bretz, 
natives of Virginia, was born herein 1834. . . .Martin Shaffner. father of 'W. H. 
SbafFner, of TiJiin, came to Bloom Township from Crawford County (formerly 



438 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

from Pennsylvania), in 1843. He was the father of twenty-one children. . . . 
George Showman was a settler of 1835 .... Jacob Shock, a native of Stark 
County. Ohio, (father of Mrs. Aaron Seitz, born there in 1842.) was an early 
settler. Died in 1878 .... Jacob and Catharine (Seitz) Spitler. natives of Vir- 
ginia, parents of Martin J. Spitler, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born 
in 1824, came to that county about 1802. where they were man-ied. and in 1850 
they moved to Bloom. They had seventeen children, and at their death left 
127 descendants. Jacob Spitler died in 1805, his wife in 1863. Martiu J., 
their son, came to this township in 1845 . . . .Lewis Spitler is also an old settler 
.... Frederick and Elizabeth (Prouse) Sponseller, natives of Stark County, 
Ohio, former born in 1815, latter in 1818, parents of Abraham Sponseller "of 
Bloom Township, who was born in the township in 1845. were married in 1840 
and then located here .... James Steele put up a saw and grist-mill about 1833 
or 1834. . . .Adam Stinebaugh. born in 1799, in Pennsylvania, moved when very 
young with his widowed mother to Maryland. There he married, in 1829, Miss 
Susanna Bowser, sister of the old pioneer of this county. Jacob Bowser, and 
same year came with her father, John Bowser, to Seneca Coimty. He bought 
a tract of land where Republic now stands, and which he sold in 1835. In 
1836 he bought land in Bloom Township, and here made a permanent settle- 
ment. Mrs. Stinebaugh died in 1856. Their only child. Isaac B. , of Bloom 

Township, was born in 1829, on the site of Republic Village Mrs. John 

Swigert, who died August 18, 1884, and her husband are numbered among 
the pioneers. . . .John Stinchcomb came from IMarylaud to this county in 1825. 
settled in Bloom Township, and there remained until 1851. when he moved 
to Clinton Township, where he died. His father. George Stinchcomb, was a 
native of Scotland, and died in Maryland. James Stinchcomb, his son. now 

of Clinton Township, was born in Bloom in 1831 Bart Stout was one of 

the settlers of 1833 John Stroh settled in Bloom in 1823 .... Edward 

Sutherland came in subsequently .... Joseph and Susana Swigart. natives of 
Maryland, parents of George Swigart of Seneca Township (who was born in 
Maryland in 1825), came to this county and first settled in Bloom Township, 
afterward in Eden Township, where Mrs. Swigart died. Mr. Swigart is also 
deceased. 

The Trail family, Thomas T. Treat and Julius Treat are names well known 
in the eai'ly history at Bloomville. 

George and Mary (Grove) Valentine, former a Revolutionary soldier, a 
native of Pennsylvania, latter of Mai-yland. came to Fairfield County. Ohio, in 
1807, but spent their latter days in Bloom, and Mr. Valentine's grave in 
Woodland Cemetery is one of the few Revolutionary' soldiers' gi-aves in Sen- 
eca County. John Valentine, their eldest son, born in ^Maryland, for a time 
a soldier in the war of 1812. was married to Miss Sarah Talljott, also a native 
of Maryland; they settled in 1829 on a quaiier section of land in Bloom 
Township, obtained from the government in 1822, and Thomas George, of 
this township, their son, born in 1820, a soldier three years and three 
months in the war of the Rebellion, now occupies that same quarter section of 
land. 

James R. Wilson, one of the lawyers of the county, settled in Bloom in 

1834, and thirty-two years later was admitted to the bar I. G. Watson, 

father of Mrs. Frank A. Chatfield, of Bloomville, was one of the pioneers of 
Bloom Township, where he died in 1873; his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth J. Wat- 
son, an old settler of Eden Township (1845) sui-vives. Mi-s. Margaret Wat- 
son, born in Centre County, Penn., June 25, 1823, settled in Bloom in 1830. 
.... Jacob Webster is named in the pioneer roster Thomas West, born in 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 439 

1800, in New York State, came to Bloom Townsbip in 1828, and here married, 
in 1824, Miss Margaret C. Donnoll, who was bom in 1804, in Pennsylvania, 
eomino; to Bloom Townshiji with her parents, John and Mary (Boyd) Donnell, 
in 1822. She died in IK'A), and Mr. West then maiTied Miss Naiicy B. Boyd, 
born in Pennsylvania in ISOO. Mr. West died in 1875); his widow, who 
resides on the family homestead, is the second oldest pioneer in the township, 
and the only representative of her father's family in the county. 

BLOOMVILLE VILLAGE. 

Bloomville was surveyed in December, 1837, by James Diu'bin, for P. J. 
Piice, Thomas T. and Julius Treat, on Section If). John C. Hunsicker's addition 
was surveyed June 4, 1852, by G. H. Heming. Huddle's addition was sur- 
veyed in April, 1863, by G. H. Heming, for Lewis Hudille. north of New 
Haven Street. Henry Schearer's addition was sm-veyed April <), 187 1 , by Dennia 
Maloy. Conrad Klahr's addition was surveyed by P. H. Ryan, in February, 
1872. Ed P. Bliss made an addition in February, 1JS72, the sm-vey being 
made by P. H. Eyan. E. J. Tmuer's addition was siu-veyed in Jidy, 1878, 
by Samuel Gray. At the same time he siu'veyed the plat of Thomas West's 
addition. Henry Ditteuhafer's addition was surveyed by Samuel B. Gray, in 
March. 1873, and his out-lots in August, 1873. John Kriley's addition was 
surveyed by S. B. Gray, in April, 1873. 

The following additions to the town have since been made: 

West & Knapp's, sui-veyed Jidy, 1873; Eli Winter's, siu-veyed September, 
1873; Eli Winter's, siu'veyed September, 1874; Com'ad Klahr's, surveyed Octo- 
ber, lb73: West's, surveyed August 11, 1873; Melinda Lee's, svirveye'd March, 
1875; Benjamin Knapp's, siirveyed January, 1877; Melinda Lee's, surveyed 
April, 1876; Henry Schafer's, surveyed September, 1880; Northwest, sur- 
veyed June, 1880; Ki-iley's. surveyed May, 1882; Martin Roller's surveyed 
July, 1883. 

Organization and Officers. — Apetition, signed by 112 residents of SectionsO, 
10, 15 and 16, Town 1 north. Range 16 east, asking for the incorporation of 
Bloomville, was presented to the commissioners by John Andrews and Albert 
Gaetz, agents for petitioners, and then August 22, 1874, permission to organ- 
ize was given. The lirst elections were held in 1875, when Jacob Hossler was 
elected mavor, rice James Turner, declined nomination; S. S. Lehman, clerk; 
J. T. Reid" S. Holt, L. D. Revington, E. J. Turner, Comad Klahr, and C. B. 
Walker, coimcilmen; John Swigert, treasiu-er, and E. B. ^A'atson, marshal. 
In 187<), Henry Schearer. Jefferson Freese and D. H. Watson were elected 
councilmen. 

The elections of 1877 resulted in the choice of Jacob Hossler, mayor; S. 
S. Lehman, clerk; Dr. J. W. Bell, Jacob Beelman and N. S. Lehman, coun- 
cilmen. In 1878 the councilmen elected were Alfred Owen, A. Einsel, D. R. 
Whiteman. James Turner and J. Basore. In 1879 Heniy Einsel was elected 
mayor; S. S. Lehman, clerk; John Winters, L. D. Bevington, F. P. Klahr, 
councilmen, and in 1880, David Blaney, A. Owen and J. Beelman, councilmen. 
The elections of 1881 resulted in the choice of John Anckews, for mayor; S. 
S. Lehman, clerk; D. Snyder, H. W. Patterson, John T. Reid and F. P. 
Klahr. councilmen. In 1882_F. D. Wilsey, was elected clerk; J. S. Ink, J. 
F. Wilsey, John Hershberger and Sol. Hilbert, councilmen. 

The elections of 1 883 resulted in the choice of James Tiuner, for mayor; A. F. 
Walker, clerk; H. Sheer, Jacob Beelman, N. J. Farnsworth and A. F. Spitler, 
councilmen. The mayor resigned, when John Swigert was appointed. In 
1884, O. M. Holcomb was elected mayor; A. F. Walker, clerk; Jeffei-son 



440 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Freese, George Griffin. Ed Turner and H. Kannell, conneilmen. The elec- 
tions, 1885, resulted as follows: Mayor, O. M. Holcomb, Democrat; clerk, James 
Turner. Eepublican; treasui-er. Henry S. Samsel. Republican: councilmeri, 
H. Einsel, Democrat; Hemy Kannel, Republican; Paul Miller, Democrat; 
marshal, B. H. Spitler, Democrat; street commissioner, John Strouse, Repub- 
lican; school board, A. J. Shintz, Democrat; J. "\V. Snyder, Democrat. Daniel 
Hai't was the first street commissioner, elected in 1870. Jacob Leach was 
elected marshal in 1876; U. E. Coiy, in 1877: L. L. Lehman, 187'J; T. S. 
Hanna, 1883 ; W. S. Lowry, 1884-85. E. J. Turner was elected treasurer in 
1877,' and Henry Samsel, in 1881. 

Postmasters. — Thomas T. Treat was the first postmaster at Bloomville in 
18S7-38. On the jiiu'chase of Treat & Price's store by the Brown Bros., it is 
said that they can-ied on the postoffiee for some time. In Februaiy, 1873, 
Lorenzo Bevington succeeded Daniel Behm as postmaster. In September. 
1885, David Blaney was commissioned postmaster at Bloomville. 

Cliwches. — The Baptist Chiu-ch of Bloom dates back to May 27, 1827, 
when the " Honey Creek Church " was organized. Three years later Elder 
Lewis Seitz was appointed pastor, and has held that office down to our own 
times. 

In 1840 an itinerant preacher, named Rev. George R. Brown, succeeded 
in establishing a Universalist society at Bloomville, but it disestablished itself 
after a veiy short time. 

The several attempts made to organize new religions, among which was the 
Mormon, failed in this township. 

Mount Pisgah Reformed Church, Bloomville. was organized Aiigust 25, 
1850, with H. K. Baines, pastor; George Swigart and Philip Heilman. elders; 
Adam Baker and F. Zimmerman, deacons. The church was built on an acre 
tract of land donated by Simon Koller. The jiastors of the church since Mr. 
Baines' time have been J. C. Klahr, D. Kelley, M. KeefFer. J. H. Good. W. W. 
James, J. A. Keller, L. Grosenbaugh. J. A. Steplar. J. D. Gehring. Samuel 
Shaw (appointed in 1870), J. "W. Shaw, and J. S. Myers, the pastor ia 1884-85. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Bloomville has a history extending 
over more than half a century, being almost a contemporary of the old church 
at Melmore, and a sharer in its official and ministerial life for many years. 
In 1835 the society erected a house of worship on the Stinchcomb farm, and 
the old building was carried down the years until a chiu-ch of native stone was 
erected. The membership of this chiu-ch at Bloomville is about 100. and th(» 
value of the property 13,500. Rev. E. S. Tompkins is the present pastor. 

United Brethren Church of Bloomville was organized May 7, 1882, with 
the following named members: Rev. Jacob Gerber, Mrs. Elizabeth Scott, 
Mrs. Heniy Dittenhafer, Mrs. Maggie Koller. Mrs. J. R. Wilson. John Shook, 
Susan Shook, A. J. Spitler and Sirs. Ellen Spitler. The church house was 
dedicated to the worship of God on the 14th of May, 1882, Bishop J. Weaver 
officiating. The house is a neat brick structui-e, beautifully situated on comer 
of High and Marion Streets. On the 28th of May, 1882, a Sabbath-school was 
qrganized with a membership of twenty persons, with A. J. Spitler as super- 
intendent. The school has since that time steadily gi'own to a prosperous con- 
dition, numbering at the present time 100 or more members. Only one death 
has occurred in the class since its organization. The pastors have been Rev. 
M. E. Spahr and Rev. G. P. Macklin, and the present incumbent is J. H. 
Arnold. 

The Presbyterian Chui'ch of Bloom, in its earlier history, belongs to that of 
the chiu'ch at Scipio Centre. In 1834 a frame building was erected by the 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 441 

Prpsbyterians of Bloom, who had been orj^auized by Rev. James llobiason in 
1880. John Davis was tlie Icailiuf^ builder of this chiirch. On its destruction 
bv lire u small brick house was erected on what is known as the Kavely farm. 
This stood the test of time so well that it had to be torn down, and its pio- 
neer brick is, in fact, a large factor in the more irretentions building in Bloom- 
ville Village. Rev. ^^'. T. Hiui is pastor of this church. 

St Stephen's Church is refeiTed to under the head of " Small Settle- 
ments " in this chapter. 

Schools of Bloomri lie. — The condition of the schools of Bloomville at the 
close of August, 1884, is shown by the following statistics: Total number of 
pupils, 188 — 83 boys and 100 girls, of whom 18 were attending the high school: 
1 school-house, value of property §12,000; 4 teachers, average pay Sfw, $45 
and §88; local tax, §1,787.45; revenue, $2,415.00; expeuditiu'es, $1,'J71.05. 
The schools are now presided over by the following named teachers: Prof. 
Bowman, superintendent; high school. Prof. Bowman; grammar school, C. 
H. Shock; intennediate school, Miss Cable; primary school. Miss Snyder. 
The school building of the village was completed in 1875. at a cost of S7,500, 
and opened by Supt. J. K. Hamilton. 

Ni'irspapers. — A reference to the chapter ou the press of the county jioints 
out the beginning of newspaper enterprise at Bloom\'ille, in July, 1874, and the 
changes which led up to the publication of the Record by the present mayor of 
the tow^u. 

Societies. — Bloom^dlle Lodge No. (56 (, I. O. O. F. , was chartered May 10. 
1877, with the following members: J. "\V. Bell, J. Swigert, Arthiu- Adams, 
Henry ]M. Patterson, John Winters, A. D. Einsel, J. S. Mvers, L. L. Hossler, 
S. G." McClelland, Val. Dennis, H. H. Beel, A. B. Stewart and M'. P. Dove. 
The P. Gs. are named as follows : A. Adams. J. AV. Bell. H. H. Beelman, Vid. 
Dennis, William Dove. H. F. Carson, L. L. Hossler, F. P. Klahr. M. D., S. 

C. JlcClellaud, Jacob !Myers. Alonzo Prouse, H. M. Patterson, John Swigert, 
A. B. Stewart, H. S. Samsel, A. B. Stuky. The present N. G. is J. A. 
West, 1885-86. The present secretary is Charles M. L. Mcllvaiu. A. B. 
Stewart is G. R. to G. L. 

W. T. Brown Post, G. A. R. No. 191, Bloomville, was established in Decem- 
ber, 1881, and named in honor of W. T. Brown, a soldier of the One Hundred 
and Sixty-foiu-th Ohio National Guards. The charter members are D. Vt'. Fisher, 

D. L. Fisher, N. S. Lehman, G. M. Martin, W. L. Reid. A. D. West, T. G. 
Valentine, J. T. Boyd, James Tui'ner, S. S. Lehman, S. H. Taylor, Jonathan 
Creshner, W. A. Teel, S. Hilbert, William Carson, Jacob Carson, N. Holt, 
R. R. Kershner, G. O. Olds, V. Dennis, F. S. Brobst, S. B. Hossler, T. A. 
McClellan, H. H. McClellan and J. Beelman. The commander of the post 
from 1881 to 1885 was J. T Boyd. 

Procles Lodge No. 192, K. of P. , was organized and the first officers in- 
stalled October 80, 1884, viz. : J. C. Miller, P. C. ; D. W. Fisher, C. C. ; A. 
F. Walker, V. C. ; J. N. Snvder. prelate; M. E. Bliss, M. of E. ; B. M. West, 
M. of F.; G. F. Swigert. "K. of R. and S. ; S. J. Friston, M. of A.; A. J. 
Shoutz, I. G. ; J. C. Gray. O. G. ; H. S. Samsel, P. F. Samsel. G. W. Moore, 
and D. L. Fisher, together with the officers, were charter members of this lodge. 
It now claims twenty-six members. 

Business and l'rofe,s.sions. — The business and professional circles of the 
village in 1SS4 are made up as follows: J. Beeman, Jonathan Cashner and 
John Shook, furniture; Bevington & Co.. books and stationery; L. C. Birk. 
harness; E. P. Bliss and Ogden & Swigert, dry goods; Bliss House; F. A. 
Chatfield, Klahr & Samsel. druggists; Henrv Einsel. grain dealer; Farna- 



442 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

■worth & Moore, A. F. Spitzler & Co., and Zimmerman & Moore, grocers; T. 
J. Foster, J. W. Hoy and A. M. Martin, phy-sicians; J. S. Ink, agi-icultiu'al 
implements; C. Keller, F. P. Lyda, boots and shoes: Paxil Miller, sash, door 
and blind mamifactui'er; J. Shoutz&Son, Hour-mill; Charles Patterson, jeweler; 
A. B. Stnckey, meat market; John Swigert and D. R. "Whiteman, hardware; J. 
A. West, auctioneer and stock-dealer; \V. J. Cook, barber; E. P. Bliss, dry 
goods, boots and shoes, etc. ; L. C. Birk, livery ; Frank A. Falter, generjil 
merchant. 

Mantijacturing Industries. — The Oar Factory was established in 1874 by J. 
D. "Wilsey, who operated it for eleven years. This was a great industry, and 
its recent removal was a serious loss to the business of the village. The build- 
ings remain and offer a good opportunity to an enterprising manufacturer. 

The Bloomvillo Sash, Door and Blind Factory and Saw-mill were established 
several years ago, and are still carried on by Paul Miller. 

The Bloomville Mill Company was organized August 29, 1874, with W. Stew- 
art, Jacob Hoplei-, A. B. McClelland, John Swigert, Benjamin Knapp and 
James Winters, members. The capital stock was $16,000. 

The new tile and drain-pipe factory gives employment to a number of men. 
This is only the beginning of what will prove one of the largest industries in 
the county. 

Shoutz & Sons" Steam FloiU'ing-mills were built in 1880 by the present 
owners, on the site of the old sash and door factory. The machinery consists 
of six sets of rollers, one buha% one purifier and one Morris Bolt elevator, giv- 
ing a capacity of sixtv barrels per dav. The value of the mill is placed at 
$16,000. ■ • ■ 

The Honey Creek quarries, knovra as the Koller Quarries, are now worked 
by J. D. Wilsey, who gives employment to seventeen men. 

The quarries known as Fisher's and Francis' give employment to large forces 
of men and supply a good quality of building stone. 

The Bemenderfer and other limekilns are impoi-tant factors in the manu- 
facturing life of the township. 

William Richard, the inventor of the pruning shears, in June, 1869, fol- 
lowed up this invention by a second, improving the first, and the second by a 
third, patented September 20, 1870, the first and last being jjuichased by 
Chester Hiinter, of Clyde. In May, 1885, he patented the "Eclipse" shears, 
one of the most perfect in the world. The small shears or scissors is certainly 
one of the finest scissors known — the patent is applied for. Mayor Holcomb 
is associated with the inventor in the ownership of these patents. 

SMALL SETTLEMENTS. 

The postal village of St. Stephen is an old settlement, but a now postal 
town. Here is the chiuch of St. Stephen, and in the neighborhood a large 
number of intelligent and industrious farmers. St. Stephen's Catholic Chiu'ch, 
southeast of Bloomville, was founded in 1842. Among the early members 
were Martin Steinmetz, Philip Falter, Matthew Delaney, Joseph Danker, John 
Worm, Fred and John Steigmeier, Jacob Maier, Nicholas Lehman, Stephen 
Dick, Joseph Juend, Henry Sieger and Nick Duercher. Rev. Salesius Bnin- 
ner was the first priest. He was succeeded by Revs. Matthias Kreiisch, Jacob 
Ringely, A. Dambach, M. Baker and Nicholas Gales. February 1, 1874. Rev. 
Philip Rist, the present pastor, took charge of St. Stejihen's parish. Thecon- 
oregation numbers over 200 souls. The old chiu'ch has given place to the new 
church, erected at a cost of $7,000, the corner-stone of which was placed Oc- 
tober 1, 1885. 





^^/Ju-'^^eA^ ^ 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 445 

Elizabothtown was surveyed August 2SI, 1S3S, by James Duxbin for James 
Fisher, on the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of Section (i, Town 
1 north. Range 10 oast, and named after Eliza))oth Boyer, wife of Dr. Fisher. 
The location was on what is known as the "Beachman farm" or "Blackman's 
Corners." but eveiy vestige of it has disapi)eared before the industry of the 
agriculturist. The population of Elizabethtown in liS40 was ninety-six, and 
the business and manufacturing interests were represented by one saloon, one 
wagon shop, one blacksmith shop and the mere sign of general store, which 
did not materialize. 

RAILROADS. 

The only lin(> of railway which passes thi'ough Bloom Township is the 
North-western Ohio. This road strikes the township at the extreme northeast 
corner of Section 25, and, taking a northwesterly direction, in which it passes 
through Bloomville Village, it leaves the township at the northwest quarter of 
Section 5. 

STATISTICS. 

The hi-st assessment roll of Bloom Township which it is possible to obtain ia 
for 1S41. and it gives 22,585 acres valued at §02,848; town lots valued at $568; 
horses, 237, valued at $9,480; cattle, 5(32, valued at §4,496; 1 carriage 
valued at §60; total value, §77,452; total tax, §1,026.23; delinquencies from 
1840, §69.41. 

The statistics of assessment and taxation of Bloom Township for 1884 
place the value of 20,009 acres of land at §786,740, and of 292 acres in Bloom- 
ville at §128,460. Chattel property in the township is valued at §256,770 and 
in the village at §89, 420. Real and personal property in the township and village 
show a total value of §1,261,390; which, divided among the 2,161 persons in 
the township in 1880, would give the worth of each one at §583.06. The real 
worth of the township may be placed at $3,000,000. The total tax for 1884-85 
is §16,706.63, together with §118 dog tax. 

The predial statistics of the township for 1884 are as foUows: acres of 
wheat, 3,302: of rye, 5; of buckwheat. 4. yielding 22 bushels; of oats, 1,738, 
yielding 62,5SS bushels; of barley, 2, yielding 20 bushels; of corn, 2,491, 
producing 48,346 bushels; of meadow, 1,288, yielding 1,618 tons of hay; of 
clover, 1,3^6, producing 1,620 tons of hay, 1,338 bushels of seed and 25 acres 
plowed under for maiuue; potatoes, 108 acres, yielding 10,847 bushels; butter 
made for family use, 77,050 pounds; sorghum syrup, 78 gallons; maple sugar, 
1,040 pounds and 1,283 gallons of syi-up; 4 hives produced 50 pounds of 
honey; eggs, 30,625 dozens; grapes for 1883, 5,950 pounds; sweet potatoes, 
125 bushels; 427 acres of apple trees produced 8, 125 bushels in 1883; 190 
bushels of pears, 2 of chenies and 3 of plums; acres of land cultivated, 
14,184; of pastm-e, 1,109; of woodland, 3,940; of waste land, 136; total acre- 
age. 19,31)9; wool, 32,218 pounds; milch cows, 492; dogs, 117; sheep killed 
and iujiued by dogs, 42; animals died of disease — 70 hogs, 32 sheep, 9 cattle 
and 5 horses. 

The schools of Bloom Township, in August, 1884, present the following 
statistics: local tax, $2,124.80; total receipts, §4,476; expenditures, $2,590; 
number of houses, 9; value of property. 1,200; niuuber of teachers, 23; aver- 
age salaiy, §38 and §21; number of pupils, 405 — 225 males and 180 females. 
The statistics of population are given fully in Chapter XIII of the general 
history. 

24 



446 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

CLINTON TOWNSHIP AND TIFFIN CITY. 

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, as established by the commissioners of Sandusky 
County in June, 1820, embraced the territoi-y within the following named 
boundaries: Commencing where the line between Townships 2 and 3 strikes 
the river on the east bank; thence along such line to the northeast corner of 
Township 2, in Ranges 15 and 16 east, to the southeast corner of Township 2; 
thence west to the line between Townships 1 and 2; thence north, with the 
meanders of the river to the place of beginning. The name was suggested by 
the Bowes, Butlers, Vances and other settlers, in honor of DeWitt Clinton, then 
governor of New York State. In December. 1824, the commissioners of Seneca 
County established Clinton Township within the boimdaries of the original 
surveyed Township 2 north. Range 15 east. Since that time the sections east 
of the river have been governed ' 'variously, ' ' sometimes by Hopewell and 
sometimes by Clinton; but, as related in the organic history, such mutations 
were stopped, and the township is now Clinton throughout its length and 
breadth. 

The Sandusky River enters the township in Section 30, just at the south- 
west corner of what is known as Springdale addition to TiffiLn, flows northeast, 
and thence northwest to the great bend where it turns east, and thence flows 
north by east through the city and township, leaving Clinton in the northwest 
quarter of Section 5. The terrace is high above the water level, generally ly- 
ing some distance back on each side, giving a large strip of valley or bottom 
lands, and presenting a hundred beautiful scenes well worth the labor of a 
painter. 

Honey Creek, that old stream, sweetened by the name of pioneer memories, 
looks into the township in its extreme southwestern corner, while Rock Creek 
and its tributaries, the ancient mill-drivers, water the central southern sections, 
and, flowing in a tortuous coui-se northwest, enters the Sanduskj' just east of 
Washington Street bridge. The name given to it i^ well deserved. During a 
great part of the year there are more rocks than water visible; but when water 
does appear it comes in toiTents, as the historj' of many an old time bridge can 
tell. 

There are two other large streams flowing east through the center of the 
township, which enter the river in Section 17, just below Tiffin. The north- 
eastern sections are watered by a nameless creek, while a number of short 
spring creeks are found meandering almost everywhere throughout the thirty- 
six sections. In the centre of the northeast quarter of Section 33 is a spring 
lake, another near the river on Section 5, and another on Section 8. 

In the neighborhood of the river and creeks the land is much broken, and 
throughout the township "rolling heavily. " ' It is as fertile as land may be, 
and shows the result of years of labor in the number of flne farms, orchards 
and gardens. 

The geological features of the township, particularly in the neighborhood 
of Tiffin, are interesting, as here the line between the Niagara and Helderberg 



CLINTON TOWiNSHIP. 447 

crronps of rock occiirs. In tho (Tcologioal Report (Vol. V, p. 028) it is said that 
the quarries of the city, although producing only Helilerberg rock, show, at 
some times at their bases, exjjosures of the underlying Niagara limestone. 
These quaiTies are located on the eastern side of the ridge known as the Cin- 
cinnati axis, and the characteristics of the rocks are much the same as those 
in the quan-ies on the western side of the anticlinal in the Helderberg forma- 
tion; but the stones at Tiffin are more massive and are therefore more suitable 
for heavy construction. The courses are often twenty-six inches in thickness, 
and the stones produced are used largely for foundations and bridge work. 
The product of (luick-lime fi-om these quarries is also large. The stone is 
light drab in color: it is bituminous and gives forth a strong odor when ham- 
mered, but this characteristic is not so marked as in the dark colored varieties. 
The principal market for all three of the quarries at Tiffin is fm-nished by the 
immediate neighborhood. Besides the quarries in the table there are several 
smaller ones which are worked in the vicinity of the town and which produce 
the same kind of material in less amount. 

Fire clay is found even within the boundaries of the city, and brick-yards 
have been carried on from the close of the third decade of this centmy. Tile 
works and the now much prized ten-a cotta find a place in the economical ge- 
ology of this town.ship. 

St'ttlcnu-nt hji I'ioHfcrs and Ohl Residents. — The first direct reference made 
to that part of Ohio known as Clinton Township. Seneca County, was in 1812. 
Long years before that, however, the district was known to the trappers, hunters 
and traders of the Sandusky, who took particular pains to picture the country at 
once inhospitable and dangerous to life and limb. In 1812 Surveyor Meeker 
and some laborers opened a road fi'om Upper to Lower Sandusky, over a route 
planned by (ien. Bell, as told in the military chapter; subsequently a stockade 
was constructed, and a few log-houses built on the site of the camp of Col. 
James V. Ball's Pennsylvania Regiment, which camp was named Camp Ball, 
prior to the building of the fort in 1813. Here, November 18, 1817, the 
tirst white American came to settle, and with him came two wanderers, who 
never hitherto settled in any place, and who may be wandering still — William 
Murphy, of Oxford Township, Delaware County, who wandered Westward, 
and died of hardships, and Lyman IMain, of Troy Township, Delawai-e County, 
a great hunter. The first place the wTiter sees the name of Erastus Bowe is in 
the '■ History of Delaware County,"' page 318. where he is entered as a voter in 
1801 1, and an emigrant fi-om Vermont. There also the names of Paul D. But- 
ler, who came fi-om JIassachusetts in 1808, and Thomas Butler, his son, both 
old settlers of Fort Ball, appear as residents of Delaware Township, and whose 
gi-eat-grand and grandchikb-en, respectively, are now residents of Delaware. 
Erastus Bowe built a log-house just north of Washington Street bridge in 1817, 
and in .Time. 1818, brought his family from Delaware, Ohio, making the first 
permanent settlement that year. His son, Erastus G. Bowe, is now in Tiffin, 
linking the present with the very beginnings of the township and city. Then 
came the Spencers, Butlers, Abner Pike (the old sentry of Oakley), Joseph 
Vance. David Risdon. Josiah H(>dges and all those pioneers and old settlers who 
raised the township fi-om a wilderness to be the fairest part of a whole State. 
In the following notice of pioneers a full effort has lieen made to give the names 
of them all and a brief notice to each. In view of the fact that the great num- 
ber of them find mention in the general and township histories, as well as in 
the chapters of personal history, this review is published, so that no one whom 
it is possible to identify with the progress of this division of the county may 
escape honorable mention. Doubtless many names of good men and women do 



448 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 

not appear here ; but such names will be found in that chapter of history treat- 
ing on the subject with whieli theii' lives were linked. 

Moses and Sarah P. (Snow) Abbott, natives of Massachusetts, parents of 
Francis Abbott, came from Huron County, Ohio, in 181^2. They are both 
deceased .... Andrew Albrecht, father of Philip, came from Baden, Germany, 
in 1832, and settled at Tiffin .... MaiT J. Albrecht, born in Tiffin, Ohio, Octo- 
ber 2, 1832, died at her home in Bowling Green October 24, 1884. July 12, 
1866, she was mamed to Martin Albrecht .... Gideon W. Allen died July 26, 

1883, after many years residence iu Seneca County .... John Andes settled at 
Tiffin in 1852, moved thence to Fostoria, and has taken a full jsart in building 
ujJ that city .... John Anway, who entered the west half of southwest quarter 
of Section 23, Clinton, was the first person to patent I'nited States lauds in the 
county. He settled here in 1821 ... .John Ai-dner died at Tiffin, in his sev- 
enty-fifth year, August 9. 1885. . . .Robert Armsti'ong (see Indian and pioneer 
histories). . . .W. W. Armstrong, son of John Armstrong, of New Lisbon, Ohio, 
was born March IS, 1833. He entered the office of the Seneca Advertiser iu 
1847, and remained there until 1852, when he received an appointment in the 
State treasm'er's office. In 1854 he purchased the Aclrertiser office; was 
postmaster at Tiffin from 1857 to 1861; was elected Secretary of State in 1862, 
and was re-elected. In 1865 he sold the Advertiser to the Myers Brothei-s, 
purchased the Cleveland Plaindealer. and has since, as before, held a very 
high place in the Ohio political world. He mairied Miss Sarah V. , daughter 
of Josiah Hedges, November 10, 1857 .'.. .Anthony H. Ai-nold, born at Lan- 
caster, Ohio, August 11, 1826, came to Tiffin in l847, married Miss Maiy R. 
Fanning in 1855, served as constable of Clinton Township fi-om 1861 to 1879, 
and also was deputy sheriff for about seventeen years; he died in July, 1885. 

Ezra Baker, who settled in Seneca County in 1833, died in April, 1873, aged 
seventy-four years. He built one of the first mills in the county now staniiing in 
Clinton Township. . . .William Baker died December 9, 1874. . . .Frederick A. 
Baker, born in Frederick County. Md. . May 31, 1818, came to Seneca County in 
1845, and in 1847 settled on the Portland Road near Tiffin; died June 5, 1885 

.... Col. James V. Ball, (see Military History) .... Lewis Baltzell, who died 
September 11, 1874, was born in Frederick Coimty. Md., November 29, 1800, 
came to Clinton Township in July, 1829, and made his home here imtil his death 

.... John Baugher, who built the fii-st court house, was a native of Maryland (see 
Martin of Martin & Megley) ... .Ferdinand Baumgartner, who died Septem- 
ber 24, 1872, was one of the old residents of the township .... John Beard set- 
tled in the southern part of Clinton, about 1824, where he competed with Levi 
Cressy as blacksmith; born in Pennsylvania in 1794. died in 1832. His wife, 
Hannah (Doane) Beard is also dead .... George Beck, born iu 1800, died 
December 5, 1875 .... John Beck, another old resident, died December 18, 

1884, aged over eighty-two years .... Rev. J. J. Beilharz, was one of the 
early preachers, coming here in 1841.... John Bell, born in 1811, died 
August 24, 1880, was one of the pioneers, so also was Vincent Bell .... Rev. 
R. R. Bement, the fii-st superintendent of the Tiffin Union School in 1850-51, 
must be classed among the old residents .... F. Don and Charlotte (Piatt) 
Benham, natives of Connecticut, parents of ilrs. Benjamin F. Tomb, of 
Pleasant Townshij) (who wfis born in 1845). came to Scipio Township in 1838, 
and in 1840 moved to Tiffin, where Mr. Benliam was express agent for many 
years. He was born in 1804, died in 1882; Mrs. Benham was born in 1808, 
died in 1877. . . .Jacob and Rosanna (Clink) Bender, natives of the old conn-' 
try, father and stepmother, respectively, of Lewis F. Bender, of Clinton 
Township (who was born near Red River, Canada, in 1823,) anived in this 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 449 

county in IH'H'S and in 1847, and moved to Williams County, where Jacob 
Bender di{>d. His widow resides in Missouri .... Francis Bernard resided at 
Tiffin, built the pionocn- brick house at Tiffin (Dr. Dresbaeh"s office); died hero 
. . . ,An(bvw Brehler died April 'lit. bSTG. . . .Joseph Biggs settled in Clinton 
Township about 1S25 ... .Benjamin Biggs died July 5, 1800, in his eighty- 
first year . . . . ]Mi-s. Priscilla Biggs died March W. 183'.t . . . . Rev. Joseph L. 
Bihn. 1S5<). the cluu'ch builder and founder of the Orphan Asylum, is credited 
with the name of being one of the most useful old residents /. . .Sardis Birch- 
ard (.\nse(iuago|. though connected in early years with McNeal's store as as- 
sistant, cannot be claimed as a pioneer of the county .... David Bishop, of 
Tiffin, was crier at the sale of lots in Upper Sandusky August 20. 1X4."), for 
which (bity he received §43. Chester R. Mott was clerk. Bisho]) died 
December 5, 1850. . . .Jacob and Sarah Black were natives of Maryland, mar- 
ried and settled in the East, and in 1827 came to Tiffin; moved to Wyandot 
County, where JIi's. Black cUed in 18():-5. Mr. Black lived among his childi-en 
until his death in 1S77. . . .Jacob Black, born in Clinton Township in 1828, 
now resides in Big Sjiring Township .... George AV. Black, kept the first suc- 
cessful lunch counter at Tiffin .... Frederick Blassius was di'owned in Rock 
Creek near the gas factory in Februaiy, 1803. He was seventy-seven years 
old. . . .Hemy G. Blassius died March 31, 1877, aged sixty years. . . .Andi'ew 
Blum born in Hesse, Germany, August 28, ISlO. immigrated to America in 
1832, and two years later located in Tiffin, where he followeil the tailor's 
trade. His death took place in February, 1885.... John Bloom, Sr. , an old 
resident of th(> countv. died in February, 1885. .. .Jacob Boner, who settled 

at Tiffin in the fall of 1820, was born May 2. 1809 Martin Bollinger, one 

of the old German citizens of Tiffin, died September 10, 1882. . . .Peter A. B( r- 
muth was born at Tiffin, January 5, 1854; worked in M. J. Kerchner's store 
eight years, and opened a store for himself in March 1884; he died July 20, 1884 
. . . .Erastus Bowe. the first American settler of the county in 1817, and his 
son, Erastus G. Bowe. Jr., born in Delaware County, Ohio, April 5. 1818, are 
referred to in the ])ioneer chapter. . . .John C. Bowland, died July 18, 1874, 
aged fifty-eight and one-half years. . . .John and Magdalena Bowser, natives of 
Marylan<l, parents of Col. Jacob Bowser, of Clinton Township, came here 
in 182V) and here died.... Col. Jacob Bowser, born in Maryland, in 1800, 
come to this comity in 1827, remaining a few weeks; then retm'ned to Mary- 
land, and in 1820 again visited Ohio and bought the farm where he now lives 
In 1830 he brought his wife fi-om Maryland. She was Miss Anna Startz- 
man, born in Maryland in 1809, and died in 1870. . . .Thomas W. Boyce, now 
residing in Sandusky City, was one of the first settlers at Tiffin .... Susannah 
Boyer, relict of the late Jacob Boyer. and the mother of H. A. and \\'illiam 
Boyer, died August 3 1 . 1885. aged eighty-seven years. She was one of the 
pioneers of Tiffin, having resided her(> since 1834. . . .Col. Bradley, who built 
the Central Hotel and opened it as a tavern, was an imj)ortant figure in 
pioneer days. At his house, militia, railroad projectors, politicians and even 
preachers assembled to discuss ways and means for caiTving out their various 
enterprises. In 1.S32 the name of his hotel was changed to the Washington 
House, and in 1830 he built the Western Exchange. . . .Henry Brass, died April 
14, 1855. He was an unassuming, usehil old settler. . . .John G. Breslin, of 
whom r(>fer(>nce is made in the political and press chapters, took up a large 
space in the history of Seneca and indeed in that of Ohio, in earlier days. In 
April. 1842. he purchased the office of the defunct Vati Burcnite: in May issued 
the Seneca Adivrtisor and conducted it until 1.S54. He was elected member of 
the Legislature in 1848 and re-elected. He was also elected State treasurer, and 



450 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 

took part in many, if not all tboso stirring events, which marked the period of 
his residence at Tiffin. He married a daughter of ^Vidow Creeger, Miss Louisa 
Creeger. . . .John Britt settled at Tiffin in 1842, and is still a resident of the 
city. . . .Nelson L. Briinner, born in Maryland, September 18, 1832, settled in 
Ohio in 1853, graduated fi-om Heidelberg College in 1855, and was admitted 
to the bar in 1858. He was a partner of John C. Lee, at Tiffin, for some 
years, and is still a resident lawyer .... Henry C. Brish, born in Frederick 
County, Md. , in 1799, married Miss Eleanor S. Carey, of the same county, in 
1824, came to Seneca County in 1828, succeeded James Montgomery as Indian 
agent, and was the last agent of the Senecas in Ohio. His home near Tiffin 
was called Rosewood, and there he died in February, 18f)(5. . . .Mrs. Eleanor 
C. Brish, one of the pioneers of the county, died March 14, 1885, aged seventy 
nine years, seven months and fom-teen days. "When this lady aiTived in 1828 
she brought a jnuno with her, which is supposed to be the pioneer piano of 
the county .... John Michael Bruennert was born in Behringen, Thiu-ingia, in 
1807. At the age of forty-five he immigrated with his family to America, and 
lived for many years on a farm a few miles west of Fort Seneca. His last 
years he spent with his childi-en in Tiffin, until his death September 11, 1885. 
. . . .Dominick BiU'khart, a pioneer, died September 5, 1881, aged eighty- four 
years. . . .William \V. Burnee, died September 1 1, 1848. . . .Robert Biu-ns, an 
early settler near Fort Ball, was di-owned in 1 N>51 ) while attempting to cross the 
river to Tiffin .... Joseph Burnside located in Bloom Township about 1821; 
moved to Clinton Township about 1824, settled just west of the city cemetery; 
died May 3, 1875, aged seventy-one years. . . . Aaron Builscher, a former resident 
of this county, died in April, 1885, at his home in South Toledo, at the age of 
eighty-nine years. He was the father of Street Commissioner Biuischer, of 
Tiffin. He came to Seneca Cou.nty in 1839.... Paul D. Butler, one of the 
bitilders of the Spencer Mill, located in one of the block-houses at Fort Ball; 
.... Jacob Buskirk, who died December 1. 1837, and was buried at Tiffin, was a 
pioneer of the county .... John and Magdalena Buehmau. natives of Switzer- 
land, came to America, settling in this county in about 184(1. Here Mrs. 
Buchman died in 18(58. Mi'. Buchman resides with his children. . . .Grafton 
and Rebecca Bernard were early settlers .... Jacob Black, of Big Spring Town- 
ship, was born in Clinton Township in 1828. 

James Cahill, County Cavan. Ireland, died July 18, 1870, aged ninety- 
two.... Rev. Jacob P. Cahill, son of James Cahill, and an old settler, died 
September 29, 18(52, aged forty seven years. . . .Alexander Campbell, who died 
November 22, 18(35, aged fifty nine yeai's, was one of the pioneers of Tiffin. 
. . . .Mi-s. Margaret Camplx'll, born in Frederick County, Md., July 12, 1798, 

settled in Tiffin in the fall of 1830 David Campbell, a printer of 1834, 

may be considered one of the pioneers of the case in this county .... Hiram 
Carney died October, 18(51, after several years' residence in Tiffin. . . .George 
Chaney, named as a jiioneer of Hopewell Township, was one of the early set- 
tlers of Tiffin, and still resides in the city. He has been held up as an exam- 
ple of those old settlers who have "held their own.". . . .Scudder Chamberlain's 
name appears in early records, and is referred to in Chapter IV .... James M. 
Chamberlain, born in Columbiana Covmty, Penn., August 2(5, 1806, settled at 
Tiffin in 1832. . . .]\Ii's. Ann E. Clark, born in Northumberland Coiinty. Penn., 
in 1797, settled at Tiffin in 1S30. . . .Sylvester B. Clark, who died in Septem- 
ber, 1885, settled at Tiffin in August, 1833. He was born in Mom-oe County, 
Va. , February 2, 1802. . . .Thomas Coe, seventy years old, died May 24, 1858. 
He was one of the i)ioneers of Clinton Township. . . .jMichael Collins was one 
of the old settlers of Clinton Township .... John. Jerry and Thomas Connor 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 451 

were early settlers at Tiffin. . . .John Cookerly died November 23, 1839, hav- 
ing resided here for some years prior to his death .... Uriah P. Coourad, one 
of the pioneers of Tiflin. moved the tirst old jail to the site of the woolen-mill, 
and made his home there for many years. In 1864 he removed to Hopewell 
Township, and died there in 187'J. This old settler's name occurs often in the 
organic and political chapters, and in the history of Tiffin and Hopewell Town- 
ships. S. A. Cooni'ad, his sou, has served as clerk of Hopewell Township, and 
is now a resident of Tiffin .... Frederick and Catharine (Barrick) Cramer, na- 
tives of Maryland, settled on Section 16, Clinton Township, in 1830. . . .D. F, 
Cramer, now of Tiffin, their sou, was horn in Maryland iu 1811, and came 
here with his ])areuts .... Frederick Cramer died in August, 1842.... Enos 
Cramer, who died August '24. 187'.t, was born in Frederick County, Md, Feb- 
ruary 24, 1S04, and settled at Tiffin in 1831 .. . .Uriah Creeger, aged foi-ty-one 
years, died August 17, 1851 .... John H. Creeger died May 25, 1872. Both 
were pioneers of the county .... Levi Cressey, the blacksmith of Fort Ball, re- 
sided near Milton McNeal' s house, and must be called the first blacksmith of 
pioneer times. Many references are made to him in this history .... Benjamin 
Crockett was employed to teach the Tiffin district school in October, 1832. . . . 
Heniy Cronise, one of the early settlers, whose daughters are lawyers of Tiffin, 
filled a large place in the history of the city. . . . J. Crouse, D.D., came in 1844, 
and has since been closely identified with the church history of the county .... 
John and Mary Ann Cromer came fi'om the East to Tiffin in 1826, bringing 
with them their son, Thomas H. . now a retired farmer residing in Tiffin, born 
in Maryland in 1821 . . . .Frederick and Susan Crum, parents of IMi's. Deroy 
C. Dunn, of Hopewell Township, were early settlers of Clinton Township .... 
John Crum settled north of Tiffin iu 1824; died in February, 1873. . . .Robert 
Crum, formerly a resident of Tiffin, di-opped dead on the street in Toledo, 
September 27, 1881, of apoplexy. Mr. Crum was engaged in the grocery 
business in this city, in partnership with Henry Brohl, from 1857 to 1 8(54, and 
shortly after their dissolution of partnership he moved to Saginaw, Mich. , and 
from there to Toledo, where he has resided ever since .... Rev. Isaac Culler, 
Lutheran preacher for many years, died March 28, 1882. . . .George A\'. Cun- 
ningham, born in West Virginia in 1823, came, in 1844, to this county, and 
became one of the most prominent mill-owners in these parts. 

Levi Davis, born in Maryland, August 6, 1796, came to Tiffin in 1830; died 

May 26, 1870 Thomas Derr, an old settler of Tiffin, died April 8, 1845 

re Rudolphus Dickenson (see page 291) Daniel Dildine, Sr. , settled on 

Rock Creek, in 1 824, died September 27, 1872 .... Margaret, wife of Dan. 
Dildine. died March 10, 1862 .... ISIrs. Jane Dildine, born in Columbia County, 
Penn. , November 29, 1806, settled at Tiffin with her i)arents in May, 1 829 .... 
Mrs. Jane DeA\'alt, born in Northumberland County, Penn., April 15, 1815, 
settled at Tiffin, with family in April, 1824. . . .William McEwen Dildine was 
a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, came with his parents to this county, in 
1823, and settled u{)on the land now occupied as Greenlawu Cemeteiy; 
Christina Ann (Berger) Dildine, his wife, was a native of Maryland, and came 
with her uncle, Levi Davis to this county about 1830 .... John W. and Eliza- 
beth Ditto, former born in Pennsylvania, in 1785, and the latter on the Atlan- 
tic Ocean in 1795, parents of INIi-s. Henr}' Sheats, and of Mrs. James Patterson, 
married in 1814. and settled in this coimtv, where Mr. Ditto died April 7, 
1853, and Mrs. Ditto in 1885. John Ditto" settled in Clinton, early in 1822. 
.... Peter and JNIargaret De\\itt, former a native of New Jersey, latter of 
Pennsylvania, parents of Samuel H. De A\itt, of Clinton Township, who was 
born in 1822, in Pennsylvania, came to this county from Marion County, Ohio, 



452 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

in 1831, and here died, Mr. DeWitt in 1853, and his widow in 1883 

Joseph Doerle, bom in 1807, came to Seneca County at an early date, and died 
in 1868. . . .James Dornan, who settled at Tiffin, May 21, 1828, was born in 
Washington County, Penn. , July 4, 1796 .... Stephen Dorsey, an old settler, 
died April 5, 1867. . . .Mrs. Elizabeth Dorsey, born in Fayette County, Penn., 
November 16, 1799, settled at Tiifin in 1856 .... Eli Downing resided on the 
plateau above Fort Ball in 1818-21. He was charged with participating in 
the robbery of Spicer, but escaped from prison at Fremont, leaving one of the 
gang to suffer imprisonment. Owing to the action of good citizens of Tiffin and 
Fort Seneca, almost all Spicer' s money was recovered and retm-ned to him. . . . 
John Drake, who was married to Mrs. Eliza Goetchius Aiigust 16, ]S32, by 
Squire Reuben Williams, was one of the pioneers. . . .TJrich Drake, mail carrier, 
was murdered on the Fremont road, by one of the Spicers, a mongrel white 
man .... Ely Dresbach (see page 311) ... . Charles and Lucinda (Russell) Dries- 
bach, old settlers of Tiffin, are gone with the majority. IVIi's. Driesbach, so 
long a widow, died November 15, 1882. . . .Ai'mstrong Drennon, to whom Mr. 
Hedges presented a lot on the site of Tiffin, in 1821, erected a cabin just south 
of the woolen-mill, on the west side of Washington Street that year, the first 
building erected on the east side of the river in the present city. His three 
children, his wife and himself died in this cabin. . . .^^"illiam N. Dunn, who set- 
tled in Hopewell Township in 1841, died in November, 1883. aged sixty-eight 
years. He was born in Sullivan County, N. Y. , Febmary, 1815; settled with his 
pai'ents in Wayne Coimty, Ohio, in 1834. . . .James Dui'bin, sui-veyor, is noticed 
throughout the history in connection with the survey of towns and additions 
. . . .Mrs. Mary H. Durham, an old resident of Tiffin, died in October. 1884 
. . . .Samuel and Elizabeth (Miller) Daly, formerly of Philadelphia, parents of 
Mrs. Isaac Stultz, of Loudon Township, came to Tiffin in 1822. 

Henrv Ebbert, born November 29. 1801, in Fayette County, Penn.. died 
at Tiffin March 31, 1880. He settled at Tiffin November 15, 1831, and took 
an active part in business and politics up to the period of his death. In the 
political chapter, page 270, as well as the local history, many references are 
made of him. . . .Jacob M. Ebbert, bom October 2, 1814. died November 23, 
1881, was another old settler, while George Ebbert settled in 1831.... Mrs. 
Elizabeth Ebbert, born in Bucks County, Penn. , Januaiy 22, 1802, settled at 
Tiffin, November 15, 1831. . . .John Edar was one of the pioneers of Tiffin, 
and one of the first to establish a regular meat market in partnership with 
Bowe .... Thomas R. Ellis, a settler in the neighborhood of Tiffin in the sum- 
mer of 1828, was born in Burlington County, N. J., August 8. 1795.... 
Jeremiah W. and Lucy A. Egbert, parents of Isaac R. Egbert, of Clinton 
Township (who was born in 1858 in this township), natives of Ohio, settled in 
this county in an early day .... Henry Einsel, bom in Pennsylvania in 1 805, 
came to this countv in 1828 and mari-ied, in 1835, Sarah Keller, born in Fair- 
field County, Ohio, in 1813 James D. Ely died Februarj- 4, 1848 

Philip Emich. born in Bavaria in 1822, son of Louis Emich. at one time a hotel 
keeper in Tiffin, came here in 1846, and died in 1870 .... Francis and Nancy 
Ann (Woods) Fanning, parents of Dr. Fanning, of Tiffin, were natives of 
Ireland and became pioneers of Seneca County, settling here in 1834. 

John Fiege, a native of the Electorate of Hesse, born in 1811, settled in 
Tiffin in 1833-34, and his wife Louisa (Von Blou) born in the Bavarian Pala- 
tinate, in 1813, came at the same time. John Fiege was drowned in his mill 
race in Tiffin March 31, ISiiO; his widow died in 1874 .... Philip Faulhaber 
(deceased), born in Canton, Ohio, in 183(\ came with his widowed mother, 
Mrs. Louisa (Munsinger) Fj,ulhaber, a native of Germany, to Tiffin in 1839, 




•i^; 







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cVt€7^ . ///4Z''r?^' 




CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 455 

cind iu 1851 ho moved to Fostoriii. He was killed in 1862 at Chickasiiw Bayou, 
while serving as captain of the Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. . . .Julius 
Feldnagel was one of the first tavern-keepers in Titlin .... George Flack, of 
Maiyland, father of Josiah Flaek, and Samuel Dailey, father of Sylvia Ann 
Dailey (Josiah and Sylvia Ann (Daily) Flack being parents of A. L. Flack, of 
TiflSn), were very early settlers .... ]Mrs. Flahaff resided at Tiffin for many 
years, until the family moved to Indianapolis. John Flahaff is now residing 
at Fostoria .... Jacob H. Fleming died here April 16, 1847 ... .Upton K. 
Fleimer, born March 12, 1811, dicul at Tiffin October 10, 1882, aged seventy- 
one years and seven months. He settled in Clinton Township in 1885 .... 
David Fowler settled at Tiffin in 1821. . . .Jacob, Peter and Jefferson Freese 
settled in Clinton in 1828.... Mrs. Anna Freese died February iJO. 1842, in 
her sixty -fourth year. . . .Andi-ew Fnitchey was one of the early settlers and 
one of the fii'st stricken with cholera in 1834 .... INIi's. Lydia Fuller ilied at 
Tiffin March 27, 1848. She was the mother-in-law of R. W. Shawhan .... 
John Fye, Sr., born in Pennsylvania in 1816, settled in Seneca County in 
1845, moved to Oak, Ind., April, 1882, and died there May 31, 1885. 

George Gassman was born in Liberty Township, Augixst 24, 1837, whore 
his father, John Frederick Gassman. a native of Baden, Germany, settled at 
an early date. . . .Michael Gillis, known for years as the ''silk merchant." set- 
tled at Tiffin almost forty years ago. He is a native of Ireland James T. 

Gangiver. born in 1804, died January 4, 1885 Ephraim Gaver located 

near Tiffin in 1832 .... Julia Gear, mother of Philip Gear, came early.... 
Jacob Gedultig, aged sixty-eight years, died November 27, 1864.... Adam 
Gemminger died April 9, 1869. . . .Kov. Daniel Gibbons (1833) was one of the 
pioneer expounders of the gospel in the county .... Joseph R. Gibson, form- 
erly of Tiffin, died before the war. Mrs. Gibson resides on North Washing- 
ton Street .... Andi'ew Glenn, who died September 22, 1858, aged forty-eight 
and one-half years, settled at Tiffin at an early day, and was a successful mer- 
chant .... Gen. William H. (iibson, son of John Gibson, of Eden Township, 
born May 16, 1822, was brought by his parents to Eden Township that year, and 
is one of the oldest four living residents of the coimty. -Ifter receiving a com- 
mon school education at Meimore. he studied at Ashland Academy; then 
entered Abel Rawsou's office, and with that pioneer lawyer and Robert G. Pen- 
nington read law until admitted to the bar in 1845. He was the last Whig 
candidate for attorney-general of Ohio, in 1853, and shared in the defeat of 
the party. In 1855 he was elected State treasurer by a majority over John 
G. Breslin of 434, and resigned in 1857. In 1861 he was one of the lead- 
ing citizens in organizing troops for the defense of the Union, and, as 
colonel of the Forty -ninth Ohio Volunteer Infanti-y and temjjorary com- 
mander of a division, won for himself an enviable place in the heiu-ts 
of the people. At the close of the war he was commissioned brigadier- 
general for distinguished services, and, returning to Tiffin, resumed the 
practice of law. In 1872 he retired from law practice, and, turning his 
attention to the development of Tiffin, aided in securing additional rail- 
road facilities. He has been an able and eloqiient advocate of Republican 
doctrine for a ntimber of years, and as a public speaker is known from the 
Atlantic Ocean to the Missouri River. The General is an ordained minister 
of the Methodist Episcopal ChiU'ch, and often fills the pulpit at Tiffin. Gen. 
Gibson married Miss Martha Creeger, daughter of the ^N'idow Creeger, an 

early settler. This lady is still a resident of Tiffin Daniel and Jane E. 

(iittiuger, natives of Maryland, settled in this county about 1845, and here 
died. . . .John GiUiland, at one time superintendent of the Tiffin Woolen Mills, 



456 HISTORY OF senega county. 

died at Independence, Eichland County, -June 2, 1883. . . .Nicholas Goetchius, 
a native of New York State and a soldier of the war of 1812, settled in Clin- 
ton Township, five miles fi-om Tiffin, in 'April. 182"); he died in 1 8W at Green 
Spring. James Goetchius came with his father. 'Mis. Susan Goetehius died 

at Tiffin John H. and Ellen (Stein) Glick, parents of ]\Irs. ^\'. O. Dildine, 

of Tiffin, came from Pennsylvania and were jjioneers here. John Glick died 
August 30, 1855, in his seventy-fifth year .... John Goodin, a pioneer, is 

referred to in the history of his hotel Henry and Jane Gross, parents of 

Samuel Gross, a pioneer of Bloom Township, came fi-om Pennsylvania to Tif- 
fin in 1831 Henry Grummel. born in Bavaria in 1838, located at Tiffin in 

1854; enlisted for the war, served until Jime, 1SI55, and died July 23, 1885 

Marcus Y. Groff and Hezekiah Groff are names well and favorably known in 
the history of Tiffin. Silas W. Groff, a member of Capt. F. K. Shawhan's 
company of the One Hundi-ed and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, died 
March 4, 1885. in his thirty-ninth year. He was a mere boy when he entered 

the service of the Union F. ^^'. Greene, an early settler, served as United 

States marshal, moved to Cleveland and died there some years ago John 

Griffith died April 9, 1 803, aged fifty-six years .... John Gwynn, a settler of 
1862, died December 20, 1884. Mr. Gwynn was well known among the older 
citizens, having lived here for at least a quarter of a centmy. He with his 
brother established the gas works in this city, and it is reported that at one 
time the deceased was sole owner of the same. He also studied law, and for 
a time practiced in .the coiu-ts here, with a degi-ee of success. Some years 
since he met with a reverse in fortune, which was followed by a disease that 
affected his brain, producing an aberration of the mind, from which he never 
fully recovered. His wife died a few yeare ago. 

Henry Hall, who died about three years ago, was eighty years old; his wife 

Hannah died June 12, 18(58. Both were pioneers of Clinton Township 

L. A. Hall was born in Onondaga Coimty, N. Y., August 30, 1813; moved West 
in 1833, and settled at Tiffin May 5, that year, and entered John Park's store 
as clerk. Here. April 7, 1835, he man-ied Miss Cynthia A., daughter of Josiah 
Hedges. In 1833 he was temporary clerk of covui. From 1834 to 1841 he 
was clerk of covu-t. and fi-om 1835 to 1837 partner of JMr. Hedges in mercantile 
business. In 1841 he was admitted to the bar, and served as prosecutor for 
Seneca Coxinty in 1856-57 ; was assessor of revenue for Ninth Congi-essioual Dis- 
ti-ict from 1862 to 1865, presidential elector on the Republican ticket in 1868, 
and a participator in all those political battles refeiTed to in the chapter on 
elections. ili-. Hall was one of the projectors of the T. , T. & E. K. R. , and 
was president of the company fi'om its organization until the completion of the 
road. He took a leading part in eveiy movement conducive to the welfare of 
Seneca County up to his death. June 16,1880. . . . JohnHandly. a pioneer of the 
county, died December 20, 1 855, aged sixty-six years .... Balthasar and Jlargaret 
Haefling. natives of Germany, came fi'om Pennsylvania to Tiffin in 1839, and 
here died. Mis. Haelling in 1845, Mr. Haefling in 1864. . . .William and Eliza- 
beth (Turner) Hams, parents of Charles W. Harris, of Liberty Township, 
were early settlers at Fort Ball. Mi-s. Hams is a daughter of Benjamin and 
Rachel (King) Tiu-ner, who came to this county in 1829 .... Josiah Hedges, 
born April 9, 1778, died July 15, 1858. is known as the foimder of Tiffin; he is 
refen-ed to often in the general historj-. again in the history of Clinton Township 
and Tiffin City, and in the pages devoted to personal history and biogi-aphy .... 

Josiah Q. Hedges died Februaiy 16. 1849 Mi-s. Hannah Herrin, a native of 

Maryland, born in Frederick County. December 9, 1813, settled in Clinton Town- 
ship, in 1833 Samuel Herrin settled in Clinton in 1828; moved to Eden, 



CLINTON T0WN8HI1-. 457 

whcro he was justice of the poac-o for many years, and was elected 
county treasiu-er, as shown in the political chapter. He was born in Pennsyl- 
vania. Au<TUst 21, ISl'J, and married Miss Bertha Ann Olmsted, in 18:^5. 

His elder brother. Joseph, settled in Clinton Township, in 1828 Peter 

Hesseldenz. whose five children died of cholera, near TifliD, in 1848-.J0, died 

in 1877. He came from Germany in 1847 or 1848 Jacob and Mary (Wick) 

Heilman, came to this county from Hessen Darmstadt in 1839. . . .John Heil- 

mau, a native of Hessen Darmstadt, born in 1821, came to Tifiin in 1843 

Henry and Maria Barbara (Kegg) Hershiser, latter of Pennsylvania, parents of 
Dr. Hershiser, of Tiffin, came to Tiffin in 1833; Hemydied March 27, 1873, aged 

seventy-foiu- years "Sammy" Hoagland, the qtianymau at Fort Ball, and 

previously fenyman, was a famous character in the early years of Fort Ball and 

Tiffin Frederick Hoffman, owner of the tirst German tavern at Tiffin 

(1834), died of cholera the same v'ear John Hoke, an old settler, died Sep- 
tember 27,187(5, aged seventy-nine years AVilliam Holt, an ancient settler, 

is now residing at Tiffin John Hoover died June, 18<J'J, aged sixty-eight 

and a half years .... Harvey Howard came to Tiffin fi-om "\\'ooster, Ohio, in 
1847. and, in jiartnership with J. M. Naylor, established a hardware house in 
which he was interested until 1851 ... .John and Margaret (Miller) Houck, 
parents of Isaac M. Houck, of Tiffin, and whose ancestors were pioneers of 
Pennsylvania, settled in this county at an early jjeriod of its history . . . .Jacob 
and Susannah M. Holtz, natives of Maryland, settled in Clinton Township in 
1834; Jacob died in December, 1859, and his widow in 1870. George and 
Dennis Holtz, their sons, also settled here in 1 834 .... Dr. A. B. Hovey was 
born in Orleans Covmty, Vt. , Febraary 9, 1829. Coming to Ohio whe;.i 
fourteen years of age, he entered Oliorlin College, where he remained six years, 
at the same time stiidying medicine with Dr. Homer Johnson. In 1850 he 
entered the office of Prof. Ackley, in Cleveland, and gi'aduated in March, 1852, 
and in the same year came to Tiffin, where he resided up to his death. October 
2, 1884. His body was found in his barn with a wound in the top of the head. 
Coroner Lepper and Drs. AVilliard. Leahy and Benner were simimoned; also 
Mr. Fiege, the undertaker, and the body was brought into the office for exam- 
ination. The decision reached was that the deceased came to his death from 
natural causes. . . .Horace Huber.born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in April, 1822. 
settled in Clinton Township in April, 1847, about six months after his man-iage 
with Miss Mary Eeber, of Faii-tield County. . . .Jacob and Catharine (Smith) 
Hunker came to Clinton Township in 1853. Mi-. Hunker is now (1885) in his 
eighty-first year; Mi-s. Catharine Hunker died in 1854. . . .William and Clorinda 
Hunter, natives of Virginia, man-ied in Tiffin. Ohio, parents of S. S. Hunter, 
of Clinton Township (who was born here in 1832), settled in Clinton Township, 
where William Hunter died December 24. 1808. His widow resides at Tiffin. 
. . . David and Xancy Huss, former a native of Pennsylvania, latter of Mary- 
land, parents of ;Mi-s. Lysander Reynolds of Clinton Township (who was born 
in Maryland in 1823), came to this county iu 1826, and here died. . . .Jacob 
Huss, father of George Robinson Huss (latter born at Tiffin in 1828), came 
fi-om Maryland in 1824, and carried on the first saddle and harness making 
business in Tiffin. He died December 30. 1849. His wife, Sarah (Robinson) 
Huss, came from Berkeley County, Va., to Tiffin, in 1825, and died in 187(). . . . 
Jac(jb and Margaret Hyter, natives of Maryland, came to this county iu 1839, 
where they died — Jlr. Hyter in 18()0, and his widow a few years later. 

Agi-eeu Ingraham, the lii'st sheriff of the county, is referred to very often 
in the organic and political chapters as well as in the local history .... Moses 
Johnson died September 9, 1804, aged eighty-two years. . . .Rebecca Johnson, 



458 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

relict of William Johnson (deceased), was born in Frederick. Md. , April 2, 
1808, died August 23, 187U, having attained the advanced age of seventy-one 
years, four months and twenty-one days. The family migrated to Ohio in 
1835. . . .John Julian died April 12, 1852, aged sixty-six years. For years he 
was a useful member of pioneer society at Tiffin .... Joseph Juneau, or Jenay, 
a colored man, carried on the cabinet-maker's trade at Fort Ball in olden times. 
Jacob Kabb died September 9, 1843, aged sixty-three years .... George 
Kaiill. who came fi'om Allentown. Penn. , died September 27. 1872. while 
visiting Mrs. Stephen Strouss, his daughter .... John and Elizabeth KeUer, 
natives of Pennsylvania, where they maiTied, parents of Lewis KeUer, of Clin- 
ton Township, born in ISOS in FaLrtield County. Ohio, came to Fairfield 
County from Pennsylvania in 1805. visited this county in 182-1. and in 1828 
settled in this township, where ]\Ir. Keller died in 1857. and Mi's. Keller in 
1859. . . . Josejih Keller died January 15, 1853.... Joel Keller, who died 
September 15, ISSl. was born in Fau'tield County in 1821; settled in Clinton 
in 1828. . . .In the fall of 1824 John Keller, known as "Uncle John,"' brought a 
number of apple trees from Fairfield County, Ohio, and jjlanted a four-acre 
orchard, near the KeUer Mill, in Clinton Township. This was the fii-st orchard 
set out (if we except the trail of "Johnny Appleseed") in this county. Some 
vandals came this way later in the fall of 1824. and carried away the gi-eater 
number of the young jDlants .... Levi and Elizabeth (Cupp) Keller, parents of 
Levi Keller, of Heed Township, came here in an early day. Levi Keller. 
Sr. , who still lives, was a son of John Keller, who built the ' 'old Keller Mill :" ' 

Mrs. Keller died in this county in 1875, aged sixty-nine years The 

Keller family, of whom Mi-s. Eliza Seever was a member, came to Ohio in 
1808, and to this county in 1835. Peter Seever, of Tiffin, her son, was born 
in Fail-field County, Ohio, in 1819 .... David B. King, a native of Butler 
County. Penn., born January 2, 1809, settled at Tiffin, in May, 1830, and is 
numbered among the half-century pioneers .... Joseph and Margaret Kintz. 
natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married (parents of Lewis, l^orn in 
1818, and M. L., born in 1822, both natives of Pennsylvania, and now of 
Clinton Township), came here from Stark County, Ohio, in an early day, and 
here died .... Michael Kirchner came to this county from Bavaria in 1840, 
when twenty years old, and his parents. John and Maiy (Achum) Kirchner, in 
1844. . . .F. D. Kishler, of Tiffin, was born here in 1831, his parents, Freder- 
ick and Elizabeth (Miller) Kishler, having come here in 1828 from PeiTy 
Count}', Ohio, formerly of Pennsylvania .... Richard Keating died August 14, 
1827, and Rev. John Keating died September 3. 1859; both were old settlers 
. . . .Charles Kelly, who, in 1821. assisted in building Drennon's cabin on the 
site of Tiffin, was born in Pennsylvania in 1798. His daughter maiTied Dr. 
Samuel W. Brieker, of Tiffin. . . .Bartholomew Kenny was drowned in 1830, 
while crossing the river to Tiffin. . . .Samuel and Rebecca (Thompson) Kridler, 
natives of Pennsylvania (former born March 28, 1800, in Bedford County I, 
settled in Tiffin in 1823 .... Dr. Hem'v Kuhn, born in Frederick Couutv. Md. , 
October 28, 1802, settled at Tiffin in 1829: died October 16, 1878. He grad- 
uated from the University of Maiyland in 1825, and on coming here at once 
entered on the duties of his profession. The epidemic of 1834 and the numer- 
ous cases of sickness throughout the county kept him always in physician' s 
harness; yet he made time to share in all works which promised to advance 
his adopted county. His first wife, to whom he was married in Maiyland — 
Catherine (Baltzell) Kuhn — died in August, 1842. His second wife, nee Miss 
Mariii Pennington, is still a resident of Tiffin. Dr. Kuhn was the first and 
only president of the Seneca County Pioneer Association .... George I. Kuhn 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 459 

emigrated from Germany in 1829 and came to Seneca County in 1839. 
He died May 13, 1850, aged sixty-foiir years. . . .John Kiltscli settled at Tif- 
fin about 1830. . . .Jacob Koruer and John G. Kennedy were all old residents. 
.... Anthony Kuebler, a native of the Grand Duchy of Baden, settled at 
Tiffin abont 183ri, where for many years he was a boot and sho(>-maker. His 
wife, Frances (ychal)acher) Kuebler, a native of Bavaria, came with immi- 
gi'ants to Tiffin, when a young girl. 

^^'illiam Lambertson (father of Sharon and Virgil Lambei-tson), an old 
resident of the county, died January 15, 1882. . . .Daniel and Susanna Lam- 
bertson. natives of Pennsylvania, parents of Mrs. Hezekiah Searles, of Clinton 
Township (who was born in Pennsylvania in 1817) came to this township 
and settled on Section 24, in 1824, where they died, Mi-s. Lambertson in 
1844. and Mr. Lambertson in December, 1852 .... Henry Lang, father of 
Judge Lang, was one of the first German settlers at Tiffin. He di(>d here in 
August, 1838, while his widow. Mrs. Catherine (Shuetz) Lang, died in June, 
1849 .... William Lang, one of the early settlers, and certainly one of the 
county's most prominent and useful citizens, is still a resident of the countj'. 
His name is identified with almost even' chapter of the county's histoiy, and to 

these several parts the reader is refeiTed Charles Lambkins, who died a few 

years ago, was among the old settlers Lewis H. and Sarah Leffler. natives 

of Wurtemburg, jjarents of Lewis LeflSer, emigi'ated from Germany in 184() 
and settled in Clinton Township, where the former died in 1885 and the latter 

in 1879 John D. Loomis, a native of New York State, settled at Tiffin in 

1847, when he bought A\'olf's foundiy and established the present industry. 

. . . .L. M. Loomis may be also named among the old residents Andivw 

and ilary (Swayzo) Love, natives of Pennsylvania and Vii-ginia respectively, 
parents of James A\'. Love, of Tiffin, who was born in Fairfield County in 

1828. settled at Tiffin in 1830 Thomas Loyd, born in 1799, died Februaiy 

3, 1807 Andi-ew Lugenbeel, boi"n in Frederick Coimty, Md. , died Decem- 
ber 10, 1803, aged fifty -six years and three months. He came to Tiffin in 
1833. a few months after his marriage with Miss Eliza Baltzell. of Maiyland. 
He was one of the early merchants, and in 1830 built the grist-mill and dam 
at the Tiffin AA'ater- works. This mill is still in good repair, but not running. 
Mi's. Lugenbeel died in 1843, and two years later 'Mi\ Lugenbeel manied a 
daughter of John Souder. who now resides at Tiffin, in what is known as the 
Lugenbeel Mansion, nearly opposite the Soldiers' Monument, and where the 
Fort Ball spring enters the river. 

John Magill, a printer in 1834, and partner of Case Brown, in the Patriot 

office, was among the pioneer ' 'tyijos' ' of the county Manley, one of the old 

merchants of Titfin. settled in the city in 1848 .... Hugh McCandless Martin, 
born August 3, liS34. was killed by a land-slide at Crested Butte. Colo., August 
20, 1882. He attended the academy at Republic, then entered Heidelberg 
College, read law with Gen. W. H. Gibson. His pai'ents, Samuel S. and 
Mai-y C. Martin were old residents of the comnty .... Nicholas JIai-tin, an aged 
old settler of Tiffin, th>i]>ped dead of heart disease, in February, 1.S85. The 
deceased was a retired farmer of some wealth, and was about seventy-five ye.u's 
old. . . .John and Barbara (Broad beck) Martin, former a native of Maiyland, 
latter of Pennsylvania, came to this county fi-om Maryland, in 1825. . . . Jili-s. 
J. AV. Mai'tin, wife of Dr. Martin, died December 17, 1884 .... Peter Marsh 
settled in Clinton Township, in 1823; died at Kenton, Ohio. .. .George and 
Elizabeth Marshall, natives of Geimany, came direct fi'om the fatherland to 
this county in 1834, and here died. . . .Alex. Mason ojwned a hotel called "The 
Eagle' ' in 1834. The old Eagle is now a portion of the Shawhan House .... 



460 mSTOKV OF SENECA COUNTY. 

John Maiil, born in 1795, died October 3. 1860. . . .William McCulloch. (See 

pages 199, 215 and 'I'2\ ) William McEwen settled in Clinton Township, in 

1823.... Neal McGaffey, the th-st clerk of coiu-ts, was here in 1823.... In 
1825 he engaged in the search for the Brayton boy. and, with his party, camped 
where Fostoria now stands .... Hugh ^IcAllister died May 20, 1872, aged sixty- 
five years .... John McCalmont died two years ago, aged seventy years .... 
Thomas J. McCleary died April 9, 1861, aged fifty-seven and a half years .... 
Joseph McClellan died January 7, 1860, aged seventy-fwo and a half years .... 
Rev. John McLain, Presbyterian, died June 24, 1862. The people of his 
Tiffin and McCutchenville congi-egations erected a monument to him in the 
new cemetery . . . .LucienD. McAi'dle, died July 18. 1850. . . . Ezekiel McFerren 
and Kev. Father McNamee must be numbered among the old settlers .... Aus- 
tin MeNeal, Tiffin, was born at Fort Ball (now Tiffin) in 1830. His father, 
Milton McNeal, a native of New York State, settled here in 1823. died in 
1834, and his mother, Maria (Gregory) McNeal, came in the following year 
from Athens County. Ohio .... Dr. John Alexander McFarland was born at 
Waynesboro, Franklin Co., Penn., June 10. 1811; died June 1, 1843. The 
Doctor, after going thi-ough the courses taught in the village schools, was sent 
to the academy in Chambersburg, Penn. After leaving the academy he en- 
gaged for several years in teaching school at Waynesboro. He then com- 
menced the study of medicine, attending the iisual course of lectui-es at the 
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, received the degree of M. D. in 1837, 
and in ilay of that year settled at Tiffin. His life here was a model one. which 
endeared him to all classes. His widow, nee Miss Ann E. Staley, of Freder- 
ick County, Md. . was buried Jime 1, 1870 .... James Mercer was an old resi- 
dent . . . .Hemy Miller settled at Tiffin in 1821. . . .Adam Miller died October 
27. 1862, aged eighty-five years. . . .Daniel and Anna Miller, parents of Peter 
Miller (born in New York State in 1833). ilrs. Lloyd Non-is (born in New 
York State in 1836) and :Mi-s. Samuel H. DeWitt (born in 1839 in this county) 
and Mrs. Lewis H. Young (born in this county in 1846). all of Clinton Town- 
ship, maiTied in New York State and came to Ohio in 1837. where Mrs. Miller 
died in 1849. ili'. Miller subsequently maiTied Sarah Eaber. and they now 
reside here .... Aaron Miller, of Clinton Towushij). born in Pennsylvania in 
1811, came in 1835 to Seneca County, where he married, in 1836, Mary Mer- 
chant, who was bom in Virginia in 1813. They reside in Clinton Township 
' . . . . Eben Mills died at Tiffin in 1835 .... William Montgomery, eldest son of 
the Indian agent, was a merchant at Tiffin. . . . J. B. Mossoney died August 16, 
1871. aged eighty-foiu' years, one month and twenty-two days .... Rev. M. 
Molin settled at Tiffin in 1850, and was among the popular old residents of 
the village. . . .William and Christina (Humes, nee Plank) Montgomery, former 
a native of Ireland, latter of Virginia (she was mother of Samuel Y. Humes, of 
Pleasant Township, by former husband) came to Clinton Township in 1824, 
and in 1834 moved to Pleasant Township, where ili'. Montgomeiy died shortly 
after. His widow died in 1873. .. .John Myers, born in Germany in 1816, 
came to this county in 1844, , , .James Myers settled in Clinton Township in 
June, 1833 .... Peter P. Myers, who died August 13, 1877, in his sixtieth 
year, came to Tiffin in October, 1856, and for years was owner of the hotel 
known as the "Shawhan House." IVL-s. Agnes N. Myers, widow of P. P. Myers, 
came with her husband to Tiffin in October. 1856: died March 11, 1884, in 
her sixty-fifth year. 

John M. Naylor came to Tiffin in 1847. where in company with Harvey 
Howard, he established a general hardware store .... W. W. Naylor, brother 
of J. M. Naylor, became a partndl" in the latter' s hardware business in 1857, 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 461 

Bucceeding Naylor & Pittinger. . . ."William Negele who died August 7, 1859, 
settled at Tiffin in 1854 Michael Noikirk died May 12, 1880, aged eighty- 
three years, seven and a half months .... Samuel Nighswander, county sur- 
veyor and engineer. Tiffin, born in Pennsylvania in 1834, came here with his 
parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Bair) Nighswander. in 1847 . . . . A\arren P. 
Noble, whose parents. William and Rebecca (Lytic) Noble, settled near Jackson 
Township in 183G, located at Tiffin in 1842 (see chapter on courts and bar. 
page 30 1 ).... Nathaniel and Sarah Norris, natives of Maryland, parents of 
Lloyd Norris, of Clinton Township (who was born in 1830, in this county), 
came here about 1828, remaining till their death. Mr. Norris died in 1804; his 
widow in 18(')5. . . .Dr. Kufus and Clarissa (A\'aters) Norton, parents of Hon. 
Jam(>s A. Norton, of Tiffin, former a native of New York State, son of Isaiah 
Norton, settled here in 1835, where the doctor was a practicing physician for 
over thirty years. 

Dr. Minard Overmiller, one of the old physicians of Tiffin, died at Toledo, 
September 28, 1884. aged sixty-five years. He was married to Miss ]\rary 
Bxu'ke, of Tiffin, May 13, 1852, who survives him. . . .Thomas Ogle was born 
Febniary 7, 1815 .... Joseph and Elizabeth Orner. maternal grandparents of 
Henry J- Weller, attorney at law. Tiffin, were early pioneers of the county. 
.... John G. Osteen, a settler of 1839, is still a resident of the city .... Rev. M. 
O'Siillivan came in 1852. and resided here for some years. 

Louis Papineau was the constable for this jmrt of Sandusky County in 
1 820-2 1 . He it was who aiTested the men who were sujiposed to have robbed 
Spicer . . . . John Park, father of Chi'istopher C. Park, of Tiffin, was born in 
New Jersey, in 1788, and came to Tiffin in 183(\ where he was engaged in 
mercantile jiui'suits for several years, removing, in 1S44, to the ' 'Pleasant Hill' ' 
farm, in Clinton Township, where he died August 9, 1868 ... .George Park 
and C. C. Park were settlers of 1830, natives of Pennsylvania, where the name 
is wi-itten Pearke. The late Mrs. C. C. Park, of Tiffin, while engaged in 
driving mosquitoes out of the house, mounted a chair, which tipped over. In 
falling she received such injiuies as caused her death within three hoiirs after 
the accident, June 13, 1865.... Col. J. W. Patterson, now of New York, was 
a resident of Tiffin as early as June, 1833 .... James Pelau kept a book store 
at Tiffin as early as 1855. It is said that he joined the Confederate Ai-my . . . . 
Joseph Pennington, who settled at Tiffin in 1834, died Aiigust 3, 1866.... 
Barclay Pennington, of Tiffin, born in New York State in 1828, came to this 
county in 1S31 with his parents, Joseph and Sarah (Denison) Pennington. . . . 
Robert G. Pennington, who?e name appears in the general historj', is a mem- 
ber of the old bar of Seneca County (see his biogi-aphy) .... James P. 
Pillars, known as Judge Pillars, is an old-time resident, whose name finds men- 
tion both in the jiolitical and law chapters .... Jacob Plane was one of the early 
postmasters of Tiffin, and one of the old justices of Clinton Township .... Jlrs. 
Theresa Pittinger. wife of Benjamin Pittinger. antl daughter of John and Eva 
Creeger. of Maryland, was married to Mr. Pittinger, September 10, 1825, died 
December 8, 1847. . . .Benjamin Pittinger, a native of Maryland, born Janiuiry 
29, 1798. settled at Tiffin. December 5, 1825, and was elected associate judge 
of common pleas. In 1825 he mamed Miss Creeger. On her death, in 1847, 
he married Miss Mary A. Hunter, and in 1861 moved to his farm, where !Mrs. 
Pittinger died in 1877, and the jiidge in 1881. Their son, D. C. Pittinger, 
was born at Tiffin in 1836. . . .John Pittinger, born in 1778, died October 20, 
1857.... J. H. Pittinger, one of the oldest members of the Seneca County 
bar, died suddenly, January 14, 1885, aged sixty-one years .... Allison Phil- 
ips was another old settler, whose memory is almost lapsed into the past .... 



462 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Michael Price, born in County Carlow, Ireland. October 27. 1795. died August 
7, 1850.... D. S. Price, son of Michael Price, died at Pittsbui'gh Landing, 
March 29, 1861 .... Eobert and Ehoda (Hendrickson) Patterson were early 
settlers here. 

James and Mary (INIadigau) Quinn, natives of Ii'elandr parents of James W. 
Quinn, of Fostoria (who was liorn in Ireland in 1837), came, in 1851, to Tiffin, 
where James Quinn, a blacksmith hj trade, died in 1S59, aged seventy-eight 

years, James W. Quinn moved to Fostoria in 1871 Rev. Edmimd Quinn 

was pastor of St. Mary's Church, at Tiffin, in 1838, as related in the history 
of the churches. 

Christian and Catharine M. (Sprengle) Eansbiu-g. came to this county in 
1831, settling in Clinton Township. In 1856 they moved to Indiana, where 
Christian Ransbiu'g died in 1864, aged seventy-nine, and Mrs. Ransburg in 

1870, also aged seventy-nine Rev. Fred. Rahauser came here in 1835. . . .Jo- 
seph Ranker was also an old resident .... John Rauch, born in 1800, died Decem- 
ber 13, 1874. . . .Abel Rawson, born in Warwick County, Mass.. May 11, 1798, 
located, February 15, 1826, at Fort Ball (now Tiiiin), where he was appointed 
prosecuting attorney and postmaster, and to other offices. He died Atigust 24, 

1871. His wife. Sarah Aim (Clark) Rawson, died June 6, 1849. His second 
wife, to whom he was married September 25, 1856, Mrs. Maria McNeal, widow 
of Milton McNeal. was born at Athens, Ohio, May 16, 1808, settled at Fort Ball 
with her parents May 4, 1824. . . .Francis Reif, a native of Bavaria, settled in 
Seneca County in an early day. died November 7, 1877, aged seventy-two years 
. . . .Rufus W. Reid (one of the old Tiffin-merchants), who fmarried Sylvia Ann 
Hiint. of Fort Seneca, after her divorce from Samuel Wright, introduced the era 
of gi'ain warehouses bj' building one at the depot of the Mad River Railroad, 
Fort Ball. Owing to opposition of other mercantile houses at Tiffin, he ' "went 
under. ' ' and became a financial and social wi'eck long prior to his death .... 
"William Rex, who was born January 11, 1802, died April 4, 1872, was one of 
the pioneers of Tiffin .... Michael and Louisa Reinbolt, former a native of 
Alsace, France, latter of Byi-on, came to America about 1829, settling in Clin- 
ton Township, were married in Pleasant Township, where they lived two years, 
then moved into Clinton Township. Mr. Reinbolt died in 1880; his widow 
now lives in Sandusky, Ohio .... Ibrahim and Harriet Reynolds, former a na- 
tive of Connecticut, latter of New York State, came to this county in 1836, 
aftei-ward moving to Hancock County, then to Wyandot County, where they 
died .... David Rickenbaugh settled a few miles easf of Tiffin in 1833, died 
April 17, 1859. aged fifty-nine years. Margaret, his wife, died August 15, 
1885 .... Joseph Richards settled at Tiffin in 1827, and came from Fayette 
County, Penn., where he was born, April 7, 1792, to Clinton Townshiji in 
1823. . . .Balthazar Ries, a barber, opened a shop at Tiffin in 1847. . . .Caleb 
Rice, a soldier of 1812. settled at Fort Ball in 1819; died in Illinois in 1849. 

. . . .Philip L. Riehm died February 9, 1872. . . .A Eiggs and Lydia G. Eiggs 
moved from Frederick County, Md. , to Seneca Coimty in 1832. Miss Eiggs 
married Mi-. Dildine in 1841 ; moved to Eisdon in 1847, and died July 9, 1885. 
.... Solomon and Catharine Eobenalt, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of Mrs. 
Peter ]\Iiller. who was born in this county in 1832, came to Seneca County in 
1829, and here died, Mr. Eobenalt in 1863. and Mi's. Eobenalt in 1881 .... 
Eliphalet Eogers settled in the woods, a few miles north of Tiffin, about 1823 
or 1824. . . .William Eollins, one of P. D. Butler's assistants, was sentenced to 
fifteen years in the penitentiary, but was pardoned one year later .... Henry 
Rosenberger. a native of Virginia, came to Ohio in 1822, settling in Clinton 
Township, and here he lived and toiled for fifty-one years. His first wife was 




(^^^, ^ . ^ 



4 



CLINTON TOWNSHir. 465 

Miss Jane Shaiil. In 1S70 he moved to Tiffin, having sold his farm to Jacob, 
his son. . . Joseph and Catharine (Ciilmoie) Robinson, natives of Irehmd, par- 
ents of J. T. Kobinson of Seipio Township (who was born, in 1844, in Tiffin), 
were early settlers here. J\Ir. Robinson died in 1800; his widow in 18(51. J. 
T. Kobinson moved to Scipio Township in 1803. . . .Mi-s. Jane (Sneath) Rum- 
mell died in March, 1 83'J .... George Rummell, a native of Ohio, settled at 
Tiffin in 1834 .... P. H. Ryan, a settler of 1852, and one of the most useful 
citizens of Tiffin, has tilled the public position credited to him in the j'olitical 
chapter, and in the history of Tiffin. He is the author of a work on mathe 
matios and algebra, which awaits publication. Mr. Ryan had for years car- 
ried on an extensive business at Tiffin. 

Jacob Sager of Hopewell Township, born in 1828, in Maryland, came to Ohio 
in IS.")!) and settled in Clinton Township, where he remained fifteen years, then 
moved to Hopewell Township .... Louis C. A. Schmidt came from Germany to 

this township in 184(5, when thii'ty years old John Schneider, Christopher 

Schneider, Rev. M. Schoenhenz (1835), and Rev. John L. Sanders (1833), 
were all old residents. . . .Robert R. Scott who was born in 1812, died in Sep- 
tember, 1857, after many years residence at Tiffin .... Mi-s. Kate (Fitzmaiuice) 
Scannell, widow of John Scannell (who died in his native county in 185'J), and 
mother of ^Michael Scannell, of Tiffin, all natives of County Ken-y, Ii-olaud, 
came to New York about 185'J, where Mi's. Scannell lived until the family 
moved to Tiffin .... John and Catharine Senn, former a native of Switzerland, 
latter of Belgium, parents of Mrs. Peter Buchman,of Clinton Township (who wiis 
boi'ii in this county in 1843), were early settlers in Seneca County, now residing 
in Pulaski County, Ohio .... John Secrist settled in Clinton Townshij^ in Octo- 
ber, 1828, died in April, 1848. . . .Mrs. Margaret Secrist died April 6, 1884, aged 
eighty-two years .... Mrs. Eliza (Lamberson) Searles, born in Northhampton 
County, Penn., July 14, 1817, settled in Clinton Township in April, 1825. . . . 
John Seidel, an old resident, died at Tiffin in September, 1882, in his sixtieth 
year. . . .Joshua Seney was born in New York City, and removed to Ohio in 
1832, settling at Tiffin, where he died in 1854. George E. Seney was born in 
1832, in Penn. (see page 302 and biog. ) . . . .Mrs. Ann Seney, born in Pennsyl- 
vania Sept. 13, 1803, settled at Tiffin November 15, 1831, died May 5, 187U 

Rev. Isaac Seitz, born in Bloom Township in 1828, is a son of John and Mag- 
dalena (Spitler) Seitz, early settlers of the county .... Philip Seewald, an old set- 
tler, died October 30, 1878, aged seventy-nine years .... Louis Seewald, a native 
of Bavaria, born September 15, 1831, settled at Tiffin in 1833, and has been 
among its leading citizens since that time. . . . Frederick Shawhan, an old Revo- 
lutionary soldier, a natives of Maryland, came to Ohio in 1812, locating lust in 
Fairfield County, afterward settling in Seneca County in 1831. He died near 
Tiffin. August 2t). 1840. His son and only surviving child, Rezin W. Shawhan, 
t)orn in 181 1, in Virginia, located in Tiffin, September 10, 1833, and has identi- 
fied himself with many public and private enterprises. . . . Josiah Shawhan, son 
of Frederick Shawhan, and a cotemporary settler, died May 20, 1880 .... 
William Spicer, an Indian captive, and a wealthy though filthy resident of 
Seneca County for years before 1817, is mentioned in the Indian treaty, as fol- 
lows: "To William Spicer, who was taken prisoner by the Indians, and has 
ever since liv(>d among them, and has married a Seneca woman, (540 acres, 
begiiniing on the east bank of the Sandusky, forty poles below the lower corner 
of said Spicer' s corn Held, thonce up the river on the east side with the meanders 
thereof, one mile, thenc(* and fi-om the beginning east for quantity." This 
fellow was robbed by Rollins and others of Fort Ball, in 1821; but owing to the 
exertions of the pioneers the robbers were captured and one of them punished. 

25 



466 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

.... Mrs. John M. (Stoner) Shaul, formerly wife of Johu Staub, dierl Au^st 
9, 1885, aged sixty-four years. Her former liusbaud and herself conducted 
the American Hotel, which stood where the National Hall block now is, at 
TiflSn .... George Shaver, who resided on the northwest quarter of Section 21, 
Town 2, Range 15, died in 1827, leaving his projjerty to his wife, Mary, and 
his son, George J. Shaver. In the fall of 1830 John Kish, Arthur Morrison 
and Charles W. Foster were appointed appraisers of the property and valued 
the land at $8. 37i cents per acre .... Joseph and Susan (Kain) Shafer, former 
a native of Virginia, latter of Pennsylvania, parents of Alfred L. Shafer, of 
Pleasant Township (who was born in Clinton Township in 1840), settled in 
this township about 1836. Mj\ Shafer died in 1849, his widow in 1881. 
.... Henry and Nancy Sheats. came to Seneca County, in 1839, and here 
Henry Sheats died. His widow afterward moved to Henry County, Ohio, 
where she died .... Edmond Shelt, an old settler, died March 25, 1884, in his 
sixtieth year. He joined the first volunteer fii'o organization of Tiflfin in 
1849. old Hand Engine Company No. 1, Gen. W. H. Gibson, foreman. Since 
then he has been an active fireman .... Howland and Huldah Sherman, former 
a native of New York State, born in 1814, latter of Connecticut, born in 1823, 
parents of Eldi'idge Sherman, were married in 1842, and then settled in this 
county, where Howland Sherman died in 1865. His widow resides with her 
son Eldridge . . . . Mrs. Margaret Schock, born in Frederick County. Md. , 
December 10, 1804. settled at Tiffin, in 1833 .... Frederick W. and Catharine 
Shriver, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of Mi's. Lewis Keller, came, in 1833, 
from Columbiana County, Ohio, to Clinton Township, where they died, the 
former September 2, 1840 .... Capt. William D. Sherwood resided north of 
Tiffin, about a mile from the Crum settlement .... George Shroyer died Febru- 
ary 25, 1875, after years of residence here .... Peter Shultz, a native of 
Belgium, born in 1821, came direct to Tiffin in 1843. where he worked at his 
trade (shoe-maker) until 1846. He made shoes for the Wyandot Indians, who 
were here when he came. In 1846 he went to the Mexican war, and in 1849 
to California, but in 1859 returned to Seneca Countj'. and settled in Hojjewell 
Township .... Lewis and Esther Shubert, natives of Pennsylvania, came to 
Tiffin in 1847, where they afterward resided .... John Six died Mai-ch 9, 1873, 
aged eighty-three years .... William Alfred Six, father of James V. Six, of 
Tiffin, was born in Maryland, and in 1843 came to Tiffin, where he eventually 
took important part in the building of the place for many years .... Fred. 
Sinsrer. one of the old residents, is a citizen of Tiffin .... Elisha Smith was 
one of the early settlers of Fort Ball; was also one of its first tavern keepers; 
died about 1 836 .... David Smith was the violinist of the Fort Ball settlement, 
and the first cabinet-maker there .... John Smith died September 25, 1 839, 
aged fifty-four years. . . .Richard and Catharine (Baugher) Sneath, parents of 
Samuel B. Sneath, of Tiffin, who was born in that city in 1828, former a native 
of Connecticut, latter of Pennsylvania, settled in Tiffin in 1827. It is stated, 
however, that the Sneath family, accompanied by Jacob Huss and H. Zimmer- 
man, arrived at Tiffin June 10, 1826. . . .Albert G. Sneath was one of the old 
pioneer business men, who worked hard to build up Tiffin a few years ago. 
His death took place at Kansas City, March 25, 1884. in his sixty-ninth year. 
. . . .James B. Sneath, an old resident of Tiffin, born in 1804. died November 
5, 1878 .... Lewis E. Sneath was murdered at Humboldt, W. T., October 

27, 1861 Mrs. Elizabeth (Barton) Sneath, widow of Robert Sneath (former 

bom in Pennsylvania in 1780), and mother of William Sneath, of Pleasant 
Township (who was born in Maryland in 1817), came with her children to Bel- 
mont County, Ohio, in 1828, and to Clinton Township, this county, in 1834, 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 467 

whore she died in 1840. William Snoath operated the home farm several 
yeans, then moved, in 1S4G, into Pleasant Township. . . .John W. and Barbara 
(Hammon) Snydoi% natives of Baden, and parents of Calvin Snyder, of Tiffin, 
settled at Tiffin in 1882 .... Clu-istopher Snyder, a native of Germany, settled at 
Tiffin in 1832, died March 22, 1857 ... .Michael Snyder died in June, 1879, 
aged seventy-nine years .... Philip Snyder, born August 17, 1782, died July 
28, 180<3. .. .Philip Snyder, a native of Lancaster County, Penn. , settled at 
Tiffin in 1S47; died in September. 1882. aged sixty-five years. . . . David Souder, 
born in 1770, in Pennsylvania, died August 29, 18G2....Ecv. John Souder, 
came to Seneca, Juno 17, 182(5, with his family, and is still a resident of 
Tiffin. He was born in Lancaster County, Penn., November 26, 1799.... 
Jacob Souder died December 30, 1854, aged sixty-three years. He settled at 
Tiffin in 1848. . . .Francis Sanders died in the county June 1, 1849. . . .John 
Sohn, who died in July, 1859, aged eighty-two, came from Pennsylvania about 
1834 .... James A. Sohn, born in Pennsylvania, November 19, 1832, was 
brought to Tiffin about eighteen months later by his parents .... Rev. Henry G. 
Spayth, born September 13, 1788, died September 9, 1873. . . .Jesse Spencer 
(see history of Port Ball) .... David Spielmau, father of Mrs. Montgomery 
Noble, of Jackson Township, an early settler here, died in Januaiy, 1857 
....Henry C'. Spindler, one of the pioneers, died at Tiffin, April 2, 1885, 
in his sixty-first yeai- . . . . Ruth SpiuTier, wife of John H. Clay, was born in 
Frederick County, Md. , January 19, 1798, and died in Seneca County, Ohio, 
June 9, 1879, aged eighty-one years, four months and twenty-one days. She 
was married in the State of Maryland. August 30, 1828, and moved to Seneca 
Coimty, Ohio, April 27, 1833. "Mother" Clay was a church member for a 
period of fifty-three years .... Isaac Startsman died in 1872 in his seventy- 
second year .... John J. Steiuer was a lawyer and provost-marshal during the war. 
Mi-s. O. B. Tunisou is his daughter .... Joel Stone died June 2, 1846 .... Jesse 
Strong died in March, 1876. aged seventy-five years .... John Strong settled 
here prior to 1830. . . .John Stoner and George Stoner settled on Section 18, 
Clinton Township, in 1822. The fonner wounded himself while himtinji; in 
the fall of 1826. and died in January, 1827. . . .Rev. Mr. Stanch was at Tiffin in 
1830. . .John Staub and "Brewery-man" Sting were also old residents . . .Heniy 
St. John, born in Washington County, Vt., July 16, 1783, served all through 
the war of 1812. was at the biu'ning of Buffalo, moved to Wooster, Ohio, in 
1815, and there man-ied Miss Jane Elder, December 2. 1817. In 182S he 
removed to Crawford County, and in 1837 settled in Seneca County, seven 
mUes from Tiffin, on the river, where he had a farm, a mill and a store. He. 
served in Congi'ess during the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth sessions, thea 

moved to Tiffin, where he died suddenly of heart disease, in May, 1869 

William Sullivan, who, with his brothers Edward and Michael, settled at Tiffin 
in 1848, died in April. 1873. He was one of the leading hardware merchanis 
of the county. . . . ilrs. Honor Sullivan, widow of William Sullivan, died April 
5. 1885, in her sixty-fifth year. She was born in Ireland in 1825, and. immi- 
grating to this country in 1847. settled in Cleveland, where she resided for 
eight years, and where, in 1S4S. she was mamed to her late husband. ^\'illiam 
Sullivan, and with him came to Tiffin in 1855. Her sons are Charles J. M. , 
of Tiffin; Dr. Emmet W., of Cleveland, and Gerald E., who resides in Des 
Moines, Iowa. . . .Edward Schwander settled in Clinton Township in 1840. . . 
John Schwander settled in Clinton Township in 1841, died June 15, 1859, aged 
eighty-three years .... Thomas Swander died Januaiy 4, 1879, aged seventy- 
three years. . . .James Swander died in 1849. aged forty-five years. . . .Mary 
(Brobst) Swander, of Swander Station, is a member of the long-lived Brobst 



468 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

family, of Easton, Penn. , and is now about eighty years of age . . . . M. G. A. 
Swigart died in July. 1850. 

Thomas Teare, who settled on land in Adams Township about forty years 
ago, resided in Tiffin, where he died. His brother Caesar, who came to the 
county in 1870. resides in Adams Township .... Lance Todd, who settled at 
Fort Ball in August, 1828, and moved to Scipio Township, was born in Frederick 

County. Md., January 7, 1806 Thomas Todd came to Fort Ball in 1828, and 

to Scipio Township in 1829 .... William Toll, bom October 11, 1801. in Augusta 
County, Ya. , an early official of the county, lieutenant-colonel of militia, jailer, 
deputy sheriff and many other things in the early histoiy of Seneca County, 
■died March 19, 1871, aged seventy years. His son seiwed in the war for the 
XJnion. returned home and died .... Benjamin Tomb, an old resident, died 
•January 17, 1883. aged ninety years. He was identified in banking, years ago, 
in this city, and first went into the business in 1852 with Sylvanus Ai-nold. 
Arnold sold out in about two years to John T. Huss, and the bank was then 
known as Tomb, Huss & Co. Under the above name the bank existed until 1865, 
when the company organized the " First National Bank of Tiffin." For eleven 
years the institution did a good business, until wrecked by the cashier, John 
T. Huss. who took his own life rather than face his shame. This closed up the 

affairs of the bank, and the depositors were paid 60 cents on the dollar 

Francis Trexler died May 15, 1870 ....Valentine Trumpler died Apiil 26, 
1876, aged seventy years . . . . L. Tnimpler died a few years ago .... Benjamin 
Tm-ner settled just west of Fort Ball in 1829, moved to Liberty Township in 
1834. In 1829 he paid .§100 for nineteen acres of land to Elisha Smith. 

Aaron Umsted died September 18, 1844, aged fifty-three and one-foiuih 
years, and Eli Umsted died May 25, 1881, aged eighty-one years. Both were 
old settlers of Tiffin, locating in Clinton Township in 1828. 

Philip VonBlon settled at Tiffin in 1836, and died October 13. 1870, aged 

eighty-one years Louis T. Volmer, whose parents were pioneers of Tiffin, 

was born here Februaiy 29, 1 852 ; died June 7, 1883 Thomas and Isabella 

(Beard) Vannette (both deceased), parents of Mrs. William Sneath. of Pleasant 
Township, came fi'om New Jersey to Clinton Township in 1825. 

Anton Wagner, an old settler of Seneca County, who started the fii'st mar- 
ket garden near Tiffin, in 1846, died September 1, 1883. Martin Wagner, of 
Tiffin, and F. H. ^\"agner, residing on the South Greenfield road, are his sons. 

Joseph Walker, one of the pioneers of Tiffin, died January- 15, 1861, in 

his fifty-eighth year. For years he held a foremost jilace in the commercial 
cuxde of Tiffin, and was one of the city' s most estimable old settlers. He mar- 
ried Miss Kebecca Hedges, daughter of Josiah Hedges. This lady died Janu- 
ary 16, 1861 .... ;Mi-s. Elizabeth A\'alker, a resident of Tiffin for over half a 
centmy. died April 30, 1885, aged eighty-two years. She was a member of 
the Methodist Protestant Chiu'ch for over forty years .... Cooper K. ^^'atson 
is referred to in the chapter on the courts and bar (page 302) .... Dominick Wel- 
ter, born in Germany, January 27, 1839, settled in Tiffin with his parents in 
1850; moved to Chicago in 1853; served with the Fourth Ohio Cavalry dimng 
the war; retiu'ned to Chicago, and in November. 1882, was appointed secretary 
and inspector of the Chicago Police Department. He died -July 8, 1885, and 
was buried by the FoiTesters, Catholic Benevolent Association. First Illinois 
Cavalry and Police Department .... Jacob and Rebecca (De Laughter) ^^'ilcox 
came from Maryland and settled at Tiffin in 1830. Jacob was a soldier of the 
war of 1812, and resided in Seneca County until his death, June 5, 1875. . . . 
Joel W. Wilson, an old settler of Tiffin, died September 8, 1856, aged forty- 
two years. . . .Thadeus Wilson was also an old resident. . . .John Williams, a 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 469 

pionoer of 1821, was born in Fairlield County, Oliio, April 21, 1818; moved 
with parents to Fort Ball in 1821 ... . Reuben Williams, who built the lirst bridge 
at Tiffin, was a car])enter and worked at his trade until bis death some years liefore 
the war. In 1824 he built a saw-mill on the Coe farm, assisted by James \\'olf. 
Mrs. Hospelhorn, now of Tiffin, is a daughter of his.... Eli M'illiams was ;i 
preacher who resided in Clinton Township, but was found guilty of an unnatiu-al 
crime and sent to prison for life. . . .Richard Williams, one of the early law- 
yers, died September 12, 1852. . . .Clu-istian Witz was a contemporary of Dren- 
non in the first settlement of the town of Tiffin in 1821 .... AndJ-ew ^\'ooff died 
in March, 1872, aged seventy-one years. It is supposed that he came hero 
prior to 1830. . . .James Wolf was here in 1824. . . .Henry and Susanna (Heis- 
tand, nee Bretz) A\'olf, farmer of whom, born in 1787, was suffocated in a well 
in 1825. and latter died in 1872, in her seventy-ninth year (they were i)arents of 
Mrs. Jolm Free, born in 1822 (came to this county in 1823, and settled near 
Tiffin. 

A\'illiam N. Yerk was drowned, while M. Stem, of Tiffin, and Shoemaker. 
of Republic, barely escaped, dm-ing the wreck of the "Chesapeake, " off Con- 
neant, in June, 1847. . . .Tobias Yengst died August 2, 1855, aged fifty-four 
years .... John Young came to Tiffin at an early date. 

George W. Zook, father of Mrs. Thomas Galen Brosius, was one of the 
early jiioneers of this township. He died in Henry County, Ohio, in 1865 .... 
Victor J. Zahm was born in Tolford, Ohio, March 7, 1837, and came to Tiffin 
with his parents in 1846. At the age of fifteen he engaged in the printing 
business, remaining at it until 1875, when he entered the auditor's office as 
deputy, and in the fall of 1876 was elected auditor, filling that place for two 
terms, and retiring in 1882. He died August 28, 1885. . . .Heiu'v Zimmerman 
arrived at Tiffin. June 10, 1820, with the Smiths. . . . John Zeigler died January 
26, 1883. . . .Jacob Zimmer died January 20, 1861 . . . .Gerhart Zimmer, who 
entered the lands at Cromer's Station in 1832, was a centenarian. 

^Villiani Childs settled at Tiffin in 1821 (coming fi-oni Auburn, N. Y. , that 
year), and erected a cabin on Sandusky Street, in which he died the same year. 
His wife died immediately after, leaving a baby, born just before her death. 

Official Historii. — To describe the condition of the records of this old town- 
Bhip would be a task similar to that of descriliing something struck Isy a cy- 
clone, of which the slightest traces alone remain. There is nothing left of the 
old records; a few of the men who had them in charge reside here to-day. but 
their memories cannot take the place of those ordinary-looking old books of the 
])ast, and thus the loss of a few modest, humble old volumes is irreparable. * 
The township records, which came into possession of Mr. Dore. the present 
clerk, date l)ack only to 1878, and fi'om them the following list of township 
officers, elected annually, is taken: 

1878. — Edward Sw.-mder, Henry L. Best and Jacob Young, trustees; A\'ill- 
iam O. Dildine. (^lerk; Albert Beilharz. treasiu-er; Martin Woodside. assessor; 
Anthony H. Arnold and John Knott, constables; Daniel Dildine, Jesse H. Leidy, 
justices of the jieace. 

1870.- Henry L. Best. Jacob Young and Peter Miller, trustees; William 
O. Dildine, clerk; Albert Beilharz, treasurer; Martin Woodside, assessor; Virgil 
D. Lamberson and John Knott, constables: Daniel Dildine, P. H. Jayne, jus- 
tices of the peace. 

1880.- William Kline, Peter Miller and Heuiy L. Best, trustees; William 
O. Dildine, cli-rk ; Sylvester J. Kintz, treasurer ; John C. Leidy. assessor; 

•In y^\^ .Tephtha Lamberson was justice of the peace, and David E.Owen, clerk. Henry Ebbert succeedoit 
Owen In 18J4. 



470 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Virgil D. Lamberson and John Knott, constables; Daniel Dildine, P. H. Jayne, 
justices of the peace. 

1881. — William Kline, Peter Miller and Henry L. Best, trustees; Hh-am C. 
Keppel, clerk; Sylvester J. Kintz, treasm-er; Ezra Bowser, assessor; Anthony 
H. Arnold and Virgil D. Lamberson, constables; Daniel Dildine and P. H. 
Jayne. justices of the peace. 

1882. — William Kline, Peter Miller and Samuel Horn, trustees; H. C. 
Keppel, clerk; A. Beilharz, treasurer; James M. Bowser, assessor; Porter H. 
Jayne and Daniel Dildine, justices of the peace; A. H. Ai-nold and V. D. 
Lamberson, constables. 

1883. — Jeremiah Kex, John C. Lydey and Peter Miller, ti'ustees; Louis 
Wagner, clerk; Albert Beilharz, treasurer; James M. Brown, assessor; John 
Silvers and A. Brickford, constables; Porter H. Jayne &nd Daniel Dildine, 
justices of the peace. 

1884. — Jeremiah Rex, John C. Lydey and Peter Miller, trustees; William 
H.Dore, clerk; Albert Beilharz, treasurer; James Bowser, assessor; JohnGravel- 
dinger and John Silvers, constables; Porter H. Jayne and Daniel Dildine, jus- 
tices of the peace. 

The elections of 1885 for township officers were carried out on party prin- 
ciples. The highest number of votes polled in the township was 162, and the 
highest number in the township and city was 1,077, so that the vote of the 
township is still as small as it was in pioneer days. 

TRUSTEES. 

Millerf 1066 

Rex 986 

Lydey 1077 

Egbert 667 

Sroy 678 

Rickenbaugh 671 



Dore 


CLERK. 


. . 107(1 


Lott 6.56 


Jayne 


JUSTICE. 


1038 


Rex 




951 


8ohn 




770 


Lelchert. . . . 


ASSESSOR. 


1070 


Norris 




70! 



TUEASURER. 

Bdlharz 1070 

Uarley 631 

CONSTABLES. 

Silvers 1077 

Graveldinger 892 

Bickford 788 

VILLAGES or THE TOWNSHIP. 

Swander, or Morris Postoffice, five miles east of Tiffin, is a station on the North 
western Ohio Railroad; B. J. Bright is railroad agent, grocer and postmaster; 
James Harsh in an, blacksmith, and C. C. Crosby, shoe-maker. Mr. Bright was 
re-appointed to charge of the postoffice in September, 1885. The present name 
of the village was given in honor of J. S. Morris, superintendent of the North- 
western Ohio Railroad and owner of the Shawhan House, Tiffin. The only 
society organized there up to January, 1885, is the Literary and Debating 
Club, of which the following named are the officers : President, M. V. 
Kaga; vice-president, T. J. Collins; treasurer, H. R. Miley; secretary, B. W. 
Kuej)ple. 

Viona, on the east half of the northeast cjuarter of Section 35, was siu'veyed 
for John H. Foulk in October, 1874. It is the center of a rich agi'ieultiu-al 
district, and, like all such towns, is one of gi'eat expectations. Here also a 
Literary and Debating Club has been organized, with the following named 

fDemoerals iu KoiuaD letters, Republicans iu Italics. 



k 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 471 

officers: President, N. R. Hoaton; vice-president, W. F. Wenner; secretary, 
B. W. Knopple; treasurer, H. R. Miloy; historian, N. W. Miller. 

The old villages of Oakley, Fort Ball and Pan Yan are gi-ouped in the his- 
tory of Tiffin. 

GENERAL STATISTICS. 

The assessment roll of Clinton Township for 1841 shows following statis- 
tics: 22,937 acres of land, valued at $104,810; town lots valued at $53,310; 
horses, 425, valued at $17,000; cattle, 701, valued at $5,008; mercantile 
capital and moneys at interest, $33,450; pleasm-e carriages, 25, valued at 
$1,545; total, $215,433. Total tax, $3,009.92; delinquences since 1840, 
$331.95. 

The valuation and taxation for 1884-85 are shown by the following 
statistics: Acres of land, 20,039, value $1,012,420; chattels, $303,780; total, 
$1,370,200, or if equally divided among the 1,702 inhabitants, credited by 
census of 1880, would give to each $808.50. The total tax for 1884-85 is 
$10,517.14, together with $155 dog tax. 

The general statistics for 1884 are given as follows: Acres of wheat, 3,975; 
of rye, 10; of buckwheat, 2; of oats, 1,027; of corn, 2,488, producing 73,254 
bushels; of meadow, 1,205, yielding 1,483 tons of hay; of clover, 1,214 acres, 
giving 1,327 tons of hay, 899 bushels of seed, and 92 acres plowed under; 
potatoes, 130 acres, yielding 10,010 bushels; mUk sold for farnU)' use, 12,195 
gallons ; home-made butter, 01,035 pounds; 1 acre sorghum, 122 gallons; 
gallons of maple syrup, 235; 213 hives, 3,595 pounds of honey; 18,310 dozens 
of eggs; 1 acre vines, 1,270 pounds; 1 acre sweet potatoes, 50 bushels; 490 
acres of apple trees, 0,482 bushels; 225 bushels of pears and 10 of cherries; 
lands cultivated, 14,289 acres; pasture lands, 1,227; wood land, 3,431; waste 
land, 107; total acreage, 19,054; wool, 20,*)20 pounds; milch cows, in 1803, 
503; dogs, 159; sheep killed and injured by dogs, 9; animals died of disease, 
90 hogs, 81 sheep, 25 cattle and 13 horses. 

The condition of the schools of Clinton Township in August, 1884, is set 
forth as follows: Local tax, $1,700.31; receipts, $4,089; expenditui-es, $3,044.- 
36; schoolhouses, 8; value of property, $1,000; teachers employed, 15; average 
salaries, $38 and $24; male pupils, 140; female, 130. 

In the foregoing pages the pioneers of Fort Ball and Tiffin are grouped with 
those of Clinton Township, because for years, in fact up to the close of the 
pioneer period, there were no social or geographical lines drawn between the 
counb-y sections and the settlements of Fort Ball and Tiffin. In the history of 
Tiffin City all names identiined with its business, social, religious and municipal 
interests, tind mention in direct connection with the history of the city's begin- 
nings and progress, thus rendering the story of the township and city as re- 
plete in detail as it is possible to make it. 

TIFFIN CITY. 

Tiffin is situate on Sections IS, 19, 20, 29 and 30, Town 2 north. Range 
15 east, Clinton Township and Section 24, Hopewell Township, in latitude 
north 41 ° 7', and longitude west from Washington 0° 8'. The Sandusky River 
flows through the city in a general northeastern course, coirrsing almost due 
east ftom Washington Street bridge to the railroad l)ridges, and dividing the 
city at this point into the North and South sides. Washington Street, inmning 
north and south, divides the city into the East and West sides. Rock Creek 
flows northwest in a tortuous course through the northeastern parts of the city, 
and enters the river east of Washington Street bridge. The white population 



472 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

in 1817 was 3; in 1822, 30; in 1830, 600; increased to 7,879 in 1880, and to 
about 10.000 in 1885. 

The distinctive features of the city are its magnificent location, looking over 
the Sandusky, its natural ton-aces, variety of landscape and wildwood drives, all 
retained, by some magic power, amid the ruin of old time forests, and change 
in everji;hing. 

Here, at the beginning of the second decade of this century, the troops of 
1812 encamped and revelled in the natural beauty of the place, and here a few 
years later the first white settler built his home and dedicated the locality to 
civilization for all time. A few years more and the j)ioneer of progress came, 
crossed the river, and, adopting the name of the first governor of Ohio for a 
tovTO, bestowed it upon a tract of wildwood where Tiffin now stands. Another 
year, and there stood the twin settlements, lovely and romantic, (juiet and un- 
pretentious. There the pioneer settlers or travelers passed their hajipy leisure 
hoiirs, listening to the mm-murs of the rippling waters of the creek, the roar of 
the river, or watched the mist as it curtained the groves and cabins. Ah! then 
it claimed but plain imagination to pictiu-e the happiness of the wairiors and 
beauties of the ancient tribes, when they looked upon their villages, and found 
plenty in the woods and in the rivers. A little thought, too, encii-cled the place 
with a romance, all its own, when the white man brought forth in fancy what 
his predecessors had lost, and what he had won. Then, for a time, admiration 
gave place to awe, and over the scene spread a gloom, liorn of conscience and 
natural superstition, which prompted the question: Oh. God! how long shall 
we enjoy the home of the red men ? In after j'ears. amid the din and toil of 
progress, the thought was forgotten, and the mind once more returned to revel 
in the beauty and magnificence of the place, to enjoy what the Caucasian had 
built up on the ruin of the Indian. 

It was not until the land was opened up for entry, or purchased, that 
immigration became active, or the counti-y began to fill up. Then the necessity 
of established villages became obvious. Notwithstanding the advantages of 
locality and accessibility, the east bank of the river was not thought of as the 
site of a city for almost four years after the first settlers came in, and for two 
years after the first village was platt(>d on the west bank of the Sandusky at this 
point. Josiah Hedges first realized the importance of the spot, and decided 
to establish himself east of what even then was considered the frontier — the 
Sandusky River. Others came, and all decided to carve for themselves a home 
in the beautifnl wilderness, and fashion out a city among the trees, that should 
one day be regarded as the goal to which enterprising men would direct their 
footsteps, where scholars would find a home, and religion 1 0,000 followers. 

Those pioneers of Fort Ball and Tiffin built well indeed. Almost all their 
day-dreams have been realized, and a city has sprung up out of the ancient 
groves, extending from plateau to plateau on each side of the old, ever running, 
boisterous river. Here we find the inventive, enterjjrising. fearless Yankee, 
the Pennsylvanian, a man of iron nerves; the children of Vermont and New 
Hampshire, delving low for some new rock ; the Marylander. a son of that land, 
"the only place in the wide, wide world where religious toleration found a 
home;" the shrewd Irishman, whose faults almost counter-balance his vii-tues; 
the ruddy, fair-haired German, always singing of his ' ' faderland, ' ' yet working 
onward steadily to attain a competence and hold it: the Englishman, ever 
English and transatlantic; the " caunie " Scot, jealously watchful of his inter- 
ests; the chivalrous Pole, the polite Frenchman, the money making Jew, and 
even the Chinaman, all find a home here. 

Fort Ball or the Second Ward. — The settlers in that part of Tiffin west and 





OtytM^oC 




J 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 475 

north of the river, in 1817, were Erastus Bowe and Paul D. Butler, both of 
whom came to Fort Ball that year from Delaware Township. Delaware Co., 
Ohio, where the former, a Vermonter, settled in 1809, and the latt(>r. fi-om 
Massachusetts, in 1808. The following facts relating to the settlement of Fort 
B;»ll are taken fi'om a bill filed, in 1824. in the com-t of chancer}' l)y Lawyers 
I'ettibone ami Parish in the interest of Thomas Butler i-s. Josiah Hedges and 
Jesse Sjjeucer. September '2U. 1S17. the treaty of the foot of the Rapids 
was made with the Wyandots and other tribes. Among its provisions was one 
reserving to Robert Armstrong 040 acres fronting on the river north and south 
of Camp Ball 100 poles and 1(54 poles respectivdy. September ;iO of that 
year Armstrong agreed to sell Paul D. Butler one-half of his section on condi- 
tion that the latter woidd lay a iKirt off in town lots, build a saw-mill the fol- 
lowing summer, and a year later build a small gi-ist-mill. Armstrong was to 
receive half the profits of Butler' s enterprise. In November. 1818, this agi-ee- 
ment was amended in the presence of Erastus Bowe and Ii-a Carpenter. 
August 30. 1820, Armstrong deeded to Butler 320 acres in consideration of 
imjirovements and of $1 in cash. September 8, 1820. Ai-mstrong deeded to 
him the river fi'ont for some distance above and below the present Soldiers' 
Moruiment, Joseph Tiernan and Leonard H. Cowles witnessing the document, 
and Solomon Smith, a justice, acknowledging the same. August 24, 1821, 
Armstrong and Butler entered into an agreement for the di^^sion of profits 
arising from sales of lots in the town of Oakley, the northern part to belong to 
Armstrong and the southern to Butler, and the division to be governed by the 
plan of the town as laid out by Joseph Vance. May 29, 1822. Butler con- 
veyed to Ai-mstrong almost all his interests in Fort Ball or Oakley in the pres- 
ence of Solomon Smith. Joseph S. Hughes and Leonard H. Cowles: but on 
tliis day also Armstrong deeded back a large part of Oakley to Butler, in the 
presence of Horton'Howard and the three witnesses just named, in considera- 
tion of a payment of 11.000. October 24, 1822, Paul D. Butler and his 
wife, Sally, conveyed to Thomas Butler a large part of this estate. In Decem- 
ber. 1822' Paul D. Butler died. From 1818 to the period of his death he, 
with Armstrong, was in possession of the reservation: he cleared 100 acres at 
his own expense, had the town of Oakley surveyed and platted, and Iniilt mQls 
and houses. Jesse Spencer was a nephew of Robert Amistrong. and resided 
with his uncle for some time; he was Ai-mstrong's agent, and with his uncle 
willingly aided Butler in his efforts to have the Presidential sanction for the 
conveyance of part of the reservation to Butler until the deed of conveyance 
was actually before the President, when Spencer went to "Washington and 
remonstrated against its approval. This was followed by the deed from Ai-m- 
strong to Spencer, dated October 9, 1823, and Armstrong, ignorant as he was, 
visited Washington and urged its approval. At this time also the patent of 
July, 1820. was found to be erroneous, having been based on the treaty of St. 
Miiry's instead of that made at thc^ foot of the Rapids. Subsequently. Ai-m- 
strong, his wife and Spencer came to Fort Ball for the jiurpose of d(>aling 
fairly with Thomas Butler; but on the advice of Spencer the original owner 
broke off all negotiations. In 182."), however. Spencer and Annstrong sold to 
Josiah Hedges a short time before the death of Annstrong in that year. The 
bill was dismissed, and the bona fide intentions and acts of Paul D. Butler and 
his son set at naught by this coiu-t on a legal technicality, notwithstanding the 
apparent fact that Butler made the first improvement, and was faithful to his 
contract with Armstrong. 

Fort Ball, as platted originally, comprised Adams, Miami and Clay Streets, 
running east and west, and Madison, Sandusky, and Monroe Streets running 



476 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

north and south on lands patented to Robert Armstrong, October 13, 1823, by 
President James Monroe, west of the Sandusky River. October 23, 1823, 
Armstrong transferred to Jesse Spencer (with the approval of the President), 
for S3,00{), 404 acres of the Armstrong Reservation — an act sustained by the law 
in the case, but one which merited, for Armstrong and Spencer, the retribution 
which waited on them. The first plat or siuvey in the county was undoubt- 
edly made by Paul D. Butler, for himself and Armstrong, in 1817 or 1818, so 
that Spencer, or Vance, or Hedges, cannot claim the honors of the fii-st town 
survey in the county. This was followed, in 181U, by the sui-vey of West Oak- 
ley or Vance" s Town by Joseph Vance, then Tiffin was surveyed by Gen. James 
Hedges, for his brother Josiah, and Oakley replatted imder the name of Fort 
Ball. 

The first postoffice in Seneca County was established at Oakley or Vance' e 
Town, in February, 1820, with David Risdon. postmaster. The mail was car- 
ried at that time between Columbus and Lower Sandusky, through Oakley. 

The McCulloch or McCullok section was another grant, the history of 
which is given in Chapter II. Among the heirs of William McCulloch 
were: Noah Z. , Tabitha. Elliott, Samviel. Sidney. and Zane McCulloch, Joseph 
L. Tracey and Zilla Tracy. In August, 1824, Josiah Hedges filed a petition 
for partition of their lands at Fort Ball, and in September of that year, the 
coui-t granted the petition and appointed James Gordon, Franklin Baker and 
Thomas Boyd, to make such partition. These men laid out the tract in seven 
parts. Noah McCulloch and wife sold Lots Nos. 2 and 3, to Levi Davis of 
Frederick County, Md. : Zane McCulloch sold Lot 5, to Andrew Luzenbeel; 
Lot No. 7, was sold by Sidney McCulloch to Josiah Hedges and RoUin 
Moller. In 1832 Samuel and Elliott McCulloch were infants, and their lots 
still intact. The marking of the lots, by Gordon, Baker and Boyd, was car- 
ried out so indifi'erently from the field book, that Hedges' made an effort, in 

1832, to have the marks changed; but thecom-tdid not comply with his demand 
at that time, nor until 1837 were measures taken to make the marks corre- 
spond with the field book. 

New Fort Ball extending fi-om the river to the alley in rear of Madison 
Sti'eet, included all the in-lots in the northern addition to Tiflin. and all on what 
was known as Fort Ball was surveyed by James Durbin, in November, 1837, 
on the east part of the tract of land resei-ved to Robert Ai-mstrong, for Josiah 
Hedges. 

Original Survey of Tiffin, and Additions. — Town of Tiffin, fractional Section 
19, Town 2 north. Range 15 east, containing 118 lots 00x180 feet each, streets 
sixty-six feet wide and alleys sixteen and a half feet wide, with public grounds 
equal to three lots at the corner of Market and Washington Streets, extending 
to Rose Alley (later Virgin Alley), now Court Alley or Coiu-t Street, was platted 
November 28. 1821, for Josiah Hedges by his brother. Gen. James Hedges. 
The northern addition was made May 27, 1831, and the southern addition 
May 27, 1831, by Josiah Hedges. At this time the Catholic Chm-ch lot was on 
East Market Street, adjoining the old cemetery. Norris cV Gist" s addition, lots 
one to twelve, fronting on Jefferson Street, was recorded June 15, 1832, by Eli 
Norris and George W. Gist. Keller & Gist's was made Januaiy 29, 1834, 
for Levi Keller and George W. Gist, on out-lota No. 2 and No. 5, known as 
Lots 3 to 12 Jefferson Street, in southern addition. 

Rawson' s addition was made by David Risdon for Abel Rawson, May 30, 

1833. Sneath & Graff's out- lot No. 3 and part of out-lot No. 4, known as Lots 
1 to 10 on Jefferson Street, in southern addition, was made January 29, 1834. 
Jennings', a fi'actional part of out- lot No. 3, and a fraction south of that lot 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 477 

extondiug to the Mansfield road, was siu'voyod by D. llisdon, November 18, 
1834, for Milton Jennings. George W. Gist's plat of lots on the east half of 
southeast quarter of Section 'JO, Township 2 north, Itange 15 east, Nos. 1 to 
10, was made in 1835. 

Reuben Williams' addition, iu-lots Nos. 1 to I'l and fractional in-lots 13to 18, 
on Monroe Street, was platted in April, 1835. Samuel A\'aggoner's southwest 
additon on Monroe, south of Charlotte Street, was recorded in January, 183(). 
Sheldon's was surveyed September 11, 1838, by James Durbin for H. O. Shel- 
don. Jacob Ronk's addition to New Fort Ball was surveyed bj' G. H. Heming 
in November. 1849. Josiah Hedges' second addition was sm-veyed June 4, 
1851, by G. H. Heming, extending south of Sanduslcy River and east oi Rock 
Run to the college grounds. A jiart of this addition, situate in the Second 
Ward, comprised twenty-one in-lots No. ()20 to f)40, with the extension of ceiiain 
streets. Hedges" addition of out-lots 1 to G, Second Ward, was siu'veyed April 
2, 184'J, by G. H. Heming. Davis" addition including parts of Lots 2 and 
3 of McCulloeh's section in Townshij) 2, Range 15 east, was svu'veyed in 
May, 1854, by Hiram McClelland. Springdale was siu-veyed liy G. H. Hem- 
ing in May, 1S54. for William H. Gibson. This well-located addition is on 
the west half of the southeast quarter and north part of southwest quarter of 
fractional Sestion 30, Township 2, Range 15. Hedges' quam' lots, embracing five 
and one-half acres of the east part of Lot No. 7, McCulloeh's section, were 
surveyed by Hiram McClelland, May 0, 1854, for Josiah Hedges. Denzler's 
was platted in October, 1855, by N. R. Kuntz, between Portland and Seipio 
Streets. 

Josiah Hedges' second southern addition to the First Ward was survyc-d in 
June, 1855. This addition was located south of the Catholic Chvu'ch, east 
and west of Washington Street. Allireclit's was surveyed by Lewis E. Holtz, 
deputy-surveyor, in March, ]85('). The town of New Oakley, south of Tiffin, 
in Sections 2U, 30, 31, and 32, was surveyed in June, 185(5, by G. H. Heming, 
for D. Cunningham, guardian of John Zimmerman. George E. Seney's ad- 
dition, north of Portland Street, was sm-veyed by Lewis E. Holtz, November 
28, 1850. The western addition was surveyed by G. H. Heming, for H. M. 
Avery, T. R. Butler, J. R. Cecil and Josiah Hedges, July 13, 1857. 

The boundaries of Sheldon's were agreed to April 7, 1858, by the projiri- 
etors. R. and F. M. Ciiim, Patrick H. and ISIary M. Ryan, John and Eliza 
Walker and John Rougher. Jacob Heilman's subdivision of south part of 
Lot 4. together with thirty-two and three-foiu'th links wide south of said lot, 
was surveyed January 14, 1858. Hedges' Lots Nos. 1 and 2, in B. D., were 
subdivided in July, 1862, for Josiah Hedges. Noble's addition was sxu-veyed 
in March, 1803, by G. H. Heming, for Harrison and Minerva Noble. This is 
situate in the northeast part of the Armstrong Reservation. 

M. P. Skinner's lands, known as in-lots 443, 444, 445, 446 and 447. front- 
ing on High Street, were added to the town March 5, 1804. Graham & 
Emich's subdivision of Levi Davis' addition, in McCulloeh's township, 
angle of l^lnmli Road and Davis Street, Tiffin, was platted in March, 18r)4. 
Franklin's subdivision to Oakley was surveyed June 14, 1804, for Caro- 
line M. Franklin and Freeman E. Franklin. Franklin's addition to Oakley 
was surveyed by Hiram McClelland, January 16, 18(')0, for Caroline M. and 
Freeman E. Franklin. Frost's addition was surveyed February 15. 1870, by 
Denis Maloy, for Josiah B. and Meshach Frost. Noble's second addition to 
the Second Ward was surveyed by Heming. in November, 1800, for Harrison 
and Minerva Noble. 

Jacob Scheiber's, in lot 8, Block 2 (Hedges' lands), was surveyed iu May, 



478 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

1867. Kebecca A. Walker's, on part of Blocks Q. R and S (Hedges' lands), 
was surveyed August 15. 1867, by Heming. Her addition to the Second Ward 
in Block Y (Hedges' lands), was surveyed September 7. 1867. Gross' addi- 
tion, between Cos and Mslmore Streets, in Block O (Hedges" lunds), was sur- 
veyed by Heming in August. 1867, for John Gr. and Eliza H. Gross. Tomb's 
addition, on the east part of Lots 5, 6 and 7. McCulloch Reservation, was 
surveyed in August, 1867. A second addition fi-om Sandusky east to river and 
south from Dallas to Douglass Street, was made on P. H. Ryan's sm-vey in 
April, 1871. Schonhart's, fi'onting on the Mansfield road, was surveyed in 
March, 1867. Hunter's was sm-veyed in April. 1867, for William and Clarinda 
Hunter. Toll's subdivision, extending from Franklin Street to the Sandusky 
River, was siu-veyed May 18, 1868, for W. and Sarah A. Toll. John Heilman's, 
on Main and Walker Streets, was sui'veyed October 30, 1868. D. J. GoodseU's 
was surveyed in March, 1868. G. F. Hertzer" s subdivision, between Schonhart's 
and Heilman's additions, was siu'veyed March 15, 1871. Francois C. Noirot's, 
out-lot northwest of east half of northwest quarter of Section 28. was surveyed 
by D. Maloy in January, 1869. Jacob F. Bunn's subdivision of the west part 
of out-lot No. 2 B. S. , on the Greenfield road, was surveyed in September, 
1870, by Dennis Maloy. G. D. Loomis made an addition to the city in April. 
1870. Clarinda Hunter's allotment, east of Sandusky Street and south of the 
old corporation line, was sui'veyed by P. H. Ryan in February, 1871. The 
addition of the Levi Davis estate to Tiffin was made by W. P. Noble, adminis- 
trator, in May, 1871. Stoner's, east of Fremont to Hemy and south of Doug- 
lass to Davis was surveyed by P. H. Ryan in 1871. Lucinda Allen's, north 
of Ella Street, east of the river, was siu'veyed in March. 1872. Mechanics- 
burg, extending fi'om Front Street to Washington, Sycamore and Union Streets, 
was surveyed by P. H. Ryan in November, 1872, for R. W. Shawhan. A. G. 
Sneath and Meshach Frost. C. K. Gilmore's subdivision of out-lot No. 10, 
Block X (Josiah Hedges' lands), was surveyed by J. L. Fisher in July, 1872. 
John T. and Eliza Bacher's subdivision of Lot 1, Block Z (Josiah Hedges' 
lands), was siu'veyed by E. C. Cook in September, 1873. J. T. Huss' , extend- 
ing from the river to Henry Street, between Tomb and Douglass Streets, was 
surveyed in 1873. Souder's subdivision of out-lots 9, 10, 11, in Davis' addi- 
tion to Tiffin, was surveyed by J. L. Fisher in April. 1873. J. F. Bunn's 
second addition was surveyed by P. H. Ryan in May. 1873. This is bounded 
by Douglass. Bunn. Davis and Henry Streets. Gray's was surveyed in April. 
1873, by E. C. Cook, Jr., for R. Gray, P. J. Wilson and E. W. "Stephenson. 
Lewis McCollnm & Suyders' snbdi^^sion. opposite the County Fail- gi'ouuds, was 
surveyed in April. 1873, by John L. Fisher. Luther A. Hall's addition 
was made in December, 1873. 

The additions made to the city since the close of 1873 are named as follows, 
with the date of survey: 

W. O. andH. A. Spaj-th's, Juno, 1874; N. G. Hayward's, JiUy. 1874; H. 
W. Huber's, June, 1874: Levi Weirick's, November, 18/4; J. K. Huddle's, 
July. 1874; John A. Remele's, July, 1874; L. L. Chandler's. August, 1874; W. 
H. Gibson's. March, 1874; J. Gwynn's, May, 1874; R. W. Shawhan's. April, 
1875; George Fishbaugh & Co's. , Januaiy, 1875: John G. Gross". May. 1875; 
Nicholas Bartell's, April. 1875; Lewis Schubert's, November, 1875; KauU & 
Glenn's, April, 1875; John Houck's, September, 1875; John Myers', October, 
1875: John Bour's, December, 1875; Philip Wentz's, September, 1875; John 
Fishbaugh' s. May, 1876; W. C. Hedges', June, 1876; John Zeigler's, October, 
1876; Jacob Heilman's, July, 1876; Susan Smith's. December, 1876: Harter 
& Slowman's, March, 1876; Maria P. Kuhn's. March, 1877; Charles J. M. 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 479 

and Honora Sullivan's, May. ISTT; H. & M. Noble's, May, 1.S77; A. C. Bald- 
win's, May, 1878. 

The annexation of a large tract west and north of the old corporation line 
of Tiffin was effected by order of the county commissionej's, made March 0, 
1877, in response to a petition from the residents. B. F. Myers', May, 1880; 
A. Bihm's, May. 1880; George \Y. Fiege's, June, 1880; Florence Cronise's, 
1880; William Negele's, June. 1880; tracts between Scipio Street and Block 
30, school lot in First Ward, Eock Creek Mill property, Fleming tannery 
lot, April, 1880; tract on River Street, Lot 247, east half of the northeast 
fractional quarter of Section 19, lots on Market at mill race, in May, 1880; 
Christian Slueller's and Mrs. Hunter's, in July.. 1880; Fair grounds and ad- 
jacent property in May, 1880. 

In April. May and June, 1880, a large area, scattered throughout the city, 
was platted for the purposes of taxation. The petition to annex several parcels 
of land west and north of Tiffin to the city, was granted bv the commissioners 
February 27, 1882. 

In July, 1883. J. W. Sheely's subdivision of Lot 10. K. & G. addition, 
was sui'veyed; in June of that year, Myers, Stalter and Bunn's addition was 
laid out, and in October, Sarah V. Armstrong's addition. In February. 1884, 
Quinn's replat of Riordon's subdivision was made, and H. Brohrs sxibdivision 
of the Da^-is addition was made in Juno of that year. The work of extension 
is still can'ied on, with greater prospects in the distance. 

Incidents of First SettJemeul. — The tirst tavern in the county was opened 
in 1817, by the first settler, Erastus Bowe, immediately below Fort Ball, at the 
north end of Washington Street bridge. In 1810 his was the neare.st house to 
the AVeleh Brothers' settlement at the ^Mohawk Village, in Eden, and to the 
white settlements at old Fort Seneca, made in the fall of that year; if we except 
Spicer's cabin and other homes of the white captives, who. in the general his- 
tory are classed with, and treated as Indians. In 1818 the members of Eras- 
tus Bowo's family and Hannah Jackson ai-rivcd, also Paul D. Butler's 
family. Almon Rollins, who was convicted of the robbery of Spicer, and 
served some years in the penetentiary, was an employe of Butler, ^^'illiam 
Rollins came in 1818. Abner Pike came in ISl'J. Eli Downing also lived 
here, prior to his settlement near the Baker Mill; the constable Papineau, 
Henry Creesy, Levi Creesy, the blacksmith John Searles and family, and a 
few transients, on whom Butler conferred the name of ' ' lazy duffers, ' ' resided 
within Fort Ball, even in 1820. and Josiah Hedges visited the post that year. 
Then came David Risdon. the old surveyor, to Fort Ball: Simon B. Howard, 
from Delaware County: John Mimm. Ajmstrong Drennon, Charles \\etz or 
Wertz, fi'om Richland County; Henry M'elch, a brother of Hugh Welch, from 
Eden To^\Tiship. Sen(>ca County: James Spink, from Wooster: Gen. James 
Hedges, fi'om Manstield; Josiah Hedges, Charles Kelly. Hem-y ^Miller, David 
Fowler and others, a few of whom made only temporary settlements. When 
the commissioners selected the "town in the bush" on the east side of the 
river, as the seat of justice; there were only six cabins, in one of which the 
whole Drennon family died, almost together. The tir.st tree was cut on the site 
of the town in March, 1821. James Spink, of Woosler. opened a store at 
Tiffin in March, 1822, the same which was phuidered the following winter. 
Herford, Miner and Spink located the seat of justice at Tiffin, March 25, 
1822, when there were only six cabins there. Dr. Eli Dresbach and Dr. R. G. 
J. Carey, who settled at Fort Ball in 1823, were among the first resident phy- 
sicians of the coimty. but not the first who practiced here. Rudolphus Dick- 
enson, who located at Fort Ball in 1824, was the tirst attorney. Abel Rawson 



480 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

came in February. 1 820, although John J. Spink, of Wooster, Ohio, was here 
in 1821. The first jail was completed March 4. 1826. In April, 1828, 
the United States land office of the Delaware District was located at Tiffin. 
Jacob Plane was ajipointed first postmaster at Tiffin in the spring of 1829. 
The first newspaper, the Seneca Patriot, was issued fi'om the press by E. & J. 
H. Brown, August 4, 1832. The press used was brought to Pennsylvania in 
tht last decade of the last centuiy, and is said to have been the first west of the 
Alleghenies. 

Preparatory to leaving for the West, the Senecas assembled at Fort Ball in 
the summer of 1830, and camped there for twenty days while settling their 
chattels and debts. The fii-st brick yards were established in 1830-31 . St. Mary' a 
brick chui'ch building was begun in 1831. John Goodin's hotel, a brick house 
which stood on the site of the National Hall block, was begun late that fall, or 
(>arly in the spring of 1832. Dr. Kuhn's residence and Abel Eawson's dimin- 
utive law office were built. There were in fact only three brick buUdings com- 
pleted in the city up to the close of 1833, and perhaps ten times that number 
of frame buildings, most of them veiy small, and a large number of log-houses. 

The fii-st bridge constructed in Seneca County was that over the Sandusky, 
at the foot of Washington Street, in 1833-34, built by Reuben "Williams for 
Josiah Hedges. In l834 a second bridge was built lower down, and also one 
across Rock Creek, which were all caiTied away during the high water of 
that year. The Hedges' toll bridge was erected in 1834. The fiist railroad, 
the Mad River & Lake Erie, was sm-veyed in 1832 by Stansbm-y, Morris and 
Van Antwerp: work begun September 7, 1835, was finished as far as Repub- 
lic, in 1839. and as far as Tiffin in 1841. It was completed in 1847-48 {vide 
Chapter XI; . 

The 4th of July was celebrated with eclat at Tiffin, with Henry C. Brish, 
marshal, in 1832. The cholera made its first appearance in Seneca County 
August 19, 1834, when IMrs. John Hubble, of Mom-oe Street, died. A son of 
Mrs. Dalrymple was the last to die fi'om this visitation in 1834. The disease 
attacked both native and foreign residents. Fifteen years later, in 1849. this 
[)lague again visited the county: again in 1852, and afterward in 1854. The 
first coiu't house was completed in 1836; twelve years prior to this date court 
was held in the Hedges' Ijuilding. 

The fii'st bank in the county was on West Peny Street, where George 
Adams' house now is. It was opened November 13, 1847, with Benjamin 
Tomb, president, and R. G. Pennington, cashier. William E. Chittenden was 
elected cashier the same year, and in February, 1848, Abel Rawson was elected 
president. 

James W. Hill rented the Tiffin Bridge from Josiah Hedges March 30, 
1836. The Tiffin Free Bridge was opened in Februaiy. 1837. It cost $2,200. 
When Van Nest's carriage factory was bui'ned in 1854, this bridge was also 
destroyed by fire. The cars of the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad crossed 
the new bridge to the gi'ain warehouses of Reid. Greene & Co. and R. W. 
Shawhan, of Tiffin, and W. N. Montgomery, of Fort Ball, in October, 1841. 
A military company, known as the "Osceolas." was organized at Tiffin in 1S44, 
with William Lang, captain. This company had a neat green uniform. It is 
said that John Forman was afterward captain of this company. 

A large meeting, held February IS, 1847. nominated Josiah Hedges, 
F. Singer, IT. P. Coonrad. O. Cowdery. F. Bernard, F. W. Green. A. Rawson, 
Dr. H. Kuhn, R. W. Shawhan, R. G. Pennington. Hemy Cronise, Eden 
Lease, J.'G. Breslin, A. C. Baldwin and Dr. McFarland, a committee to pre- 
sent a memorial to the county commissioner for the erection of a substantial 
bridge at the foot of A\'ashington Street. 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 481 

Jimo IS, 1847, a hiirricano swept over Tiffin. Commercial Row suffered 
much damage; Baldwin's Building had a chimney blown down and a portion 
of the roof crushed in. The business men in the row were A. C. Baldwin & 
Pride, dry goods; Robert Or urn" s general store, and others. 

A fire at Tiffin in September, 1850, destroyed property valued at S2,6()0, 
including six horses. Sands & Co. (circus men) lost horses and harness; C. Y. 
Pearson lost his stable; Josiah Hedges lost stable and small IjTiildings and had 
his dwelling damaged, and Joshua Seney had his house damaged. Sands & 
Co. 's circus men and the audience abandoned the performance to aid the fire- 
men under Chief Engineer AV. H. tTibson and R. R. Scott, secretary of Engine 
Company No. I. After the fire was put out. the performance continued on 
until Sunday morning. 

The fii-e of 1854 swept away Van Nest's carriage factory and the Market 
Street Bridge. 

The fire of April 13. 187'i. was fii'st discovered in Mi's. Abel Rawson's 
house on Miami Street and MUton McNeal's house on Sandusky Street; next, 
tonr barns north of Ogle's store; then Le Baron's stave factoiy, Singer's resi- 
dence, Fishbangh's pumji factory, Sneath's warehouse. Kamp's planing-mill, 
Bartell's saloon and Benner's house. The total loss was estimated at SO"). 000. 
The value' and location of property destroyed is given in the following list: 
McNeal's merchandise. .12.000; Jlrs. Rawson's buildings, $3,500; A. & F. 
Ogle's buildings, 19,000; T. Collin's merchandise, $1,900; D. C. Baughman's 
brick and frame buildings, $2,000; A. Meehan's building, $2,000— all on 
Sandusk-y Street. A. & F. Ogle's. $3,000; A. McNeal's, $3,000, and Mrs. 
Glick's buildings, $500— all on Miami Street. D. Arndt. $4,000; D. Bartell, 
$4,000; George Benner, $1,000; John Knott, $600; W. Shugan, $1,500, and 
P. Hartuer, $200 — all on south side of Adams Street. Jacob Kuhn. $1,000, 
B. Troxell, $1,800; railroad company's buildings and whiskv, $2,500 — all on 
North Adams Street. Mrs. Bresniii's house, $800; M. Kiihn, $2,500; B. 
Quinn, $(500; Le Baron, $15,000; T. T. & E. Railroad Company's ties 
burned, $500— all on Franklin Street. E. Olmstead, $2,500; F. J. Wagner, 
$3,000; H. L. Kendall, $3,500; A. Brandebury, $3,000; Samuel Shade, 
$1,000; Fred Singer, $3,200— all on Washington Street. George Fishbaugh, 
$1,500; Paul Miller, $1,500, and L. Bang, $1,000— on Minerva Street. 

To the fire department may be credited the escape of all this portion of the 
city from destruction. The Sandusky Engine Company arrived on the scene, 
but after one-half hour' s work, an accident to their engine rendered their work 
ineffective. 

Postmasters. — David Risdon. the first postmaster at Fort Ball, was also the 
pioneer postmaster of the county. This was the office for Tiffin up to the 
spring of 1829. when Jacob Plane was appointed postmaster at Tiffin. Henry 
Cronise. who settled at Tiffin in 182(3. was postmaster up to November, 1S39, 
when he was succeeded by George Knupp. Joseph Walker, one of the pio- 
neer merchants of the settlement, was appointed successor to George Knupp, 
and in October, 1841, removed the office to his house, about where the Empire 
Block now stands. H. G. W. Cronise was appointed postmaster in December, 
1847. and served until May, 1849, when Dr. James Fisher took charge of the 
office. In July, 1854, George L. Knupp was commissioned postmaster, and 
served until 1857, when \\'. W. Armstrong took charge. In April. 18G1, 
Postmaster .Armstrong handed the keys of the office to H. L. McKee. 
appointed by the Lincoln administration the first Republican postmaster here. 
Since the appointment of the present postmaster, Locke, the office has grown to 
be one of the most important in the State. 



482 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 

Municijoal History. — The act passed March 7, 1835, incorporated the town 
of Tiffin. This was amended in 1836-37. 

An election of officers for the town of Tiffin took place June 29, 1 836, at 
Eli Noixis' tavern, when Dr. Kuhn was elected Mayor. The meeting was 
called by George W. Gist, N. Goetschius, M. M. Mason, George Park, Charle.s 
Lewis, John Baugher, M. D. Cadwallader, Joel Stone, J. "W. MiUer and David 
Beck. In May, 1837, two tickets were placed before the citizens of Tiffin, viz. : 

WHIG. DEMOCRAT. 

Mayor — Richard Sneath. Miyor — Henrj' Cronise. 

Recorder — Jolin J. Sleiner. Recorder — Calvin Bradlej', 

Council — .lolin Walker. J. Goodin, Council — W. D. Searles, J. Goodin, 
J. Baugher, James Fisher H. Zimmerman, J. Baugher 

and Thomas Lloj'd. and .John Pittinger. 

The election, which took jjlace May 6, 1837, resulted in the choice of 
the following officers: Mayor, Dr. Henry Kuhn; recorder, Calvin Bradley; 
council. Thomas Lloyd. John Baugher. John Goodin, John Pittinger and John 
Walker. 

In 1838-39 Jefferson Freese was recorder, and Gabriel J. Keen mayor of 
Tiffin. John Goodin, Thomas Lloyd and Heniy Zimmerman formed the 
council. 

In 184'2 an act amendatory of the act of 1839 amending the original act 
of 1835 incorporating the town of Tiffin was passed. The Gazette in criticiz- 
ing the act, stated that a government of the town under the act of 1842 is 
preferable to the poor government provided for in foi-mer acts. A mayor, 
recorder and five trustees were to be elected annually. The tii'st election under 
the amended act took place March 29, 1842, when Henry Ebbert was elected 
mayor; Jesse Stem, recorder; W. D. Searles, George Kummell, U. R. Flen- 
ner, Heni-y Gross and Jacob Fleming, tiiistees. 

An election held at Tiffin in Mai-ch, 1843, resulted in the choice of Henry 
Ebbert for mayor; Jesse Stem, recorder; Henry Gross, Levi Keller, Fred Singer, 
W.D. Searles and Jacob Boyer, councilmen. 

The Tiffin election took place March 29, 1844. The contestants for office 
and vote are given as follows: Major — Gabriel J. Keen (D.), 98; Henrj^ Ebbert 
(W.), 94. Recorder— Warren P. Noble (D.), 98; Jesse Stem (W.), 92. Coun- 
cilmen — Chris. Snyder, Joshua Seney, Samuel Nolan, Jacob Boyer and Fred. 
Singer, all Democrats, received fi-om 97 to 101 votes; Chai'les F. Dresbach 
Jacob Hiiss. Francis Rife, W. J. Lewis and George Black, all Whigs, received 
from 88 to 97 votes, Dresbach (W.) being a tie with Snyder (D). 

Tiffin election of Apiil, 1845, resulted in the choice of Charles F. Dre.sbach 
for mayor, who received 103 votes against ninety-thi'ee received by Joshua 
Seney. WaiTen P. Noble, 101 votes, recorder; William Campbell, 100; W. D. 
Searles, 100; F. Rife, 97, and Chiis Snyder, 97, a tie vote; and S. Nolan and 
F. Singer. 90, a tie vote; and Joseph Gibson, 99 votes. 

Tiffin election, 1846, resulted in the choice of Benjamin Pittinger for mayor, 
"\V. H. Gibson, recorder; Rolla Johnson, A. C. Baldwin, Jacob Fleming, 
Jesse Stem and Wilson J. Lewis, councilmen. 

The Tiffin elections of Maich. 1847. resulted in the choice of David E. 
Owen, mayor; James P. Pillars, recorder; Jesse Stem, W. H. Keilholtz, 
Andrew Albrecht, Joseph Gibson and Charles F. Dresbach, councilmen. 

In March, 1848, John W. Patterson was elected mayor; William Lang, 
recorder; H. Groff. Andi-ew Denzer, John Myers, Gabriel J. Keen and Daniel 
Dildine. Jr. . councilmen. 

The March election of 1849, for town officers of Tiffin, resulted as follows: 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 485 

Major. W. D. Searles: recorder, William Lang; coimcilmen, Daniel Cunuiug- 
ham. ^V. H. Gibson, Andrew Denzer, Henrj' W. Owen and 'W. H. Keilholtz. 
Tbt>re is a second record in existence, which points out veiy diflFerent results 
for this election. 

Under the act of March, I80O, the towns of Tiffin and New Fort Ball were 
reorganized under one government, and an election ord<'red to be held April 
20, IS.'iO, with Messrs. Pittinger, Keilholtz. Groff, Flaugher, mayor of Fort. 
Ball. Anion Kiggs, and Jacob Buyer, judges of election. 

The town of New Fort Ball was incorporatcnl uiul(>r the act of March 19, 

1849. The first election was held March ;50. 1S4U, when George G. Small 
was elected mayor; James P. Pillars, recorder; Christian Yost, L. A. Hall, 
Jacob Boyer, \V. P. Noble and Samuel Mitchell, trustees. Under the act of 

1850, the two corporations were consolidated, and the first meeting held April 
2'j. 1850; AVilliam Lang received 220 votes for mayor, while George L. Whar- 
ton received only 108. The votes for treaui'er were : Itobert Crum, 225; George 
Knupp, 74; and W. H. Gibson, 20; for marshal. Samuel H. Kissinger, 182; 
John Myers, 88: John Knott, 59; and Daniel Creeger,' 41. The council 
elected the clerk W. M. Johnson over KobertC. Scott, the vote standing 4 to 8. 
The councilmen elected were W'. H. Gibson, W. H. Keilholtz, Jacob Flaugher, 
Jr. and William Johnson, councilmen. 

The mayors of the city since 1851 are named as follows: William Lang, 1851; 
W. M. Johnson, 1853; R. G. Pennington, 1854; Daniel Cunningham, 1855; 
James M. Patterson, 1857; William M. Johnson, 1859; Alfi-ed Landon, 1863; 
R. L. Griffith, 1869; George W. Bachman, 1878; J. H. Pittinger, 1877; Har- 
rison Noble, 1880; J. C. Royer, 1888-87. The vote recorded for mayor in 
A[)ril, 1885, was, for Royer, Democratic, 1,070; for Abbott, Republican, 759. 

The clerks of the city since 1851 are named in the following list: R. R. 
Scott. 1851; J. H. Pittinger, 1859; O. C. Zeller, ISOl; Joseph A. Johnson, 
1869; S. J. Kintz, 1871; P. H. Ryan. 1877; Charles J. M. Sullivan, 1879; W. 
H. Dore, 1885. 

Treasm-ers of the city: Robert Cnim. 1851; John Pride, 1852; R. M. C. 
Martin. 1858; Jesse H. Leidv^ 1854; P. Nynara, 1858; John Houck, 1859; 
F. Wagner, 1861 ; William Lang, 1873; J. W. Barrack, 1878; John Heabler, 
1882; and the present treasurer, appointed after the death of Heabler, in 
September, 1885. 

City Soliritors. — J. W. Wilson, 1858; W. M. Johnson. 1854; Luther A. 
Hall, 1855; HaiTison Noble. 1857; Elam Willard, 1859; John McCauley. 1863; 
Frank Baker (now of Chicago), 1867: John McCaulev, 18(8: John McCauley, 
1875: Alfred Landon. 1877; Perry M. Adams, 18S()-" Hiram C. Keppel, 1882; 
Harvey C. Piatt, 1883; the name of J. H. Piatt ajjpears in 1884 as solicitor. 
The elections of April, 1885, gave 1.128 votes to James H. Piatt, Democrat, 
against 689 to Pennington. Republican. 

Aiifte-'<t>ors. 181^5. — The assessors, elected in 1885, are named in the following 
record of election. The first five named are Democrats, the latter five Repub- 
licans, one of whom, Bowersox, was elected, lieating Schwartz, the Democrat, 
in the Second Ward: Rvan. 197; Schwartz. 156; Silvers. 265; Comely, 194; 
Hafley, 250; Snyder, 106; Bowersox, 216: Sohn. 152; Young, 105; Yerk, 114. 

School Census Enumerator. — Squire Beilharz was ai)i)oiiited entimerator for 
taking the school census of the city in August, 1885. 

Councilmen. — The city council of 1851 comprised ^\■. H. Gibson, William 
Johnson, Andrew Denzer, Jacob Flaugher, William Keilholtz and A men 
Riggs. 

1852.— W. D. Searles, Luther A. HaU, William Holtz. 

26 



486 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

1853. — Hezekiah Groff, P. Speilman, Andrew Denzer. 

1854. — Lewis Martin, AVilliam Holtz. 

1855. — John D. Loomis, Robert G. Pennington. 

1856. -Hezekiah Groflf, W. M. Johnson. 

1857. — John Poorman, "N^'illiam Holtz. 

1858. — George H. Heming. Arial B. Hovey. 

1859. — Cooper K. Watson, Frank Wagner. 

I860.— J. M. Zahm, Aiiel B. Hovey. 

1861.— Jonathan Smith, William Holtz. 

1862.— William C. Hedges, Hezekiah GrofP. 

1863.— Harrison Noble, J. L. Fisher. 

1864. — G. W. Cunningham, Isaac Kagy, 

1865. — John L. Fisher, Harrison Noble. At this time Dr. A. B. Hovey and 
Dr. E. J. McColhim were elected members of the board of health, and Augustus 
Muetchler, market-master. 

1866. — George W. Cunningham, John Fiege. 

1867. — Harrison Noble, W. M. Johnson. 

1868. — Francis Wagner, J. T. Kaupp. The question of the annexation 
of territory to the city was approved bv the people this year. 

1869.— Philip Emich, John L. Fisher. 

1870. — Harrison Noble, John T. Kaupp. 

1871. —John G. Gross, H. W. Huber, J. Sidt, D. Seeholts, Obadiah Ham- 
ers, Simon Snyder, J. M. Hershberger and Michael Myers. 

1872. — Simon Snyder, William Johnson, Alfred Landon, Jacob Schieber 
and Andrew J. Brickner. 

1873.— John G. Gross, H. W. Huber. John Silvers, Louis Seewald and 
Obadiah Hainers. 

1874. — Simon Snyder, G. W. Cunningham. Alfred Landon, Jacob 
Schieber, A. J. Brickner. 

1875._J. G. Gross, H. W. Huber, S. B. Silvers, Lewis Seewald, B. 
Schinness. 

1876. — B. F. Myers, John GLUiland, Alfred Landon, George Ernst, A. J. 
Brickner. 

1877.— Dr. W. J. Crawford, T. J. Kintz, Dr. J. F. E. Fanning, Dr. T. J. 
Livers, P. Grammes. 

1878.— B. F. Myers, Dr. W. J. Crawford, M. Scannel, John Mossoney, 
Dr. J. F. E. Fanning, C. H. Sting, Dr. T. J. Livers, George Ernest, A. J. 
Brickner, Peter Grammes. 

1879. — B. F. Myers, John Ehrenfried, Josiah Baker, John Mossoney, Dr. 
J. F. E. Fanning, C. H. Sting, James W. Love, George Ernest, A. J. Brick- 
ner, Peter Grammes. 

1880. — J. K. Kinnaman, James Love, Josiah Baker, John Mossoney, Dr. 
J. F. E. Fanning, C. H. Sting, John Ehrenfreid, E. A. Gray, Benjamin 
Schinness, Peter Grammes. 

1882.^Dr. J. P. Kinnaman, James W. Love, John Cox, John F. Zeller, 
Jeremiah Rex, George Strausbaugh, John B. Ehrenfried, F. D. Kishler. B. 
Schinness, John Horick. 

1883. — Charles Martin, Dr. Breidinger, John Dore, John Ernest, John 
Cox, J. W. Love, Dr. J. P. Kinnaman, George Strausbaugh, F. D. Kishler, 
Benjamin Schinness. 

1884. — Simon Snyder, James W. Love, J. A. Norton, John Dore, G. 
Strausbaugh, John Ernest, F. D. Kishler, Charles Martin, J. N. Williard, J. 
Bridinger. 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 487 

Tho election of councilmen in 1885, shows the following results: Demo- 
crat—Holmes. 198; Dore, 209; Baker, 222; Weller, 169; Briekner, 275. 
Republican — Cramer, 104; Zeller, 101; Straver, 190; Martin, 131; Stephen- 
son, 97. 

Corporation Statistics. — The valuation and taxation of Tiffin City, in 1S84- 
85, are shown by the followin<T statistics: value of 715 acres in citv lots, 
$2,200,410; value of personal property, §870.200; total value. §3,130,010; 
total State tax. §8,782.51; total county and local tax, S8S,403.53; total of 
State, county, local and other charges, $99,924.88, together with $190 dog tax. 
The population of the city, according to the census of 1880, was 7,879, 0.050 
being natives of the United States, and 1,229 foreign born citizens. This 
number has been increased between 3.000 and 4.000 the last five years. From 
the elaborate report made by the clerk, Chailes J. M. Sullivan, in March, 
1885, the following review of the revenue of the city- is taken: 

General purpose fund $7,014 44 

Street iniproveraeiit fund ;!.2i)l 01 

Police fund 4.'J14 74 

Gas fund 9,(180 22 

Fire department fund H.'i'S'i 84 

Poor fund i'ti 58 

Interest fund 10,7->S 84 

Water supply fund 18, T'll 4!) 

General sewer fund 1.173 70 

Ma<'liine !.liop fund 12.31it 2.3 

Washington Street sewer fund 718 47 

Main Street iinprovenieut fund 791) 81 

East JIarket Street improvement fund 487 13 

Charlotte Street extensive fund 290 (i3 

Circular Street imi)rovemcnt fund 911 03 

(ireenticld Street iiniirovemeiU fund 1,'308 46 

Third Ward .\lley sewer fund 702 G7 

Scijjio Street improvement fund 672 4R 

South Washinjiton Street improvement fund 1.270 35i 

Coe Street improvement fund 730 27 

The statement of coi-poration debt, March 1, 1885, gives the following 
figm'es : 

JIaohine shop honds, outstanding 16,150 00 

Park refunder bonds, outstanding 7,000 Oo 

Gas lionds I, .100 00 

South Washington Street improvemcEt bonds 5,100 00 

Seipio Street improvement bonds 2.8(10 (V) 

Coe Street iinprovtment bonds 4.5(10 00 

East Market Street improvement bonds 2,100 ifl 

Cireular Street improvement bonds . 1.000 (10 

Greenfield Street improvement bonds 3,800 00 

Charlotte Street improvement bonds 000 00 

Stone quarrv bonds S.OOu 00 



Total $47..150 tto 

The Police Force. — The beginnings of the police force of Tiffin date l)ack 
to 1851, when tho first marshal was elected. The marshals of the city 
since 1851 are named as follows: S. H. Kisinger. 1851; A. Nichols. 18T)2:; 
J. C. MitcheU. 1853; F. Harris, 1855; H. Britton, 1857; J. Zimmer. 1859; 
L. A. Beilharz, 1801; H. Britton, 1802; C. Muetchler. 1864: R. Nichol.s, 
1871; James George, 1875: AV. H. Kisinger. lSiS3. who was succeeded by 
Marshal Hummer in 1885 — the vote being 974 and 70S; Kisinger. the Repub- 
lican, polling tho last named vote. Some years later (1851) a regular bodj- of 
police W!is organized with the marshal as chief; but the records of tho depart- 



488 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

ment give very little information respecting them. It is known that Amos 
Nichols, now in Chicago, Charles Brish, I. J. C. Shoemaker, George Miller 
and Isaac Kobb were among the members of the old force. From April to 
November, 1872, the force did not exist, owing to some trouble within the 
council arising out of nominations. In November, 1872, Brish, Robb and 
James Hennessy were appointed. Among the uumljer who have served in this 
department may be named Patrick W. Sweeney, 1873-86; J. C. Lamberson, 
Henry Schlegel, Michael Cahill. William Holleuberg, Andrew Arnold. Xavier 
Zints, John \^". Stewart. Thomas Falkner. John Hummer and others. 
Thomas Falkner was added to the force in April, 188o, and in the same month 
John Hummer was elected marshal. The work of the police, since 1877, 
shows, in that year, 214aiTests; in 1878, 176 aiTests; in 1879, 178; in 1880, 
276; in 1881, 236; for the year ending April 1, 1884, 307 arrests, and for 
eleven months, ending March 1, 1885, 265 arrests. The nationalities repre- 
sented in this number are Americans, 217; Germans. 26; Irish. 14; French, 
3; Canadians, 2; English, 1, and Scotch. 2. One arrest for mui'der was made, 
71 for drunkenness and 80 for disorderly conduct. There were two aiTests for 
chicken-stealing, and 26 connected with houses of evil repute. In September, 
1885, the ordinance requiring all houses to be niunliered. entailed a new duty 
on the police. 

Fire Department. — In the early days of Tiffin, about the time ti'ame and 
log-houses began to be overshadowed by the more solid brick structiu'es, the 
question of organizing a fire department was mooted, but laughed out of all 
countenance. In later years (1849) a volunteer tire company was organized, 
with W. H. Gibson, foreman. The tirst record at hand refers to the Independ- 
■ent Fire Company No. 4, an organization which existed prior to 1859, for on 
April 12 of that year it was reorganized under State law, with John E. Mc- 
■Cormack, president, A. T. Barnes, vice-president, P. Nyman, treasiuer, and 
F. P. Bloom, clerk. Leonard Adams was clerk of the meeting. The men 
named, together with J. S. Yerk. C. M. Yerk, H. A. Spayth and John D. Aj-ndt 
were the incoi-porators. The older companies, too, changed their organic form. 
In April, 1867, the Young America Hose Company No. 1 was reorganized. 
William Kisinger was elected foreman January 6. 1868, and in September 
of that year received a new four-wheeled hose cart. A few days later they car- 
ried off the silver trumpet fi-om five competing companies at the Sandusky 
tournament. At Clyde, in 1869, they won $50, and in July. 1870, they car- 
ried off the honors of the upper Sandusky tovu'nament. In September of that 
year they met with a like success at Urbana. At Findlay, in 1871, they carried 
off a $100 gold prize, and at Mansfield in 1S73, a $125 prize. Then followed 
the Fostoria tournament, which brought additional honors to this company. 
The loss of the honors at Kenton, and the defeat at Bucyrus, owing to an ac- 
cident to their carriage, caused a gloom, which was dissipated by their victory 
at Defiance in 1874. In the great national tom'nament held at Chicago, they 
held a fifth place among forty-five competitors. So early as 1849 this company 
was recognized as one of the best among the pioneer fire organizations. Since 
its reorganization, almost twenty years after, it has won many laurels. W. H. 
Bloom is now foreman. The late J. H. Pittinger was treasiu-er fi'om 1849 to the 
time of his sudden death. W. H. Bloom is also foreman of EescueHose Com- 
pany No. 1, and Charles J. M. Sullivan, secretary. The fire department was 
reorganized in April, 1880, into six companies. Very many changes have 
taken place in these companies within the last five years. In May, l885, the 
department comprised ninety-eight uniformed men, distributed through the 
following named companies and under the foremen named: Rescue Hose Com- 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 489 

pany No. 1- IB men; W. H. Bloom, foreman. Sui'prisB Hose Company No. 
2 — IT) men; George Transuo. foreman. Alei-t Hose Company No. 3 — 20 men, 
(> honorary: Lonis Schonder, foreman. Prolcetion Hose Company No. 4 — 15 
men: F. X. Steiir. foreman. Crescent Hose Company No. 5- 17 men: Con- 
rad Smith, foreman. Union Hook & Laddei- Company' No 1 - IT) men: Frank 
Seiusoth, f(.)reman. In the lire department we have the following list of /ire 
apparatus: Two steam tire engines in excellent working condition. 1 hand 
engine, 1 two-horse hose caiTiage, fi hose carts, 2 hook and ladder trucks, 14 
ladders, 5 axes, 4 picks, 4 hooks, 410 feet of rope and chain. 1 1 rubber buck- 
ets, 5 steel bars, 8 lanterns. 10 service pipes, 14 tips or nozzles, 1 spray noz- 
zle. 9 hydi'ant wrenches, 35 spanners, 100 feet of guard rope, 2 Siamese coup- 
lings, 1 hy<lrant gate, 1 leak stop, 1 ring expander, 68 rubber coats. 24 rubber 
caps and 3.000 fe(>t of serviceable rubber hose. The cost of maintenance for 
tlie year ending May, 1SS5, was ¥778. The alarms attended to were 17, 
and the numl)(>r of actual fires 10. 

The dedication of the Firemen's Headquarters took place August 21, 1884, 
It was one of thos(> reunions such as tiremen alone can give. The welcome to 
the guests on behalf of the "Union Hooks" and the "Eescues" was delivered 
bv Charles J. M. Sullivan, and responded to by J. A. Norton. A few days 
more than a year after, August 24, 1885, the firemen ban(pieteil their late 
chief. L. B. Johnson, better known as J. L. Biudette. Their periodical sup- 
pers and balls are like their services, esteemed. 

In 1874 A\', H. Bloom was chief engineer of the city tire de))artment. Jo- 
sei)h P. Myers was elected chief in 1878. In 1879 Fred. Holler was chief; 
Fred. Troxel first, and Fred. Keshler second assistant: Roller continued chief in 
1880, 1881 and 1882, with Gus Nunaman, first assistant, and Andy Stevcr 
second. In 1883 J. L. Burdette was appointed chief engineer. August 12, 
1885, he tendered his resignation to the council, and in September, 1885, the 
})resent chief engineer, John Boiler, was appointed. 

CHURCHES. 

The existence of a God or a Supreme Being is doubted by few: even those 
who remain for a time plunged in doul)t, if not in iiilidelity, return to His 
worship, and, like the bird singing to Him in the foliage, or th(> ocean jiro- 
claimiug His immensity in the trackless waste of waters and everlasting hymn, 
declare His power. 

Tiffin is, in fact, a church-going city, and in its j)ul)lic records is found 
tlie proof. There cannot exist a doubt regarding the visits of missionaries to 
the Indians of the Sanduslry- during the French exploratory period and the 
Irocpiois invasions, but ther(> fire no positive evidences of the residence of such 
missionaries here. 

Rev. Joseph Badger, of the Congregational Church of Blandford. Mass. . was 
appointed chaiilain to the northern army in 1812. by Gov. ileigs. and subse- 
quently attached to Gen. Harrison's connnand. He made his residence at Up- 
jier Sanduskj-, under orders from the INIissionaiy Society, and preached to the 
Indians of this district after the war (Ohio Historical Collections), The early 
records of this chm-ch are among the unknown quantities, 

Mcthoflint Kfiisropal Church. — Mrs. Sally Ingham, who settled with her 
father. James Montgomery, in Pleasant Townshiji, in 181'.) — herself a lady 
of cl(>ar intellect and memory states that the first services of this church In- 
Rev. James Montgomery, were given in the Hedges building, on Virgin or 
Hose Alley, now Co^u't Street. Elijah H. Fields was the first regular preacher 
who organized a class at TifBn in 1821. Rev. John W. Clark, a young preacher. 



490 HISTORY OF SEXECA COUNTY. 

oame in 1S25. Ezra Brown camo in 1827. In 1828 Rev. Alvin Billings came 
to aid Brown. In 1820 He v. Ezekiel E. Cooper and Sjarague were the preach- 
ers untU Ezekiel Gavitt replaced Spragiie. The tirst chui-ch, a small brick 
structui'e, was dedicated when Ill's. Sally Ingham was seventeen years old, 
in 1828. James McMahon was the first presiding elder. He was succeeded 
by Bigelow. 

In 1830*, when the Fort Ball Circuit extended to Huron County, the 
preacher was Ezra Brown. E. R. Jewett, born in Middletown, Conn. , still 
living, and Thomas Thompson, deceased, came in 1840. In 1841 WiUiam 
Rimneals was preacher in charge. Rev. StaiTcame in 1842, ShaefPer in 1843, 
and others seized until 1848. 

When Hany Cromwell arrived, in 1840, tho old Methodist Church stood 
on Market Street, nearly opposite Loomis' foundry. This old building was 
pui-chasad by Luther A. Hall, who fitted it up as a theater, and it was used by 
traveling companies for several years, Mrs. Drake's and George Powell's com- 
panies playing there one whole winter eveiy night, in 1850-51. The company 
boarded with Col. Patterson, who then kept the Shawhan House. The build- 
ing was purchased by Harter, and used as a marble shop; was recently used as 
headquarters of the torch-light companies, and is stUl standing. The second 
chiu-ch was erected in 1849-50, at the southeast corner of Market and Monroe 
Streets. This building is now used as the postoffice. It was sold to John M. 
Kaull, and converted into a business block, but even after the sale the society 
continued to worship therein until the interior of the new church was completely 
finished. 

The Northern Ohio Conference of tho Methodist Episcopal Church estab- 
lished a station at Tiffin, in August, 1848, and appointed Rev. E. S. Grumley 
its pastor. The first quarterly meeting was held October 14, 1848, at the 
house of W. D. Searles, with Thomas Barkdull, presiding elder, presiding. 
The fii-st leader was Jacob Huss; the first stewards, H. Ebbert, Thomas Coe, 
W. D. Searles, Levi Keller and Elisha Olmstead; H. Ebbert, recording stew- 
ard; J. "W. Patterson, socretaiy of the conference. In December, 1848, Henry 
Ebbert was appointed secretary at the second quarterly conference. The third 
conference was held March 17, 184U, the same officers being present. In June, 
184U, N. Redd, an exhorter, and the members of the former conference were 
present. Two members — Keesy and Brewster — were repoiied to have moved 
to California. In November, 1840, Rev. S. L. Yourtree was chosen 
preacher. S. Arnold and J. Myers were appointed stewards. July 20, 1850, 
the trastees of St. Paul' s Church reported the completion of a house of worship 
44x00 feet, with gallery, lectm-e-room, prayer-meeting room and the class-rooms, 
at a cost of almost §5,000. Tho memorial stone of this building bears date 
1848. In February, 1851, S. L, Yoiu-tr(>e. with A. Laubach, L. P. and N. 
Redd, exhorter, formed the ministry. In November, 1851, W. B. Disbro was 
presiding elder; Alex Nelson, station jn-eacher; A. Laubach and N. Redd, 
local preachers. In November, 1852, L. B. Giu'ley succeeded Mi-. Nelson as 
preacher in charge. In August, 1854, J. Carney was appointed local 
preacher: in December, 1854. John Quigloy was appointed local preacher, and 
in March, 1855, the latter was appointed station preacher. In December, 
1855, William C. Peirce was presiding elder; A. Nelson, station preacher; with 
Messrs. Redd and Carney, local preachers. In November, 1850, C. L. Foote 
succeeded Rev. Nelson. E. R. Jewett was appointed in October, 1857; John 

•In 1830 the Northern Ohio ronferenre of the Mctholi>t Episcopal Church, embracing the counties of 
LoEan, Hardin, Wvaudof, Scuect, Wood, Hancock, -Mien, l"uln.iMi and others, had a nienihcrship of 23,844, 
including 91 colored and 213 Indians. .\t that lime there were but few colored men in northern Ohio, and 
the Uiajority of these were members of :>ouie church or another. 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 491 

A. Mudge in November, 1858. In 1859 Rev. J. R. Jewctt succeeded Mr. 
Peii-ce as presiding elder, and in October, 18C0, E. H. Bush was appointed. 
In June, 1861, the nami> of Ephraim Porter appeai-s as exhorter for the first 
time, while that of N. Redd is continued as local preacher. 

In November, 18()1, Rev. G. S. Phillips was station preacher. He was 
succeeded in the fall of 1863 by Rev. T. F. HildiH>th. At this time A. K. 
Owen was presiding elder. In October, 1864, Rev. A. J. Lyon was station 
preacher. G. W. Breckem-idge was appointed presiding elder in 1865. Dur- 
ing th(> year ending S(>ptember, 1865, the expenses of the station amounted to 
$1,003.54, all of which was collected. The salary of Rev. A. J. Lyon for the 
year 1865-66 was placed at $800. In the fall of 1867 Rev. L. Warner was 
appointed station preacher. At this time Jacob W. Miller, one of the old 
members of the church, died. In October, 1868, the name of \V. H. Seeley 
appears' as jmstor. 

The officials of the church at Tiffin, in 1868, were as follows: Trustees of 
the M(>thodist Episcopal Chui'ch — Elisha XJmsted, John Cram, John Park, 
\V. D. Searles, Henry Ebbert, Thomas Coe, John Pittinger, Jacob Huss and 
John W. Patterson. The trustees of the parsonage lot were Henry Ebbert, 
John Park, Jacob Huss, Levi Keller and Eli Umsted, and the trustees of the 
new Methodist Episcopal Church were Elisha Umsted, John Park, Jacob Huss, 
W. D. Searles, Thomas Coe, John W. Patterson. John EUiijtt. Jacob W. Mil- 
ler and Heni-y Ebbert, appointed by Rev. H. Humphrey, Februaiy 14, 1848. 
In March, 1869, the name of L. B. Gurley appears as presiding elder. John 
Park died this year, and C. C. Park was appointed to fill his place on the 
board of trustees. In September, 1869, D. P. Dildine was appointed secre- 
tary. Rev. A. Lyon, presiding elder, and Rev. W. H. Seeley still continued as 
pastor, with E. Porter still exhorter. Rev. L. B. Giu-ley was presiding elder 
in December, 1870; Rev. George Collier, pastor, and H. E. Thompson, stew- 
ard, vice Hewett, who joined the Methodist Protestant Church. In 1871 
Rev. A. J. Lyon was again presitling elder, and in May of that year Rev. 
George Collier's salary was increased from $1,000 to $1,'200 per annum. The 
expenditure of the society for the year ending in 1871 amounted to $1,389.80. 

This Mr. Collier was born atLe Roy, Ohio, August 29, 1825; served as chap- 
lain in the Thirty-foiu"th and Thirty-fifth Ohio Regiments diu'ing the war; was 
a prisoner of Gen. ^Morgan for four months, accused of being a spy; came to 
Tiffin in 1870, agent of the O. \V. U. of Delaware; presiding elder of ^\'ooster 
District, and lastly chaplain to the garrison at Fort Pembina. In February, 
1875, St. Paul's Methodist Church (begun in 1874), on Madison Street, west 
of M'ashington Street, was dedicated by Bishop R. Foster. The estimated cost 
of the building was $50,000. This is a massive red brick structure, with 
stone facings, the style Gothic throughout. Its beginning was made by Rev. 
Collier; some interior improvements made by Rev. J. A\'. Mendenhall and his 
predecessors, and its completion effected during the pastorate of Rev. J. S. 
Reager, who came in 1883. and gave place to the present pastor. Rev. W. F. 
McDowell in September, 1885. 

There is no branch of the church in this country which has been split into 
as many separate organizations as the Jlethodists. Early in its history, those 
opposed to the e[)iscopacy, with its arbitrary power of appointing the preach- 
ers, formed the Methodist Protestant Chui'ch. In 1844 the main body divided 
upon differences gi'owing out of the slavery question, and became the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 

First Methodist Church, commt)nly called Methodist Protestant Church, 
completed a house of worship at Tiffin, on Jlonroe Street, July 8, 1837, which 



492 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

was dedicated by Rev. E. S. Woodward. The building committee comprised 
John Souder. William Campbell, Joseph Walker and D. H. Philips. In 1872 
the large church building on East Market Street was .comj>leted and opened 
for worship. James Montgomery, one of the seceders fi-om the ]\Iethodist 
Episcopal Church, organized this society in 1829, and a year later passed to 
his reward, leaving fifteen brother members to look after the affairs of the 
church. Rev.Alvin Coe followed him as visiting pastor, but on John Souder the 
class leading devolved, until Tiffin was acknowledged a part of the Methodist 
Protestant Circuit, when many preachers visited the place. Rev. O. V. W. 
Chandler, the present pastor, entered on his duties here September 20, 1879. 
Under his administration, and the watchful care of Mr. Souder, the church has 
grown in membership and usefulness. 

The Presbyterian Church may be said to have its origin in the church of 
Melmore, for, on November, 1828, letters of dismission were granted to a* 
number of communicants to organize a church at TifBji. In the spring or 
summer of 1829, the society perfected its organization here. Six years prior 
to this organization, in 1823, Rev. James Robinson visited Fort Ball and 
preached in one of the cabins there. In the Hedges budding, which stood on 
or near the Advertiser office, subsequent ser-sdces were held. This was the 
first frame building erected in the county, and is still to be seen at the mouth 
of Rock Creek. The fh-st Presbj^terian families here were William Hunter. 
John Hunter, Samuel Hunter, James A\'. G. McChu'e. Milton Jennings. Peter 
Marsh, John Young, Ezekiel MePheiTeu and Hugh Welch. James Robinson 
then preached at Republic, Melmoie and Tiffin, and erected a house on South 
Washington Street, which is still standing. Rev. James McCutchen or 
McCutchan followed Mi\ Robinson. While the McCutchen rivival meetings 
were taking place at Republic, R(>v. Mr. Reed, who was then pastor at Tiffin, 
originated a revival here, which continued in 1838-39. Rev. Mr. Campbell 
succeeded Mr. Reed in 1842. Gen. Gibson relates a story of the methodical 
eloquence of the preacher. " One sultry Sabl)ath morning," says the (ien- 
eral, ' ' Brother C. was preaching, and in illustration of some thought, remarked 
very slowly, ' Now there is a house on fire, ' then paused. Before he could 
proceed, a little gentleman named W. D. Scott, probably drowsy and very 
nervous, not discovering the tenor of the remark, sprang to his feet, and 
shouted, ' Where, Mr. Campbell, where ? ' Then rushing to the street, he 
shouted 'Fire! Fire! Fire! ' The chui-ch was empty in a moment, and it is 
thought that the figure of speech, however misapplied by the audience, was 
very exciting." 

Rev. F. Putnam was stated supply from 1844 to 1849, and held services 
in the Methodist Protestant Chiu-ch. Rev. A. S. Dunton and Rev. John 
Whipple were also preachers here about this time. During Mr. Putnam's 
term, Josiah Hedges, in 1845, donated the society a lot, on which they erected 
a church. 

In 1 834 the State gi-anted a charter to the First Presbyterian Church of 
Tiffin, with Milton Jennings, Peter Marsh, and Allen Campbell named a.s 
trustees. 

From 1849 to 1852, Rev. R. Bern ent and others filled the pulpit. In June, 
1852, Rev. James Pelan entered the work as supply, and the last session was 
held June 24, 1855. On May 16, 1858, Rev. John McLain came and remained 
until 1862, when he was appointed commissioner to represent the Western 
Reserve Presbytery in the General Assembly of the chiu-ch in the United States. 
He, however, visited Tiffin afterward, and died in June, 1862. Rev. D. S. 
Logan was pastor from July, 1862, to February 13, 1864. He was succeeded 




M.'(iAc«^ ^"^o^c^yiy^ 



CLINTON TOWNSHir. V.^f> 

in March, 1865, by Rev. J. E. Lapslcy, who served until June 7. iMiiJ. iiov. 
R. B. Moore came in 1806. At this time he preached in the old ch\irch of 
184J. and continued to preach there until Octol)er 20, 1871, when the new 
chiu'ch was dedicated. On December 6, 1861), Dr. E. J. McCollum presided 
over a meeting to consider the question of building a chiu'ch. It was resolved 
to secure a site on the Tiifin side of the river. Dr. McCoUum, Rev. Moore, 
Prof. S. J. Kirkwood, Robert Lysle, E. C. Boyd, John McCalmout and Joseph 
Burnsides were delegated to solicit subscriptions, and E. G. Bowe, John Mc- 
Calmout and Rev. R. B. Moore appointed a building committee. This action 
resulted in the dedication of the present chiu-ch, October 20, 1871; twelve days 
after Rev. Moore tendered his resignation. On April 8, 1872, his resignation 
was accepted. On August 12, 1872, Rev. J. F. Pollock was invited to preach 
as a candidate for the puljjit. On March 10, 1873, a call was extended to Rev. 
W. R. Kirkwood, who declined; on May 18, Rev. E. Buckingham, of Canton, 
was calletl, but did not accept, and on July 1, 1873, Rev. J. F. Pollock was 
called, who accepted and was installed September 7, 1873. In 1875 union 
meetings wer(> held by Rev. H. H. Wells. Between this year and 1878 the 
church labored under some financial difficulty, so that the relations of Rev. 
Mr. PoUoek to thechiu-ch here were dissolved. On June 10, 1878, Rev. D. D. 
Bigger was called, on motion of Rev. E. B. Moore, and on Jime 29, 1878, 
he was installed pastor. At this time a heavy debt and appalling skepticism 
met the new preacher, but he rose above such difficulties, and led his church 
safely to the newer and better era of 1885. The deaths among commimicants 
from" 1878 to July, 1883, were Mrs. Barbara Ellen Augene, 1878; Mi-s. Jane 
Laird McCalmont, Mi-s. Margaret A. Kroh, Miss Imogene Miller, Elder .lohn 
McCalmout, in 1879; Marie Gries, Helen Frederici, in 1880; Elder John Kerr, 
Nannie Clark, in 1881; Mrs. Jane Elder St. John, Miss Katie Hobbs, Mrs. Ij. 
Russell Dresbach. Mrs. A. A. G. Russell, in 1882, and M. W. Laird, in 1883. 
The chiu'ch stands on the southwest corner of Market and Mom-oe Streets, in 
the heart of the city. It is a large, brick structure, Elizabethan in style. 
(Historical sermon by Rev. D. D. Bigger, July 1, 1883: Tiffin Neirv.) 

St. Mary's Cafholie Church may be said to have been founded at Tiffin in 
1826, but not for five years later was the district set off as a station. Father 
Moynahan and Bishop Fenwick visited Fort Ball and Tiffin in 1826, and there 
met John Julian and Jacob Bonar, old members of the chiu-ch. In 1829 
Bishop Fenwick pm-chased lands in rear of the present Ursuline Convent. On 
May 15. 1831, Rev. Edmund Quiun came here, and held services in Julian's 
houst', near the old St. Mai-y's Cemetery, and on the same day solemnized the 
mania;;e of John Nott and Henrietta Dickey, and baptized Hem-ietta Arnold, 
daughter of William and Anna (Noel) Ai-nold. Among the members in 1831 
were Bartholomew and Patrick Kenny, one of whom was drowned; Daniel 
Shea, who died in 1859; Michael Volmer, Michael Rin(>bolt, John B. Massonet, 
the Dougherty family, one of whom donated a farm of eighty acres to St. 
Mary's; Robert, Montgomery, who was received into thechiu-ch June 16, 1S31. 
Among the old members, also, were John Whelan. Mi<;hael Martin. Daniel 
McLaughlin. Samuel Nolan, Frank Fanning, Henry Kelly, Peter Kintz. all 
living; John McCarthy, Elias Hanley, Phil. Staub. James Cahill, C. McNamee, 
Balthazar Huffiing, Phil, and Patrick Heniiessy. John Knott. David Leahy, 
James Leahy. Owen Fanning, John Guiot. Michael Strausbaugh. Thomas 
Elder. Philip King, Michael Coughlin, John Smith. Timothy Nolan. Lawrence 
King, William Johnson, Michael Tuomy and Michael Coleman, all numbered 
among the dead. There were also John Gipson, 1833. John and Margaret 
Montgomery, 1831 (the latter now Mrs. Michael Kellar), William Arnold, 



496 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

John Noel, Daniel Martin, Gabriel La Point, the Frey family, Joseph, Peter 
and Louis Lonquin or Lonsway, the Drurons, Roseti Borough, Mathias Pan- 
well, Michael Annesser, and others. A brick church was erected in 1S82-33, 
by Rev. Edmund Quinn, the same which formed a part of St. Mary' s School, 
over thuiy years ago. The present chui'ch, on the western terrace, Sandusky 
and Miami Streets, was built in 1850, by Rev. M. Sullivan. Rev. Quinn died 
in 1835, when Rev. Schonhenz came, dedicated the first church in 1S37, and 
was transferred in 1839. Revs. McNamee and Macheboeuf were then 
appointed, the former remaining nine years, and the latter thi'ee years. On 
June 21, 1840, the late Bishop Pui-cell attended St. Mary's. Rev. Michael 
Howard and Rev. M. Melon were priests of the mission from 1847 to 1852, 
when Rev. Michael Sullivan took charge of the parish, and Rev. Molon, of St. 
Joseph's Parish. In 1859 Rev. Michael Healy, a native of L-eland, was 
appointed priest, and has administered the affairs of St. Maiy's since that 
time. The bell, purchased in 1858 by P. H. Ryan (one of the trustees) for 
$1,000, is still in use. The congregation uiunbers about 1,200. 

St. Joseph's Catholic Church was foiuided in 1845, and the first services were 
held by the Sauguinists of the church in Thompson Tovmship; none of whom 
resided here permanently. In January, 1852, Rev.M. Molon was appointed 
to the charge of this parish; he was also priest of St. Mary's; but in Septem- 
■ ber of that year Rev. J. B. Uhlmann took charge. Rev. Joseph L. Bihn suc- 
ceeded him in 1856 and continued until 1873, Rev. Nicholas Sintz assisting 
from the fall of 1870 to the fall of 1872, when Rev. A. M. Meile was appointed. 
He was succeeded in the sununer of 1873 by Rev. J. A. Michenfelder. No- 
vember 13, 1873, the late Rev. Charles Everard arrived. He found St. Joseph' s 
Church closed under an order of the bishop and the affaii's of the parish in 
very poor condition. He was peculiarly successful as a financier, and his man- 
agement has told in each of the chui'ches to which he was assigned. A heavy 
debt was resting upon St. Joseph's when Father Everard was installed, but it 
was all wiped out and the church saved nearly $11,000. Besides at Toledo 
he built St. Mary' s Church and St. Joseph's Chapel, and many changes and im- 
provements have been made under his supervision in this city. The ftuieral of 
this truly good man was held May 15, 1885, Bishop Gilmore presiding; minis- 
ters of all denominations were present at the sacred ceremonies, while thou- 
sands participated in the last honors to departed worth and holiness. A short 
time prior to his death he resigned his charge, when Rev. Martin Puetz 
of Monroeville was appointed pastor. In June, 1885, a brother of the pastor 
was appointed assistant priest. 

In the spring of 1839 John Julian agitated the question of erecting a large 
chiu'ch at Tiffin; but owing to the jealousy of a few, who charged him with 
collecting such moneys for his own use, he allowed the subject to drop, but 
did not deem it worth while to prosecute the libeller. In 1845 the people of 
St. Joseph's Parish, under the lead of Michael Kirchner, Dr. Joseph Boehler, 
Joseph Kuebler, John Houck, John Bormuth, Joseph Volmer. Mike Theissen, 
Frank Gruelich and others, including a few English speaking members, built a 
brick church on the site of the present stately edifice, which continued in use 
until April, 1861, when it was torn down. In that month the building of the 
present church was begun, under the sujierintendence of Father Bihn, and 
completed in September, 1802, at a cost of $25, 000, and the first piu-ely Gothic 
house of worship was added to the buildings of the county. The dedicatoiy 
services were carried out on September 14th, that year. He who conceived 
the building, and under whose direction it was carried out, has since established 
an institution which is an honor to the age and people, and has also built an- 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 497 

other chiirch, known as St. Francis' Chapel. The German Catholics, num- 
bering 150 in 1845, now count by thousands. 

St. Francis' Chapel was founded Jime 4, 1868, and one part of the building 
completed in 1809, another in 187S, the third in 1883. This chiu'ch is in con- 
nection with the Citizens' Hospital and Orphan Asylum, and has been under the 
care of Father Bihn since its establishment. The building is 70x40 feet, beau- 
tifully finished, and contains an Italian marble altar, said to be one of the finest 
pieces of such work in this part of Ohio. The church forms a central fig- 
ure in that grand pile of buildings which the energy and zeal of Father Bihn, 
aided by the approving support of the people, have given to the city. 

The Church of our Lady of Lourdes is within the Ursuline Convent on Mad- 
ison Street. It forms only a small part of the building, but is fully character- 
istic of convent life in ornamentation and neatness. The chiuTh dates back 
to 18()8. 

First Baptist Church was organized October 20, 1857, by Rev. Lyman J. 
Fisher, with the following named members: Eliza Harriet and William J. 
Crawford, William Gallup, F. Brownell and Benjamin Tomb. H. Housel and 
J. H. Cole were also early members. The first house of worship was erected on 
the south side of Perry Street, just east of Washington Street, in 1860, and 
dedicated December 2, that year. This is a nondescript building indeed, and 
appears to be built solely for the purpose of shelter without any attempt to 
surpass the pan-doric style. In September, 1861, Rev. Addison Jones suc- 
ceeded Mr. Fisher, and the church made its first advance in numbers and im- 
portance. Revs. J. M. Davis, G. G. Harriman and many other jjreachers 
have filled the pulpit here up to January, 1885, when the fii-st pastor. Rev. L. J. 
Fisher, received an unanimous call and responded to it. Ho is now the pastor. 
This church was reorganized under State law February U, 1864, with B. Tomb, 
William Jordan and William Gallup, trustees; E. Mills, moderator, and W. 
Gallup, clerk. 

'Trinity Protcatant Episcopal Church was reorganized imder State law April 
7, 1S56 — Rev. W. H. Cooper, presiding, and John G. Kennedy, clerk — when 
R. G. Pennington, Dr. F. Franklin, Peter Furgeson, Henry Zahm, Dr. E. 
Pennington and William Neobbs were elected trustees. The name " Trinity 
Church " was adopted at this meeting. Prior to this time, however, services 
were hold at Tiffin, by missionary preachers, so that the society may be said 
to have continued down to the present time. Under the administration of the 
present rector. Rev. J. H. W. Blake, the chivrch here has made gi-eat advances. 
It is i)rop()sed to erect a pretentious brick and stone building instead of the 
present old but neat frame church, at the corner of Jefferson and Market 
Streets. 

German Evangelical St. John's Church was organized March 5, 1830. as 
the United German Evangelical Lutheran and German Evangelical Reformed 
St. John's, with ten members and Rev. Adolph Conrad, pastor. The first 
members were Andrew Albright. Philip ^\onz, Valentine Seewald, Francis 
Santer. Andi-ew Bloom, Andrew Denzer, John Ditto, Jacob Boyer and William 
Lang. The pastors of the church have been Rev. A. Conrad, 1830-41: J. 
Beilharz, 1842-53; John F. Escher. 1854; H. Rutenick, 1857; J. G. Neu- 
schmidt. 1860 ; W. Rein, 1870 ; Ferdinand Weissgerber, 1871 ; G. V. 
Luternan, 1875; Christopher Zimmerman, 1875; and Rev. Francis Bolz, the 
present jiastor, in 1881. The secretaries of the society have been Hartman L. 
Braun, J. Florer and Will. Morgenroth. The church society was incorporat(>d 
March 15, lS7l». with Andrew Albrecht, Philip Mentz, Valentine Seewald, 
Frank Santer, Andrew Bloom, Andrew Deneer. Philip Seewald, John Ditto, 



498 HISTOKY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Jacob Boyer and William Lan>^. members, with their associates. Louis Braiim 
was secretary, Hem-ich Schmidt and Andrew Degen. trustees. The lirst log- 
church was erected in 1830, on the site of the present brick chiu'ch. which was 
built and dedicated in IS")?. The parsonage was erected in l.SaV). The con- 
gregation is made up of about 100 families. 

North Wmhington Street Evanfjelical Society, or Ebenezer Church of the 
Evangelical Association, was organized in 1870, with forty members, by Rev. J. 
Lerch, the first pastor. The building of a church was projected and com- 
menced in 1870, and, according to original plans, was completed, all biit the 
auditorium. The basement of the church was dedicated by Bishop K. Dubs, 
and has since been occupied by the society for chiu'ch and Sunday-school 
services. In July, 1888, steps were taken to complete it, and June 15. 
1884. the buikling was finished at a cost of §11,000, and dedicated liy Bishop 
Thomas Bowman; Rev. J. A. Hensel. a former pastor, preaching the sermon. 
The association was incorporated May 4, 1870, with the following members: 
A. E., C. M. and Sarah Dresbach. F.," E. and Jennie Nicolai, H. W. andM. A. 
Huber, Daniel T. and Sarah Shubert, William Coupp, Benjamin F. Lutz, Eli 
Loose, Gideon Martin, M. S. Paynter, Louisa Albert, S. C. Hankey and Clara 
Freadi-ick, members. The pastors have been Revs. J. Lerch, J. A. Heusel, 
A. C. Stull, A. Vandersall. and N. Shupp, the present pastor. The secretaries 
have been Fred. Nicolai, B. F. Lutz and J. S. Diyfus. This church has not 
at any time had any great advancement in membership, but has enjoyed a 
steady gl•o^vth and is in a healthy condition. The membership is now IKK 
At the organization of the church a STindayschool was also established, which 
has had a steady gro%vth, numbering in the last quarter 175 scholars. The 
following have served as superintendents in the order in which they appear: 
Ezra Nicolai, Winfield Six, G. W. Ellenberger. 

Salem German Evangelical Church dates back to the conference of the 
association held in 1850, when Tiffin was set off as a station, with Rev. Leon- 
hard Scheuerman, pastor. The original members were Jacob Schneider. Louis 
Schubert, Jonas Huber, J. G. Zinser, "William Negele. Sr., A. E. Dresbach 
and Joseph Beidleman. The pastors succeeding JIi-. Scheiiennan were J. G. 
Theuer, J. G. Zinser, G. Tramer, G. Hasenpfiug, J. Frankhouser. C. F. 
Negele, E. B. Grouse, F. Freeh, C. G. Koch, W. Schupp, G. Schneider, W. 
F. Zander, and the present pastor. C. Gahn. The secretaries have been J. G. 
Zinser and William Negele, the latter now holding the office. The chxu'ch 
was erected March 28. 1858, at a cost of !?2.400, on _Sandusk\' Street, near 
Perry. The society was incorporated October 11, 18(0. with the following 
named members: William Negele, Charles Werner. Got. Meister, L. and 
Juliana Schiu-tzes. John Samuelt, Jonas Huber, Peter Schneider, C. G. and 
Catharine Koch. L. Shuber, John Lechti. G. Behler. Reuben Han-is. Thomas 
Dixon. William Tiansed. Christina Endel. Susan Miller. Rosa Shubert. Ange- 
lina Heelman, Caroline Behler, Hannah Fishbaugh, Mary Strauss, Lottie 
Endell. Margaret Stahlschmidt, Margaret Samuelt, Sarah Becher, Eliza Mor- 
lech and Lena Stahlschmidt. Five trustees were elected at this time. 

The First Reformed Church, was organized as the German Evangelical Re- 
formed Church, July 21. 1838, with the following named members: Freder- 
ick Cramer, Thomas Derr, Jose{)h Ogle. George Stoner. Christian Stoner, 
Jacob Kroh, Joseph Foncannon, John Kime. John Martin. Enos Cramer, Ezra 
Derr, Jonathan Foltz, John Lydey, Christian Ramsbiirg, Frederick W. Shri- 
ver, William Baugher. John Ditto, Elizabeth Ogle. Catherine Cramer, Cath- 
erine Shriver, Susannah Ramsburg. Rosanna Derr, Mary Lydey. The names 
of pastors since 1833 are given as follows: Rev. John L.Sanders, Frederick 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 499 

llahauser, Daniel Kroh, Hiram Sbaull, George D. ^^'olfF, ^\ illiam K. Zieber, 
E. E. Higbee, L. H. Kefauver. Thirteen secretaries have served the society 
down to this time, inchiding AVilliani H. Good, the present sccretaiy. The 
number of members is 225, and the vahie of property $18,000. In 1834 the 
old society piu-chased the lot on which the church stands from Josiah Hedges, 
and entered at once oo building a house of worship, which was completed in 
1835. The jiresent church was erected in 18()0, dimng Rev. E. E. Higbee's 
pastorate, and repaired in 1883 at a cost of $4,500. 

The \\'oman's Foreign Missionary Society of this church was organized in 
May, 1880, with twenty members. At one time the membership was ninety- 
eight: now it is thirty-live. The amount expended since organization aggre- 
gates S3IJ0.64. 

Second Reformed Church (German) was organized December 14, 1850, with 
the following named members: Henry Trumbor and wife, Ed. Swander and 
wife, Isaac Strauss and wife, Philip Yon Blon and wife, J. Steinbach and wife, 
"William Sohn and wife, "William Steckel and wife, John Schneider and wife, 
Valentine Trumpler. Moses Kramer and wife, John Swander and wife, Lydia 
Koch, Philip Souder and wife, Jonas Seiple and wife, Ed. Andre and wife, 
Jacob Zimmer and wife. F. Reif and wife, Elis. Reif, J. Bauer and wife, J. 
Miller and wife, H. Hnntz and wife. P. L. lliem and wife. It was reorgan- 
ized as a coi-porate body April 17. 1854, with twenty-sis members. Philip 
Yon Blon, Sr. , was re-elected president, and Rev. E. V. Gerhart, clerk. The 
constitution of the society was adopted December 19, 1850. about which time 
it was tirst organized. The pastors of the chiu-ch were Revs. Fred. Wahl, 
1850-54; E. Y. Gerhart. 1854, and J. H. Good. Rev. H. Rust is the present 
pastor. The secretaries of the society kave been F. ^\'ahl, Franz Reif, 
Philip Emich, G. A. Lautermilch, J. Schildknecht, A. Marksthaler. Philip 
Hyman, Adam Hade. In 1858 their tirst house of worship was erected. Now 
thechiuch property is valued at i?2,500. The nimiber of members is 285. 

Grace Reformed Church is one of the latest, as it is one of the most import- 
ant, additions to the chiu'ches of the city. The corner-stone of the building 
was placed June 24, 1883, the sermon being delivered by Rev. J. H. Good. 
Rev. H. H. \V. Hilshman is the lirst and present minister of this chiu'ch. The 
following officers were elected in May. 1885: Edward Swander and Edward 
Andre; deacons, Joseph W. Biu-nside and Dennis Holtz. The building, which 
stands on the northeast corner of Perry and Jefferson Streets, is of red brick, 
with hea\'j' stone facings, and is of modern English in style of architecture. 
The stained glass windows are very line pieces of workmanship. 

The i'Yrsf EnyKsh Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in the sum- 
ner of 1844, by Rev. J. Livengood, with David Rickenbaugh, Samuel Rule, 
Jacob Bowser. John Bowser, John Secrist. George Ritzman, Simon Snyder, 
M. Rosenberg, and their wives. 

The first house of worshij) built by this organization was a plain fj-ame 
stiiicture, 30x40, and one story in height. The building was commenced in the 
simimer of 1844. and dedicated by Rev. J. Crouse, D. D. . May 25, 1845, un- 
der the name of "Luther Chapel.'" After ha^^ng been occupied for twenty 
years, the old fi'ame church was moved away, and the present l^rick edifice 
erected in its place. This was solemnly devoted to the service of God in May, 
18G6, and given the name: "'The First English Evangelical Lutheran Church, 
of Tiffin, Ohio." The dedicatory sermon was preached, and the principal 
financial effort for the liquidation of its indebtedness conducted also by Rev. J. 
Crouse, D. D. The church was reorganized under the State law, December 
25, 1860, with Rev. William W. Criby presiding, and L. Wisler, clerk; John 



SOO HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Zeigler, Abram Horsberger and George Sayder, trustees, and Conrad Yingst, 
clerk. The preachers since organization have been J. Livengood, Thomas 
Hill, Isaac Cutler. W. \V. Crilley, J. W. Goodlin, J. F. Reinmund, D. D., 
Jacob Stick, D. D. , J. Grouse, D. D. , and Rev. Samuel Schwann, the present 
pastor. In March, 1885, Dr. Grouse retii-ed, having served almost forty-three 
years in the ministry of his chui'ch. He began his labors in Crawford Coimty 
in 1842. During that time he has prefiched in Gallon, Leesville, Plymouth 
(seven years), Sulphiu' Springs, DeKalb, Bucyrus (eight years), Tiffin (eight 
years and two months), and many other points. He was also connected with 
Wittenberg College for seven years as financial secretary. 

The Open Door Sunday-Scliool Society, instituted some years ago, holds 
Sunday services in the city hall. H. G. Day is superintendent of this religious 
association, and H. J. B. Ford, secretary. ' 

The Universalist Church claims a small membership here, but is without 
organization. This form of Christian woi'ship was introduced into Tiffin, 
March 15, 1839, by A. A. Davis, who held "Universalian" services at the court 
house. 

The Mormon Church. — The number of natives or settlers of this county 
who became members of the chui'ch of Latter Day Saints is uncertain. Oliver 
Cowdery, a lawyer of Tiffin, who settled here over forty years ago with his 
family, was one of the better minds in the church. In 1847 ho joined Jesse 
Strang's monarchical colony of Mormons, moved from Wisconsin in 1847, and 
died in Missouri in 1848. 

Other bodies of Chi'istians, including the Spiritualists, exist here without 
organization; while, in connection with the churches, a number of missionary 
and aid societies are in being. 

The Hebrew Society is well represented at Tiffin, but there is no synagogue 
here. The more important holy days of the Jews are, however, observed. 



The first schoolhouse erected at Seneca county seat was that old landmark 
which stood at the northwest corner of Market and Monroe Streets, on land 
donated by Josiah Hedges in 1828. This was a brick sti-uctiu'e completed in 
18132. Benjamin Crockett was the first teacher in this building. George 
Donaldson, Jacob Plane (who was appointed postmaster in 1820) and Richard 
Sneath were the school tnistees in 1828. The schoolhouse of 1832 continued 
in use twelve years. In 1844 the pioneer schoolhouse gave place to a more 
pretentious building on the north side of Market Street, near Mom-oe, in which 
four teachers were employed. William Lang, Rev. Mr. Collins and Mrs. Gibbs 
wore the principals. In 1847 HaiTison Noljle was appointed teacher, and dur- 
ing the following three years no less than a dozen different persons presided 
over the classes in those four old rooms, which constituted the Tiffin schools. 

In October, 1850, the first board of education was elected. The successful 
candidates were W. H. Gibson, William Lang, William D. Searles, A. C. Bald- 
win, W. H. Keilholtz and George Knupp. The first board of examiners was 
appointed in November, 1850, namely: J. H. Pittinger, R. G. Pennington and 
R. R. Bement. 

The school board elections since 1870 have resulted in the choice of the fol- 
lowing named citizens: 187G — Warren P. Noble. 1877 — Dr. E. B. Hubbard 
and O. C. Zoller. 1878— N. L. Brewer. Judge J. F. Bunn, Henry Brohl. E. B. 
Hubbard, W. P. Noble, school board: B. B. Hall, superintendent of schools; 
B. F. Myers, assistant superintendent. 1879 — William Lang, J. F. Bunn, 
W. P. Noble, Hemy BrohJ, E. B. Hubbard, Charles O. Knepper, school board; 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 501 

Prof. B. B. Hall, suporiiitcndont of tho public schools; Prof. B. F. Myors, 
assistant: supej-intendent. In 1880 and 1881 tho board remained unchanged, 
but Prof. J. W. Knott, suporintendont of the public schools, was elected vice 
Hall, and Prof. B. F. Myers, assistant superintendent, was continued as assistant. 
The board of 1882 and 1888 comprised the same members as that of the three 
preceding years. In 1884- Dr. J. A. Norton, W. P. Ncible, Sylvester J. Kintz, 
Lewis S(H>wald, J. M. Hershb(>rgei' and Charles O. Kneppei* formed the board, 
with Prof. Knott and Prof. B. F. Myers holding their positions. The election 
of 1885 resulted in the re-election of Kintz and Knepper over the Republican 
candidates. Gibbon and Baldwin, the vote standing 1,005 and 1,095 against 702 
and 070, respectively. 

In 1850 the board of education adopted a school system very far above that 
in vogue previously, and employed a corps of eight teachers, viz. : William 
Fitzgerald. Thomas J. Croniso, Samuel Nolan, Mrs. Sarah Sands, Miss E. 
Augspergor, Miss Eliza Cronise, Miss C. Coffin and Miss Andrew. The high- 
est salary paid was $24 per mouth, but the regular salary was $15. Kev. R. 
R. Bement was the first superintendent, serving for $2 per month. The 
next sup(>rintendent, S. S. Rickley, was more fortunate, as he received $33. 33 
per mouth, for the year ending May, 1852. During this year the Union School- 
house was erected, near St. Mary's Church, at a cost of $6,000. It was not, 
however, until 1859 that the high school building was opened, although a high 
school classf graduated the previous year. In 1871 two large school buildings 
were added to Tiffin, one in 1878, and one in 1883. 

Tiffin High School Alumni Association was organized May 20, 1881. The 
graduates from 1803 to 1885 numbered 107, of whom 132 were ladies. In 
the following record the address of all graduates, other than residents of Tif- 
fin, is given: 

Class of 1863. — Mrs. Theo. Whitney, nee Beilharz. Nort.heast, Penn. ; 
Mrs. Nora Tomb, nee Benham ; *Delia Bowe, Anna Gibson, Mi-s. Ketta Lucas, 
nee McLain, Marion, Ohio; Mattie W. Shawhan, 1024 McGee Street, Kansas 
City, Mo. ; *Jennie Smith, Mrs. Maggie Duuscome, nee W'eiriek, Aspin, Col. ; 
Dallas P. Dildine, Payne, Ohio; Omar Wilson. 

Class of 1804. — sirs. Maggie Lloyd, nee Gardner, Defiance, Ohio; Mrs. 
Emma YinglLng, nee Tomb; *iVIrs. Emma Hill, nee Vicroy, Elmer White, De- 
fiance, Ohio. 

Class of 1865.— *Ella Davis, Mrs. Isa B. Frost, nee Dildine; Mrs. Addie 
Jones, nee Gallup; Mrs. Mary Wheeler, nee Kinnaman, Lima, Ohio; *Mrs. 
Hattie Kagy, nee Weirick. 

Class of 1806. — Mrs. Elvira Yockey, nee Beilharz, Xenia, Ohio; Frank 
Dildine, Fort Wayne, Ind. ; Charles J. M. Sullivan, Louis Ulrich. 

Class of 1807. — Mrs. Bertha Pomeroy, nee Bowe; Mrs. Libbie Davies, nee 
Bowersox, Clyde, Ohio; *Mrs. Laura Bunn, nee Groff; Mrs. Eva Fowler, nee 
Gross, Lafayette, Ind.; Mrs. Anna Shields. ?iee Lamberson; Mrs. Eva Bald- 
win, 7iee Phillips, Plum Creek Neb.; Mrs. Mattie Saurber, nee McLain, York, 
Penn. ; Mrs. Julia Hays, nee McAllister, Knoxville, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Zartman, 
(Jeorgo W. Tomb, Virginia City, Nev. 

Class of 1808. — Mrs. Ella Webb, nee Corbin, St. Louis, Mo.; Mrs. L(!ora 
Conn, nee Flonner, Virginia City, Nev. ; Mrs. Sarah Moacham, nee Gallup, 
Carrington, Dak.; *Mrs. Augusta Fleu, nee Snyder; Dr. William H. Baldwin, 
Sacramento, Cal. 

■H'lass of Ifi.'iH.— Anna AiiRsperger, Toledo, Ohio; Amelia Reniiam, Mrs. Anna Lawton, vee Cooper, Astiland 
Avenue and Hatavia Street, Toledo, Oliio; Mary M. iibbert; .Mrs. Mary Hall, n« Stoncr, Tiffin, Ohio; Lizzie 
Slouer, Tillin, Ohio. 

•DeceiiBcd. 



502 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Class of 1S69.— Man- Gallup, Carrington, Dak.; Mis. Maiy E. Groff, nee 
Noble; Ella HaiTiott, *Tirzah McCormack, IMrs. Idella Ranshaw, nee Reeme, 
Chicago, HI. 

Class of 1870. — ISIrs. Mary Myers, nee Childs; Mrs. Philla Knapp, nee 
Snyder; IMrs. Emma Sweadner, 7iee Travis, Fredonia. Kas. ; Ella "^'ebb, Carey, 
Ohio; Harrj' Biiskirk; Irvin Graves, Sandusky", Ohio; William H. Knight. 

Class of 1871.-;— Mrs. Anna Bodenstein. nee Boos, Grand Rapids, Mich.; 
Mrs. Lola Van Tyne, nee Hovey, Sandusky, Ohio; Mi's. Mattie Eeed, nee Mc- 
Allister; ]\irs. Allie B. Searles, nee N.yman; ]\Ii-s. Emma O. Hale, nee Ogle, 
Xenia, Ohio; Jlrs. Laui-a Barnhart, nee Schinness; AurUla Sohn. ISIrs. Medora 
J. C. Gaines, nee Sprague, Melmore, Ohio; Dr. R. B. Benham, Brownsville, 
Tex. ; Edgar J. Gross, Louisville, Ky. ; Charles W. Hedges, Galveston, Tex. 

Class of 1873. — Mrs. Minnie B. Cunningham, nee Holt; ]Mrs. Rachel Ne- 
ligh, nee Martin; Flora V. Poonnan, Aiihiu' A." Cunningham, Edward S. Eb- 
bert, Covington. Ky. ; George M. Hnss, Western Springs, 111. 

Class of 1874. — Mrs. Katie Gilkerson, nee Bibb. Sandusky, Ohio; Mi-s. 
Kate Acre, wee Boyer, Greenville, Penn. ; ]\Irs. Ida Lynch, nee Nyman; Mi"s. 
Cora B. Bradley, nee Pew; Minnie Smith. Mrs. Mary E. Leppar, Mee Williams, 
Attica, Ohio; ^Ii-s. Celia I. Shaw, nee Williams. Republic. Ohio: Amos W. 
Knight, Attica, Ohio; John A. Spielman. 

Class of 1870. — *Lizzie R. Kefauver, Jessie L. Poorman. Amelia D. Sauer, 
Roland M. Barbour. Socorro, N. M. ; Warren E. Brinkerhoff. Detroit. Mich. 

Class of 1878. — Lam-a V. Freyman, Mattie Gibson, Winfield, Kas.; Mary 
A. Hartman, Minnie L. Jones. Emma C. Merkelbach. Laiu'a Strieker. 

Class of 1879. — Clara A. Barnes, Mi-s. Florence M. Livezey, nee Barnes, 
Denver, Col.; Mrs. Belle M. Myers, nee BjTne; Amanda C. Clouser, !Mi-s. Jen- 
nie Horn, oiee Fishbaugh. Shenandoah. Iowa; Mrs. Lettie Wilcoxson, 7iee 
Wilson; Dr. H. L. Wenner. 

Class of 1880.— Gertrude H. Adams, Eva E. Baeher. *Lisetta C. Berger, 
Julia Brewer, Amelia A. Byrne, Fannie C McLain, Corinne Spayth, Josie L. 
Spiers, Frank W. Wenner, BeUaire, Ohio. 

Class of 1881. — Mrs. Ella E. Kerstetter, nee Frank, Louisville, Ohio; Mrs. 
Nora Neligh, nee Keller; Lillian M. Kreader, Mrs. Rosa P. Kiessling, nee 
Lemp; Susie Martin, Mrs. Emma O. Krammes, nee Euess, Denver, Ind. ; Ma- 
bel Spavth. G. Edward Boos. Jackson, Mich. ; William H. Dore, Willis E. 
White. ■ 

Class of 1882. — Georgia A. Clarke, Jessie D. Keller, Fostoria,Ohio; Jennie 
Martin, Esther Mosier, Carrie A. Myers. Lucy Seinsoth, Carrie V. Steninger, 
Pauline Strieker. 

Class of 1883. — Jessie Burkhalter, MJrs. Julia Boyer, nee Cain, Chicago, 
111. ; Hattie Crooks, Ella S. Emmick, Mary E. Good, Jennie E. Martin, Annie 
McCauley, Alberta J. Metz. Mattie I. Newson, Theresa Pittenger. Josie E. 
Ward, Addie O. ^^'iseman, Theodore Brohl. Elmer E. Hershberger, Albert L. 
Norton, Annapolis, Md. ; Frederick L. Wenner. 

Class of 1884. — Clara L. Dresbach. Mrs. Mary Shedenhelm, nee Frederici, 
Watson Station, Ohio; Emma Huss, Cora A. Lemp, Jennie Nighswander, 
Clara E. Shawhan, Lottie C. Strieker, Ella Weiss, Henry Adelsperger, Theo- 
dore W. Day, James Hershberger. James S. Keppel. 

Class of 1885. — EUa Crooks, Lillian M. Grendon, Lizzie M. Keller, Cora 
J. Lease, Olive L. Lysle. Emma A. Short. Mon-istown, Minn. ; Emma M. 
Sneekenberger. Maggie M. Spayth, Maud T. Stanley, Mary B. Tomb, Jennie 
Weiss, Willis Bacon. 

•Deceased. 




$ 




Ui/.^r^j^^ <^^^^ 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 605 

Profs. Knott and Myers are honorary membor.s of the association. The 
present officers are Dr. H. L. AVenner, president; E. E. Hershberger, Amelia 
D. Saner and Mabel Spayth, vice-presidents; Mrs. A. A. Cunningham, treas- 
urer; Mary L. Hartman, corresponding secretary; F. L. AA'enner, recording 
secretary. 

The teachers of the public schools of TiiSn, in August, 1885, are named as 
follows: J. W. Knott, superintendent; B. F. Myers, assistant superintendent 
and principal of the Second District Schools; Miss S. E. Piatt, Mrs. M. E. 
Zartman. Kate Sughro, Hallie Levitt, Josie Spiers, Eva Bacher. MoUie Good, 
Theresa Pittinger, Ciara Shawhan. CaiTie Myers. Fannie McLain, Lissette 
Herbig and Emma IMerkelbach, teachers in First District; Leonora Mitchell, 
Mary Hartman. Corinuo Spayth, Josie Ward, Mary F. Van Pelt, Ida K. 
Smith and Lucy Seinsoth, teachers in Second District; Celesta Stoner, Clara 
Barnes, Mattie Newson and Jessie Poorman, teachers in Third District; Flora 
Poorman, Amelia Saner and Mabel Spayth, teachers in Fourth District, and 
Lam-a Freyman, teacher in Fifth District. 

The statistics of the schools of Tiffin for the year ending August 31, 1884, 
are as follows: Local tax, §15,998.08; State tax, $4,479; in-educible school 
fund. §4,085; balance from 1883, $12,079.48; amount realized from sale of 
school bonds. §18.000; from fines, licenses, etc., 13.734.08; total revenue, 
§54,330.99; amount paid teachers, §13,319; managing and superintending, 
§1.350: cost of groimds and buildings, .$12, 270. 92; fuel and sundries, §6,602.47; 
total expenditure, §33,542; balance to credit of year 1885, §20,788.60. Five 
school buildings — value of property, §90,000, including schoolhouse of 1883-84 
erected at a cost of §20,000; number of teachers, 32; average salary, $63 and 
§3S; nimiber of pupils, 1,347 — 653 boys and 694 girls — of whom 96 are en- 
rolled in high school classes; rate of local school tax, 6i mills. The school enu- 
meration made by ADier Beilharz in September, 1885, credits the city proper with 
1 , 304 male and 1 . 357 female children, and the first and fourth sub-districts with 
109 male and S3 female chiklren, or a total of 1,413 males and 1,440 females, 
with two colored males and fom- colored females; 2,859 youth between six and 
twenty-one years of age, an increase of 47 over the enumeration of 1884. 
The number of unmarried youth between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one 
years is 819, an increase of 50 over the number recorded in 1884. 

The Catholic Schools were established by Rev. Father Molon. P. H. Ryan 
succeeded John Crowley in charge of the school. This John Crowley was 
truly as gi-eat a Latin scholar as he was a whisky drinker. He could speak 
Latin the day long, keep from strong drink for a term, but when he would 
drink he was a teiTible character, sacrificing everything to satisfy this awful 
craving. In 1855 or 1856 Warren P. Noble remarked jokingly to Crowley 
that he would help him in securing the nomination for mayor. Crowley looked 
athim steadily and said; "Quid, quid, idesf, fimeo Denaos et dona ferentes.'' He 
left Tiffin prior to the war. but of his whereabouts nothing is known. Mr. Ryan 
had charge of this school until the winter of 1853-54. At this time school 
was held in the vestiV)ule of the old St. Mary's Church. Cornelius Hennessy 
took charge of the school in 1854, and was succeeded in 1855 by a daughter of 
John Britt. During her term the old chiu-ch. in which school continued to 
be held, was burned to the groimd (1856). That same year. Mi". Ryan, as a 
tnistee, purchased the old fi-ame Union School building of the Second Ward, 
which stood where the present St. Mary's Schood now is, moved it eastward, 
and placed it on the north side of Miami Street, two lots .south of Franklin 
Street, in Fort Ball. There were two male teachers employed in this building 
prior to the coming of the sisters, and the sisters continued school in that same 

27 



506 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

building east of Franklin Street, until 1884. In 1856 the Union ScLool 
erected a brick schoolhouse where the old Union School stood, and in this 
teaching was caiTied on until 1884, when the sisters, who purchased the build- 
ing and grounds for .§5,001), opened it in 1884 as St. Maiy's School. 

The UrsiiUne Concenf, Schools and College. — The convent was founded at 
Tiffin in 1863, by members of the order from Cleveland, Ohio, at the request 
of the congregations of the parishes of St. Maiy and St. Joseph, who sub- 
scribed about S3, 000, and purchased the lot on which the present convent now 
stands. This society, as now established at Tiffin, was reorganized under State 
law, September 7, 1864, with Sister of St. Joseph, Sister of the Sacred Heart 
and Sister St. Maxime, trustees, holding the offices of superior, treasui-er and 
secretary respectively. From the beginning of the convent the sisters have 
conducted the academy and have also attended the common schools of St. Mary's 
and St Joseph's Parishes. May 29, 1878, the college of the Ursulines was 
incorporated, the articles being signed by the following named sisters: Cath- 
erine Leahy, Louisa Brickner, Mary Hanley, Ella Johnson and Mary Bonuuth, 
trustees. This act granted to the faculty the power of conferring degrees and 
all the powers of a collegiate institution. The studies are divided into three 
classes, primary, preparatory and senior; the last named being a three years' 
course of elocution, composition, rhetoric, foreign history, botany, higher 
arithmetic, Boui'don's algebra, geometry, ancient history, literatui-e, philoso- 
phy, Bible histoi-y, trigonometiy, astronomy, chemistry, geology, logic, essays 
and public recitations. The Latin, French and German languages are optional 
branches. Classes in book-keeping are formed for such pupils of the higher 
grade as wish to make it a study. Besides these studies, music in its vai-ious 
branches, drawing, art painting (Lustra, China silk and velvet) in oil and 
water colors, are taught to great perfection; also waxwork, embroidery, fancy 
work, plain sewing, cooking, mending, dai-ning, knitting and all kinds of 
domestic accomplishments. The editor of the Fremont Messenger speaking of 
the college, says: "Not the least commendable featiu'e of this academy is the 
attention that is given to those gi-aceful accomplishments which throw a charm 
over domestic life and tend toward elevating society. Readings and lectm-es 
on etiquette are given weekly. Simplicity of manner and dress is encouraged, 
and economy enforced. Particular attention is paid to the necessary parts of 
the study of physiology and the laws of health. Perfect uniformity is observed 
in retu'ing, rising, study, proceeding to the different exercises. Difference in 
religion is no obstacle to the admission of pupils; those of all denominations 
are received and no influence is in any way exerted over the conscientious 
opinion of non-Catholics, but in the reception of pupils good reference is 
required. Special attention is given to yoimg ladies wishing to qualifj- 
themselves as teachers. A library of choice standard works is free of access 
to the pupils. ' ' 

The plans for the new convent building are made and the grounds piu'- 
chased. The grounds lie on the face of the terrace of the Sandusky, on the 
southwestern limits of the city, one of the most beautiful locations in all 
northern Ohio. The buildings are to be in keeping with the location and the 
high objects for which they are destined. 

The schools of the Franciscan sisters are carried on in connection with the 
Citizens' Hospital and the Orphan Asylum, on the south side of the city. There 
are no less than 115 orphans cared for and educated in this true home of Chris- 
tian charity. The Orphanage dates back to 1868, as told in its history; while 
the coming of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis dates to June 4, 
1878. The number of the community is fifty-foiu'. Of them twenty-foui' sis- 
ters are principally occupied in the schools. 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 507 

MisceUatieous Schools. — In the early days of Tiffin it was the rule to bring 
a few children together in one of the houses and impart to them thi> rndiinents 
of an education. In 1S82 this system gave jilace to the very comjuon school 
education, which was continued almost to 1850, when the board of education 
was established and the school took a first place among city institutions. 

A music school was opened at Tiffin by J. A. Schickoll November 0, 1840. 
Since that year the teaching of music has become a part and parcel of a first- 
class education, and the citizens leave nothing luidone to foster the music 
teachers' enterprise. 

Tiffin Select Ladies School was opened by Mrs. L. JI. Lathi'op in Febru- 
ary, 1844. This was the pioneer of the select schools of Tiffin. The system, 
however, has been overshadowed by the advantages which the city schools and 
denominational colleges offer. 

The Seneca County Academy claimed seventy-five pupils in the winter of 
1840, and may be classed as the beginning of "higher education"' in Seneca 
County. The history of this academy is given in that of Scipio Township. 

The Gossman classes are presided over by George Gossman, A. M., whose 
experience of over twenty years in the study and teaching of English, French, 
German, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Latin and Hebi'ew, fit him to preside over 
special classes. 

The newspaper press of the city is well conducted and supported, and all 
literary and scholastic enterprises are fostered with a liberal hand. 

HEIDELBERG COLLEGE. 

The beginning of the establishment of this college at Tiffin dates back to 
November 4, 1850, when Benjamin S. Schneck, D. D. , president and professor 
of Mental and Moral Philosophy; J. H. Good, A. M., professor of Mathemat- 
ics, and Reuben Good, A.M. .rector of the preparatory school, opened a collegiate 
session in three rented rooms of the building once known as Commercial Eow, 
with seven students present. The actual beginning antedates the beginning 
of the college. An address signed by W. P. Noble, H. Shaull and E. B. 
Bement asking the co-operation of the people in establishing a grammar school 
at Tiffin was issued September 13, 1850. William Lang, William H. Gibson, 
A. C. Baldwin, Wilson Yourtee, Barkdull Souder, — St. John, — Lee and 
others were among the originators of this movement. The history i)repared 
in 1884 by the college aiithorities, gives the following facts: 

" Early in the j-ear 1850 a special meeting of the Synod of Ohio was held 
at Tarlton, Ohio, to pro\'ide for the establishment of a college for the Refonned 
ChiU'ch in the ^Vest. Projiosals from the citizens of Tarlton were accepted, 
and the name of Tarlton College given to the proposed new institution. At 
the r(>gular meeting of the synod in NavaiTe, Ohio, September '20, 1850, it 
was decided to chancre the location of the new college to Tiffin. Ohio, in view 
of inducements offered by the citizens of this city (a donation of !? 11,000). 
Here, in rooms rented in Commercial Row, the college was formally opened' 
November 18, 1850, with seven students in attendance. The number of stu- 
dents increased during the year so that the catalogiie for 1850-51 had an 
enrollment of 140 rames. The smallest uumljerin attendance in any year was 
105. This was in 1800. The highest number was 2'27, in (he year 1808. 

" The name Heidelberg was given because of its historic significance, when 
the synod in Navarre decided upon the location of the college at Tiffin. It 
was incoiporated by an act of the General Assembly of Ohio, Febniarj- 13, 
1851, under the name of Heidelberg College. * * « * "pjjg 

first faculty consisted of Revs. E. V. Gerhart, J. H. Good, S. S. Rickley. R. 



608 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Good and Mrs. A. M. Lee. As President Gerliart and Prof. Rickley were 
engaged in other duties, the work of instraction at first mainly devolved upon 
Revs. E. and J. H. Good and jNIrs. Lee. The advocacy of the principle of 
co-education vras shown by the appointment of a lady principal at the founda- 
tion of the college. The theological seminary has been intimately connected 
with the college from the beginning. * * * » rpjjg literary 

societies of the college have been important factors in promoting intellectual 
growth and ability in debate and public speaking. The Excelsior Society was 
organized in 1851, and the Heidelberg Society in 1859. On the lists of honor- 
ary membership in these societies are the names of nearly 1,000 of the leading 
literary men of the day, and two-thirds of as many active members who have 
since proven their efficient training in filling varied important and responsible 
positions. 

" The presidents of the college have been Rev. E. Y. Gerhart, 1850-55; 
Rev. Moses Kieffer, 1855-63; Rev. George W. Aughinbau.gh, 1863-64; Rev. 
George ^^'. Williard, from 1806 to the present time. 

" Of the present faculty Profs. R. and J. H. Good have been in the insti- 
tution since 1850; Dr. Rust since 1861; Dr. Williard, 1866; Prof. Hornung, 
1868; Prof. Knepper, 1873; Dr. Zerbe, 1879, and Prof. Lowe, 1883. Miss 
Mary E. Andrews is teacher of vocal and instrumental music; Mrs. M. E. Cal- 
houn, matron of the ladies' boarding hall. The resident trustees are Revs. G. 
W. Williard. D. D., L. H. Kefauver, D. D., J. H. Good, D. D., W. P. 
Noble. B. F. Myers, U. F. Cramer, Dr. G. P. ^\"illiard. and N. L. Brewer, 
trustee and treasurer. The old college building was built in 1852, the presi- 
dent's house in 1868, and the boarding hall in 1873." 

The resident officers of the board of visitors of the theological seminary 
are Rev. R. Good, president; Rev. L. H, Kefauver, secretai-y and treasurer; 
Rev. H. H. W. Hibshman. The faculty comprises Rev. J. H. Good, D. D. , 
Professor of Dogmatic and Practical Theology; Rev, Herman Rust, D. D. , 
of Exegetic and Historical Theology; Prof. A. S. Zerbe, A. M. , librarian. 
The annual expense of a male student is stated at $150 to §170; of a female 
stiident about $200, it being understood that reasonable economy be exercised. 

College Buildings. — In 1852 what is now known as the old college was opened, 
and is still in use, awaiting the eomf)letion of the new buildings. In October, 
1880, the subject of erecting a house becoming the importance of the educa- 
tional enterprise was mentioned by Dr. G. \V. Williard. In the winter of 
1883-84 the college board asked Peters & Burns, of Dayton. Ohio, for plans, 
and in the summer of 1884 the contract was sold to Chamberlain <Si; King, of 
Tiffin, for $46, 558, who agreed to complete the building by June 15, 1886. 
September 24. 1884, the work on foundations was begun, and April 6, 1885, 
the first brick was laid, and sixteen days later the corner-stone was placed with 
appropriate ceremonies. On the small fi'ont of the corner-stone is cut "Hei- 
delberg College, Founded 1850. Rebuilt 1885." On the other fi-ont is cut in 
two columns (one column at each end of the stone), the names of the class of 
1883, and in the center of the stone is cut " Presented by the class of '83." 
The corner-stone is a block of the finest Italian marble, 12x16 inches, and two 
feet eight inches in length. The building will be large and commodious, and 
of architectural beauty. 

CEMETEBIES. 

Green Lairn Cemetery. — This silent " City of the Dead " was laid off in 
1860, and in March of that year IVIrs. N. D. Brewer was interred there. The 
first sexton was Fred Bloom, who was succeeded bv Enoch Clouser, who was 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 509 

STJCCoedecl by Aaron Cloiiser (who settled near the present cemetery in 1847), 
ten years ago. The Green Lawn Cemetery was piu'chased by a company of 
Tiffinites, who organized as an association January 25, 1874. with the fol- 
lowing members: Warren P. Noble, John M. Naylor, R. W. Shawhan, Henry 
Ebbert, T. H. Bagby. H. A. Bnslrirk, R. G. Pennington, John D. Loomis, 
Liather A. Hall. John T. Huss. A. G. Sneath. John M. Kanll and John C.Lee, 
and reorganized J^bruary 20, 1874. R. W. Shawhan and John T. Huss wore 
president and secretary, respectively. The former holds his position still, 
while J. M. Naylor is the successor of Mr. Huss, with Mr. Hartzer assLstant 
secretarj'. The annual average of interments is seventy. 

The soldiers of the war of the Rebellion inten-ed here, by record, are H. F. 
Amdt, L. D. Arnold. Percey Arnold, T. Beutley, Charles W. Bowe, James T. 
Beck. J. A. Bowland, N. JI. Barnes. Charles Barnes, Leander Coe, Eli Dep- 
pen, John Dentzer, Isaac Davis, L. Dutrow, Samuel H. Dildine. Jacob Debus- 
man, James W. Ebbert, George ^^'. Gallup, Silas W. Groff, D. Hersing, James 
HefTellinger, Henry Harbaugh, Thomas A. Kaup. Henry Kuhn, F. S. KiefFer, 
J. Keating, James Kuder, George W. Lowe, John D. Latimer. L. W. Ladd, 
Charles L. Maule, Austin AV. Miller, James Mitchell, Joseph Mason, William 
L. Myers, Thomas McBride, Jacob Menzer, Henry C. Myers. H. B. Martin, 
Frank McBride. C. M. McAllister, Joshua Newson, J. OflFenhouser, "\\'. F. 
Pieffer, Charles Rouch, Jacob Rouch. John W. Reese, Albert Rohn, Enos Sell, 
S. K. Slanker, W. R. Smythe, Charies M. Stone, Jay C. Stone, Michael 
Sullivan, Oliver Startzman, Hem-v A. Spayth, Jesse Shi-iver, John Staub, J. 
Snyder, Jacob Seitz, W. Six S. Sawhill. Edmond Shelt, C. M. Sneath, Alfi-ed 
Tresler. E. R. Toll, Jacob V. Wilcox, Joseph Walker, W. Whiteman, Jacob 
Wolf. Henry Windsor, John Wick, Com-ad Yingst, Louis Zimmor. 

The soldiers of the Revolution, war of 1812 and Mexican war interred here 
are F. K. Shawhan. 1776: Jacob Adams, 1812; Jacob Bacher, 1812: B. Biggs, 
1812: F. Cramer. 1812; Henry Cronise. 1812: Thomas DeiT, 1S12; A. Flen- 
ner. 1812; H. Hershiser. 1812; John Park, 1812; Ephraim Porter, 1812; 
Jacob Wilcox. 1812; C. Millhotise. 1846. 

Cily Cemetery. — This dates its establishment back to the early days of the 
city. When the bodies were transfen-ed to Green Lawn, the greater number 
of graves were left untenanted here ; but enough remains to warrant the place 
being kept in good order. The soldiers of 1801-06. bui'ied here, are Frank 
Bernard. J. W. Emich, W. Fiy. G. Kestner. A. Raunk, Charles Seewald. 

Rock Creek Ceiiu'tcry. another old home of the dead, contains its f|uota of 
old and new soldiers; John Frees, a soldier of the Revolution, is buried here; 
D. Lambertson, A\'illiam Mimy, Joseph Richards. Eli ThornVuu'gh. all sol- 
diers of 1812; David Butler and Isaac Wolf, soldiers of 1848. and the following 
named soldiers of the Rebellion; David HeiTin, Homer Phillips. Charles Rich- 
ardson. John D. Williams. Jefferson Wolf. 

Stoner's Cemetery. — Here are buried the following named soldiers of 1801- 
66: A. Dundore, W. Horner. William Moser. M. Repp. J. W. A\"ilson. 

Fairmoiiiit Cemetery Association was organized at Tiffin, August 11, 1877, 
with the following members: D. C. Stonor. J. W. Martin, M. E. Kemii, John 
Sender. Jacob Zimmerman. Abe Zook, Joseph Loose, Fred Cram, Charles 
Gangmer. J. W. Cram. Joseph Huber. C. W. Doran and Henry Stoner. 

tSf. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery was established in 18r)4. Dr. J. M. Lecher, 
who died of cholera, July 22, that year, was the first interment, and Elizabeth 
Harter, who died of this dreadful disease July^ll, 18r)4, was the second person 
buried. The soldiers interred here are named as follows: Jacob Bearly, J. 
Bessler, J, Gnau. D. Hasenbeler, J. Hasenbeler, M. Herby, Dr* Landcriod, 



510 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Fred Rentz, C. Sebold, Bniao Smidt, Peter Thorn, J. Weiot; Henry Wolf, all 
of 1861-66, and F. J. Wagner, 1846. 

(The Everard Monument was erected in this cemetery inl885, by John B. 
Verment, of Massillon. The rock was taken from Bronhelm, Worthington' s 
quany, and the entire sculptiu'e work was completed in the cemeteiy. The 
height is twentj'-one and one-half feet, including the heavy Roman cross 
of the twelfth century. The whole monument is based on the style between 
the old Roman and Gothic. On the cross is a fine sculptm-ed figure, repre- 
senting the crucifixion. The cost was about $800 or |1,000. The congrega- 
tion paid for it.) 

St. Mary's Old Catholic Cemetery is on the west bank of Rock Creek, in 
the rear of the UrsulLne Convent. Many of the pioneers are LnteiTed here, and 
also a number of soldiers of the late war. among whom are the two Coourads, M. 
Price and D. S. Redmond. St. Mary's New Cemetery is east of the city. 
One soldier, M. O'Connell, is interred there. The pioneers, who find a home 
in these cemeteries, are mentioned in the pages devoted to a notice of old set- 
tlers in the histories of the townships. 

HOSPITAL AND ASYLUM. 

The Citizens' Hospital and Orphan Asylum Association. refeiTed to else- 
where, dates back to 1868, though it was only organized December 2, 1869, 
with the following members: Rev. Joseph Bihn, J. B. Greifeldinger, ^\"idow 
Elizabeth Schafer, Anna Maria Schafer, Kolmgunda Schmitt and her daughters 
and Mary Ann Schafer. The first thi'ee named were elected trustees. Decem- 
ber 80, 1873, a second record of incorporation was made. June -1, 1878, the 
Sisters of St. Francis came to take charge of the asylum, and December 2, 
1879. they incorporated with the venerable Sister Mary Frances, superior. 
The conception of this remarkable charity is credited to Rev. Joseph L. Bihn. 
who is the chief director of the asylum. Gradually he brought into existence 
a home for the fi'iendless orphan and aged, which in its extent and conduct 
compares with some of the largest State institutions, and in its results exceeds 
them. The number of inmates is placed at 205, who, under the direction of 
the superior, make the asylum self-supporting — cultivating the asylum farm, 
while the larger boys engage in teaching parochial schools or in taking care of 
the aged, of whom there are thirty-six. The buildings show a fi'ontage of 
250 feet, 44 feet deep with commodious wings, containing 150 rooms. The 
church of St. Francis, the school rooms and the convent of St. Francis, with the 
asylum proper, foi-m one immense momiment to Chi-istian charity. 

SOCIETIES. 

Masonic History. — Sandusky Lodge, No. 77, was organized October 19, 
1842, Under charter, with the following named members: Rufus W. Reid. 
Charles F. Dresbach, Uriah P. Coom-ad. Joseph "\A'alker. Ely Dresbach. 
Robert Crum, Agreen Ingraham, Israel Bentley. Samuel Mitchell. John Baugh- 
er, Henry Kuhn, Evan Dorsoy, Thadeus AMlson and Vincent Bell. This 
lodge was organized under State law November 17. 1848, with R. Crum. 
R. V\'. Reid, H. Kuhn, R. AVilliams, trustees, and Heniy "W. Owen, clerk. 
The Worshipful Masters of this lodge have been: R. W. Reid. from organization 
to 1850; R. Crum, 1850; J. E. McCormack, 1858; Henry Kuhn. 1862; C. C. 
Park. 1864. The secretailes of the lodge have been Joseph Walker, 1842; 
F. W. Green, 1843; G. J. Keen. 1848; H. W. Owen, 1849; J. P. PiUars, 
1850; T. C. Tunison, 1851; R. Williams, 1852; George E. Seney, 1853; 
James Pelan, 1854; J. G. Kennedy, 1855; George H. Heming. 1856; J. M. 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 511 

Stevens, 1857; M. H. Gbm-ob, 185S; J. D. Arndt, 1859; L. M. Loomis, 18(30; 
J. G. Gross, 1864. Sauduslcy Lodge was consolidated with Tiffin Lodge 
October 10, 186(5. Tbe officers named above, up to the elections of 1804, were 
officers of Sandusky Lodge after tbat date of Tiffin Lodge. 

Tiffin Lodge, No. 320, was chartered April 5, 1858, with the following 
named members: F. D. Benham, William Gallup, James Pelan, John G. Ken- 
nedy, E. B. Searles, Eobert Crum, H. C. Spindler, W. P. Noble, L. A. Hall, 

E. A\'. Reeme, Leander Stem. Robert Cnuu was the first Worshipful Master 
and F. D. Benham the first secretary. J. G. Kennedy was elected secretaiy 
in 1.S5U and E. W. Reeme in 1800.' In 1801 D. F. De^^'olfe was elected W. 
M. , and L. Adams, secretary. A. F. Barnes was chosen secretary in 1862, 
and W. M. in 1864; Robert Lysle was secretary in 1804; C. Cronise was 
elected secretary in 1805, and G. F. Hertzer in 1800. In the latter year 

F. E. Franklin was elected W. M. The consolidation of this lodge with the 
pioneer Sandusky Lodge took place October 16, 1860. 

Seneca Chapter, No. 42, R. A. M., was chartered February 7, 1849, with 
the following named members: John J. Steiner, R. Vi\ Reed, Alexander 
Smith, Joseph McCutcheon, Agreen Ingraham, Abner Root, Hem-y Kuhn, 
Robert Crum and Peter Van Nest. R. W. Reed was the first H. P. In 1850 
the chapter was permanently organized with F. W. Green, H. P., and J. S. 
Barber, secretary. 

Clinton Coimcil, No. 47, R. & S. M., was chartered April 9, 1807. The 
charter members were C. K. Watson, C. C. Park, G. K. Brown, Charles Mar- 
tin, J. F. Marquardt, H. H. Byers, J. G. Gross, Jonathan Smith, Peter Van 
Nest. E. Dorsey and H. H. Souder. C. K. Watson and G. K. Brown were 
president and secretaiy, respectively. 

De Molay Commandery, No. 9, K. T. , was organized at Repulslic, Seneca 
County, under charter, August 10, 1848. The original members were Josiah 
Eoop. John P. WorsteU, H. Benton, Piatt Benedict, Daniel Watersons, Daniel 
Brown, Hiram Hixmphrey, M. V. Bogart, Edward Winthrop and H. L. Hanls. 
The eminent commanders at Reimblic were Edward Winthi-op, 1848; Piatt 
Benedict, 1853; M. V. Bogart, 1858, and H. Bromley, 1805 to 1870. The 
recorders during this time were H. P. Benton, 1848; E. T. Stickney, 1850; J. 
S. Smith, 1855; H. Bromley, 1856, and D. M. Neikirk, 1808. By resolution 
of the commandery and with the consent of the General Commander, the head- 
quarters of No. 9 were transfeiTed to Tiffin, H. Bromley and D. M. Neikirk 
holding their respective positions. In 1870 J. W. Chamberlin was elected to 
succeed H. Bromley, and in 1872 J. M. Stevens was elected tnce D. M. Nei- 
kirk. The officers elected in December, 1884, are named as follows: E. C, 
T. H. Bobbins; Generalissimo, F. K. Holderman; Captain Geril, Robert Lysle; 
Prelate. William Gallup; S. W., Charles Maiiin; J. W., George R. Huss; 
treasiuer, J. F. Marquardt; Rec, R. L. Knapp; St. B., H. W. Yeager; S. 
W. B. . Jacob Beigh; War., J. W. Schaufelberger; Sen., John Park. 

Inilcpendent Order of Odd Felloics.- -Henecii Lodge, No. 35, was instituted 
February 20, 1845, under charter from the Grand Lodge granted to H. G. W. 
Cronise, R. R. McMeens, James Sivels, B. D. Chapman, Thomas H. Sheldon 
and James Oyler. At the evening meeting Richard WOliams and R. P. Ward 
were admitted on cards, and John E. McCormaek, Rolla Johnson, Nathaniel 
Redd and Warren P. Noble were admitted members. The lodge was incorporated 
September 28, 1846. The noble grands since 1844 are named as follows: T. 
H. Sheldon. B. D. Chapman, H. G. W. Cronise and Richard Williams, 1845; 
Rolla Johnson, John G. Breslin, George Knupp, 1846; F. Don Benham, 
Thomas H. Sheldon, 1847; JohnE. McCormaek, William Lang. 1848; Jacob M. 



512 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Ebbert, L. M. Loomis, 1849; John Poorman, John H. Pittinger, 1850; Will- 
iam H. Gibson, Samuel Ciutj 1851; Michael Wall, George Sprague, 1852; 
N. N. Spielman, Nathaniel Kedd, 1853; George C. SmaU, J. H. Leidv, 1854; 
J. W. W^ilson, E. G. Bowe, 1855; ^\. A. Hershiser. A. Brown, 1856: Will- 
iam M. Patterson, Leonard Adams, 1857; J. H. Merchant. J. W. Bradley, 
1858; John Horn, N. O. Spielman, 1859; Simon Snyder, John Young, 1860; 
Philip Spielman. J. J. Cronise, 1861; Michael Wall, A. K. Van Dorn, 1862; 
WiUiam H. Webb, J. H. Nighswander, 1863; W. J. Merchant. James W. 
Love, 1864; Levi Weirick, Simon Snvder, 1865; M. Wall, J. S. Han-ison- 
1866; S. S. Kisinger, David C. Timisou, 1867; Robert Nichols, H. F. Fiege. 
1868; Edward Lepper. H. Whiteman, 1869; WUliam Mattison, H. J. Stolzen- 
bach, 1870; Robert Nichols, D. Bowersox and George C. Small (to till vacan- 
cy), 1871; John H. Ridgely, A. M. Campbell, 1872; Sam Strieker, S. C. 
Lamberson, 1873; B. F. Myers.. H. D. Snyder, 1874; J. C. Ogle, Sam Cro- 
mer, 1875; A. L. Flack, Theodore F. Baumgartner, 1876; D. Wineland. 
William Benner, 1877; S. C. Lamberson, H. Gugenheim, 1878; L. D. Arnold, 
Joseph Secrist, 1879; Hemy J. Weller, P. J. Gries, 1880; Jocob Biegh. H. 
S. Root, 1881; Ed Wenner. Fred P. Bloom, 1882; T. S. Falkner, Charles 
Schauss, 1883; Thomas J. Livers, E. J. Seaman, 1884; John F. Rief. Janu- 
ary, 1885. 

The secretaries of the lodge since 1844 are named as follows: H. G. W. 
Cronise. James Sivels. R. R. McMeens, John G. Breslin, George Knupp, F. 
D. Benham, J. M. Ebbert, Richard Williams, William Lang. William H. Gib- 
son, L. M. Loomis, John Poorman, H. F. Dewey and John E. McCormack; 
these served \vp to the close of 1849. M. Wall, S. CuiTy, George Sprague, 
J. H. Pittinger, N. N. Spielman, N. Redd, George C. Small, J. H. Leidy. J. 
W. W^ilsou, E. G. Bowe, W. A. Hershiser, A. Brown, W. M. Patterson. Leon- 
ard Adams, J. H. Merchant, J. W. Bradley, John Horn, Philii? Spielman. Si- 
mon Snyder and John Young were secretaries fi'om 1850 to 1860. Samuel 
Sailor, H. J. Crouse, W. J. Merchant, A. R. Van Dorn, W. H. Webb. John 
H. Nighswander, James W. Love. G. S. Feighner, Levi Weirick, Ed Wenner, 
A. R. Van Dorn, J. S. Harrison, S. S. Hisinger, D. C. Tunison, Robert Nich- 
ols. H. F. Fiege, Ed Lepper, Harman Whiteman. W'. Mattison, H. J. Stolzen- 
bach. Peter J. Gries and D. Bowersox served from beginning of 1860 to the close 
of 1870. JohnH. Ridgely, 1871; Ed Lepper, 1871-76; James W. Love, 
1876 to July, 18 <9; S. C. Lamberson has served the lodge as secretary from 
July, 1879, to the present time. The number of members January 5, 1885, 
was seventy-six. The trustees are Samuel Strieker, Edwin Baker and Charles 
Schauss. John H. BennehofF is recording secretary-. No less than 321 mem- 
bers have belonged to the lodge since its organization, many of whom (referred 
to in Chapter lU) have gone to that better land where all good fellows go. 

Hobah Encampment, No. 19, was organized under charter November 19, 
1846, with the following named members: Wan-en P. Noble, John G. Bres- 
lin, H. G. W. Cronise, George Knupp, F. D. Benham, L. M. Loomis, R. 
Williams and R. Johnson. With the exception of Messrs. Noble and Loomis, 
those original members were elected first officers of the encampment. 

Oakley Lodge, No. 317, was organized Jvme 10, 1857, with the follow- 
ing named charter members: F. D. Benham, Erastus G. Bowe, Benjamin 
Pennington, John T. Huss, T. H. Bagby, T. W. Ourand, John Poorman and 
L. M. Loomis. The Past Grands are E. G. Bowe, S. Chamberlain, Cook 
Frank, John Ernest, B. Falkner, William Fleming, J. L. Fisher, S. W. Fast, 
G. F. Hutzer. O. Homer, T. Hall, J. W. Kintz. Aaron Kreader, B. Pennington, 
Bergert Zint and Daniel L. Lott, elected in January, 1885. Benjamin Pen- 



■■*) 







J^J^A^-t^^^..^ 6^^^^-^^^ 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. FA^ 

nington has served the lodge as secretary for twenty-seven years; T. \\'. Oiu-- 
and and E. G. Bowe, for one year each. The membership at the beginning 
of 188") was eighty-foui'. 

Progress Ixidge, Daughters of Rebecca, No. 169, was organized October 6, 
188."). with the following named officers: Noble Grand, "Mrs. Rachel Gilbert; 
Vice Grand, j\L's. Elizabeth Love; corresponding secretary, Mi's. Mary Emich; 
financial secretary. JIi's. Ella Reif; treasurer, Mrs. S. Fast; Warden, Mrs. H. 
Stoltzenbaugh; Conductor, Mrs. William Coup. 

Kniglitfs of Pi/thias. — Tiffin Lodge, No. 80, was organized January 12, 
1875. with seventy-eight charter members, of whom not more than forty-five 
now claim membership. The total membership at present is eighty-foiu\ 
The past chancellor commanders of this lodge are N. L. Steckel, J. W. Love, 
James Smith, J. A. Berger, W. S. Wineland, A. ]M. Hart, B. F. Kuder, John 
Ernest. R. Keilholtz. W. H. Andre. O. P. Snyder. A. Strauss, W. J. Graham. 
The keepers of seals and records have been W. H. Bm-khalter, Phil. Emich 
and John Ernest. This lodge held the first public installation ever given by 
the K. of P. at Tiffin, January 8, 1885. Both the ceremonial and the banquet 
which followed leave happy memories of the close of the first decade of Lodge 
No. 80. 

Pickwick Lodge, No. 175, was organized December 3, 1883, with the 
following named charter members: F. E. M. Baldwin, E. W. Stephenson, 
O. P. Frees. B. F. Myers, F. W. Grammes, H. W. Holt, L. L. Lang. D. 
Jones, C. Weller, F. L. Emich. B. AV. Wilson, C. Vi. Jones, C. A. Gribble, 
J. Vansyckle. George Horner, L. J. Martin, H. Brohl, Jr., J. T. Lynch. J. F. 
Eeif, G. W. Fiege, J. C. Dressel and E. S. Pultz. The past chancellor com- 
manders were E. W. Stephenson, O. P. Frees, B. F. Myers, H. 'W. Holt, F. 
W. Grammes, C. W. Jones and Henry Brohl, Jr. E. W. Stephenson and F. 
E. M. Baldwin have served as secretaries of the lodge. The membership in 
January, 1S85, was seventy-nine. 

Uniform Rank, No. 17. July 21, 1882. marked another red letter day for 
the K. of P. . of Tiffin, in the institution of the Uniform Rank of the order 
here with thirty-one charter members, called Tiffin Division No. 17, Uniform 
Rank, K. of P. The division was instituted by Su- Knight Walter B. Richie, 
of Lima. Grand Outer Guard of Ohio. Sir Knight Commander for the occa- 
sion, assisted by Sir Knight Shiunate, of Urbana. Grand Chancellor, of Ohio; 
and Sir Knights Brooks and Cunningham, of Lima, who put the Tiffin 
brethren thi'ough in true knightly style, after which the following officers were 
elected and installed: Commander, H. L. Steckel: Lieutenant Commander, 
Asa JI. Hart; Herald, James A. Burger; recorder. E. W. Stephenson; treas- 
urer, W. F. Grammes; Sentinel, I. J. C. Shumaker; Guard, David Snyder. 
The Uniform Rank now takes a leading place in membership and influence 
among the older societies of the city. 

Seneca Lodge, elected and installed the following named officers of 
Lodge No. U7, K. of P., Julv '2i\ 1883: C. C, H. L. Penn; V. C, C. 
AV. Han-is; Prelat.s J. Lyberger; M. A., C. E. Smith; K. of R. and S., F. 
Wickert; M. of E., Marion Lynch. The ceremonies were conducted by Dis- 
trict Dej)uty Fhuuerfelt. 

Royal Arcanum. — Tiffin Council No. 02 was organized March 22, 1878, 
with the following named members: Charles Martin, F. R. Holderman, J. P. 
Kinnaman. H. K. Hershiser, James H. Frost, Frederick Nicolai, J. F. Mar- 
quardt, William Negele. C. J. Yingliiig, J. M. Bate. H. C. Baltzell, John 
Gilliland, J. C. Stoner. P. Scheib, Edwin Baker, J. H. Ridgeley, Jonas Romig, 
J, H. Ready, F. K. Shawhan, D. Y. Chapman, Ezra Nicolai, John B. Runyan. 



516 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

James Smitli, W. H. Hall, C. C. Park, James A. Berger, J. "SV. Martin, Joha 
G. Gross, A. F. Cramer, John A. Hall, J. W. Chamberlin, J. M. Lingen- 
felter, Seudder Chamberlain, William Smoyer, B. G. Atkins, Charles D. 
Sprague. The Past Regents are Benjamin G. Atkins, Charles Martin, Seudder 
Chamberlain and F. Nicolai. The tirst secretary was J. W. Chamberlin and 
the present A. A. Cunningham. The number of members is forty-seven. 

The Tiffin National Z7H('o>i. was organized January 23. 1884, with the follow- 
ing named members: T. F. Baumgardner, O. P. Snyder, H. L. Steckel, Paul 
Martin, Adam Hade. J. M. Beck. B. B. Hamilton, F. J. Ai-bogast, J. J. Hoos, 
J. F. Lvnch, J. V. Six, Ed. Frev, W. Knight, E. '\^'. Stephenson. E. W. 
Keilholtz", O. A. Ohl, D. Egelki-aut" J. F. ZeUers, H. Parks, S. W. Van Nest, 
H. L. Lutz, G. W. EUenberger, H. Nobles, N. O. DUdme, J. C. Royer, H. J. 
Crouse, L. L. Lang, O. P. Freese, W. Zerby, C. F. Benner and H. H. Neligh. 
The chief officers of the Union have been E. W. Stephenson, R. W. Keilholtz, 
H. H. Neligh, L. L. Lang, O. P. Freese, J. C. Royer, AV. Zerbe and C. F. 
Benner. The first secretary was H. L. Steckel; the present recorder is S. W. 
Van Nest. The Union numbers thirty-one members. 

Grand Army Posts. — Leander Stem Post, G. A. R. No. 31. was organized 
under charter. May 21, 1880, with the following members: E. W. CiuTigan, J. 
E. McCormack, WiUiam Negele, W. A. Snyder, F. A. Amende, S. H. Dildine, 
Jacob Wolf, George Brendle, J. W. Neiijel, J. H. Cole, J. S. Helm, H. C. 
Myers. C. W. Bowe, J. H. Price, W. H. Myers, M. J. Stolzenbach, F. Fred- 
erici, L. Hartman, B. Kudor, M. Scannell, M. Cowgill, Ed. Lepper, J. C. 
Stoner, M. S. Lutz, P. J. Grise, G. L. Gallup. J. A. Norton, R. L. Knapp, 
John Van Nest, G. W. Rohrbacker, J. W. Parmenter, A. W. Drake and H. 
W. Yeager. J. H. Cole, the first commander, was succeeded in 1883 by E. 
W. Cnrrigan. J. F. Zeller was elected commander in 1884. This post was 
named in honor of Leander Stem, colonel of the One Hundi-ed and Fii'st Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry, who was mortally wounded at Stone River December 31, 
1862. 

(Leander Stem Post Women's Relief Corps, No. 61, was fonnally organized 
January 28, 1885, with forty-five members. The following ofiieers were duly 
installed by Mrs. Gen. Young, of Toledo: President, Mrs. Charles Harmon; 
senior vice-president. Mi's. John Zeller; junior vice-president, Mi's. Clay Myers; 
treasiu'er. Miss Kisinger; secretary, Jlrs. James Burger; chaplain, Mi's. J. H. 
Hebn; conductor. Mi's. Hiram Park; guard. Mrs. Hu'am Clevidence. ) 

Isaac P. Rule Post, G. A. R. , No. 413, was established under charter 
March 7, 1884, with the following named members: James U. Cole. R. H. 
Beaver, W. H. Myers, W. H. Schuler, T. R. McManigle, N. D. Egbert. H. J. 
Bricker, D. W. Bowersox, C. K. "Walker, E. M. Haines, J. C. Shumaker, A. 
S. Baker, G. A. Blackwell, W. B. Stanley, J. T. Sterner, William Derr. James 
Van Nest, Jerry Fransue, John Johnson, C. A. Matthews, S. O. Chamberlain, 
Daniel Seeholtz. R. A. Gray and L. Montague. James H. Cole was the first 
commander. The post was named in honor of Isaac P. Rule, of the One Hun- 
dred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who was wounded at Chickamauga, 
September 19, 1863. and died on the 2(ith of that month. 

(A Women's Relief Corps, auxiliary to Isaac P. Rule Post, G. A. R. , was 
organized at the Rule Post headquarters, on the 25th of October, 1884, by 
Post Commander J. H. Cole. The following officers were elected: President, 
Miss Sallie Van Nest; senior ^'iee-president. Mi's. Anna Linville; junior ^^ce- 
president. Mrs. Sarah A. Seeholtz; secretary, Mrs. Vileriett Miller; treasurer, 
Mi's. Harriet V. Cole; chaplain. Mrs. Lizzie Bowersox: conductor. Miss Mintie 
P. Cole; guard. Miss Anna E. Bever. ) 



CLINTON TOWNSFIIP. 517 

Benevolent non-Secret Societies. — St. Patrick' s Total Abstinence and Benevo- 
lent Society was oriranized February 1, 1874, with about seventy-tive members. 
Charles J. M. Sullivan was the tirst president of the society. S. A. Coom-ad, 
John Mossony and John E. King have also tilled this position. S. A. Coon- 
rad was first secretary. The names of the old mt^mbei-s of the association are 
as follows: James Cavanaugh, John Cahill. Frank Collins, Patrick Cahill, 
James Boler. S. A. Coom-ad, James Croghan. ^I. Carroll, J. Edgeiioii, Hugh 
Cavanaugh, J. M. Arndt, John Farr(>ll, T. Fitzmorris, M. P. Gear}', JIatthew 
Geary. M. Gillis, M. Geary, T. Fitzpatrick, William Hays. Isaac Hoffman, 
M. Hallinan and son, James and Philip Hennessy, John Holland, P. Jordan, 
Paul Johnson. William Johnson, John Kennedy, William Kiihn, J. B. King, 
Ed. Kemiv. Philij) B. King, Peter Kintz, J. L. King, Joseph Knott, S. C. King, 
F. il. Kintz. John E. King, W. J. Kuder, J. T. King, F. Kessler, P. T. King, 
Henry K(>ssler, William King, John Knott, Frank Killer, W. Kessler, J. J. 
King, J. Lonsway, J. Lankard, James F. Leahy, John B. Lonsway, Vincent 
Lonsway. John Leahy, Sylvester Lonsway, Maurice Leahy, Amon Lonsway, 
Michael Miller, Jr., Alexis Magers. Joseph Miller, John McNamee. John Mc- 
Cai-tv. John McCue, N.A.Mever, Patrick McCartv. P. O'Donnell. J. O'Connor, 
T. O'Neil, M. O'Connell. James O'Brien. E. O'SuUivan. T. W. O'Brien. Thomas 
O'Connor, Felix O'Neil, Joseph Pecher, John G. Patton, L. P. Peu-o, J. J. 
Patton, Cleophus Pecher, D. Quinn. A. Reilly, C. J. M. Sullivan, John 
Strausbaugh, Patrick Sweeney, Emmett Sullivan, P. Lughroe and son, G. 
Lughroe, J. Sweeney, Cornelius Scannell. Patrick G. Scannell, Louis Stone, 
Edward Sweeney, John Sandys, M. Scannell, J. Thorpe, T. F. Walsh, 
W. H. ^^'agonhouser. 

Knights of St. George, Branch No. 200, C. K. of A. , was organized Decem- 
ber 28. 1881, by John Mossony, special deputy, with the following named 
members: C. J. M. Sullivan. John T. King, Terrence O'Niel, William Steltzer, 
Jeremiah L. King, Cornelius O' Conner, Cornelius Sugro. Maurice Leahy, John 
E. King and James Hennessy. The presidents of the branch, since organization, 
have been John Mossony, Charles J. M. Sullivan. James O'Brien and Joseph 
L. Banker, with William Steltzer, secretaiy. S. J. Kintz is the present secre- 
tary. The Knights numbered thirty-thi-ee in Januaiy, 1884. 

Ancient Order of Hibernians, District No. 1. Tiffin. Ohio, was incorporated 
in June. 1876, with the following incorporating officers: J. K. Bresnin, C. D. ; 
John Lyons, president: T. T. Collins. Y. P.; William Biu'ke, R. S. ; James 
Blake, F. S. ; ^^'illiam Colthiu'st, treasurer. This organization, owing to the 
removal of members and new divisions coming into existence, may be said to 
have suspended. 

Ohio Coimcil Catholic Benevolent Legion was instituted at Tiffin, October 
26, 1884, with the following members : James V. Magers, S. C. King. S. J. 
Kintz, King Albert Baumgardner. Patrick N. Cotter, John Hummer, James 
Hennessy, E. C. Keyes, John E. Williams; J. Kuder, Anthony Halter, 
Nicholas C. Werling. S. J. Kintz has served as president since organization, 
and is also Deputy Supreme Chancellor for Ohio. Patrick N. Cotter is secre- 
tarj'. 

Tiffin Tiu-n-Verein, Lake Erie Tiu-ner District, was organized September 
20, 18r)8, with seventeen members, viz.: Hugo Hasselkus, Leojiold Yaeger, 
Nicolas Noel. Alljert Barthel. Hi-nry "Weber, Joseph Baumgardner, "William 
Hasselkus, J. Eauch, ]\Iartin ^\'agner, Carl Miller, ^'ictor J. Zahm. Joseph 
Harter, Charles L. Zahm. Max Miller, Henry Giaimmel, Lorenz Keiffer, Fred 
Amende. The presidents since 18r)8, are named as follows : Carl Miller, 
Jacob Wolf, Louis Selle, F. Burkhardt, M. Becker, Charles Sauers, Sr. , 



518 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Charles Leiner, Sr. , Julius Kiessling, Joseph Unser, V. J. Zahm, Chris- 
tian Limbach, Joseph Harter and John Dumont. The following have 
served as secretaries : Hugo Hasselkus, Albert Barthel, George Brendle, 
M. L. Albrecht, H. Guggenheim, L. W Zimmer, Adam Schauss, H. Weid- 
ling and F. Herbig. The society was incorporated October lU. 1864. 

St. John's Benevolent Society was organized ]March 28, 1808. at a meeting 
of German citizens called by ]\Iichael Kirchner, John Houck and Paul Yall- 
mer. M. Kirchner was elected president; George Spies, secretary; A. Kuebler, 
treasurer, and A. J. Brickner, vice-president. 

Druids. — Humboldt Grove No. 15. United Ancient Order of Druids, may be 
said to have its origin in the organization of April 29, 1859, when Jacob Zim- 
mer, Leopold Rose, J. C. Spindler. William Wolf, Philip Scheib, G. A. Lau- 
termilch, Guenther Herzer and Benjamin Schimmes established a branch of 
the order at Tiffin. Its membership is composed almost solely of German 
citizens. 

Knights of Honor. — Tiffin Lodge, Knights of Honor No. 82. was organized 
imder charter, Febraary 15, 1875, with the following named officers : J. W. 
Chamberlin, P. D. ; Charles Martin, Dictator; Fred K. Halderman. V. D. ; 
B. G. Atkins, A. D. ; G. K. Brown, Rep. ; P. Scheib, treasurer, D. Y. Chap- 
man, G. ; C. C. Parks, S. The four first named charter officers were elected 
successively to preside over the lodge, previous to the election of W. H. Hall, 
as Dictator. 

Temperance Societies. — The Seneca County Union Temperance Society was 
formally organized December 28, 1841, and pennanently organized Januaiy 4, 
1842, with W. S. Green, j)resident; R. Sneath, vice-president; J. H. Brown, 
secretary; John Andrews, treasui'er. 

Tiffin Division No. 171, Sons of Temperance, was reorganized December 
10, 1847, under the law of March 11, 1845, with James K. Owen, Holly 
Lightcap and James Sumner, trustees; J. W. Patterson, P. W. P.; Joel W. 
Wilson, W. P. and J. Sumner, R. S. The resolution to incorporate was 
offered by W. H. Gibson. 

A new lodge of the Independent Order of Good Temjilars, was organized 
April 7, 1885, when the following officers were elected, and are named in 
order of seniority, fi-om W. C. T. to W. Lodge Dept. : W. A. Dallas. Cannie 
Van Pelt, Emma Huss, E. E. Weller, H. J. B. Ford, G. J. Hiunbert, H. G. 
Day, L. Montague, Miss L. Woodman, E. Stanton Gregg, Mi's. Humphrey, 
Miss Maiy Morrison, Miss Onie Biller, E. E. Weller. 

In 1874 the Woman's Temperance movement attained the climax. Saloons 
were visited, prayers offered up, sermons preached. Great niuubers of ladies 
were engaged in this crusade. Lewis Bang who kept a saloon at Tiffin since 
1848, promised to siurender to the crusaders, while Nicholas Bartell suiTen- 
dered to a corps of 183 ladies. His saloon equipment realized .?117.73 at the 
crusader's sale in 1874, and his reformation gave great satisfaction. 

Musical Associations. — The Bruderbund was formerly organized in 1853, 
when a number of German musicians formed a singing class imder the leader- 
ship of Chi-istian Kunold. The actual organization of the Bruderbund dates 
back to February 24, 1854, when Christian IMueller was elected president, 
Philip Emich, secretary, and William Berger, treasixrer. and twenty-eight 
other members then formed the society. In 1856 it joined the North American 
Saengerbund, and participated in the great meetings at Cincinnati, 1856; De- 
troit, 1857; Pittsburgh. 1858; Cleveland, 1859; Buffalo, 1860; Columbus. 1865; 
Louisville, 1866; Indianapolis, 1867; Chicago, 1868; Cincinnati, 1870; St. 
Loxiis, 1872; with the N. W. Saengerbund; Cleveland, 1876; Columbus, 1878; 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 519 

Toledo, (P. S. A.) 1879; Ala-on, 1880, O. S. ; Dayton, IBS'i; Buffalo, 1883; 
Spiingfiold, 18S4. The directors have been C. Kiinold, 1853; Charles Boos, 
1855; George Spies, 1S57-85. The society now comprises eighteen members, 
named as follows : Christian AVeiney, Jiilins "Weiuey, John B. Mej'ers and 
George Bolender, first tenors; ^N'illiam Berger, F. W. Berger, Philip Grummel, 
Henry Hubach, second tenors; John Merkelbak, Martin L. Albright, Hem-y 
Gross, Joseph ISIiller, first bassos; George Homan, Francis Ball, Julius Kiea- 
sling, Joseph Unser, John Dutt, Peter Pfeiffer, second bassos. 

The Philharmonic Society was formally organized at the house of Henry 
Gross, May 111, 1876, and completed organization May 25, that year. Louis 
Ulrich was elected president. The members were C. H. Miller, Dr. "Williard, 
Michael Scanuell, JIary Ebbert. Homer Bricker, Isabella "Wagner, Pauline 
Wagner, Mollie AN'agner, Francis A\'agner, Hemy Gross, Robert Fisher, Cora 
Pugh, J. M. Bach (director), Peter Pfeiiier, HaiTy Buskirk, C. Lohr, Mrs. 
Barnes and Jennie Ford. This society has presented many of the choicest 
musical compositions to the people. 

The Choral Union was organized October 13, 1885, with the object of fos- 
tering the practice and study of high-class music. The officers then elected 
are president. Prof. A. B. Lowe; vice-president. Miss Emma Huss; secre- 
tary. Dr. H. L. M'enner; treasurer, Mrs. D. K. Myers; committee on music, 
Prof. B. F. Griffith, Col. C. D. Sprague, Prof. Charles Goetz ; committee on 
constitution, etc. , Messrs. Miller and Beam and Miss Huss. 

The Washington Band was organized at Tiffin in 183U, and gave a concert 
at the court house in May of that year. This pioneer band drummed up the 
militia, and was generally useful. Boos' Band dates back before the war. 

MisceUaneous Societies. — The Seneca County Bible Society was organized 
in 1831. The thii-ty-lirst annual meeting was held at Tiffin, Februaiy 9, 1862, 
with the late Henry Ebbert, presiding. This society was reorganized May 11, 
1885, when the following officers were elected; Dr. L. H. Kefauver, president; 
C. J. Tingling, secretary; J. F. Marquardt, treasurer, and Robert Lysle, aud- 
itor. G. R. Huss was le-elected depository. 

The objects of the society are the diffusion of Biblical knowledge by the 
fi-ee distribution of books of Scripture, and the Scripture as well as religious 
tracts. 

Society for Pi-evention of Cruelty to Animals, of Tiffin, was organized 
by Dr. Douglass, agent of the State Society, September, 1885. The object 
of the organization is to co-operate with the parent society in can-ying out its 
work in enforcing the laws against criieltj', and in creating a more humane pub- 
lic sentiment. The following officers were chosen: Dr. E. J. McColhim, pres- 
ident; J. S. ]\Iorris and C. J. Tingling, vice-presidents; Fred L. Wenner, 
treasurer; John L. Lott, secretary; Kora F. Briggs, agent. The officers, 
with AV. P. Noble, Michael Scannell, H. E. Simons, of the Tribune, and 
J. M. Naylor, are the original members of the association. 

The Tiffin Legislative Club was organized in 1841. 

The Union League was organized April 1, 1863, with John K. Hord, presi- 
dent; G. J. Keen and William L. Myers, secretaries; John Robbins, correspond- 
ing secretary, and Lewis Baltzell, treasurer. 

The Tiffin Prohibition Club was organized August, 1 885, with the following 
officers: President. Rev. R. B. Moore; vice-president, Kev. N. Shujip; secre- 
taiy, HaiTy Cromwell; treasiu'cr, ^\■illiam Treeuary. 

The AV. H. Gibson Clul), a reorganization of the Toiing Republican Club, 
was effected October 5, 1885, with George B. Stone, president; "William H. 
Good, J. F. Ken- and E. W. Currigan, vice-presidents; Fred L. "Wenner, sec- 
retaiT; \\. J. Davwalt. treasui-er. 



520 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

The Geitnan Eeading Club, or Deulsche Leseverein, was the first German non- 
religious society organized at Tiflin. The readings, however, began to obtain 
a religious character, and the society merged into a controversial club, which 
argued it out of existence. It dated back to 1845 or 1S4G. 

The German Dramatic Company, or Die Deutsche Theater -gesellschaft, was 
organized about 1849. and gave several entertainments in the old Methodist 
Episcopal Church near Mai'ket Street bridge. 

The Tiffin Literarj- Institute was in existence in 1842. 

LIBEAEIES. 

Prescott Library, of Tiffin, was organized Febniaiy 7, 1848, with William 
Toll, chairman, and Leander Stem, clerk. E. G. Pennington, Dr. A. Hep- 
burn and Henry Ebbcrt were chosen trustees. This library was the pioneer 
collection of books for the use of the citizens. 

Young Mens' Christian and Library Association, of TifBn, was organized 
May 30. 1S6S, with S. K. Kii-kwood, president; J. G. Gross, vice-president; 
N. L. Brewer, D. P. Dildine and Kobert Lysle, secretaries; George R. Huss, 
treasui'er. 

The Library Association of Tiffin was organized April 25, 1866, with A. H. 
Byers, president; Dr. Kagy, vice-president; Dr. S. T. Weirick, recording sec- 
retary; Dr. G. S. Yingling, corresponding secretaiy; T. B. Tomb, treasurer; 
A. Kaga, D. K. Myers, John M. Myers, A. E. Keiffer and H. E. Thompson. ' 
directors. A committee was appointed to collect funds toward founding a 
library. The association was incorporated in 1880, with E. W. Shawhan, < 
president; Mi-s. Wan-en P. Noble and Mi's. John D. Loomis. vice-presidents; 
C. H. Cramer, secretary; J. W. Chamberlin, treasiu-er; ]\Irs. Lam-a G. Bunn, 
Mrs. Sneath, Miss Florence Cronise, Francis Wagner, G. G. HaiTiman and 
AV. P. Noble, trustees. The officers elected in December, 1884, are president, 
Eobert Lysle; fii-st vice-president, Mrs. E. W. Sullivan; second vice-president, 
JIi's. E. G. Pennington: secretaiy, W. S. Cramer; treasurer, J. W. Chamber- 
lin; managers, J. H. Eidgely, Florence Cronise, P. J. Wilson, W. S. Cramer, 
Mrs. A. A. Cunningham and IVIrs. E. W. Shawhan; librarian. Miss Anna M. 
Gibson. The librarian's report showed the number of vohunes in cii-culation 
since January 19, 2,447; number of persons visiting the library, 3,129. The 
amount taken in in dues and fines was more than sufficient to pay the librarian's 
salary. During the year donations of valuable volumes have been received 
from R. G. Sneath, of San Francisco, Cal. 

There are many private collections of books in the city, extensive and val- 
uable, while the law libraries teU us that the history bf bibliolatry should be 
added to that of the chiirch, since such a worship is in existence here. 

BANKS, INSUBANCE, ETC. 

The first notice of a bank at Tiffin appeared in Mai'ch, 1843, under the head- 
ing ' ' Fanner s Bank of Seneca County. ' ' This, however, was nothing more 
than the ' ' Bank of Terra Firma, ' ' referred to in Chapter X. 

The Labor Insurance Company was partially organized in May, 1847. 
John Keller, G. Bernard, Daniel Gettinger. Elisha Mustead, Levi Davis, Sid- 
ney Sea, William Stanley, Lloyd Norris and Benjamin Tomb were among the 
active members of the Seneca Farmers and Mechanics Society, of that time. 

The Seneca County Bank, as told in Chapter XII, was opened No- 
vember 13, 1847, with §100,000 capital. Its first advertisement, December 15, 
1847, was signed by W. E. Chittenden, cashier. In May, 1857, he was elected 
cashier vice Chai-les L. Johnson, who resigned to accept the superintendency 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 521 

of tho Tiffiu & Fort AVayne Railroad. The suits against this company were 
poncliug so hit o as April, 1861. In 1804 Judge Lang's bill, providing for the 
redemption of certiticates issued by Receiver Claypolo, of this concern, was 
passed by the Legislature and approved. 

James I. Claypolo. receiver of Seiioea County Bank, received notice Novem- 
ber 1, 1801, that Ml'. Pittinger, of Tiffin, was appointed receiver. He refused 
to reeognizo the authority of the Auditor and Secretary of State in the matter, and 
continued issuing certificates. Under tho act of 1801, holders of the Seneca 
County Bank, circulating notes and receiver' s certificates, were ordered to pre- 
sent such to the State treasiu'er for redemption before July 1, 1865; but great 
numbers were never offered for redemption. 

Ohio Savings Institute was a bank organized at Tiffin September, 1880, 
on the • ■ Individual Liability' ' principle. Josiah Hedges was president, and 
Luther A. Hall, cashier. 

Arnold cV Tomb established their bank in 1852, and in 1854 the banking 
firm of Tomb, Huss & Co. was organized. 

The Bank of Tiffin was organized in September, 1858, with Evan Dorsey 
and A. G. Sneath, proprietors. In 1859 Mr. Dorsey was succeeded by R. W. 
Shawhan, who, with Mr. Sneath, conducted the bank until 1805, when it was 
consolidated, so to speak, with the National Exchange Bank, in March of 
that year. 

First National Bank of Tiffin (successor to Tomb, Huss & Co.) was char- 
tered March 10, 1805, with Benjamin Tomb, president; John T. Huss, cashier; 
Benjamin Tomb, George E. Seney, John T. Huss, Thomas B. Tomb and 
George R. Huss, directors. The other stockholders were L. F. Singer, E. L. 
Hamilton, John G. Gross, Robert Nelson, James S. Yerk, Charles M. Yerk, 
George W. Cunningham, I. L. St. John, Hemy Ebbert, Stephen Dorsey. H. 
H. Souder, John L. Osborne, Samuel Hemn, Michael Sullivan, William Gal- 
lup and Henrj' Zahm. This banking house continued in existence until October 
10, 1875, when Huss shot himself. On the true condition of the finances 
becoming known a receiver was appointed in the person of Warren P. Noble, 
who paid the creditors 60 per cent of the amounts claimed by them. 

Tiffin National Bank, formerly the National Exchange Bank (successor to 
the Tiffiu Bank), was chartered March 17, 1805, and the office opened April 1 
in the Tiffin Bank office.* J. D. Loomis was president; A. G. Sneath, cashier; 

E. B. Searles, assistant cashier. Hhe directors were R. W. Shawhan, J. M. 
Naylor, A. B. Hovey, G. M. Ogden. Abel Rawson, Robert Smith. H. A. Bus- 
kirk and E. T. Sticknev. The other stockholders were J. H. Pittinger. John 
Swigert. J. H. Good, S. B. Sneath. W. M. Naylor, Levi Da\-is. J. A. McFar- 
land. This bank ended its corporate existence February 28, 1885, and was 
succeeded by the Tiffin National Bank, with the same capital and officers. J. 
D. Loomis is president and J. W. Chamberlin. cashier. Tho directors are A. 
BuskLrk, J. D. Loomis, J. M. Naylor, George D. Loomis and R. W. Shawhan. 

Tiffin Saving and Building Loan Association was incoiiiorated December 18, 
1867, with the following named members: John T. Huss, A. H. BjTes, Robert 
Lysle, William Kline and Liither A. Hall. The capital was $300,000. 

Seneca Building Association of Tiffin was incorporated December 22. 180SI, 
with Samuel J. Ku-kwood, O. C. Zeller, John Van Dorn, O. T. Locke and N. 

F. Cramer, members. The capital was §200,000. 

Mechanics' Building Loan Association was organized January 19, 1871, with 
the following members : John H. Ridgely, William G. Blymeyn, O. T. Locke, 

•April 23, 1878, it was discovered that the cashier, Oliver Cromwell Zeller, had left Tiffin, taUsg with 
him S4S,782.47 of the banli's money. 



522 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

John Neligh, Josiah B. Frost, Thomas K. "U'illiains and G. J. Keen, incoi-por- 
ators. The capital stock was placed at SloO.OOO. 

Tiffin Savings Loan Association. — A building association was organized 
February 12, 1873, at TiflSn, with the following members : WaiTen P. Noble, C. 
Gever, John G. Gross, J. Neligh, J. A. Blair-, Edward Jones and Jacob 
F. Marquardt. incoiisorators. The capital stock was S200,000. 

Tiffin Savings Bank Association was organized March 1, 1873, with the fol- 
lowing members: John G. Gross, John Neligh, Jacob F. Marquardt, Edward 
Jones and George "\V. Bachman. The capital stock was $100,0(10. This com- 
pany organized with John G, Gross, president, and D. D. Dildine. cashier, 
who conducted it for four years, when it merged into the Commercial Bank. 

Home Building Association of Tiffin was incorporated Januaiy 30, 1 874, 
with the following members: D. P. Dildine, J. A. McFarland, A. C. Baldwin, 
N. G. Hayward and George Gassman. 

Clinton Building and Loan Association was organized May 5, 1874, with E. 
H. Swander, John H. Foulk, "\V. T. Knouse, Edward Knouse and Thomas 
Swander. members. 

Commercial Bank of Tiffin was incoi-jjorated May 12, 1876, with Warren 
P. Noble, S. B. Sneath, J. M. Kaull. HeiTaan Bust, J. G. Gross, J. A. Blair, 
Edward Jones, Charles Geyer. John A. McFarland, A. G. Sneath, I. L. St. 
John and Christian Mueller, members. The cajjital stock was §100,000. The 
officers are W. P. Noble, president; S. B. Sneath, cashier; John B. Rimyan, 
assistant cashier; and the directors: W, P. Noble, Charles Geyer, E. E. Titus, 
I. L. St. John. J. M. Kavill and S. B. Sneath. 

PIONEER NOTES. 

The fii-st business established within the coiinty was Erastus Bowe'a tavern 
in 1817, on the north bank of the river, in the center of what is now Wash- 
ington Street. The locality was called Pan Yan. 

The lirst fi-ame house erected at Tiffin was that of 1822 by Josiah 
Hedges, which was used as a store the ensuing year. Here courts were held 
until 1828, and here was the old Masonic Hall in 1847. This building, which 
stood where the Advertiser office now is, was pm-chased by P. H. Ryan about 
1856. and moved to a point near the mouth of Eock Creek, where it was used 
as a pork jiacking house for sometime; was then used as a carpenter shop, and 
later converted into a box factory. Spink, of Wooster. opened a store at Tiffin 
in 1822. Milton McNeal opened a general store at Fort Ball, and was followed 
by Edar & Bowe, butchers. In December, 1825, John and Benjamin Pittin- 
ger opened their store; two years later Henry Cronise opened a stock of dry 
goods ojjposite the present store of J. M. Naylor; Jiilius Feldnagel opened his 
tavern subsequently. Among the advertisements in the Patriot, in 1832, were 
the following business notices: Moses D, Cadwallader canned on tailoring in the 
building erected by Richard Sneath, knovm as the Mechanics' HaD, C. Brad- 
ley advertised his meat market at the new market, front of the ice house. 
Joseph Biggs, was ahat mamifacturer; John Searles and James C, Miu'rey, ap- 
praisers, and Thomas McMillen, justice of the peace, advertised a stray horse, 
Drs. E. Dresbach and R. C. J. Carey established a branch of their Fort Ball 
office in Mechanics' Hall, August 3, 1832. Dr. James Fisher opened a drug 
store; Jacob Shoemaker advertised Jacob Koontz as an absconding debtor; 
Mercer & Ebbert advertised their hat store. Keller, Grose and Cronise adver- 
tised their patent giimming and cutting machine; Calvin Bradley leased the 
Washington Hotel from Richard Sneath, August 9, 1832. George W. Gist, 
administrator of Dablah Litt, advertised personal property for sale. SherifiF 







^ cri^-^-^ cJ^hnn'i aTicuQoy 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 525 

Diiviil Bishop advertised for sale the one-tliird part of Section 20, Town 3 
north. Range IT), in Delaware Laud District, formerly owned by Alex Nntt, and 
surveyed by David Risdon. 

In March. 1882, one William Brish opened a tavern at Fort Ball without 
a license. He was brought to trial in October, T832, but the indictment was 
quashed. In December, 1832, Hezekiah Graff and Eli Stem entered into 
partuersliip for the purpose of caiTying on a saddle and harn(>ss business at 
Tiffin. This partnership was dissolved in June, 1834, but in 18315 Mr. Graff 
sued his fi-iend for one-half th(> value of working stock. In 1833 a number of 
mercantile houses were opened at Tiffin, and many mechanics' shops estab; 
lished. In October, 1835, Thomas J. McCleary and Jonathan Whitehead 
brought a S5.()()0 stock of goods from New York to Tiffin, and carried on busi- 
ness as J. Whitehead & Co., in a house adjoining Joel Stone's tavern, and the 
back room and cellar of the tavern, the rent of all being $100 per year. In 
1 837 this partnership was brought into the couils. Abel Itawson was appointed 
receiver. 

The business circle of Tiffin in 1847-48. was made up as follows: R. W. 
Shawhan. northwest corner of Washington and Market; Rufus W. Reid, 
whtnv Griimmel's store is; Cronise Bros., where SeewahVs store is; Rmnmell & 
Snyder, near Seewald' s store ; Robert Crum, Baldwin & Pride, Commercial Row; 
Andrew Glenn, near alley; Jesse Shriver, in the Empire Block; RoUa Johnson, 
northwest corner of Perry and Washington; W. D. Scott, south of Hubbard's 
store, in Seney's building; George Tajdor, Einstein & Hobbs, Howard & Nay- 
lor, present stand; E. Ayres & Co., where the Gross Block is, and Ebbert & 
Seney. Sidney Sea, Jr. , and M. D. Scott are now in business on State Street, 
Chicago. 

The medical circle, in 1847-48, comprised Drs. Ely Dresbach, Henry 
Kiihn, J. A. McFarland, Andrew Hepbui'n, James Fisher. B. Raymond, Jacob 
Staub and S. '\^'. Bricker. 

The bar of Tiffin comprised Abel Rawson, Warren P. Noble, M'illiam H. 
(xibson. R. G. Pennington. William Lang,' William C. Hedges, Sitlney Sea, J. 
P. Pillars, Luther A. Hall, Jesse Stem. Richard Williams, Joel W. ^Vilson. 

Joseph Walker completed the Fort Ball warehouse in February, 1848. 

In 1847 the hotels were Smith's Clinton House, at Fort. Ball; the Ameri- 
can, the Ohio, the National and the Washington House, at Tiffin. At this 
time. Fort Ball boasted of three dry goods stores, two groceries and one harness- 
maker. 

Pioneer Manufactures. — In this part of the history of Tiffin, the names of 
traders, jirofessioual men and manufacturers, identified with the city diu'ing 
its earlier years, are given, and where it was found possible to base a sketch of 
an industry on something authentic, a history of such industry is given. 

Paul D. Butler erected a saw-mill on the Sandusky, between Tiffin and New 
Fort Ball in 1819, which was the first manufacturing industry in the county. 
Previous to 1821 this very primitive mill was discontinued, and part of its 
timbers cairied away by the great tlood of that year. In January, 1847, a still 
greater flood carried away many relics of pioneer settlement. 

The Rock Creek Saw-mill was erected in 1822 Ijy Josiah Hedges, about 
one-quarter mile east of the original town of Tiffin, twenty-seven rods south- 
east of the intersection of I-^ast Market and Circular Streets. 

The Hedges Grist-mill, on the SandusW River, was constructed in 1822, 
about one-half mile north of the original town. This was conducted by 
AVilliam Hunter for a number of years. From 1847 ttf 1852 it was operated by 
George W. Cunningham, in connection with the Lugenbeel Mill, south of Tiffin. 

28 



526 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

In 1825 Jesse Spencer erected a saw-mill in the old town of Oakley, and 
constinicted a dam. His entire property was sold to Josiah Hedges. Junp 1 (j, 
1825. A reference to the case of Spencer i-s. Hedges will give many particulars 
relating to this old mill. 

The Rock Creek Saw-mill was erected in 1826 by Josiah Hedges, at the in- 
tersection of Circular road and East Market Street, on the site of the old mill. 
This was rented shortly after to Joseph Janey, and was subsequently operated 
by Uriah P. Coonrad and Chris. Y. Pierson. fi'om August 3, 1832, until its 
destruction by lire in 1833. The mill-dam was subsequently vised for supply- 
ing the water-power of the city mills. About 1836 Mr. Hedges constructed 
another mill opposite William Hianter's. 

The Eeuben Williams Mill, on what is known as the " Coe lands," was 
erected in 1821. 

The Hoagland Lime-kiln was established and a quarry opened by him about 
1828. 

The Lugenbeel Flouring-mill, built by Andrew Lugenbeel in 1835, was oper- 
ated by George W. Cunningham from 1847 to 1852. This is still standing 
near the Tiffin Water-works, and the ancient mill-dam still gives evidences of 
its solidity. 

The Shoemaker Mill, built in 1845 by R. M. Shoemaker, was operated ft-om 
1855 to 1858 by George W. Cunningham. Its location was one mile north of 
Washington Street bridge, now operated by Speck & Sons. 

The John Keller Mill, built in 1848, was taken charge of in 1858 by George 
W. Cunningham. This mill burned down January 4, 1S60. Its location was 
two miles and a half down the river from Washington Street Mill. 

William Campbell and J. S. Robinson conducted a cabinet and chair 
factor}' separately after the dissolution of their partnership. June 23, 1832. 

The first Tannery was established about 1827, on the northeast corner of 
Market and Monroe Streets, by Andrew Frintchey, who died of cholera in 1 834. 

The Pittinger Tannery was established in 1832, by Benjamin and John 
Pittinger. 

Fleming & Schock established their tanneiy on the site of Pittinger' s in 
1839. 

The AUen Brewery, the pioneer of its kind, was built on the opposite side 
of the street from the old Methodist Church, on the river bank. 

Myers f oimded a small brewerj' where Ulrich' s drug store now stands. 

Sting's Brewery was established on Sandusky Street. 

The Kolb Bros'. Brewery was built at the corner of Market and Sanduskj' 
Streets. 

In 1848 Christ Mueller and Val. Schmidt established a lager beer brewery 
at Tiffin, and in 1854 built a new breweiy on River Street. In 1860 Mueller 
purchased Schmidt's interest, and converted the old brewery into a malt house. 
Schmidt died in 1865, having, jointly with Mueller, the credit of establishing 
the first lager beer brewery in Ohio. This is known as the Clinton Brewery. 

H. Hiibach's City Breweiy is also an imjjortant industry. 

Guy Stevens and Daniel Dildine established the pioneer • foundry at the 
north end of Monroe Street. 

Jesse Wolf's Foundiy, which some allege to have taken the place of Allen's 
Brewery, came next, then the Loomis k, Nyman Foundiy in 1847, and follow- 
ing this all the iron works mentioned in the history of the city's modern man- 
ufacturers. 

Rolla Johnson's Ashery was on the south side of Peiry Street, near Rock 
Creek. 

In January, 1863, W. R. Chamberlin established the Tiffin Ban-el Factoiy. 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 527 

The first brick yards were established in lS:{()-:il, one Ijy John Strong near 
the east end of Tiffin Sti-eet, and the other at Fort Ball. At the former yard 
the brick for St. Mary's Chiu-ch W(>re luannfactured in 1881 by Hennessy. 
Kenny & Delaney; those for John Goodiu's hotel were also made in that yiud, 

Jt)hn Hoffman established the jjioneer pottery of the county in ]8-i4. 

William D. Searles started the first tin nteusil factory. 

The first gun shop and lock-making and repairing business was established 
by Valentine Seewald about 188-t, in Springdale. 

Peter Van Nest, said to be the pioneer carriage builder of Ohio, established 
a carriage factory- near Allen's brevvery, opposite the first Methodist Episcopal 
Church, which was destroyed by fire January 2tj, 1854, when the tii'st free 
bridge was destroyed. 

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, 1885. 

The business houses of Tiffin, including hotels, stores, saloons and manu- 
factiu-ing establishments, numbered in 1884 412, and to-day there are about 
C)0(>, a significant comparison. Together with the . several business houses, 
there are 8 newspaper offices, 24 law offices, 23 justices' and notaries' offices, 
I'J physicians' offices, and about 15 offices devoted to insiu'ance and abstract of 
title business. The leading factories are named in the following lists: Foimd- 
ers and Machinists — Tiffin Agricultural Implement AN'orks, Loomis & Nyman's 
Fountb'v, and the National Machinery Coni])any"s AVorks. Furniture man- 
ufacturers and dealers — Enterprise Manufacturing Company, School Furni- 
ture Manufactimng Company, Grummel & Son, Fiego Bros., Charles AV. 
Horn and Hem-y Lemp. Harrow maimfaetiu-ers— O'Brien Bros. Manufactui'- 
ing company. Hominy mOl of J. P. Baker; potteries of J. Eidt & Son and 
Francis X. Schultis; potash factory of Henry Trefflieh; repair sho])s of 
Bucher & Leichti; saw-mills of Frank Flumerfelt, David Martin and Martin 
Moser; creamery and butter factory of Buskirk <fe Company; sash, door and 
blind factories of the Enteqirise Mamifacturing Company, the Tiffin Manufac 
turing Company, the Tiffin (Union Chm-n Company, Solomon Kaup and ^\'ill- 
iani B. Stanley; Ohio Stove Company; water elevator factory of L. Van- 
nette; boiler factory of John Canty: marble and granite works of Joseph 
Harter, Thorn & Co. and H. W. Yeager; bent wood works of Fishbaugh & Co. 
and F. Smith; woodenware works of the Tiffin Churn Company, and box fac- 
tory of Kol)ert H. Whitlock & Co. ; wagon hound factory of Fishbaugh & Co. ; 
boot anil shoe factory of "William A. Sponsler; brick and tile factories of 
Alber Behm and^Villiam and Otto Heilman, late John Heilman: broom factory 
of Sedon Straub: breweries of H. Hubach (City Brewery) and C. Mueller (Clin 
ton Brewery); distillery of Andi-ew J. Brickner, C. K. Bowman; carnage and 
wagon works of Heniy Crooks. Lewis Delhi, Glassner & Shock, Blasius Hepp. 
Kuder & Fiy, O'Brien Bros. Manufactimng Company, P. Van Nest's Sons, and 
H. S. Wenner & Co. ; church fiunitm-e factories of the Tiffin Manxifacturing 
Company; cigar factories of August Dressell, Benjamin Schinnes, F. J.. 
SchneckenbiU'ger, Charles ^'eimer and Bernard A\"elter; woolen mills of E'. 
S. ltockv\'ell; cooperages of Wendell Kuhn, A. Miller and Samuel Mundwiler; 
gas and electric lights — Tiffin Gas Light and Tiffin Edison Electric Light 
Companies; flouring-mills of W. S. Bacon; Clifton Roller Mills, P. J. 
Hyatt, Kimmel & Keller and McAdoo & Co. ; tire brick and fire clay manufac- 
turing works of the Tiffin Gas Light Company; tinware works of George 
Ernest, Joseph L. Ranker and Ed. R. Stephenson, the soap works of the Titfin 
Soiip Company: in December, 1883, the Tiffin Stove Polish Company was 
organized, of which A. L. Flack is general manager; there is also Jacobs Neck- 
yoke manufactory. 



528 HISTORY OF seneca countv. 

Loomis & Nyman's roiindiy may be said to have been founded by Jesse 
"Wolf, who sold his buildings and machinery to Philetus Xyman and J. D. 
Loomis. in 1847. In 1848 the new prnjirietors enlarged the works, and sub- 
sequently added the manufacture of saw-mill machinery, plows and steam- 
engines, to the old-time work of the foundiy. After the destruction of the 
Yan Nest Cairiage Shops, the new linn purchased the site, extended the old 
building and erected a new building. During the last ten years special atten- 
tion has been given to well-boring machinery, and the linn has the reputation 
of being among the most extensive manufactiuers of this class of machinery 
in the United States. The steam engines used in the Tiffin Agi-ieultin-al Works, 
and in the O'Brien CaiTiage ^^'orks, were manufactm-ed here. George D. 
Loomis became a member of the tirm in 1879. This industry gives constant 
emjjloyment to twenty-five men, and for a great part of the year to fifty men. 
Tiffin Agi-icultural "Works of Smith, Barnes & Co. were established in 
1858. south of the German Catholic Chiu'ch, and the manufactui'e of agricult- 
ural implements was carried on there until 1873. 

Tiffin Agricultural Works Company was incorporated February 1,1865, with 
Abel T. Barns. N. il. Barns, George Shannon, E. C. Umsted, and Michael 
Sullivan, members. The capital stock was placed at $50, 000. In Februaiy. 
1873. the stock was increased $25,000, and in March $15,000, making a total 
■of $90,000. In 1872-73 the present buildings of the company were erected on 
Harrison and Minerva Streets, at a cost of over $90, 500, including machineiy. 
The presidents of the companv since 1865 have been A, T. Barnes, 1805-70; C. 
C. Park, 1870-72; E. C. Umsted, 1872-75; George Shannon, 1875-82; B. G. 
Atkins. 1882-85. The secretaries since 1865 have been: E. C. Umsted, 1865- 
70: B. G. Atkins. 1870-82: R. Atkins, 1882-85. N. M. Barnes was superin- 
tendent fi'om 1858 till his death in 1874. William H. Hall, the present superin- 
tendent, was appointed in 1874. The company gives employment to 125 men, 
the majority of whom are skilled mechanics. Horse-rakes, corn-shellers, hay- 
tedders, brick machines, etc. , are manufactured. The value of annual product 
is about $175,000. 

Saffell & Baldwin Chui'n Manufacturing Company was established in 
1864, with building on site of present Union Company' s Works. They carried 
on business until 1876, when they reorganized as the Tiffin Union Chiu'n Com- 
pany. 

Tiffiii Union Churn Com]){iny was incoi-porated February 9, 1876, with A. 
C. Baldwin, president ; HaiTison Noble, vice-pre.sident, and C. H. Baldwin, sec- 
retary, who have been re-elected annually down to the present time. The 
Ijuildings wore erected in 1875, on the east side of Washington Street, along 
the river bank, at a cost of about $18,000. The machineiy now in use is 
valued at about $12,000, and the annual product at $50,000. The industry 
gives employment to sixty hands. 

O'Brien Bros. Manufacturing Company was established at Galva, 111., by 
James O'Brien, in 1855, and conducted there until 1859, when he, with Will- 
iam S. and Joseph P. O'Brien, established their works at Prineeville, 
111. From this time iintil 1865 the maniifactiu'e of wagons and carriages 
Avas carried on there. In 18(')5 the machineiy was moved to Kewanee, 111. 
■when the firm was reorganized as a stock company imder the name of O'Brien 
Bros. ManufactiU'ing Company. This industry, employing fifty-five men, was 
'mo\^d to Tiffin January 1, 1882, where five acres of ground and 500,000 brick 
■were donated by a few citizens toward the establishment of such works. In 
September, 1881, work on the buildings was begun, and completed in January, 
1882, at a cost of $50,000, including machineiy, some of which was moved 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 52^ 

from Illinois. The business is now undor the management of James O'Brien, 
^Villiam S. and Joseph P. O'Brien, brothers; John E. , Henry E., and George 
N.. sons of James O'Brien, and Eugene N. O'Brien, son of William O'Brien. 
This industry employs KM) men, including the Jlessrs. O'Brien, not 
one of whom is a ch'one member, eaeh filling a dejiartment in the office or shops. 
Such an industry has brought to Tiffin a great numl)er of skilled workmen, and 
one of the most enterprising manufactiu'ing firms in the entire A\'est. The 
business is owned to-day by J. M. Kaull, vice-president of the Commercial 
Bank, refeiTed to in the history of l)aukiiig. The main Iniilding is ^00x54 feet, 
three stories, all brick, on stone foundation, with iron and asbestos roof. They 
extend fi-om South Greenfield Street to the Baltimore & Ohio and Northwestern 
Ohio Railroads, from which roads side-tracks enter the grounds. M'agons, 
caiTiages, and \nbrating harrows are the special manufactures. Their wagons, 
find a ready market all through the A\'est to the 'Pacific. Their carriages are 
favorably known in the East and 'West. The harrow was patented by W. S. 
O'Brien in 1S05, renewed in 1874, and forms one of the most i)oj)ular farm 
implements in use. The engine is a fifty horse-power stationary, manu- 
factm-ed l)y Loomis & Xyman. of Tiffin, for the works. The first floor con- 
sists of suite of offices, carriage repository, shipping and receiving department, 
wood-working department, engine room, l)lacksmith department; ca])acity sev- 
enty-five hub wagons and fifty carriages per week. On the second-floor are 
the dry-house, oiling room, finishing department, carriage ware-room, trim- 
ming department. On the third floor is the wagon jiaiuting department, carriage 
paint shop, etc. This immense establishment is the foiuih one tuected under 
the su])ervision of ^Ir. O'Brien. Every department is caiTied forward to the 
finishing jioint. 

Clifton Steam Flouring-mills were built in ISfiO by George M'. Cunningham, 
who conducted this industry until INTS. when the mills became the projxn'ty 
of the National Exchange Bank. The pro])erty was piu'chased by W. .S. 
Bacon (who owned the Bloomville Mills) in 1S7U. The capacity is about 150 
barrels per day. The mill is eqtiipped with thirteen sets of rollers, and a full 
line of modern machinery, di'iven by a seventy-five horse-i)ower engine. The 
mill, a three-story brick building, stands on the bank of the river, corner of 
"Water and ^^'ashington Streets. The industry gives employment to seven 
hands. 

McAdoo. Einsel & Shears' Steam Flouring-mill was erected in 1S84. and 
opened in January, 18S5. The full cajiacity of the mill is 200 barrels every 
twenty-foiu- hours, in which about 1.000 bushels of wheat are used; at present 
the mill is running about seven ban-els an hora\ The jilant was designed by 
H. B. Shears, and he and Eobert McAdoo and Noah Einsel are the owners of 
the mill. 

Bo'ttinan Distillery, known as ' ' No. 51'' in the register, is located on the 
south terrace of the river, on the site of the old AVagner-Brickner Distillerj-. 
The pr<iduct is seventy gallons of whisky per day. 

Tiffin Woolen ^lills Company was t)rgaiiized in M.iy. 1807. withR.W. Shaw 
han. S. B. Sneath. H. A. Buskirk. W. W. Armstrong. .John G. Gross. A. Satfell. 
George W. Buskirk. J. M. Navlor. A.G. Sn(\ith and W.C. Hedges, incorporators. 
Thecapital stock was SI 00. (KM) l.OOOshares of SUtOeach. In Febmary, 18(2, 
the capital was increased to?150.000. The names of A. B. Hovey and C. C. 
Park a])]>ear among the directors. In 1880 the Tiffin Woolen Company leased 
the buildings and machinery, and earned on work until 1882, when the mills 
became the property of K. W. Shawhan. In October, 188:', the buildings and 
machinery were sold to the present owner, E. S. Rockwell, who built U|) a 



530 IIISTORV OF SENECA COUNTY. 

roputation for the mills. The best material only is used in the woolen goods 
produced, the best modern machinery has been introduced, and skilled workmen, 
only, are employed in the higher branches of the manufacture. JIi\ Rockwell 
is in partnership with his brother in woolen-mills at Dryden, N, Y. , established 
in 1870. The industry at Tiffin gives employment to about 100 hands. The 
buildings and machinery are valued at §50,000. 

(Constantine ^^'oolen Mills Company was organized May 4, 1871, with J. 
Gilliland, James J. Hedges, Michael Scannell, Aaron Kreader, W. C. Hedges, 
John G. Gross and H. J. Grouse, members, to conduct the manufactiu-e of 
woolen goods at Constantine, Mich. ) 

Whitlock Box Factory was established at Tiffin in 1883, by E. H.Whitlock, 
owner of the Richmond & Danville, Va. , Tobacco Box Factories. The build- 
ings w(»re completed in 1S8-4, and since that time this industry has employed 
from thirty to forty men. One million feet of lumber, principally sycamore, 
<ire manufactiu'ed annually, but the capacity of the works is much larger. The 
material is prejiared here, and shipped to his other factories to be put togethei'. 
Franklin HaiT\ood is manager at Tiffin, and representative of the owner in 
Ohio. 

Tiffin Creamery, the latest addition to local manufacturing indiistry. was 
established in the fall of 1885, by A. Buskirk & Sons, on the Buskirk faim, 
south of Tiffin. It has a capacity of 1.500 pounds of butter per day. and the 
cream will be gathered fi'om all i)arts of the county. 

Thom & Reverts' Marble Works were consolidated with H. W. Yeager's 
works in March, 1885, when the two stocks were combined, and one of the most 
extensive marl)le monument establishments in the State formed. 

The first dye-hou.se at Tiffin was established about 1870, at the south end 
of Tiffin, by G. J. Rhorbacker. He canned on the business here for a few 
years, when he moved to Sandusky. 

Tiffin Steam Dyeing "Works were established by. G. W. Rhorbacker in 
1875. After three changes he moved to the present location on ^\'ate^ Street, 
in rear of the Noble Building, known as the Riverside Block. 

National ^Machinery Company of Tiffin was organized and incoiporated 
October 17, 1882, with the following named members: William R. Anderson, 
Perry M. Adams, W. P. Noble, James A. Blair-, J. M. Naylor and J. W. 
Chamberlin. The works of this company front on South Greenfield Street, 
extending back to the railroads. The indust.i-y gives employment to a large 
number of skilled workmen. 

Tiffin Tool Company was organized and incoi-porated September 30, 1882, 
with J. H. Frost, H. Jacobs, C. H. M\iencher. J. J. Butts and John Jacobs, 
incorporators, for the piu-pose of manufacturing farm and garden im}ilements 
and various machineiy tools. The cajjital stock was placed at -SoO.OOO. This 
institution is more familiarly known as the Combination Tool Factoiy, or the 
Sandusky Hoe Company. They occupied the large building of Adams & Let- 
terhos on Market Street, continuing theie until their new buildings in the 
Second Ward were completed. 

Tiffin Manufactiu'ing Company was organized November 27. 1874. with the 
following members: Jacob Schoeber, Levi ^^'en-ick. W. H. Gibson. W. H. Keil- 
holtz, Charles Geyer, Martin Wagner. Harrison Noble, George W. Bachman, 
C J. Yingling and Lewis Seewald. The objects of the company were to estab- 
lish a sash, door and blind factory, and the manufactm-e of church fiu'nitiu'e, 
and kindred goods. 

Enterprise Manufactm-ing Company of Tiffin was incor])orated May 7. 1881. 
with J. W. Love, H. J. Stolzenbach. Charles Ernest, John Ernest, D. K 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 531 

Frederici, Frank Frederici. Peter Swope and Joseph Secrist, members. The 
object of the company was to carry on the mainifacturo of sash, doors, blinds, 
im)klings and furniture. The works have been well established and a large 
trade made. 

School Fiu'niture Manufacturing Company, organized U few years ago, is in 
succe^isful operation. 

Ohio Stove Company was incorporated April 28, 1879, with John M. 
Myers. Omar "Wilson, Jacob Martin, Thomas J. Kintz and A. J. Brickner, 
members. The manufacture of stoves, hollow ware and castings was the ob- 
ject of organization. The industiy to-day is one of the leading ones in this 
section of the State, and its location, near the Indiana, Bloomington & West- 
ern and the Baltimore & Ohio depots, is always the scene of busy manufac- 
turing life. 

Excelsior Fork Company was organized Januaiy 11, 1867, for the«ianu- 
factiu-e of pitchforks and hay-elevators. The Ohio Stove Works Com- 
pany was incorporated July, 1807. A company under the name " Tiffin Paper 
Mills." organized February 27, 1873, and another company — "Tiffin Paper 
Mill" — was incorporated the same day. In March, 1873, a company Icnown as 
the "Ohio Stove Company" was organized; in May, 1873, the Ohio Shoe Fac- 
tory Company was incorporated, and in November, 1873, the Machine Works of 
Tiffin: December 1, 1873. the Tiffin Shoe Factory Company was organized; in 
May. 1874, the Ohio Ceramic Works Company was organized, and March 14, 
187(), the Sovereign Co-operative Trade Company. In earlier years, between 
18')") and 1807, the Ohio & West Virginia Petroleum and Mining Company, and 
the Tiffin Gold and Mining Company of Colorado were incorporated; and in 
November. 1868, the Young America Manufacturing Company of Dakota, and 
in 1872, the Tiffin Car Works. Again in October, 1883, the Tiffin Soap Com- 
pany was organized. 

Tiffin Natural Gas Company was organized in July, 1885, with B. W. 
Wilson, J. J. Flick, J. W. Brown and M. F. Baldwin, members. In Septem- 
ber. 1885, J. E. Brownyar, of Bradford, Penn.. came to Tiffin with a view of 
aiTanging with the company to begin work. From what has been vreitten in 
the chapter on the geology of the coimty, there can exist little doubt regarding 
the success of the eutei-prise at Tiffin. 

Tiffin Gas Light Company was organized in 1856, with Edward Gwynn and 
others, incorporators, Mr. Gwj'un subscribing for 1,150 shares and B. G. Pen- 
nington and others for 50 shares of $25 each. An ordinance of the council gave 
the new company many privileges, and with the capital and those jjrivileges 
they established their works on Rock Creek, near Peny Street bridge. In 
1860 John GwA'un, a lawyer of Tiffin, purchased his brother's interests; ten 
years after he sold the works to George E. Seney and the late John T. Huss, 
and in 1875 Judge Seney became sole owner. The works are conducted by 
John M. Bate, on principles of economy which inure to the benefit of the con- 
siuner as well as the manufactm-er, the former receiving a good light for the 
smallest possible consideration. 

COAL YARDS. 

The first coal yard established at Tiffin was that kept by Jacob Shriver in 
1864 or 1865, near the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Depot. W. B. Stanley 
opened one near the Indiana, Bloomington & Western Depot. Lawson, Green- 
leaf and Buskirk followed in the ownership of the Shriver Yard. Stanley's 
Yard was purchased in 1882 by Dildine & Glick. A coal yard was established 
near the Pennsvlvania Railroad Depot by Crooks & Blish, which is now owned 
by J. F. Zeller. 



532 . HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

HOTELS. 

Erastus Bowe kept the fii-st tavern at Fort Ball. EHsha Sniitli kept a tav 
em at Fort Ball for some years prior to 1826, and William Montgomery car- 
ried on one in 1826. 

George Park erected a log-house on the south side of East Periy Street for 
purposes of a hotel or tavern, the first in the city. His next building, which 
stood on the site of the National Hall Block, was a two-story frame, in which 
Eli Norris carried on hotel business. John Staub was also interested for a 
time in this building as lessee. 

Calvin Bradley's hotel, what is now Remele's meat market, was established 
as the Centra] House and pm-chased by R. Sneath in 1826. In 1832, Mr. 
Bradley leased the hoiise fi'om Sneath and changed the name to " Washington 
House." 

The Western Exchange Hotel, south of the original town, was erected in 
1836 by Calvin Bradley, and the building is still standing on South Washing- 
ton Street. This was also used as Bradley's stage station. 

Joel Stone's tavern, as it existed in 1835, was a commodioiis, well-kept 
house. 

John Goodin, who settled at Tififin in 1828, erected the lirst brick hotel 
building on Lot 86 in 1832, and conducted it until the building was 
leased to T. J. McCleary. This house stood where Loser's confectionery store 
now is, and John Kriedler. H. Lease, Orrin Hart and others carried on hotel 
keeping in it for years. Goodin removed to Hardin County, where he was in- 
terested in his brother David's extensive business. 

Feldnagel's Tavern stood near the old Sting Brewery. This was established 
about the fall of 1832. 

In the fall of 188-4, the Hoffman Tavern was opened, the first German 
tavern at Tiffin. 

John Staub kept a tavern at the northwest corner of Market and Monroe 
Streets for some time. This building is still in existence. 

Eli Norris' Tavern was a celebrated hostelry of olden times, and the pro- 
prietor one of the true pioneer tavern keepers. 

Richard Sneath purchased the Central House, in 1826 or 1828, for $400 fi-om 
Calvin Bradley, and entered hotel life. 

The Shawhan House was erected by R. W. Shawhan in ISoO, and opened 
by John Staub in December of that year. In 1854 French & Smith were pro- 
prietors. 

In 1859 there were no less than seven hotels at Tiffin, namely, the American 
House, Davis House. Franklin House, Holt House, A. R. Yan Dorn' s and the 
Shawhan House. Since that time the Shawhan House has been transformed 
into a modern hotel; the Lang House was erected on East Market Street, op- 
posite the court house, in 1874; the Empire House on South Washington Street 
was built, the Commercial on Market Street, and a number of smaller houses 
were added to the hotels of the city. The Zellers, now of Defiance, have 
been connected with the Shawhan House for many years. In May, 1885, 
John O. Plank sold the lease and furniture of this popular hotel to J. S. Mor- 
ris, superintendent of the Northwestern Ohio Railroad, whose son, Frederick 
P. Morris, is manager, with W. T. Zeller and William Eichert, clerks. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Telegraph, Telephone and Express Companies. — The first telegraph line was 
constructed in 1849, along the line of the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad. 
Since that time the Western Union and the Bmlington & Ohio Telegraph 
Companies have opened offices here. 





^^Z^-^/ ' ^>^^^_^e^ 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 535 

. TiflSn Telephone Company was organized April 27, 1881, with the follow- 
ing named members: Omar A\'ilson, John M. Myers, A. J. Brickner, E. S. 
Myers and C. D. Sprague. Almost all the important business houses and 
offices of Tiffin are now connected by telephone, while outside towns and vil- 
liiges are brought within speaking distance. 

The various express comj)anies are represented here. 

Railroads. — The railroads entering Tiffin are the Baltimore & Ohio, the 
Indiana. Bloomiogton & Western, and the Northwestern Ohio, latter operated 
by the Pennsylvania Company with J. S. Morris, superintendent, all of which 
are referred to in Chapter XI. 

Tiffin Water-ivorks were established in 1878, under authority of a State 
charter and an ordinance of the city, granting the company the right to 
lay down water mains, and giving the exclusive right of water supply for 
twenty-live years. The system adopted is that known as the ••Holly Direct 
Pressm-e System;"' the works were constructed by S. L. Wiley & Company and 
were transferred to Tiffin Water-works Company, on completion and accept- 
ance l)y the city. 

The pumps used are the Holly Quadruplex Pumping Engine, operated by 
water-power; capacity, 3, 000. 00(1 United States gallons in twenty-fom- hom-s. 
There is also a Knowles & McGowen pump operated by steam, combined capa- 
city of which is 8,0(K1,000 United States gallons in twenty-foui- hoiu's. The 
power is in duplicate by water and steam. Piunping station is located on the 
west bank of the Sandusky River, about one mile and a quarter southwest of 
city at the old Liigenbeel Flouring-mill. 

The network of piping consists of cast and wrought pipe, about fifteen 
miles in length'; there are two water mains separately connected with this net- 
work in the city, one sixteen-inch and one twelve-inch, one on the east and one 
on the west side of the river; there are 107 hydrants and about 350 water 
consiuners. The first officers were S. L. Wiley, president and manager, and 
M. Scannell, superintendent. The present officers are M. Scannell, president 
and manager, and George ^'dliam Ballon, treasurer and secretary'. 

Places of Aiiiiisement. — Tiffin Opera Hovise Company was organized De- 
cember 9, 1878, with the following membership: Scudder Chamberlain. O. 
P. Snyder. A. L. Flack, G. Ernest. W. P. Noble. J. M. Kaidl. J. A. Blair. J. 
F. Bunn. George E. Sehey. John McC'auley. J. M. Naylor. Edward Jones. M. 
Kirchner. S. B. Sneath and C. Mueller. 

The National Hall, which took the place of the old Methodist Episcopal 
Church as the home of the drama, buUt by William C. Hedges, in 1802. forms 
the leading place for the drama in the city. Where this building stands was 
"Rat Row,'' comprising the American House, Abbot's, Gallup' s and Gipson's 
stores and Dresbach's and Rawson's offices. 

Roller Skaiing jRuifcs. — This novel diversion, which has. in many instances, 
won the attention of old as well as young away from the business office, school 
or home, was established at Tiffin in the fall of 1884, by Messrs. Ross & 
Bowers, of Boston. Mass. The amusement was known as "the skating rink 
craze." So gi-eat was the support tendered to the new enterprise, a competitor 
appeiired in ^lay, 1885. and a new rink was constructed on the west bank of 
Rock Creek, fronting on Market Street. Whether the roller skate is an es- 
tablished institution, like base ball, remains for the future to decide. During 
the winter of 1 88-1-85 it appeared to have gained many admirers. 

The Tiffin Board of Trade was organized in January, 1881, with the follow- 
ing named members: G. E. Seney. Harrison Noble. S. B. Sneath. Thomas J. 
Kiutz. Pern' M. Adams, J. A. Blair, S. Chamberlain, A. C. B;irbour, A. J. 



536 HISTORY OF SESECA COUNTV. 

Brickner, George D. Loomis, J. Scheiber, Francis Wagner, "W. P. Noble, O. 
T. Locke, G. W. Stephenson, George Ernest, P. Grammes, E. Andre, F. 
Grumm(>l, Bloom & Bro., E. Baker, P. Scheib, C. J. Tingling, J. H. Frost, 
G. A. Corthell, S. J. Kintz, Charles Martin, George Pi. Huss, J. F. Mar- 
quarclt, John A. Hall, Fred K. Holderman, E. B. Hubbard, F. Nicolai, George 
Vanderpool. 

CONCLUSION. 

In the pages just written every branch of life connected with the city, from 
the earliest times, finds a notice without elaboration — a statement of fact 
without exaggeration. Many points of interest in the city's history being so in- 
terwoven with the county, it was deemed well to give them a place in the pages 
of the general history, and thus many interesting incidents and names cannot 
be found in this chapter. 

There is no history of failure attached to the city. The men who settled 
here knew no such word as fail ; conseqtiently it is a story of success, following 
industry, perseverance, toleration and intelligence. We could name 300 men 
to whose liberal policy and untiring zeal the city is indebted for its growth and 
position among the lai'ge towns of the Northwest. To the wisdom and policy 
of him who selected the location, and fostered eai'ly manufacturing and busi- 
ness enterprises, a great deal of Tiffin' s success is due, but the great achieve- 
ment which placed the cit}''s business and social life on their present substan- 
tial footing must be credited to oiu- own times and men, to their enterprise and 
virtues. 



CHAPTER XYIII. 
EDEN TOWNSHIP. 



THIS township boasts of being the first agricultural settlement in the 
county, and the first in fertility of soil and beauty of landscape. In 
1820 it was known as Township 1 north. Range 15 east, and in this yeai' it was 
surveyed in quarter-sections by David Risdon and James T. Worthington, the 
Van Jleter Reservation being the exception. This reservation extended west 
fi-om the center of Sections 5 and 8 to the west line of the township, or the 
east line of the Walker Reservation in Bloom. The treaty of the foot of the 
Rajiids of the Miami, negotiated April 29, 1817, jsrovided for the establish- 
ment of this reservation in the following words: '"To John Yan Meter, who 
was taken prisoner by the Wyandots, and who has ever since lived among 
them and has married a Seneca woman, and to his wife and wife's three broth- 
ers, Senecas (Brandts), who now reside on Honey Creek, 1,000 acres, to begin 
north, 45° west, 140 poles from the house, in which the said John Van Meter 
now lives, and to run thence south 320 poles, thence and fi'om the beginning 
east for quantity." This tract was purchased by Lloyd Norris in 1828 from 
John Van Meter, Jr., and his uncles, the Brandts, and forty years later 
formed the farms of Clementine Kishler, J. W. Miller. S. J. Seed. Thomas 
Lahere, M. A. Trexler, H. Lease and Eden Lease. The greater part of the 
Van Meter Huckleberry Swamp was in the south center of the northwest quar- 
ter of Section 7, and the lake on the northwest quarter of Section 8, within 
the reservation. 



EDEN TOWXailll'. 537 

The Sandusky Kiver courses tlu-oiigh Section 31. Hone Creek, an Eden 
like stream, enters the township in Section '24. flows southwest liy Melmoro- 
iuid enters on its northwestern course in the southwest quarter of Section 27, " 
leaving the township in the northwest quarter of Section 0. Rock Creek 
enters the township in Section 1, flows south to Section I'i; thence in a general 
coui'se west to Section 10, and northwest to Section 4, leaving the township in 
the northeast quarter of that section. Brandt Creek, which flows thi'ough a 
small lake on Section !S, enters Honey Creek above the mill-race. Numerous 
streams coui'se thi'ough this favored division of the county, and springs, as 
well as spring creeks, are found in almost every section. The surface is gen- 
erally rolling, broken along the streams, and the soil fertile. 

Organic mid Official. — Eden Township was set off in 1821, and the first 
election held June 4, 1821, at John Searles' house. Hem-y Craw, James 
^Mathers and John A^'elch were elected trustees; David Clarke, clerk; John 
Searles, treasurer; Ira Holmes and John Searles. overseers of the poor; Dan- 
iel Pratt and John Searles, fence viewers: Hugh A\"elch and Ira Holmes, 
ajipraisers; Samuel Knapip and John Welch, road supervisors, and Thomas 
AVeleh. constable. The early records were kept so very poorly, the board con- 
tracted with John Lamberson in 1834 to have them copied. The board of 
trustees from 1824 to 1827 comprised Richard Jaqua, I. J. Halsej- and Elisha 
Williams. In the following record the names of trustees are given first, 
while the name of the clerk holds the last place on each line: 

1828. — Elisha Williams, Selden Graves; John Kagy. 

182y. — Ira Holmes, John Keusor, Chris. Sponable; B. Hutchins. 

1830. — Ira Holmes. John Kensor, Chris. S])onable: Dan Palmer. 

1831. — S. S. Martin, John Welch, D. McClung; John Kinger. 

1832.— S. S. Martin, John Welch, D. McClung; M. J. Cornell. 

1833. — Thomas Baker, Samuel Saul, Noah Seitz; M. M. Wright. 

1834. — John T. Bretz. Samuel Saul, D. McClung; John Lamberson. 

1835. — Martin Welch, William Watson, D. McClung; James Gray. 

1836. — George Denison. S. S. Martin, John Baker; James Gray. 

1837. — Case Brown. S. S. Martin, John Baker; James Gray. 

1838. — George A. Blackwell, Abram Hess, John Baker: James Gray. 

1831). Case Brown. Abram Hess, Thomas J. Baker; Chester Brown. 

1840. — Noah Seitz, S. Saul, James C. Miutv; H. W. Buitows. 

1841. — M'Uliam Randall. Ezra Brown, S. Saul; John Lamberson. 

1842. — D. M. Eastman, Jonah Brown, A\'illiam Randall; John Lamberson. 

1843. — Jonas Hershberger. George A. Blackwell. Jonah Brown ; Hiram Flack. 

1844. — William Marquis, Jonas Hershberger. G. A. Blackwell ; Hiram Flack. 

1845. — John Bretz. Jonas Hershberger, Aaron Howell; J. D. Burns. 

184()-47. — Svlvanus Ai-nold. John Bretz, Aaron Howell; John Lamberson. 

1848. Philip Bretz. S. Saul. H. S. Berber; Sylvanus Arnold. 

184i). — Martin M'elch, "H. S. Barber. Philip Bretz-, James M. Stevens. 

1850. — John Kag\-. Aaron Howell. John T. Bretz: Moses King. 

1851. — John Kagy, Levi Chamberlain, Matt Elliott: Moses King. 

1852. — John White, Richard Ja(jua, Matthew Elliott; John Rosegi'at. 

1853. — John White, Richard Jaqua, George Kennedy; Jcimes M. Stevens. 

1854. — Samuel Hemn. R. Jaqua, George Kennedy: James M. Stevens. / 

1855. — William Watson, H. H. Shanck, R. Jaqua: Heniv J. Crouse. 

1850.— H. H. Shanck. A\'. Watson, P. Bretz; Henry J. Crouse. 

1857. — H. S. Barber, S. Chamberlin. H. H. Shanck; J. J. Crouse. 

1858.— H. S. Barber, S. Chaml)erlin, H. H. Shanck; W. W. Grant. 

185'J. — G. Cowles, S. Chamberlin, T. J. Baker; J. J. Crouse. 



538 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

I860.— M. H. Paynter, T. J. Baker, S. Chamberlin; J. J. Crouse. 

1861.— M. S. Paynter, T. J. Baker. S. Chamberlin; J. J. Grouse. 

1862. — Abram Brown, S. Chamberlin, M. S. Paynter; J. J. Cronse. 

1863. — David Huss. Eichard Baker, Abram Brown; A. S. Beiyman. 

1864. — William Furgeson, David Huss, R. Baker; J. J. Grouse. 

1865. — "William Furgeson. Ed. Andre, Benjamin M. Gibson; Samuel Snover. 

1866. — William Watson, William Furgeson. Ed. Andi-e; J. J. Grouse. 

1867. — William Barrick, W. Furgeson. William Watson: J. J. Grouse. 

1868-69.— John T. Reed. William Fleet. William Barrick: J. J. Grouse. 

1870.— William Snyder. John Tuttle. William Barrick; J. J. Grouse. 

1871. — John L. Cross, James Brinkerhoff, William Barrick: J. J. Grouse. 

1872.— E. Shumaker, S. Hen-in. J. Brinkerhoff: J. D. Stalter. 

1873. — Isaiah Kline. William Snyder, J. BrinkerhoiT; Heniy G. Pittman. 

1874. — Lorenzo Rogers, Isaiah Kline. J. Brinkerhoff; Henry G. Pittman. 

1875. — John Loose, Isaiah Kline, J. Brinkerhoff'; Henry C. Pittman. 

1876. — J. H. Loose, E. Shumaker. I. Kline; Henry G. Pittman. 

1877. — David Berger, L. Barrick, I. Kline; Henry C. Pittman. 

1878.— John Wax. David Berger. S. D. Brundage; Henrv C. Pittman. 

1879.— David Berger, G. H. Baker, W. B. Hamlin: Heni-y G. Pittman. 

1880.— W. B. Hamlin. G. H. Baker, J. H. Brinkerhoff; J. W. Warner. 

1881.— J. H. Brinkerhoff. A. Swigert, W. P. Steele: J. W. Warner. 

1882.— W. P. Steele. A. Swigert, Adam Keifer; J. W. Warner. 

1883. — W. P. Steele. Lemuel Downs. Adam Keifer: J. W. Warner. 

1884. — David Berger, Adam Keifer. Aaron Swigert: H. G. Pittman. 

1885. — G. W. Snyder, Adam Keifer, George Heabler, trustees; H. G. Pitt- 
man, clerk; Josejjh Rhodes and James Patton. jvistices of the peace: Isaiah 
Kline, treaaiu'er; R. A. Cole, assessor; William Osborne and John GaiToll, 
constables. 

General Statistics. — The assessment roll of Eden Township, made in 1S41, 
shows 12,935 acres of land, vahied at $71,158; town lots valued at §4,863; 
horses, 377, valued at $15,080: cattle, 662, valued at §5,296; mercantile capi- 
tal and money at interest, §5.873: pleasiu-e caiTiages, 6, valued at §255. 
Total, §102.525. Total tax. §1.409.71. Delinquencies since 1840. §165.48. 

The valuation and taxation of Eden Township for 1884-85 are given as fol- 
lows: Acres of land, 22.793. valued at §918.4(10. with personal property val- 
ued at §235,750. making a total of §1.154, 150. The population of the town- 
ship in 1880 was 1,598, to each of whom (were such a thing as communal 
division possible) §722.02 would be given. The total tax for 1884-85 is placed 
at §12,719.29, together with §93 dog tax. The State tax forms §3,231.(52 of 
the total. The true valuation of this township approximates §3,20(1.000. The 
general statistics of Eden Township for 1884 are as follows: 4.342 acres of 
wheat; 23 of rye: 3 of buckwheat: 1.342 of oats yielding 52.274 bushels: 
2.995 of corn producing 82,850 bushels; 1.011 acres of meadow, 1.31() tons 
of hay; 1,516 acres of clover, 1,916 tons of hay, 1,259 bushels of seed, and 
31 acres plowed imder: 107 acres of potatoes, 12,338 bushels: home-made 
butter, 55, 250 pounds; 1 acre of sorghum, 44 gallons: 788 pounds of maple 
sugar, 583 gallons of maple sjTup; 92 hives, 1,038 pounds of honey; 34,675 
dozens of eggs; 4 acres of vineyard, 700 poimds of grapes in 1883, 10 gal- 
lons of wine; 10 bushels of sweet potatoes ; 402 acres of apples, 4.837 bushels: 
2 bushels of peaches, 230 of pears, 9 of cheiTies and 2 of plums; 15,380 
acres of land cultivated; 2,304 in pasture; 4, 144 in woodland, 1 19 acres waste ; 
total acreage. 21.947; wool, 47,432 pounds; milch cows in 1883, 551: dogs, 
94; sheep killed and injured by dogs. 11; domestic animals died of disease. 
28 hogs, 89 sheep, 13 cows and 6 horses. 



EDEN TOWNSHIP. 530 

School >'Slatifiti('s. — In Juno, 1S8S, the township of Edon was laid ofF into 
nine school districts, and the first regular school organization established. Tho 
])resent condition of the schools of Eden is set forth as follows: Local tax, 
!?'J.OS(i; receipts, §r),4'.)7: expenses, $8,485; schoolhouses, 10; value of prop- 
erty, •'?'2,7(l(h number of teachers, l(j; average pay, $40 and $20; male pupils, 
100: female pupils, 110. 

Pioneer Hi.stori/. — The first settlers of the townshiji were undoubtedly the 
remnant of the Mohawk band of Indians, who came here about the last quar- 
ter of the last century, a few ^^ yaudots, and their eai)tives, Catherine ^\'alker 
and John Van Meter. Consul Buttertield, the tii-st historian of the county, and 
himself a pioneer of this township, wi'iting in 1847, says: " Vanmeter was 
cai)tiu'ed by the M'yandot Indians, in the month of March, 177S, at the age of 
five, at Greenbriar, near "West Liberty, in the State of Virginia. The people 
in the neighVwrhood, having been frequently alarmed by Indian aggressions, 
had assembled for the purpose of building a fort to protect themselves from 
savage cruelty. It was a l^eautiful day in the spring of the y(>ar, and two of 
the elder boys of the family were directed to proceed to a 'chopping,' and 
arrange somi' brands. John accompanied them, and the father proceeded to 
the fort. The boys had but just commenced their work, when they were sud- 
denly beset by a. party of Indians. The elder boys made good their escape, 
Init John was easily captiu'ed. Tho Indians then directed their com-se to the 
house of 'N'anmeter. set it on tii'e. murdered his wife and daughter, and imme- 
diately fled to the wilderness, carrying with them their captive boy. He ever 
afterward lived among the Indians, completely forgetting his native tongue, 
though ho learned it again before he died, so as to converse quite fluentlj-. He 
was afterward induced to visit his relatives and fi'ieuds; but refused to remain 
among them, prefeiring, as ho said, " the innocent and unrestrained indulgences 
of the Indian's life to the arbitrary restraints of civilized society.' Vanmeter 
was a man of more than ordinary decision of character, of a benevolent dis- 
position, and friendly to the whites. Owning a large stock of cattle and sev- 
eral horses, early settlers relied much upon his generosity; and it was not in 
vain that they sought relief at his hands in times of distress and destitution. 
Ho maniod a woman of the Seneca nation (a relative of tho celebrated Brandt, 
whose name is well known in the State of New Yoi'k). and died some years ago 
on the grant made him by the United States. "" Johnny married a Mohawk 
Indian woman, commonly called Susan Brandt, and became an Indian of the 
Indians. The marriage ceremony was very simple: Johnny went into the 
forest and killed a deer, which he brought to Thomas Brandt's cabin. Susan 
gathered some corn, and returning to her brother's cabin received Johnny's 
present of the deer, cooked the corn and venison together, of which both ate 
in the presence of witnesses, and thus a marriage ceremony was gone through. 
Some few years after the death of one of the '\\'eleh brothers, about 1S26, 
John Vanmeter, Sr. . died here. Having learned to speak the English lan- 
guage between ISliJ and the date of his death, he became a favorite with the 
first white settlers, all of w'hom attended his funeral, and one of whom 
e.\humed his body in 1S2U or ISHO for the purpose of obtaining the skeleton. 
The families of John Vanmeter, Jr., old Susan Vanmeter. the three families of 
the Brandts, the negro preacher, Jonathan Pointer, and twenty other lodges 
of Mohawks left their happy hunting-gi'ounds on Honey Creek for that portion 
of Kansas now known as Cherokee County, but subsequently moved 100 miles 
south to tho Lower Neosha Country. 

Thomas and Hugh AVelch. who settled in Eden Township in February, 1810, 
on land which was the property of David Olmstead in 1847, and Martin and 



540 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

John Welch, who settled in Eden in June, 1819, were the pioneers of Ameri- 
can civilization. Butterfi eld noticing the settlement says: "In the month of 
Febniaiy, 1819, Thomas and Hugh Welch started from Hiu'on County to seek 
a home in the wilds of Seneca. Having reached the limits of the county, as 
since defined, they soon strack a beaiitifiil stream of water, where they encamped 
for the night. On awakening in the morning a beautiful sight met their vision. 
The sun just peeping over the distant horizon, giving a fantastic glimmer to 
the lovely forest trees, whose lofty stems and wide-spread branches, the latter 
covered with verdant leaves, and overshadowing them as they lay under the 
broad canopy of heaven, shielded by naught but these ' monarchs of the for- 
est, ' the grand old oak, the now precious black walnut, and the less pretentious 
hickory! All these trees, in natiu'e's bounteousness, thickly grou]ied together, 
formed one dense, but valualile forest. Here and there, amid this beauteous 
scene, were growing in the infant spring the odoriferous leek, and a few wild 
flowers disseminated their fi-agrance in the silent woods. The spot was pro- 
tected from the severity of winter by the overhanging branches of the siuround- 
ing trees, which assisted nature in the production of this early vernal vegeta- 
tion. The stream where they had encamped was Honey Creek. .The following 
morning they proceeded down the stream imtil they an-ived within the 
present limits of Eden Township. In the vicinity of what is now the i-esi- 
dence of "William Fleet, they came iipon a band of Seneca Indians employed 
in making sugar, and with them they again encamped for the night. The next 
morning, pursuing their journey down the creek, they anived at a jNIohawk In 
dian village, consisting of about twenty log-huts, pleasantly sitiiated upon both 
sides of the stream. This village w;is located on a tract of land of 1,00(1 
acres, granted at the treaty of the Miami of Lake Erie to one John Yanmeter, 
a white man, and to his wife's brothers." 

John Searles, of whom reference is made in the history of Tiffin and Fort 
Ball, was one of the first resident citizens within the old fort in 1820. He 
moved to Eden Township in the fall, and, in April, 182 1. assisted by the Welch 
brothers, including Henry, not hitherto mentioned, opened a road from Section 
30. Clintop, to Section 4. Eden. This Searles was a soldier of 1812, and a 
useful citizen of the county up to his death in 1844. 

Ira Holmes, an old settler of Chenango County, N. Y. . and a native of 
that State, came in immediately after the Searles family, and about the same 
time the Sponables, Clarks, Browns, Knapps, Craws and Daniel Pratt came to 
the county and decided on making their homes in Eden. 

Personal Mention of Pioneern. — A. N. Ajrmstrong came in 1847. 

Baker family, four brothers, Franklin, Thomas, John and Richard, and four 
sisters, Mary Baker, Sophia (Baker) Stearns, Lucretia (Baker) Ainold and Ann 
(Baker) Knapp, all children of Samuel Baker, and natives of Connecticut, were 
represented in the township in 1822 by Franklin and Thomas. John came in 
1823; Sophia (Stearns) settled with her husband on Eock Creek in 1828, and 
Richard near Melmore in 1885, the latter coming from Steuben County, N. Y. 
. . . .John W. Barrick, born in Maryland in 1817, and his mother. ]\Ii-s. George 
Barrick, who died in 1858, settled here in 1846. . . .Rev. Joseph Bever, a native 
of Virginia, after doing considerable ])ioneer work in other jsarts of the State, 
settled here in 1823. . . .Peter Bever came at the same time. . , .George Bever, 
a native of Rockingham County, Ya., in 1800, and one of the old residents of 
this county, died in 1 869 .... John and Eliza (Lewis) Bigham. natives of 
Maryland, parents of John Bigham, of Jackson Township, came to Eden 
Township in 1834. . . .Mrs. Sarah BorofF. of Yu-ginia, widow of Henrj' BorofF, 
came to this county at an early day, bringing four children, of whom Mrs. 



EDEN TOWNSHIP. 541 

John L. Cross, of Eden Township (married in 183'J), is one.... Jacob and 
Phila (Wolf) Bretz, p:irents of Mrs. Capt. R. H. Bever, of Tilfin, were pio- 
neers of Eden Township .... Th(> Brundaijjo family came in 1824 .... Aaron Bur- 
ton, who died in the county inlirmary in December. 1884, resided in Eden for 
over half a centm-y. It is said that he was between one hiuub-ed and three and 
one huutb-ed and four years old at the time of his death. He recollected and 
could relate many incidents oi the Revolutionary war, and remembered distinctly 
having seen the horse rode by(ien. George Washington . . . .An.son Burliugame, 
of Chinese treaty fame, was an early settler and school teacher of Eden Town- 
ship. . . .Jacob and Adeline (Wilson) Buskirk came fi'om Pennsylvania in 1832, 
to Melmore, bringing their infailt son, Albert Buskirk, who was born that year 
in Pennsvlvania. Here Jacob Buskirk died in 1887; his widow died in Lima, 
Ohio. inbSSO Amroy Butterfield, who was killed July Hi, 1830, at Mel- 
more, was one of the early settlers of Eden. His son. Consul Buttertield, was 
the Urst historian of the coiinty, publishing a small book in 1848, and a history 
of Crawford's campaign and death. subsequently. His daughter, a contributor 
to Madame Demorest's Magazine, New York, and subsequently a correspondent 
of the New York Herald at Paris, man-ied the ex-priest Hyacinthe, at one time 
a celebrated preacher. There were six other chikh'en, all of whom were pio- 
neers of this township .... Ezra Brown, who settled in Eden Township in 1 82 1 , 
with his brother. Case Brown, was a soldier of 1812, and a comrade of Richard 
Jaqua, escaping with him from Canada, and participating in many of his ad- 
ventures. 

Jacob and Elizabeth (Johnson) Chamberlain, parents of Scudder Chamber- 
lain, of Tiffin, who was born in New Jersey in 181*J, came from New Jersey, 
settling in Melmore in 183(5. .. .Matthias Clark and his wife, Maria (Cope- 
land) Clark, natives of Pennsylvania, were pioneers of Wayne County, Ohio, 
and early residents of Seneca County, Ohio .... Samuel Clark, of Eden Town- 
ship, died in 1832 .... James Corbett, father of Martin Corbett, settled in 
Eden Township prior to 1830 .... John and Deborah (Comegys) Cross, natives 
of Maryland, parents of John L. Cross, of Eden Township (who was born in 
Virginia in 1812), came to Eden Township in 1828. 

John and Elizabeth (Eckhart) Ditto, man-ied October 14, 1814, settled in 
Clinton Township in 1822, and also owned an eighty acre tract in Eden Town- 
ship. John died in 1853. He served in the war of 1812, located at Pickaway, 
Ohio, after the war. and came to Seneca to share in the hunt with the Mohawks 
and W'yandots .... Mi's. Eliza Ditto was born on the Atlantic Ocean, while her 
parents were emigrating to America from Germany. June 23, 1795. She and 
her husband settled in Seneca Coiinty at a veiy early day, and for over sixty years 
resided on their farm. She died August 9, 1885. . . .John and Caroline (Hol- 
den) Downs, former a native of Virginia, latter of Kentucliy, parents of John 
L. Downs, of Eden Township (who was born in Ohio in 1N12), came to Eden 
Township in 1824, Mi*. Downs having previously been here to enter and clear 
up land. 

William Ferguson, born in Pennsylvania in 1817, came to Seneca County 
in 1845, first living on SUver Creek, then piu'chasing the farm where he now 
resides in Eden Township .... William Fleet, a native of New York State, 
father of Dr. W. D. Fleet (who was born in 1849 in Eden Township), came to 
Ohio in 1830, settling in Eden Township, whore ho afterward owned about 
1.000 acres of land. He died in 1880. . . .Charles C. and Caroline B. (Boyd) 
Fox, former a native of New York, latter of Pennsylvania, parents of James B. 
Fox of Fostoria (who was born in 1840 in Eden Townshiji), were pioneers here. 
Charles C. died in Wyandot County in 1880, aged seventy-six years. 



542 HISTORY OF SENECA COUxXTV. 

Madison P. Geiger, a native of Baden, Gennany, came to Seneca County 
in 1885; died in 1861.... John Gibson, whose parents came fi'om Ireland 
about the period of the Eevohitionaiy war, settled in Eden Township late in 
the summer of 1822, and there had erected on his farm the first barn ever 
raised in Seneca County. He was a most estimable citizen. In early years it 
was his custom to call his sons together in the evening, propose a subject for 
discussion, and apportion, as it were, to each the aifii'mative or negative. The 
debate w^s carried on in his own presence, and followed by his criticism and 
judgment. Gen. Gibson, his son, who was brought to the township in 1822. 
the year of his birth, is an example of what such a training is capable of 
developing .... Dr. Selden Graves, James Gray and a few others mentioned 
in the chapters on lawyers, physicians and general histoiy, were among the 
pioneers. 

Samuel Herin born in 1812, in Pensylvania. came to Ohio in 1828, with 
his parents, James and Mary (Smitli) Herin, and settled near Tiffin, where his 
father, who died in 1833. had entered eighty acres of land. He afterward bought 
and moved to the farm where he now resides. .. .Micajah Heaton settled in 
Eden in 1829; died in 1 866 .... Jonas and Martha Hershberger, parents of 
Mrs. William L. Keid, of Bloom Township, came from Virginia and settled 
in Eden Township in 1833. . . .Dr. Daniel Hough came in 1822. 

Richard Jaqua, born in New York in 1787, moved to Leeds County, On- 
tario, Canada, in 179(*. with his parents; was mamedto Eliza Ouilsee in 1810. 
In 1812 he was drafted, but escaped ser\'ice in the British army by crossing 
the St. Lawrence. He subsequently engaged in the dangerous work of assisst- 
ing Americans, who, like himself, were drafted, but wished to serve then- own 
country. His adventiu'es and escapes in this sei-vice were muneroiis and thrill- 
ing. In 1814 he entered the United States regular service and worked ear- 
nestly and well for the young Union, In 1813 he brought his family to the 
United States, moved to Eden Township in 1822, and died here September 
26, 1878. His wife died in May, 1877. in her eighty-seventh year. From 
1872 till his death he was a pensioner of the war of 1812. this consideration 
being won for him thi-ough the exertion of Congi'essman Charles Foster .... 
John C. Jones who erected the first house at Melmore in 1824, died there in 
1828. 

Abraham and Elizabeth ( Wrouff) Kagy, (parents of the widow Barbara 
Martin, late of Eden Township, ) were among the pioneers . , . . John Kagy. one 
of the pioneers of Eden, died at luka. 111,, in March, 1885, while visiting 
with his daughter Mrs. Huddle. He was about ninety years old .... Isaac Kagy 
was appointed coimty treasm-er in 1885, to succeed John Heabler. He 
served as auditor fi'om 1862 to I860; was elected representative in 18(55. and 
was appointed auditor to till vacancy in 1 872 . . . . H. P. Kennedy, a native of 
Ohio, settled in Eden Township in 1845; Samuel Koch, a Pennsylvanian, came 
in 1853, and George "W. Kishler in 1854. . . .Coi. James Kilbourne, one of the 
pioneer surveyors, laid out the town of Melmore for Case. Jolly and Ezra 

Brown in 1824 The Knights settled hereabout 1825 July 23, 1831, one 

Olive Knight is alleged to have burned the dwelling house of Joseph Trask, in 
Eden Township. She was brought to trial in March, 1832, when the jiirj- 
declared her not guilty. > 

Dr. Hem-y Ladd, a native of New York State, settled in Eden, in 1839 .... 
Otho and Belinda (Street) Lease, parents of Lloyd Non-is Lease, of Tiffin, 
were natives of Maryland; located in 1832 in Eden Township (where Lloyd 
Xoiris was born in 1838). and removed to Sandusky- County in 1846. Eden 
Lease, born in Maryland in IS 13. settled in Eden in 1835, and shortly after 



A 







4 



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a V \ ■ 




rj/'T^ ;^^:^ 



EDEN TOWNSHIP. 545 

piu'chased his proseiit farm .... Esau (t. Leiilv, Ijoni in Columbiana County, 
Penn., July 28. 1817, settled in Edeu Township in 1 834, died June T). 1885..!. 
Peter Lantz located in Wyandot County, in 182U, moved thence to Seneca 
County, and died in ISTd. . . .Clarence Linn, a native of Ohio, settled at Mel- 
more in 1841 ... . Ruel Looinis settled on Section 1(5, Eden, 1822, with his wife 
Anna (Lyon) Loomis and son Wildman Loomis. He died in I8r)2, and his 
widow in 1857. 

:Mi-s. Elizabeth (Boyd) McClelland (widow of Hucrh McClelland, who died 
in about 1823), mother of Samuel B. McClelland, of Bloom Township (who 
was born in 1818, in Pennsylvania), came to Eden I'ownship with her young 
family in 1830. Samuel B. McClelland moved into Bloom Township in 1853, 
and there settled. . . .Samuel and Mary Martin, natives of Pennsylvania, jiar- 
ents of Robert M. C. Martin, late of Eden Township (born in 1822, in Perry 
County, Ohio, died in April, 187!)), came to Seneca County in 1827, locating 
on land in Section 19, Eden Townshi]). which land Samuel Martin held until 
his death in April, 18(34. . . .Hamilton McCollister was a justice of the peace of 
Eden Township in 1825, and for many years after was a well known character 
in pione(>r times. He it was who had Judge Matthew Clark lirought before 
him for driving hogs on the Sabbath, and imposed a tine on Judge Lane's old 
associate. Clark appealed the case, and also (>ntered suit for $3,000 against 
McCollister. . . . Josiah Meeker, a native of Ohio, settled here in 1831 .. . .John 
Mimm was among the pioneers, but little of him can be learned, and that little 
unauthentic. . . .Miles Mitten settled in Seneca in 183S; moved to Wyandot in 
1843. died iu 18()5. . . .Joshua D. Munsell, who died in 1833, owned lands in 
this townshi |i in Town 1 north, Kange 15 east. 

Lloyd Norris, who settled in Eden Township in 1828, is said to have served 
in the ilexicau war. His death took place December (i, 1800, aged sixty-one 
years and six mouths. 

John O'Connell. one of the early settlers of Eden, came from Stark County, 
Ohio. . , .Mrs. S. M. Ogden, died April 8. 1884, aged sixty-one years. . . .Jesse 
S. Olmsted and David Olmsted were among the pioneers. 

Jacob and Esther (Heisbaum) Price (both deceased), natives of Virginia, 
parents of Daniel Price, of Eden Townshi]> (who was* born here in 1835), 
settled on Section 20, Eden Township, in 1823, where .JacoV) Price's father-in- 
law had entered land .... Philip J. Price, an early settler, is noticed in the 
historv of Melmore. 

E." Itandall settled in Eden in 1831 Mrs. Eliza B. (Watson) Reid, wife 

of John T. Reid, of Bloomville, was born in Pennsylvania in 1810, and came 
to Eden Township with her widowed mother. Mrs. Elizabeth McClelland, iu 
1830. . . .George Robert.son, owner of the south part of the west half of the 
southeast quarter of Section 12, Town 1 north. Range 15 east, died about 
1834. . . .Barnabas Rogers, a native of Vermont, father of Lorenzo Rogers, of 
Eden Township (who was born in 1810, in Lake County, Ohio), when a young 
man. came to Ohio on foot, making shoes as he journeyed. He entered laud 
in 1824, in Eden Township, and here died in 1870. His wife died in 1874. 

Lewis Seitz (son of Joliii Seitz. (ierman immigrant, of 1707) entered lands 
in Bloom Township, in 1821. His son, Lewis Seitz, Jr., now eighty-three 
years old, is still living; while his gi'andson. John Seitz, born in Bloom Town- 
ship, in 1825, is a resident of Eden Township since 18t)5. . . .Magdalene, wife 
of John Seitz. who came to this county in 1823, died Februaiw 20, 1802. . . . 
Mi-s. Ann Seitz. wife of Abram Seitz, died at San Francisco, Cal. , June 0, 
1883. aged sixty -seven years. She moved fi'om Melmore to the Pacific Coast 
eighteen years prior to her death .... Samuel Saul, bom in Pennsylvania in 

20 



546 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

'1801. settled in Edeu Towiibhip iu 1828 .... John Searles. a soldier of the war 
of 1812. located at Fort Ball in 1820; moved to Eden in 1821; settled there iu 
1825; died in May, 1844, and his widow, Jane (Dunken) Searles, in 1870. . . . 
Hezekiah Searles, born in Fairtiekl County, Ohio, December 4, 1810, came, in 
September. 1820, to Fort Ball; moved with parents to Eden Township in 1821 
. . . .David and Nancy (Beery) Stalter were old residents of Eden Township, 
former one of the township" s most enterprising farmers until 1S()8 .... James M. 
Stevens, of Melmore. died in December, 182'J. leaving live chilch-en. of whom 
Elizabeth Ann Stevens was the only one over foiu'teen years old. A. Coffinberry 
was their guardian ad litem. He settled here in 1827. and Ijuilt the hrst grist 
mill in the township. . . .Thomas Stripe Settled on the Vanatta farm in 1822; 
moved to Lower Sandusky in 1825 .... John Sweinhelm. now of Wyandot 
Coiinty, came here in lS4(t. . . . J. W. Stewai-t settled in 1845, and R. C. Steele 
in 18yO. . . .Joseph and Susanna Swigart. natives of Maryland, were early set- 
tlers of the township. 

Jojiathan and Susan (Beaty) Tittle, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of 
John Tittle, of Eden Township (who was born in Pennsylvania in 1820), came 
to this township in 1 840 .... The Trasks were also early settlers. Joseph 
Trask' s dwelling house was the tirst destroyed l)y tire in the township. 

Henry Umstead. a native of Maryland, settled at Melmore in LS80. 

Philip Von Blon settled in Eden in 1834; moved to TilSn in later years, 
and died there some years ago. 

Dr. T. J. West, born in the county in 1836. His father. Thomas West, 
settled in the county in 1820. and located lands in Eden in 1822 .... James B. 
Watson settled in Eden Township in 1831 .... Martin Welch, brother of Thomas 
Welch, settled in Eden in June, 1819; moved to Wyandot County ; is deceased. 
. . . .John Welch, brother of Martin Welch, settled in Eden in June. 181U (see 
Political History); is deceased. . . .Thomas Welch settled in Eden Township in 
February. 181U, and died there in 1821 . . . .Henry Welch settled here with his 
family, but moved to Tiihn in 1822. and build one of the tii'st cabins there .... 
Hugh Welch settled in Eden Township in February, 1819, and, with his 
brother, Thomas, made the first white settlement there. He is the second 
senior settler of the cofinty. 

There were others who could claim memliership with pioneers, of whom little 
or nothing of an authentic character can lie learned. In our researches we 
find following names of parties residing in Eden Township, outside of Mel- 
more. in 1847-48, as subscribers to Buttertield's History: 

George Kennedy, Isaiah Kline, J. L. Downs, L. Chamberlin, J. Lawi-ence. 
Samuel Seitz. William Wing, John Crum, R. Jaqua, E. Trimer, J. Osen- 
braugh. Harry Blackman, John Wolf. R. Holmes, N. E. Merrill, John Zin- 
ger, M. C. Gibson, P. Springer, Joseph Hall, W. Dilley, Lloyd Morris, M. K. 
Kern, Samuel Herrin. Amos Nichols. John Kagy. E. S. Bellamy. Joel Wright. 
J. G. Patterson, R. W. Bellamv. George Swigevt. Samuel Garber, Seneca C. 
Wing, W. B. Matthewson. H. W. Blackman. Ed Tollman. R. L. Speer. R. H. 
Squier, Samuel Grelle. Ben. Brundage. G. Cowles. D. W. Graves. Elizabeth 
Graves, J. B. Watson, Vi'. Watson, W. Brown. Isaac Bretz and A. K. Bretz. 

MELMOKE VILLAGE. 

The town of Melmore was projected and surveyed by James Kilbourne on 
Honey Creek, north of the islands known as Mill, Middle and Duck Islands, in 
1826, and the plat accepted Februarj' 24, that year. The principal part of 
the town was laid out on the west half of southwest quarter of Section 23, 
Town 1, Range 15 east, and minor parts on the lands of Case, Jolly and Ezra 



KDCN TDWXSIIll'. .547 

Brown. Price's iuldition to Molinore was surveyed by Setb Kline. April 4, IS^Ii, 
for I'lulip J. Price. 

The first il welling house at Melmore was erected in 1!S'J4 by John t,'. Jones, 
who died there in IN2S. Buckley Hutchins ojx'ned the first store at Mehnore. 
Sej)teinber '2S. 18'J4, and carried it on in connection with the ])ostoffice for a 
nunilier of years. Joshua D. Munsell kept the first tavern at Melmore. Sel- 
den Graves, the first I'esident and jiracticini; physician of Seneca, settled in 
Eden To\Ynship. March (■). ISHl'. Dr. Daniel M. Bate was the first resident 
j)hysician at Melmore. The physicians at Melmore, in 1S47. were liobert McD. 
Gibson, Timothy 51. Smith and Henry Ladd. Dr. West practiced here for 
some time [)rior to his removal to Tiffin. Dr. R. G. Steele is now one cif the 
resident j)hysicians. 

Among those who wei'e in the village in 1{S4S, were following patrons 
of Butterfield's work : Adeline and Laura Bnskirk. ^laria Coleman. 
Angelina and Amanda Arnold. Maria Ireland. Emily Buttertield, Bobert 
McD. Gil)sou. John Lambei-.son. J. F. Newton. P. J. Price. Isaac Arnold. D. 
P. Edgar. John C. Kingner. T. JL Smith, N. N. Wright. W. Lightcap, Jacob 
C. High. W. C. Stevens. E. B. Kingner. F. ^^'. Buttertield, H. J. Roberts, S. 
Chamberlain, Jacob Chamberlain. James Gray, Sylvester Arnold, H. Pratt. D. M. 
Bate, James M. Stephens. W. Melroy, George W. Chamberlin. H. Smith. H. 
Kline. E. Seitz, J. C. R. Eastman, J. Weeks, Moses King, H. K. Burg. G. A. 
Blackwell, J. M. Chanchey. H. Ladd, George R. Weeks, J. Cross. H. Arnold 
and E. J. Chamberlin. 

Postiiiafiti'rfi. — Hugh Welch, the first postmaster appointed in the c(innty. 
was the tirst in Eden Township, holding the office fi'om August 4, l!Sl!.">, and 
carrying it on at his home. Buckley Hutchins was the lii'st postmaster ap- 
pointed at !M<>liiiore. He was succeeded by Philip J. Price, who held the office 
in 1S4T. In November, 1S47, a meeting was held at Melmore. with Richard 
Jaqua, presiding, and J. M. Smith, secretary, to consider charges againt Post- 
master Philip J. Price, made by fi'iends of Dr. D. M. Bate. Resolutions of 
contid(>nce in Price were adopted. W. B. Matthewson, Levi Chamberlain and 
Isaac Arnold formed the committee on resplutions. Horace Arnold was suc- 
ceeded l)v (J. A. Allen in September, LSSo. 

.V(7/.s (iiiil Millers. —The first grist-mill erected in this county was built in 
1S21 by Ezra Brown and Case Brown, above Melmore. Here (George Free, of 
Bloom Township, brought the first grist and had it groinid l)y the enter])rising 
millers. John Kinger's grist-mill was erected on Honey Creek, below Melmore, 
in 1N27. The MoitIs grist-mill on Vanmeter Creek, near Honey Creek, received 
its power fi'om water drawn from the lake through a race. This mill was 
burned down some years ago. The Stonebreaker INIill on Honey Ci'eek. was 
operated by George M'. Cunningham in ISafi. The Warner Flouring-mill at 
Melmore. and the Meyer's Saw-mill are thriving industries. The Lotunis Mill 
on Section "2(1, the Huddle Mill on Section U. the mill and race in the bend of 
Honey Creek, Section 27,' the Grelle Mill, Stewart Mill and other industries 
mark the jirogi-ess of the township. ' 

Till- Biisiticss and Profeaniannl Circle in 18X4-85. was made up as follows : 
H. Arnold. A. Benham. druggists; J. W. Holmes, H. Ladd, E. J. A\"est (now 
of Tiffin), R. G. Steele, physicians; H. Beals, Levi Starkey, furniture: Cham- 
berlin & Seiple, J. & H. Melroy, died within last year; D. Melroy. wagon - 
maker; Joseph Coby, cooper: J. J. Crouse, H. C. Pittman. boots and shoes; 
S. Ireland, L. Lee, Samuel Myers, E. E. Coom-ad. blacksmiths (Ireland moved 
to Kansas in 1884). Melroy, meat market: A. H. Myers, slate roofer; I. 
Myers (now L. C. Leidv), saloon; Samuel Myers saw-mill; B. F. \\' alters. B. 



548 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

AV. ^\";imer. flour-mOlers; H. H. Seiple. coaf ectionerv ; L. Bowlus. tiiy goods 
and groceries; G. A. Allen, postmaster; H. H. Seiple, boarding-house; H. 
Beals, undertaker. The churches are the Methodist Episcopal. Presbyterian, 
United Brethren and Evangelical. 

In 1!S80. when it was evident that Melmore was to lose the line 
of the Mad Kiver \- Lake Erie Railroad the citizens joined together in an 
enterprise which i)romised to meet the loss of the pioneer railroad. The 
Melmore & Kepnl)lic Railroad Company was organized, books were opened at 
Jacob Bnskirk's Temperance Hotel (the pioneer temperance honse of Ohio), 
Melmore. at the Miller Tavern, at Republic, and Bradley's Washington House, 
Tiffin, in July, 1830, while the following named citizens and directors worked 
day and night to obtain a railroad for the \'illage: B. Hntchins, P. J. Price, 
Case Brown. M. Heaton. Selden Graves. T. J. Baker. W . Patterson. I. J. 
Halsey. William Cornell. T. P. Roberts. Samuel Waggoner. H. McCollister 
and Calvin BratUey. 

Societies. — Eden Lodge No. 310, F. & A. M. was organized in October, 
]8dS, and was chartered October 20. Ihoit, with the following members : 
Richard Jaqna. D. A\". Eastman. A. H. Lee, F. D. Rodgers and E. Reynolds. 
James H. Stevens was tirst Master. Amos L. ^\"estover, S. '\\"., and E. J. 
Chamberlin, J. W. The Past Masters are J. H. Stevens. 1858; A. H. Lee, 
1801. H. B. Martin. 1808. J. M. Stevens, 1804, J. W. Ban-ick, 1800; J. A. 
Gibson. 1807. Eleazer Shiimaker, 1809; J. AA'. Bamck. 1871. J. F. Gregg, 
1875; E. Shumaker. 1870: J. F. Gregg. 1880. who is now Master. H. C. 
Pittman has served as recorder for eight years, succeeding A. B. Stewart and 
Dr. T. J. West in 1874, and L. G. Cole iii 1880. 

The present officers are J. F. Gregg, ^\'. M. ; Cephas Bartleson. S. W. ; J. 
W. Warner. J. W. : H. C. Pittman, R. S. ; Silas Hottle. treasurer; James 
Chamberlin. Tyler; L. G. Coe. S. D. The present number of members is 
thiiiy-foiu-. The old Masonic Hall, erected about sixteen years ago. is the 
property of the lodge. This lodge was incorporated July Vt. 1800. 

Melmore Lodge No. 174 I. O. O. F. was chartered July 18. 1850. and 
instituted in 1851. with tlu> following members : Scudder Chamberlain. E. J. 
Chamberlin. AV alter S. Burns. James M. Stevens. J. F. Krauss; and incor- 
porated April '1. 1851. The Past Grands of this lodge. E. J. Chamberlin, 

W. S. Burns. 1S51: J. S. Chamberiin. W. C. Stevens. 185-_': King. J. 51. 

Stevens. 1853: Chamberlin. N. G. : H. Arnold. N. G.. 1854; D. Richards 

S. Chamberlin. 1855; Dr. H. B. Martin. E. R. M'ebb. 185(5; E. J. Chamberiin, 
Isaac Cole. 1857: E. Reynolds. J. C. Rozegrant. 1858; J. J. Crouse. D. 
Driscoll. 1859; Abram Cox. E. Adams. 1800: A. G. Oder. J. H. Freese, 
1801: S. Waller. W. C. Stevens. 1802: J. Crum. S. H. Treat. 1803; J. Dela- 
mater. Horace Arnold. 18()4: L. M. Waller. J. Feighner. 18(55: Charles Craw- 
ford, S. H. Treat. J. McLaughlin. 1800: Samiiel Herrin. 18(57: J. J. Crouse, 
Julius A. Wolf. 1.S08: J. C. Holt. l.S(5',): N. Holt. A. B. Saltzer. 1870; J. A. 
Ransom. E. W. Seijile. 18(1; B. F. Hudson. Y. Underwood. 18/2; S. D. 
Thompson. T. J. West. 1873: L. C. Leidy. J. W. Warner. 1874; R. A. Cole, 
S. Wisman. 1875; H. A. Bowlus, S. Brooks. 1870; H. C. Pittman. S. C. 
Fauber. 1877; W. P. Noel. L. G. Cole. 1878; A. P. Cooke. John Con-ell. 1879; 
W. S. Kline, E. W. Seiple. 1880; J. W. Warner, J. C. Kemp. 1881; T. J. 
West. J. W. Warner. 1882; G. W. Snyder. A. B. Cook, 1883; J. CorreU, J- 
Orner. 1884: J. W. Warner. 1885. There are twenty-live members. They 
own the Hutehins brick Ijuilding on Main Sti-eet. 

Melmore Temple No. 103. I. O. G. T.. was reorganized under State Law, 
December 8. 18(58, with Edward Ming. W. C. T.. Eliza Johnson. W. Y. T., 
and James A. Gibson. P. W. C. T.. trustees. 



EDEN TOWNSHIP. 549 

The Eiloii Litorary Chili is iui iufliiontial society, \vhicli has been carried 
on for some years most successfully. 

Churcfu's. — The Methodist Society of Eden Township was the first organ- 
ized in the county, about 1S21 or 1822. In 1828, this society erected the first 
l()f;-chiu-ch building on Section 28, in the Shock neighljorhood. Among the 
early preachers weri> James M'ilson, W. Brock, Martin ^\■elch. G. W . Breck- 
im-idge, J. IX. Jewett. Thomas Thompson and William Eunueels. all of whom 
preached in Eden Township, prior to 1818. The first class at Melmore was 
organized by Kev. Thomas Thompson, in Levi Cunningham's shop, no church 
building being then in existence in the village. The members of this class 
were ^\'illiam Brown, Rachel Lucretia Arnold Brown, Nancy Cunningham, 
Maria Coleman, Harriet Hoyt, Martin A\'elch. Sarah W(»lch; Martin Welch 
was the first class leader. Samuel Baker has been recording steward since 
187."). 

The first Methodist Episcojial Church in Melmore was built and dedicated 
in 1830, by L. B. (iurley. Thomas Thompson and Philip \\ areham were 
circuit preachers. The present church (1885), was built in 1850. and dedi- 
cated winter of 1850-51. Amroy Butterfield, of Melmore, was killed July 10, 
1N80, while engaged in raising this Methodist meeting house. The preachers 
since 1848 are named as follows : Leonard Hill, 1848; Ralph Wilcox and 
C. Bavlor, 1849; W. C. Huestis and N. B. Wilson, 1850; Heniy Warner and 
George W. Collier. 1851; T. J. Monnett, 1852; L. S. Johnson and W. R. Kis- 
ler, 1853; W. M. Spafford, 1854; Uri Richards, 1855-50; Ralph Wilcox, 1855; 
John R. Jewett, 1857; Dennis Dreskell. 1857-58; Jesse Williams and Thomas 
Thompson, 1850; Newell J. Close and W\ C. Huestis, 1801; George "\\". 
Dunn, 1802; John McKean, 1808; George McKillips and Orlandt) Pearce, 
1805; A. P. Jones, 1807; Thomas Thompson. 1807-08: T. J. Gard, Thomas 
Thompson and S. D. Seymour. 18()U; Luke S. Johnson. 18il: G. L. Hana- 
wait. 1872: AV. C. Huestis and E. S. Thompkins. 1873; J. A. Kaull, 1874; 
Joshua Crawford, 1875; A. P. Jones, 1877; William Jones, 18(8; Joseph 
Mattock. 187U; T. J. Gard, 1881; James A. Kellam, 1885-80. 

In 1830 the Rev. John Robinson j)reached to the Presbyterians of the 
county, and about this time the first Presbyterian Church was founded at Mel- 
more. On the organization of the Presbj-terian Church at Tiffin inJidy, 1831, 
a number of the original members withtb'ew to join that society, and in Sep- 
tember of the same year, the new society at Republic claimed another quota of 
(he old church membership. 

The Presbyterian congregati(jn of Melmore, comprising the members of the 
first Presbyterian Church of Eden Township, was incorjiorated August lU. 
1848, with Hugh McAllister. L(ivi Chamberlin and Benjamin M. Gibson, trus- 
tees, and R. McD. Gibson, clerk. Rev. A. D. Chapman was chairman of the 
meeting. 

Throughout its early history the preachers named in the history of the Tiffin 
and Republic churches were identified with this church at Melmore. Rev.Mc- 
Cutchen followed Rev. Thompson; Revs. A. S. Dunton and John ^\'hipple filled 
the puli)it from 1837 to 1.S52. 

The United Brethren Church of Melmore. the first established in Seneca 
County, was organized at Melmore. May 12. 1834, at the home of I'hilip 
Breta;. There were i)resent Samuel Hiestand. Jacob Bowlus, John Russell. 
John Eekert, Jacob Baer. Israel Herrington, D. Mechlin, Orange Strong, 
William Tracy. Nathan Smith, John Crum. John Alsap. Benjamin Moore, 
Henry Errett. John Smith. John Fry. Torence Esterly. Ludwick Cramer, James 
Track. H. Vreimberling. Jacob Crum. John Long. Philip Cramer. George 



550 HISTORY UF SENECA COfNTV. 

Hiskey, Henry Huber: Israel Hen-ington was ordained elder. In 1846 the con- 
ference met in the stone church, known as Bretz"s Meeting House, a mile up 
Honey Creek from !Melmore. This was the first United Brethren Church in 
the county and continued in use uutil about 1858. when the present chiu'ch at 
!Melmore was erected. 

Up to 1 N48 Honey Creek was a part of Seneca Ch'cuit. but the conference 
held that year at JMelmore set off the Honey Creek Circuit as a mission of 
Seneca Circuit, with D. Glancy. preacher. In 180"), the missions known as 
Seneca Union, Honey Creek Chapel and Liberty were detached fi'om Seneca 
Cu'cuit, Base Line fi'om Benton Circuit, Berwick from Van Lue Circuit, and all 
formed into the Honey Creek Circuit, with Rev. Isaac Crouse, preacher. T. J. 
McKeeu came in 18(K); H. K. Berry, in 1807: B. Struble. in 1S(J8, with ^Villiam 
Mathers (Protestant Episcopal); W. Miller (Protestant Episcopal) in ISOIJ; \V. 
A. Keesv in 1870-71: C. Hepler, 1S72: E. B. Maurer, 187::i-74; H. C. Beving- 
ton, 187"r); W. AV. McCurdy. 187(j-77: N. S. Long, 1878-79; M, E. Spahr. 
1880-81; G. P. Mackliu, 1.S82-83, and J. H. Arnold, 1884. The member.ship 
is 204. 

The church of the Evangelical Association at Melmore. of which Kev. E. 
Wengard is pastor, is one of the old churches of this society in Seneca County. 

Cemeteries. — The Buckeye Cemetery Association of Eden Township, com- 
posed of persons interested in the old cemetery on the farm of Solomon Brundage, 
was organized June 29, 1801, with Joseph Smith, Gamaliel Cowles and John 
Bigham, trustees. There are no less than live burial-grounds in the township. 
Of the Indian cemeteries not a vestige remains, if we escep)t the mysterious 
mound and fortification referred to at page 195. 

CONCLUSION. 

This pastoral and picturesque division of Seneca was formed on founda- 
tions which promised teeming wealth and sunny prosperity, by the enterpris- 
ing pioneer farmers who came here to stay and develop. Few of the original 
builders are here, but they live again, not only in the brighter land beyond the 
"swift Borysthenes, " but also here in spirit among the generations for which they 
labored late and early. The di-ama, which they tir.-t placed upon the stage, goes 
on, each year adding an act and each actor widening the scene, promising the 
play to hold the stage until the firmament is rolled uji, and time here ceases to 
be time. The hard hands which prepared the way forthe.se pretentious homes, 
these orchards, gardens, fields of golden grain; for filling the cities with the 
habitations of men, building schools, chiu-ches and all substantial evidences of 
Ijrosperity, are <juietly resting in old mother earth. The historian, conscious 
of a dixty, dwells among them for a time in study, and brings up a hundred 
names of those who commenced the work of civilization here, and blends them 
with present names, thus In-ingiug history down to our own times, and cover- 
ing sixty-six years of the township's life under American laws, customs and 
manners. 



HOPEWELL Towxamr. " 551 



CHAPTER XIX. 

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP. 

HOPEWELL, in tbo days of the earliest settlement, was known as Town- 
ship 2 north. Range 1-4 east. It was surveyed into sections and quarter 
sections in 1820 by J. T. Worthington, assisted by David Eisdon and others, 
and one year later was opened to entry in common mth all United States' 
lands in the county. In 1822 the first settlers looked in upon the scene, and 
staked their homes in the wilderness. Eight years later the population reached 
5411; eighteen years after settlement it increased to ',)18; twenty-eight years 
aft(>r to 1,28S, and fifty-eight years after settlement to 1.(582. The pop- 
ulation in 1885 is estimated at about 1,S(M), including Bascom YOlage. 
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad enters the township in the northwest cor- 
ner of Section 18, runs southeast across the township, and enters Tiffin in 
Section 24. The Mansfi(>ld, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Railroad was actually 
built and equipped, paralleling the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, but the ties and 
rails were taken up and sold when that entei-prise collapsed. The Indiana, 
Bloomington & Western Railroad rims southwest fi'om Tiffin through the south- 
east corner, and the Northwestern Ohio Railroad enters the township in the 
southeast quarter of Section 18 and enters Liberty Township at Section 1 of 
this towushi]). 

The Sanduskj' River fiows through the southeastern sections, and Honey 
Creek enters the river in Section 80 of this township, \\o\i Creek has a fork 
of its system in almost every section south of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, 
where it forms into two streams, which flow in a northeastern coiu'se to Section 
I , and there forms one of the forks of the main stream. 

The Niagara system does not show an outcroj>, but in the quarries near 
Bascom it appears near the surface. Waterlime presents itself in the bed of 
Wolf Creek. 

The soil of Hopewel! is fertile, and the siirfaee just sufficiently rolling to 
adm't of easy drainage and cultivation. 

Organic and Official. — The first election was held December 25, 1824, at 
Joseph Pool's house, eighteen days after the establishment (jf the township, 
when Nathan Cadwallader, John Stoner and John Rosenberger were elected 
trustees, James Gordon, clerk, and John Stoner, ti'easurer. The other offices 
were distributed among the few settlers then in the wilderness. As related in 
Chapter IV, the western part of Clinton Township formed a part of Hope- 
well for some years. Following is a list of officers since 1881 : 

1882. — Agreen Ingraham. W. Kimes, J. Crum; Ozias Hart, clerk. 

1883. — Peter ArVK)gast, A. Ingraham, John Crum; Ozias Hart, clerk. 

1834.— W. L. Ricketts, A. C. Spooner, W. Kimes; Ozias Hart, clerk. 

1835. — W. L. Ricketts, A. C. Spooner, John A. Rosenberger; Ozias Hart, 
clerk. 

1836. — Gideon Cui'tiss, J. S. Jennings, J. A. Rosenberger; Ozias Hart, 
clerk. 

1837. --Gideon Curtiss, J. S. Jennings, Alonson C. Spooner; Ozias Hart, 
clerk. 



552 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

1838. — A. K. Bachtel, J. A. Rosenberger, A. C. Spoouer; L. D. Shawhan, 
clerk. 

1839-44.— D. MeCracken, Andrew Wolf. Erastus Bowe; L. D. Shawliau. 
clerk. 1841. — Peter Young, clerk. 

1845. — C. Miizsetter. George Shaull, A. Wolf; Isaac Chenoweth, clerk. 

1846. — Levi Keller, C. Miizsetter, Levi Shedenlielm; Isaac Chenoweth, clerk. 

1847—48. — Levi Keller, C. Miizsetter, Levi Sliedenhelm; John Slosser, clerk. 

1849. — W. N. Dunn, C. Miizsetter, Levi Shedenhelm : A. C. Spooner, clerk. 

1850. — Levi Keller, C. Miizsetter, Levi Shedenhelm; A. C. Spooner, clerk. 

1851. — Levi Keller, C. Miizsetter, Levi Shedenhelm ; A. C. Spooner. clerk. 

1852. — Levi Keller, C. Miizsetter, Levi Shedenhelm; A. C. Spooner, clerk. 

1853. — William Dick, Levi Keller, C. Miizsetter; A. C. Spooner, clerk. 

1854. — Rezin Ricketts, J. M. Shaull, C. Miizsetter; A. C. Spooner, clerk. 

1855. — Rezin Ricketts, J. M. Shaull, C. Miizsetter; R. S. Baker, clerk. 

1856-58. — Benjamin Baker. Rezin Ricketts. J. M. ShaiiIl;R, S. Baker, clerk. 

1859.— A. G. Owen. J. M. Shaull, M. Coughlin; R. S. Baker, clerk. 

I860.— Michael Coughlin, A. G. Owen, Henrv' Kepple; R. S. Baker, clerk. 

1801. — James Creeger. A. G. Owen. J. M. Shaull: R. S. Baker, clerk. 

1862. — Michael Coughlin, H. Strausbaugh. A. G. Owens; S. A. Bopes, clerk. 

1863. — Chris Miilewiler, H. Strausbaugh. M. Coughlin; S. A. Bopes, clerk. 

1864. — Chris Miilewiler, H. Strausbaugh, M. Coughlin; S. A. Bopes, clerk. 

1805-60. — Benoni Rohrer,A. G. Owen,H. Strausbaugh; Dennis Maloy, clerk. 

1867-68. — U. P. Coom-ad, A. G. Owen, H. Strausbaugh; Dennis Maloy, 
clerk. 

1869. — John Buehman, Benoni Rohrer, F. Rinebolt; Dennis Maloy, clerk. 

1870. — John Buehman, Benoni Rohrer, F. Rinebolt; Adam Miller, clerk. 

1871. — Francis Rinebolt, Philip Keppel, J. A. Bonner, D. Maloy. clerk. 

1872. — Philij) Keppel, J. A. Bonner. A. Hoefling; S. J. Pecher. clerk. 

1873.— Milton Ricketts, P, Keppel, A. Hcefling; S. J. Pecher. clerk. ' 

1874-75.— Milton Ricketts, Benoni Rohrer, A. Hcefling; S. J. Pecher, clerk. 

1876. — Nicholas DeWalt. B. Rohrer. L. Lonsway: S. J. Pecher, clerk. 

1877. — B. Rohrer, L. Lonsway, J. G. Straub; S. A. Cooni-ad, clerk. 

1878. — L. D. Creeger, S. J. Pecher. A. Hcefling; S. A. Coonrad, clerk. 

1879. — J. B. Kiiu'e, John Landis. A. Hcefling: Arlington Dunne, clerk. 

1880. — Jacob Kiihn. L. D. Creeger. S. J. Pecher; Arlington Dunne, clerk. 

1881. — Martin Green, Benjamin Baker. Jacob Kuhn; L. D. Creeger, clerk. 

1882. — John Smith. M. W. Greene. Benjamin Baker; L. D. Creeger, clerk. 

1S,S3.— J. Kuhn, B. Baker, J. Smith; L. D. Creeger, clerk. 

1884.— M. W. Hunker. S. W. Rohrer. J. Kuhn: L. D. Creeger. clerk. 

1885. — Jacob Kuhn, M. W. Hunker, Silas W. Rohrer. trustees; Peter 
Shultz, treasurer; L. D. Creeger, clerk; N. C. Knight, assessor; F. D. Corri- 
gan, Absalom Shumaker, 'constables. The officers, this year, with the exception 
of the assessor, are Democrats. 

Pioneers and Incidents of Pioneer Times. — Peter Arbogast. who died in 
1833, owned the west half of southwest quarter of Section 16, Town.ship 2 
north. Range 14 east. He settled here in 1826. Mrs. Sojihia Ai'bogast died 
in 1861. Michael Arbogast, born in Virginia, in 1824, came here when two 
years old, and is now a resident of Seneca Township .... James Aiken owned 
land in Hopewell, in 1824. 

Jacob A. Boner, a native of Maryland, born in 1809, came to Ohio in 1826, 
and located near Tiffin, where his stepfather, John Julian, Viought forty acres 
of land and spent the remainder of bis life. In 1844 Mr. Boner and his wife 
(nee Elizabeth Slosser) came into the woods of Hopewell Townshij). settling 



■•*v. 



-'/ ■•> 



7 





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LO ^ Co^i a^ (^ c^c^f ^ ^ 



HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP. 555 

where they now live. There was then hut one l(i<r schoolhonse in the town 
ship. . . . Jose])h B<><ir(l. a native of Pennsylvania, settled in Ho|)ewell in 1822. 
. . . .Thomas Baltzell, a native of Maryland, born in ISIT). came with his wid- 
owed mother. Mrs. Elizabeth (CreitUer) Baltzell, to Ohio, where she died in 
1857. In 1881 Mr. Baltzell retired from his farm and moved to Tiffin. . . . 
John and Mary (Nolan) Britt, former a native of Ireland, born in 1811, par- 
ents of Mrs. Silas ^V. Rohrer. of Hopewell Townsliip (who was born in this 
township, in i8r)(), died in 1881). came to Hopewell Township in 1848. In 
188;^ .Mr. Britt moved to Tiffin, still retaining liis farm. 

Nathan Gadwallader settled on Section I! I. about 1828. Mrs. Hiram Hart is a 
daughter of this pioneer. . . . Peter Chenoweth was (he first school teacher and took 
part in building the old log-schoolhouses . . . .John Chaney was one of the first 
three settlers in Hojiewell .... Charl(>s Chaney was one of the first trio who 
located on Section Iti, Hopewell. . . .Francis Cotter came in about 1830. while 
one David Cover, who purchased lands on Section 1 (!, settled here in 1 834 .... 
Michael Coughlincame from Ireland at an early date, and purchased lands here. 
. . . . Jos(>ph Culbertson, a native of Pennsylvania, came here in 183'.). and 
Uriah P. Coonrad, an old settler of Tiffin, also liecame a resident .... David and 
Sophia (Delong) Creeger were early settlers. . . .John H. Creeger died in 1872, 
and his widow, Mary (Young) Creeger in 1881. James Creeger died in his 
sixty-seventh year, October 8. 1882. . . .Gideon Creeger. at the age of sixteen 
(182(j), when on his way from Montgomery County, Ohio, to Lower Sandusky, 
passed thi'ongh Fort Ball when the jiickets of the old fort were still standing. 
Then only a tew log-huts, owned by Mi-. Hedges, comprised Tiffin; now Mj. 
Creeger thinks it would take a good day" s drive to pass over all the streets of the 
city. On his route at that time the Indians were so numerous about here that he 
would meet ten or more before one white man. For thirty years he has 
been engaged in farming in HeniT County, Ohio .... Henry and Catharine 
(McDonald) Creeger, natives of Maryland, came with their childi-en in 1826, 
and the following sjiring bought a i)iece of land on AN'olf Creek, on which was 
a small cabin, raised by Michael Shaull, and which was located on the site of 
an Indian wigwam. There were no roads, only Indian trails, and !Mi\ Creeger, 
with the assistance of his sons, cut the first road to Tiffin, and built the first 
bridge across the river. There were Indian mounds on his fai-m, on which 
trees otcw that measured three feet through, and out of these mounds Mr. 
Creeger exhumed a skel(>ton .... Michael Coughlan. one of the early settlers of 
Hopewell Township, died in 1884. 

James Dunn, grandfather of Arlington Dunn, of Hopewell Township, came 
to this county and township in an early day and Iwught 41)0 acres of land, his 
sons coming after. William N. Dunn settled here in 1842. On Aj)ril 13, 
1872, his residence and eight other buildings were destroyed by tire. The 
family now reside in Tiffin, except a son, D. C. . who occupies the farm. . . . 
John Daugherty, one of the first settlers of Hopewell, came iibout 1823. . . . 
John Dewalt, who settled in Hopewell in 1833, was known as Bear Club. He 
killed a bear, which attacked him .... Thomas DeiT settled in the county in 
June, 1830. . . .C. W. Doran, a native of Virginia, and James Doran, a native 
of Ohio, settled in Hopewell in 1822. 

Michael Flynn was one of the pioneers and esteemed citizens of the town- 
ship . . . .Matthew Frederetze and his wife, Barbara, came from Alsace (France) 
in 1828, settled in Pennsylvania: moved to Hopewell Township in IN32, where 
the former died in 187)1. His son Micliael has resided on his present fiirm for 
almost fifty-three years. 

James Gordon, closely connected with Loudon Township, was an eai'ly 
resident here. 



556 IIISTORV OF SEN'ECA COUNTY. 

Ozias and Polly (Pryor) Hart, natives of Conneeticnt and Vermont, respec- 
tively, came in lSl!7 to Hopewell, entered land and put up a cabin. . . .Hiram 
Hart aftei-ward bought land for himself near TifWn .... Joseph Heltebrake 
settled in Seneca County in Jime. 1830. . . . A. Houseberger came fiom Penn- 
sylvania in lS-i8. . . .Heniy Hostler. Sr. , a native of Pennsylvania, brought his 
familv to Hopewell Township in 1831 . . . .Adam Hceliing came fit'om Germanv 
in LSi^y. 

Philip King, born in Ireland in 1800, came to this county in 1840 and 
bought land of Samuel Waggoner. He died in 1871). . . .Brian King and John 
B. King are among the old residents .... Jeremiah and Hannah King, natives 
of Ireland, f>arents of Jerry R. King (who was Isorn in 1847 in Hopewell 
Township), were early settlers here. Jeremiah King died in 1856 and in 
1884 his widow maiTied Charles Bukman . . . . Hemy and Anna C. (Stamatz) 
Keppel, natives of Pennsylvania, came from Knox County, Ohio, in 1839. 
The former died in 1842 and the latter in 1860. . . .George and Philip Keppel 
came in 1839. . . .Jeremiah Kneppercame from Pennsylvania in 1850. . . .Jacob 
Kuhn fi-om New York in 1834 .... Thomas Knight, a native of Ohio, in 
1848. . . .Levi Keller, Jr., in 1843. . . .Bartholomew and Margaret (McBride) 
Kinney, natives of Ireland, came in 1830 to the southern part of Hopewell 
Township. ]VIi\ Kinney was accidentally di'owned July 16. 1831, while cross- 
ing the Sandusky River at Tiffin. Mrs. Kinney remained a widow four years, 
part of which time she spun flax to maintain herself and family. The house 
she lived in was a rude log-cabin, and she had often to pile furniture against 
the door to prevent the wolves fi'om entering. In 1835 she married John 
King, and in 1852 she died .... Philip King and brothers. John, LaTSTence and 
Timothy, old residents of Tiffin, settled in Hopewell Townships. Philip King 
died some years ago. 

Peter Lonsway or Xionguin came fi-om Canada in 1841 . . . .Louis Lonsway 
in 1844. . . .Amos Lietner in 1835. 

Dennis Maloy. a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1825, came to this county 
with an uncle in 1846 and commenced business in Tiffin, but soon moved to 
Hopewell Township .... John Maule came in June, 1 83t), settled just north of 
Tiffin, opened a blacksmith shop and in 1838 moved to Hopewell Township; 
died in October, 1866. ... James Mathers was among the pioneers .... Adam 
Miller came fi'om Maryland in 182<). . . .James A. Morrison, a native of Ohio, 
settled here in 1838.... John Miller, founder of Bascom in 1837, came in 
1836. .. .Joseph McClelland settled in Bloom Township in 1822, moved to 
Hopewell in 1854 and died there in 1857. . . .Ebenezer Mills was one of the 
early settlers. 

Joseph Ogle, born in 1781, in Maryland, came to Hopewell Township in 
1824. The Indians were nivmerous and he had to defend himself against wild 
beasts. On one occasion his daughter, while milking the cows, was attacked 
by wolves, and he had to fly to her rescue. He died in January, 1864: his 
widow occupied the farm until 1 870. 

Joseph Pool, at whose home the first election was held, in 1824, passed 
away years ago .... Robert Patterson, a native of ^Maryland, settled in Hope- 
well at an early date, and died near Bascom, July lU, 1885. 

Mrs. Mary Redfox, hotel keeper, Bascom, a native of Germany, born in 
1833, came to America in 1846, settling in Bascom, where her parents kept 
the hotel which she now conducts. . . . M'illiam L. Ricketts. a native of Penn- 
sylvania, born in 1791, father of Milton D. Ricketts, of Hopewell Township 
(who was born in this township in 183(5), came with his parents in 1800 to 
Fairfield County, t)h;o. In 1828 M'illiam L. came here, before any road was 



HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP. 5^7 

opened to Tiffin, and entered lands located where the Findlay and Tiffin 
State road now is, on Section :](•. . . .Robert and John Ricketts, early settlers. 
now reside in London. . . .Benoni and Rebecca ( Loose) Rohrer, parents of Silas 
\V. Rohrer, of Hopewell Township (who was born in Virginia in 18-1-5), came 
to this township in 184S, . . .Benoni Rohrer, born in 1810. in Virginia, was a 
very early settler of Hojiewell Townslii]). and his farm is now said to be the 
most beautiful in the township. . . .Aaron Ruse was an old settler. . . .Joseph 
Ruse came in 1S:5(). . . .Hem-y Rosenberger, liorn iu Virginia, in 179S, came 
to Seneca County with his wife and three children December 20, lS'i.5, and 
located on Section 1, Hojiewell Townshij), and Section (5, Clinton Township, 
where he erected a roiTud-log house. AVhen he came his earthly j)ossessions 
were one horse, one wagon, a small quantity of pork and 25 cents in cash. 
For the tirst year they had but one ban-el of flour, part of which was spoiled, 
but the family subsisted chiefly on game meat and corn bread. Afterward he 
built a hewed-log house, and over thirty years ago a fi'ame house was built by 
him (now occupied by his son Jacob) on this farm. The Seneca Indians were 
his near neighbors, with w'hom he was always on fiiendly terms. One of 
their •'trails" passed through his land. In 1876 Jlr. Rosenberger moved to 
Tiffin, where he has since lived in retirement .... John A. and Joseph Rosen- 
l)erger are early settlers. 

George Shedenhelm settled three miles north of Tiffin, in Hopewell, iu 
1882. . . .Robert and John Shippey. brothers, were located on Section IC), prior 
to the organization of the township .... Samuel Smith, born in Delaware in 
180(3, settled in Hopewell in 1883. moving fi'om Tiffin, where it is said he 
located in 1828. . . .Jacob Schmidt, who died September 9, 1885, was born in 
the Canton of Aaigau. Switzerland, and immigrated to America in the year 
1S88. and a short time after that eut(>red the farm on which he lived and died. 
. . . .AVilliard Sjn-ague. who located lauds on Section K) prior to 1824. is named 

among the tirst settlers George and Ann Mary (Panther) Slosser. natives 

cif ^Maryland and Germany, respectively, parents of John Slosser, of Hopewell 
Towuship (who was born in Virginia in 1811), came direct, about 1880, by 
: eam to this county, locating east of Tiffin for over fifteen months, and in 1 882, 
-ettled in Hopewell Township. George Slosser died in 1843 .... Michael Shaul 
• ■rected a cabin here prior to 1820. . . .Philip Staub, a native of Pennsylvania, 
lather of Joseph G. Staub. of Hojiewell Towuship (who was l)orn in 1825, in 
Pennsylvania), came to Ohio in 1883 and jnu'chased laud near old Fort Seneca, 
built one of the first cabins in the townshij). and was a resident here when the 
Indians were removed. . . .Conrad Stigerwalt came in 1841 . . . William Stripe 
settled here about 1824. 

Michael Twomey died years ago. His widow is the oldest lady, in 
years, within the coiuity 

Jacob Von Blon came fi'om Germany in 1884. 

Abner Wade, a native of Pennsylvania (father of Washington Wade, of 
Hojiewell Township, who was born in 1829, in Loudon Townshiji), 
came to this county in 1820 and entered land. Ho cut a road from what 
is now Tiffin. Being a blacksmith he did a good deal of work for 
the Indians after coming here. He died in 1858. his widow in 1870.... 
George Walters came in 1840. .. .Samuel Waggoner, who founded a town 
named Hojiewell in 188(). is named in other pages. . . .Solomon Wolf came in 
IN44. 

The Handleys. McXaraees and Shippeys were early settlers. 

BASCOM. 

Bascom was platted by George W. Gist, county surveyor, February 1, 1887, 



558 msTORV of senega county. 

for John Miller. The original town was on the west half of the northwest 
quarter of Section 17. Town '2 north. Range 14 east. Dennis Maloy"s adtlitiou 
to Bascom was surveyed in March, 1876, and D. A. Creeger's addition was 
surveyed in May, 1 S7!S. 

The tirst three years of the village were disheartening to the owners, as at 
the ck)se of those years a population of six persons formed the community. 
Every decade after brought with it a small increase of population, but only 
within the last five years has actual progress taken notice of the place. It is 
true that diu'ing the construction of the Coldwater Railroad, and the building 
of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, the village assumed some importance, but 
after those enterprises ceased to call together great numbers of workmen at this 
point, business slept, as it were, until 1880. 

John T. Maloy succeeded W. W. Miller as postmaster, in September. ISS,"). 
and the business circle comprises the following: Simon Miller, general mer- 
chant; Heniy Eisler. blacksmith: Maloney i)t Matthews, grain dealers. 

Hopewell Lodge No. 17fj, I. O. O. F. , was organized May 11. IHoo. 

Methodist Episcopal Church, Bascom. is the oldest church in the Old Betts- 
ville Circuit, having been formed at the house of Abram Miller iii 1881, and a 
meeting house was erected shortly after. In 186,") the Old Bettsville Circuit was 
divided; Bettsville, Fort Seneca. Jackson. Ebenezer and Bascom forming 
Bettsville. with R. Biggs. ])reacher. Charles Astor succeeded, then D. Bulle; 
John H. Wilson came in 1 SC)",), and so on down to William Dunlap's time, 1882. 
Rev. N. S. Brackuey was apj)ointed in 18S4. Revs. Hill. 187r). L. O. Cooke, 
1877, H. H. Harper, 1880, preceded Mr. Dunlap. Twenty years after the 
chm-ch was formed at Bascom, Bettsville Circuit was formed, with Newel J. 
Close, preacher, vice S. T. Lane and Thomas Ackerman. the old preachers of 
the Port Clinton District. In 185"2 J. Brakefield was appointed. In 1854 
Leonard Hill and Hemy Kerrigan were the preachers. James Milligan, R. Law- 
rence, Francis Plumb. N. B. C. Love. T. \V. Crozier, H. L. Nickerson, Johm 
T. Bowers, Josiah Adams, Israel Smith. Josiah Adams. William Deemers, L. 
D. Rogers, T. C. Reed and Dave Dicken served fi'om 18-"),") to IM')'>. The verj' 
eai'ly preachers are named in connection with other chiu'ches. 

United Brethren Church, of Bascom, may l)e said to be contemporary with 
the establishment of Seneca Circuit. A reference to the history of Eden Town- 
ship points out the beginning of this chui'ch in the county. In 1841 Jeremiah 
Brown was appointed presiding elder, and Alfred Spracklin. preacher, of this 
circuit. In 1844 Samuel Hadley succeeded Rev. Spracklin. In 184") J. 
Gurber. W. Herrington and J. C. Bright were preachers. In 1.S48 the circuit 
was reorganized. John Davis being ai)pointed preacher of Seneca Circuit. In 
1849 S. Long and J. Martin were appointed ; in iStM. John Curtis; in 1852. 
G. Schneider, the circuit then containing 800 members. In 1S54 M. Long was 
appointed preacher: in 185(). D. S. Caldwell; in 1858, James Long; in 18f)0, 
S. T. Lane; in 1862, W. Mathers; in 1868. D. Glancev: in 18()4. I. Crouse; 
in 1865, S. T. Lane; in 18ti7. S. Essex; in 1868. Mf_ Bulger; in 1S6'J; G. 
Bender; in 1870, S. Foster; in 1871. G. French; in 18(8, G. Hoover. 

United Brethren Otterbein Chapel, of Bascom, was reorganized under State 
law, January 15. 1874, with Adam Miller, presiding. Andrew Powell, S. K. 
Ruse and Elias Kline were elected trustees, and John French, preacher. ' M. 
Long was appointed in 1875; G. Bender, 1876; B. Struble. 1M7S; L. J. Os- 
borne, 1871); M. Long. 1880: L. Moore. 1882; A. B. Leonard. l.SS8~85. There 
are fom- churches in the circuit, three organized societies and 161 members. 

Bascom Reformed Church was organized by Rev. J. J. Beilherz. as a Union 
Lutheran and Reformed Society in 1852. and a church erected. On New 



IIOl'KWELL TOWNSHIP. 553 

Yoar's ilay. \HTyl. Rev. E. ^'. Gorhurt roorijaiiizod tho society as a Refoi'meil 
Church, with Ben. Fried, elder, ami Christian Deitl>el, deacon. 

St. Patrick's Chiuch. of which Father Christojihory is pastor, has one of 
the largest congri'gations in the county. 

The Sand Rid^e Cemetery Association, of Bascom was organized May 1 •"). 
1S7S. with Je])htha Lott. Adam Miller. James Creeger, Heniy W. Matthews. 
Joseph Culbertson. D. A. Creeger, Henry S. Haugh, John Landis, Philiji 
Kisabeth. D. R. King (clerk) and Fhili]) Dowald, members. 

Ohl-tiiiir Vilktijcx.— Hopewell was laid out for Samuel Waggoner by 
James Durbiu. in August. lS;i('). on the southern part of tho northeast quarter 
of Section Id. So far Waggoner did well; but neglecting the enterprise, the 
village of Bascom Hanked the olil town, annihilated it, so to speak, and to-day 
gives many tokens of real life, while Hoi)ewen has been subjected fifty times 
to the j)low -share. 

Another ttiwn. Steinerville, on Section 25, was platted for Hemy H. Steiner 
by (t. H. Heming. in May, 1S5'J. This, like Hopewell, has vanished into the 
past, so that few rememlier the olden enterprise of the owner. 

StdtMict. -The assessment roll of Hopewell Township, in 1841. shows 
20.0114 acres, valued at >:51l.0()l : town lots valued at >=:iST; horses, 199, valued 
at !?T, 9(')( ) : cattle. 44(). valued at '>}'-i. 5()S ; mercantile capital and moneys at interest. 
S2,8t)5: pleasure can-iages. 3, valued at §245; total value, §78, 58(5; total tax, 
§1,085.89: delinquencies fi-om 1840, !?104.50. 

The valuation and taxation of Hopewell Township for 1884-85 ar«> as fol- 
lows: 22.28() acres, valued at $789,080; and personal property valued at $295,- 
040, aggregating $1,084,070. or. according to the census of " 1880. $(170.08 to 
each of Hie 1,()82 inhabitants. The total tax for 1885 is $11,079.52. together 
with $211) dog tax. The true value of this township is placed at $8. 100.000. 

The general statistics of Hopewell Townsliij) for 1884 are: 4.692 acres of 
wheat yielded alxuat 48.000 bushels: cost of fertilizers. $225; 135 acres of rye; 
1 4 acH's of buckwheat yielded 1 10 bushels: 1.027 acres of oats, jn'oduct 80.928 
bushels; barley 15 acres, product 842 l)usliels; corn 8,0<)0 acres, iiroduct 98,210 
bushels; meadow, 1,412 acres, tons of hay, 1,955; clover, ()77 acres, tons of hay, 
799. bushels of seed, 54(5. acres plowed under, 141: flax. 1 acre, 8 bushels of 
seed: 181 acres of potatoes. ]fi.()22 bushels; tobacco, 20 lbs.; milk sold for 
family use. 1.205 gallons: home-made butter, 42,770 lbs.: sorgum. 5 acres. ()4 
gallons of syrup: maple syrup. 57 gallons: 100 hives, 005 lbs. of honey; 22,- 
845 dozens of eggs; 5 acres of vineyards. 8. 1 15 His. of grapes and 100 gallons 
of wine: I acre sweet potatoes. 82 l)ushels: 428 acres of apple trees. 8,280 
Inishels of a|)ples: 8 acres of peaches, 95 ot pears and one of cherries: 18, /90 
acres cultivated lands: 1.885, pastiu-e land; 8,()87, woodland: 281. waste land: 
total acreage owned. 19.098; wool, 5, 100 lbs. : milch cows, (504: dogs,21 ( : shee]) 
killed and injured by dogs, 4(); animals died of disease, 1 15 hogs, 18 sheep, 14 
cattle, and 10 horses. 

School StafiMic-s.— The electors of Hopewell voted on th(> question of selling 
a i)Hrt of school lands. October 12. 1852. Levi Keller. C. Muzstetter and L. 
Shedenhelm wer(> judges; A. C. Spooner and Josiah Selby. clerks. Ohe hun- 
dred and three votes were polled of which 89 were for and 14 against sale. On 
Fel)rnary 19. 1858, the east half of southwest ((Uarter of Section IC) was sol.l 
to Niclio'las Nick, for $1,000, the west half of southeast (juarter to N. Nick for 
$2,899, and the e;ist half of southeast quarter to same for $1,701. 

The condition of the schools of Hopewell, shown in rejiort of August. 18S4. 
is as follows: local tax, $2,184; receipts. $0,023; expenditures, $2,840: school 
houses. 10: value of property, $4,500; number of teachers, 19; average_salaiy, 
$34 and $25: male pupils. 248; female piipils, 159; total enrollment. 40 1. 



660 HISTOUY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

CONCLUSION. 

Long prior to the siirv'ey of the township a road was laid out alonw thi 
face of the teiTace on the west bank of the Sandusky, by order of Gen. Har 
rison, and under the direction of Gen. Bell; James Meeker and a few men fruiu 
Wooster underbrushed this road in 1813. At this time the Indian trail was 
well beaten, as if traveled over for centuries, while westward, stretching inti > 
the recesses of the wilderness were numerous paths made by hunters, or the 
wild animals in the piu'suit of which the wilder hunters passed their years 
This was Hopewell in 1S2(), and, with the exception of the surveyor's lin(>s 
made that year, the description applies to lS'J2~"i3. when the first settlers cann' 
in. What advances have been made within the last sixty-three years are showii 
in this chapter, while in the general history a broader review is given of thi> 
division of the county. 



CHAPTER XX. 

JACKSON TOAYNSHIP. 



'^^HIS di\'ision of the county was known as Township 3 north. Range 13 
_L east. \vp to the period of its establishment under the name of Jackson in 
1832. In 1820 the surveyor, J. Glasgow, laid off this tract in quarter sec- 
tions, and, although the lands were oifered for sale shortly after, in 1821, few. 
if any, piu'chasers were found, In 1827, however, one Henry Huffman set- 
tled near the present village of Her. and in 1828, was joined by the Rinebolts. 
Here in 1848 the last parcel of United States lands in the county was pur 
chased by Andrew Rank. The population in 1840 was "iSO, increased in ISM' 
to 1,3!)U, including the north part of Fostoria City. The population in ISSTi 
is placed at 1.000. The railroad systems represented in the township 
are the Lake Erie & A\'estern, the Columbus, Hocking Valley iV Toledo, the 
" Nickel Plate " and the Ohio Central. The townshij) is watered by "Wolf 
Creek in its southeastern sections, and by Harrison Creek, a northern tribu- 
tary of Wolf Creek, in its western and northern sections. For years subse- 
quent to settlement these creeks gave to the township a marshy character, 
which tended to its depreciation. Modern times have confined the waters of 
the creeks to jiroper channels and converted a swampy wilderness into a land 
of beautiful farms. The Bigham Spring and Creek are usefiil natiu-al phe- 
nomena. 

Organ Ir and Official. — The fii'st meeting was held in Jackson Township. 
April 3, 1833 (four months after the commissioners established the town), at 
the house of Abram Rinebolt. The trustees there elected were Michael 
Stahl, Chiistian Foster and John Stambaugh; Enoch Trimibo, clerk; Daniel 
Williams, treasiu-er; Abram Rinebolt and Heiu-y Huffman, road supervis- 
ors; Samuel Rinebolt. Andi-ew Feirier and Daniel Swope, overseers of the 
poor; Joseph Hampshire and Jacob Hollinger, fence viewers. The early rec- 
ords, like other old books throughout the county, are among the things that 
were. The records which are in existence date back to 1843. and from them 
the present township clerk, Charles Ash, has been kind enough to make a list 
of trustees and clerk, elected annually. The three trustees are named 
first, and clerk last, for each vear. as follows: 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 5(il 

1843." Gideon Jones, Jonas Hampshire. John M. Hoover: Jacob Stiihl. 

1844. — Gideon Jones. George Stahl. John A\'illiams; Jacob Stahl. 

1845. — Christian Foster. John M. Hoover. Fred Feeble: Jacob Stahl. 

184(5.- Michael Stahl. John Stoner. John Miller: Jacob Stahl. 

1847. — Johij M. Kimniel. John Stoner. John Lambright; Jacob Stahl. 

1848.— John ^I. Kimmel. Fred. Feeble, John Lambright; Jacob Stahl. 

184<J. John Shontz. Fred. Feeble, Henry Lambritrht: Jacob Stahl. 

1850. — W'illiaiu Boyd. Jerry Parkhnrst. Henry Lanibright: Peter Stoner. 

1851. — Andrew M. Williams, Jonas Foster, Fred. Hollopeter: Peter Stoner. 

1852. — Adam Hampshire, Henrv Swope, Frederick Hollopeter; Jacob Stahl. 

1853-54.— Frederick Feeble, Chi-istian Foster, Levi Soiu-; Eli Welsh. 

1855. — Jacob Sprout. Jonas Foster, Peter Eaton; Jacob Stahl. 

1856.— J. N. Wvant. J. W. Bratton, David Eller; Noah Stahl. 

1857.— Kinsev Cox. J. W. Bratton, David Eller; M. Pen well. 

1858.— David Boyd. J. W. Bratton. Jacob Sprout: Noah Stahl. 

1859. — B. L. Long. J. AV. Bratton. Henrv Lambright: Thomas Penwell. 

1860. —Jonas Foster. Elias Stahl. John Lamln-ight: Eli Feeble. 

1861.— R. G. Murphy. Elias Stahl. Peter Eaton: A^"illiam Ash. 

1862. — R. G. Murphy. Michael Kimmel. Stephen Dickeu: Joseph Stahl. 

1863. — Gideon Jones. John Longley. Noah Stahl: Eli Feeble. 

1864. — Sampson Foster. John Longlev. Noah Stahl: Lewis Toan. 

1865.— Gideon Jones, Eli Feeble. Noah Stahl: James M. Hill. 

1866.— William Ash. Eli Feeble, Jonas Foster: James M. Hill. 

1867. — AVilliamAsh. John Longley. Paul Kline: Pliny Trumbo. 

1868. — William Ash. John Crann. Stejjheu Dicken: Pliny Trumbo. 

1869.— William Ash. John Crauu. (vacant): Pliny Tnuubo. 

1870. — William Ash. John Crann. (vacant I: Plinv Trumbo. 

1871.— Aaron Cox. Henry Stahl, Jam(>s H. MeCaidav: H. W. A. Bovd. 

1872.— Aaron Cox. Pliny Trumbo. Isaiah Hollopeter; H. W. A. Boyd. 

1873. — Sampson Foster. Pliny Trumbo. H. W. A. Boyd: Isaiah Hollopeter. 

1874. — John Crami. Gilbert Hughs, H. W. A. Boyd; Isaiah Hollopeter. 

1875. — John Craun. Henrv Stahl. H. W. A. Bovd; Isaiah Hollopeter. 

1876.- J. R. Dicken. Isaiah Hollopeter. H. W. A. Boyd; William Stahl. 

1877. — J. R. Dicken. John Craun. Jacob Maiiiu; William Stahl. 

1878. — B. L. Long. William Snider. Jacob Martin: William Stahl. 

1879.- J. R. Dicken. B. L. Long. William Steward; William Stahl. 

1880.— John G. Schupp. Noah Good. V. D. Newcomb: H. W. A. Boyd. 

1881.— William A. Ash. William P. Dicken. V. D. Newcomb; Charles Ash. 

1882.— William A. Ash. Levi Boyd. J. R. Swope: W. A. Stahl. 

1883.— J. W. Good, Levi Boyd. J. R. Swope; Charles Ash. 

1884. — Sampson Foster. Levi Boyd, Dillon Ames; Charles Ash. 

The townshi]) officers of Jackson, elected in April. 1885, are: John Park 
hurst. Dillon Ames and C. H. Steward, trustees; Charles Ash. clerk; Pliny 
Trumbo. treasurer; G. S. Wormwood, assessor; Eli Pence and Marion Flack, 
constables: H. AV. A. Boyd and John S()id(>. justices of the peac<?. • 

That portion of the township in Section 31. embraced within the limits of 
Fostoria. is administered l\y the corporation of that city. Rehoboth on Sec- 
tion 17. Amsden on the Lake Erie <.V: Western Railroad, Section 14. and Her 
on the "Nickel Plate" in the southwestern quarter of Section 25, all the nucleal 
points of towns, which the future may bring into existence, are governed by 
the township board, and shall continue to be so governed unless a brighter 
fortune awaits them than that which frowned upon the old scriptural settle- 
ment of Rehoboth. 



562 HISTORY OF senega count v. 

Pioneer and Pioneer Incidents. — George and Tisliey (Reed) Ash. natives of 
Pennsylvania, parents of William Ash. of Jackson Township (who was born in 
Pennsylvania in 1880), settled in this county in 1838 .... George Ash, now 
eighty-six years old. resides here. 

Hugh and Margaret (Rogers) Boyd, parents of David Boyd, of Jackson 
Township (who was born in Pennsylvania in 1822), settled in this county in 

1844. David Boyd is a pioneer blacksmith. . . .Peter and Maria Briimm, both 
old settlers of Jackson, are numbered among the dead. The latter moved to 
Indiana in 1882, and died there in September. 1884.... John and Esther 
(Spangler) Betts, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of Mrs. Godfrey Biles, of 
Fostoria. were pioneers of Jackson Township. 

Abraham and Rosana (Miller) Craun, natives of New Jersey, parents o^ 
John Craun, of Jackson Township (who was born in Franklin Covmty. Ohio, 
in 1825), came with their family to this county in 1885. Mrs. Craun died in 
1878, Mv. Craun in 1883. 

David Dissinger, a Pennsylvanian, came here in 1838 .... Jonathan Dicken. 
also a Pennsylvanian, came in 1839. . . . J. R. Dicken, a native of Ohio, settled 
in the county in 1834. 

Peter Eaton, born in New York State in 1812. father of Mrs. Joseph 
Schupp and Reuben Eaton, both of Jackson Township, entered land in this 
township in 1840. 

Andi'ow Ferrier made a settlement in Jackson about 1832 ... .Christian 
Foster located in Jackson prior to 1832, settled in the county in 1839.... 
Fred, and Christiana (Kempher) Febles moved from AVood County, Ohio, in 

1845. The former died in 1863, the latter in 1876 .... George and Jane 
(Anderson) Feasel, natives of Pennsylvania, settled in Fairtield County, Ohio, 
at an early date and located in Jackson Township, within the pioneer period. 

John P. Gordon sold the first whisky at Risdon in 1831-32. . . .John Gib- 
bens, a native of Ohio, came in 1832. 

Henry Huffman, the first settler in the township, entered the southwest quar- 
ter of Section 36, in 1827. and built his cabin early the following year. . . . 
Jacob and Savillia (Peters) Heiserman, natives of Germany, parents of Jacob 
Heiserman, of Jackson Township (who was born in Seneca County in 1847j. 
came to this cotinty in 1833. . . .Jonas Hampshire came into Jackson in 1833 
. . . .Isaiah Hollopeter. founder of the village of Rehoboth in 1844. was one of 
the pioneers of Jackson .... Henry HofFman settled in Jackson Township in 
1827 .... Jacob Hollinger. James Hanna and Joseph Hagerman were among 
the early settlers. 

John Her. a native of Pennsylvania, assisted in building the first churches, 
and the first log schoolhouse in the township. His son. Isaac (one of fifteen 
childi'en ) resides in Hopewell township .... Plato Jones, a native of Ohio, set- 
tled here in 1832. . . .Henry and Margaret (Sprout) Johnson were early settlers 
.... Henry F. Johnson came in 1851, and settled on his present fann .... James 
and Priscilla (Blagg) Jones, parents of the late Gideon Jones, of Jackson 
Township (who was born in Gallia County, Ohio, in 1810). moved with their 
family to Wood County. Ohio, when it was a dense wilderness, and settled not 
far from the Seneca County line, near the farm where Gideon W ells afterward 
lived many years. 

Joseph Kinsey is a name classed among the ]noneers .... Henry A. Kinsey 
came in 1845. 

John and Elizabeth (Good) Lambright. John Longley. "\\"illiam C. and 
Elizabeth Lybarger are names connected with the early history of the town- 
.shij) .... Daniel and Margai'et (Brill) Long, natives of Pennsylvania, fonuer 



"x. 



^K% 



s- 







^c.a ^cj^ 



JACKSON TOAVNSHIP. 565 

born in 177"-t. diod in 1871, lattor born in 17X8. died in 18.'):!, came to Jackson 
Townsbij) in INHl. whore B. L. Lon<:^ now resides. 

Florence ^McCarthy was one of the pioneers of 1832 .... Abraliam Miller, 
father of Isaac Miller (who carue to this county at an early day), and "rand- 
father of Ezra Miller (who was boru here in 1845), is a son of Isaac Miller, 
who settleil in the county in 18211 There is an apple tree on the farm of 
Aliraham ililler, in Jackson Township, which is lifty years old, and measiu-es 
seven feet and nine inches in circumference, four inches fi'om the ground. It 
is thirty-nine feet high and lifty-nine feet wide at the top. . . .Conrad Myers, a 
native of Mahoning County, settled in Hancock County in 1835. and ten vear.s 
later moved to Jackson Township, Seneca County. Prof. B. F. Myei's, of 
Tillin, and Itev. S. P. Myers, of Bloomville, are his sous. His death occun-ed 
August 11,1 885. He had in his possession the old musket which Michael 
Musser can-ied during the war of LSI 2. It is still in good condition, and is 

valued at §1()<I The McCaiiley family, of whom Judge McCaidey, of Tiffin, 

is a prominent meraber, settled here at an early date. 

The Nestlerodes resided on "The Island"' in 1832. . . .Jacob and Elizabeth 
Nederhouse were early settlers. . . . William Noble and his wife, Rebecca (Lji;le) 
Noble, parents of Warren P. , Harrison, Montgomery and John Noble, settled 
in Jackson Township, in 1834, with their family of nine children. Mr. Noble, 
a native of Connecticut, died in 18^3, aged eighty-one years; Mrs. Noble, a 
native of Pennsylvania, died in 1874, aged seventy-four years. 

Madison Penwell, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1812, was one of the 
early settlers of Jackson Township .... Jeremiah Parkhurst came in 1833. 

In 1848 A. Rank, a soldier of the Mexican war, located in this township, 
jmd purchased the last parcel of United States lands sold in the county .... 
Jacob Rinebold, father of Noah Rinebold, of Jackson TownshiiJ (who was born 
in this town.ship in 1851), was a pioneer. . . .John, Abram, Daniel and Samuel 
Rinebolt settled here in 1828. . . .James Robinson was also an early settler. 

Jacob Schu]ip. a native of Germany, father of Joseph Schnpp, of Jackson 
Towiishi]) (who was born in this townshij) in 1847). was a pioneer of the place. 
He died in 1883. . . .Hem-y and Sarah (Williard) Shontz. natives of Pennsyl- 
vania, parents of John Shontz, of Bloomville (who was born in Stark County, 
()hi(j, in 1823), came fi-om Stark County to Jackson Township in 1834, and 
here died, Mrs. Shontz in 1865, and Mr. Shontz in 1871 ... .J. H. Sprout came 
fi-om Pennsylvania in 1834. . . .Michael Stahl settled in Jackson in 1832. . . . 
Cxeorge Stahl settled in Jackson in 1 834 .... Hemy Stahl settled in Jackson in 
I83(>. He w%ns born in Peixy County, Ohio, in 1821 . . . .William and Rebecca 
(Foster) Stahl. natives of Ohio, parents of Chi-istian Stahl. of Jackson Town- 
shij) (and wht) was born here in 1845), were among the early settlers. . . .John 
■Stambaugh w;is elected tnistee in 1833, having been a settler in Jackson for 
some time .... Sanuiel and Maiy (Renner) Steward, natives of Pennsylvania, 
are classed among the old residents. In 1882 his son. A\'. H., lost barn, horses 
and 7lM) bush(>ls of wheat by iu'e. . . .Daniel Swope located in Jackson in 1833. 
. . . .Henry Swope in 1832. 

Enoch Trumbo settled in Jackson early in 1831. on lands which he pur- 
chased that year. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1804. Pliny Tnimbo is 
a native of Ohio, dating his settlement here to 1845. 

Isaac ^\■yant. a native of Pennsylvania came to the township in 1833, and 
resided here tmtil his death. 

Jacob and Elizabeth (Nuser) Yochum, natives of Germany, parents of 
Jacol) Yochum, of Jackson Townshiji (who was born in Germany in 183f)), 
came to America in 1845 and settled in Jackson Township, where Mr. Yochum 
died in 1S55. so 



566 HISTORY OF SENECA COONTV. 

Small Settlements. — Rehoboth was surveyed by Thomas Heming in Decem- 
ber, 1844, for Isaiah Hollopeter on the east half of the southwest quarter of 
Section 17. The name was too pronounced to call forth the admiration of the 
people of forty years ago; men were too busy with polities, and women were 
too content to live on their farms and grow wealthy as their lancLs increased in 
value to dream of settling down to a life in the village of the Mission Church. 
The vicinity of Rehoboth is indeed endowed with many of nature's charms — 
it is a beautiful pastoral district claiming much, if not all, that is pictiuesque 
in the township. 

Ajnsden, on the southeast quarter of Section 14, a station on the Lake 
Erie & AVestern Railroad, dates back to the construction of that road. Ida 
Stockn-ell is in charge of the postoffice here, and this office, the railroad sta 
tion and comfortable farm houses in the vicinity form the nucleus of the futiue 
town. 

Trvmibo was the name given to a postoffice in the southern part of the 
township. 

Iler, a new railroad town in the southeastern corner of the township, was 
founded in July, 1885. DiU'ing the summer the " Nickel Plate " Railroad 
Company erected depot buildings here, and Bigham & Walters opened a gen- 
eral store. In September, 188-"). M. M. Walters was ajjpointed postmaster. 

In the history of Loudon Township, full references are made to the old 
settlements of Rome and Risdou, and the present city of Fostoria, a piirt of 
which is situate in this township. 

Churches. — Olive Chapel Reformed Society, Jackson Township, was organ- 
ized in 1852 by Rev. R. Good with F. Febles, C. Myers, George Stahl and 
Jacob Stahl, members. The latter donated the land on which a house of wor- 
ship was erected inl8fi2. This society was reorganized under State law, Ajjril 
27, 181)7. W. J. Shupe presided, with Rev. George Rettig, secretary. H. 
Remer and William Boid were elected elders. W. A. Schmid and Z. Acker, 
deacons; and F. Falk, J. Shupe and D. Dissinger. trustees. The constitution 
of the former German Reformed society was adopted. 

The Ark Chui'ch (Methodist), was founded by Rev. H. L. Nickerson, and 
the present chiu'ch comj)leted diuing the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Rodgers. of 
Seneca Mission, in 1864. , 

Mount Zion Church, of the Evangelical Association, adopted articles for 
the government of their new chui'ch, February 4, 1872, which was signed by 
S. E. Rife, pastor in charge. 

St. John's Church, of the Evangelical Association of North America, was 
organized under State law May 31, 1873. Rev. John Plantz presided. The 
trustees elected were William and Jacob Zimmerman, Jacob Nederhouse, J. 
H. MeCauley and Matthias Lamnes. 

The histories of the jMethodist, Catholic, United Brethi-en and other 
churches of the township are given in the chiu-ch sketches of Bettsville and 
Fostoria with which they are closely identified. 

Statistics. — The assessment roll of Jackson Township made in 1841, gives 
the following figures: 13,177 acres, valued at §26, 105 ; no town lots; 105 horses 
valued at $4,200; 205 cattle valued at §2,120; merchants' capital and moneys at 
interest, $200; total vahie, $32,625; total tax, $481.21; delinquencies from 
1840, $59.76. 

The valuation and taxation of Jackson Township for 1884-85 are as follows: 
22,570 acres valued at $685,450, and personal property at $314,590, aggregat- 
ing $1,000,040 or $805.08 per capita, (population in 1880 being 1,241). The 
total tax for 1884-85 is $9,079.72, and the dog tax, $149. The true value of 
the township is placed at $2,600,000. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 067 

The general statistics of Jackson Township for 1884, are: 8.782 acres of 
wheat, against 8.588 in 1883: 85 of rye; 8 of buckwheat, proiluct. ll>5 hushels: 
90'.) acres of oats, product, 20, 81 7 bnshels; barley, 217 ac'r(>s; corn,2.'.t(U acres, 
produced 45.7(10 bushels; 774 acres of meadow. 1.278 tons of hay: 1.81(7 acres 
of clover, 708 tons of hay, 578 bushels of seed, 15U jilowed under; ".18 acres of 
j)otatoes, product. 1 1,8(')S bushels; butter. 48, (t'JO pounds; acres of sorghum. 4 1 7 
gallons of syrup; 114 gallons of maple syrup; 140 beehives. 8.782 ])ounds of 
honey; 28.884 dozens of eggs; 1 acre of vines. 5,',)00 jiounds of grapes; 802 acres 
of orchards. 9,819 bushels of apples. 71 bushels of pears. 1 of cheiTies and 8 
of plums; lands owned and cultivated. 10.590 acres; pastiue lands, 1,140; 
woodlands, 4.')41; wasteland. 11, total acreage owned 10,897; jwunds of wool 
(1888). 14,145; milch cows, 509: dogs, 155; sheep killed and injured by dogs. 
48: domestic animals died of disease— hogs, 129: sheep. 07; cattle, 88; and 
horses, 25. 

School StdtiKfic.'i. — Thp election held in Jackson Township. April 1. 1844. 
resulted in tifty-tive votes for the sale of Section If), school lands, and fifty 
against such sale. T. M. Hoover, J. Hamsliire and G. Jones were judges, and 
Samuel Younker and Jacob Stahl, clerks of election. The record of sales made 
Septeml)er 19, 1840, is as follows: Fred. Singer, west half of northwest quarter; 
Henry B. Risdon. east half of northwest quarter; Charles Yroman, west half 
of northeast quarter; Paul Kline, east half of northeast quarter: Thomas Shantz 
and John AVillard, east half of southeast quarter; William Biuin, west half of 
southeast quarter: John Kineholt, south half of southwest quarter; and Henry 
Stahl, north half of southwest quarter. The amount realized at sale was !!!5, 229, 
The first log school building was erected on the northeast corner of Section 19, 
over which Washington Noble presided. The statistics of Jackson Township 
schools in August, 1884, are as follows: male pupils, 193; female pupils, 207; 
total. 400; number of houses, 8; value of property, $0,000: number of teachers. 
12; average salaries. .§40 and §80; local tax. §17. 78; receipts. §8. 078. 54; expen- 
ditm-es. §2,709.89. 

CONCLUSION. 

This township, though the last in the county to receive settlers, ranks to- 
day among the first in point of agricultural product, number of inhaliitants and 
general wealth. The pioneers found the district and untrailed marsh, almost 
as luiinviting as any part of the Black Swamp. Within half a centuiy the 
township, throughout all its sections, has been subjected to ih-ainage and all 
the other expedients resorted to by the agriculturist to make the wild land 
fruitful. Success waited on this labor and gave to the county a division rich 
in predial wealth, and richer still in the sense of industry, which pervades all 
classes. 



568 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 

PRIOR to 1832. and dating back to 1820. this division of the coianty was 
known as Town 3 north. Range 14 east. In the latter year it was sur- 
veyed into quarter sections by J. T. Worthington. who made his headquar- 
ters at James Montgomery' s home in Pleasant Townshi]). In June 1832 the 
commissioners granted the prayer of petitioners, residents of what is now 
Liberty, asking to be set off fi'om Seneca Township, and organized. In April, 
1833. the first meeting was held. The petition was ]iresented by John L. 
Flack. In 1830 the whole number of inhabitants in old Seneca Township was 
only 36'j, of which number only a dozen or so belonged to this portion of it. 
In 1840 the population of this township was 1,084. and forty years later, 
2,157; a reference to the statistics at the close of this chapter will point out 
its increase in general wealth. 

The Northwestern Ohio Raih'oad runs north by west through the township 
passing through Bettsville, the " Nickel Plate " Railroad runs across the 
township from Section -M). leaving at Section 12, and the Lake Erie & 'NA'est- 
ern Railroad cuts across its northwestern corner, passing through Kansas. 

The Niagara rock presents many exposiu-es throughout the township. The 
boulder formation characterizes a tract in the northeastern sections over a mile 
wide and extending through three sections east and west. A A\Titer for D. J. 
Stewart- in 1874. aptly describes this peculiar fonnation: "'In some places the 
limestone rock literally covers the ground. In other localities in the immedi- 
ate neighborhood it is not quite so thickly strewn with this stone, and tolera- 
ble crops of wheat and other cereals are produced. By contraction with the 
atmosjihere, the limestone loses its original brownish shade, and is transformed 
into a white, giving the land a singular appearance when viewed from a dis- 
tance. The county, generally, is peculiarly fi-eefi'om stony laud, which renders 
the apjiearance of so much, just in this one spot, rather a remarkable geologi- 
cal feature." The soil of the township is in general very fertile, and large 
areas show deep and heavy loam. The artificial ili'aius and tributaries of 
Wolf C!reek, and its eastern fork take off the overflow, and leaves the soil in 
the finest condition for cultivation. Vi'olt Creek enters the township in the 
northwest quarter of Section 111, flows in a tortuous course generally nonheast 
past Bettsville, and leaves the county in the northwest quarter of Section 2. 
The east fork of this wandering creek flows through the southeastern sections. 
The county drain runs generally due north from Hopewell and enters Wolf 
Creek in Section 8. Two or three other artificial channels as well as tributary 
streams complete a perfect drainage system. 

Organic and Official.- Ijiherty Township was established June 5, 1832, and 
the first annual election held Aju'il 1, 1833. The officers elected were E. W. 
Brook. Jacob Kime and John Rosenberger. trustees: John Craun. clerk: Eben. 
Conway and Nicholas Rumbaugh, constables; Adam Flack. Isaac Hartsock, 
James Jiidson. Levi Crissy and Joseph H. Conway, supervisors. The records 
from 1833 to 1863 are either lost or in such a bad condition as to leave a list 



LICKKTV TOWNSHIP. 569 

of officers for those years witliout the ;iuth(>iiticity, which reports of eh'ctions 
alonu bestow. lu ISol, Dennis Maloy sij^ns other records as township clerk; 
James Lott served as ck'rk fi'oni 1852 to 187)4; Alex. Feasel, 1855; John 
Good, 1850-57: James Lewis, 1858; Jacob Thomas, 1859-00; Jacob Powell, 
1801-63; A. J. Feasel, 180:5; Jacob Thomas, 1804-()5; Edward Pope, 1800; 
James Lott. lS0(-09: William Shiuuau, 1870; Jacob Feasel, lS<I-75; Michael 
Lvnch, 1870: John Edwards. 1877; D. Shuman, 1878; W. Short, 1879; M. 
AV. Bliss and D. Richards. 1880; H. H. Geyer and J. R. Betts, .1881: J. R. 
Betts, 188-2: C. J. Thomas, 1S83; C. O. Snyder, 1884-85. 

The trustees from 1804 to 1885 are named as follows: 

1 804. — Nicholas Rosenberger, L. Z. Wagner, Sam Bower. 

1805. — John Loni^, Ezra Cromer, Moses Hosier. 

1800. — John Baughman, G: H. Feasel, Nathan Littler. 

1867-08. — William Roliertsou, John Lvnch, W. C. Lybarger. 

1809. ^R. Littler, R. Williams, William Flack. 

1870. — N. H. Remsbnrg, Ang. Hoke, Ezra Cromer. 

1871.— J. W. Powell, William Robertson, N. H. Remsburg. 

1872. — Amos Deal, William Robertson, N. H. Remsbiu-g. 

1873. — Samuel Lefler. William Robertson. N. H. Renisbiu'g. 

1874. — Jacob Kimmett. John Weaver, N. H. Remsbiug. 

1875. — I^ram Cromer, J. B. ^\'eaver, N. H. Remsbiu'g. 

1870. — Hiram Cromer. J. B. Weaver. N. H. Remsbiug. 

1877. — James Fry, John Halters. N. H. Remsburg. 

1878. — Anson Anderson, Jacob A. Zeis. J. H. Fiy. 

1879.— Reuben Heffner, William Flack. J. H. Fry. 

1880. — Benjamin Stackhouse, G. W. Hartsock, R. N. Lybarger. 

1881. — H. Frankhouser, John A. Jones, John Edwards. 

1882. — John W. Angus. W. S. Sheats, John A. Jones. 

1883.— Walter R. Betts. G. W. Hartsock, John B. Weaver. 

1884. — Edward Chaj>man, John Edwards, Upton Ash. trustees: J. L. Hos- 
ier and Bradford Struble, justices. 

The officers elected in April, 1885, are Edward Chapman, John Edwards, 
L'pton Ash. trustees: C. O. Snyder, clerk; M. A. Smith, treasurer: Ammon 
Freese and George Schuster, assessors; L. T. Ruggles, J. F. Shaull and Alvin 
Limian, constables; Bradford Struble and J. L. Hosier, justices of the peace. 

Pioneers and Old Besidents. — Henry and Eliza (Lott) Abbott, parents of 
Mi's. J. H. Davidson, of Bettsville (who is a native of Seneca County), were 
early settlers .... Dr. James A. Andrews, a native of Philadelphia, and who 
died in 1800. came, in 1837, to the farm now occujiied by his widow, Mrs. 
Emy (Rozell) Andi-ews, who was born in New Jersey .... Jacob and Sarah 
(AVillerson) Ash. natives of Maryland, parents of Jacob Ash. of Liberty Town- 
ship (who was born in the house he now lives in. in 1830), came to Liberty 
Township in 1832, and here died. . . .Jacob and Sarah (Kouutz) Ash, natives 
of Manland, parents of Abraham Ash, of Fostoria (and who was born in 1824 
in Pennsylvania), came to Ohio in 1831, and settled in Liberty Township. 
Jacob Ash died in 1853 at the age of si.\ty-three. Abraham Ash laid out and 
had siu'veyed the present village of Kansas in the interest of his brother Jacob, 
and was instrumental in getting postoffice established there, being first post- 
master .... George and Tishey (Reed) Ash. parents of t'pton Ash. came to 
Liberty Township in 1S33. 

Nathan and I'hoebe (Caulkin) Betts, parents of Mrs. Nicholas Rosenberger, 
of Liberty Township (who was born in New York State in 1820), located in 
Liberty Township in 1834 John and Barbara (Boyer) Betts, parents of 



570 HISTORY OF SENECA COL'NTV. 

Michael Betts, of Liberty Township (who was born in Pennsylvania in 1S(")9), 
came to Wayne County in 1821, and to Liberty Township, this county, in 1882, 
locating on Section 3, where John Betts caused to be laid out the twenty-one 
original lots of Bettsville in 1838 .... John Baity, a German, settled here in 
1857. . . .Jacob O. Bowlus in ]8<)4. . . .John Banghmau, father of Mi's. Henry 
Hostler, of Hopewell Township, was an old settler of Liberty Township .... 
Moses and Martha (Robinson) Bower, parents of Mrs. Uptou Ash, mother of 
Edmund R. Ash, of Liberty Township, were among the earliest well-kno'mi 
settlers here .... George and Julia ( Scott) BjTon. natives of Marj'land, 
parents of Mrs. Jacob Ash, of Liberty Township (who was born in this county 
in 1888), were early settlers. . . .David W. Brown came from Frederick County, 
Md. , to Seneca County in 1834, died in Liberty Township, June 20, 188"). He 
resided at Tiffin in 1884-36, where he rented the old Lloyd Norris farm, and 
in 1840 moved on his lands in Liberty Township. . . .George Brown, one of the 
pioneer residents of Liberty Township, died in July, 1885. Mr. Brown was 
eighty-three years of age, and had resided in Liberty Township over fifty years. 

Ezra and Sarah (Craun) Cromer, natives of ^Maryland, parents of Squire 
Hiram Cromer, of Liberty Township (who was born here in 1844). were among 
the early settlers of this county, where Mr, Cromer died in 1881. 

David and Diana (Lewman) Dieken, parents of John R. Dicken, of Bloom 
Township, settled in Liberty Township, this county, in 1831; Da^ad Dicken 
died in 1871, his widow in 1873. 

George and Laiu'a (Hine) Emerine, parents of Andrew Emerine, of Fos- 
toria (who was born in Germany in 1830), came to America in 1835 and set- 
tled in Libei-ty Township. 

Adam and Mary Flack, parents of the late l\L-s. Abraham Ash, of Fostoria, 
settled in Liberty Township in 1826 .... "\\'illiam Flack came fi'om Maryland in 
1828 . . . •. Michael Fisher fi-om Germany in 1848. 

John F. Gassman, a native of Germany, born in 1812, came to America 
in 1833, and to Liberty Township in 1834. " He died in 1863. 

Jacob Hosier, grandfather of James L. Hosier, was among the very early 
settlers, .... Moses Heffner came fi'om Pennsylvania in 1848 .... Joseph M. 
Hammer, an old settler of Liberty Township, ended his life tjy suicide in Novem- 
ber. 1885 

Henry Kern, an Ohio:in. came in 1847. 

Nathan Littler.a Virginian, came in 1839; Amandus Lutz,an Ohioan, in 1855. 

Daniel Martin and his brother Peter built, in 1838, the lu-st house in Betts- 
ville .... Levi McCollom, who died in 1836, owned the west half of the 
northwest quartei' and the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 
25. . . .Mrs. Daniel Martin (nee Mary Betts) died September 8, 1885, in her 
seventy-fifth year .... David ^Martin, whose widow now resides at old Fort 
Seneca, was an early settler. . . ."William Montgomi'ry. father of William Mont- 
gomery (the latter born near TitMn in 1827 and still living), and grandfather 
of J. W. Montgomery, of Liberty Townsliip, was one of the first settlers of 
this county.... J. B. and Sarah (Greene) Murray, parents of Mrs. J. W. 
Montgomery, of Liberty Towushiji (who was tiorn here in 1863), may have 
been early settlers of the county. 

John Null, a Virginian, came in 1838 ... .James A. Norton, an Ohioan, 
settled here in 1848. 

Jacob and Annie (Beck) Omwake, many of whose family died of cholera in 
1855, parents of-lNIrs, Hiram Cromer, of Liberty Township (who was born in 
Pennsylvania in 1S4()), came to this county in 1844. 

George and Catharine (Null) Puffenberger. parents of John Puffen- 
berger, of Libei'ty Township (who was born in Virginia in 1823), were 



LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 571 

tho first, settlers in Liberty Township, coming in 1825 and entering land in 
Section 28. IMi\ Puffenberger died in 1850, his widow in 1877. . . .In October, 
1840. J. W. Patterson lectured on temperance in Puffenberger' s schoolhouse. 
Liberty Township .... Mrs. Maiy Powell, who died in January. 18S1. in her 
seventy-ninth year, was born in Bradford County, Peun. , came to Liberty Town- 
shi]> in 183'2, and now rests in the Null Cemetery. 

Frederick and Catharine (Shaul) Kosenberger, parents of Nicholas Eosen- 
berger, of Liberty Township, (who was born in Virginia in 1814), came to 
Seneca County in 182(), and in 1827 to Liberty Township, where they built 
the third house in the township, in which house was assembled the first meet- 
ing for divine worship held in this township. Frederick Rosenberger built 
in 1829 the first saw-mill in Liberty Township, and in 1831 added the first 
grist-mill here, and same year assisted in building on the line between Sections 
7 and 8 the first schoolhouse in the township .... Authew liingle, born in 
Pennsylvania in 181 7, settled on his present farm in Lilserty Township in 1846. 
.... John and Jam" (Twigley) Rozell, parents of Mrs. Dr. James A. Andrews, 
of Liberty Township, came here in \HW, where they died. . . .Daniel Kinebolt, 
referred to in the history of Jackson Township, settled here in 1828. . . .John 
Robertson settled here in 1847. 

George Saul, a native of Pennsylvania, located near Tiffin, Ohio, in 1823, 
and in l831 moved to the farm in LiVtcrty Township, where his widow, Mrs. 
Mary (McCune) Saul, now lives. He died in 1850. . . .Michael and Rosanna 
(Seidner) Shaull. maternal grandparents of Nicholas Rosenberger. of Liberty 
Townshij), were early settlers here .... Emanuel Shoemaker, a native of 
Virginia, born in 1807, but late of Fairfield County, Ohio, came to this county 
in 1845, locating in Liberty Townshij), afterward moving to Hopewell .... Fran- 
cis Seagraves, a Pennsylvauian, came in 1854. .. .George and Rosina (Dun- 
ninger) Smith, natives of Germany, parents of ]\L's. Jacob Hunker, of Liberty 
Township (who was born in this county in 1850), settled here about 1845. 

Benjamin Turner, and his wife Rachel K., located at Tiffin in 1829, and in 
1834 settled on the Turner farm in this township. 

Gerhart and Catherine E. (Fink) Zimmer, natives of Germany, parents of 
Mrs. John F. Gassman, of Lilierty To^Tiship (also a native of Germany, bom 
in 1819), came to America in 1S82, settling same year in this county, where 
they died, former in 1S75. latter in 1874. at advanced ages. . . .Barney Zim- 
merman, a native of Maryland, born in 1804, father of Jacob Zimmerman of 
Pleasant Township (who was born in Maiyland in 1829), located on his present 
farm in Liberty Township, in 183(i, and assisted in the construction of the early 
chm-ches, school buildings, roads, bridges, etc , , . . William and Eva (Lather- 
man) Zeis are also numbered among the old residents of the township. . . .God- 
frey and ]\Lirgaret (Sagerl Zeis, parents of Mrs. William F. Shuman. of Pleas- 
ant Township, are old settlers in this township. 

BETTSVILLE. 

Bettsville, bounded by Wolf Creek, South Street and East Street, was sur- 
veyed April 12, 1838. for John Betts, by James Diu-bin. Daniel Betts' addi- 
tion was surveyed April 24, 1858, by L. E. Holtz. Betts' third addition was 
platted in September, 1871, for" Dr. D. H. and John F. Betts. Mrs. 
Andrews' addition was sm-veyed in 1871 by S. Nighswander. An addition to 
Bettsville, bounded by Wolf Creek, L'nion and Main Streets, was made in 
1872 by P. H. Ryan htr Michael Betts and Catli(>rine Rosenberger. D. W. 
and J. A. Betts' addition was surveyed in April, 1873, by S. Nighswander. 

Other additions were made in 1874 and 1879, viz. : Daniel Belts', October 



572 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 

15, 1874: Mrs. Anch'ews' second addition, September, 1874, and Jacob Schus- 
ter & Co.'s, January, 1879. 

Incorporation and Organization. — A petition to incorporate Bettsville was 
presented to the county board December 11, 1882, by A. Kirehner, M. HefF- 
ner. H. M. Snyder, M. Bower and forty-nine others. This petition was 
granted Febniary 20, 1883, and a village election . held April 21, 1883, with 
the following result: M. Heffner. mayor; J. L. Hosier, clerk; D. W. Betts, 
treasiu'er; J. Jackson, marshal; M. A. Smith, sealer of weights and measures; 
H. H. Geyer, John Grover, John Robertson, councilmen for one y6ar; J. 
Burket, A. Betts, J. Gill, councilmen for two years. The councilmen elected 
in 1884 were H. H. Geyer, Jacob Trautman and Isaac Stiger. The elections 
of 1885 resulted as follows: mayor, clerk, treasurer and marshal were all 
re-elected, with Jacob Schuster, Henrj' Betts, Samuel Yan Meer. members of 
council. In Mav, 1885. Milo Haller succeeded Jacob " Trautman. who moved 
to Wood County. John Robertson. H. P Fiy. Ed. Leggett, D. W. Betts, 
Jacob Schuster and Henry Hollinger formed the board of education, James 
L. Hostler was re-elected village clerk in April. 1SS5, and was elected justice 
of the peace for Liberty Township same date. 

Cliurrheii. — The Methodist Episcopal Chiu-eh of Bettsville may be said to 
have been formed in May. 1851, when the quarterly conference of Port Clinton 
District, held at the Salem Chui-ch near AVolf Creek, set ofF the teiTitory 
including Swope"s Corners, Bettsville and adjacent places as a mission. " In 
July, 1851, Newel J. Close was appointed circuit preacher vice S. T. Lane 
and Thomas Ackennan the circuit preachers of the old district. In August, 
1852, the name of the mission was changed to that of Fort Seneca, and Betts- 
ville was attended from Fort Seneca for some years. It appears fi'om the 
following resolution adopted April U, 1853, by the third quarterly conference of 
the Port Clinton Circuit, that a churcli was built at Bettsville: "on motion of 
Brother Brakefield, the church at Bettsville not being used, and it not being 
probable that it would be for years to come, the trustees were ordered to sell 
the church and apply proceeds for the benefit of Fort Seneca society." Nego- 
tiations for the sale of this church were can-ied on until November, 1859, when 
the ■ ■ committee on sale ' ' was released. 

In 1862 a lot was purchased from J. R. Betts for 1500. Josiah Adams was 
reappointed preacher with William Deemers assistant, and name of the circuit 
changed to Bettsville. In 1S()4 L. D. Rogers and T. C. Reed were appointed 
preachers, and work on building the church at Bettsville was commenced. 

In 1865 R. Biggs was ajipointed in charge of Bettsville Circuit, but at the 
close of the year the circuit was divided, with Bettsville, Fort Seneca, Jackson, 
Ebenezer and Bascom, forming Bettsville. Charles Astor succeeded R. 
Biggs: D. Bulle, next; John H. Wilson, 1869: Hill, 1875; L, O. Cooke, 1877: 
H. H. Harper, 1S80; W. Dunlap, 1882: Rev. N. S. Brackney came in 1884. 

The Methodist Episcopal Chiu-ch. Bascom. is the oldest chm-ch in the Betts- 
ville Circuit, having been foi-med !it the house of Abram Miller in 1831, and a 
meeting-house was built by G. W. Collier some time after. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Kansas, was founded by Rev. R. 
Biggs with sis members, who held meetings in the XTuifeJ Brethren Church. 

The Reformed Church. Bettsville. was founded in 1883 by Rev. William 
Smith, of Fort Seneca, with the following members: M. A. Smith and wife. 
Hemy Fry and wife, and a few others. A chiu-ch building was beguu in 1882, 
which was completed in April. 1883, at a cost of about $2,700. The Sunday- 
school, established al)out two yeai-s ago, claims an attendance of forty. M. A. 
Smith is superintendent: Charles Zeis and Henry Fry are tnistees. 




\ 



t^StS 




^Ori ^ J^72S 



LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 575 

Tbo United Brethron met at Helena Novcmhor 1"). 1S73, and elected Abram 
Ash. Jacob Ash, J. A. Johnson, Jesse Mowry. Sam. Mowry, trustees in charge 
of the Kansas Union Cluircli projierty of the United Brethren society. 

St. Josepli' s Catholic Church was founded many years ago, with John Cook, 
Klaus Nick. John Berean. P. Kibler, Hank Shippey, John Shaugh, John Murphy 
and. lat(>r, A. Kirchnc>r and others. The church was built aliout eleven years 
ago. Kev. Joseph Blazier, of Millersville, is the priest of this district, suc- 
ceeding Father .Ai'noldi. of Fostoria, seven years ago, in charge of this mission. 
St. Andrew's Catholic Church is also in this township. 

Salem Church at Bettsville was formed previous to 1832, when there were 
about ten members belonging to the Evangelical Society. The Baker family 
and a few others were the original members. In 1832 the Betts and Lesher 
families became members; the Osewalts, and Peter Vaitley and wife came 
shoilly after and joined the chiu'ch. This chiu'ch was reorganized August 25, 
187(1. The first trustees were John Kisabeiih. Jacob Thomas, J. Walters, 
John Dundore and Michael Betts. Kev. E. S. Rife was pastor. 

Ebenezer Chapel Society. Bettsville. was incorporated May I'J, 1865, with 
Rev. L. D. Rogers, chairman; Caspar Cover, secretaiy, A. E. Cover, Henry- 
Cramer. AVilliam Cramer. David Bosler. Charles Conell, August Elliot and 
Caspar Cover, trustees. 

Societies. — Bettsville Lodge No. 752, K. of H. . was instituted in 1878. 
The officers installed in January. 1884, ai'e named as follows: 

Diet., George Flumerfelt: Vice Diet., J. D. Briner; Asst. Diet.. I. F. Betts; 
Rep.. F. C. Miller; Financial Rep., Moses Heffner; Treasm-er, John F. Hal- 
ter; Chap., Daniel Mun-ay; Guide, J. L. Tindall; Guar., Nathaniel SheiTer; 
Sent.. D. B. Betts; Trustees. Jacob Schuster, H. H. Guyer and John Halter. 

The K. and L. of H. , Esther Lodge No. 278, recently organized, is pre- 
sided over by Moses Heffner, with Clara Martin, secretar}'. 

Kansas Lodge No. 405, I. O. O. F. , elected the following named officers in 
January, 1885: Noble Grand, Louis Pieter; Vice-Grand, Adam Rinebolt; 
treasurer, J. O. Bolus; recording secretary, C. E. Hudson; trustees, R. H. 
Powell, Dr. Junif) and D. J. "Winchell. 

Unity Council No. 4, O. of C. F. , was organized at Bettsville. Ohio, May 
19, 1880, with the following named charter members: John H. Graham, 
Alfred Mclntyer. A. H. A. Smith, David H. Betts, Levi Mohler. William A. 
Craig. Alex AV. Day, Irving Abbott, James M. Fry. John Mirer, John A. Mar- 
tin. AN'illiam A\'. Winch, Francis F. A^'inch, Moses Heffner, Moses R. Bowers, 
Edward Leggett, Lewis A. Solomon, Joseph Jackson. George A. Yeagley, 
Lewis T. Ruggles. Reuben Heffner, George Schuster, John F. Betts, Daniel 
P. Lynch. Elmer L. Jackson, Jacob Fink. Isaac Stiger, Amos Stiger. Henry 
Brockman. Denis D. Blue. George D. Feasel, Winfield S. Sheets, Joseph 
Fk)ry, John Gruver, A\'. P. Buckingham. Reuben Heffner was the first chief 
counsellor. 

Maple Lodge No. 700, I. O. O. F., was chai-tered May 13, 1881, and insti- 
tuted June 23, 1881, with the following members: A. S. Martin, M. D. . Amo.s 
Deal. Daniel McCowen, Franklin Ringle. John W. Snvder, Amandus Betts, 
R. H(>ffner, H. H. Gyer, H. S. Raff, H. M. Craig. J. ^\^. Palmer. Henry 
Brockman, William Flaven, with Reuben Heffner, N. G.. H. M. Craig, secre- 
tary. In January, 1882, A. Betts was elected N. G. , and Jacob Schuster, sec- 
retary. In July, 1882, Harry Craig, N. G., and S. F. Moore, secretary. In 
Januarj', 1883. Daniel McCowen, N. G. . and H. S. Raff, secretary. In July, 

1883. John AV. Snyder, N. G.. and AV. S. Miller, secretary. In January, 

1884, Jacob Schisler was elected N. G., and George Schneider, secretary. In 



.576 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 

July, 1884, J. L. Tindall was X. G. , and W. S. Miller, secretary. In Janu- 
ary, 1885, Isaac Stiger was elected N. G., and Jacob Schuster, secretary. 
S. E. Van Horn took Isaac Stiger' s place in June, 1885. The lodge now 
numbers about forty members in good standing. 

Joseph Powell Po.st, G. A. R., No. 174. Bettsville, was organized under 
charter December 27, 1881, with the following members: John W. Snyder, J. 
H. Davidson, Ii-win Abbott, John Graver. John Fitzgerald. John F. Betts, F. 
F. "Winch, Jacob Thomas. T. L. Mills, John W. Palmer. J. Shireman. Elijah 
Tindall, John Robertson. Lucian Hall, C. J. Thomas. Charles Robinson. John 
A. Martin, A. Betts, John Robison, L. C. Graves, Anson Lewman. William 
Shirkey, George Drayton, Joseph Jackson, Joseph Bui'ket, A. A\'hitney and 
William Craig. John Snyder served as commander in 1881-82: C.J.Thomas, 
in 1883; John W. Gilbert, in 1884; H. M. Craig, in 1885, and C. J. Thomas, 
adjutant. This post was named in honor of Joseph Powell, of the One Hun- 
di'ed and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who died of wounds received during 
the Atlanta campaign. The membership is sixty. 

K. of P., Seneca Lodge No. 147, Bettsville, was instituted October 19, 
1882, with the following officers: T. A. Flumerfelt, P. C. ; C. E. Smith. C. 
C. ; C. O. Snyder. V. C. ; H. L. Penn, P. ; I. J. Mclntwe. INL A. ; D. P. 
Lynch, M. E. ; C. W. Harris. M. T. ; Frank Wickert, K. of R. and S. ; J. C. 
Lybarger, O. G. ; George Edwards, I. G. The other members were H. W. 
Lease, James Blue, R. Blue, Marion Blue, Marion Lynch, W. S. Sheats. 
The chancellor commanders, since instituted, are C. O. Snyder, 1883; H. L. 
Penn. 1884; Dr. Scheib, 1885. C. O. Snyder was elected representative to 
Grand Lodge for two years, succeeding T. A. Flumerfelt, the hrst represent- 
ative. C. O. Snyder and H. L. Penn have been recorders of the lodge, suc- 
ceeding F. Wickert. The trustees are H. L. Penn, J. L. Hosier and H. H. 
Geyer. The membership is about 1.S22. 

Business Circle. — The business and professional circles of the village in 
1884-85, were made up as follows: Bettsville Enterprise, J. L. Hosier; Anna 
Bollinger, millinery; Caroline Beery, dress-maker; J. R. Betts, undertaker; 
Wilson Betts. flour-mill: E. L. Boucher, druggist, biu-ned out; Moses Bower, 
carpenter; Henry Brookman, blacksmith; W. P. Buckingham, physician; 
George Burkert, cooper; Biu'kert & Robinson, pumps; J. H. Davidson, gen- 
eral store; A. Doherty, limekiln; T. A. Flumerfelt, removed to Mose Heffner's 
saw-mill: Albert Flora, cooper; John Frv's saloon, now owned by John Sny- 
der; Mrs. M. Gambs, moved to Michigan; Gus Smith, grocery and boarding 
house: Henry H. Geyer, hardware; John Gills, boots and shoes; John Gruver, 
blacksmith; Irving and Atjbott Hotel, now barber shop and printing office, 
building owned by Periy Lynch: Anthony Kirchner, harness-maker; John 
Lutz & Son (removed), meat market; A. S. Martin (deceased), physician; 
Miller Bros., flom--mill; Samuel Moore, can-iage and wagon-makers: R. E. 
Norton, barber; John Shii-eman, boots and shoes; William Cromer, saloon; 
Dr. Scheib, physician: Ed. Smith, hotel; Smith & Fry, general store; Snyder 
& Co., general store; J. G. Snyder & Co., stave factory; John Snyder, tinner; 
John Thomas, cooper; Thomas & Robertson, pump-makers; S. R. Van Meer, 
cooper: George ^^'. "\^'hitney. shoe-maker. 

The great fire of August 7, 1880, at Bettsville, destroyed one of its finest 
busine:5s blocks, owned by John Betts, Schubert, John Cook, C. Norton, Joseph 
Massonnette, George Schuster, John Perong and others. This block was never 
rebuilt. 

The .Anchor Mills were built about ten years ago by Betts & Miller Bros., at 
a cost of about $20.0;)l). The Snvder Bros, leased a share in the business of 



LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 577 

the mill, and in connection with tho buiklprs were the operators until they dis- 
posed of their interests about ISSO, since which time D. W. Betts, ^Villiam, 
John and Fred. Miller have conducted the business, with H. S. RafP, miller. 
The buildinjj;s are brick, two and a half stories high. There are live run of 
stone, two ])uriti(>rs. three cleaners, eight reels and a JIoitIs Elevator Bolt, 
(h'iven by a sixty-five horse-power engine. The capacity is 125 ban-els per 
day. This industry gives employment to six men. The elevator, now leased 
by this company, was liuilt some twelve years ago, by Betts, King & Rosen- 
berger. 

Betts\Tlle Stave ^^'orks were erected about thirteen years ago, by Jacob 
Schuster, as a planing-mill, and converted into a mill for the manufactiu'e of 
hoops. The buildings were purchased by Fred. Snyder, of Helena, about four 
years ago, when stave machinery was added. The capacity is about 80,000 
staves and 7,000 hoops per day. The sycamore, elm and bass-wood, used in 
the manufacture of hoops and staves, are supplied in the neighborhood. George 
Nuernburg is foreman. 

Coopers — Merchant & Short established the first cooperage at Bettsville, 
about nine years ago. John Robinson succeeded this firm aljout six years ago; 
operated the shop for about nine months, when he sold to S. R. Yan Meei'. who 
has operated the shops the last live years. This industry gives employment to 
six men; has a capacity of seventy barrels per day. 

The first brickj'ard was established by Michael Betts. John Kerchnor 
operated it subsequently. Kerchner, Craig & Legget entered into partnership 
and introduced tile machinery. The works now are operated by H. R. Fry &. 
Henry Betts. manufacturers of di-ain tiles. 

Bettsville Limekiln, owned by Dougherty Bros., of Toledo, was estab- 
lished about fourteen years ago by citizens of Tiffin. The kiln was ])urehased 
by the Doughertys aboiit five years ago. The full working force of th" 
double kiln is about twelve men. 

Betts^^lle Manufacturing Company was organized March 7, 1882, with the 
following named members: Jacob Schuster, John F. Halter, Amandus Betts, 
H. P. Fry, H. H. Geyer, M. A. Smith, Jacob Troutman, D. W. Betts, Moses 
HefTner. Jacob Zeis and F. C. Miller. The object of this company was tho 
mauufacture and repair of agricultiu-al implements, but it never materialized. 

KANSAS. 

Kansas Village was sm'veyed by G. H. Heming for Aliraham Ash. guardian 
of Jacob Ash, March 0. IS-JO, on the northeast half of the northeast quarter of 
the .southeast quarter of Section <>. Fo.ster"s addition to the village was platted 
by Gideon Jones for Charles A\'. Foster in August, 18(55. This is north of 
the coimty road to alley north of Ash Street. Jacob Ash's addition, north of 
Main Street, and east and west of Chestnut, was sur^-eyed by D. Maloy in 1807. 

The village is located in one of the finest fanning districts of western Seneca, 
on the line of the Lake Erie & "Western Railroad. Its gi-owth has been of that 
steady (piality which wins and shows success, and to-day it boasts of being one 
■ if the most business-like of the .smaller villages of Ohio. 

The business houses of Kansas are named as follows: Bollinger Bros., 
potash manufacturers; J. O. Bowlus, gi-ocer; D. E. Bowman, physician; C. 
Brown, saloon; Solomon Gardner, can-iage-maker; David Hartline, shoe-maker; 
C Hinsman, saw-mill; J. S. Jump, dniggist; Kansas Lime Company; Lease 
Bros., general store; J. D. Reese, insm-ance; Reed & Stout, flouring-mill; 
David Marner, jeweler, and Joseph Mhitney, wagon shop. James S. Jinup 
succeeded J. O. Bowlus as postmaster at this point in August, 1SS5. Fur al- 



.5i» lUSTORV OF SENECA COUNTY. 

most thirty years Kansas has been the trading point for the numerous lumber 
industries carried on along AVolf Creek. 

Secret and benevolent societies, as well as religious organizations and their 
chiu'ches, have sprung uji here within the last two- decades. The schools are 
good, and altogether this village stands a monument to the enterprise of this 
northwestern part of the township. 

Small Settlements. — Jacob Kessler, who died in 183G or 1837, was the orig- 
inal owner of the town of Middlebui-g. Among the piu-chasers of lots in 1837 
were Joseph Richards. Daniel Bishop, William McChu'e. Fred and N. Eosen- 
berger, Jacob Lisher, Jacob Neikirk. Sylvester B. Clark. Richard J. Sneath, 
Walter Piyor, Silas Stafford, Christian Poates, John B. Case. Philip J. Price, 
George SwaiiTty, Abel Rawson, Jacob Baker. Ci. E. Pry or. James M'ells, David 
Patton and Levi Davis. The location was the east half of the noi-theast quai'ter 
of Section 9, Town 3 north. Range 14 east, which was platted by D. Eisdon 
for Jacob Kessler, and approved September 12. 1832, with Findlayaud Detroit 
Streets forming the central thoroughfares. This town saw its palmy days in 
1837-38, bnt since that time it has lapsed into the past. 

Carlin was sui'veyed bj' W. B. Gaw February 7, 1359, for James Justin. 
The location was on west half of north half of southwest quarter of Section 5, 
Township 3 north. Range 14. 

Angus Postoffice was established in 1883 by J. W. Angus, who also estab- 
lished the " Nickel Plate " Station. Jacob Flack was the first resident where 
this settlement now is. Angus, after whom the station is named, settled here 
in 1862. The postoffice was subsequently transferred to R. Hartsock. 

Linden Postoffice, seven miles northwest of Tiffin, was established in July, 
1874, with Louis Von Blon, postmaster. This passed out of existence within a 
short time. Maple Grove is the new name of this settlement . and of the post- 
office. 

Cromer's Postoffice was established five miles northwest of Tiffin, in 
August, 1875. 

Omwake's subdivision of southwest quarter of southeast quarter of Section 
26 is a new town. 

Cemeteries. — Liberty Cemetery Association was formed May 3. 1S73, with 
the following members: V. Ash, G. "W. Ash, J. R. Bunn, George Som-s, N. H. 
Remsburg, John McLaughlin, E. R. Ash. William Flack, W. Flack. Jr., George 
Hall, E. Dicken and George Woolcott. This cemetery is located three miles 
southwest of Bettsville. The Null Cemeteiy and the denominational cemeteries, 
throughout the township, contain the remains of the greater number of pioneers. 

Geueral Statistics. — The assessment roll of Liberty Township, in 1841, 
gives 19,833 acres, valued at $45,946: value of town lots, S391; horses, 240,' 
valued at S9,6()(); cattle, 487. valued at $3,896; mercantile capital and moneys 
at interest, $S()(): total value, !?60.633: total tax, $803. 3S: delinquencies, 
$103.81. 

The valuation and taxation of Lil)erty Township and Bettsville ^'illage 
present the following statistics: acres of land in. township, 22,558, valued at 
$765,490, and personal property valued atS355, 'i70: acres of land in Betts- 
ville, 150, valued at $73,830. and personal property valued at $45,380, aggre- 
gating $1,240,470 or $575.08 per cajiita (population of 1880, 2.157). The 
total tax is $15,553.72, and dog tax $190. 

The statistics of Liberty Township for 1884 are acres of wheat, 4,454, 
product 35.327 bushels: acres of rye, 42: of buckwheat, 9: of oats, 943, 
pi-oduct 30, 2(>0 bu.shels; of barley, 57: of corn, 3, 3()7, product 80,070 bushels; 
of meadow, 910 acres, ])rodu?t 1,082 tons of hay: clover, 821 acres, producing 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. ')TV' 

844 tons of hay and oSU bushels of seed; potatoes, 1 10 acres, 15. 'iol) bushel.s; 
butter, 5U, 180 pounds; sorghum, 11 acres, 420 gallons syTup; maple syrup. 
t)7'.) gallons; liNS hives, 4,451 pounds of honey; 27,778 dozens of eggs; 4 
acres of vineyards, 400 pounds of grajjesand fi5 gallons of wine; --ilii acres of 
orchards. 5,fSSn bushels of apples, 14 of peaches. 84 of pears; 11,822 acres of 
cultivated lands, ()()S acres of i)asture land. 4.859 of woodland, 27 of waste 
land, total acreage owned, T).S7f); wool shorn in 1888, 7,883 pounds; milch 
cows. 045; dogs. I'.tO; sheep killed and injured by dogs, 4(>; animals died of 
disease, 14S hogs. 88 sheep. 22 cattle and 15 horses. 

School Sfdtistics. — The school land question was brought before the electors 
of Liberty Township April 7. 1851. J. Abbott, P. Lewman and John Berkey 
were judges, and Deimis ]\Ialoy and Joseph Cessna, clerks of election in the case 
of the sale of school lands. Octol^er 25, 1851. the sale of Section 111, Town- 
ship 3. Range 14, and the north part of fractional Section 10, Township 1, Kange 
1 o, took place. Section 1 (> was disposed of to the following named buyers : Miles 
Barber, west half of northwest quarter; "Warren P. Noble, east half of north- 
west quarter and east half and west half of northeast quarter: Jacob Feasel, 
east half of soiitheast quarter: James Lott, west half of southeast cjuarter; 
David Martin, east half of southwest quarter; Daniel Lynch, west half of 
southwest quarter: all realizing §7, 705, together with !?540 realized from 58 jW 
acres in Section 10, Township 1. Itange 18. being the west half of east half and 
west half of west half fi'actional. referred to in Big Spring Townshi]). 

The tirst meeting of the board of education was held at Feasel' sschoolhouse 
April 18. 1858. with Jonathan Abbott, presiding, and James Lot. township 
clerk: J. Cessna, secretary; Dicken. Feasel and M. Edwards, tnistees. 

The condition of Liberty Township schools in August, 1884. is as follows: 
local tax. 18.11(8.84: receipts. $4,961.07; expenditures. I8.118.0U; sehool- 
huuses, 10; number of teachers, 22; average salaries, $52, $38 and §27; male 
pupils, 384; female pupils, 258; total nnmlier in high school, 73. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

LOUDON TOAVNSHIP AND FOSTOEIA CITY. 

n[~^HIS is one of the western tier of townships of Seneca County. Its 
J- eastern line is within six miles of the county seat, and it comprises within 
itself one 6f the most enterprising and progressive cities in this portion of 
Ohio. The township was sm-veyed in 1820; Init. for some years after settlers 
refused to seek a hom(> in the A\'olf Creek wilderness, although the sale of 
lands there was l)egun in 1821. A very small area presents a In'oken surface; 
but rulling lands are common. In general it is a slightly undulating plain, 
possessing a soil well adapted to the growth of cereals and esculent roots. 

M'olf Creek iiud its tributaries appear to beg for supply sources through- 
out the townshiji. These streams are found rambling around everywhere 
within its bound, if we except the immediate neighborhood of the Fostoria 
divide. All the heads of the west fork of this meandering creek may lie saiil 
to find a home here in Sections 7, 18 and 29, forming a stream at the northeast 
corner of Section 17, and flowing thence northeast, entering Jackson Township, 



•'>80 HISTORY OF SENECA COONTT. 

in Section 35. Han-ison Creek heads in two creeks on Sections 33 and 34, 
which flow north to Section U, where they form one stream. This flows north 
by east, leaving the township just east of the west line of Section 1. One of 
the principal tributaries of the main stream of M'oU Creek rises near the south 
line of the township in its southeast quarter, flows through Sections So. 30, 25 
and 24, and enters Hopewell in Section l',t of that township. 

The railroads which run through the townshiji are the Baltimore & Ohio, the 
Ohio Central and the Columbus. Hocking Valley & Toledo. The Lake Erie 
& AVestern runs northeasterly through Fostoria. lea\'ing the township in the 
northwest quarter of Section 5. The " Nickel Plate " also runs through Fos- 
toria in a northeasterly direction, and leaves the township at Section 4!^ 

The population of this township, outside of Rome Village, in 1S35, was 200; 
five years later, in 1840, the population of the township, ineluding Rome, was 
763: and forty years later, in LSSO. 4.315. exclusive of those parts of Fostoria, 
in Jackson Township, and in Hancock County. 

Oryanic and Official. —The first town election for Loudon was held April 
1^ 1832, when Abner Wade was elected justice; Benjamin Stevens, Peter F. 
King and John Ricketts, trustees; John tennis, clerk; Samuel Carb'augh. con- 
stable; Benjamin Hartley, supervisor; Abner Made and Nathan Shipjiey, over- 
seers of the poor; Benjamin Stevens, treasm-er: Nathan Shippey, John Kase 
and John Shellars, fence viewers. 

In 1833 the trustees and clerk were re-elected, and Peter Eversole was 
chosen treasurer. The township was districted for school purposes this year-. 

In March, 1634. the township was set off into road districts. Charles W. 
Foster was elected clerk and justice of the peace, while the treasurer and tras- 
tees were re-elected. School trustees were elected for the first time this year. 
The trastees. clerks and justices of the peace, elected since 1834, are named 
as follows: 

In 1835. Daniel Shively, W. Bennett and James Anderson, trustees: 
David Headley, clerk, and Abner "Wade, justice of the peace. Same officers 
elected in 1836, and re-elected in 1837. 

In 1837, C. W. Foster, Alonzo Lockwood. and William Peterson were 
elected school examiners, and C. A\'. Foster, justice of the peace. 

In 1838, B. Stevens, James Anderson and Daniel Shively were elected 
trustees; John Tennis, clerk; Abner A\'ade. justice of the peace" and re-elected 
in 1839. 

In 1840, Robert M. Ranney, Henry Ebersole and James Anderson were 
elected trustees; Alonzo Lockwood, justice of the peace, and John Tennis, 
clerk. 

In 1841, Henry Ebersole, Robert McKay and Alonzo Lockwood were trust- 
ees; C. W. Fester, treasurer; Thomas Chance, clerk. 

The elections of 1842 resulted in the choice of Abner Wade. Henry Eber- 
sole and James Anderson, trustees; Thomas Chance, clerk, and Eli Weaver, 
justice of the peace. 

In 1843 there were elected Abner Wade. David Headley and Thomas E. 
Belknap, trustees: Eli Weaver, clerk: C. W. Foster, treasui-er: Alonzo Lock- 
wood, justice of the peace, and re-elected in 1844. 

In 1845 Jacob Anton, David Young and Peter I. King, trustees: Eli Wea- 
ver, clerk, and C. A\'. Foster, treasxu-er, were elected. 

The election of 1846 resulted in the choice of Joel Hales, Philip Hennessy 
and Eli Weaver, trustees; A. K. Ne_eclham. clerk, and C. W. Foster, treasurer. 
The trustees were re-elected in 184 1. with clerk and ti-easiirer: Joel Hales and 
and M. P. Skinner, justice of the peace. , 



LOL'Dd.N" TOW.NSllir. 6&1 

In April. 1847, Abner Wade, Thomas E. Belknap ami Thomas Foughty, 
trustees of Section Id. rented to W. S. Sprales for seven years, and to othei-s, 
parts of school section. 

The trustees elected in 1S4S were Aliner Wade, Phillip Hennessy and Joel 
Hales; clerk and treasurer re-elected. 

The trustees elected in 1S49 were John Fritcher, John Cooper and Joseph 
.Vmes; Junius Y. Jones was chosen clerk, and C. Vi'. Foster, treasurer: Samuel 
Dewees. justice of the peace. 

The elections of ISM resulted as follows: John Fritcher. John Cooper 
and Joseph Ames, trustees; clerk and treasiuer re-elected, and Peter Ebersole, 
justice of the peace. 

TRISTKI-S. CI.F.KKS. TREASIRERS. JISTICES. 

18S1-G. W.Patterson, P. Henncss^-. D. Yming.P. .1. Kinnanian.C.W.Fo.stPr..T. Ames 
1S")2-(t.W. Patterson, P.Hcnncssv. D.Youug. .P. .1. Kiniiaman.C.AV. Foster. (J. W.Patterson 

18r):i-S. W. Rieketts, .T. Fritcher D. Young. .J. V. .Tones C.W. Foster J. V. .Jones 

1854-S. Grove, .1. Dillon, .J. Friteber I. V. Jones C.AV. Foster. Joel Hales 

185,5-C. Grove. W. Braden, K. A. Kirkwood. .J. Y. Jones C.W.Foster. Joel Ilales 

1855-J. C. Millhinie and H. A. Patterson. . 
were appointed vice Braden and Kirk- 
wood removed 

185(>-C Grove. J.H. Clay, A. R. Brandebery. .J. V. Jones C.W.Foster. J. V. Jones 

iai7-M. Frutli. J. Cuthbertson, C. Grove J. V. Jones C.W.Foster. J. V. Jones 

I8.i8-C. Grove, >I. f>uth, J. Andeison J. V. .Jones C.W.Foster. J. V. Jones 

18S9-G. Dillon, P. Bycrs, D. Younc J. V. Jones C.W.Foster. J. V. Jones 

1860-W.D. Sherwood, P. Byers, J. G. AustienJ. V. Jones C.W. Foster. J. W. Arnold 

1861-*J. Lewis, J. Cuthbertson, P. Byers J. V. .Tones C.W.Foster. J. V. Jones 

1862-P. B}-ers. P. Chance. J. Adelsperger T. V. Jones C.W.Foster. J. V. .Tones 

lHfi3-J. Bick. P. Chance, N. Lower J. V. Jones C.W.Foster. J. V. Jones 

18(i4-Joel Hales. P. Chance, C. C. Nestlerode.Ira Allerlon C.W.Fosler.J. V. Jones 

18n.5-Joel Hiiles, P. Chance, C. C. Xestlerode.S. W. Clay C.W. Foster. J.W. Arnold 

18(i('>-Joel Hiiles, P. Chance, C. C. Xestlerode.S. Stearns C.W.Foster. P. Bvers. 

18ti7-.Joel Hales. P. Chance. C. C. Nestlerode.N. P. Robbins. .C.W. Foster. J. V." .Tones 
1868-J. W. Arnold. J. V. Jones, P. Byers.. .N. P. Robbins. .C.W.Fosler.J.A.Bradner 

1869-J. V. Jones, S. Kiser, S. Good N. P. Robbins. .C.W.Fosler.J.A.Bradner 

1870-J. V. Jones, L. Niebel. J. W. Arnold. ..N. P. Robbins LA.Bradner 

1871-J. V. .Tones. L Stultz. Isaac Good X. P. Robbins T.A.Bradner 

1872-J. V. Jones, L Stultz, Lsaac Good X. P. Robbins J.A.Bradncr 

1873-A. Emcrine, J. A. Hounell, H. W. Eyler.G. D. Acker M.P.SkinnerP. Bycrs 

187-1-A. Emcrine, G. Dillon, P. Ricketts G. A. Knight. . .M.P.SkinnerJ. A. Hotlel. . 

187.5-A. Kmerine. (i. Dillon. L Stultz A. Weaver M.P.Skinner 

1876-P. Duffy, I.Siultz. J. Hoffman G. A. Knight. .. .M.P.Skinner. D.W.Wood 

1877-R. Adams. J. .\ndes, I. Slultz G. A. Kni!rht...A. Emerine.J. Heilman 

187.S-S. Kizer, D. Asire, I. StuUz G. A. Knight . . . I.L Mickey. .J..V.Bradner 

1S79-G. D. Acker, L Stultz, D. Asire G. A. Knight . . .LL.Mickev. .D. H. Everett 

1880-D. Asire, G. I). Acker, John Andes G. A. Knight . . .LL.Mickev.. W. Cramer 

I881-D Asirc.J. Andes, I. Stultz G. A. Knii;ht .. .LL.Mickev. .G. A. Ivnight 

1882-J. Andes. D. Peters, J. V. Jones G. A. Knight .. .LL.Mickev. .J. A. Bradner 

188.S-J. Andes, D. Peters, (J. D. Acker Wm. O. Bulger. LL.Mickev. .J. A. Bradner 

1884-J. Andes, G. D. Acker, D. Peters G. A. Knight .. .LL. Mickey. .C.W. Hughes 

The elections of 1885 resulted in the choice of the following named tifficers: 
Trustees, David Asire, George W. Young and J. J. Wormau; clerk, J. M. 
Schatzell: treasurer, James L. Mickey: assessors, W. H. H. Leech and John 
J. Peter; constables. Thomas Leedy and Philip Fox. 

Pioneers and Pioiu'er Incidents. — When the pioneers first looked in upon the 
township, Indians inhiibited the country all around, and made daily calls at 
the cabins of their new white neighbors. The betir and wolf were also frequent 
visitors, and following them came the ague —the most unwelcome, trouT)lesome 
and injurious visitor of pioneer days. Who the pioneers and old settlers of 
this township were is told in the following review of old residents and old 
events: 



*J. I.evu and J. Cutbliertsoii were appointed. 



582 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

George D. Acker, born in Pennsylvania in 1834, moved to Fostoria in 1853. 
.... John and Violetta (Clark) Adams, natives of Ohio, came here at an early 
date ,,.. John and Mary A. (Alb(>rt ) Adelsperger, former of Maryland, latter 
of Pennsylvania, parents of Mrs. James V. Magers, of Tiffin, are numbered 
among the pioneers of London .... John Q. Albert, born in Pennsylvania in 
1827, settled at Fostoria in 1843. . . .Thomas and Nancy Adams are old resi- 
dents of this township .... Jacob Alexy settled in Loiidon Township about 1833, 
near the southeast corner. . . .John Anderson died January 124, 1872. . . .Mary 
Anderson, the oldest resident of Fostoria at time of her death, died June 22, 
1882, aged over ninety-two years .... John "\^'. Ai-nold, born in Philadelphia in 
1818, came to Loudon in 1851 , . . .John and Philebema (Reise) Andes, of Fos- 
toria, are refeiTed to in other pages among the old settlers .... David Asire. a 
native of Ohio, settled here in l858. 

Samuel Baer, of Fostoria; Henry Bucher, of Loudon, and Charles Bohsein 
are old residents .... Dr. Simon Bricker died in 1 856, and was the tirst adult 
buried in the city cemetery of Fostoria .... Horace S, Belknap died May 3, 
1857 .... Godfi'ey Biles, a native of Germany, born in 1829, came to Seneca 
County in 1843, and after moving aboiit from time to time settled finally in 
Loudon in 1865. . . .C. Bonnell and B. W. Bonnell, natives of Ohio, came here 
in 1844. . . . John L. Benson in 1848. . . .Philip Byers in 1853. . . .Dr. J. "\V. 
Bricker, referred to in the chapter on physicians, settled here in 1846. . . .Ed- 
ward Biirns, now living in Loudon, is among the old residents .... The Braden 
family settled at Fostoria at an early date. Mathias Hollopeter. a local 
preacher, had the bodies of Mrs. Braden and members of his family transfeiTed 
to the new cemetery in 1 856. 

Roswell Crocker, a native of New York State, born in 1806, father of 
Rawson Crocker, of Fostoria (who was born here in 1841), came to Fostoria in 
1832, and built a saw-mill, the tirst in the place and in the western part of the 
county. He now resides in what is said to be the first fi-ame house built in 
Fostoria .... The pioneer John Crocker died November 11, 1854. .. .James 
Cahill was one of the pioneers and Moses Cadwallader one of the oldest resi- 
dents .... Robert F. and Charlotte L. Caples, natives of Maiyland and Pemi- 
sylvania, respectively, parents of Bartholomew L. and Philij) D. Caples (both 
of Fostoria, natives of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, former born in 1812, latter in 
1816), came to Jackson Township fi'om AVayne County, Ohio, in 1832, where 
Mr. Caples died in 1834. . . .John Cooper, still a resident of Fostoria, is one of 
the pioneers of the county. His daughter. Miss Mary Annie Cooper, married 
Roswell Crocker, one of the fii'st settlers and founders of Fostoria .... A. 
Cramer, a native of Pennsylvania, one of the old postmasters of the township, 
settled here in 1 842 .... Samuel Carbaucjh, maternal grandfather of Mrs. John 
A. Peters, of Loudon Township, was a i)ioneer of Loudon Township. . . .Aaron 
and Mary (Devilbiss) Cover, parents of Mrs. John C. Hartley, were among the 
early settlers here .... A. E. Civas resided a half mile soTith of the McDougal 
settlement, and to this place the Methodist class, known as Ebenezer Church, 
moved its quarters in 1S47. . . .John and Catherine (Slote) Cramer, parents of 
Daniel (born in Pennsylvania in 1818) and Adam Cramer (born in Pennsylvania 
in 1827), settled in Loudon to^miship in 1838. Here Mrs. Cramer died in 
1854, aged sixty-two years, and Mr. Cramer in 1855, aged sixty-five years. . . . 
Jeremiah Crowley settled here at an early date, died at Tiffin .... Samuel Cur 
ran, another pioneer, died March 10, 1843. 

Samuel and Elizabeth (INIiller) Daly, foi-merly of Philadelphia, parents of 
Mrs. Isaac Stultz, came to Tiffin in 1822, and it is said erected one of the first 
log houses there, near Drennon's. .. .Dennis Daugherty came to Tiffin in the 




/^day/^chi 




LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 585 

"thirties, " died prior to the war .... The Dana family is referred to in the history 
of Fostoria .... Jacob Dillon, a former resident of Loudon, died in A{)ril. 
1!SS5. at his home in Eaton County. Mich., a^^ed seventy-five years. Mr. Dil- 
lon was an old pioneer of Seneca County, having located in Loudon Township 

in 1S8'J Thomas and Mary (Adams) Dillon. j)arents of Thomas and 

(Teorge Dillon, of Loudon Township, both natives of Virginia (former 
born in ISIS, latter in IS'iO), came to Loudon Township in 1835 and settled 
on the farm now owned by George Dillon, where they died .... John C. and 
Artemesia ( Mason) DeWitt, parents of Mrs. Francis K. Stewart, of Fostoria, set- 
tled herein liS3o. 'Mrs. DeWitt died in April, 1885; she was born in Connecticut 
June 28, 1808. She came to Ohio in 1884 and was married Febiniary 10, 1835, 
and resided in Seneca County over fifty years. Mrs. De^\'itt formerly lived near 
]\IcCutchenville . . . . John W. Dickeu, of Fostoria, was appointed special 
I'nited States mai'shal of Nashville. Tenn. . District. . . . Julia M., wife of Evan 
Dorsey. died July 11. 1852. aged forty-three years, three months, eleven days 
. . . .Patrick Duffy, of Loudon, is one of the old residents. 

Andrew and Sarah (Baer) Emeriue. have been residents of Fostoria for 
over forty yeare .... George and Ellen (O'Brien) Emerine. are also old set- 
tlers .... Peter Ebersole, grandfather of A. E. Ebersole, of Fostoria, and a 
native of Pennsylvania, settled in Loudon Township in 1831, and died here in 
1857. and Peter Ebersole, his son (father of A. E. Ebersole. who was born in 
Loudon Township in 1843). resided here fi'om 1831 to 1880. 

Jacob and Sarah (Stevens) Fruth, former a native of Germany, latter of 
Pennsylvania, parents of Frederick JI. Fruth (who was born here in 1848), 
came t(i this townshij) about 1832, where Jacob died in 1861 . . . .George and 
Margaret (Shobach) Fruth. parents of Mi's. John Heilman, settled here in 
1833 .... David Ferrier. one of the pioneers, erected a grist-mill in 1834, on 
\\'olf Creek. Horse-power was used there for years. In June, 1874, the 
buhrs used in this primitive manufactming concern, were presented to Mr. 
De"\Volf, of the Review .... J. S. Farmim. a native of Pennsylvania, settled here 
in 1854. . . .E. Fayes, a German, came in 1850. . . .Mrs. M. L. Faux, a Penn- 
sylvauian. settled in the county in 1855 .... Jacob and Elizabeth (Peter) Fruth, 
parents of Frederick Fruth (who was born in Germany in 1S24), came to Seneca 
County about 1833, settling, where they died. . . .Jacob and Civilla (Shardon) 
Fruth. natives of Germany, parents of Abraham Fruth. of Fostoria (who was 
born in Germany in 1S48). came to America in 1854, and in 1850 settled in 
Loudon Township, where Jacob Fnith died in 1872. . . .Charles W. Foster was 
born in Brooklield. Worcester Co., Mass., on the 21st of November, 18(X1. and 
had therefore nearly reached his eighty-third year at date of his death, April 
2(t. 1883. His father moved with his family to western New York, then 
sjiarsely settled, and located in Rochester in 1820. In 182(5 Mi". Foster came 
to Seneca County to visit the family of Mr. Crocker, a New York gentleman, 
who settled in Seneca Township. Here he met the romance of his life in the 
person of Mr. Crocker's beautiful daughter Jjaura. The young people had 
met in New York previously, and a slight attachment had sprung up between 
them. JIi'. Foster found Miss Laura in bad health and took her to Saratoga 
Springs, in New York, where she was restored to good health. On the ith of 
June following, the young people were maiTied and returned to Seneca, and 
lived with the Crocker family. Jointly with hi^ father-in-law, John Crocker, 
and his brother-in-law, Roswell Crocker, he entered 2,0(K1 acres of unimproved 
land in the town and neighborhood. Immediately after the an-ival of the 
l)arty. Kome was laid out. and in November. 1832, Mr. Foster and his father- 
in-law oi)ene<l a stock of goods in a cabin in Kome on the same sjjot where the 

31 



586 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

mammoth dry goods house of Foster & Co. now stands. The business con- 
tinued for ten years, when Mr. Crocker retired and Mr. Foster assimied con- 
trol. Simultaneously with the rise of Rome the neighboring town of Risdon 
sprang up. planted by John Gorsuch and named after its surveyor, David 
Risdon. The two towns began crowding each other, and in 1852 they were 
consolidated and called Fostoria. in honor of Mi'. Foster. Seven years previ- 
ous to this Mr. Foster was joined in business by his son, Charles, and the then 
embryo country store rapidly developed into more pretentious proportions. 
From doing a business of a few thousands per year, the receipts of late years have 
been upward of §1,0( •0.000. The foregoing sketch of one of the most useful 
pioneers of northwestern Ohio is taken fi-om the local press of Api-il, 1883. 
A reference to the histoiy of Fostoria. points oiit more minutely the part which 
he played in the di-ama of the settlement and progress of the city which Isears 
his name .... Owen Fanning, an uncle of Dr. Fanning, of Tiffin, and father of 
John Fanning, was an old settler of Jjoudon even at the beginning of the fifth 
decade of this century. He died in this township some years ago .... James 
Fanning, father of Dr. Fanning, died during the winter of 1884—85, at 
Tiffin .... John Fanning dates his settlement back to 1839 .... James B. Fox. 
of Fostoria. was born in Eden Towushif) in 1840. where his parents were 
pioneers. 

Henry Grady now residing at Tiffin, was one of the pioneers .... 
George Germond, a pioneer resident of Fostoria, was killed by the cars 
near Oberlin. Ohio. August 16. 1883. He had been to Kipton, five miles west, 
and when within two miles of Olierliu on his retiun home, sat down on the 
track, was struck by the train and instantly killed. Germond was for a num- 
ber of years an attorney at Toledo. Previous to his death he removed to Oberlin. 
. . . .Manuel Green, a native of Ohio, settled here in 1850. . . .Adam Gwinner. 
a German, came to the township in 1833. . . .John and Margaret (Lambright) 
Good, former a native of Ohio, latter of Maryland, parents of John Good (who 
was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1833). came to Loudon Township in 
1834, settling on the farm now owned by Samuel Good, where John Good, Sr. . 
died in 1872, at the age of sixty-five years. His widow survives him at the age 
of seventy-two. 

John Harsh, maternal grandfather of Dr. Frank L. Myers, was a pioneer 
of Seneca County, coming here from Carroll County, Ohio. . . .Benjamin and 
Catherine (Rake) Hartley, former a native of Virginia, latter of Pennsvlvania, 
parents of John C. Hartley, of Loudon Township (who was born in Pennsyl- 
vania in 1828), settled in this township in 1831 . . . .Mam-ice Hartuett, said to 
be the oldest person in the county, still resides at Tiffin. He was one of the 
early settlers of Loudon .... Marshall and Margaret (Musser) Hays, natives of 
Pennsylvania, parents of Frank Hays, of Fostoria (who was born herein 1853), 
were among the pioneers of Fostoria .... David Hays, a name so favorably 
known in connection with the city, came here in 1834 from Pennsylvania .... 
Thomas and Elizabeth (Mickey) Hays, parents of Charles Hays, of Fostoria 
(who was born here in 1851), located in Fostoria in an early day. Thomas 
Hays died in 1869. . . .John F. Heilman, of Fostoria, born in Pennsylvania in 
1817, settled in Bloom Township about 1848, and in 1873 moved to Fostoria. 
....William and Margaret (Fruth) Heilman. natives of Bavaria, parents of 
John Heilman (who was born in Bavaria in 1842), came here in 1848 and died 
here. . . .William and Margaret (Schreck nee Smith) Heilman, stepfather and 
mother of George Schreck. of Fostoria (who was born in Germany in 1830), 
came with George Schreck to this county in 1848. settling in Loudon Town- 
ship, where Mr. and ili-s. Heilman died. George Schreck located in Fostoria in 
1875 .... Jacob and Catherine (Smith) Helfrick, natives of Germany, parents of 



LOUDOX TiiwNsiiir. 587 

Adam Hclfrick (who was born in Cicrmauy in 1S'2<)). came iu IS:j'.) from Car- 
roll County, whither they had omiirrated in IJSriri, to Loudon Township, set- 

tlinfj on Section IS. Mis. Helfrick died in 1S47: Mr. Hclfrick in ISOS 

Melchior Heisserman settled in Loudon in lSI5;i. . . .George Heming, a native 
of Pennsylvania and a pioneer of the county, died July '1(j, ISfU, in his sev- 
enty-sixth year. He was one of the pioneer surveyors of the county .... Thomas 
Heming had a nursery at Fostoria as early as 1 SHO .... The Hennessy family, viz. : 
Philip. Patrick, "William. John, David, Thoinfis, James and Cornelius Hen- 
nessy, brothers, and ilaiy Hennessy, are children of James Hennessy, one of 
the pioneer settlers of Loudon, who died October 12, 1S49, aged ninety-five 
years. . . . William Hickey. a n^sident of the county for over half a century, is 
now a resident of New Riegel . . . .Patrick Hickey came from Ireland in 1847. 
and for years has been one of the lividing farmers of this part of the covinty. 
....Washington and Mary Hem-y are old settlers of Fostoria, as iire also Dan 
iel K. and Anna (Simmons) Henn. of Loudon Township. . . .George and Sarah 
(Sawlaw) Histe, jjarents of William T. Histe (who was born in Columbiana 
County, Ohio, in 1S2()), settled in Fostoria in 1844. Mi-. Histe died Novem- 
ber 0, 1884, aged eighty-five ; his widow is now eighty-three years of age. He 
voted at every presidential election, beginning with the third and ending with 
the election of November. 1884 .... Samuel and Laui'a (Roliinson) Howell, 
natives of New York, parents of Edward B. Howell, of Fostoria. settled at 
Risdon iu 184."). Mrs. Howell died in ISo'J, and Mr. Howell in 1871. 

Junius V. Jones, born in Gallia County. Ohio, in 1828. settled in Fostoria 
in 184(). . . .Thomas Johnson, a pioneer of Loiidon Township, was found dead 
in a corn-field near Fostoria, July 14, 1884. He was seventy-four years old. 

Edwaril Kenny settled in Loudon Township and died in 1888. . . .Edmund 
Kenney settled here in 1841 . . . .Martin Kingseed, who came from Germany in 
1834 to this county, has been for years an im|)ortant factor in the commercial 
life of Fostoria .... Jacol> and Charlotte Kinnaman have resided here for years 
....Jacob and Elizabeth (Grove) Kiser. parents of Daniel and Samuel 
Kiser, natives of Stark County, Ohio (the former born in 1828, and the latter 
in 1S28), came to Loudon Township in 1.S84. Mrs. Kiser died iu 1857. aged 
seventy-one years, and Mi-. Kiser in 18.")'.). .. .Thomas Kelley, born in April, 
18(K), has a Scotch granite monument erected in Fostoria Cemeteiy, but is yet 
living, 

Joseph Lease, imcle of Lloyd Lease, died November 14, 1884, at the age 
of seventy-eight years. He resided at Bowling Green for twenty years .... 
Benjamin and Elizabeth (Crum) Leonard are old residents. . . Owen Leahy, of 
Loudon Townshi]), ami one of its pioneers, died about a year ago .... David 
Leahy, also d<>ceased, was a ]>ioneer , . . . .James Lewis, a native of New York. 
settU'd hi-re in 1847. since which time he has taken a full part iu the social, 
religious and otlicial life of the city* .... Nicholas Lauer, the blacksmith, came 
from Germany in -1830. .. .Dr. Alonzo Lockwood died September 25, 1878. 

*About the time 1 he .Vnderson rhiirch was brought into existence, James Lewis organized the first church 
choirin western Seneca, and led tlie choir for years, U is related by .Mr.Lewis himself that during the time he 
led this choir, one Miss Sabina Hoot and the Widow Cory were conversing on the subject of church music, and 
the latter |>iace<i before the leader some new sheet music just jiurehased. While he was looking through it the 
widow repeate^Ily leaned over his shoulder to point out some peculiurily iu the scale, and he good-naturedly 
kissed her. Mis.i Hoot was shocked, horror stricken, and informed Ilev. Mr. f'ollicr of the fact. This gentie- 
luau brought tlie culprit f?> totrial, and prevailed upon the court to expel Lewis. The latter, who took the 
matter a-sa huge joke so far, now delended himself, and wrung from Kev. Mr. Collier an explanation of the 
manner in which the trial was conducted by him, and the evidence procured, also a full apology and a request 
that the injurctl church lueniber slioultl be restored to all his rights. This is not the onlv story relate*! of this 
old settler in connection with the choir. On one occasion, while acting as leader, he called out : "Stop! stop! I 
have lost my beat." Next morning a lutmber of posters appeared around the village, bearing the words : 

L( )ST ! 

One Beat. 

ONE LAJIGE BEET. 

OSE LARGE RED BEET, 



588 HISTORY OF SKNECA COUNTY. 

Gottfried Mergeutlialer. a native of Geiinany, father of Melclier Mergen- 
thaler, of Fostoria, latter born in Loudon Township in 184], settled here in 1834. 
Melcher moved into Fostoria in 1859.... J. L. Mickey, a name prominent 
in the history of Fostoria, came to Fostoria in 1834 . . . Nicholas and Theresa 
(Kehl) Marks, natives of Germany, parents of Edward Marks, of Fostoria 
(who was born in Big Spring Township, this county, in 1S51), settled in this 
township in 1849 .... \Villiam Malony, who died about live years ago. settled 
in Loudon at an early date near the line of Big Spring. Another family of 
the same name were among the jiioneers of Bloom Township, moving to London 
about 1843 .... Hemy and Anna Maraches. parents of Mrs. George E. Yarger. 
of Fostoria, came to Big Spring Township in 1832. . . .Michael Martin settled 
west of John Whalen's house at an early date, and is still living. . . .Patrick 
and John McCarty were among the old settlers of Loudon. Patrick died three 
years ago, and John JlcCarty died May 12, 1875, aged sixty-nine years. He 
came to Loudon from Pennsylvania in 1841: was in California from 1852 to 
1857 .... Matthew McCarty also went to California in 1849. but retiu-ned 
and died in 1883. . . .James Mclntii'e and Johnny Myers are said to have ridden 
to the county in 1831. and settled in Adams Township .... James McCauley. 
now living in Loudon, is one of the old residents of that division of the county. 
. . . .D. \V. McMeen. a native of Ohio, and for years engaged in the harness 
business, came in 1847. . . .Henry Miller settled in the township in 1832. . . . 
The McDougal family settled on Wolf Creek at an early date, and there, in 
1841, Ebenezer Church was founded. . . .Jeremiah and Sarah (Loman) Mickey, 
former a native of Pennsylvania, latter of Maiyland, parents of James L. 
Mickey, of Fostoria (born in what is now Ashland Coimty, Ohio, in 1831), 
settled in what is now Fostoria in 1832, and Jeremiah Mickey kept the first 
hotel in what was then known as Risdon, conducting it till 1841, when he was 
killed in a ditch Ity a bank caving in on him .... Jacob J. Myers, a native of 
Pennsylvania, father of Dr. Park L. Myers, of Fostoria. settled in Fostoria 
about 1848, and died in 1875. 

Thaddeus Newcomb, an old settler, who died June 1 , 1875, wrote for his 
epita])h : 

"Earls and monarchs of llie dead, 
That so many worms have fed, 
I am coming to your chilly bed; 
Edge close and give me loom." 

....Myron and Sarah (Lantz) Newcomli, natives of Ohio, parents of V. D. 
Newcomb, of Jackson Township (who was born in Loudon Township, this 
county, in 1849), were pioneers of Seneca County .... Levi and Elizabeth 
(Ritter) Niebel. parents of Elijah Niebel, of Loudon Township (who was born 
in Berwick, this county, in 1839), were pioneers. He settled in Loudon in 

1854 William and Rebecca (Lytle) Noble, parents of Mrs. "William T. 

Histe, of Fostoria, were early settlers of Jackson. William Noble died April 
1, 1863, aged eighty-one years.... P. T. Noms, a native of Ohio, settled in 
the county in 1832. . . .Elijah Niebel came in 1855. 

Patrick O'Brien, who left Waterford Coxrnty, Ireland, for the United States 
in 1849, resided in Pennsylvania for some time; was joined by his family in 
the fall of 1849, and in May, 1852, piu'chased lands in Loudon Township; 
moved to Tiffin in 1876, and died there March 19. 1885. James O'Brien, lum 
berman at Tiffin, is a son of this old settler .... Thomas and Margaret (McCar- 
ty) O'Brien, natives of L-eland, parents of John F. O'Brien (who was born 
in Loudon Township in 1855). settled here in 1851, and in 1870 moved to Fos- 
toria . . . .John G. Ostein, born in Prussia in 1801. came to America in 1833, 



LOUDON TowNsmr. 589 

and resided iu A\ aync County. Ohio, till I Mil I. whou ho roinovod tu TitJin and 
the following year to Loudon Township, where he had entered land in 1884. 
On this land he livetl till IMHT. when ho again made TitKn his home until 1S77, 
and then moved to Hopewell Township. 

E. J. Padghani, a native of England, came to Fostoria in 1854. . . .Edward 
Preble, a Piuinsylvanian. came in 1844. . . .John Peter, a (ieniian, in 1S40. . . . 
John and Magdalena (Bohna) Portz, natives of Prussia, parents of Nicholas 
Portz (who was born in Jackson Township iu 1889), came to that township in 
18;i8, and in 1840 moved to Fostoria, where Mr. Portz, who was a wagon- 
maker, died in 1873. . . .John J. and Elizabeth (Hahn) Peter, natives of Ger- 
many, parents of David Peter, of Loudon Township, who was born in Loudon 
Township in 1S4'2), came to this county in 1833, settling in this township. 
John J. died in 1878. aged sixty-eight; his widow is now aged seventy-six 

years Abraham and Barbara (Shobach) Peter, natives of Bavaria, parents 

of John and Abraham Peter, also natives of Bavaria (former born in 1821, latter 
in 1830), came to America in 1840 and settled in Loudon Town.ship on eighty 
acres of land now owned by E. Kinney. Mrs. Peter died eleven weeks after 
coming to America, and Mr. Peter died in Big Spring Township in 1871, in 
his eighty-first year. 

Charles L. and Mary (Dillon) Keynolds. parents of Gen. E. Eeynolds, of 
Fostoria, who was born in Loudon Township in 1852, were among the early 
settlers of this township; in 1878 Charles L. Reynolds removed to Michigan; 
in 1880 G. E. Reynolds moved into Fostoria. . . .John and Catherine (Winin- 
ger) Rinebold, former (deceased) a native of Pennsylvania, latter (still living) 
a native of Germany, parents of Jacob, John and Abraham Rinebold, of Lou- 
don Township, came to this county fi'om Richland County, Ohio, in 1834, set- 
tling in Loudon Township. John Rinebold died in lSr)4. His widow is now 
eighty-foxir years old.... John Richards, a native of Ohio, settled here in 
1837 . . . .David Risdon. after whom the old town of Risdon was named, came 
to the county in 1820, resided for a while in one of the log-houses at Fort 
Ball, and aided the United States surveyors in the survey of the townships. 
.... Abraham and Ann Elizabeth (Fruth) Rinebold. parents of John Rinebold, 
who was l)orn in Jackson Township in 1850, were early settlers. . . .David and 
Mary (Johnson) Ritchart. parents of John F. and William H. Ritchart. 
native.s of Pennsylvania, the former born in 1820, the latter in 1S27, settled 
in Loudon Township in 1847, and here died. 

James and Agnes (Bunting) Scott are old residents. . . .Zebina Sellen, who 
died iu 183(), left a widow and large family in this county, although his prop- 
erty was near Wapakonetta . . . . D. Shea, who died about tifteen years ago, was 
one of tht' first settlers, entering his land when there was only a bridle path 
fi'om Tiffin westward .... Henry Sheller, a native of Pennsylvania, paternal 
grandfather of Amos Sheller, of Loudon Township, settled in 1832 on the 
farm now owned by H. Stuekey. in Loudon Township, and here died. His 
sou Samuel, father of Amos, came to Loudon Township from Hancock County 

in 18(J8. then in 187(5 moved to Michigan Christian Siegchrist, born in 

Germany in 181(), came to Tiffin in 1N4I, where he was a cai-i)enter and after- 
ward brewer. About 18(i() he took uj) farming in this township. ... AVilliam 
and -Mary Simons, parents of Mrs. John Noble, were early settlers of the 
county . . . ..John and Elizabeth (Ecker) Signs, natives of Wayne County, Ohio, 
were born in 1818, came to this county in the spring of 1843 and settled in 
Loudon Township. JL-s. .Signs died June I'.t. 1884. aged sixty-six years, four 
months and nineteen days .... John Seever, a native of Ohio, came here iu 
1853 Mrs. Jane M. Skinner, daughter of John and Jane (Duncan) Searles, 



590 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

who settled in Eden Township in 1821, is the widow of the late Morris P. 
Skinner, and is said to have been the first white child to see the light of day 
in Eden Township, where she was born in 1821 .... Morris P. Skinner, a 
native of Pennsylvania, Ijorn in 1811. came to Seneca County in 1832, settling 
in what is now Fostoria. He died in 1876. His son, Orlo D. Skinner died 
January 1, 1888. The Mon-is P. Skinner monument of Scotch granite was 
put up by ^V. D. Robbins .... Benjamin Stevens, a native of Pennsylva- 
nia, maternal .grandfather of Frederick M. Fruth, of Loudon Township, 
settled in Loudon Township in 1832 ; he was one of the first trust- 
ees elected in the township, and was altogether a prominent man .... 
The Stoner family, after one of whom a postofifice was named, were old 
settlers .... Thomas D. and Fanny (Riddell) Stewart, parents of Francis E. 
Stewart (who was born in Pennsylvania in ISSo), settled in Clinton Township 
iu 1S3M, then in 1854 moved to Wood County. Ohio, where Thomas D. died in 
his seventy first year. Francis K. moved to Fostoria in 1858 .... Isaac and 
Martha (Daley) Stultz, the former born in Maryland in 180(5, came to Ohio in 
1N34 and located at Tiffin, then in 1845 moved into this township. , . .John C. 
Springer, of Fostoria, served in the Mexican war .... Jerry Sullivan, an early 
settler of Titfin, who opened a qiiany on Nortli ^\'ashington Street, is said to 
be now living at Fremont. 

The Thomas family settled here some years prior to the consolidation of 
Rome and Rislon. E. W. Thomas wrote the first histoiy of Fostoria. 

John and Elizabeth (Smilsmer) Yesper, parents of Mrs. Abraham Peter, 

settled in Loiidon Township in 1843 John F. Yeon, an old settler of Tiffin, 

who removed to Fostoria years ago, died in November, 1884 John W. 

Yrooman, a native of New York State, born in 17U9, father of Mrs. Coridon 
R. Sackett, of Fostoria, came to this county in 1832 and located in Liberty 
Township. He was the first merchant at Bettsville, and after some years 
moved to Fostoria. He died in 1873. 

Abner Wade, paternal grandfather of Mrs. John A. Peters, of Loudon 
Township, settled in this township in 1832, was one of its organizers and 
one of its first officials. Patrick Walsh settled with his family in Loudon, and 
died there July 1, 1S47. It appears that on this day He went down to clean 
the well on his farm, but was overcome with foul air and died l)efore help 
aiTived. His ilaughter. a girl of eighteen summers, went down to aid her 
father, Ijut was, like him, killed by the foul current. John Walsh, a son of 
this pioneer, is in the jewehy business at Delphos, Ohio, while Thomas is 
engaged as salesman at Tiffin, The family owned land on the southwestern 

section of the township John Walding, a native of England and a 

tailor, came here in 1854 Nicholas and Margaret Walters are old 

residents Eli and Mary (Dillon) Weaver, jiarents of Alpheus Weaver, 

of Fostoria (who was born in Loudon Township in 1843), settled in the 
townshi]) iu 1S3N, where Eli Weaver died. His widow subsocpiently mar- 
ried C. L. Reynolds, of Fo.storia, and is now residing in Michigan. About 

lSf50-(]7 Alpheus Weaver settled in Fostoria Benjamin Wells, born in 

1825 in Carroll County, Ohio, came to Fostoria in 1842. Levi 'Wells, another 
old settler, has an elaborate monument erected over the gi'ave, which he has 

prepared for himself in the Fostoria Cemetery On Hem-y Wetzel's momi- 

ment in Fostoria Cemetery are the words. " Died October 0, 18(>3," and the 
verse : 

"Behold my fripiid.s. as you pass by, 
As you art- now so oiue was I; 
As 1 am so you must l)e; 
PR'parr for dciilli and follow m'-." 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 591 

. . . ..John ami Mary B. (Swalley) Whealan, the former a native of IrehuiJ, the 
latter of Pounsylvaiiia, jiarents of John Whealan (who was born in Loudon 
Township in 1810) and of Shei'iff Thomas Whealan, settled here in 1888, and 
cleared the fiirm where Mi-. Whealan still resides at the age of eighty-foiu-. one 
of the oldest resident pioneers of the township .... John and Eliza (Bucher) 
AN'ilson, the former a native of New York, the latter of Pennsylvania, parents 
of Andrew J. AVilson, of Fostoria (who was born in Fostoria in 1851), came 
to Seneca County in 1848 and operated a saw-mill until 1882. Both now live 
at Fostoria .... James R. and Rachel M'illiams, of Fostoria, are among the pio- 
neers. 

David and Hannah (Kiser) Young, parents of Mrs. Elijah Niebel, were 
pioneers of this township. 

Schools of Loudon. — in April, 1888, school districts were set off. Sections 
1, '2. 11 and 12 forming the first district; 3, 4, 'J and 10 the second: 5, 6, 7 
and 8 the third: 17, 18, 19 and 20 the fourth; 15, 10, 21 and 22 the fifth; 18, 
14. 28 and 24 the sixth: 25, 20, 35 and 86 the seventh; 27, 28, 88 and 84 the 
eighth, and 28, 80, 81 and 32 the ninth. In June, 1S84. the town was redis- 
trictod for school purjioses. In !March. 1834. AVade. Hartley and FeiTier were 
elected school trustees, and James Anderson, treasurer of school section. In 
October, 1834, Charles W. Foster was elected justice of the peace. 

The sale of Section 1 <), Loudon Township, was decided on by vote, October 
10, 1848, when 128 votes were given for and tifty-four against the sale of 
school lands. Joel Hales. Abner AVade and Philip Hennessy were judges. 
The lands were sold by Auditor F. W. Greene, February 23, 1849, for 87,880 
to the persons named as follows: George Adams, .east half of the northeast 
quarter: Philip Slure, west half of the northeast quarter; A\'illiam Beems, 
east half of the northwest (juarter: Samuel Deveese and G. A. Hudson, west 
half of the northwest quarter: Peter Heifer, east half of the southeast quar- 
ter: David Y'oung, west half of the southeast quarter: Andi'ew Lugenbeel, east 
haff of the southwest quaiier : George Englert, west half of the southwest quar- 
ter. A few parcels of land were not entirely paid for by original purchasers, 
and were resold by the county. The schools of Loudon Township in August, 
1884, presented the following statistics: Number of male pupils, 188: of fe- 
male. 118; niuuber of schoolhouses, 10; value of property, §8,000: number 
of teachers, 17: average pay, $40 and $30; local tax, $2,177.14; total revenue, 
§4.8(i0; exj)enditiu-es. §2,708.54. 

General StotMicit. — The assessment roll of Loudon Township, in 1841, 
gives 18,970 acres valued at S87,5()8: value of town lots, $2,737; hoi-ses, 123, 
valued at §4,920; cattle. 290, valued at §2,320; mercantile capital and moneys 
at interest, §2,400; total value, $49,885; total tax, $735.80; delinquencies 
from 1840, $110.08. 

The valuation and taxation of Loudon Township, in 1884, are as follows : 
21,518 acres valued at §790,490, and personal property valued at §329,980, 
:-g^regating, §1,120,470. or §878.80 per capita (population 1.275. exclusive of 
Fostoria in 188<)). The total tax is §12.225.08 with $174 dog tax. A true 
estimate of the worth of this township is §2,900,000. The population in 1850 
was 1,781; in 1860, 2,465; in 1870. 3,133, and, in 1880, including Fostoria, 
7.355. 

Predial Sfafistics. — The agricultural statistics for 1884, are 4,137 acres of 
wheat, product, 45,910 bushels; 81 acres of rye; 17 of buckwheat; 1,088 of 
oats, product about 35.000 bushels; barley, 230 acres, 4,529 bushels; corn, 
2,504 acres, product 50.000 bushels; acres of meadow. 1,580, tons of hay, 
2,075; acres of clover, 524, tons of hay, 597, bushels of seed, 044, acres 



592 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

plowed under, 30; potatoes, 82 acres, product, 10,962 bushels; milk sold 
for family use, 1,100 gallons; home-made butter, 58,595; sorghum. 5 acres, 
90 pounds siigar and 28'5 gallons of syiup; maple syrap, 40 gallons; 13f) hives, 
product. 020 pounds of honey; eggs. 22.280 dozens; 1 acre vineyard. 1,750 
pounds of grapes (1883), 31) gallons of wine; orchards, 353 acres, 7.010 bush- 
els of apples, -i of peaches, 11 of pears and 4 of plums; cultivated lauds, 
12,882; pastiire. 1.173: woodland. 4.213; wasteland. 56; total acreage. 18.324: 
wool shorn in 1883. 3,653 pounds; milch cows, 585; dogs. 174; killed and in- 
jured sheep, 64; animals died of disease, 217 hogs, 26 sheep, 32 cattle and 8 
horses. 

REVIEW. 

The names of the greater number of pioneers given in the foregoing pages 
must necessarily recall many, if not all, of the. incidents of early settlement. 
and bring to mind the varied processes by which the township has been raised to 
its present jjroud position. Looking back about fifty-four years to tliat day in 
April, 1832, when the pioneers assembled to elect officers for their township, 
no one can fail to be interested in the story of their settlement. At that time 
a few fi'eeholders came from out the wilderness by different bridle paths to 
meet as hardworking, hopeful, earnest, honest men may meet. They left 
their cabins at early morning to cast an unpiu'chasable vote, and under one ex- 
cuse or another remained at the polls until late in the evening, and returned 
far into the night. They urged their political lessons in a homely way; spoke 
freely of the several candidates; cast their votes, and returned to their clear- 
ings in the wilderness, to battle with pioneer obstacles, until the fall election 
called them from their honfes again. Going to mill, of coiu'se. and marketing 
at Rome or Tiffin were delightful holidays to them until David Ferriers' old 
horse-mill on Wolf Creek came to dissipate the fond di-eani of a long milling 
visit, and the store of Foster & Crocker, at Rome, destroyed their hopes of a 
visit to the county seat. The statistics of the township for 1884, as well as 
the general statistics embraced in Chajiter XIII, convey at once what the 
pioneers and the entei-jirising spirits who followed them have accomplished. 

FOSTORIA CITY. 

In the histories of Loudon and Jackson Townships, a large number of names 
and a few incidents connected with the founding of the villages once known as 
Rome and Risdon, are presented to the reader. In this part of the chapter other 
names and incidents connected with the actual settlement of the old villages, up to 
the period of their consolidation under the name "Fostoria. " and the story of 
the city's progress are related— the information being almost solely based on 
pxtblic and private records. 

The location of the city on the northwest quarter of Louilon Township, 
parts of Sections 31 and 32, Jackson Township, and part of Section 1. Washing- 
ton Township, Hancock County, extending into the southeastern corner of Wood 
County gives to the city an influence guarded by the principles of localization, 
i. e. it claims a large portion of each of three counties as tributary territory, 
without creating local jealousies. The eastern fork of Black Swamp Portage 
flows through the northwestern corner of the city, while one of the feeders of 
Wolf Creek approaches it from the south. The land upon which the city 
stands is slightly rolling north and south of the ridge on which TiflSn Street 
runs, and broken along Portage Creek. 

The early settlers of Fostoria were not backwoodsmen previous to their 
coming here. They were from a region cleared bv their fathers, and were 






'^l-C/Ln^^-K^ 



LOUDON TOWNSHir. 595 

little accustomed to the use of the ax. To them a heavy growth of timber and 
the great fallen trees were formidable. A tree was not then, as now, a little 
mine of wealth — it was a nuisance to be rid of and to the task of destroying 
the forest and subjugating the wilderness, the pioneers ajiplied themselves 
assiduously. However, the original forest has not entirely disappeared; oven 
where the woodman began his work of destruction, a new race of trees, planted 
in regular lines, has sprung uj) to relieve the face of the country and to offer 
to it that shelter and beauty of which the old time mania for improvement 
robbed it. There are many well-kept gardens, lawns and terraced grounds 
throughout the city, which, with the ti'ees ranged regularly along the park- 
ways, lend a peculiar beauty to the city. 

The geology of the district is referred to in the th'st chapter of the history 
of the county.* The lime manufactured at Fostoria from Niagara rock claims 
the following constituents: carbonate of lime, 55.40; carbonate of magnesia, 
48. 'JS; silica, .20; alumina and iron, .<'>0. This analysis made about thirteen 
years ago, points out the lim(> produced from the Niagara, in Seneca County, 
to be eijual to that manufactured at Sj)ringtield and Carey. 

The climate does not vary from that of any other part of the county. 
What it was when the pioneers first settled in the townships west of the San- 
dusky, may be gleaned from the following record, made by the pioneer John 
Crocker: 

.lannai y 26, 1830, 2P below. May 8, 1832, apple-trees in bloom; some had 

April 10, 1826. snow five inches deep. to plant corn two or three times. 

.\pril 2:i. 182G. maple buds green. June 1, 18:^2, very cold summer, corn hardly 

.Ian<iary 20. 1827, 81^ below. got ripe. 

Squirrels destroyed wheat and corn in 1827. January .5, 1833, wild geese went toward 
October 30, 1827, snow fell six inches. lake; very forward spring. 

March 39. 1828, great flood. April 11. to 26. 1834. heavy frosts. 

April 2.5, 182!), two inches of snow. February — , 183.5, hay |1U at Tiffin; coldest 

February 2. 18;W. snow thirteen inches deep. weather ever known here. 

December 22. 18;j0. 41'^ below. February 24. 183G. snow eleven inches deep. 

Tebruarv 7. 1831. 42" below, March 13, 1836, snow fell twelve inches. 

April 8, "1831, two inches of snow fell. May — . 1836, high water. 

May 3, 1831, apple-trees in bloom. February — , 1887. snow fell fifteen inches, 

July 2.5, 1831, river very high; wet summer. great sugar year. 

October 10, 1831, high flood. May 11. 1837. corn rotted in ground. 

November 21. 1831, winter commenced. January 2. 1838, weather very warm. 

January — . 1833. great thaw. January 6 and 7, 1838, John Morrison 

Februiiry 14, 1832, high water; corn, 3 shil- plowed two days, 

lings; wheat, 6 shillings; rye. 4 shillings. 

The valuation and taxation of Fostoria for 1884 are shown as follows; 888 
acres valued <it $891,090, and personal property valued at §520, 180 (a very low 
valuation), aggi-egating SI. 417, 270, or S4-18.10 per capita (po]ndation in 1880 
within the county being 3,108). The total tax for 1884-85 was $82,087.82. 
together with $190 dog tax. The great increase in jtopulation since 1880 
would point out a marked decrease in individual worth. The amount of actual 
moneys exjiended for year ending March 22. 1884, was $30, 78('). 34. The ex- 
penditures for year ending April 1, 1885, amount to about $28,000. 

In the last chapter of the general history the statistics of population are 
given. 

• D. p. Lloyd's and Bradner A Williams' quarries on the countT line, between ,Tacl<son and Perry Town- 
ships, just northwest of the old town of Risdon, produce a good building limestone, and a firel-class white stone 
for burning. 

Thi> record of strata made while boring the Fostoria gas well in July and August, 18S5, and that of the 
wells at Findluv and Bowling (ireen are thus given: 

FlNDI-AV. BOWLINIi OrKEX. FOSTOBIA. 

Ujiper Silurian Limestone 277 305 307 

Medina Shale .■>3 80 213 

Hudson River Shale 474 410 4H0 

Utica Shale ■-'!<.' •-•7.i 2r,:i 

"Trenton Limestone, bored through from I2.'i0 ... 1775 



596 HISTORY OF senega county. 

The city is well endowed in tlie matter of railroads. No less than five im- 
portant roads run in and out, affording all the advantages which thirty-four 
passenger-carrying trains per day may offer. The Baltimore & Ohio, the Lake 
Erie & Western and the " 'Nickel Plate' ' riin east and west, and the Columbus, 

Hockinor Vallev & Toledo and the Ohio Central north and south. The historv 
^ "... - ' 

of these roads is given in Chapter XI. 

The first notice of the location of Fo.storia dates back to 1825. In this year 
Neal McGaffey and some companions from Fort Ball, while engaged in the 
search for Elijah Bra}i;on's child (September 20, 1825), camped where Rome 
Village was subsequently platted. His companions named the camp Fort Mc- 
Gaffey. 

Original Snrrci/ and Additions. — Rome was platted on the east half of the 
southwest quarter of Section <) (lands patented to Crocker, April 1-"), 1833), 
Town 2 north, Range 13 east, by David Risdon for Roswell Crocker. August 
31, 1832. This extended each side of Main Street, extending north fi'om 
South Street to North Street, and the name was suggested as an antithesis to 
the very unclassical one of Fort McGaffey. Foster's addition was surveyed by 
Thomas Heming for Charles W. Foster, in November, 1840. 

Foster's second addition to Rome was sui'veyed by Gideon Jones, in No- 
vember, 1849, and January, 1850, for Charles V,\ Foster. This extended from 
High Street, on both sides of Main, to the angle of Periy Street, and along 
South Main Street, on west side. 

Frank's addition was surveyed by Gideon Jones for Liither M. Frank, May 
11, 1852. This was the southeast corner of the east half of the northwest 
quarter of Section 6, Loudon Township. 

James Anderson's addition, west of and adjoining original town, was platted 
in November, 1853, by Gideon Jones, siu'veyor. In the history of the 
churches reference is made to this last addition to the old village of Rome. 

Risdon was laid off on the northwest corner of Section 6, Township 2 north. 
Range 13 east, and approved September fi, 1832, for the owner, John Gorsuch, 
by the siu'veyors David Risdon and William L. Henderson. 

Minear's addition was suiTeyed by Gideon Jones, October 12, 1842, for 
Adam Minear. Minear's second addition was made in 1843. 

Additions to Fostoria. — In September, 1853, the inhabitants of Risdon 
petitioned the county board to be annexed to the incorporated village of Rome. 
This petition was granted in January. 1854. In July of that year the name 
was changed to Fostoria, and all additions to Rome or Risdon since that date 
are known as additions to Fostoria. 

C. V\'. Foster and M. P. Skinner donated lots for public iise to Fostoria, in 
January and February, 1855. James and E. M. Fisher's addition to Fos- 
toria was surveyed by G. Jones, November 15, 1855. M. P. Skinner's addi- 
tion, on west half of northwe.st quarter of Section 6, Town 2. Range 13 east, 
was surveyed by Gideon Jones, May 31, 1850. Foster's first addition to Fos- 
toria was siu'veyed by Gideon Jones, in September, 1859, for Charles A\ . 
Foster on a jjart of the east half of northwest (juarter of Section (1, Town 2, 
Range 13. James Fisher's second addition of out-lots on east end of south 
half of northeast quarter of Section 0,Town 2, Range 13, was sm-veyed in May, 
1860, by Gideon Jones. Andrew Emerine's subdivision of west end of out- 
lot 2, Fo.storia. was surveyed December 17, 1860, by Gideon Jones. Skinner's 
addition, west of his first addition, was surveyed in January. 1861, by Gideon 
Jones. Charle? W. Foster's subdivision of out-lot 9. in Fostoria, was siu'- 
veyed by Gideon Jones in February, 18(53. Bement's addition was surveyed 
in -August, 181)5. for A. S. Bcment. each side of t'nion Street fi-om the Lake 



LOUDON TOWXSHir. 597 

Erie & Western llailroad to Fremont Street. Southern addition was made in 
October, ISI)-"), by G. H. Heming. for Eos-well Crocker, Joel Hales, J. F. 
Kichart. Thomas S. Green, Daniel Dunham and Susannah M'. Dunham. James 
Anderson's second addition, on northwest corner of west half of southwest half 
of Section f), was surveyed by G. Jones in Octol)er, ISCilJ. David Keller's sub- 
division of out-lots 'JS and 2U, between William, Union and Fremont Streets 
east to the alley, was surveyed by Dennis Maloy in December, ISOlt. R. C. 
Caple's addition, south of Plank Koad tt) Union Street and east to Caple 
Street, was laid out by Dennis Maloy in March, 1871. Benjamin Leonard's 
addition. Section 81, Jackson Township, was siu'veyed by Dennis ]\Ialoy in 
November, 1S71. Foster's subdivision of south half of northwest quarter of 
Section 5, Loudon Township, was surveyed in ^Fay. 1N7".^. by Dennis Maloy. for 
Charles W. and Lam-a Foster. Samuel Cadwallader's addition, being the west 
])art of southeast quarter. Section (>, Town 2, Range l^ east, embracing 22.7ll 
acres, boiuided by Crocker, Poplar and Union Streets, was siu'veyed by John 
L. Fisher in Jutu\ 1872. Crocker's addition was surveyed in June. 1872, 
by John L. Fisher, for Roswell Crocker. C. W. Lj-tle and S. W. Dunham. 
This extended fi-om South to a point below Lytle Street, and from Wood to 
Kast Streets. Bradner' s addition was siu-veyed by Dennis Maloy in 1872, on north 
lialf of Section (S. Town 2 north, Range 13 east, for Thomas Kelly, A. Brown, 
I. Nestlerode, J. A. Bradner, W. H. Hambel, A. S. Williams and J. J. Myers. 
James Fritcher's addition was siu'veyed by Dennis Maloy in 1872. Anderson's 
addition, bounded by South and Hale Streets, extending fi'om coruity line to 
^\"ood Street, was siu-veyed in 1S72, for J. L. Kenower. J. W. Bricker and 
F.liza Fritcher. Leonard & Emerine's addition was surveyed by Dennis 
Maloy in September, 1872. Emerine's addition was surveyed by James Lewis, 
and John Hielman's by James Lewis, in September. 1873. Williams' addition 
to Fostoria was surveyed by J. Lewis in November, 1873. In November, 187-1, 
the petition of Fostoria coimcil, praying for the annexation of contiguous ter- 
ritory in Sections 31 and 32, Town 3 north. Range 13 east, Jackson Townshiji, 
and in Town 2 north. Range 12 east, was gi-anted by the conmiissi oners. B. 
Leonard's subdivision, on Spruce Street, was surveyed by Dennis Maloy in 
1874. J. L. Kenower & Co. 's addition was smweyed by Cook in July, 1874. 
J. L. Kenower's addition was surveyed by Cook in November, 1S7('). R. C. 
Caple' s subdivision of part of Lots MS, and 'M) was surveyed by James Lewis 
in Febraaiy. 1877. M. P. Skinner's first partition addition was made in June, 
1S78. Foster. Sheldon & Co. 's addition was surveyed by Cook, in Februaiy, 
tSNi. I. Walding's subdivision was siu'veyed by James Lewis in October, 
1881. Lewis Street. Fostoria. was sui-veyed for C. W. liytle by James Lewis 
in December. 1881; and J. L. Kenower's south division of out-lot No. 78. was 
surveyed in Sej)tember. 1882. by James Lewis. 

Orijdtiir and Official Hisfori/ of Rome. — Rome Village was organized in 
1S.")1, and tlie first village meeting held April 2 that year, when Charles W. 
Foster was elected mayor. P. J. Kinnaman. clerk, ami Charles Foster, treas- 
urer. R. C. Caples, Jacob Fritcher. A. R. Brandenburg. Joel Hales and 
•lohn Gibbons were elected councilmeu; Seth H. Fairchilds, marshal: Charles 
Foster, treasurer. Ordinances for the government of Rome were ado])ted May 
12. 1851. R. C. Cai)lcs was elected mayor in 18r)2, and P. J. Kinnaman and 
Charles Foster re-elected to their resjiective jiositions. Jacob Fritcher was 
chosen mayor in 18r)3 and re-elected in ISol. T. Hays was elected clerk in 
lN"i3 and Junius t^. Jones in 18-")4, Charles Foster still holding the office of 
treasui'er. ' 

The council of Rome in 18r)2 comprised C. "W. Foster, Ira Alerton, Joel 



aVH HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Hale. C. Foster and Jacob Fritcher: marshal. David Hays; street commis- 
sioner, John Dougherty. 

The council in LS5;:5 was made iip as follows: C. W. Foster. A. R. Bran 
deubui'g. K. C. Caples, AVilliam Sabins and Heiuy Cove; marshal, Ira Aler- 
ton; street commissioner, L. M. Francis. 

The council of Rome, 1854, comprised Charles Foster. James Anderson, 
Joel Hales, R. C. Caples and P. D. Caples. The marshal was Jasper Taber, 
and street commissioner, John H. Dildine. 

A petition was presented to the court of common pleas Jtily 1 1, 1854. 
asking that the name "Rome" be changed to "Fostoria. " This jietition was grant- 
ed. At the close of the fiscal year, 1854. the exhibits of receipts gave $500.26, 
including $!239.47, earned over from 1853; and that of expenditui'es gave 
S"228.82, leaving a balance in favor of 1855 of S270.44. The expenses of the 
village government for 1851 were 89'). 87. 

Oryanic and Official Hixfori/ of Fosloria. — A petition signed l)y \\'. Bra- 
den, Thomas Brian. H. I. Vosburgh. A\'. Weaver. A. S. Bement. E. F. Robin- 
son, Ch. Bonnell, John O. Albert. Reuben Brian. I. M. Coe. John Wilson. 
George Gear, Lyman Kittell. Daniel Free. Abram Metz. Robert Dake, E. Be- 
ment, E. W. Thomas. D. D. Miller, H. W. Cole, James Lewis, Umphrey 
England and John M. Stewart was presented to the commissioners in 1853 
(vide Transactions of the Commissioners' board — Chapter lY), asking the an- 
nexation of the west half of the northwest (juarter of Section 0. Loudon to 
Rome Village. This petition was granted January 2. 1854. and Rome and 
Risdon became imited under one government. 

Following named served in their respective offices from 1855 to 1885 in- 
clusive. 

1855. — Charles Foster, R. C Caples, E. W. Thomas, William Braden and 
Edwin Bement, council; Joseph Taber, marshal; James Lewis, street commis- 
sioner. 

1856. — Charles Foster, E. W. Thomas. James Lewis. D. Hays and Jacob 
Fritcher, council; R. Adams, marshal; J. H. Dildine, street commissioner. 

1857. — Charles W. Foster, D. Dunham. Israel Nestlerode. John Miller, 
Sr. , and Mon-is P. Skinner, council: Joseph Taber, marshal; Peter Carney, 
street commissioner. 

1858. — Charles Foster. J. W. Bricker. Aug. Bement. R. W. Hale and 
George Gear, council; Josiah McDaniel. marshal; James Lewis, street com- 
missioner. 

1850. — Same council, with James Sabins. marshal. 

1860. — Same council; James Sabins, marshal. and J. Lewis, street commis- 
sioner. 

1861. — Charles Foster. R. C. Caples, E. Bement. Martin Kingseed and 
Andi'ew Emerine, council; George W. Bronson. marshal, and J. Lewis, street 
commissioner. 

1862. — James Leach, Thomas J. Green. Chris. Bonnell, Martin Kingseed 
and Andrew Emerine. council: F. Huffman, marshal, and Martin Adams, street 
commissioner. 

1863.— C. Foster, R. C. Caples, John Bick, Levi Moore and E. Miller, 
council, and W. Ritchart, marshal. 

1864— C. Foster, A. S. Bement, Daniel Rhoad. A. Bronson and R. W. 
Hale, council. 

1865. — Charles Foster. P. D. Caples, J. L. Mickey. J. C. Haines and John 
A. Bradner. council. 

1 866. — P. D. Caples. Charles Foster. G. D. Aker. James L. Mickey and 
Joseph C. Haines, council. 



I.OUDON TOWNSHIP. fj^Q 

18(57. P. D. Caples. Cliarles Foster, J. J. Myers, James L. Mickey and 
J. C. Johnson, council. 

ISfiS-fi'J. -John Wilson, L. D. ^Miissetter. Charles Foster, J. L. Mickey 
and J. J. Myers, council. 

1870.-0. Foster, P. D. Caples, J. J. Myers, J. L. Mickey, J. F. Ritch 
art and John AVilson, coiuicil. John A. Bradner was elected city attorney, and 
Robert Adams, street commissioner and marshal. (City government reor- 
ganized. ) 

1871. M. V. Green, W. H. Grapes, J. F. Ritchart. conncU. 

1872. - J. J. Myers, J. L. Mickey and A. Emerine, council. AV. S. Eberly 
was elected attorney, and B. L. Caples street commissioner and marshal. 

1873. — Charles Foster, Isaac Warner and J. F. Ritchart, council. Alex- 
ander Brown was elected attorney. 

1874. C. Bonnell, J. L. Mickey and J. J. Myers, council. The attorney 
elected was John A. Bradner; marshal, James B. Fox, and .street commis- 
sioner, James Lewis. 

1875.- Rawson Crocker, A. Emerine and Alexander Brown, council. The 
assessor elected was B. L. Caples. 

1870. - R. W. Hale, C. AV. Thomas, John Wilson, council. The attorney 
was J. A. Bradner; marshal. J. B. Fox; street commissioner, J. Lewis, and 
assessor. B. L. Caples. 

1877. — J. J. Warman, Benjamin Nichols and J. L, Mickey, council. The 
attorney elected was A\'. H. England. 

1878. C. W. Thomas. J. Earner and John A\'ilson, council. J. ^I. Bever 
was elected attorney; G. H. McDonnell, marshal, and James Lewis, street 
commissioner. 

1879. -Charles Foster, J. F. Ritchart, E. J. Cunningham, council. 

1880. John A. Bradner. John Noble, AV. H. Konkle, Isaac Warner, coun- 
cil ; J. M. Bever. attorney, and James Lewis, street commissioner. 

1881. — E. J. Padgham, Isaac Warner, J. F. Ritchart. coimcil. 

1882. — E. J. CTinningham. Frederick M'erner, C. A. Hemy, M. D. .council. 

1883.— J. F. Ritchart. E. J. Padgham and P. W. Hathaway, council. 

1884. Charles A. Henry, Isaac Warner and John Nolile, council: Alexander 
Brown, attorney; James B. Fox. marshal, and Nicholas Buiischer. street com- 
missioner. The old meml)ers of the council elected in 1883 served until Ajiril, 
1885. 

James Lewis was elected street commissioner in 1873, and helil the ofiice 
until April. 1884, 

• 1885. P. W. Hathaway, J. F. Ritchart and E. J. Padgham, council. L. J. 
Eshelman and Dr. F J. Scliaufelberger, board of education; J. B. Springer, 
James Lewis and M". D. Robbins, cemettny trustees. 

In the following list the first named is the mayor, the last the clerk: 

1855.— David Hays, mayor; J. Y. Jones, clerk. 

185(i. Edwin Bement; J. V. JoneS. 

1857. -James Anderson; J. V. Jones. 

bS58.— B. L. Caples; J. V. Jones. 

1859-60.— J. F. Ritchart: J. V. Jones. 

18()1.- -W. D. Shei-wood: E. W. Thomas. 

1802.- G. A. Hudson; Thomas Hays. 

1803.- Jacob Kridler; Thomas Hays. 

18()4. James Leach; James Havs. 

1805.- James Leach: E. W. Thomas. 

18()0.- John A. Bradner: E. W. Thomas. 



600 HISTORV OF SENECA COUNTY. 

18G7.— C. C. Nestlorode; N. P. Bobbins. 

] SOS. —John A. Bradner; N. P. Bobbins. 

1869.— F. R. Stewart: N. P. Bobbins. 

1870-72.— J. W. Biicker; X. P. Bobbins. 

1872-74. — John A. Bradner: John Bender. 

1874-76.— William J. Bigbv: A. M. Dildine. 

1876-78.— J. V. Jones; G. A. Knight. 

1878-80.— William J. Bigby: S. Stearns. 

1879. — George E. Fralick was clerk. 

1880-82.— AVilliam J. Bigby: George B. Fralick. 

1882-84.— David Asire: George E. Fralick and J. M. Bever. 

1884-86.— Joseph M. Bever: Jacob M. Schatzel. 

Charles Foster was elected treasurer from 1S55 to 1864. wh<>u he was suc- 
ceeded by C. Olmsted. 

Settlement and Progress. — The first settlers at Risdon were Heniy Welch. 
Jeremiah Mickey and John P. Gordon. John Gorsuch came in 1832. In the 
same year the Crockers and Fosters settled at Borne, and the beginnings of two 
villages were made. The work of progi'ess, however, mvist be credited to the 
late Charles W. Foster and his brother-in-law. Boswell Crocker; for to them 
is credited the beginnings of the commercial and manufacturing interests of 
the town of Bome. which they founded. In the following coj)y of the original 
agi'eement between John and Boswell Crocker and C. W. Foster the history of 
founding the village is told: 

Articles of Agreement, niiide by and between Roswell Crocker of the first part and 
John Crocker and Charles W. Foster of the second part 

Wtnenseth, That the said Uoswell Crocker of the first part dolh agree to release and 
pay unto the parties of the second part, severally, one-fourth part of the profits arising 
from the sale of lots in the town of Rome, Seneca Co., Ohio, on the following conditions, 
namely; 

Said Charles W. Foster and the said John Crocker doth severally agree to pa}- 
unto the said Roswell Crocker ¥5 per acre for one-fourth of what land the said town plat 
now contains. Now the sai(l John Crocker. Roswell Crocker and Charles W. Foster, for 
a company, each being bound lo pay according to his proportion all the expensesthat have 
accrued, or may accrue, after the public sale of said town lots, the said Roswell Crocker 
having one-half, J. Crocker and C. W. Foster each one-fourth. Then, after the public 
sale. Charles W. Foster agrees to become their agent, and do all their business, the said 
John and Roswell Crocker, concerning said town. For compensation for the same Charles 
W. Foster is to have the southwest corner block, next to the square, and the said John 
Crocker is to reserve one corner lot, and the said Roswell Crocker two. The said John 
Crocker furthermore agrees to help Charles W. Foster build a house, and Charles W. 
Foster is to pay him back for the same. 

RoswEi.i, Crocker, 
John Crocker. 
Cn.\Ki.Es W. Foster. 

There is no date to the original document, but that it was signed early in 
1882 is admitted by Boswell Crocker, still a resident. 

Following the agreement Bome Village was platted, and the first store 
opened. Let us look at this early commercial venture in the wilderness. 

Foster & Crocker liought of Samuel ^A'aggoner, October Hi, 18152. calico, 
gingham, shirting, white flannel, buckram, linen, gi-een baize and frieze, aggi'e- 
gating SI 66. 36. and stindry dry goods amounting to §258,61. aggi'egating 
§424.97, beins the first bill of goods bought from Waggoner. A second bill 
amounting to S261.81 for silk and notions, and a thu-d bill of §98.31, gives a 
total of §785.09 as the value of goods received from Samuel Waggoner before 
the close of October. 1832. Aliout the same time Williams & Co.. of Buffalo. 
N. Y., shipped to this firm 100 potinds of nails, §7: 163 pounds of coffee at 16 
cents. §26.08; 92 pounds of toVtacco at 11 cents, §10.12: a keg of jjowder, 
§5.50, and a, chest of tea, §44.16. 



LOUDON TOWNSIIII'. GOl 

October 29 they received from Hollister & Ciu'tiss, of Buffalo. N. Y.. a 
-tock of gi-oceries, <^lass. notions and paper, valued at ?'JU8.;i7; antl from I'ool 
A: Cheesman. of Buffalo, a stock of glassware and crockery valued at S4.(|.4;{. 
November 2(). lJs;!'2. they received from Josiah Hedges, of Tiffin, a stock of 
cutlery valued at $4;5.;iS. Deceml)er 1. 1S8'J, they Ijought of fiercer i*e Ebbert. 
of Tiliin. a stock of felt and wool hats valued at ^'-Wt. and from J. A: A. Pittiufer 
a stock of leather valued at ^^^)t■). TiO. In Decemb(>r. i.S;{;{, C. \V. Foster piu'chased 
from Dr. James Fisher, of Titlln, a stock of medicines valued at §14. 1(5. and 
within the year liS88 sundiy drugs valued at about SH'i. In Januaiy. lS8:i. 
the firm began dealing with Grant & Kridler for boots and shoes, the lirst bill 
amounting to !? 182. 50. During the years 1832-38 they piu-chased whiskies 
from Samuel Waggoner. In June. 1833, they began dealing with Bostwick, 
Taylor A: Co., dry goods merchants, and Corning & ^\'alker. hardware mer- 
chants of New York City, the tirst bill with Bostwick & Co. lieing SO'jd. lu 
February, 1834, they inu'chased a small lot of tinware from A\'alker A: Co.. of 
Tiffin, and a keg of tobacco from Milton McNeal, of Tiffin. The inventory 
of merchandise in store May If). 1834. places the value of stock at SUuN.Oti, 
increased to S1,2(M) in June. 1831). and to $2.(ill').(j(t in April. 1837. 

The first day-book of Crocker & Foster at hand is dated March 14. 1838, 
being the second book opened. The tirst entry is a pair of boots, S3. 37, for 
Elijah Berry's son. March 1 o the following entries are made: 

.Icilm Sliellar, Dr. 

To 1^ liobbinett laceat $1 50 To 1 comli at 1 (i 19 

1 yard frills at 1, 13 1 liandkercliief at 2 G 31 

2 yards calico at 14c 28 'o ikhiikI tuliacco at I 13 

11., yards calico at 2/ 50 2"1)ipv Is at 7c 14 

1 '4 yards B. C. muslin at 20c 25 1 yard slieeting at 1, I.3 

I sett teacups sauseis at 2 25 . 

Vr. by 4?| sii^ar at 7c 33 $2 83 

Abniliam Searles, Dr. 

To i}., and !„ beaverteer at 4, ?2 31 1 tin pan at 3/ 38 

1 comb at 1 19 15 vaids cotton at 10c 1 .jO 

1 knife at 12 19 2 yard.s cotton check at 16 38 

1 sett teacups at 2/ 25 Cr. by 12 lbs. tea short 1 50 

2 lbs. coffee at 20c 40 Cr. by 12 coon skins at 2/ 3 00 

William Fox, Dr. • 

To 2 lbs. tobacco at 2, 50 1 pair compasses at 1/ 13 

Frederick (Jibbins, Dr. 

■4 lb. tea 31 1 qt. whisky 12 

1^ lb. tobacco 13 Credit by 10^4 lbs. sugar at 7 75 

1 shoe knife 12' 

.lacob G. tiacar. Dr. 

1 pair of boots for Xeheniiah Hadley at 28. i3 50 

Old Consumers and Producers. — Among the names of customers of Crocker 
it Fo.ster, in 1833. were the following: Henry Sapp. Samuel Cai-baugh. Abram 
Weaver, John Kelly. James Anderson. Michael Thomas, Abram Shell. John 
HooperV James Sweeney. John Allen. Harrison Allen, Andrew Fanier, .luhii 
Tennis. George Ham])shire. William Bennett. Pinkstoii Wade, Milliam More, 
I'zal Cory. C. Gibbins. Levertor Thomas. John Nonis, William Hunter. Eli 
Williams. Frederick Given. Levy Johnson. James Caywgod, Elijah li. Ander- 
son. Michael Stall. Jacob Rample. Richard Reynoldsj/John Sweeney. Henry 
Harsh, Peter Ebersol, T. G. Whillock, Jacob Forman, Elijah Beriy, 'William 
Eckles, D. Craft. Lawrence Rumple, Isaac M'isemau, John Crocker. C. A\'. 
Foster, Benjamin Hartley. William Harter. Bill Smith. James Wiseman, 
Peter Fisher. Andnnv Bellman. Reuben Briar. Jedediah Hand. Lorenzo Ship- 
pey. John Weesherry, Widow Hampshire. James Akinson. John Shall, Joseph 
Anspaugh, Jonathan Fought. Abram Rinebolt, Jacob Kizer, John Stambamrh. 



f)02 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 

Hannah Farrier, Jacob Hendricks, Peter Smith, Henry Hoopman, Abel Harn- 
ing, PeiTV Chance, Joseph English. Samuel McClelland, Henry Hoffman, 
Henry Welch, Obadiah Hunt, Emanuel Loman, Anch'ew Bird, Eoswell 
Crocker, Benjamin Stevens. Creorge Elliott, Peter Sherritt. John Mackerill. 
Gipson McDonald. John Keisbnrg. Daniel Swope. William Leavitt. Zachariah 
Runneals. Risdon Beach. Zachariah Reynolds. Jc)hn Adams, Hiram Bigelow, 
Thomas Bowen. Isaac Chenick. John Chenery. Willard Sprague. Enoch 
Trumbo, John Tremaius. Jacob Crone. Bixler Risdon, Daniel I'^airchild, Cath- 
erine Stoner, Heni-y Bacher, Isaac Kelly, Israel Tintsman, AMUiam Lowell. 
David Hadley, James Martin, Samuel S. Parmer. Robert Hale. Asa England. 
Joseph Stackhouse. C. D. Wilaby, Mi's. Young, Henry Heminger. C. Ken- 
singer. Henry Heaster, William Boucher, Jonathan Emmett, Hemy Young, 
Joshua Watson, Campbell D. A^'elford. Daniel Ai'nold. 

Tiffin and Findkuj State Boad. — After the house of Crocker & Foster was 
established at Rome, it became evident to the founders of the village that a 
road fi-om Tiffin to Findlay was necessary, and they had little trouble in con- 
vincincr themselves that the shorter line for such a road would be via Rome. 
A bill to establish a road between the two county seats was before the Legisla- 
ture. It is related that Mi\ Foster visited Columbus and had the words "via 
Fostoria" inserted, where the original bill read "fi'om Tiffin to Findlay. " This 
bill passed and the act was approved. On retui'ning he hired one John Pat- 
terson to open a tavern in the wilderness on the line which he desired, and be- 
fore the viewers came he had a few men underbrush a road and break it by 
running sleighs repeatedly over it. so that the viewers would have as little diffi- 
culty in being convinced of the imjiortance of running the road via Rome as 
he had. On the arrival of the viewers, they were asked up to Patterson's 
Tavern, two miles from Rome, and they, beholding the evidences of progress, 
located the Tiffin and Findlay road via Rome. The settlers in the less favored 
districts were enraged, but the old highway, between Tiffin and Findlay, con- 
tinued in use until the direct line was opened. 

The log-cabins of Rome and Risdon in 1886. when the Crocker Saw-mill was 
erected, were Crocker & Foster' s store, C. ^\'. Foster' slog-cabin. James Ander- 
son's, Levi Johnson's. Roswell Crocker's on East Tiffin Street; Elisha Sabin's. 
opposite Crocker' s cabin ; AMlliam Cadwallader's. above Charles Fosters' present 
residence; Abram Gibbons, on East Tiffin Street: John Cooper's, just west of the 
present "Earl House;" David FeiTier's. rear of Harbaagh's drug store; Baer's 
cabin, near the new Union schoolhouse, between Rome and Risdon; Randal 
Hale's tavern, near the corner of the public square; Jacob Kizer and George 
Hampshire had their cabins here also. Eli Williams' cabin, on East Tiffin 
Street, was sold to A\"illiam Fox and purchased from him by Roswell Crocker 
for $30. Alonzo Lockwood's log house stood where John Greens present resi- 
dence is; he biiilt the second fi-ame dwelling on the town site, the same 
■which is now the John Green residence. Samuel Laird ke]3t a tavern in a 
log building opposite Foster's store in 1S8(). John Hooper, a carpenter, who 
worked on the tirst frame house erected here, had a log-cabin two miles south- 
west of the public square. James Wiseman, who lived in a log-cabin, one 
mile southwest, erected a saw-mill, constructed a mill-race, and earned on the 
milling business there for years; he built the first brick farmhouse in the 
neighborhood of Fostoria in 1837. Marshall Hays, the first tailor, resided on 
West Tiffin Street, built the fii-st brick dwf>lling hoiise in the south part of 
Fostoria. John Brooks, who built a frame house in 1837. brought a stock of 
molds for his counterfeiting establishment here. 

Po!itoffi€t:.i and Postmasters. — Stoner. after whom the office at Rome was 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 605 

named, lived three miles away, and the carrier was intercepted close by. This 
system obtained until Dr. T. J. Bricker was appointed postmaster and estab- 
lished his office at Rome. David Hays was commissioned postmaster at Stoner 
or Rome in 1S45. 

K. C Caples was the fii-st regularly appointed ])0stmaster at Risdou in 
1840. He was succeeded by Dr. Cole. E. M'. Thomas was the incumbent in 
1847. at Risdon. William Braden succeeded with ^Ir. Childs, conducting the 
office. Dr. Alonzo Lockwood, C. T. Kelly, T. J. Bricker, with J. W. McDi)n- 
nell. assistant; Philip Faulhaber. C. M'. Foster*, J. L. Mickey, Adam Cramer, 
with Martin Adams, assistant; and J. B. De Wolfe appointed in 1881, and still 
liolilini;; the office, have served as ))Ostniast(>rs at Rome and Fostoria. 

In 1847 the mail was can-ied by Bill Lowr)', from Bucyrus. He would 
come every Sunday at 2 P. M. , from Bucyrus, and every Tuesday fiom Per- 
rysburtr. The rate of postage was 10 cents jier letter. 

October 1, 1885, Tiffin and Fostoria were created immediate delivery 
offices, J. R. Owen and Liss Leedy were appointed special messengers at Fos- 
toria. 

Pliijsiciaiis of Fosforia. — Marcus Dana settled in the northern part of 
Loudon in 1834; he died and his body was interred in the old cemetery, but 
was removed to the new one in 18r>(>. Alonzo Lockwood came to Rome about 
the same time, and resided there until his death, .Se])tember '2o. 1878. Dr. 
Kirkham settled at Rome in 188<) or 1887; Simon Bricker, who died in 18r)(), 
and whose body was the first inteiTed in the new city cemetery settled at Rome 
about 1843. George Patterson came about 1840. is now in Texas. Robert C. 
Caples ojjoned his office at Risdon in 1843. Drs. Cole, Snyder and Russell 
were here prior to 1S43. Gr. A. Hudson came in 1850, died in 18fiU. J. W. 
Bricker in isru); Dr. Metz, in 1854. R. W. Hale came in 1856 and served as 
military surgeon during the war. A. M. Blackman came in 1800. sei-\-ed with 
the Union Army and retiu'ned after the war. E. Rang(>r,of Millgi-ove, practiced 
here as early as 18f)(). AV. M. Cake, had his office in Bement's Block, in 18(50. 
A. J. Longfellow settled here in 1861. In later years came P. E. Ballon, 
Charles A. Hem-y, George L. Hoege, Park L. Myers, J. H. Non-is, F. J. 
Shaufelberger, W. H. Squires, A. S.Williams, L. G. Williams, John H. Will- 
iams. M. S. Williamson, Alvin Watson, I. M. Young, and others. Several 
names not here mentioned will be found recoi'ded in Chapter VII. 

Enrhj Mauiifacturing Induxivicfi. — The first manufacturing industry in 
Loudon Townshi]> was the horse-power gi-ist-mill. established by David Ferrier 
abimt 1S34, on the head of Wolf Creek. In June. 1874, one of the stones 
used in this mill was ])reseuted to the editor of the Fostoria Kfi-ieir. as a me- 
mento of the humble beginnings of the township. 

The Crocker Saw-mill, on South Street, within eight rods of the present 
Uoswell Crocker home (the first frame house ever erected at Fostoria), was 
established in 1836. l)y Roswell Crocker. In August, 1836, C. W. Foster 
had sawing done valued at ^6'J.73, to build th(> warehouse which took the place 
of this old log warehouse. The house is now occupied by Mrs. Lunt. and 
stands on the south side of South Street, west of Main Street about fifteen 
rods. Into this mill machinery was introduced for grist milling, and Mr. 
C'rocker carried on the saw and giist mill business for some years, when he 
converted the building into a grist-mill. In 1843 he sold to Samuel Carbough, 
who after some time converted it into a distillei"j'. 



• February 15 , 1861, a call was signed by C. W. Foster, J. V. .Tones and Robert Adams, Republican Town- 
ship Committee of Fostoria, requesting the Kepulilicans to meet February 2n, at W. ( '. Turner's ofBce to tate 
action in reference to the selection of a postmaster. 

32 



606 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

In 1843 Roswell Crocker erected a grist and saw-mill at Springville. wLicli 
he operated for two years, when he returned to Fostoria, where John Crocker 
and C. W. Foster had erected a building for him, the same as now used for 
the manufacture of the ' ' Magic Washing Machines. ' ' in which he operated a 
grist-mill himself, or leased until 1865, when the building was sold to Ful- 
lerlon & Ferguson, who ran it for some time. They moved the machinery to 
Hudson. Steuben Co.. Ind. 

Braden & Yunker erected a grist-mill in 1853 or 1854 (near their carding 
works), and introduced the best machinery known at that time. The buildings 
and machinery were destroyed by an explosion some years ago, and young 
Brown and Wilson were killed. A brick building was erected almost on the 
site of the old mUl. by Mr. Hammond. He sold the concern to Eversole <.V 
Noble, when another explosion occurred, killing a man named Hadley, an<l 
bruying one Overmyer in the debris. The latter, however, was dug out, and 
recovered fi'om his injuries. Eversole & Noble sold their interest to the Ayles- 
worth Bros. . who sold to Benjamin Leonard, and subsequently repurchased 
the concern. There are no records whatever on which to found a history of 
this industry. What is given is taken from recitals of facts by old settlers. 

A carding-mill was constructed by Braden & Yunker about 1850. The Lees 
conducted a fiu-niture store, and were interested in a grist-mill. This mill was 
set on tire in 1847 and destroyed. 

John Fritcher established the first harness shop about 1840. Jacob 
Fritcher established his saddlery in 1842. James Lewis had his shop, in 1840 
or 1847, at Risdon. Andi'ew Emerine established his harness shop in 1848, 
three years after his arrival here. Thomas J. Pillars, a brother of Judge Pil- 
lars, established harness shops previous to 1848. AVilliam Weaver and Jere- 
miah Coe were harness-makers at Rome in 1849. John W. McDonnell, who 
came with his parents in 1842, is one of the oldest harness-makers in town. 
Samuel Gildersleeve was an early harness-maker. Jacob Kridler, sometime^ 
previous to 18(11. Isaac Warner opened his harness shop at Fostoria in 1S61. 
having previously worked for Andrew Emerine from October, 1855, at Rome. 

Joel Hale, Colhour and J. B. Way were the first blacksmiths. In 1842 
James McDonnell opened a shop at Rome. 

Risdon. — In 1847 S. G. Malony moved to Risdon, and thence to Rome 
in 1851, voting for the name "Fostoria" subsequently. He states that in 
1847 Mrs. Mickey, Sr. , kept the Mickey House. Braden & Yunker had a card- 
ing-mill at Risdon at this time, and William Braden conducted the postoffice, 
with Childs. assistant postmaster, and owned a fui'niture shop where the Ayles- 
worth Mill now stands. E. AV. Thomas was a gi-ocer; James Lewis, harness- 
maker: Dani«^l Ragan. tailor; John Quincy Albert, shoemaker. This trio 
worked in a small frame building, w-hich stood in what is the center of Perry 
and Elm Streets. John Becker was also a shoe-maker. On the west side of 
Perry, fronting on Elm Street, was the Bement Foundry and Plow Shop, mak- 
ing, in 1855, about 1,500 plows. 

The Lee Grist-mill was bmued about May 1. 1847 (the owner's wife is al- 
leged to have biuned it), after the mortgagors had sold the machinery' and Lee 
moved to Indiana. 

Dr. Dana and Dr. Caj)les were the physicians at Risdon. Henry L. Caples 
kept a dry goods store until 1853 jvhen he and Luther W. Caples moved to INIis- 
souri. P. D. Caples had a farm close by and L. Caples also had a farm 
on the southwest corner of Jackson Township. Dr. Dana died at Risdon 
about 1853. The Methodist Episcopal society had a church building on the 
east bank of Portage River, which was an old hewed log building in 1847. 
Rev. !Mr. Elliot was resident preachei'. 



r.ofDOX TOWNSHIP. GOT 

William Braden moved to Illinois and died on the Kankakee Reservation 
about 180'J. James Robinson accompanied him to Kankakee in l.sr)7, and is 
now a resident of Chelianse. 111. Dan Hammer, and one of the Martins were 
convicted of crimes snch as horse stealinji;. and served in the jienitentiarv. 

Tliomas B. Jacobs ojiened a furnitnre store at Ri.sdon about 1848. 

Th(> Hammer family, notorious in SL>me resjiects, were here. George Hei.s 
established a brick yard on the Portage River j)rior to 1847. In 1848 S. G. 
and J. T. C. Malony established a brickyard north of Heis". Heis died 
November T). 1SS4. Moffitt established a yard south of Malony' s. in 1854, and 
made the brick which are now in the Foster store building. 

In 1847 Mr. Hobbs taught the Risdon schools. 

John Vroman and the Morgans were old storekeepers at Risdon. Jere- 
miah Mickey, while making a ditch to convey water to his house, was biu'ied 
by the cla.y caving in. jiist after he warned his own daughter and Widow- 
Jacob's daughter to keep away. Heck Thompson, a negro barber, married to 
an Indian half-breed, was the tirst colored citizen of Risdon. 

Jefferson B. \\'ay and Germond weie blacksmiths, and Cochran and 
Weaver & Coe. harness-makers. 

About 184'J one Smith opened a hotel on Union Street, in the same house 
now occupied by Mrs. Schultz. A cannage factory was operated by George 
Geer on Jackson and Union Streets. This industrv' employed sixteen men. 
Between 1847 and 1851 Geer lost two wives by death and married the third. 
He died penniless, in Oregon, within the last decade. 

S. G. ilalony opened a gi'oceiy nortli of the Foster Elevator, in 1852. In 
1S55 he estalilished his furniture store in partnership with L. S. AVells. who 
opened a furniture shop at Rome, about 1841). Joseph Emmett also had a 
furniture shop. He moved to Iowa. 

Lyman Kettels established a fiuniture store at Risdon about 184U. John 
Dildine was a cooper there in 1847. 

John Portz and Nicholas Portz settled at Rome at an early date among the 
first settlers, and established a wagon and caiTiage shop. 

Bcfiinuiug of the Brick- Biiikliii;/ Era.— The tirst three brick residences at 
Fostoria were erected previous to 1845 by Braden, R. C. Caples at Risdon, 
and one. the first, Marshal Hays', at Rome, the latter occupying the lot south 
of Foster's new block. T. B. Jacobs. Andrew Emerine and Edwin Bement 
erected the first of the modern brick houses in 18<5(M')2. The fii-st brick 
business block was erected by C. ^\'. Foster, now occupied by Foster & Co. 
Joel Hale built the crockerA' store during the war. Andrew Emerine built the 
brick house now occupied by George Emerine. Leonard Morgan. John Andes, 
Martin Kingseed and Liner built each a brick house, filling the lot between 
the "Hays House" and Tiffin Street, just aft(>r the war. This is a very im- 
portant business block. The Andes Opera House Block and the Foster Bank 
Block are buildings of which any city might feel proud. 

CHURCHES. 

Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at Risdon in 1833 by Rev. 
Mr. Chase, who was siicceeded immediately by Rev. Elam Day. The tii"st 
house of worship was a hewed log-house on the north side of High Street 
(now Summit Street), near the creek, built in 1833-34 at Risdon. on the Han- 
cock County side. This was used until 1852, when the late fi'ame building 
was erected l)v Rev. Mr. Collier. This frame was sold to Dr. Ballou in March, 
1885, and toru down. It stood on the northeast corner of Fi-emont and Main 
Street, just south of the present Methodist Episcojial Church. There are no 
records in existence dealing with the church here in earlv davs. In 184<) Rev. 



608 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Seymoiu' was preachor. Revs. Jewett and Elliott were here at an early day, 
with Raymond, presiding elder. Revs. Jewett and Crabbs were here in 1848 
with Thomas Barkdnll. presiding elder. Revs. Leonard Hill and Lee came in 
1840; Rev. Milligan succeeded Rev. Lee in 1850; Revs. Collier and J. P. Pel- 
ton were here in IN-^l-^'i, and the former with Rev. Monett in 18r)'i-r)3: Rev. 
Mouett was here alone in 1853; Rev. Nathan Taylor in 1855; Revs. Collier 
and Lansing in 1850; Rev. J. A. Shannon in 1858. About 1847 Rev. James 
Anderson established what was known as the Methodist Church in Rome. He 
erected a frame church building on what is now Wood Street, on the west line 
of the town of Rome. This building, which was never plastered, had split 
bass-wood seats without backs. In 1851 he wished the Risdonites to come to 
his church and complete it. but they took an opposite course and erected the 
Fremont Street Church. Anderson's Church was sulisequently devoted to 
manufaetiiring industries until destroyed by fii-e about two years ago. Among 
Ml'. Anderson's fri(>nds were some of the old settlers of Risdon who moved to 
Rome. The Collier revival did away with the iliscord the two churches created. 

The records of the church since 1859 present the following facts: J. T. 
Caples was presiding elder, and Rev. J. A. Shannon, preacher. His salary- 
was $200, with incidentals f '275, and the presiding elder received S75. A. R. 
Brandenburg, J. F. Ritchart, J. J. Myers, James Lewis and F. Ernest were 
trustees. William Callahan was local preacher in lS5y. James Anderson. J. 
W. Griffith, B. L. Caj)les, P. D. Caples and WilliaTu Callahan, leaders. 

Rev. A. B. Poe was pastor in 1860, and John Graham, elder. 'Mi. Poe was 
appointed chaplain of the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry* in 1801, 
I'eturned home and died. Rev. W. S. Lunt came in the fall of 18(51. James 
Hayes was local preacher in 18fi2. In June, 18(i"2. Dr. J. W. Bricker, Junius 
V. Jones and James Leach were added to the stewards. Rev. William Calla- 
han was secretary in 1862-63. In June, 1863, E. J. Padgham was elected 
secretary, and holds the office still. In October, 1803, A. B. Poe returned, 
and was appointed jjastor. Rev. John Farley was appointed pastor in 1S04. 
In the fall Rev. G. Lease was appointed preach(>r, and H. S. Bradley, presid- 
ing elder. 

The Parsonage Building Committee, appointed December 27. ]8()6, com- 
prised Rev. G. Lease, R. C. Caples, J. F. Ritchart, J. J. Myers. I. W. 
Nestlerode and E. J. Padgham. A piece of land was ])urchased from James 
Williams for |00(l, on what is now the Sandusky road, in March. 1867, and 
May 15, 1867, the contract for building the parsonage was awarded to Peter 
Buissey for $3,326; work completed in Febiiiary, 1868. 

The preachers who have served here since 1806 are named as follows: 
Charles Reynolds, 1867; W. S. Lunt and S. B. Maltbie. 1870; John L. Bates, 
1871; A. Hollington. 1872; Franklin Marriott. 1873; J. A. Ferguson, 1874; 
D. D. Mather, 1S76; L. S. Bieler, 187!l; T. L. Wiltsie, 1881; R. Wallace, 
1881, and Rev. L. N. Albright, the ]iresent pastor. The presiding elders for 
the same period were L. C. Wel)ster. 1868; W. W. Winters, 1872; J. Ayers, 
1873; W. S. Paul, 1875; G. Lease, 1879, and L. C. Webster. 1883. A build- 
ing committee, appointed Januaiy 16. 1882, were J. F. Ritchart, Dr. J. W. 
Bricker and Norman Saltsman. Before the completion of the chiu'ch, in 1885, 
Dr. Hale took Dr. Bricker" s place on the committee. Andi'ew Emerine suc- 
ceeded J. L. Kenower as treasurer. The building contract was sold to I. L. 
Cramer, of Fostoria. and work on foundation begun in 1883. Green & Hiel 
man completed the contract in the summar of 1885 at a cost of about f20,00(\ 
and the building and furnishing was finished in the fall of 1885 at a total cost of 
about $30,01)0. The society made many personal sacrifices toward the erection 



LODDON TOWNSHIP. 609 

of thin magnificent housp of worsliip, and the citizens generally, more partic- 
ularly Mr. Foster. conLributeil very liberally. 

The officers of the church in 1884 were Eli Tebles, George Sanders and 
James Hayes, local preachers; R. C. Caples, M. D. ; E. J. Padgham, John 
Nobles. Thomas Green, Samuel Ernest, John Non-is, P. D. Caples, N. P. 
liobbins, stewards; A. S. AVilliams, S. "\A'. Bricker, A. J. Longfellow. E. W. 
Hale, B. L. Caples. Andi-ew Emerine, Fletcher Ritchart, X. Saltsmau, H. J. 
Tjockhart and Charles Foster, trustees; A. T. McDonnell, James Hayes, D. 
Sprout, Israel Nestlerode, Thomas Billyard, Samuel Stearns, C. H. Stewart, 
George Coopei', Noah Stahl. class leaders; C. H. Stewart, superintendent of 
Sunday-school. The membership is about 400. 

Methodist Protestant Church was organized at Fostoria some years 
prior to that now known as the Methodist Church, and a house of worship was 
erected at the corner of Poplar and Centre Streets. 

Methodint Church of Fostoria. formerly the Methodist Protestant Church, 
was reorganized under State law August 2, 1874, Rev. J. S. Thorp, pre 
siding. Levi S. Wells was chosen class leader; C. S. Reynolds. C. Wilkin- 
son and 3Irs. Ann McDonnell, stewards. During the building of the late 
house of worshij) in 1874-75, James R. ^\'illiams took charge of the carpenter 
work, and completed the building for S-.OOO, August 19, 184."). 

A new chiu'ch building was completed on M'est Centre Street in July, 1885. 
The new edifice is a neat structiu-e. 54x50 feet in dimensions, and has a seating 
capacity of about 400. It was dedicated July 9, 1885, Revs. J. A. Thrapp 
and O. V. W. Chandler, of Tiffin, officiating. The pastors of this church have 
been J. A. Thrapp. C. W. Wolf, G. W. Bothwell, J. B. Roberts. L. Bowman, 
E. Scott. Thomas Orr, F. W. Link and S. S. Fleming: Rev. J. W. King 
came in 1884. In December, 1870. Dr. G. E. Reynolds was elected pei-ma- 
nent secretary', rice T. N. Lewis. 

^United Brethren Churcli of Fostoria dates its regular organization 
back to 18()4, when Rev. Reuben French was apjiointed preacher, but long 
prior to this the preachers of Seneca Ciicuit aj)peared here. Among the 
original members were Rev. Reuben French (the second pastor), Jacob Kieser, 
Peter Webljer, Michael Schesler. Samuel Young, Abram Overholt. W. Fox 
and Rev. Levi Moore. Isaac Warner joined the society in 1802 or 1803, and 
has been trustee for the last twelve years. Truman Bever. Hemy Murlich, 
John Snyder and Solomon Yandersoll are the trustees. This society was 
incorporated August 10. 1870. T. D. Ingle presided, with Joseph S. Overholt 
secretary of the meeting. The trustees elected were G. Biles. J. S. Overholt 
and Isaac Crouse. The membership at present is 208. Rev. J. Beaver, father 
of the mayor, has been connected ministerially with the chtu-ch for over 
sixty-nine years. 

A reference to the histoiy of Eden Township will show that the first society 
of this denomination was organized at Melmore. Since that time, however. 
Fostoria has won the headquarters of the church in this county, and for this 
reason the following chronological and historical review of the chmxh is given 
in this chapter. 

In Aj)ril, 1835, the Conference was held at Crawford City, Ohio. Joseph 
Beaver. Jacob Newman and Josejih Logan were licensed to preach, and Jere- 
miah Brown was elected jjresiding elder. The stations of traveling preachers 
were Sandusky Circuit, B. Moore and Joseph Beaver; Maumee. S. Lilly - 
bridge; Scioto, John Alsaj): Richland. John Davis; Peel Creek, B. F. Kauf- 
man; Samuel Hiestand. Bishop. John Dorcas was elected presiding elder in 
1837. In April. 1S3S. the conference was held at Stoner's Schoolhouso near 



610 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Tiffin. In April, 1839, the conference was held at Union Schoolhouse, Seneca 
Coimty. 

In March. 1840, the Conference assembled at Phillip Betz's house. H. G. 
Spayth was elected presiding elder. Alfi-ed Spraylin, Jacob Newman, S. Lil 
lybridge, M. Long. B. J. Needles and Jonathan Thomas were the preachers. 

In 1S41 the conference met at King's Schoolhonse. Richland County, with 
Jacob Erb. bishop, presiding. Jeremiah Brown was elected jiresiding elder, 
and Alfi-ed Spracklin preacher of the Seneca Circuit. 

The conference of 1842, held at Monclova, Lucas Co., Ohio, was presided 
over by Bishop Kumber. John Davis and Jeremiah Brown were elected pre- 
siding elders of the western and eastern districts respectively, and Alfi'ed 
Spracklin was continued as preacher of the Seneca Circuit. 

In 1848 the conference met at Beaver Creek Schoolhouse with Bishop Kum- 
ber. Jr., presiding: the same elders were elected, and Spracklin continued in 
charge of Seneca Circuit. 

In 1844 the conference was held at Jacob Games' house in April. 
Samuel Long, still living near Kansas Village, was appointed presiding elder 
for the eastern district, and Samuel Hadley, preacher for Seneca Circuit. In 
1845 J. Garber and W. Harrington were appointed preachers of the Seneca Cir- 
cuit, and S. Long, presiding elder. John C. Bright took IMi-. Garber's place 
on this circuit. In 1846 the conference was held at Melmore. J. C. Bright and 
"Wesley Harrington were appointed preachers. The conference of 1847 was 
held in Wood County. John Davis was appointed presiding elder, and the 
same preachers reappointed. The conference of 1848 was held at Melmore. 
At this time Honey Creek Circuit was established, and all appointments in Sen- 
eca Circuit east of the Sandusky River were attached to Bellevue ^Mission of 
Honey Creek Circuit. John Davis was appointed preacher of Seneca Circuit, 
and D. Glancy, of Honey Creek. A second conference was held in October, 
1848, in Liicas County. Green Creek Circuit was established with J. C. 
Bright, pastor. This conference was held for the purpose of changing date of 
conference. 

In 184!) W. Herrington was appointed preacher of Green Creek, and S. 
Long and J. Martin, of Seneca Circuit. In 18")() Green Creek was attached 
to the western district, and R. Wicks, appointed preacher. In 18.51 J. New- 
man was appointed preacher of Green Creek, and John Curts. of Seneca. 

In 1852 Seneca. Green Creek and Salem Circuits were grouped as Findlay 
District, with A. Berry, presiding elder: G. Schnider. preacher of Seneca, and 
M. Long, of Green Creek. At this time there were 300 members in the Seneca 
Circuit, and 150 in the Green Creek Cii-cuit. In 1854 Seneca and Green 
Creek Circuits were added to the Sandusky District, and M. Long appointed 
preacher in the tirst named, and John French in the last named. In 1855 
Libert}-, Bettsville and dinger appointments of Seneca Circuit, were attached 
to the Sandusky Circuit: Attica to Sandusky District. j\I. Bulger was 
appointed t > Attica, and A. Biddle and S. Foster to Sandusky, and William 
Jones to Green Creek. 

In September, 185(5, the conference was held at Flat Rock. M. Bulger 
was continued at Attica. D. S. Caldwell, of Seneca, and James Long and H. 
Cnrtiss. of Green Creek. In 1857 S. Jacoby was appointeil to Attica. 

In 1858 Flat Rock was detached fi'om Green Creek, and Attica Mission 
iiamed Attica Circuit, with S. Jacoliy preacher, and M. Long preacher at Flat 
Rock; James L')n^ at Seneca and S. T. Lane at Green Creek. 

(The New England Mission was organized l)y this conference in 1858, 
to carrv o:i the wo;-k of thtnr church in Massachusetts. J. C. Bright went 



LOUDON TuWXSHir. 611 

thoro in 1858. and J. Crouse in 18.J1): subsequently others went, but within 
tivo yoars the mission was abandoned. ) 

In 185U J. Crouse liecamc a member of Sandusky Conference; S. F. Altman 
took charge of Attica Circuit; James Long of the Seneca Circuit; S. T. Lane 
of Green Creek; S. Lindsay of Flat Rock. 

In 1860 J. F. Seller was appointed to Attica; M. Long to Flat Rock; S. 
T, Lane to Seneca; D. G. Ogden to Green Creek. 

In 1861. D. G. Ogden. Attica: S. T. Lane, Seneca; James Long, Green 
Creek; Ahin Rose, Flat Rock. 

In 1862. W. Mathers, Seneca; S. T. Lane, Attica; A. Rose, Flat Rock; A. 
^I. Stemen, Flat Rock. 

In 1863. Seneca, D. Glancy and J. Garber: Attica, S. T. Lane; Flat 
Rock, A. Rose; Michael Long, Green Creek. 

In 1864. Seneca, I. Crouse; Attica, S. Jacoby; Green Creek, S. Foster; 
Flat Rock. S. F. Altman: Fostoria. R. French. " In 1864, Loudon, Stopes, 
Fostoria, Independence and Smith's missions were detached fi-om Carey, and 
Fostoria Circuit was estalilished. 

In 186.") the conference was held at Fostoria. The missions known as Sen- 
eca Union. Honey Creek Chapel and Liberty were iletached from Soneca Cir- 
cuit; Base Line fi'om Benton Circuit, and Berwick fi'om Yau Lne Circuit, and 
all formed into the Honey Creek Circuit. G. Bender, of Attica; Isaac Crouse, 
of Honey Creek: S. T. Lane, of Seneca; G. Hoover, of Flat Rock; William 
Miller, of Green Creek, and R. French, of Fostoria. 

In 1866. T. D. Ingle, Fostoria; S. T. Lane, Seneca; G. Bender, Attica; 
J. F. Seller. Flat Rock: Peter Flack. Green Creek. 

In 1867. T. D. Ingle. Fostoria: S. Essex. Seneca: "William Neville. Attica; 
M. Long. Flat Rock: R. K. AN'yant, Green Creek. I. Crouse was appointed 
secretary of the conference in 1867, and has held the position to the present 
time. 

1868. William Neville. Attica; M. Long. Flat Rock: M. Bulger, Seneca; 
J. Matthews, Green Creek, : T. J. Harbaugh, Fostoria. 

1869. Honey Creek District. William Miller. P. E. ; Attica, A. M. Steiner; 
Flat Rock, M. Bulger; Fostoria. T. J. Harbaugh, G. Bender, Seneca Circuit ; 
D. F. Senter. Green Creek. 

The annual appointments made since 1869 are named as follows: 

187(1. Attica. G. Hoover: Honey Creek. W . A. Keesy: Flat Rock, Isaac 

Crouse: Seneca. S. Foster; Fostoria. S. D. Kemerer: Green Creek, S. H. 

Randebaugh. 

1871. Attica. William Neville; Fostoria. S. D. Kemerer: Seneca, G. 
French: Green Creek. S. H. Randel)augh; Honev Creek, W. A. Keesey: Flat 
Rock. W. P. Dicker. 

1872. Attica. William Neville; Honev Creek. C. Hepler; Fostoria, D. S. 
Caldwell; Seneca, G. French; Green Creek, D. D. Hart; Flat Rock. S. H. 
Randebaugh. 

1873. Honey Creek, E. B. Maurer; Fostoria, J. Bever; Seneca, G. Hoover, 
Green Creek. D. D. Hart: Flat Rock. S. H. Randebaugh; Attica, William 
Mathers. Peter ^^'arller missionaiy in Africa. 

1874. Honey Creek, E. B. Maurer; Seneca, John French. Eden, M. 
Long; Green Creek. B. M. Long; Flat Rock, S. Essex; Fostoria. Isaac Crouse. 

1875. Attica. J. F. Seller; Honey Creek, H. C. Bevington: Seneca, M. 
Long; Eden, G. French; Green Creek. E. B. Maurer; Flat Rock. H. F. Hart 
zell; Fostoria. T. D. Ingle. 

1876. Attica, O. H. Ramsev; Honev Creek. W. W. McCurdv; Green 



til2 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Creek. A. Powell; Flat Rock, H. F. Hartzell; Seneca, G. Bender; Fostoria, 
T. D. Ingle: Eden, G. French. 

1877. Attica, John Awmiller; Honey Creek, W. W. McCurdy; Flat Kock, 
D. S. Caldwell; Seneca, G. Bender; Green Creek. A. Powell; Fostoria. T. J. 
Harbaugh; Eden, AVilliam Mathers. 

1878. Honey Creek, N. S. Long; Seneca, B. Struble; Attica, A. J. Klin- 
gle; Eden, William Mathers; Fostoria, T. J. Harbaugh; Green Creek, D. S. 
Caldwell. 

18(9. Honey Creek, N. S. Long; Seneca. L. J. Osbom; Attica, W. AV. 
McCurdy; Flat Eock, C. H. Lemon; Green Creek, J. Bever; Eden. O. H. 
Ramsey; Fostoria, E. A. Starkey. 

1880. Fostoria, G. W. Macklin; Seneca, M. Long; Eden. J. Bever: Attica. 
W. W. McCmdy; Honey Creek. M. E. Spahr; Green Creek, S. T. Lane; Flat 
Rock, G. Hoover. 

1881. Attica, C. L. Bevington; Honey Creek. M. E. Spahr; Flat Rock, 
W. P. Dicken; Green Creek, T. D. Ingle; Eden, L. Shai-p; Seneca, M. Long; 
Fostoria, G. P. Macklin. 

1882. Honey Creek, G. P. Macklin; Attica, C. L. Bevington; Flat Rock. 
Jacob "Walker: Seneca, L. Moore; Green Creek, T. D. Ingle: Eden. L. Sharp; 
Fostoria. AV. A. Keesey. 

1883. Flat Rock. Jacob Walker; Fostoria, R. Rock; Seneca, A. B. Leon- 
ard; Attica, W. A. Keesey; Honey Creek, G. P. Macklin; Eden, M. Swanky% 
Green Creek, J. W. Hippie. 

St. Wendelin^s Catholic Church dates back to 1849, when the first frame 
chiu'ch building was erected on Wood and Railroad Streets, by Franz DiUery, 
John Omlor, Diobold Omlor, John Bick, John Shoen, John Portz, Nicholas 
Portz, Michael Lynch, James McDonel and others, which was attended by 
priests from New Reigel once a month until Father Roetzer was appointed by 
Bishop Rappe and stationed at Findlay. About the year 1859. Father Behrens 
succeeded. At the beginning of the war Father Dechaut was appointed, and 
during his administration the frame chm-eh. which had been poorly built, was 
repaired at a cost of SI. 100. In 18<)4 he was succeeded by Father Yattmau. 
About 1868 Father Puetz came and remained until the appointment of Father 
J. B. Jung. About 1875 the latter was succeeded by Rev. M. Arnoldi. who 
has been resident pastor for the last ten years, and to whom is credited the 
building of the jiresent brick and stone church, begun in 1879 and completed 
in 1880, except the spire. In 1855 Martin Kingseed moved to Fostoria, from 
Tiffin. Prior to this date Franz Dillery. Jr., Martin Schalk. Philip Schalk. 
Jacob Bick. Hubert Bettinger, John Bettinger (now near Toledo). Nicholas 
and George Emerine, of Hancock County, John Lumberjack. John Persh, 
Philip Burcher. George Zeigman, Michael Clancey, George Huth, Jacob Huth 
and others were early members. 

Baptist Church, a close communion Baptist society, was established 
at Risdon about 1852, and ser^dces were held in the Methodist Episcopal 
Chui'ch building. Mi\ Bement assisted the Methodists in Sunday-school work, 
but after some time he and his class -withdrew and established a Presbyterian 
Sunday-school, which was continued until the founding of the present Presby- 
terian Chui'ch. 

Presbyterian Church. — This was foimded at Fostoria Febi'uarj' 25, 185G, with 
the following named members: Rev. W. C. Turner. James Hill and wife. John 
Milligan and wife, Caleb Munger and wife, Edwin Bement and ilrs. Jane 
Riegel. The society was reorganized under the law of 1852, June 2(>. 1858, 
with Caleb Munger. president, and William M. Cake, clerk. The trustees 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 613 

were Edwin Bciiient. Caleb Miinger and William M. Cako. A building com- 
mittee was elected of which the officers were I'.r-oJJicio members: J. Fritch, 
Charles Foster. George Gear and A. S. Bemeut, members. In 1858, also, the 
present house of worship was erected, which is now valued at $10,(100. with 
parsonage and gi-ouads. The pastors of this church since its organization are 
named as follows: W. C Tm-ner. Smith Curtis, R. H. Holl^yday, E. J. Aldeu, 
"William McLaren, J. E. Fisher. David Van Dyke, Joseph Hughes and Rev. 
A\"illiam Foulkes. The names of elders who have served the church are Caleb 
Munger. James Hill. John Milligan. Edwin Bement, S. M. Miller, Ephraim 
Miller. J. E. Milkison. M. M. Mergenthaler. F. E. Stewart, A. S. Bement 
and O. J. De Wolfe. The clerks of session are named as follows: Edwin 
Bement. W. M. Cake. E. Miller and J. E. Milkison. 

Emnycticid Liitlieian CJnircli of Fostoria. known as the church of "Good 
Hope." was organized in JaiuKiry. 18t)8. by Rev. M. Buerkle, with the 
following named members: John Hoffman, William Winkenwerder, J. J. 
Eissler. John Raber. G. Martz. George Hoyer. John Lutz, H. Lutz, Louis 
Sass. HeiTuan Axt, August Koss. Louis Hoelzer. George Lemp and Henry 
Miller. This society erected a house of worship in 1869, which was enlarged 
in 188'"). and is now valued at .S'2..j()(). In 1SS8 the parsonage was built at a 
cost of SI. ")(•(>. The membership numbers eighty-live, and the membership of 
Sunday-school about fifty children. Rev. M. Buerkle was pastor from 1868 to 
1875: Rev. William K. Braunwarth. fi-om 187") to 187f); Rev. C. A. Damen- 
den. fi-om 1S76 to 1877; Rev. J. A. C. Cramer, from 1877 to 1882, and Rev. 
George Dillman. from 1882 to the present time. The secretaries of this society 
have been J. Jacob Eissler, Peter Miineh and Fred AVoss, George Fleehtner 
is the present secretary and J. J. Eissler, treasurer. 

(jcrmaii Coniji-cgaiion of the Union CIturch of Fostoria was reorganized 
May 12. 1867. under State law. John Wagner presided, with Rev. George 
Rettig, secretary; John Raber and Jacolj Rower were elected elders; John 
Wagner and G. Marz. deacons; George Hoyer. John Huffman and John 
Stahly. trustees. 

Ri'formcd CInirrh of Fostoria was organized Maich 23, 18 <t). by Rov. A. 
Cassellman. with twenty-five members. In May. 187'J, the corner-stone of 
their church was placed, and September 20. 1S79. the building was dedi- 
cated. The society was organized under the State law April 20. 187'J, when 
H. W. Konkle, Martin Mueller, Sam Stewart and Jacob Hofmaster were 
elected trustees. The original members are named as follows: Rev. Martin 
Mueller. Jacob Hoffmaster. Lydia Hoffmaster. Hannah Hoffmaster. Michael 
Moots. Ann ^Mueller. Mary Millhime. Katy Troutman. Jacob Schaufelberger. 
Mar}' Schaufelberger, Catherine Felkley. .Samuel Steward, Catherine Steward. 
H. W. Konkle and others — in all twenty-five ])ersous. Rev. J. D. Neff, the 
present pfistor, succeeded Mr. Casselman. C. ilunger and the pastors have 
served the society as secretaries. The present membership is seventy-seven, 
and value of property S2.0G0. 

Ehenezer Meftiodist Episcopal Church, Loudon, was founded in 1841 at Mc- 
DougaVs hotise on Wolf Creek. In 1847 the class was moved to A. E. Civa's 
house, a half-mile south of the location of where the old church stood. 

iSV. Patrick's Church was founded in Loudon at an early day. Many names 
of original memV)ers are given in connection with the history of St. Mary's 
Chiuch. at Tiffin, while others are given among the pioneers of Loudon, 
Hopewell and Tiffin. Rev. J. Christojihory is pastor of this chm-ch. 

Reference is made in the history of Fostoria to the United Brethi'en. Evan- 
gelical and Methodist Churches of the township. 



61-i HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

SCHOOLS. 

The beginning of the city schools was made in the winter of 1883-34. 
When the present Union School building was dedicated a few years ago, 
Charles Foster read a paper on the early system of teaching, and coupled 
with it an interesting histoiy of the schoolhouses, teachers and pupils. From 
this paper, the following three paragraphs are taken: 

" The first teacher in the old log house, in the winter of 1833-34. was 
Freeman Luce, who contracted to teach thi-ee mouths, of twenty-six days, for 
$10 per month, he ' boarding 'round,' as was the custom in those days. One 
of the customs of that day was to bar the schoolmaster out of the house, and 
keep him out until he yielded to the demands of the scholars to treat them to 
apples, candies, raisins, or such luxui'ies as could then be had. Sometimes 
their demands included whiskj', but that was never the case in Eome, though 
at that time we were considered by the Eisdonites as being cpiite ungodly. 
Among the teachers thiit followed Mr. Luce were Dr. Loekwood, afterward a 
distino-uished member of Congress from this district, and now one of the lead- 
ing law;s-ers of this county, and James Pillars, who subsequently graced the 
bench for ten years as common pleas judge of this judicial district. My fi-iend 
Nestlerode informs me he has, among the papers of his father, a written con- 
ti-aet made with IVIi-, Pillars, to teach the Island School for $10 per month, of 
twenty-six days; one-half to be paid in cash, and the other half in pro^-isions. " 

" in those days the great feature of om- schools was the attention given to 
spelling. I seriously doubt whether the schools of the present day can produce 
so much excellence in spelling as did those of that day. One-foiu'th of the 
time, probably, was devoted to spelling exercises, and in addition, at least one 
night of each week was devoted to what was known as spelling matches. 
These were attended by the best spellers fi-om the neighboring schools. Om- 
highest ambition was to be the best speller in school. I I'emember one three 
months' term, I think the one taught by ilr. Noble, that C. C. Nestlerode was 
one of the scholars. Mi'. Nestlerode happened to take position in the class, on 
the first day, just above my sister Emily. They maintained this position, 
neither of them missing a word, until the last day, when Nestlerode missed, 
and Emily went above him. Of course .she was greatly delighted, and Nestle- 
rode was coiTespondingly discomfited. I think I am safe in saying that I 
attended spelling school three nights out of a week, dming the three months 
of school for several years, visiting alternately the old led schoolhouse in 
PeiTy, the Tom Kelley Schoolhouse on the ridge, and the Kiser Schoolhouse 
south of town. The old red schoolhouse, perhaps, had the highest reputa- 
tion, yet all the rest were sharp and close competitors for the tu'st honors. I 
believe my sister Emily was the best speller of all, and she was under twelve 
years of age. The larger scholars used to cany her on their backs as they 
went to the different schools, for be it remembered that in those days we went 
on foot. I remember of going one night, to the Kiser Schoolhouse, through 
the woods the most of the way, and alone, to attend a spelling match. I broke 
through the ice, and was wet up to my knees when I reached the jilace; yet I 
do not think I ever felt better repaid for a day's work than I did over my suc- 
cess on that occasion, for I spelled down the entii-e school. Tom Kerning, 
whom our older citizens will remember, was the teacher, and had been for three 
or four winters. His school, though having in it a number of good spellers, 
was not equal to the other thi'ee. To save the reputation of his school he 
adopted the plan of having one scholar of his school spell at a time. He then 
divided the spelling book, assigning to each of his scholars ceiiain tables 
which they were to learn perfectly. When, in the course of the exercises, one 



LOUDON TOWNS HI I'. 615 

of his scholars had finished his part, he comi)lained of being tired, and some 
other one. who had been assigned the next table, would take the place thns 
vacated. On this occasion one of the Xeweomb girls (and. by the way, they 
were all good spellers) missed a word in her table. No one else knowing the 
table. I was enabled to spell down his whole school before that table was fin- 
ished. He tried hard to skip. but-I knew it so well as to be able to detect him, 
and held him to the table." 

"What havoc time has made with the list that met so often in fiiendly rivalry 
in those good old days! I say good old days deliberately, for I seriously doubt 
whether any one of us has experienced more pleasure in any equal mmiber of 
days since, ^\'e were few in number, our wants were few. and these were 
bountifully .supi)lied. "We knew nothing of gi'ades in schools. Ovu- seats had 
no backs, yet we did not complain, because we knew of nothing better. ^ en- 
tilation was perfect, and that is something with which our school-rooms of the 
present are not plentifidly supplied; this, however, can't be said of this mag- 
nificent house. " 

June U, 18S4. P. L. Myers, in addressing the Fostoria Alumni Associa- 
tion, organized in ISbO. refen-ed to school days at Fostoria, crediting Miss 
Coiy with being the first graduate of the class of 1878, the first class to grad- 
uate fi'om the new school building. 

The condition of the schools of Fostoria. shown in report of August 31. 
1SS4. is as follows: Local tax. ^9. SI 9. 73; total revenue. §20,986: expend^ 
itiu-es. i^l4.n9:lSS: H school buildings, value of property, $50.1)00; ^1 i 
teachers; average salaries, i?r)7. S-to. ?38; total number of pupils enrolled. i44 
— boys. 867. and girls. 877, of whom 7)8 attend high school. The report as 
made in April. ISS"). gives the total expenditure at 5^12,867.22, and places the 
balance on hand August 31. 1S84. at §8.118.80. The board of education is 
now composed of Antb-ew Emerine, W. D. Bobbins, J. E. Wilkinson. L. J. 
Eshelman. F. J. Schaufelberger and Charles Olmstead — five Republicans and 
one Democrat. The teachers in September. 188"). were: superintendent, "\\ . T. 
Jackson: James Hayes. Frank Boley. Miss C. T. Abbott, Tina Thomas, Ella 
Williams. Ida Williams. Hattie Diver. Lou Loudenslager. Allie Heitschew. 
Jessie Keller. Hattie Leech. Mrs. Henderschott. MvTa Wilson, Mi's. Libbie 
Hoover. Katie Staul. Mamie Leonard. 

Fostoria Academy, which was made a fii-st class school by W. C. Tui-ner, 
was in full operation in January. 1861. 

Fo.^toria Academy. — Fostoria Academy may be said to have had its beginning 
in a movement to establish a school there under the name, "Northwestern Nor- 
mal School of Fostoria." Novenil)er 6, 1875, an association was foi-med 
at Fostoria for the pm-pose of establishing a normal school, and the same day 
signed articles of incoiiJoration. The memlx^rs were Jlichael Beilger. A. J. 
Longfellow. Fied Jfanecke, J. L. Keiunver, J. A. Bradner. John E. Wilkison, 
Amos S. A\illiams and Leigh Harbaugh. In July, 187(), the normal schoo 
<|uestion gave i)lac(> to the academical one, and in July of that year a petition 
was signed by the following named citizens, for presentation to the Findlay 
Conference of the United Brethren Church, praying that the academy be 
established here, in September. 1876: Isaac Crouse, J. S. Overholt, Joseph 
Bever, F. J. Breining. K. French. Abram Overholt. John A. Bradner, Thorn- 
ton D. Ingle. Josej)h Stouffer, C. Olmsted. W. J. Rigby, Roswell Crocker, 
O. J. DeM'olfe. Junius V. Jones. Isaac Warner. Jesse Bower, Charles Foster, 
L. J. Hissong. C. W. Foster. J. W. Bricker. ISl. D. In September, 1876, 
the Sandiiskv- Conference granted the jietition. with one resel■^•e relating to 
location, and a board of tnustees was appointed, viz. : M. Bulger, D. R. Miiler, 



GIU HISTORY OF SENECA COUN'TV. 

A. Powell. T. J. Harbaiigh, A.. Rose. I. Crouse. Charles Foster. Levi Adams. 
Jesse Bower, J. Biirgner, \V. J. Andrews and Dr. William Detwiler. Isaac 
Crouse was appointed secretai-y in 1876, and has filled the position down to 
the present time. Rev. D. R. Miller was appointed financial agent. From 
the organization of the board to the present time I'ostoria has co-operated with 
the trnstees, Jlr. Foster alone contributing about SlO.OOfl By March '29, 
1879. a sum of S'iO.OOO was subscribed. The executive committee at this 
time were F. R. Stewart, R. French, G. Biles, J. Bower and A. J. Long- 
fellow. L. Moore was president of the board. Tiiistees for two years, T. J. 
Harbaugh, A. Ash. J. Powell, W. J. Andrews; foiu' years, L. Moore, J. M. 
Bever, A. Rose, Charles Foster; six years. D. R. Miller, I. Crouse. L. Adams. 
J. Bower. April Ifi, this year, the scholarship plan was adopted and ex- 
tended until $17,(100 were secured. In 1883 the plan was suspended. 

Prof. W. T. Jackson, Ph. D. was elected principal in the fall of 1879, 
when academic work was entered upon in the old Union school, which stood 
on the site of the new Methodist Episcopal Church. There the academy was 
carried on until the fall of 1880, when Prof. Jackson was appointed to a chair 
in the Indiana University and A. G. Crouse. A. M. , elected principal. In the 
fall of 1881 Prof. Jackson was elected principal to succeed Mr. Crouse (who 
took charge of the dejiartment of natural sciences and continued until the 
close of 1883), when he took charge of the schools at A\"auseon. Ohio. Prof. 
Jackson was elected principal of the Union schools at Fostoria in the fall of 
1884, and Prof. M. DeWittLong was elected principal of the academy. Prof. 
Long was principal of Roanoke Seminaiy. Ind. , for foxu' years prior to com- 
ing to Fostoria. The secretary takes an active part in the financial and official 
life of the college as well as presiding over commercial classes, together with 
being presiding elder of several districts of the United Brethren Conference. 
Prof. A. W. Kelley came at the opening of the school in 1S7U. to take charge 
of the musical department. In 1 884 he was appointed to the chair of natural 
sciences, having previously held the chair of literatiu'e. Prof. Lehman held the 
chair of mathematics until he was elected principal of preparatorv department 
at Otterbein in 1885. The faculty in 1879-80 comprised Rev. W! T. Jackson, 
Ph. D.. languages and higher mathematics; E. L. Shuey, A. B., history 
and English, was also librarian; Mrs. L. A. Macklin, B. S. , science and math- 
ematics: Rev. I. Crouse, principal commercial department: A. W. Kelley, M. 
A., vocal and instrumental nrasic and di'awing. The faculty in 1884-85 em- 
braced Rev. M. DeWittLong. A. M.. Principal, professor of languages, men- 
tal and moral science; J. E. Lehman. A. M. . mathematics and physics; A. W. 
Kelley, M. A., natural science and belles-lettres: Emma F. Burtner. Precept- 
ress, history, assistant in Latin ; Rev. George Dillman, A. M. , German ; Rev. 
I. Crouse. commercial science; Librarian, A. W. Kelley, A. M. 

The corner-stone of the academy building was placed in position August 
14, 1879, Gen. John C. Lee delivering the oration. The ladies" and gentle- 
men's halls are two neat frame buildings on Foster Street, just noi-th of the 
academy. They are rented from Mr. Foster by the academy. His proposition 
to donate these buildings has not yet been acted upon. 

The ladies' hall provides board and rooms for twenty-four lailies, and board 
for gentlemen rooming elsewhere. It is a comfortable home, conveniently ar- 
ranged, and is near the academy building. Each room is furnished with 
caipet. chairs, table, washstand, bedstead, mattress and sheets ; are heated and 
cared for. Students fiu'nish light and additional bedding. The expense dur- 
ing the past year, with good board, has been only S2.75 per week. The pre- 
ceptress has her home in this building, and young ladies from a distance will 



LOL'DON TOWNSHIP. , 617 

be oxj)i'ctiHl to room hnx' unless their parents direct otLierwisc. Parents are 
assured that their daughters will receive projier care and attention at the 
ladies' liall. The gentlemen's hall has accommodations, similar to those of the 
ladies' hall, for sixty students, at a cost of Sl.oO to .§2.50 per month. 
Good tal)l(' board can be had at the ladies' hall for $'J. '25 per week. Rooms 
and board can iilso be had in private families at prices varying according to 
accommodations. 

CEMETERIES. 

Old Cciiicfin-jj. The old cemetery on the knoll, just west of Portage Creek, 
in Hancock County, dates back to 1832, when one of the pioneers (Jacobs) 
■was interred there. The founder of the town of Eisdon owned the land, and 
donated it to the Methodist Church of Risdon for a burying ground, for which 
it was used \i]-> to 1850, when the new cemetery was established. In this 
year the bodies of Dr. Dana. Mr. Caples, Sr. , Louisa Howell, John Kelley, 
the HoUoiieters. Mrs. Braden and old man Jacobs were exhumed, and removed 
to the new cemetery. John Gorsuch. the donator, and the original owner of 
Risdon. shot himself three miles north of where Longley Station now is. His 
funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Brock, of the INIethodist Episcopal 
ChiU'ch. who dwelt gently with the life of the suicide, and asked that the 
remains should lie in the cemetery that he donated. The late Morris P. 
Skinner hehl a (juit-claim deed fi-om the Gorsuch heirs for this property. He 
also pm-chased. in 185-j, a strip two rods in width along the western side of 
the burying ground fi-om old Thomas Kelley, in which his son John Kelley 
was interred, and there also a daughter of Jacob Milhime was Inu'ied in 1854. 
Skinner began taking sand fi'om this pro])erty in 1S55. the ends of the coffins 
wer<' brought into view, and in that year the question of establishing a new 
cemetery was discussed. 

The monuments, some much time-worn, still standing in this cemetery, bear 
the following in yneriioriains: Sarah N. Hatfield, died August 0, 1839: Will- 
iam Hatlield. died in 1844: John ^V. Welch, died December 20. 184(1; daugh- 
ter of J. and N. Conley. died August 20. 1843; Samuel Carr. died August 2, 
1842; Catherine, wife of A. W. Childs.about 1840. date si(Mm-a.- IMi-s. L.C.Craw- 
ford, August 1. lS4('i: Lyman Kettel. died March 24. 184( ; son of E. B. Howell, 
died Octolx'r •'). 1852: William Hamor. died December 21, 1851. Mrs. Craw- 
ford, named above, was wife of Lewis A. Crawford, a Methodist exhorter. 
James Lewis thinks the I) on the headstone should be 8. South of the acad- 
emy was another l)urial ground. From that were removed, in 185'), the 
remains of Emily Foster. John Foster, and four children of C. W. Foster, 
John Crocker and Mrs. Crocker and Allen Crocker. Frederick Anderson was 
bui-ied in another cemetery (just where Dr. Hale's house now stands), and his 
remains were moved in 185(). 

Ncir Cnncli')-!/. The original tract of this cemetery, containing live acres, 
was l)ought of Jauies Hill, Sr. , and in 1880, eleven acres were purchased fi-om 
Wilson Skinner. Every man who purchased a lot was a stockholder. C. W. 
Foster, George \\'. Collier, Roswell Crocker, S. Bricker. James Lewis, P. R. 
and B. L. t^'ipl(>s. and jserhaps some others were among the incorporators. 
Lots sold for if1(t. In the lirst selection. Dr. Bricker and James Lewis gave 
up their lirst choice of lots to Col. Foster, then Mi'. Lewis siuTendered his 
second choice to Dr. Bricker, and a short time after the Doctor was bui-ied in 
the same lot, which he battled so hard to obtain, ho dying in 1856. 

James Lewis was appointed sexton of the new cemetery in 1856, and held 
the ])ositiori until Ajiril. 1885, when he was elected trustee, and his son aj)- 
pointed su])erintendent. 



618 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

By an act of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, passed February lit, 
A. D. 1885, entitled ' ' An act to authorize the village of Fostoria. Ohio, to pur- 
chase the gi'ounds, improvements and property of the Fostoria Cemetery Asso- 
ciation, and to levy a tax to pay therefor," the village council of Fostoria, was 
authorized to piu'chase the grounds, improvements, property and assets of the 
Fostoria Cemeteiy Association, and to issue the village bonds in amount not to 
exceed §3.(M)(t, in denominations of S'yOO each, bearing (\ per cent interest. 

The first grave dug in the new cemetery was for two children of Rev. G. 
\\". Collier, in 1850. when he was pastor of the Methodist Episcojial Chui'ch. 
at Fostoria. The fii'st adult, other than transfers from the old cemetery, who 
was buried in the new cemetery, was Dr. Simon Bricker. The first burial in 
the new addition to the cemetery took place in 1879. The total niuuber of 
interments is 1,495 in the eemeterj' proper, and fifty in potter's field. 

Catholic Ccmetevy. — The present Catholic cemetery- was purchased by Martin 
Kingseed in 1850 for the Catholic congregation, fi-om John Bick. This purchase 
comprises one acre which forms the cemetery now. The old cemetery was just 
south of the Catholic Church on the line of the Lake Erie & "^'estern Railroad. 
There were ten j^ersons intended there among whom were !Mrs. Telfoid and her 
davighter. The remains of the ten were transfeiTed in 1S5I) to the new Catholic 
cemeteiy. 

Oak Grove Ceinetery Association, of Loudon Township, was oi'ganized 
June 13, 1857, with John M. Sheller. president: B. E. Stephens, clerk: R. M. 
Ranney. Thomas Foughty. Nathan Wade, D. S. Rumple and Pen-y Chance, 
trustees. 

Soldiers Buried at Fostoria. — The soldiers of the war of l8t)l-l.S05, who 
are inteiTed in the city eemeterj' are named as follows: 

C. M. Thomas. A\"illiam Sabins. Dr. D. Thomas. John C. Locey. Will- 
iam ^Mickey. John Johnson. Charles R. Davis. Lieut. J. J. Fry. Reuben Nel- 
son, Henry A. Dildine. Nicholas Raney. Valentine Ash. J. J. Myers. John Lew 
Allen, Gilbert Smith. Evan Kirkwood, Lieut. J. Miller. Ansel Bement, 
Ephi'aim Cramer. Jacob Aushen. John Fritcher. Lieut. Williams and Dr. D. 
Williams, all in the "west center" of the cemetery. Samuel Wiseman, a soldier 
of 1812, is also buried here. 

H. M. Schenck. a colored barber. M. F. Overholt, Oliver C. Leech, Will- 
iam Hover, Hiram Bowman, John Connor, David Connor. Anderson and 

Robert Adams are inteired in the division, known as the "west outside." 
Here also are the remains of Samuel Kime. a soldier of 1812. 

In the "east outside" division the following named soldiers rest: 

A. Babcock. N. P. Dicken, E. J. Ballinger. Joseph Egan, Mike Heaston, 
Albert Hale, Capt. Falhabel, Col. T. C. Norris. George W. Dick, Chris Kist- 
ner, also Barney McDougal, a soldier of 1812. 

In the "east center" division are Charles Daniel. John Yeon. S. Wiseman, 

Patton. Capt. Orriu Hays, M. Newcomb. Newman Sheldon. A. C. Dren- 

ning. Peter Staub, J. K. Needham, George Portz, L. Dake. Capt. Hollopeter, 
F. H. Shimp, Alex Smith, Samuel Shelt, H. Redfern. John AVineland, Levi 
Stearns. M. Shesler and A. B. Poe, a chaplain. 

The following named soldiers also rest in this cemetery: 

J. Dake. Capt. J. F. Schuyler. John AVaters, Capt. S. J. Tracey. John 
Christ, William McLaughlin, J, C. Runneals, Fred Brookman, O. R. Kizer. 
W. H. Carlysle. 

SOCIETIES. 

Fostoria Lodge No. 288, F. d- A. M.. was organized July 25, 1850, and 
chartered Octol)er 15, 1856, with the following named members: R. C. Caples. 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. ClU 

James Lewis. (). 1\. Welsh. Andrew Mi.seiiian. O. B. Ferris, A. M. Blackiuan, 
J. L. Mickey. Nathan Taylor. J. "W. Griffith. J. S. AValding. Lesley Brad- 
ford. C. R. Staley. The Past Masters of this lodge are named as follows: J. 
W. Bricker, E. "C. Cai)les. C. E. Davis. K. M . Hale. G. L. Hoege. AV. D. 
Robbins, F. J. Schaufelljerger. F. R. Stewart and O. V. Wood. The names 
of secretaries are as follows: B. L. Caples, A. M. Dildiue and W. J. Wagner. 
The membership is eighty-six. 

Gai-flchI ClidptPi: No. ]')0. R. A. M.. was chartered September 21. 1882. 
The original members .were Dr. Chris. E. Davis. James Lewis. Dr. G. L. 
Hoege. J. L. Mickey, Charles Olmsted. Dr. Jacob Shaufelberwer. A. C. 
McClean. A. M. Dildine. John A\'orman. C. AV. Thomas; C. Da^ns, was first 
H. P., Dr. Hoege. K. . and F. J. Shaufelberger, scribe. 

The members at present are named as follows: W. H. Bannister. John A. 
Bratlner, Peter Buessey, R. Crocker, Samuel Dale, C. E. Davis, A. M. Dil- 
diue. John Foreman. F. M. Frey, S. G. Fall. George L. Hoege. "W. Haver- 
stick. James Lewis. Charles F. Long. A. C. MeClean, L. McKee. J. L. Mickey, 
S. C. Newcomb, C. E. Norris, Charles Olmsted. John A. Parker. David Peter. 
AVilliam D. Robbins. AVilliam B. Rollins. F. J. Schaufelberger. J. A\'. Sehau- 
felberger. John C. Springer. F. E. ^^'oodl1lff. John J. AA'orman. 

Foston'a Loihjc Xd. .W.J, /. O. O. F.. was instituted June (1. 18o(). with the 
following named charter members: Samuel Gee. P. G. ; D. S. Luce, N. G. : 
Simon Bricker. V. G. : Orl>ison 'Welsh, secretary, and Joseph Haines, treasurer. 
Luce and \\'elsh are the only siu-vivors of the tirst oi-ganizatipn. The members' 
names on the calendar at this lodge are as follows: Robert Adams*. Martin 
Adams*. David AUcut*. David Asire. John Andes. J. M. Bever*, J. A. Brad- 
ner*. J. Beck*, AA'. H. Bannister, A\illiam Baringer, George Benham, H. AV. 
A. Bovd, S. B^nns. J. W. Bosler, J. A. Bruner. G. AV. Backenstos A E 
Blessing. W. M. Cake*, T. G. Carlisle*. J. Y. Callihan*. J. S. Crawford. H. 
Crocker, S. S. Dicken. J. R. Dieken. J. M. Dicken*, I. H. Denny. J. P. 
De"Wolfe. Samuel Ewing*. J. T. Ewing*. George Enos*. L. J. Eshehiian*. D. 
H. Everett, Charles Foster*, M. Fry. M. L. Fletcher. C. German*, A. Georgia! 

D. G. Gilmore*, J. P. Gilmore. J. AV. Good*. Noah Good. Joseph Hughes, S. 

E. Hale*, J. W. Harsh. AVilliam Holliugshead, John Hahn, David Hays. A. 
J. Hoffman. J. C. F. Hull. Daniel Hunsecker. J. C. Hartley, C. E. Henney, 
Simpson Jones*. J. A'. Jones*. Thomas Johnston. A\'illiam Jordon. Charles 
Johnston. H. AA'. Konkle*. G. A. Knight*. A. Kaufman*, S. F. Kiser*. D. S. 
Luce*, C. AV. Lytle*. F. P. Lindsey. Samuel Lockhart. James Long. J. C. 
Milhime*. D. G." R. Alasamer. G. Morgan. S. G. Malony*. J. A. Miller. Frank 
McCowan. H. Morlock. C. AV. McDade. I. AV. Nestlerode*. J. A. Noble, James 
Osborn, E. J. Padgham*. C. Pfeifer. M. L. Poe, J. B. Ribley*. Noah Rine- 
bold, A\'. M. Ralston. H. E. Schloss. Daniel M. Snyder, A. " Stearns. J. C. 
Springer, G. AV. Stout, James Sabins*, David M. Snyder*, J. C. Shuler, A. 
Scharf. AVilliam Schaufelberger. AV. J. Seiple. R. B. Spencer. D. A. Sprout*. 
G. A. Strouse, Josejih Schupp, Levi E. Sugerman. J. H. A'osburgh, John 
AA"agner*. Joseph A\ iseman, Peter AVickerham. J. J. AA'orman, I. M. AVatson, 
AN'illiam Weaver, C. C. Young.* 

Loudon Eticamjimint No. lt>7. I. (>. O. F.. was instituted June 1(5. 1873, 
with the following named members: Jacob Newhouse. J. AVisemau. S. G. 
Malony. S. E. Hale, A. (ieorgia, Samuel Ewing. J. C. Sjmnger. AV. J. .Seiple, 
G. A. Knight. Pi. Adams and G. H. Recce. 

Fostorki Lochjc No. tilt, K. of P.. was organized June 22, 1870. with the 
following named members: AA'illiam AVeaver, A\'. H. H. AA'illiams, J. J. AA'or- 

• Fast Grands. 



620 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

man, David Alcutl, James M. Chamberlin, C. C Young, William Logan, 
George Enos, S. F. Kiser, P. Urchel, Ben Fosty, W. S. Baker, N. P. Eoy)bins, 
H. Bayman, D. McMeen. John Ernsberger, J. Basom, S. Yant, A. E. AVatson, 
William D. Bobbins. M. Adams. A. Kelley, J. Y. Calahan, D. H. Everett, C. 
Howell, J. T. Hale, L. H. Hill, A. O. Crone. 

Past Chancellor Commanders are named as follows: J. J. Worman, D. 
Alcutt, N. P. Bobbins, M. Adams, A. O. Crone, E. A. Hale, D. W. Suively, 
L. D. Mussetter, Moses Smith, S. F. Kiser, ^\. H. H. Williams. Peter Dennis, 
D. Boos, T. L. BrowTi, James Pruden, M. Bonnell and C. D. Scott. The fol- 
lowing are the names of those who served the lodge as secretaries: D. 'W. 
Sniveley, M. Adams, L. D. Mussetter, B. Jones, A. O. Crone, J. A. Noble. A. 
M. Dildine, W. H. H. Williams and A. M. Beck. The membenship is sixty- 
one. 

Seneca Council No. 172, A. L. of H., was organized April 17, 1880, with 
twenty-two charter members, including the following named officers : A. ^\'eaver, 
C. ; W. D. Bobbins, V. C. ; J. T. Yant, S. ; E. Alcott, P. C. : T. M. Garrison, 
Collector; G. L. Hoege, O. ; S. L. Beiler, Chaplain; T. S. Green, Treasiu-er; J. 
J. Breiniug, G. ; D. Hunsecker, W. ; Eandall Hale. Sentry; J. F. Ritchart, 
John Noble, and John F. Heilman, Trustees. 

Royal Arcatnim Lodge was organized in April, 1878, with G. L. Hoege, 
Eegent; T. M. Garrison, Secretary'; A. C. McClean, Treasm-er; L. D. Mustetter, 
V. E. : J. W. Schaufelberger, O. ; A. T. McDonnell. Chaplain: D. Asire, War- 
den; Moses Smith S. ; and J. A. ^^■olfe and W. H. Bannister. Trustees., 

Norn's Post No. 27, G. A. JR., organized under Charter. May o, 
1880, with the following named charter members: R. Alcott, W. J. Page, 
A. Cramer, H. Axt, A. G. Franklin. C. A. Doe, A. M. Dildine. C. 
W. Thomas, G. H. McDonal, C. L. Brooks, F. E. Stewart, A. Kaufman, 
H. Bordner, M. Adams. S. A. Neetlham, O. J. De Wolfe. William M. Cake. E. 
C. Tingle,A]len Hale, Fred Werner. A. Hiteshew. C. C. Jones. O. B. Burdett, 
H. Newcomer, M. H. Chance, G. W. Fritcher, S. H. AV airing. G. W. Young, 
J. B. Lewis, Ed Preble. J. D. Harley, W. P. Thatcher. S. Drenning. John 
McCracken. John M. Linhart. and others joined the post subsequently. The 
first Commander was E. Alcott. who also served in 1881; A. M. Dildine served 
in 1882; O. J. DeWolfe. in 1883: M. Bonnell. in 1884; and F. E. Stewart is the 
present commander. The Adjutants of the Post since organization are named 
as follows : E. C. Tingle, T. G. Carlisle. J. L. Cramer and S. Drenning. The 
membership is about 107. 

Sons of Veterans.- This corps was organized here September 14. ISSo, 
with the following named members: D. A. Gear, Oscar Shutt. Bert Allcot, 
Fred Yeon. Albert E. Kaufman. AVill Vi' . Werner. Frank C. Eunnels, G. C. 
Williams. H. C. Sheller, J. D. Kuhl. C. J. Myers, Frank E. Green, E. J. 
Bunnell, Oscar Shelt. C. H. Martin. M. Waltman. Bmce Jones, E. E. Hart- 
man. J. E. Metzler, Ernest Marvin. 

iMdies' Relief Corps, G. A. R., was organized September 14. 1885. with 
the following named members: President, Mi's. Sarah Schuyler: senioi' vice- 
president, iNIi's. A. P. Harris; junior vice-president, Mrs. Cassie Blessing; 
treasm-er, Mrs. Isal)el Dildine; chaplain, Mrs. RoxieC. Stewart: secretary. Mrs. 
Jennie Chance: conductor. Mrs. May Bonnell; guards. Mrs. Sarah Alcott, 
Alice H. Y'oung, Caroline Ash. Laura Dicken. Cornelia T. Myers. Ella Har- 
ley, Osie B. Fox, Mary :M. Preble. Sylvia A\erner. Susan T. Bonnell, Lottie 
t! Dicken. 

Sons of Temperance formed a society at Eisdon about 1848. During 
the winter of 1873-74 the temperance crusaders entered on duty at Fostoria. 



LOUDON TOWNSIlir. 621 

The ladies oi-f^anized and attacki-d the saloon system all alonrj the line, even 
i^oinij so far as to post female trnards outside each saloon at night. Diirintr 
the day a system of marchiug and conntermarehini;. resolutions and prayer, 
was followed liy a visit to each saloon. The protract(>d law suit against Jose])h 
Biek and the riot of 1874 grew out of this agitation. 

Free Thivkers. — The Free Thinkers were organizinl at Fostoria as early 
as ISoO or 1857. The association was formed for practical jokers by prac- 
tical jokers. This was a secret society, indeed, as the member who once 
passed throiigh the ordeal of initiation never wish(>d the outside world to know 
of it. but was always on the look-out for some one of whom to make a fellow 
victim. 

Sous of Malta comprised a niunber of well-to-do members who were 
initiated thi'ough magnificent ceremony. In the midst of this ceremony the new 
memljer was blindfolded, and shortly after was asked to sign the constitution. 
This was generally done and the work of the initiation continued until 
adjourimient to the banquet hall. About the close of the banquet a waiter left 
a bill before the new member with his signatxu'e attached thereto, agreeing to 
pay for the banquet. One of Fostoria' s tirst citizens was initiated a member 
of this quaint organization, and it is said that, in signing the constitution 
while blindfolded, he actually signed away ■'Sl.OdO for a supper. 

Inttr-Coioify Fair Associafloi) of Fostoria, was organized July 2. 1877, 
with the following members: Charles W. Foster, David Hays, John A. Brad- 
iier. B. AVells. J. W. Bricker. AV. H. Grapes, J. V. Jones, Thomas Fennel, L. 
J. Hissong, R. Crocker. J. P. Woodruff. L. J. Eshelman and R. Gust. This 
organization was never completed, but it is proposed now to reorganize. 

Fostoria Bible Society was organized August 14. 1858, and is still in exist- 
ence. 

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Animah was or- 
ganized. August 31, 1885, with the following named members: J. P. De 
Wolfe. John A. Bradner. J. G. Calahan. A. J. Stackhouse, John E. AVilkison, 
O. J. DeWolfe, John P. Warner. M. DeWitt Long. W. T. Jackson. Junius V. 
Jones. R. Alcott. L. J. Eshelmao. W. Druitt, A. E. Blessnilv, C. Olmsted, W. 
D. Bobbins. A\'. R. Knowles, 'V. S. : A. E. Ebersole. Charles Foster, C. A. 
Schultz, W. H. Bannister, N. Biuicher. Charles Douglass, agent of the St^te 
Society, was the organizer. September 1, 1885, the following named officers 
were elected: President, J. V. Jones; vice-presidents, J. P. DeWolfe and L. 
J. Eshelman: secretary, A. J. Stackhouse; treasiu'er. A. E. Ebersole: special 
agents. W. R. Knowles and John X. Hollinger. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

Engine Company A'o. 1 (Pioneer) was organized in 187"2. The hand engine 
of this comi)any was burned about 1881. In 1877 (he company i)urchased 
their first steam tire engine, and in 1884 the second. The present department 
comprises 2 Silsby engines, 1 hook and ladder truck, 3 hose carts and 1 tii'e 
team. In March. 1885. the following named officers were elected: President, 
\V. H. H. Williams; vice-president, S. E. Hale: secretary, T. G. Carlisle; treas- 
urer, A\'. D. Robbins: foreman engine, G. W. Campbell; assistant foreman 
engine, F. A. Senn: foreman hose. S. E. Hiile; assistant foreman hose. George 
Bristol. 

Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was organized in 1873. with Mil- 
ton Beaver, secretary: John Bowly. ])resident. and George Cramer, foreman. 
In A)>ril. 1885. J, G. Calahan was appointed president; George Boley. vice- 

33 



622 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

president; John McLaughlin, foreman: F. P. Lindsey, secretary, and Boley. 
Hale and McLaughlin, trustees. 

Relief Hook and Ladder Association was organized April 17, 1880. 
with D. Snyder, president; O. B. England, secretary; N. Burtcher, treasurer; 
Dr. Henry, sui-geon, and Frank Hays. Joel Hale, A. Weaver, D. P. Lloyd and 
James Beamish, trustees, fhis was organized as a beneficial society, with 
about $1,000 paid up. During the life of this association, until the close of 
1882, the officers were re-elected. 

BANKS. 

The business of banking at Fostoria is almost contemporaneous with 
the founding of the village of Rome. At an early date the Fosters made 
banking a department of their business, and as their house grew in importance, 
so did this department grow, until it was set ofF, so to speak, as a distinct 
business. In later years Foster's Bank became a well-known financial institu- 
tion, and in our times has grown to be one of the most important banking 
concerns in Ohio. The bank building is certainly the finest business block in 
Fostoria, if not in the whole county. 

The First National Bank was established Januaiy 2, 1883, with an author- 
ized capital of if 100. 000. Andi'ew Emerine is president; Alonzo Emerine, 
cashier, and A. Emerine. Hon. John McCauley. Thomas D. Adams. L. J. 
Hissong, L. B. Hams, "\\'illiam Ash. Alonzo Emerine, directors. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Fostoria Opera House. — This splendid temple of music and the drama is the 
product of John Andes" enterprise. He came from Bavaria. Germany to 
Tiffin in 1852. worked there for some years, and in 1860 established his wagon 
and carriage shop at Fostoria. The building, which is erected in the heart of 
the city at a cost of over $80,000 known as the Andes" Opera House, fonns in 
itself a moniunent to his industry. 

Neicspapers. — The Fostoria Rerieio and Fostoria Democrat now piiblished 
here, are noticed in the chapter on the press; ,so also are the other jom'nals 
which were piiblished here. 

Modern Manufacturing Industries. — Fostoria Stave & Banel Company was 
established in 1871, bj- Charles Foster, E. J. Cunningham, John Noble, John 
W. Griffith, all of whom are to-day interested in the industry with the exception 
of John W. Griffith. The company employ thirty-five men diu-ing the winter 
months and seventy-five during the summer months. The works stand on 
eleven and a half acres of land, through which side tracks fi-om the Baltimore 
& Ohio and Lake Erie & "Western Railroad. There are about r>,000 cords of 
elm, bass-wood and white ash manufactured annually. John Noble is man- 
ager; N. P. Robbins is in charge of the office. This company operates another 
extensive factoiy in Wood Coiinty. 

The Fostoria Spoke and Bending M'orks were established in 1882, with 
forty men. The building, erected that year, comprises a machinery room 52x 
144, erected at a cost of about $15,000. The machineiy introduced that year 
and subsequently is estimated at $15,000. The capacity is about 1,000,000 
feet of lumber annually. The jiroduct is marketed throughout the United 
States. The old works on the county line and Centre, established in 1807 by 
Bement & Grapes, were purchased by Cunningham & Co. in 1874 and con- 
ducted by them until 1882. when the buildings were destroyed by fire. 

The Thomas B. Jacob Foundry was established liy C. W. Bonnell at Fostoria 
in 1860, when shops were erected on Perry and High Streets, and opened in 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 623 

April, 1801. In 1S74 Mr. Jacobs purchased tbo works. Tlu> principal 
products of the foundry are scrapers, plows, agricultural implements, vases, 
columns, bouse castings, etc. The industry gives employment to nine hands. 
The value of annual product is estimated at aboiit $15. ()()(). 

In July, 1885, Fostoria secured the removal fi'om Titusville, Penn.. of the 
brass works. A consolidation of the works with the Fostoria Foundry and 
Machine Company's M'orks was effected. The Fostoria Brass Foundry was 
opened in September. 1885, with AV. L. Adams, of Cleveland, manager. This 
industry adds forty to the population of the city. 

The Fostoria Foundiy and Machine Works, owned by Charles Foster. Nich- 
olas Portz and F. Manecke. was the name adopted in 1880 foi' the t)ld works, 
conducted at one time by Bement & Rol)erts. at another time by Roberts & Co. , 
and still later by C. and B. AV. Bonnell & Co. Of course a great deal of new 
machinery was added to the old jjlant, and a foundry established in keeping 
with the progressive spirit of the time. In September, 188'). the Fostoria 
Brass and Bronze Manufactory took the place of the machine works. 

Vogleson's Foundry, in the western part of the city, was a small industry. 

Mrs. Schuyler's Paper-trimmer Factory is a novel industry in its way. The 
only article mantifactiu'ed is a patent trimmer for preparing wallpaper, and 
this has won a wide reputation. 

Livingstone Roller Mills, operated by John P. AN'arner, were, established in 
1801 by E. J. Cunningham and Charles AA". Foster. At that time there were 
three run of stones used, subsequently increased to six run. In 1881 John P. 
Warner and E. J. Padgham purchased the buildings and machinery for S14,- 
000. In 1882 Mr. Marner lioiight out Mr. Padgham' s interest. In 1883 he 
introduced eleven sets of rollers, with a capacity of 100 barrels per day. The 
value of buildings and machinery is §24,00(1. Five men are employed. 

Green & Heilman's Planing-Mill was established in 1878 by the present 
firm. The main building cost about $0,000. and machinery about 810.000. 
The mill has full ca]iaeity for the largest amount of good work. The numVier 
of hands employed range in nmnber fi'om twelve to fifteen. Martin V. Green 
and .1. F. Heilman are the proprietors. 

Merganthaler & Koss' Planing-Mill, and Sash, Door and Blind Factory, 
was established in 1881 by Jacob Mergenthaler and J. S. Bowers. In 1882 F. 
Koss pirrchased Bowers" interest. 

Hathaway. Campbell & Ca's. Sash, Door and Blind Factory, and Planing- 
Mill, were established in 1870 by Germond. Manecke & Co. In 1877 the pres- 
ent company jjurchased the buildings and plant. (In 1882 James H. Campbell 
purchased a (juarter interest. ) The value of buildings and machinery with 
stock, is about $23,000. This industry gives employment to from ten to twenty 
men. The market is enturely local. 

Newhouso, Sprout & Co. . Saw, Planing-Mill and Hoop Factory, was estab- 
lished by M. Fry and Amos Mohler; was purchased by the present company in 
187U. and has been operated by them continuously. The capacity is about 
10,000 per day. The machinery is valued at about $3,000. This industry 
gives employment to from thr(>e to ten men. 

A. Georgia established a pump factoiy here. G. K. Tuttle also manufac- 
tures } lumps, 

Foster's Elevator, corner of Main Street and Lake Erie Railroad, was erected 
manv vears ago. It is now owned by Bannister & Nichols. The capacity is 
about f)0,000 bushels. 

W. D. Bobbins' Marble Shop was established here about 1805, This indus- 
try gives employment to five first-class men in this work. Israel Smith, Bush 



624 HISTURV OF SKNECA COUNTY. 

and H. ^^'ehl•, Tomb and Jacob Shuff, were the pioneers of this Ijii^iness at 
Fostoria. 

The can-iage and wagon mauufactiu'ing industry is represented l)y J. J. Eis- 
sler. S. H. Waring and M. Mergenthaler. The Litter established his was;on 
shop in 1865. 

The Tile Works of John Spleleather, form an important indnstiy. while the 
lime kilns and qnan-ies of D. P. Lloyd and John A. Bradner, compare veiy 
favorably with the great industries of this class in northern Ohio. 

The Corn Reaper and Mower, and Agi'iciiltui'al Implement Works were 
founded at Fostoria, September 24, 1873, when J. and Samuel Cadwallader, J. F. 
Schuyler. J. T. Stewart, J. . L. Kenower. K. Crocker, J. Nestlerodc, N. 
Portz, B. Leonard and Charles Foster, adopted articles of association. 

Fostoria Gas Light Company was organized October 23, 1878. with William 
Smith, James M. Hawes, Charles Foster, J. A. Bradner and Charles Olmsted, 
members. The capital was placed at $25,000. The Xatm-al Gas Company, 
incorporated in 1885, elected the following named officers: William M. Day, 
president; J. E. Wilkison, secretary and treasurer: diiectors, Charles Foster, 
J. E. Wilkison, J. A. Bradner, Joseph Gwjmn and W. M. Day. It will be 
seen that these gentlemen constitute the present Gas Light Company. The 
gas-well, undertaken under the auspices of this company, was l)ored to a depth 
of 1,775 feet by August 4, 1885. when the well was abandoned. The total cost 
of this venture was §3,000. The record of boring shows twenty-eight feet of 
loam resting on three feet of quick-sand, from a point thirty-two feet below 
the surface to a point 309 feet below blue, gray and di-alj limestone forms the 
conformation; although at 250 feet the boring was made through red rock. 

Hotels. — Samuel Laird established the first hotel at Rome in 1834; the house 
stood on the northwest corner of the Public Square, where John Bricker's office 
now is. He sold to David Terrier, in 1836. who sold to Peterson, who, with 
Brooks and Cadwallader, went into the counterfeiting business where Emer- 
ine's Bank now is. 

Jeremiah Jlickej established the first hotel at Risdon in 1832, which he 
carried on until his death. This house was subsequently conducted by Mrs. 
Mickey. The Laird House was ojierated by O. Diver for some time, when it is 
supposed he sold to R. Hale, who reljuilt the house. 

The second hotel at Rome, kept in 1838, on Tiffin Street, now called the 
' "Dutch House, " was a small log house built in 1 835. A\i'tzell wiis the proprietor. 

The third hotel stood on the site of the present Hays House, was built in 
1844 by James Hays, subsequently owned by Thomas Hays; and burned down 
about 1849. The second hotel on the site was built by Thomas Hays in 1858: 
this was a brick house now foiming a part of the ])resent Hays House, built by 
David Hays in 1872. 

The Hays House, erected in 1872, was operated by W. W. Read. He was 
succeeded by L. C. Cox and J. Zimmerman. The house was next leased to Jay 
Silvernale in 1878. who sold to David Hays and Grapes, who were succeeded 
by George Freeman. Wade & Reeves leased the house in 1883. In July. 
1884, Thompson purchased Reeves' interest, and the house is now conducted 
by Wade & Thompson, the building being still owned by David Hays. 

The Central Hotel, or Centre House, was built by Amos Moeller, on lots 
sold by Andi'ew Emerine. 

The Union Hotel, on Perry Street, a frame building owned by Randel & 
Co. , was built by J. L. Mickey and his mother. 

The Earl House, completed in August, 1885, for Frank Engstrom, is 
located in East Tiffin. Its first lessee is D. B. Hitchcock, of northeast Penn- 
sylvania. The hotel contains fifty-one rooms, well furnished. 



PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. 625 

Liccrij E><tabli.<<hm<'nts. —The fiist regular livery established at Rome (Fos- 
toria) was that by E- W. Thomas. 

In 1856-57 Thompson Boyd opened his stable.s, and conducted them until 
1859. Veon & Musser established stables in 1858. Mussei: & Fowler pur- 
chased Boyd's stock in 1859, and since that time Mr. Musaer has conducted a 
well equipped livery business here. 

In 1S(j1 Benjamin "Wells, formerly a partner of Musser, opened livery 
stables, and continued in bitsiness until 1875. About this time the present 
Waring Livery was started. In 1880 the Heilman Stables were opened. 

About 1878 or 1874 the Newman Hack Line was inaugiu-ated. This was fol- 
lowed by the Vance Line, next Smith's, and lastly the extensive and well 
i'(|uipped line of Smith & Skinner. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

PLEASANT TCWNSHIP. 

THIS is the third division of the county which received the American pio- 
neer, dating its settlement back to 1819, when the Seneca Indian Agency 
was established. 

This particular neighborhood was known as the Seneca country prior to 
1 82( I, when it was surveyed into quarter sections by J. T. ^A'orthiugton, and 
given the title of Town 3 north. Eauge 15 east. Under this name and that of 
Fort Seneca it was known to land buyers and others until 1831. The inhabit- 
ants, in 18'J(). comprised the families of the pioneers of 1819-2(1. the officials 
at the agency and the white captives of the Indians; ten years later the num- 
ber of inhabitants was placed at 70(1; in 1840 the popidation was estimated at 
over 1,100; in 1850 it reached 1,592; in I860 it decreased to 1,522; in 1870 it 
decreased to 1,352: in 1880 the census returns give the figures 1,417, and in 
1885, a consen'ative estimate places the entire pojnilation at 1,592, the same 
as in 1850. 

The Sandusky River enters the township in Section 32, flows northeast to 
the center of Section 28, forking in Section 29, and forming a large island in 
the southeast quarter of that section. From the center of Section 28 it 
flows in a general northwestern course to the village of Fort Seneca, and thence 
east to the west line of Section 22, thus fomiing a great bend. From this 
point to the extreme southwestern corner of Section 10, it observes a northerly 
course, thence flows generally northwest, and leaves the township and county 
at the northeastern quarter of Section 5. 

Spicer Creek flows through Sections 33 and '!'<. entering the river near the 
center of the last named section. Sugar Creek flows from Section 25 thri>ugh 
Sections 26. 27 and 22, where it enters the Sandusky. Two or three 
spring creeks also flow into this river fi-om the west in the township: while the 
eastern fork of Wolf Creek runs in a tortuous course north from a point west 
of the village of Fort Seneca to the northwestern corner of Section •'>. where 
it leaves the county. Beaver Creek, which has its source in Thompson Town- 
ship, flows into the lake on the northeast quarter of Section 12, thence north- 



626 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

west and north through Section 1. This is also called Green Creek, and the 
stream, rising in Sections 12 and 11, flowing north, is a fork of this creek.* 

Owing to the river passing through the township the surface is much broken. 
A large area of bottom land is found here, while on the plateau some of the rich- 
est farm lands and most beautifiil farms in the county are found. 

Railroad'^. — Two lines traverse Pleasant Township: the "Nickel Plate" and 
the Indiana, Bloomington & ^\'estern The former enters the township at Sec- 
tion 7, and. taking a northeasterly and easterly course, leaves at Section 1. The 
latter penetrates the township at Section 34, and running almost due northeast, 
leaves in the extreme southeast corner of Section 1 2. 

Orijanic nnd Official Histori/. — A petition signed by many inhabitants of 
Seneca Township, of which Pleasant Township formed a part, was presented to 
the commissioners by Caleb Kice, June (), 1831. This petition prayed for the 
establishment of a new township out of fi'actional Township 3 north. Range 
15 east, and all that part of the Seneca Indian Reservation within the county. 
James Gordon, then a member of the board, proposed the name of "Pleasant, 
and under this name the township was organized. In March, 1833, it was 
established within its present boundaries. 

The early records of Seneca Township, noticed in the chapter on that 
township, give the members of the local government board down to 1832. 
From this date forward to 1S4U. the records of Pleasant Township are defec- 
tive or wanting; so that the jaossibility of making an authentic list of township 
officials for those years is too remote to attempt such a list. To the courtesy 
of A. L. Abbott, the present township clerk, the writer is indebted for the roll 
of officials fi-om 1850 to the present time. 

The trvistees elected for the several years were as under: 

1850.— D. V. Flumerfelt, Cah-in Clark. Francis Abbott. 

1851.— M. B. Fr\-. Francis Abbott, Calvin Clark. 

1852.— Eplu-aim Sheets, Francis Abbott, Calvin Clark. 

1853. — Ejjhraim Sheets, Francis Abbott, Calvin Clark. 

1854.— AVilliam Holtz. S. Y. Humes. Calvin Clark. 

1855.— S. R. Swope, William Bonnell, Nathan Littler. 

1856.— S. V. Humes. E. Sheets, William Bonnell. 

1857.— N. E. Frv, S. Y. Humes, P. J. Holtz. 
. 1858.— S. R. Swope, William Smith, E. Sheets. 

1859.— D. N. Brinkerhoof, William Smith, S. R. Swope. 

I860.— D. Y. Flumerfelt. William Smith, D. N. Brinkerhoof. 

1861,— William Norton, D. Y. Flumerfelt. S. Y. Humes. 

1862.— T. Watson. S. Y. Humes, D. Y. Flumerfelt. 

1863.— D. L. Pence. T. Watson, S. Y. Humes. 

1864— J. J. Dumond, S. Y. Humes, T. W. Watson. 

1865.— A. Cunning, S. Y. Humes. T. W. Watson. 

1866.— A. Cunning, S. Y. Humes, T. W. Watson. 

1867. — George Shannon. Martin Smith, J. R. Drown. 

1868.— William Sneath, Martin Smith, J. R. Drown. 

1869. — P. King, George Shannon, Josiah Jackman. 

1870. — J. R. Drown. George Shannon. P. King. 

1871. — James Gangwer, George Josej)h, Philip Fry. 

1872. — James Gangwer, George Joseph, Philip Fry. 

1873. — John G. Bonnell, Lyman Abbott, Michael Borrough, 

1874. — John G. Bonnell, Lyman Abbott, George E. Miller. 

1875. A. L. Shafer, J. S. White, Lyman Abbott. 

*Oti iIic .\rnlrciv .Marclia faim, ou Stcliou S, i» a ponJ f.llcii with Geriuau carp. 



PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. 627 

1870. — James Gangwer. O. P. Laiiio, A. L. Sbafer. 

1877. — George Sliauuoii, P. Kiug, James Gangwer. 

1878. — John Myers, O. P. Laine, James Gangwer. 

187U. — John Myers. O. P. Laine, James Gangwer. 

1880. — John Myers, O. P. Laine. James Gangwer. 

1881. — C. Fliimerfelt, O. P. Laine, James Gangwer. 

1882. — John Hoover. Jacob Zimmerman, John H. Loose. 

1888. — John Shannon. John Young, J. H. Loose. 

1884. — Lyman Abbott, J. H. Loose, James Gangwer. 

1885. — Lyman Abbott, George Lehman, Charles Flumerfelt. 

In the following list the names of clerks, treasurers and justices of the 
peace, from 1850 to 1885, are given: 

1850. — C. Snook, clerk; Lorenzo Abbott, treasm-er; Lorenzo Abbott, jus- 
tice of the peace. 

1851-58. — C. Snook, clerk; Lorenzo Abbott, treasxirer; Calvin Clark, jus- 
tice of the peace. 

1854. — C. Snook, clerk; Lorenzo Abbott, treasiu-er; C. Snook, justice of 
the peace. 

1855. — C. Pool, clerk; Lorenzo Abbott, treasm-er; C. Snook, justice of the 
peace. 

1856-57. — C. Snook, clerk; Lorenzo Abbott, treasurer; William Holtz, 
justice of the peace. 

1858. — C. Snook, clerk; Lorenzo Abbott, treasurer; ^Villiam Holtz, C. 
Snook, justices of the peace. 

1859-01. — C. Snook, clerk; Lorenzo Abbott, treasurer; William Bonnell, 
C. Snook, justices of the peace. 

1 802. — C. Snook, clerk; Lorenzo Abbott, treasm-er; S. V. Humes, C. 
Snook, justices of the peace. 

1808-Ot). — William Montgomery, clerk; C. Snook, treasurer; S. V. Himies, 
C. Snook, justices of the peace. 

1867. — William Montgomery, clerk; D. Y. Flimierfelt, treasurer; S. V. 
Humes, C. Snook, justices of the peace. 

1808.— Moses Abbott, clerk; Lorenzo Abbott, treasurer; J. B. Wagner, 
A. L. Shafer. justices of the peace. 

1869. — M. R. Fry, clerk; William Montgomei-j', treasm-er; J. B. Wagner, 
A. L. Shafer, justices of the peace. 

1870. M. R. Fry. clerk; George Snyder, treasurer; D. Durfee, O. S. 
Watson, justices of the peace. 

1871. — William Shuman, clerk; George Snyder, treasurer; D. Durfee, O. 
S. Watson, justices of the peace. 

1872. William Shuman, clerk; F. J. Fry, treasurer; J. H. Davidson, O. 
S. Watson, justices of the peace. 

1873-74.— A. L. Abbott, clerk; J. R. McDonald, treasurer; G. W. Du- 
mond, O. S. Watson, justices of the peace. 

1875. - Moses Abbott, clerk; J. R. McDonald, treasurer; G. W. Dmnond, 
O. S. Watson, justices of the peace. 

1876. William Shuman. clerk; J. R. McDonald, treasm-er; J. H. David- 
son, O. S. Watson, justices of the peace. 

1877-78. —Moses Abbott, clerk; J. R. McDonald, treasmer; J. H. David- 
son, A. L. Shafer. justices of the peace. 

1879. Moses Abbott, clerk; M. R. Frj-, treasmer; J. H. Davidson, A. L. 
Shafer, justices of the peace. 

1880.- Moses Abbott, clerk; M. R. Frj-, treasmer; J. H. Davidson, O. S. 
Watson, justices of the peace. 



628 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY'. 

1881. — John r. Bhio. clerk; W. F. Shiiman, treasurer; J. H. Davidson. 
O. S. Watson, justices of the peace. 

1882. --John F. Blue, clerk; W. F. Shuman, treasiuer; A. L. Abbott, O, 
S. "Watson, justices of the peace. 

1883-84. — Moses Abbott, clerk; W. F. Shuman, treasurer; A. L. Abbott, 
E. Parker, justices of the peace. 

The elections of April. 1885. resulted in the choice of the following named 
officers: Trustees, C. Flumerfelt (Dem. ). George Seckman (Dem.). Lyman 
Abbott (Rep.); treasm-er, W. F. Shuman (Dem.); clerk, Moses Abbott (Rep.)*; 
assessor, Lewis Shannon (Dem.); constables, P. S. Sheets (Rep.), J. Novinger 
(Rep.); justice, W. W. Jones (Rep.). 

Pioneers and Pioneer Events. — The first settlers in what now constitutes 
Pleasant Township were William Spicer, to whom the Spicer Section in Pleas- 
ant Township was granted by the treaty of Miami of Lake Erie ( patented January 
18, 1822), and he may be termed the first white settler here. For forty years 
previous to 1819 he resided among the Indians of the Sandusky, and grew in 
wealth among them Benjamin and West Barney came to the coimty in 1818, 
and settled here in 1819. Benjamin B. Barney, who. in 1824, became a pio- 
neer of Pike County, 111., with his son, Joseph M'. Barney, settled here in 
1818 or 1819. When ninety-one years old, Benjamin B. Barney crossed the 
plains to California, but died on board shija while retiu-ning in 1854. He was 
a native of Savoy, Berkshire Co. , Mass. , and on coming here settled with his 
brother. West Barney, in a cabin which Spicer built in 1818. Benjamin Cul- 
ver came about this time. Anson Gray, also a pioneer, moved to Illinois in 
1824. In 1819 a son of Benjamin B. Barney, named Benjamin, his daughter, 
Annar, and Friend Orr arrived. Daniel Rice and Caleb Rice, natives of Clar- 
endon County, Yt. , came about the same time, so also did the McNutts. 

The first Indian sub-agent of the Senecas, James Montgomery, settled at 
Camp Seneca, November 20, 1819, at a time when only five families resided be- 
tween the camp and Oakley Village. 

In the summer of 1820, William Harris, his wife (nee Mary Mead) and 
children, Samuel, John, Marshall. Minerva, Tabitha and June Harris, moved 
fi'om HaiTisbui'gh, Penn., and settled in this township: Samuel Hams and 
John Eaton, being the prospectors here late in 1819. Samuel died in Sandusky 
County in 1826; Augustus Harris and his family came in 1821, and in that 
year his wife died. This William Harris was a Revolutionary soldier, and a 
pensioner fi'om 1825 untU 1834, when he died. This pension was foimded on 
representations made to the Government by Abel Rawson. Eli Downing 
named in the history of Clinton Township and elsewhere, was one of the fii'st set- 
tlers, having his cabin in the valley south of what was known as Baker's Mill. 
Annar Barney was married to David Rice in the fall of 1820, and. in December 
of that year, Minerva Harris married Benjamin Barney; David Smith, the 
pioneer justice of the peace of Fort Ball, officiating, with Erastus Bowe, wit- 
ness. The first recorded marriage is that of West Barney and Sophronia Wil- 
son by Justice David Rice, October 24, 1820. The Dnmonds came in 1821, 
and buUt a cabin on the west bank of the Sandusk}'. which was in a good state 
of preservation a few years ago. The first permanent settlers on the Fort 
lands were Jacques Hulburt. who came from New York State in 1823, and Shep- 
herd Patrick, who also came in 1823. They purchased the old Fort lands and 
farm(>d there for some years. Patrick sold his lands to Hulbiu't and retiu-ned 
East, whUe the latter moved to Fremont, and opened a store there. The Rum- 

*Capt. Moses .\bbott, noticed in Chapter IX, died in 1885, when A. L. Abbott was appointed clerk, and 
elected his successor. 



PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. 629 

leys built ;i mill on Greeu Creek, in I'S'H, and shortly after, Moore erected 
one on the Sandusky. The Hedges Mill, on Beaver Creek, did not come into 
existence until 1S;JS. The lieginnings o£ settlement made by tho.se pioneers 
attracted to the town.ship a numl)er of equally industrious men; all joined in 
the arduous work of olden days, and witliiii the succeeding decade gave to the 
county one of its principal divisions, well worthy of the name it bears. In th(> 
following pages many if not all of the old residents are noticed. 

Lorenzo Abbott, a native of Massachusetts, came with his parents to Seneca 
County, in 18121; was married here, in 1825, to Miss Jennette Sherwood, who 
came with her parents from New Jersey in 18'21; the former died in 1876, the 
latter in 1877 .... William H. Anders, an early settler, came fi'om Virginia. 
His wife [ucc Sarah A. King), a native of Maryland, was also one of the first 
settlers. . . .William Astor. a native of Ohio, settled here in 1858. 

Felix Beck came to this township in 1847, from Maryland .... William 
Bonnell, who died in 1885, settled here in 1838; his widow, Mi's. Anna M. 
(Bnj-ter) Bonnell, is still a resident .... Marshall Barney came with his brothers 
and sisters in LSIU, settled in the vicinity of Fort Seneca, and dii'd there 
shortly after. . . .Annar Barney (who married David Rice), and other members 
of this family, were pioneers of 1819.... West Barney, who settled herein 
1818, moved to Missouri and died there in 1878. . . . Gahart and Sarah ( Remby) 
Beck, parents of Mrs. Moses Abbott, came from Pennsylvania to this county at an 
early date. . . .Vincent Bell, one of the founders of Fort Seneca, in 181^6, was 
a pioneer of this township. He was one of the early justices of the peace, 
serving in 188t') . . .Dr. F. M. Bell was a resid^ent physician at Fort Seneca in 
1847 . . . .Abraham and Sarah (Betts) Borough, natives of Pennsylvania, jiarents 
of Michael Borough (who was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, in 1836), came 
in an early day with then- parents to this county fi-om Wayne; Mrs. Borough 
died in 1883; Mr. Borough now resides at Fostoria. . . .Michael Borough set- 
tled here in 1868. . . .Jacob and Susan (Gittinger) Bowersox, natives of Indi- 
ana, parents of Mrs. Joseph li. Drown, came here in 1838, and died in 1877. 
....John and Hannah (Onau) Blue, parents of Jlrs. Bartholomew ShauU 
(mother of JIi-s. John Puffenberger, of Liberty Township), were early settlers 
of Pleasant Township .... Jacob E. and Anson (Ulrich) Brenneman, pjirents 
of Mi-s. Reuben Sellers, a native of Ashland County, Ohio, came to this county 
in an early day, where they still reside. 

H. Clark came from New York State in 1839. . . .George Clark, an Ohioan. 

in 1842 James B. Clark in 1844 Pinckney and Edatha (Hubbard) 

Clark (former born in 1807. latter in 1802 in New York State), parents of Mi-s. 
David B. Anders, came to this township in 1834. where they now reside with 
David B. Hume.... Town and Philothe (Case) Clark, natives of New York 
State, parents of Mi-s. Rasselus R. Titus, came here in 1835. Mr. Clark died 
in 1S40, his widow in 1880. . . .Calvin Clark is named among the old residents. 
He sei-ved as commissioner .... John Collister. a Jlanxman, was an early 
settler .... Andi-ew Culright. who died in 1836, owned the south i>art of the 
east half of the northeast quarter of Section 6; settled, however, south of Tiitin 
at an early date, and liad the only cabin on the river between Fort Ball and 
McCutcheonville in 1820. .. .Benjamin Cidver died in 1840. .. .James and 
Maiy P. (Haskell) Crockett, former born in Maine in 1798. came to the county 
in 1828 and settled in Pleasant Township. 

Solomon and Fanny (Dennis) Drown, natives of New Ham])shireand Maine, 
respectively, parents of Joseph R. Drown (who was born in Pennsylvania), 
came to Adams Township in 1837. Mr. Drown died in 1857, Mrs. Drown in 
1880. . . .Andrew and John Dukes and Michael Durand were among the early 



630 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

settlers. . . .Isaac I. and Sof)liia (Dukes) Dumond, natives of New York State 
and Delaware, respectively, parents of Lorenzo A. Dumond (who was born 
here in 1834i), came with their parents to this county in 1820, and were mar- 
ried here in 1823. Mr. Dumond died in 1880, his widow in 1881. 

John Eaton settled in the township in 181'.l; married Mrs. Polly Orr. . . . 
Uriah Egbert settled on the North Greenfield road in 1822; moved in 1823 to 
Pleasant Township and died there October 1, 1876; he was a native of New 
Jersey, while his wife [nee Susannah Williams) was a native of Maryland; she 
died in 1875.... John D. Egbert, born in Franklin County. Ohio, in 1819, 
came with his parents to Seneca County in 1822; here he married Miss Ary A. 
(xriffiu .... Jeremiah W. and Lucy A. Egbert, natives of Ohio, parents of Nor- 
man D. Egbert, of Clinton Town.ship (who was born in 1843), came to Pleasant 
Township after marriage and have since remained here. 

James M. Figgins was drowned near the Pleasant Township bridge in 
April, 1848; Jo.shua Stackhouse was di-owned with him. . . .Cornelius Flumer- 

felt settled here in May, 1826; died in August, 1871 D. V. Flumerfelt 

came with his parents to Pleasant Township in 182f). . . .Phineas Frary was 
among the pioneers .... Milton Frary, who married Miss Sally Montgomery 
March 25, 1832, died in 1852. . . .Philip H. Fry, a native of Prussia, born in 
1 805, came in 1833 to America and in 1834 to Tiffin, where he helped to hew 
out the timbers for the first courthouse in Seneca County; also built houses, 
chui'ches and bridges in the countv; he and his wife settled in Pleasant in 
1838. 

James T. Gangwer, one of the pioneers of Pleasant Township, died Janu- 
ary 4, 1885, in his eighty-first year; he resided for years three and a half miles 
north of Tiffin .... Tilgman Gangwer came from Pennsylvania in 1!S51 .... 
Daniel and Jane (Dudi-ow) Gittinger (both deceased), parents of IMi's. John 6. 
Bonnell, came fi-om Maryland to this county in an early day .... Edward D. 
Griffin, a native of Virginia, came with his dairghter, Ary Ann (now wife of 
John D. Egbert), to Adams Township in 1831, and here man-ied his second 
wife, Mrs. Colena (Titus) Chiu-ch; Mi-. Griffin died in 1876; bis widow died 
since that time. . . .Stephen and Christiana (Sheels) Grove, natives of Mary- 
land, parents of William H. Grove (who was born in Maryland in 1832), came 
to this township in 1S35. Mr. Grove died in 1876; his widow in 1877. 

William Han-is, a soldier of the Revolution and a gunsmith, was pensioned 
in 1825, and died in 1834; he settled in the township in 1820. ... Augustus 
Harris, son of William Harris, came in 1821, and the same year his wife died. 
. . . .Samuel Harris and John Eaton came in 1819, as the pioneers of the fam- 
ily ; Samuel died in 1826. . . .Tabitha Harris (who married Benjamin Culver, 
in 1828), now Mrs. Stanley, is a resident of Tiffin, and one of the foiu- sirrvivors 
of first settlement. There are other members of this family refeiTed to else- 
whore .... Emmanuel Hall, a native of Ohio, settled here in 1824 .... Lewis and 
Caroline Hemmintjer, are named among the old settlers .... John and Mar- 
garet (Byers) Hoke, parents of Mrs. William Montgomery, came to this county 
about 1848; Mrs. Hoke died in 1857, Mr. Hoke in 1874.". .. William and Cath- 
arine Holtz, parents of Mrs. Norman D. Egbert, of Clinton Township (who was 
born in Pleasant Township in 1845), were early settlers here, where former 
died in 1862, and latter now resides. . . .Jacob P. and Susannah (Huss) Holtz, 
came here in 1834, and still reside in this township. . . .Joseph and Catherine 
(Gulmire) Hoover, parents of John A. Hoover, who was born in this township 
in 1839, were early settlers here .... Jacques Hulburt came in 1823, and, 
with Shepard Patrick, pm-chased the Fort Seneca Reservation. He conducted 
the first grammar school in the countv until his removal to Lower San- 



PLEASANT TOW Ng II II'. 631 

dixskj'; diwl December 2r), 1886 .... Sylvia Ann Hunt and Maria Hnnt, came 
as visitors at an early day, and married Samuel Wright and John Wright re- 
■ spectively. Sylvia .inn was divorced from her husband, and soon after married 
Eiifus W. Reid, a Tittin merchant. Mr. Reid died years ago, but his widow 
is still a resident of Ohio .... Samuel V. Humes, born in Champaign County, 
Ohio, in 1821. settled in Pleasant Township in 1834. 

Mi-s. Sally (Frary nee Montgomery) Ingham, born in Champaign County, 
Ohio, February 4, 1811, settled at Fort Seneca with her father. Rev. James 
Montgomery, in November, 1819. She married Milton Frarj', March 25, 1832. 
He died in 1852. The same Mrs. Fraiy moved to Tiffin and resided in that city 
until 1869, when she married Alexander Ingham, and moved with him to Cleve- 
land, Ohio. INIr. Ingham died in April, 1870, and two years later 'Mxs. Ingham 
I'eturned to Tiffin, where she erected her present residence on Minerva Street, 
about thii-teen years ago. To this ladj' the waiter is indelited for solving some 
historical conundrums relating to church affairs at Tiffin, and early settlers and 
events connected with Pleasant Township. She is one of a quartette of old 
residents who settled here between 1818 and 1822. and still resides in the 
county. 

David H. and Mary (Dumond) Jopp, fonuer born in Conn., in 1791, 
latter in New York State in 1793, gi-andparents of Orson Jopp, came in 1831 
to Pleasant Township. ^h\ Jopp died in 1849, his widow in 1876. . . .Luther 
S. and Emeline (Madison) Jopp (both deceased), parents of Orson Jopp, were 

also early settlers in the township M. D. Jopp came from New York State 

in 1838. 

David B. King, a Pennsylvauian, came to this county in 1814, and died in 
1877. He was married to Sarah Robertson, now of Pleasant Township .... The 
Keeler family were among the old settlers, biit, residing on the rivt>r bank in 
the bottom lands, they were afflicted with ague until they left the county. 

Martin Lane, Indian interpreter, was an early settler here, but had no part 
in the industrial life of the township. Reference to him is made in the chap- 
ter on Seneca's Red Pioneers. . . .The horrible death of Newton J. Lamkins, 
at Virginia City, occuiTed April 5, 1861 .... John Loose, a Pennsylvauian, set- 
tled here in 1841, and died in 1875; his widow. Sarah (Mise) Loose, resides 
liere with her son, John H. 

David Martin came from Pennsylvania and settled in Liberty Town- 
ship at an early date. His death occurred in 1872; Mrs. Rachel Pope 
Martin, his widow, is now a resident of old Fort Seneca .... Lester and Emily 
(Shattuck) Mclntire, and Smith and Catherine (Larkins) Mclntyns settled 
here at an early date .... John McGee was an early settler, but of him little 
else can be learned. .. .William S. and Sophia (Stewart) McMeen. natives of 
Pennsylvania, parents of Mrs. Alfred L. Shafer (who was born in 1842), came 
to this" county in 1835. . . .A. McNutt, who settled here in 1S19, was mamed 
to Miss Dimiond, about 1828. His brother, Daniel McNutt, also came in 1819, 
bringing with him his family .... George E. Miller, an Ohioan, came here in 
1826. Tobias Mill(>r, of old Fort Seneca, kept a hotel there for years, and 
was known as one of the" most genial hosts; he settled here in 1825. and four 
years later, his first wife, Maiy Young, died here: Tobias died in 18(9, aged 
ninety-seven years. . . .John and Elizabeth (.A.bbott) Michaels were here at an 
early date. . . .John Jloore, born in Pennsylvania, in 1S03, settled in this town- 
shij) in 1836; he was married in Pennsylvania, to Eliza Kopp. and both reside 
here .... Rev. James Montgomery, first Indian agent for the Senecas, settled 
at Old Fort Seneca in 1819, residing in one of the lilock-hou.ses; this house, 
with a second log house moved near it in 1820, ho fixed up, and made of it 



632 HISTORY OF sexeca county. 

the best house then in Seneca County. Dimng this year his son died here, 
and his remains were placed in a box made by Daniel Rice and J. Cbapin. for 
interment. AVith him were JIi's. Kezia (Rouse) Montgomery, and nine chil- 
dren. About 18"i7 the family moved to the Montgomery farm near the fort, 
where James Montgomery die.d June 1, 1830. He was justice of the peace from 
1S27 to his death. Of the entire family, Mi-s. Sally Ingham is the only one 
living. .. .William and Christianna (Plank) Montgomery (fonner a native of 
Ireland), parents of William Montgomery, who was born in Clinton Townshij) 
in 1820, were early settlers of the coimty; former died in 1830, latter in 1873. 
. . . .John and Eunice (M'alker) Myers are classed among the old settlers. 

The Olmstead family settled in Pleasant Township, down the river from 
Tiffin .... David E. Owen settled on the Huber farm in 1829. He was the 
lirst Democrat ever elected to an office in Seneca County (1832); was connected 
with the land office, and from 1832 to the period of his death, Sej)tember, 
18r)7. held a prominent place among politicians. . . .Mrs. Polly Oit. who mar- 
ried John Eaton in 1818, after the death of her husband and child, in 1819 or 
1 820, came with her brothers — the Barneys .... Friend Oit, a fi'iend of the 
Barneys, settled in Pleasant in 1810, and died here a few years later; one of 
his children died here shortly after settlement: his widow married John Eaton. 

Sedate Paddleford was a temporaiy resident in Pleasant Township, in 
1810. .. .Benjamin and Lovina (Walsh) Palmer, parents of Mrs. John A. 
Hoover, came ftrom Maryland to Pleasant Township, in an early day, , . .Bena- 
jah Park, saloon keeper at Swope's Corners came with his brothers in June, 
1826, was stabbed durins a dninken orgie in 1820, and died earlv in 1830. . . . 
Henry and Charlotte (Ros) Parker, parents of Ephraim Parker (a native of New 
Jersey, born in 1826), settled in Pleasant Township in 1826, and here Mr. 
Parker died in 1847: his widow still resides here. . , , Shepherd Patrick came in 
1823, purchased Fort Seneca Reservation, in company with Jacques Hulbiu-t, 
but sold his interest to Hulburt and returned to the Atlantic States. . . .Jacob 
Pultz. a native of Virginia, born in 1811, came to Seneca County in 1836, 
finally settling here, 

Caleb Rice was a settler of 181VI; he moved to Illinois in 18-tO and died 
there nine years later: his daughter, Uretta, was the first white child born in 
the county. . . .Daniel Rice, wlio settled in Pleasant Township in 1810, was a 
soldier of 1812; he died in 1872: he was one of the first justices of the peace, 
and solemnized the first maiTiage of record in Sandusky County, viz, : ' ' Octo- 
ber 24, 1820, West Barney to Sophronia Wilson, by Daniel Rice.'' John G. 
Bruennert died September 11, 1885, aged seventy-eight years: when forty-five 
years old, he left Thnringia, Germany, for the United States, and fm- many years 
resided on his farm a few miles west of Fort Seneca .... Eliphalet Rogers 
settled on the A\'olf Creek farm (subsequently known as the Snook farm), and 
married Hannah Jackson, who settled at Tiffin as early as 1818 and worked in 
the Rowe Tavern. 

Frederick, Jr., and Hannah (Shcidler) Sellers, fonner born in Germany 
in 1817, latter in Stark County, Ohio, in 1816, parents of Reuben Sellers, who 
was born in this township in 18r)6, were early settlers. Frederick Sellers, 
Sr,, father of Frederick, Jr.. still resides in Pleasant Township, where he 
came in 1833 ... .George and Mary (Lautzenheis'er) Shannon, parents of 
Frank M. and William (Shannon), settled in this county in 1847 and still 
reside here .... Heni-y and Mary E. (Myers) Shedenhelm, natives of Maryland 
and Virginia, respectively, parents of Charles D. Shedenhelm (who was born 
in this township in 1855). came to this county in au early day. Mr. Sheden- 
helm died in 1882; his widow resides at Green Spring .... Bartholomew Shaull 



I'LEASANT TOWNSHIP. 633 

is a son of John and Elizahctli (Beiinor) iSliaull. wlio woro aiiioiij^ the oarliest 
settlers of tleasant Township. . . . Abram D. Shidlcv came in 1S4<). . . . Green - 
berry and Marsella (Slieets) Sheets, natives of ^Maryhmd. [larents of Mrs. 
rhilip Kiui;. came to this county in 18:} 1. Mr. Sheets was born in 1811; 
died in 1854. Mrs. Sheets was born in ]8()'i; died in 1877 ... .George Shii- 
luaker, born in Pennsylvania in 1822, settled here iu 1888. . . .Simon Shnman, 
who settled here in 1844, died in 1880. His widow, Mi-s. Mary (Beck) Shu- 
man, resides in Liberty Township. . . .William Sil)eral, a soldier of 1812. set- 
tled in Pleasant Township in 182S; died hero and was biu'i(Hl in the Kidtje 
Cemetery. . . .John Sib(>ral came from Kentucky iu 1824. . . .AVilliam Sneath, 
reference to whom is made in the histoiy of Clinti)n Township, moved here iu 
1841k... Mrs. Marij;aret (Kuhn) Staub, who came with her husband. Philip 
Staub, died in 1S74. . . .Philip Staub, a Revolutionary soldier, settled in Pleas- 
ant Township iu 1834; died in January, 1870, and was bm-ied in St. Joseph's 
Cemeteiy, Tiffin. . . .Joshua Stackhouse was drowned near the Pleasant Town- 
ship bridge in 1848. . . .Joseph and Anna M. (\\'alt) Stoner, parents of Henry 
Stouer (who was born in Pennsylvania in 1817), came with their family in 
1847 .... Lewis and Julia A. (Steinbergen) Switser, natives of Germany and 
Pennsylvania, respectively, parents of Mrs. AVilliani Shannon, came to this 
county in an eai'ly day. 

Curtis Titus and family, natives of Connecticut, settled in the county in 
1883, where Mi-. Titus, Sr., died two years later. K. K. Titus is a son of this 
old settler; Mrs. Lucinda ("W'ilerman) Titus, his widow, died in 184t). . . .Ras- 
selns R. Titus, a native of Connecticut, born in 181U, came with his parents 
to this connty iu 1833, and in 1841 settled in Pleasant Townshij) .... Benja- 
min Tomb, father of Benjamin F. Tomb (who was born here in 1844), came to 
Pleasant Township in 1842 and here died in 188."). His widow resides in 
Tiflin. 

Samuel ^\ aggoner. an old settler of Pleasant Township, is referred to in the 
history of Tiffin as well as iu the histories of Hojiewell and Loudon Town- 
ships . . . .Jesse B. Wagner, born in Pennsylvania in 182i), came to this county 
in 1848; his parents. George and Margaret (Cai-]ienter) ANagner. natives of 
Pennsylvania came in 1840. .. .Margaret Watchier was bora in Lutzenberg, 
Gerratmy, December 23, 1843, and when but three years old came to America 
with her y)arents, four brothers and four sisters, and settled near Fort Seneca, 
in Pleasant Township. In 1803 she was united in marriage with John S. 
Harrison, moved to Tiffin, and was burned to death in that city A])ril 30, 
1885. . . .James S. and Mary (Tennis nee Saltsman) Watson, parents of Mrs. 
Frank M. Shannon and George A\'. \\atson, were early settlers of this town- 
ship; Mr. Watson died in 18()U, his widow still resides here William and 

Jane (McMeen) AVatson, natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania respectively, jiar- 
ents of Thomas W. Watson (who was born in Pennsylvania iu ISI'.I). came to 
Seneca County in 1830; Mr. Watson was born in 1772 and died in 1850. Mrs. 

Watson was born in 1784 and died in 1840 Pirmin and Ursula (Honsel) 

Woltin. parents of Frederick ■\\'eltin (who was born in Germany in 1837). set- 
tled in Pleasant Township in 1854; Mrs. Weltiu died in 1802: Mr. Weltin 

lives with his son Fre.lerick John S. White came from New York State in 

184'.). .. .James T. ^\'orthington. United States surveyor, may be included 
among the pioneers of the county. In 1820 he surveyed several townships, 

making his headcjuarters at Fort Seneca John Wright of the old firm of 

Wright tit Bissell, oi)ened the first distillery iu the township, and it is thought 
in the connty. 

Nelson Yeaky. is classed among the pioneers, but farther than this nothing 
certain has been learned regarding him. 



634 HISTORV OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Spicer, the Indian captive was here forty years before the Barneys or 
Rices looked in upon his retreat, and would, under ordinary circumstances, 
claim the honor of being the first white settler of the county. A chain of ex- 
traordinary circumstances brought him here, and that peculiarity in the nature 
of some whites which fits them to be barbarians of barbarians, belonged to 
Spicer and kept him here. He was an Indian of the Indians, without their 
natiu'al accomplishments or spirit, rich in the acquisitions of forty years, and 
withal as ugly and dirty-looking an Intlian as it is possible to describe. Much 
has been said relating to him in the Indian history, as well as in other chapters 
of this work, and from a histoi-y published in 1874 we glean the following re- 
garding him: '"Spicer was captured in Pennsylvania, and to the day of his 
death was. as to his habits, manners, and language, a perfect Indian. When 
the country was first settled by the whites, he had resided upon the Sandusky 
forty years. Of his history but little is known. He was taken by the Wyandots 
to the banks of the Ohio River, and used by them as a decoy to bring boatmen 
to the shore that chanced to be passing ujion the stream. Tying him to a tree, 
near the water' s edge, they would compel him to utter the most jilaintive cries ti > 
be relieved from his unfortunate and perishing condition, while the savages lay 
in ambush, ready to fall upon the unsuspecting victims of Indian cunning and 
duplicity. Many thus fell a prey to savage cruelty, though it is to be pre- 
sumed that Spicer was compelled to act as he did. " The true pioneers of this 
division of the county find mention in the foregoing pages of this chapter. 
With the the excejition of Mrs. Inghafti and Mrs. Stanley (both residing at Tif- 
fin), all who settled here prior to 1S21 are resting forever after theti' pioneer 
toils and troubles. 

Churches. — The establishment of the Christian Church in this county dates 
back to 1819. when James Montgomery came here as sub-agent of the Seneca 
Indians. In appointing him the Government had a two-fold object in view — 
to provide for the office a man who would administer its affau's honestly, and 
one who at the same time would teach the savages the Gospel. In the fh'st 
case the Government and agent were eminently successful; Vmt in the second, 
failure waited on their good Chi'istian intentions, as the old dwellers in the 
wilds were willing enough to receive good things from the reverend agent's 
larder, but none from his store-house of Christian knowledge. Mr. Mont- 
gomery was ordained a preacher of the Methodist Church at Lebanon. Ohio, 
a short time after he received his appointment as sub-agent, and devoted the 
greater jjart of his time and ability to the establishment of Jlethodist missions 
throughout this and adjoining counties up to his death in 1S3(\ 

The first Methodist Protestant Chiu-ch was organized in March. 18"2U. by 
Seneca Agent Montgomery, at Fort Seneca. In July, 1837, the first regular 
house of worshiji was erected at Tiffin. Rev. Alvin Coe preached Mi'. Mont- 
gomery's funeral sermon in ilay. 1880. 

The Methodist Episcopal Cluu'ch here was attended by Elijah Fields. Elam 
Day and other circuit preachers namsd in the history of the Tiffin and Betts- 
ville Churches; Fort Seneca forming a part of Bettsville until 185'2. In 
August, 1852, the name of the mission was changed to Fort Seneca, and J. 
Brakefield appointed preacher. Subsequently the circuit was reorganized by- 
adding new territory, and therel)y increasing the membership to forty. The 
foiu-teenth session of the Northwestern Ohio Conference (18.53-54) enlarged 
Fort Seneca ^Mission, established Fintllay District, changed Tiffin District to 
Sandusky District, added Fort Seneca to the new district, with Leonard Hill 
and Heiu'y Kerigan. preachers. The first quarterly meeting of Fort Seneca 
Mission, as now enlarged, was held in Wesley Chajiel; D. B. King. A. Bowlus, 



PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. 035 

J. C. Thompson, George Snider, E. O. Cody and A. P. Gcnssard were the 
stewards. In August. ISM. Juiues Milligan was appointed preacher witli B. 

F. Royoe, assistant preacher. Treat, a pioneer, died iu lSr)4, and was sue 
ceeded as steward by M. Smith. In Se])temlK>r. 185(1. A\'. C. Pierce was ap- 
pointed presiding elder of Sandusky District, and 1{. Lawi-ence preacher at 
Fort Seneca. In !May. ISaP), the Northwestern Ohio Conference was divided 
and Fort Seneca attached to the Dehiware Conference. The first session of 
the Dehiware Conference held iu the fall of 185fi, at Luna, appointed Francis 
Plumb, preacher. In September, 1857, N. B. C. Love was appointed pastor 
at Fort Seneca, and in 1858 Bascom was annexed to the mission of Fort 
Seneca, Love reappointed jireacher. with T. W. Cozier, assistant. At this 
time there wen> only four Sunday-schools organized iu the whole of Fort 
Seneca Circuit (called a circuit in 1S59) up to the beginning of J. T. Caple's 
term as presiding elder, in 18511. when H. L. Nickerson was appointed ])reacher 
at Fort Seiu'ca. In 18(50 the Central Ohio Conference was formed, and the 
same year H. L. Nickerson and John T. Bowers were a])jK)inted to the Fort 
Seneca Mission. In ISC) 1 Josiah Adams and Israel Smith were preachers. In 
1862 H. S. Bradley was ajipointed presiding elder of Findlay District, with 
David Dieken local preacher at Fort Seneca. 

The members of the second conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
Sandusky Circuit, of the Muskingum District, organized under the act of Jan- 
uary 26, 1S<)5. at Pleasant (xrove Church June IU, 1878, when John Slosser, 
J. B. Eosenbtrger and M. E. Kemp were elected trustees. In June, 1875, 
the storm which swejat away houses and bridges also demcjlished the ^leth- 
odist Chiu'ch building. A new church now holds the place of the old storm- 
sti'uck one. 

A Baptist society was established in old Mr. Diimond's log-cabin about 1825. 

The Reformed Church of Fort Seneca was founded in 1857, by Rev. M. 
Keiffer, and a building erected on laud donated by John Zeigler. In April, 
1861, Rev. S. Shaw succeeded the organizing pastor. 

The First German Reformed Church of Fort Seneca was reorganized under 
State law. with John Zeigler, Barney Zimmerman and Henrj' Stoner, trastees; 
Rev. Moses Keiffer, president, and August Hoke, clerk. 

The Reformed Chiu'ch of Fort Sen^'ca was established in 1855. 

St. Paul's Evangelical Gei-man Reformed Church of Fort Seneca was 
organized by Rev. J. H. Good, Jmie 30. 1861. Felix Beck, S. Shumau, 
Jacob Omwake and Barney Zimmerman were elected first elders; Jacob Zeis, 
John Troxell, Henry Stoner and D. Riechart. deacons. This society foiTuerly 
belonged to tli(> English German Reformed Chiu'ch. but at this time separated, 
paying half the cost of chuTch Imilding and using it alternately. 

Glade Union Reformed Church was organized December 17, 1871, by Rev. 

G. AW ANilliard, with William. Clara aiul Francesca Steckel. Jacob and Susan 
Bowersox, William. Ann M. and Eliza Shriver, Sophia McMean. Lester M. 
Koous. Susan Smith, A. L. and Rachel Shaffer and Oliver AVatson. The 
church was erected in 1871, on a lot donated by Jacob Bowersox, at a cost of 
§1,000. 

Schools and School Stafisticn. — There are no early records dealing with the 
schools of this township. Mrs. Sally Ingham lielieves that George Van Dorn 
was the first school teacher here. In 1 S"25 ^liss Narcissa Topping took charge 
of the school, and about this time Jacipies Hulbiul opened a grammar school, 
the first in the county. In 1829 Miss Sally Montgomery, after studying under 
Hulbiirt. attended Edson B. Goit's school at Lower Sandusky, and returning 
iu 182i) opened her school on the Sandusky road, two and three-<piarter miles 
north of Tiffin,, presiding there until her marriage with Milton Frary in 1832. 



636 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Among ]\L's. Ingham's scholars in 1829, while she taught in an Indian cabin 
two and three-quarter miles down tho river from ^\'ashington Street bridge, 
were Hamilton, Henry and Rebecca Crum, David, Sophia. Elizabeth and an- 
other of the Martin family, two Craun boys and Frank and Heniy Al)bott. 

The condition of the schools of Pleasant Township in August, 1884, is shown 
by the following statistics: Local tax. $3,31-1. 29: total revenue, §7,088.83; ex- 
penditiu'es, $4,181; number of schoolhouses, 12; value of property, S4,050; 
number of teachers, 22; average pay, $40 and $29; male pupils, 220, female 
pupils, 156; total enrollment, 376. 

Cemeteries. ^Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, in Pleasant Township, was sui'veyed 
in August, 1865, for the cemetery association, east of Portland State road, 
northeast of the Ridge Church. 

Pleasant Ridge Cemetery Association was organized April 24, 1877, with 
the following named members: George Strickling, G. Shumaker. W. Hvter. J. 
W. Sonder, E. Sherman, A. S. Bonnell. G. Holtz, C. D. Holtz. G. L. Park 
and A. J. Miller. The object was to acquire and hold grounds adjoining the 
old Pleasant Ridge Cemetery for cemetery purposes. 

Ridge Cemetery. Uriah Egbert donated the land known as Ridge Ceme- 
tery, and here one soldier of the Revolution and ten of the war of 1812 lie buried. 
Mr. Egbert's brother-in-law. Col. Williams (Jeremiah AVilliams. one of Marion's 
men in the ^Maryland Continental Regulars), is buried, however, in one of th(> 
cemeteries of Adams Township. 

There are other cemeteries in the township, each well filled with the remains 
of pioneers and old settlers. William Harris, a Revolutionary soldier, who 
died in 1834. is bui-ied in this township. 

Villages of the Toivnshi/i. — Fort Seneca, on the northeast corner of the north 
east quarter of Section 19. was surveyed and recorded January 14, 1830, foi' 
Erastus Bowe and Vincent Bell. The name as applied to this particular loca- 
tion is a solecism, as there never was a fort here; ^the military post of 1813 
being down the river. Swope's addition to Fort Seneca was surveyed by David 
Risdon, in March. 1847. for Samuel R. Swope. John Zeigler's addition was 
surveyed by G.H. Heming in October. 1850. along the continuation of Sandusky 
Street in the old town. Vincent Bell's addition was made August 25, 1851. 
opposite Zeigler's lands. ^ 

Prior to 1836 the location was known as " McNutt's," and subsequently as 
"Swope's Corners." Prior to 1830 Benajah Park kept a tavern here, the 
same in which he was wounded by Peter Pork, and in which he died in January. 
183(1. The place is now a pretty village, in the midst of a beautiful country, 
and commands a good view of the Sandusky Valley. 

Town of Sidphur S])rings was laid out. )jut the date of platting the original 
town cannot bo ascertained. In October, 1834, Solomon Ivi-ider filed a petition 
for jiartition against Josiah Hedges, of the west half of the southeast quarter of 
Section 12, the northeast fractional ((uarter of fi'actional Section ;>2, the east 
half of the southeast quarter of Section 1 2, the west half of the northeast quarter 
of Section 12, the east half of the northeast ((uarter of Section 12. Town 3 north. 
Range 15 east, except in Lot 40 in the town of Sulphur Springs. Whatever 
prospects existed, in 1834, for the establishment of a village at this jioint, were 
destroyed during the period of depression which followed in 1837. In 1838 
the Hedges Floiu-ing mill was built on Beaver Creek below' the Pleasant Town- 
ship spring, and must be considered the first of that class of mills in all this 
district, although the township claimed small grist-mills and even a distillery 
before the Hedges mill was erected. 

Old Fort (or New Fort) Seneca, on the line of the "Nickel Plate" Railroad. 



PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. ()37 

wiis platted iu Juiu', ISS'J, by County Survoyor Xij^liswander for K. R. Titus, 
and a record of the plat was made October I, 1S82. The location is at the 
crossiui^ of the old Seneca road, upon the farm of R. R. Titus, about two and 
it half miles north of Fort Seneca, and upon the site of the old earthworks of 
that name. The site is a beautiful one, and Init for the inaccessibility by waijon 
road mi^ht in time become a jirosperous hamlet. The location and postoffice 
are known as Old Fort; W. N. Jones is jwstmaster. 

Shedenhelm's Station. Grafton Shedenhelm established a saw-mill here 
about thirtiV-tive years ago, which he has carried on up to the pre.sent time. 
The capacity is about Tj.OOO feet per day. Fo.\ <i; Staley's stave factory, at 
this point, was established in 1.S84. 

Bridges. — Up to 1 H7)-l there was not a bridge across the Sandusky River within 
this township. In 1848 the want of a safe means of communication between 
the two ]iarts into which the river divides the towushij) becamt^ very apparent; 
for, on April ^5. 1848. two men. Figgins and Stackhousi'. were di-owned while 
crossing the rivei- in a boat, while their comjianions. Shannon and 'Watson, had 
a very close call, barely saving themselves. Six years after the bridge on 
Section U was constructed and called "■ Clark's Bridge."" owing to the fact that 
Calvin Clark, then commissioner, cast his whole intiuence with his northern 
neighbors, against a majority who desired the location to Ije at or near Pool's 
Mill. 

In 187(1 the •■ AVatson Bridge" was constructed across the river on Section 
'21, against the wish of a majority of the persons interested, and was used up 
tfO June, 1875, when a heavy storm carri(>d it off and sent it floating down the 
river. 

In 1870 the bridge at Pool's Mill, so long desired, was constructed, and as 
tJiis was done in opposition to the fi'iends of the A\'atson Bridge, petition after 
petition was presented to the commissioners asking for the erection of a bridge 
on th(^ old Watson Bridge abutments. Perseverance conquered, and through 
the lil)eralit\- of D. Y. Flumerfelt, a $3,200 bridge was given to the county for 
$'2. ,-)()(». 

General Siafistics. — The assessment roll of Pleasant Township for 1841 
gives '22, 168 acres valued at $63.r)fi7: value of town lots, .§488; horses, 224, 
valued at $8,900: cattle, 500, valued at $4,048: mercantile capital and moneys 
at interest. $2,825; one pleasme carriage, valued at $85; total value. $7y.418; 
total tax. $1,181.70; delinquencies fi'om 1840. $i)5. 14. 

The valuation and taxation in 1884-85 are as follows: 22,425 acres of 
land. $884,750; personal property, $290,280; total valuation, $1, 181,080 or 
.'SS88.40 per capita (population of "l880. 1.417). Total tax, §13,883, and dog 
tax, S12(). 

The statistics for 1884 are: 4,592 acres of wheat; 745 acres of oats; 2,806 
acres of corn; 80.1 acres of meadow, 1,170 tons of hay; 780 acres of clover, 
785 tons of hay, 055 bushels of seed: 120 acres of potatoes, product, 11,040 
liushels: 80,414 pounds of butter: 114 hives, 2,085 pounds of honey; 10,002 
dozens of eggs; orchards. 828 acres, apples. f).042 bushels, pears. 45 bushels; 
lauds owned and cultivated, 18.052 acres: pasture, 191; woodland. 4,944; 
total acreage, l.S,787: wool shorn in 1888, 18,577 pounds: milch cows, 439; 
dogs, 180: sheep killed and injured by dogs, 85; domestic animals died from 
<lisease, 24 hogs. 18 shoe]). 18 cattle and 15 horses. 



638 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



REED TOWNSHIP. 



'I'^HIS division of the county was sm-veyed into one-foui-th sections by Prict^ 
JL J. Kellogg in 1820, and recorded by him as Town 2 north. Range 17 east, 
and 85x17 chains of the gore separating the township fi'om the Western 
Resei"ve. This gore resulted from the fact that when Surveyor Sylvanus 
Bourne began his survey of ceded lands in Ohio west of the Western Reserve, 
he adopted the system of six square mOes for his townships and ranges; so 
that when he staked the east line of Range 17 on the line of latitude north 41°, 
he found himself exactly Hfty-two chains and seven links distant from the 
west line of the reserve. This he called ''the Gore," being the given distance 
on latitude north 41 and zero, eighteen miles north of that, where the extreme 
northeastern corner line of Thompson Township strikes the west line of the 
Western Reserve or the " Connecticut Reserve," or the " Fire Lands," as the 
tract was variously termed. 

The township was known generally under its survey number; but old set- 
tlers in Seneca and Huron knew it as " Seneca Town," as there the chief, 
Seneca John, had a cabin and resided at intervals. The historian who wrote 
for Stewart's publication in 1874. says: 

' ' During the early period of the settlement of the township the Indians 
were veiy numerous, and, as a general thing, lived amicably with the few 
whites who were there at an early day. Somewhere about the year when the 
first settlement was made an accident of a fatal character happened to an 
Indian maiden, a daughter of the renowned chief and warrior Seneca John. 
The Indians made frequent visits to the neighborhood of the present village of 
Reedtown each winter, for the piuposes of hunting and trapping. On one of 
these occasions a party was encamped here, and was preparing an evening 
meal. A large kettle full of boiling water was hanging, suspended by a pole, 
over the fire, and the unfortunate girl was Ij'iug in front of it, when the pole 
burned through, letting the kettle fall, spilling its heated contents upon the 
body of the girl. Some of those present immediately enveloped her in a 
blanket and conducted her to a house near by, where she was attended by Dr. 
Williams, who did everything in his power to alleviate her teiTible sufferings. 
On removing the blanket, the flesh literally clung to it, leaving her almost a 
living skeleton. Soon, however, death put an end to her sufferings. After 
her death William Williams made a handsled, and a number of the Indian 
boys, followed by a mournful cortege, conveyed the remains to the burying 
grovmd of the Wyandot nation, located a little above Tiffin. Seneca John, 
who was a Wyandot, was subsequently assassinated, on an accusation of witch- 
craft." (F«c?e Indian History. ) 

When Read and Raymond made the first settlements in 1823, the name 
"Read Town" came into use; and on the organization of the township in 
1826, the name was confirmed in an Americanized form — "Reed Township." 
Four years after organization and seven years after the first pioneers arrived, 
the population was 264; in 1840 it was 1,214; in 1850, 1,494; in 1860, 1,631, 
decreased in 1870 to 1,334, increased in 1880 to 1,527, at which figures the 



HKED TOWNSIIII'. GSJ* 

population may be said to rost. The exodus to Kansas ami the movement 
toward the cities tend to keep the number of inhabitants at aliont l.r)00. The 
surface of the townshij) pro>sonts a large area of rolling land, with occasional 
broken patches. The slope is fi\)m the south trending east and west. 

Rock C'reek, which flows into the Sandusky Eiver at Tiffin, has its head 
waters in Si'ctious l(i. 21), 80 and 88 in the townshi|). iho fork on 83 risin» 
south of the railroad, and receiving its main supply from two small lakes iu 
Sections 88 and 28 on the Lapham farm. On the southwest (juaiier of Sec- 
tion 18, the stream enters Beeghley Lake and flows through that pond to the 
west line of the township. Some of the bed-streams of the Huron River 
find a supply in the marsh near Attica Station and on Sections 1. 15 and 20. 
flowing east and northeast from the base of the ridg(> or highland in the south 
and center of the township. Ponds are common throughout the western sec- 
tions, and these ponds are sometimes connected by native streams. 

The only line of railway passing through Reed Township is the Baltimore 
& Ohio, which enters at the southeast corner of Section 80, takes a west by 
north direction through the township, i^assing en routf through Attica Station 
Village, and leaves at the southwest (juarter of Section 80. 

Organic and Official. — A reference to the chapter on the organization of 
the counties and transactions of the commissioner' s board will convey very fully 
the early attachments of this township, prior to its organization within the 
limits of the original siuwey and fi'actional part of the "Gore."' On Decem- 
ber 5, 182(), the township was set off', and its organization followed on Januaiy 
1, 1827. All the first settlers, Seth Read, George Raymond, Samtiel, John 
and Edward Cassety, Tunis Conkrite, Isaac and Tom Bennett, Samuel Scot- 
horn, and, it is thought, John Wise, were the first township officers. Thomas 
Bennett and Samuel Scothorn, justices, and Nathan Chapman, clerk.* The 
records from 1827 to 1833 are not to be found. The town books, however, 
from 1834 to 1885 are in existence, and from them the following list of town- 
ship officials is made up, the last named in each case being the clerk, the others 
the tnistees: 

1884. — John Brown, Matthew Clark, Jonathan F. Rogers; JohnB. Case. 

1835. — Jacob Cole, John B. Case, Samuel Scothorn; John B. Case. 

1880. — James Harrison, J. F. Rogers, Benjamin Ennis: Jacob Cole. 

1837. — Solomon Gambee, Joshua Lake, B. C. Kellv: Jacob Cole.f 

1888.— John B. Schuyler, John B. Case, Cp-us Cole: John E. Blodgett. 

1839. — David Wood, Benjamin Sanford, Samuel Scothorn : John E. Blodgett 

1840. — Solomon Gambee, Joshua Lake. J. F. Rogers; Eber Higley. 

1841. — Solomon Gambee, Joshua Lake, Andrew Boyd; Eber Higley. 

1842. — Solomon Gambee, W. H. H. Heddin. Amos Gannon : Peter Fisher. 

1S43. — Solomon Gambee, W. H. H. Heddin. Samuel Scothorn: Eber Higley. 

1844.— John D. Probosco, John Stannard, Eber Higley; W. H. Conki-ite. 

1845. — John Sowards. Timothy Green. John Stannard; W. H. Conkrite. 

1840.- W. H. H. Heddin. T. Owen, T. White; W. H. Conkrite. 

1847. — Daniel Gannon, Matthew Clark, Timothv Green; W. H. Bishop. 

1848.— David Wood. Samuel W. Read. Matthew Clark: William Wheatoii. 

1849.— Joshua Lake, S. W. Read, Elijah Boorum; William Wheaton. 

1850. — Michael Beard, W. H. Conkrite, Adam Wise; William Wheaton. 

1851. — Irvin Rockafellow, A. Ashby, Andrew Sanford ; William Wheaton. 

1852. — HaronB. Rakestraw, Seth Read, Joshua Lake : George D. Shetterly. 

* Leonard Hoice and Elijah Read were elected juslices in IWO, Cyrus Cole and Elijah Read in 1833. Joh» 
W. Buciiauan was elected clerk in 18-<0, and L. M. Knapp, In 1833. 

t X. E. Child, F. P. Hall and .Tohn Terry were elected school inspectors in 1887. 



640 HISTORV OF SENECA CiHXTV. 

1853. — (no record of eloction to he fouiidl: ^A'. H. C'ouki'itp. 
1854. — James Sourwine, Thomas Williams; "W". H. Conkrite. 
1855. — L. Kelly. Timothy Weed: Daniel Biince. 

1850. -A. M. Creqne, James SoiU'wine, Thomas AVilliams: H. B. Dean. 
1857. — A. M. Creque, Jonathan Owen. John Wilkinson; H. B. Dean. 
1858. — J. W. Hulet. James Sanford, John Wilkinson: John W. Leonard. 
1859. — John Free, Thomas Soward, William Silcox: John ^^'. Leonard. 
1860. — Daniel Neikirk. J. Zephernick, William SOcox: Milton Dwyer. 
1861. — (no record of elections to be found): J. W. Leonard. 
1862. — (no record of elections to be found): H. B. Dean. 
1803. — (no record of elections to be found): W. Hatton. 
1864. -A. C. Baker. Thomas Williams. Joseph Cole: Wesley Hatton. 
1865.— A. C. Baker. D. J. Neikirk, Joseph Cole: Wesley Hatton. 
1866.— J. W. Hall, D. J. Neiku-k, Joseph Cole: Wesley Hatton. 
1867.— J. W. Hall, Heniy Hatha\yay, Antliew Boyd: AVesIey Hatton. 
1868. — Jacob Raymond, Heniy Hathaway, John Free; J. F. Montgomery. 
1869. — H. C. Lynch. Henry Hathaway. Jacoli Eaymond; Wesley Hatton. 
1870. — John Free, James Soiu'wine. Sylyester Cooyert; AN'esley Hatton. 
1871. — W. H. Free. Jacob Piaymond, A. J. Mittower; Wesley" Hatton. 
1872.— W. H. Free, Jacob Raymond. A. J. iNIittower: J. H. Hodge. 
1873.— N. Lapham, D. Hubbell, M. Beard: Wesley Hatton. 

1874. — Solomon Gambee, George Bishop, ]M. Beard : J. H. Hodge. 

1875. James Decker, George Bishop, M. Beard: J. H. Hodge. 
1876. — Isaac RajTnond, H. F. Heddin. Nathan A\'aiye; Sanford Niles. 
1877. — Isaac Raymond, Levi Keller, H. F. Heddin; Sanford Niles. 
1878. — Isaac Raymond, Le.yi Keller, H. F. Heddin; Sanford Niles. 
1879. — James Ford. Levi Keller, Joseph Cole; Sanford Niles. 
1880.— John Bogner. H. F. Heddin, Joseph Cole; W. S. Wise. 
188!.~H. A. Sallieres, Daniel Beard, William Boyd; W. S. Wise. 
1882.— James Ford, Daniel Beard. H. F. Heddin:" W. S. A\ise. 
1883.— H. A. Sallieres. Henry Cook. Levi Keller: J. R. Jewett. 
1884. — Jacob Hoke. Hemy Cook, Com'ad Hensinger: J. R. Jewett. 

The elections of 1885 resulted in the choice of the following named officers: 
Tmstees, Byron Shetterly, Republican: Jacob Hoke and Heniy Cook, Demo- 
crats; treasurer, John Everingim. Democrat: clerk. John R. Jewett, Demo- 
crat; assessor, James Decker. Democrat: constables, Chauncy Decker and 
Isaac Houck, Democrats: S. J. Hall, Republican; justice, ^^■. H. Taber. Repub- 
lican. The Prohibitionists polled eighteen votes. 

The names of justices of the peace who have served this township, so far as 
the records permit the use of such names, are given as follows; Thomas Ben- 
nett and Samuel Scothorn. 1827; Leonard Boice and Elijah Read, 1830; 
CjTus Cole and Elijah Read, 1833; John Terry. 1S35; Hallet B. Dean and 
Reuben I. Gary, 1830; John Tern', 1838: Ananias Ashley and R. I. Cary, 1839; 
John Terry, 1841; I. H. Bennett "and R. I. Cary, 1842; Harrison MoitQIs, 1844; 
John Proboseo and Eber Higley, 1845: Andi'ew Boyd, 1847: R. I. Cary and 
John Proboseo, 1848; Andi-ew Boyd. 1850; Isaac Dwyer and R. I. Cary, 
1851; Robert Hatton, 1857: Joshusi Lake. 1800; Thomas Weed, 1804; R. 'l. 
Cary. 18(>5; Hiram Boyd, 1860; Timothy Weed. 18()7; William Silcox. ISOS; 
H. Boyd and R. I. Cary, 18(59; A. T. Yiindt. 1870; Jacob Windnagle. 1873; 
J. H. "Hall. 1870; A. J."Sallieres. Jacob Windnagle and F. M. Kelly. 1S77-7S; 
M. H. Hensinger, 1879; John Rospert and Jacob Hoke, 1SSI; A. T. Yundt 
and J. R. Jewett, 1882; Jacob Hoke, 1883, and H. A. Sallieres, 1884. 



REED TOWNSHIP. 641 

Pioneers and Pioneer Eivnts. — The names given on the list of township 
officials fi-om 18'27 to 1845 may be classed among the pioneers of the township. 
There were many others who settled here prior to 1845, who never sought 
office, but like one of Goldsmith's citizens of Auburn pursued the even tenor 
of theu- ways, and leaned more to humble industry than to fame. All the 
tirst actual settlers of Keed Township have passed to their reward: but of the 
munber who came here immediately after the township's organization, a few 
are still residents. In the following pages mention is made of the pioneers of 
the township, the dates of their arrival are given, and, in some instances, his- 
iiirical incidents connected with them are noted. 

Seth Kead asid ( Jeorge Raymond settled on Section 24, Reed Township, 
in 182:5,* being the first white settlers. Mrs. Solomon (Read) Gambee was the 
tirst white girl in the township, coming with her father, Seth Read, in 1823. 

John Ackley. who bought Knapji's store at Reedtown, was killed by a fall- 
ing beam, whil(> assisting in raising a barn for Harrison Cole in 1835 .... George 
Armstrong, a native of Ohio, settled in the county in 1834. . . .William Auble 
and wife. Mary E. (Fisher) Auble, came from New York State to tins township 
early in the ' ' thirties. " 

Azariah Baker, a son of ^\illiam Baker, who ])atented 1, (>()() acres of land 
in this townshii>. in 1830 or 1831. settled here in the fall of 1840 and died in 
1872. . . .^lichael Beard, born in JIarylandin 1810, came to this town.ship about 
1833, and died here in 1882: his widowed mother and John Terry were the found- 
ers of the ^^llage of Lodi in 1838; Michael Beard built what is luiown as the "Lodi 
Hotel"' at an early day. . . .Isaac and Thomas Bennett settled here in 1825; 
they owned the land around the Baptist Cemetery. Thomas was buried there a 
few years later .... Moses Bishop came from New Jersey in 1 83') .... James 
Bolin. born in this township in 1835, is a son of one of the early residents; to 
him is credited the first practical effort in bee cidtui'e in the comity : a notice 
of him, published in 1S74, refers to his apiaiy as follows: "In 18()7, Mr. 
Bolin turned his attention to experimental apiarian pursuits, which, from an 
experiment, has since developed into a large and thriving business. Starting 
with one swarm, by industrious attention and a scientific knowledge of the pro- 
cess of raising bees, his one colony has been increased to 125 distinct and sep- 
arate swarms. He has been particularly anxious to procure the best breed of 
bees, and has consequently imported several of the genuine Italian queens. 
Besides producing an average of two tons of honey per annum, he mails to any 
addi-ess one or more of his fii'st-class Italian breeders. Mr. Bolin has quite an 
ingenious house erected for the purjjose of wintering his bi»es. It consists of 
a square structure, the walls of which are built in such a manner as to admit 
of a foot or more of sawdust both between the sides and under the floor. 
This makes it perfectly impregnable to the winter cold." . . . .Henry Boyd, a 
Pennsylvanian, settled here in 1833 ... .Valentine Brigle, who died in 1875, 
settled here prior to 1834; his widow, Mary (Fike) Brigle. resides with her 
daughter in Bloom Township. 

Squire Reuben I. Cary, born in New York State in 1805, came to a new 
farm in the southwest part of Reed Township in 1833. where ho lived nineteen 
years, then moved to his present farm .... Samuel and John Cassety, old set- 
tlers of Reed Township, coming with their parents in 1S25. were robbed of 
$12,000, about 18()S. John Cassety is dec<>ased. . . .Edward and Susanna (Mc- 
Farland) Cassety. who were married in ISOl, and were j)arents of Samuel and 
Hannah Cassety (their only surviving children, born in 1805 and 1819, respect- 
ively), came to this township in the spring of 1825, being the "third family to 

•Former works give the d-ite as 1825. 



542 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 

settle in Keed Township .... Ephraim and Christina Close, parents of Mrs. 
Coni'ad Hensinger, who was born in 1839, in Pennsylvania, were early settlers 
in the county. . . .Harrison Cole came from New York State in 1833; in raising 
his barn John Ackley was killed by falling timber .... Benjamin and Joseph 
Cole, natives of Ohio, were here in 1S32 . . . . Al\-in Cooley, father of Mrs. 
Alonzo Thatcher, was among the early settlers .... John Cook kept a toll-gate 
on the Sandusky & Columbus Pike road, about where Reedtown now stands. 
.... Tunis Conki'ite was the first of the pioneers biuied in the township ; he 
died a short time after settlement, and was intened on his own land, about one- 
fourth of a mile east of Omar biu'ial ground .... William Croxton, an Ohioan, 
settled here in 1830. 

Jacob Decker came ffom New York in 1847. 

John Emery, an early settler, was a man of all work. In 1835 his leg was 
broken by the same lient which killed John Ackley in its fall. 

Jacob Fisher came from Germany in 1833 R. P. Frazer, a native of 

New York, came in 1840. He was the first physician in Lodi W. H. 

Free, an Ohioan, came in 1835. 

Solomon Gambee, born in 1802 in Pennsylvania, came from New York 
State to Reod Township in 1S33, bringing his family. His second wife {nee 
Mary A. Read) was the first white girl to move into this township, settling here 
in 18'23 with Seth Read, her father .... Dr. I. T. Gilbert, an old resident of 
Reed Township, moved to Williams County, Ohio, where, diu-ing the small- 
pox epidemic, he was placed in charge of all the patients. He died some years 

ago at the advanced age of eighty-two years ^Mllard Green, an Ohioan, 

came in 1838. 

S. J. Hall, a native of Ohio, settled here in 1851 .... Caj)t. Hanford,. 
who died in 1855, was among the early settlers. He was a jovial citizen and 
very impulsive, and for over a quarter of a century figured among the 
pioneers of Read Township. Apoplexy took him off suddenly .... Edward 
Hanford was the tavern-keeper at CatlinvLlle, a merry, luxiu'ious, lugubrious 
soul, who fell a victim to dropsy .... James Hanford passed a term of ten 
years within the "Tamaracks," at Jackson, Mich., and was otherwise a "hard 
I'itizen." . . . .Peter Hawl)lits, born in Germany in 1821), was an early settler 
here. In 1857 he mariied Maiy Ann Briggle, who was born here in 1834; in 

1876 he moved to Bloom Township J. M. Hamson, a native of Ohio, was 

here in 1835 .... James Harrison died here some years ago .... John and Cath- 
arine (Garman) Hensinger, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of Conrad Hen- 
singer (who was born in Adams Township in 1837), were early settlers. 

Rev. John R. and Julia (Richards) Jewett, parents of John R. Jewett (who 
was born at Melmore, this county, in 1844), camo from Connecticut to Ohio in 
1835, and to this county in 1844. 

Benjamin Kelly, born in New Jersey in 1793, settled in Reed Township in 
1834, and died here in April, 18')3. He was a soldier of the war of 1812. 
The family, in 1834, consisted of six boys and two girls and his wife {nee 
Mehetabel) Travis, a native of Tioga County, Penn. The}- settled on the east 
half of the northwest quarter of Section 1 , on lands patented to one Davis, a 

non-resident Jacob and Mary (Reiner) Kanney were early settlers in the 

county, and are still living in this township. 

Noah Lapham and H. H. Lapham were settlers here in 1826, coming that 

year fi-om New York State John Lepard was born in Fairfield County, 

Ohio, in 1828, son of Isaac and Nancy (Huffman) Lepard. natives of Yiiginia, 
who came to this county in 183(), settling in this township. 

Mary Michener (deceased wife of James Ford), came with her parents, John 



REED TOWNSIIIl'. 643 

and Siu'cali (.Weavor) Michener, natives of Pennsylvania, fi'om TiiscarawaR 
County. Ohio, in 1S85 .... Andi-ew Mittowor, father of Samuel Mittower, the 
latter born in 1818 in Pennsylvania, came from New York State to Reed Town- 
Mhip in 1833, and entered land in Section 7. He died in 1843. . . .John and 
Elizabeth (Spangler) Mittower. parents of A. J. Mittower (who was born near 
the east line of Scipio Township), came to this county in 1824. He died in 
1874; his widow still resides here. . . . J. C. Moore, a native of Ohio, ca;ne in 
1840....F. M. Murphy, an Ohioan, settled here in 1847 . . . .Orrin Mundy 
eame in 1840, fi-om New York State. 

Samuel and Polly (Ford) Nye, the fcjrmer a native of Vermont, parents of 
(ieorge W. Nye (who was born in New York State in 1827), came with their 
family to this county in 1833. 

Lewis L. Patterson, an Ohioan, was here in 1830 .... Anton Philips came 
from Germany in 1867. 

George and Hannah (Reed) Raymond, foi-mer born in 1780, the latter in 
1785. parents of Jacob Raymond (who was one of the triplets — Abraham. 
Isaac and Jacob — born in 1826), came here in 1823. Their parents and 
the Seth Read family were the lirst two families to settle in Reed Town- 
ship. George Raymond died in 185(3; Abraham Raymond died in 1860; Isaac 
and Jacob reside here . . . . H. B. Rakestraw, a native of Ohio, settled 
here in 1842. .. .Elijah Read, a native of Steuben County, N. Y., born 
in 1792, father of Henry Read, also a native of Steuben County, born in 
1820, was one of the first settlers of Reed Township. He married, in 1816, 

Siilly W. Brundige. who was born in 1800, in Steuben County, N. Y Noah 

P. Resse(jue. who settled in Reed Township in 1843. died in 1855, and was 
bm'ied in the old cemetery at Omar. He was the son of a French officer who 
served in the Revolution, and was himself a gallant soldier of the war of 1812. 
....William and Luceba (Blodgett) Rice, parents of John Rice, of Bloom 
Township (who was born in New Y''ork State in 1823). settled here in 1829. 

William Rice died here in 1835; his widow died in 1863 John Rospert 

came fi-om Prussia in 1851. 

Andrew Sanford came to this county in 1830, and entered his present home 
in this township, receiving his patent from Gov. McArthiu" John Sanford, 
his elder brother, settled in this county in 1 827 .... Samuel Scothorn is said 
to have settled in Reed Township, between 1821 and 1825, but this is a mis- 
take, as Raymond and Read, the two first settlers, came in 1823, and the Cas- 
sety family was the third family to settle here, early in 1825, the same year 
Scothorn came .... John Schuyler, father of Prof. Schuyler, came to Reed 
Township at an early date .... Andrew Shetterly, father of M. D. Shetterly 
(who was born in 1830 in New York State), came to this county about 1847 
and purchased land in the center of Reed Township; then in 1850 he .settled 
with his family near Lodi, where he died in 1875, his widow in 1878.... 
William Silcox. a native of New York settled here in 1835. . . .Huckens and 
Nancy (Bighani) Spencer (former born in Vermont in 1808, died in 1853; latter 
born in Ireland, in 1809. died in 1854), parents of Samuel Spencer (who was 
born in Venice Township, in 1842), were early settlers in this county. 

Alonzo Thatcher, born near Toledo, in 1846, came to Seneca County in 
early lif(>. . . .Christina (Scothorn) Tompkins, mother of Ira H. Tompkins, of 
Tiffin, and daughter of Samuel Scothorn, of pioneer Virginia stock, came to 
Reed Township fi-om Fairfield County. Ohio, in 1823; she and her sister Ann 
were the first white children in this township. 

Willard Whitney, one of the early store-keepers here, moved to Michigan 
within the pioneer period and died thereat the age of eighty-five years; during 



644 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

the last ten years of bis life he was completely blind .... John Wilkinson 
came from Massachusetts in 1830.... B. D. Williams, M. D.. whose father 
settled near the eastern line of Reed Township in IS'21. came to Reedtown, in 
1835, and opened his office there. During the cholera visitation in 1834. a son 
of one of the immigrants, en route westward, was stricken with the disease at 
Reedsbiu'g and died the same night, notwithstanding the efforts of Dr. Will- 
iams to save his life: the Doctor died about three years ago.... Dr. Amos 
Witter came with his family to Reed Township at an early date : shortly after 
ward his wife died here, and he left the county for ever. . . .Jonathan Witter 
settled in Reed Township in 1827 .... John Wise came to this comity in 1827, 
originally from Germany, and built one mile and a half of the Sanduskj- 
and Columbus road, in Reed Township; he died in 1834: Jacob Wise, his 
son, now a retired farmer in Venice Township, was born in 1819 in Pennsyl- 
vania .... Solomon Wise, father of Mrs. J. A. RajTnond. was one of the early 
settlers of Reed Township. 

S. T. Youngs, a native of New York State, came in 1836. 

John Zephernick or Zepperuiick. an early settler, was here up to the period 
of the Rebellion, and in later years moved to Wood Coiuity. 

The greater number of the pioneers who have been just noticed were suc- 
cessful in the mission of their lives and left to their followers a rich inheri- 
tance. To them a great deal of the present worth of the township is due, 
but all progress must not be credited to them. They lived, as it were, in a 
past age, years before the present era of progress set in, so that no matter how 
contimious, arduous and extensive theii' labors were, they could not bring the 
township to its present standard without the aid of modern men and modern 
ideas. The new settlers, the men and women who came here since 1854. have 
improved on pioneer ways, manners and, in some res]iects, customs. 

VILL.\GES. 

Loch was surveyed by James Durbin for John Terry and Catherine Beard, 
January 4, 1838, on Sections 5 and (j, on the survey of the old railroad, and 
called ' 'M'est Lodi. " The first postoffice was established about this time with 
Lyman White, postmaster, who served in this office for years. Hiram Hippler 
is the present incumbent. The location proved fortunate, as Lodi was not 
content to remain a town on paper, biit rose to some importance. The bu.si- 
ness interests of the village are represented as follows : James Bolin. general 
store: A. C. Boyer, R. Frederick, saloons : John Hensinger, saw-mill; Timothy 
Hippler. blacksmith : Kern & Son, mill proprietors ; Jacob Windnagle, miller; 
A. Marstellar, harness-maker: Frank Miller, blacksmith; Van Horn & Co., 
general store. There is a hotel also at this point. Dr. Robert P. Frazer was 
the first resident physician ; Dr. A. D. Oi-wig is located here. A neat church 
building and schoolhouse find a place in this busy little hamlet. Jjodi Lodge 
No. 493, I. O. O. F. was organized August 22, 1871. 

Reedtoicn, a few miles northeast of Omar, was platted as Catlinville by I. 
Catlin. but the plat was never recorded. The location is on the Sandusky and 
Columbus road, just south of the old Catholic mission. When the road was 
cut through this place a man named Cook was placed in charge of the toll- 
gate and the locality was known as ' 'Cook' s Gate. " ' Kelly, Lorin, Knapp 
and Ackley kept store, successively, in this vicinity, and diu-ing the mercantile 
careers of each, here, the place was given the name of the storekeeper. 
Edward Hanford's hotel was an institution here certainly as early as 1834. 
Dr. B. D. Williams opened an office here in 1835. William Knapp was the 
first postmaster, cice Thomas Bennett who refused the office. The present 



REED TOWNSHIP. 645 

postmaster is Jolin G. Weaver. Like Omar it is a eountrv liumlet. siuTounded 
by a rich affrieultiiral district with a neighliorhood inhabited Ijy industrious. 
Ihrifty farmers. 

Tvirii of Omar was surveyed in August. 1854, by M. Schuyler, for A. S. 
and A. L. Bennett, on the Columbus and Sandusky roa<l. Beyond the store 
and postofBce. conducted by J. R. Jewett, and the Methodist and Baptist 
Churches located here, there is nothing about the place to entitle it to the 
name of " Town of Omar.'" The suiTounding country is rich in everything 
that contributes to agricultiu'al wealth, and the location is healthy. A society 
known as "Reed's Rangers" was organized in this neighborhood in May,. 
1 88."), for the purpose of protection against horse thieves. James Ford was 
elected ])resident; J. L. Lake, vice-president: J. H. Hodge, secretary, and 
Anson Covert, treasiu'er. 

Detroit, known to the postotfice department as Siam and to raih'oad men as 
Attica Station, was sui-veyed by E. C. Cook in July. 1875, for the following 
resident owners: John \\'ise, AN'illiam Boyd. Edwin Bernard (since deceased), 
AV. B. Reynolds (also deceased). Jacob Ringle (in Attica), James Soui-wine, O. 
Sourwine (in Kansas), L. Labounty.H. Cole. B. F. Sanford and S. A. Berdge. 
When the jmstoffice was established here the name was changed to " Siam," 
and when the railroad company built a depot here, at the solicitation of the 
people of Attica, they called it '•Attica Station." In June, 1884. an addition 
to Siam was surveyed by Dennis Maloy for Hany Gray. 

The business at this village is re})resentod as follows: Gambee & Brant 
(J. M'. Gambee. A. B. Brant), general merchants: J. W. Gambee. hotel, man- 
aged by E. Bernard: Rajnnond & A\'illiams. himber merchants and pro- 
juietors of saw-mill; T. J. James, agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad: 
A\'illiam Cassuell. saloon: William L. McMaster, saloon. Dr. Sejinour, the 
physician at this point, is a new comer. 

This new settlement gives promise of forming a part of the town of Attica 
in the near futmv. Already a number of pleasant homes and many beautiful 
residences extend along the main street of Attica, south from the station and 
north from the town, leaving al^out a mile of vacant space. F. M. Kelley was 
appointed postmaster here, and held the office until September. 188."). when J. 
W. Gambee was appointed. 

CHTRCHES. 

The First Metlwdist Episcopal Church was virtually established in 1821) 
by the subagent of the Senecas, who preached there that year. After his 
death, in 18ll(). other societies took possession of the field and gathered around 
them the few scattered inhabitants of the township at that time. The Meth- 
odist Church at Omar was built in INy'.t. but long prior to this Ezra Brown 
preached here, and was succeeded by the later day preachers of the circuit. 
He died at Cincinnati in 18()7. 

The Baptist Church of Omar dates back to pioneer days. (The cemetery 
close by is a cotemporary instittttion, and one of the most venerable places of 
interment in the coitnty. ) 

United Brethren Church, located in Section 31, this township, was organ- 
ized in 18r)(^) with the following named members: Charles Ames, Alvira Ames. 
Almina Cooly. Elizabeth Free. John Free and Eliza Free. The church build- 
ing was dedicated to public worship on Christmas day, 18()(). The first pastor 
was Rev. Michael Bulger, and the present jiastor is Rev. J. P. Lea. The 
names of the otHcers (188(1) are John W. Walter, leader: D. B. Willhelm. 
Stewart: J. W. \Valt«'r. H. S. Free. A\". J. Ambews. D. B. Willhelm and Levi 



646 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 

Keller, trustees. The present membership numbers thirty-one, and the value 
of the property is estimated at 1600. 

Christ' s Church in Christian Union. — This society was organized in March, 
1884, when thirty-two members were enrolled and following elders elected; 
Freeman Tompkins, H. Hippler and J. W. Showers. At the birth of the year 
1880 this organization had thirty-eight em-olled members, and the officers 
were Freeman Tompkins, M. D. Shetterly, S. M. Beard and 'A. Boyer; first 
and present pastor, (i. W. Hagans. The congiegation meets for worship in 
the old chiu'ch-house built about forty-six years ago on the union plan — fi-ee to 
all denominations — but Chi'ist's Church in Christian Union society contem- 
plates erecting a new house of worship ere long. ■ 

The CatlioUc Church of Reed Township was foimded here in 1867, years 
after a congregation existed here. In 1867 there were fifteen or eighteen fam- 
ilies here who desired a house of worship, and in answer to their petition the 
jiresent church bviilding in the northeastern part of the township was erected. 
Among the original members the following names appear: Jacob Schmidt, Jo- 
seph Ball, Sr. , Josejjh Ball, Jr. , Anton Sherly, Ferd. Dendiuger, Joseph Bog- 
ner, Adam Landoll, John Schreiner, Xavier Fischer, Valentine Daniel, Anthony 
Halmer, Sebastian Hahl. Alvis Phillij^s, Jacob Kanney and Peter Brown. 
The chiu'ch has been attended by the priests of the Society of the Most Pre- 
cious Blood — Revs. Peter A. Capeter, Nicholas Callas, Sebastian Ganter, 
Mathias Kenk, Andi-ew Stiefvater, John B. Birnbaum, and the present pastor, 
Rev. Florian Hahn. The number of families belonging to this congi-egation 
is sixty, and the congregation itself comprises about 500 members. The 
schools are presided over by the Sisters of the Society of the Most Precious 
Blood, and are attended by over sixty pujjOs. 



Prior to 1837 the private school, a desultoi-y institution, was known in 
this township. In April, 1837, the people elected the first set of school 
insj^ectors, whose names are given among the officers, and the same year the 
common school was established here. 

The peoj>le of Reed Township met April 4, 1858, to vote on the question of 
selling school lands (southeast quarter of Section 16, Reed Township). One 
hundred and seventeen votes were recorded in favor of sale, ,and two against. 
This tract of 160 acres was sold in two lots to Eber Higley, June 25, 1853, for 
* 1,992. 75. 

The condition of the schools at the close of August, 1884, is shown by the 
following statistics: Local tax, $1,815.18; total revenue, 15,274. 12: exjiendi- 
tiu'es, $3,083.65; number of schoolhouses, 10; value of property, $10,000; 
number of teachers, 19; average salaries, $41 and $26; number of male pupils, 
230; number of female j)upils, 203; average attendance, 248. 

GENERAL STATISTICS. 

The assessment of Reed Township in 1841, gives the following figures: 
24,840 acres of land, valued at $58,954; town lots, valued at $1,187; 217 
horses, valued at $8,680; 664 cattle, vahied at .$5,312; mercantile capital and 
moneys at interest, $300; total value, $74,433; total tax, $1,172.31; delin- 
quencies fi-om 1840, $149.46. 

The valuation and taxation for 1884-85, was as follows: 24,239 acres, 
valued at $734,940, and personal property valued at $219,350, aggregating 
$954,290, or $624.90 ^icr cajnfa. The total tax for 1885 is $11,230.88. with 
$145 dog tax. 



REED TOWNSHIP. 647 

The predial statistics for 1884 give the following figures: 4,408 acres of wheat; 
■2y of buckwheat, yielding '244 bushels; 1,948 acres of oats, product, 5'2,278 
bushels; 1,780 acres of corn, product, 34,752 bushels; meadow. 2,'')r)2 acres, 
hay, 2,:5r)S tons; clover, 1,238 acres, 1,100 tons of hay, 1.182 l)ushels of 
seed, and 40 acres plowed under; 4 acres of flax, 28 i)ushels of seed; 104 
acres of jjotatoes, ll,8r)() Inishels; 41,155 pounds of home-made butter; 80 
pounds of cheese; 8 acres of sorghum, 480 gallons of syrui); 1,285 pounds of 
maple sugar; 484 gallons of majile .sj'rup; 207 hives, 3,910 pounds of honey; 
13,305 dozens of eggs; orchards, 385 acres, apples, 4,808 bvishels, peaches, 
35, pears, 41, plums, 2; acres of land owned and cultivated, 14,375; pasture, 
3,023, woodland, 4,201, wasteland. 28, total acres, 22,227; wool shorn in 
1883, 37,223 pounds: milch cows, 554; dogs, 144; sheep killed and injured, 
15; animals died of disease: hogs, 35; sheep, 73; cattle, 20; horses, 0. 

CONCLUSION. 

Comparing Reed Townshi}) of to-day with the wilderness it was fifty years 
ago, one cannot fail to notice what qiiiet and patient industry has accom- 
plished. Then the village tavern with its puncheon floor, good-natured owner, 
meiTy circle, simple but wholesome meals, and, it is said, unadulterated drinks, 
welcomed the "tenderfoot" as well as the settler. This institution has disap- 
peared forever, and in its place has sprung up the modern hostehy, wanting in 
all that made the old inn romantic. 

The village store is in a modern building, and sui)plied with modern mer- 
chandise, but it comes nearer to olden times than anything else to be found 
liere. The church buildings are all modern, as are the congregations. It is 
true that a few of the pioneers still appear at worship, but the di'ess, the 
church, the preaching, and, in manj' instances, the doctrine are all remodeled. 
The hosjjitable log-cabin has given place to the frame or brick residence; the 
venerable old I'ail fence is fast disajipearing, the gi-and old wilderness itself 
has dwindled down to a few thousand acres of scrubby woodland, and change 
marks everything. Above the iiiius of all this, rise the evidences of civ- 
ilization. Broad tields of grain, sis or seven large chiu'ches, pretentious school 
buildings, good roads, numerous postoffices, the railroad and telegraph — all 
have overshadowed the long ago time, and the people, in an effort to keep pace 
with progress, have almost forgotten the past of their township. 



^48 HISTOKY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXV, 

SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. 

THIS Townshi]5. as originally established, December t5, 1824, compri.sed 
Town 2 in Range 16, Town 2 in Range 17, together with fractional 
Town 2, in Range 18, east, {vide pji. 289-240). Town 2 in Range 16. and 
To^NTiship 1 in the same range, formerly belonging to Eden Township, were 
set off as Bloom Township June 7, 1824. and continued a part of that town- 
ship until the organization of Scipio December 2o, 1824. At this election 
seventeen voters were present — all the freeholders in Scipio at that time — of 
whom fom'teen were chosen to fill the offices of the new township. Decem- 
ber 5. 1826. Townzhip 2, in Range 17. and fractional Township 2. in Range 18. 
were detached fr'om Scipio and set off under the name of Reed Township. 
The name of the township was suggested by \\'illiam Auway, who presented 
the petition for establishment, in honor of his old home Scipio, in New York 
State. 

The population in 1824 was estimated at aljout 50, increasing in 1840 to 
1,556. in 1850 to 2,321; decreasing in 1860 to 1.835; in 1870 to 1.642; in- 
creasing in 1880 to 1,836. The population of Republic, included in foregoing 
figures, was 161 in 1840, 917 in 1850, 636 in 1860, 481 in 1870 and 715 in 
1880. Within the last year or two the ^-illage entered on its business re^^val. 
and the estimate of population gives about 800 as the number of inhabitants. 
In 1847 there were foiuieen school districts, in which 953 pupils were enrolled. 

The township was sui'veyed in 1820 by Sylvaniis Bourne, and the portion 
of the Indian Reservation therein was siuTeyed. in 1832, by C. W. Christmas. 
William Laughrey piu'chased the first tract of land here in 1820 or 1821, and 
came to reside in 1824. 

Rock Creek enters the township in the southeast quarter of Section 13. 
flows west through the southern portion of .Republic, thence southwest, and 
leaves the township in the southwestern quarter of Section 31. Morrison 
Creek, in the center of the north half of the tovmship. and a tributary of 
Honey Creek, in the southwest quarter of the township, are the leading streams. 
Sugar Creek waters a small portion of the northern sections and flows north- 
west into Adams Township. Several s]iring creeks are also found here. At a 
depth of sixty-five feet pure spring water is found. While these creeks afford 
a fair supply of good water for ordinary purposes, the wells of the towashi]> 
supply water of the finest quality for drinking and cooking. 

The surface is gently rolling, the soil fertile, farms well cultivated and laid 
off in large fields, with many Osage hedge-rows already in existence, and oth- 
ers fast rising to usurp the place of the old rail fence; farm hoxrses are all 
comfortable, and many elegant farm buildings are pretentious. 

The roads are good, while two lines of railway, the Baltimore & Ohio and 
the Northwestern Ohio afford all the advantages which rsiilroads alone offer iov 
the use of the farmer as well as the traveler. The Baltimore & Ohio enters the 
township from the east at Section 25, runs about northwest, and. after jjassing 
thi'ough the southwest corner of Republic, takes an almost due westerly 
coui'se. leaving the township ai Section 19. The Northwestern Ohio cuts 



SCU'lO TOWNSHIP. 



640 



across tbc cxlroiiic sontliwost corner of th(> township, entering at Section -i'l. 
iuid leavini^ at Section 31. 

Oiyaiiization ami Offirrrfi. — December 0, 1824, Scipiu Townsbii> was set ofF 
and the lirst election held December 2."), 1824. At this date there were only 
seventeen qualified electors, of whom the followincr named were chosen officers: 
Seth F. Foster, John Wright and Jonathan Nichols, trustees; AMlliam B. 
Matthewson, clerk; Adam Hance and Joseph Osborne, overseers of the poor; 
Ezekiel Sam|)son and William Stephens, fence viewers; William Anway. trej-.s- 
urer; William Anway, Jr., lister; M. McMillan and C. T. We.stbrook. consta- 
bles; John Anway and E. H. Brown, supervisors. From this date fojward 
to 18(i5 there are no township records which would justify the wTiter in at- 
tempting; to give the names of officers elected annually. * From 1800 to the 
present time the township books are in fair condition, and from them the fol- 
lowing list of trustees and clerks is compiled, the clerk's name appearing 
last in each year up to 1885. 



1866. A\-. Baker. D. M. Neikirk. J. 
1867. -D. M. Neikirk. Philo Bugbee, 
1868.— Hem-v Troxell, 

1869. -HenrV Troxell, 

1870. - Hiram Chaffee, 
1871.— B. F, 

■•) — .T L. 
B. 



B. 

1872.— J. 
1873. —J. 
1874.— J. 
1875. -J. 
1870. - D. 
1877 
1878 



Philo Bugbee. 

Philo Bugbee. 

J. L. Anwav, 
Moore, J. K. Miller, J 
Anway, J. K. Miller, J 
Stearns, J. H. Knapji. 



^A'. Clay; H. Bromley. t 

J. L. Anway; J, L. Cole. 

J. L, Anway; J. L. Coh". 

J. L. Anway; J. L. Cole. 

Philo Bugbee; J. L. Cole. 

L. Anway; J. L. Cole. 
, H. Knapp; J. L. Cole. 
J. L. Anway; J. L. Cole. 



B. Stearns, J. H. Knapp, J. L. Anway; J. L. Cole. 

B. Stearns, J. H. Knapp. J. L. Anway; J. L. Cole. 

D. Neiku-k, John Albright. J. B. Stearns; J. L. Cole. 
Hemy Hoppler, J. B. Stearns, John Albright; X. F. Charles. 
W. Bogart, John Albright, D. N. Neikirk; C. H. Turner. 



1879. "J, B. Stearns, John Albright, D. D. Neikirk; J. L. Cole. 
1880.— Israel Lease, John Albright, D. D. Neikirk: HemT Milber. 
1881.— E. Grant, Israel Lease, D. D. Neikirk: Henry Milber. 
1882.— E. Grant. Israel Lease, D. D. Neikii-k; Hemy MUber. 
1883. — J. L. Anway, Isi-ael Lease, B. F. Heusinger; Hemy Milber. 

1884. — E. F. Gray, Israel Lease, J. L. Anway; Henry Milber. 

1885. D. B. Crissell (Republican), J. Hilsinger (Democrat). J. L. Anway 
(Itepublican), trustees; Henry Milber (Democrat), clerk; Hemy Manstield 
(Democrat), treasurer; Alva T. Jones (Republican), assessor; J. E. Scott 
(Reimblican). Thomas Shaw (Democrat), constables; Stephen Lajtham, D. B. 
Crissell, H. R. Pettys, justices of the peace. 

Pio}ieerx and Pioneer Incidents. — Among the pioneers and old residents of 
Scipio Township were many of those men of enterprise who shared fully in 
raising this proud county out of the wilderness. There are only a few of them 
left to relate incidents of olden times, and, with one or two exceptions, the 
memories of the few survivors are photogi'aphed, so to speak, in this division 
of the chapter; for fi'om such memories, only, could many of the following 
names and incidents be obtained: 

Chasles Ames, a native of Connecticut, settled here in 1847.... It is of 
record that one H. Anway, a native of New York State, came t<i the county in 
1820. but the fact of his becoming an actual resident at that time is not sub- 



•E. T. Stickney was justice of the peace from April, 1839, to August, 1851. John P. Smith and N. P. Colwell 
were justices in 18t)5, and prior to that date. 

tN.r. Colwell was elected clerlv in ISoO and, it is said, held the office until 1SC1, and was a justice of ihe 
peace for sixteen years. 



650 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 

stantiated. AVilliam Anway is said to have settled in Hcipio Township in 1821, 
but beyond the fact that his son John jjatented ajjieceof land in Clinton Town- 
ship about that time, there is nothing to dotine such date for his settlement. 
It is stated by his childi-en that he settled here with his family in 1823. He 
died forty-five or forty-six years ago, and was the fii'st to he inteiTed in the 
cemetery at Kepublic, though not the fii-st to be biu'ied in the township. 
John Anway, his son, patented the first lands in the county, being the west 
half of the southwest quarter of Section 28. Clinton Township. He was 
born in New York State in IT'JU and died here in 1883. His marriage in 1825 
with Maiy Foster, who was born in 18(15. was the first solemnized in Scipio 
Township. jVIrs. Anway moved to Califcjrnia in October. 1884, and died there 
FebruaiT 13. 1885. Her remains were interred at Eepublic. Febraary 20, 
1885 .... Charles and Molly (Smith) Albright, former born in Penn.sylvania 
in 181(X latter born in 1808. died in 1877. . . .John Albright (who was born in 
Pennsylvania in 1835), came to Adams Township in 1836, and moved to hi.s 
present home in Scipio Township in 18()2 .... J. S. Armstrong, a native of 
Ohio, was here in 1835. 

IVIi-s. Mary Baker (a member of the well-known pioneer Baker family of four 
brothers and four sisters, children of Judge Samuel Baker) settled with her 
husband, Joseph Baker, in Scipio Township in 1822 .... Nathan and Matilda 
Baldwin, natives of New York State, parents of Isaac S. Baldwin, of Bloom 
Township (who was born at Republic in 1838), settled here in 1S35. and in 
1838 moved into Republic, where Nathan Baldwin carried on a wagon shoj) 
until his death, September 3, 1849. . . . J. C. Barton, a native of Ohio, settled 
here in ]85(X and in 1805 purchased the hotel property called the "Barton 
House" ... .In the village of Eepublic there lives one of the most eminent in 
good works and faithful ministers in the Methodist Protestant Chiu'ch. Rev. A. 
H. Bassett, D. D.. who is the recognized historian of his denomination, Mi\ 
Bassett is one of the best of men, loyal to the cause he espoused in youth, and 
he is beloved liy all as a father in Israel. While superannuated as an acting 
pastor, he is still doing good work as a writer. . . .John F. Baxter, who died 
December 21, 1854. was one of the old residents. . . .Matthew and Hanna (Lap- 
ham) Beard, parents of Charles F. Beard. of Tiffin (who was born in Massachu- 
setts in 182U). came from the Eastern States with their family in 1833, to Scipio 
Township, where they are buried .... Samuel Beigh, who died October 2(\ 1875, 
was an early settler. . . .Dr. George W. Beigh died at Plymouth. Ind. , April 
14, 1882 .... Irsael Bentley was an early settler .... Daniel and Clarissa ( Chitten- 
den )Benliam. parents of Norman Benham (who was born in Connecticut in 1818), 
came to the farm in Scipio Township in 1834, where they died, Mi\ Beuhiim 
in his eighty-foiu'th. and Mrs. Benham in her eighty-fifth year . . . . Rufus 
Bishop, who died September 19, 1851, was among the early settlers. . . Daniel 
Billman, a native of Ohio, came in 1847 . . . .^Ii-s. Polly Bliss (wid(jw of Parley 
Bliss), mother of Edward P. Bliss, came to Scipio Township in 1835, and here 
Edward P. resided until 1859, when he located at Bloomville . . . . Emmett 
Bogart died August 10, 1845. . . .William Bogart, a native of Ohio, was here 
in 1841 . . . .!M. V. Bogart was one of the old settlers of Repultlic and the first 
mayor of the village .... John Bowerman and family settled here in 1830 .... 
John Bowser piu'chased the land on which the village of Republic stands in 
1829, sold it in 1835. and in 1830 settled in Bloom. . . .Mrs. James Boyd (»«• 
Mercy Smith), second wife of James Boyd (deceased), late of Bloom Township, 
was born in New York State and came to Scipio Township with her widowed 
mother and brothers in 1835 ; she died in 1865 .... George Briney, a native of 
Ohio, settled here in 1843 .... Jacob Brong. father of the late Mrs. Samuel 



SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. tjol 

-Mittower (latter l)oi-u in Pennsylvania in 1822, died in 1873). settled in Scipio 
Township in 183;"), where he died. . . .Aaron T. Brong came in 1830. . . .Panl 
Brong. born in Seneca County, New York, in 1824, came to this township in 
1835. .. .Daniel Brown, born in 1799, in New York State, came to Scipio 
Township about liS3(), locating on a farm now owned l)y William Baker; he 
died in 1872. . . .Elijah Bniwn. who died January 9. ISST). in his seventy-ninth 
year, resided in Scipio after 1841; his widow, Catherine (Shirrick) Brown, to 
whom he was married in 1833, survives liim . . . . E. H. Brown was elected one 
of the first supervisors of the township in 1824 .... Philo and Celia (True) Bu"- 
boe, natives of New York, former born in 181-"), died in 1870, latter born in 
1818, still living, parents of Morgan Bngbee (who was born in Scipio Township 
in 1840, died in 1884), were early settlers here. . . .Aaron Bngbee. a pioneer, 
died May 12, 1861 . . . .Consul W. Butterfield, the ^vi-iter of historical sketches 
of Seneca County, published in 1848, and of Crawford's campaign, published 
recently, was among the old residents of Scipio Township. .. .Hosea Wilson 
Burrows, whose father was an earlv settler, and himself one of the fonndeis of 
Republic Lodge No. 40, I. O. 0. F.. died August 19. 1840. 

The Carter family came to Scipio Township in pioneer times ... .Hiram 
Chaffee, a native of New York State, settled here before the war .... Daniel 
Church, who died November 11, 1858, was one of the early settlers .... The 
grandparents of James D. Clark settled a farm in Scipio Township in an early 
day, now occupied by Mi-. Clark .... J. AV. Clay came from Pennsylvania in 
1831. . . .Nathan Cole, a native of Massachusetts, father of John L. Cole of 
Repul)lic (latter born in Clinton Townshij) in 184(V). came to Seneca Connty in 
1830, and died in 1875, aged eighty-nine years.... N. P. Colwell. who came 
to Thomi)son Township in 1831 fi'om Madison Countv. N. Y. . settled here in 

1838; from 1850 to 1870 he tilled town offices Ah^n and Elizabeth (Fra- 

zier) Cooley, luitives of Massachusetts, man'ied in 1790, j)arents of Orange 
Cooley (who was born in Massachusetts in 1811). came to Seneca County in 
1 828 ; Mr. Cooley and his wife died years ago .... Franklin Cramer, a native 
of Ohio, was here in 1847 . . . .Mathias and PhcBbe (Booth) Cummings, natives 
of New England, parents of Obediah Cummings (who was born in this town- 
ship in 1837), came to this county about 183f>. 

George and Christine (Briney) Dallman. maternal grandparents of Mrs. 
Daniel Shawl)erry, came from Alsace. France, to America, in 1820. and to this 
coimty in 1833 .... Evan Dorsey, who first settled in Bloom Township, was in 
Scipio Townshi]) about 1827; afterward moved West and died. . . .Robert Dut- 
ton, who settled in Scipio Township about 1822, died in 1823, the first white 
person to die in the township .... George Duesler came from New York State 
in 1847. 

John W. Eastman, born in New York State in 1797, father of "\V. S. East- 
man (who was born on the farm, where he now resides, in 1835), came to Sen- 
eca Connty in 1831, and following year purchased land entered by Nathan 
Dix (in Scipio Township), removing his family to same in 1833; he died in 
1872; his widow (iiee Cynthia Spooner), was born in New York State in 1807, 
and died in 1855. . . .P. O. Eastman came from New York State in 1837. 

James Finch, a native of New York, paternal grandfather of Bnrtis AV. Finch, 
of Loudon Township (latter born in Scipio Township in 1840). settled here in 
1834, afterward removing to Hancock Connty. where he died .... Bellana Finch, 
a native of Now York, father of Bmiis W. Finch of Loudon Township, resided 
here from the time he was nineteen years of age till 1858; then moved to Han- 
cock County where he died in 1873; his widow (nee Frances Bolte) died in 
1879. . . .Nathan Foster, one of the first town officers, came from New York 



652 IIISTORV OF SEXECA COUNTY. 

State in 1824. . . .Setli W. Fo.ster was elected in 1824 one of the first trustees 
.... Enoch Frj- came from Maryland ten years after the township was estab- 
lished . . . .Joseph Fisher a native of Maryland, settled here in 18-11 . . . . Loiiis 
F. Fisher, a native of Ohio, came in 1851. 

John C. and Abigail J. (Seeley) Green, jjarents of M. V. and John G. 
Green, natives of this township, former born in 1834, latter in 1837, were 
among the pioneers of Scipio Township, where they died. John G. Green 
moved to Fostoria in 18r)2. . . .Samuel B. and Jane (Striker) Gray, natives of 
New York State, parents of E. F. Gray (who was born in this township in 
1845), settled here in 1834, where they died. Mi-. Gray, in 1880, aged sixty - 
nine and Mi's. Gray in 185( ), aged thirty-five .... Jacob and Margaret (Dallman ) 
Guver, parents of Mrs. Daniel Shawbeny (who was born in 1847 in Pleasant 
Townshi]^), were early settlers of Seneca County. Mrs. Guver was born in 
Alsace, France, in 1815. and died in 187(3. 

Zephaniah Hathaway, born in Massachusetts in 1802, father of Henry 
Hathaway of Reed Township (who was born in 1828, the second child born in 
Scipio Township), came to this county from New York State in 1825 and 
entered land here. His first wife, Lucina, daughter of Josiah Smith, was born 
in New York State in 1802: died in 1S5G. Mr. Hathaway subsequently entered 
land in Reed Township and settled there in 1855 ... .Henry and Hannah 
(Swander) Hall, natives of Pennsylvania, former of whom died in 1881, aged 
eighty-two. latter in 1868 aged sixty-three, parents of Joel Hall (who was born 
im the farm where he now resides in Scipio Township in 1827), came to this 
county in 1827 and entered the land whereon he died. . . . \\'illiam S. Hall, .who 
died December 7, 1850, was among the old settlers .... Rev. Horace Hall died 

June 4, 1876.... Morgan H. Hall died February 13, 1837 Mrs. C. M. 

Hamilton came from Virginia in 1842, and is still a resident of Republic .... 
Adam Hance, a justice of the peace, settled on the site of Republic in 1822, 
and subseqviently moved West with his family .... Anthony Harpster, a Penn- 
sylvanian. settled here in 1828....H. L. Hams was connected with the 
early history, but little can be learned regarding him .... Philip A. Harrison, 
who died in July 30, 1852, was among the tii'st settlers. . . .George Harshner, 
a Pennsylvanian,came in 1843 .... The Hennessy family settled in Scipio Town- 
ship prior to their removal to Loudon Township .... Joseph Hilsinger, a native 
of Germany, born in 1802, father of Joseph Hilsinger (who was born on the 
farm where he now resides in 1841), came to this township in 1835 with his 
wife, Mary (Rary), a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1800: she died in 1875, 
Mr. Hilsinger in 1878 .... John E. Hill, a native of New York, settled here in 
1845 . . . .Sabert and Mariette (Baker) Hoxter, parents of Mrs. Lewis Eansbm-g 
(who was born in New York State in 1831, died in 1884), came to this county 

in 1844: Mr. Hoxter died in 1865 and Mi-s. Hoxter in 1858 Hemy Hoppler 

came fi'om Germany in 1832. .. .Benjamin Huntley settled in Scipio Town- 
ship in 1 823, coming with the An ways and assisting in building the Anway log 
house. 

Jacob S. Jennings, a native of New Jersey, father of Mrs. Henry Miley 
(who was born in Hopewell Township, in 1836), came to this county at an 
early date and entered land. He died in 1857. His widow, nee Osee Black- 
ford, born in Warren County, Ohio, in 179U, died in 1876. . . .Heni'y Johnson, 
who died July 31, 1S49, was among the fii'st settlers. . . .Erastus and Grace 
(Pen-y) Jones, natives of New York, parents of Charles Jones (who was born 
in New Yoi'k State in 1827), came in 1828 to Scipio Township. Charles Jones 
died in 1878, aged fifty-one years Thomas Jones was born here in 1835. 

Elder Rating (or Keating) is classed among the old settlers .... Eleazar O. 



SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. 653 

Kclley dicil August C>. 1840. . . .Obediah and Pbcebe (Booth) Kinj/, natives of 
Connecticut, parents of Mrs. George Stearns (who was born in this county in 
IS^l), were early settlers .... Patrick Kinney, a native of Ireland, came to 
this county in IS'iy. and owned a farm in Scipio Township. His son, Edward, 
who resides in Venice Township, was born here in 1888 ... .Henry Koch, a 
native of (Termany. settled here in lSr)4. 

Joseph and Lovina (Howland) Lapham. natives of Massachusetts, parents 
of Noah. Henry and W. W. Lapham (born in 1813, 1818, and 1828, 
respectively), moved to New York State in 1800, and later to this county, 
arri\'ing here in 1820, there being at that time but one house between then- farm 
and Tiffin. Joseph Lapham" s land patents were signed by J. Q. Adams and 
-Andrew Jackson. He died in 1871, aged eighty-live. His widow died in 
1878 jiged eighty four .... Humphrey and Eliza (Allen) Lapham, both de 
ceased (former a native of Massachusetts, died in ISOS), parents of Squire 
Stephen Lapham, of Republic (who was born in New York State in 1821), came 
to this county in 1885 . . . .AMlliam and Jane (Postage) Laughery, natives of 
Pennsylvania (former born in 1782. died in 1847; latter died in 18.")7, aged 
seventy -eight I. parents of James Laughrey, late of this townshij) (who was 
horn in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1818), piu'chased land in Scipio Town- 
ship in 1820, and settled here in 1824. James Laughi'ey came with his parents 
to the township in 1824, and died in 1885. . . . S. H. Lamkin died July 27, 
1849. . . .David Lawton was here at an early day. In Janiiary, 184(5, a letter 
addressed as follows, passed through the Rochester postoffice: 

"Pray, Mr. Postmaster, I want to go 

To David Lawton. in Ohio, 

In Seneca Count}', in Sippiotown, 

And vill.ige of Republic, please let me down. 

If you'll do me this favour, in double-quick time, 

You shall have my best wishes and a \ ankee dime." 

. . . . Moses Lee, who died September 5, 1848, settled here early in the "■thirties." 
Henry Mansfield came in 1852, and established a dry goods store at Republic. 
. . . .Dr. ^laynard built the house where Nathan Colwell now resides. The cel- 
lar of his house was a station on the "underground railroad, " and the next 
station was Jackson" s cellar near Clyde. At one time there were thirteen negroes 
stowed away in Dr. Maynard's cellar, who, when night came on, would husk and 
shell the Doctor" s corn, and return to the cellar on the approach of day. . . . 
William B. Matthewson, who settled here in 1824, was electeil iirst clerk of 
the township that year .... Thomas, Maurice, Charles and Rev. McNamee were 
very early settlers of Tiffin: of these brothers Maurice, who settled afterward in 
Scipio Township, is here still. . . .Mon-ison McMillen was here in 1824, and was 
the first constable of the townshiji, lieing elected that year .... John and Mag- 
dalene (Beever) Miley, natives of Virginia, par<Mits of Hemy Miley, who was 
born in Eden Township in 1 88 1 , came to this county in an early day ; Henry 
Miley moved to Scipio Township in 1858, and died in 1883.... "\V. A. Mills 
came from New York in 1850. and J. M. Mills in 1857 ... .Hiram Millman 
died February 2, 1851 . . . .Philip Miller came fi-om Germany in 1852. . , . Rob- 
ert Montgomery settled here prior to 1880. . . .Elijah Musgravo settled in 1824; 
he served as captain in the Toledo war. 

D. M. Neikirk, a native, was here in 1831; David Neikirk in 1833; Joseph 
Neikirk in 1847, and Jeremiah Neikirk in 1839. . . .William H. Non-is, a native 
of Ohio, was here in 1881, and John T. Morris in 1888. . . .Jonathan Nichols 
arrived in 1824, and at the first town meeting was elected a trustee. 

Joseph Osborne, who came here immediately after the Anways. was chosen 
one of the overseers of the poor, in 1824; this was a peculiar position, as there 

39 



654 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

were only fifty people here at the time, and the heads of families elaimed to he all 
as rich as Osborne himself .... Gilbert M. Ogden, a native of New York State, 
father of Herbert G. Ogden, of Bloomville (who was born in Scipio Township 
in 1848), came to this county in 1836 and married Miss Sarah Jopp, of Pleas- 
ant Township, who died in 1854: IMr. Ogden can-ied on business in Republic 
for a time and mined in Nevada, dying in Toledo, Ohio, in September, 1884. 
. . . .D. D. Ogden came from New York State in 1836 . . . .Nathaniel and Eliza- 
beth Owen, parents of Lewis R. Owen, of Bloom Township, came to Scipio 
Township in 1833 from New York State. Nathaniel Owen died in 1846, his 
widow in 1882, aged ninety years. 

T. M. Pancost was agent for the B. P. & C. Railroad in 1859 Alon- 

zo and Lydia (Phillips) Patrick, natives of New York, parents of Mrs. William 
W. Lapham (who was born in New York State in 1881). came to this county 
in 1843. Ml-. Patrick died in 1863, aged sixty-four: his widow died in 1876, 
aged sixty-one .... Giles Pearce, who died July 30, 1858, was a pioneer. AVill- 
iam Pearce, the first blacksmith in the township, was a free negro .... Richard 
T. Porter, born in 1811 in Pennsylvania, came here in 1842. . . .John D. Por- 
ter, who died May 13, 1854, was buried by the Odd Fellows, of which order 
he was a member. 

Lewis Ransbm'g came from Maryland in 1831. ilrs. Ransbirrg (nee Hox- 
ter ), was born in Y''ates County, N. Y''. , and with her parents immigrated to 
Seneca County, Ohio, in 1844, where she married Lewis Ransbiu-g. Her death 
took place October 12, 1885, in her fifty- third year. . . .Abraham Reynolds, a 
native of New York State, settled near Republic in 1830: later moved to Tiffin, 
and died some years ago at Carey, Ohio .... Squii'e Joseph Rhoads was one of 
the old justices of the peace Jacob and Elizabeth (Drake) Rine (both de- 
ceased), the former a native of Pennsylvania, born in 17U6. parents of John 
Wesley Rine. of Scipio Township (who was born in Franklin Coiinty. Ohio, in 
1826), came to this county in 1836. and shortly after lost everything by fire: a 
few years later ]Mi\ Rine owned land in Hopewell Township, which he sold, and 

moved to Fostoria. He died in 1847 Timothy P. and Rhoda (Chadwiek) 

Roberts, former, born in Massachusetts in 1784, died in 1868; the latter, born 
in 1792, died in 1872 (were manied in 1809), came here in 1825. (Mr. Rob- 
erts had entered land in 1823). They were parents of Hon. 'Mis. Edson T. 
Stickney, who was born in New Y'ork State in 1819. . . .0. P. Rogers, better 
known as ' • Ped ' ' Rogers, was among the earliest settlers of this county, hav- 
ing moved here from New York State, where he was born in 1816. well known in 
1839 by many as a jovial and pleasant citizen. He died in January. 1881 .... 
Timothy P. Roberts, to whom many references are made both in the county 
and township histories, was born at Middletown. Conn., in 1784. died January 
28, 1868. His wife, Rhoda Chadwiek, to whom he was married in 1809, was 
born in 179;2, died in 1872. Mr. Roberts purchased lands here in 1823. and 
two years later came to reside in the township .... Elijah Roberts, who died 
August 9, 1852, was among the pioneers .... Dr. J. Roop came in 1843 .... 
Albert A. Rule and Samuel Riile. with their families, settled in Scipio Town- 
ship in 1824. Daniel Rule made his settlement in the same township in 1825. 
Albert A. Rule died in 1846: Mi-s. Rule, Sr.. in 1848. 

Ezekiel Sampson, who settled here in 1824. was elected a fence viewer that 
year.'. . . Jacob and Mary (Litzenberger) Samsel, natives of Pennsylvania, latter 
born in 1822, parents of IMrs. Charles Jones of Scipio Township (who was born 
in Pennsylvania in 1845). came to this county in 1856. Mr. Samsel died in 
1877 .... John Scott, a native of Virginia, father of J. Elwood Scott, of Repub- 
lic (who was born in Scipio Township in 1848), was an early settler of this 



I 



pcino TowN.^iiir. G.5o 

township. He died in ISSl. aged sixty-five years. His widow, Mrs. Ahhie 
Jan(> (Bugbee) Scott, of New York, born in IN'J'J. still lives. . . . William Scoville 
settled in Scipio about 1S2T. . . Sidney S(>a. blotter known as "Gen. Sea." is 
noticed in the clia]iter on Courts and Bar. while sundry references to him 
are made in the military and otlier chajjters and in the history of Republic Vil- 
lage. In 1884 he had Scipio Centre siu'veyed and platted under the name 
Republic. In September. 1 S;j(). the ease of John Wright rs. Sidney Smith was 
heard. It appears that Smith (Sea) purchased $(J47 worth of land from A\'right 
in Sci])io Township, of which stun he did not pay a cent, so that the court gave 
judgment against him. He was a peculiar character in everything, yet pos- 
sessed a large amount of energy together with another commodity, which 
early settlers allege to be "solid cheek." . . . Robert and Sally (Kellerl Shaw, 
parents of Mrs. Sally H. Rogers, of Sci])io Township, who was born in New 
York State in 181*5, came to the farm on wliich Mrs. Rogers now lives, in 1887, 
and here died. Ml-. Shaw in 181)4. aged seventy-nine, and his widow in 18f)8, 
aged eighty-two. . . .Silas W. Shaw, treasurer of the county, died April 28, 

LSf).") H. H. and Catharine M. (Bocholds) Shawberry, natives of Prussia, 

parents of Daniel Shawbeny, of Scipio Township, who was born here in 1842, 
immigrated in 1882, and settled in this county in 1838, They were both born 

in IT'.tit. Mrs. Shawberry died in 18()8 Rev. C. B. Sheldon moved West, 

and was a member of the Wisconsin Con. Convention. When a member proved 
troul)lesome. the church was reorganized and admittance refused to said mem- 
ber. . . . George H. Sheldon, father of Mrs, JohnG, Green of Fostoria, was a pio- 
neer . . . .Zephaniah and Margaret (Longstreet) Sherman, parents of Mrs. John 
Wesley Rine, of Scipio Township, who was born in New York State in 1884. 
settled in this county in that year; now in Michigan. . . .Daniel AV. and Louisa 
(Paine) Smith, parents of Mi's. Richard T. Porter, of Scipio Township (who 
was born in Reed Township in 1841 ). came to this county in 1827. Mr. Smith 
died in 18r)8, Mrs. Smith in 1848, . . .David and Susan (Neikirk) Smith, parents 
of Mrs. Joseph Hilsinger. of Scipio Townshi]) (who was born in this township in 
18811), were early settlers here. . . . William Smith. Jr.. who died Nov(>mber 21, 
1827, was the son of William Smith, who died July lit, 184tl, They were 
among the pioneer settlers .... Hiram Smith, who died March 8, 1 85( t, was one 
of the pioneers. . . .Moses Smith was an early settler, and kept a. store near the 
Anway homestead — it is thought the first store in the township . . . .Mrs. Ethan 
Smith, in whose barn the Presbyterian Church of Re])ublic was organized, was 
a resident of Kansas in 1 884 . . . . Abram Smith settled in Scipio Townshij) in 
1827, died thre(> or four yeai's ago. . . .Dr. Jabez Sjiicer. known as the jihysi- 
cian ])reacher, mixed u]) orthodox religion with predestination, and spoiled a 
good doctor to make a Ijad preacher. He removed to Hudson, 5Iich.. and there, 
in his own house, committed suicide J. S. Sparks is classed with the pio- 
neers H. K. Spooner. an Ohioan. was here in 1887 William Stevens 

setthnl here in 1824 George Stearns, a native of Vemiont, born in 1794, 

father of George Stearns, of Scipio Township, (latter born in New York State 
in 182<)), came to this county in 1829, where he died in 1831. His widow (nee 
Sophia Baker), a native of New York State, born in 1797, afterward married 
William Fleet. . . . J. B. Stearns came from New York State in 1829. . . .Archi- 
bald Steward settled on Section 29, Scipio,Sn 1824, died in 1884. Hit* son 
James was born in this township in 1829. Archibald was born in Pennsylvania 

in 1797 Edson T. Stickney, a native of Moira, N. Y. . born in 1811. came 

to Seneca County July 4, I88(i, and to his present fann in 1851, He is mar- 
ried to a daughter of Timothy P. Roberts, one of the pioneei-s of 1825. A 
family reunion was held at the home E. T. Stickney, one mile and a half east 



656 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.. 

of Republic. Tuesday, October 6, 1885, consisting of C. B. Stickney. of Norwalk; 
IVIi-s. John Thayer, Hammond, TTis. ; E. T. Stickney. I. 8. Stickney, i\Ii-s. S. 
M'. Shaw andiVIi-s. G. M. Ogden. of Republic. Ohio. The combined ages of the 
brothers and sisters came to four hundi'ed and nine years, the eldest being over 
seventy-five and the youngest over sixty; the ages of Mr. John Thayer. Jlrs. E. 
T. Stickney and Mrs. I. S. Stickney, added, making the party of nine six hun- 
dred and two years. The family formerly consisted of twelve children, born in 
Franklin County, N. Y. , six of whom came West and settled and are all living. 
Those who staid East are all dead. Mr. Stickney was postmaster at Repub- 
lic for sixteen years and a justice of the peace for a number of years .... George 
and Elizabeth (Small) Swigert. parents of John Swigert. of Bloomville. and 
Mrs. Martin V. Green and Mrs. John F. Heilman, both of Fostoria. came from 
Pennsylvania to this county in early days .settling on their farm in Scipio 
Township in 1844-45. where George Swigert died in ].S5(i. His widow died 
in Bloom Township in 1878. . . .John Swigert, of Bloomville. born in Pennsyl- 
vania in 1817, came to Scipio Township about 1S43. when he kept a hotel four 
years in Republic, finally, in 1872. moving to Bloom. 

Lance Todd and family came to Fort Ball fi'om Maryland, in 1828, and 
the same year settled in Scipio Township .... Hemy and Eliza CWalburn) 
Troxel, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively (both deceased), parents 
of Mrs. James W. Stewart, of Scipio Township (who was born in Bloom Town- 
ship, in 1834). came to this county, in 1884. . . .Alfi-ed Tompkins, a native of 
Ohio, was here in 1844. . . ."William A. Taber in 1852. . . .Thomas Thompson, 
a Methodist minister, in 1832. 

H. W. Van Fleet was here in 1830. 

Isaac and Allie (Doan) "Watson, parents of the late IMrs. J. T. Robinson, 
of Scipio Township (who was born in Bloom Township, in 1844), came to this 
township in 1830. Mr, AValson died in 1873. IVIi-s. "Watson in 1850.... Asa 
Way. who came from New York to Reiuiblic in 1833. was a member of the old 
bar ... .Cornelius ^\"estbrook settled in the township in 1824..., J. B. Wil- 
cox, born in New York State in 1822. came to this county in 1833. . . .Charles 
Wilkerson came from New York State in 1843. . . .Isaac B. Witter settled in 
Scipio in 1831), died a few years ago. . . .John "Wright settled on the site of Re- 
public in 1822. He was the first postmaster and justice of the peace here, and 
a great friend of Gen. Sea. until the ' lawsuit of 1 830 was commenced by him 
against the General .... John P. A\'orstell w-as among the early settlers. Little 
information of an authentic character can be had relating to him .... Yost and 
Elizabeth (Helt ucr Neikirk) Wyant, former of whom died in 1844. latter of 
Mai-yland, who died in 1808, parents of Daniel \\yant (who was born in Mary- 
land in 1830). came here in 1832, and in 1833 built the house in which Daniel 
Wyant now lives, which house is now one of the oldest landmarks in the neigh- 
borhood. 

The subscribers to Butterfield's history in 1847. at Republic, are named as 
follows: Josiah Roop, Jonas Roop, S. A\'. Shepard. D. C. Myers, G. H. 
Shaw, R. Chamberlin, John Williamson. A. "W. Littler, W. R. Fleming, Gad 
Goodspeed, A. E. Sloat, J. Majnard. Calvin P. Ranson, J. P. Mavnard, G. 
G. Smith, JJ. P. Caldwell, Jansen Parmenter, W. C. Cole. J. S. Smith, W. 
A. Parks, G. H. Spangle, H. R. Allison, James Davis, W. M. Dildine. P. M. 
Smith, A. Burrell, T.Ivi-aft, E. S. Stickney, A. G. Sargent. O. E. Page, Daniel 
Brown, H. P. Benton. David Lamton. "\V. A. Barnes, Ezra Brown, R. W. 
McCartney, N. Church, William Parker, W. W. Culver, A. H. Mestbrook. 
P. DeWitt, H. D. Wilson. F. S. Kendall. G. \\'. Haxton, D. Maltby. L. D. 
McCardle, R. F. Parks, Nathan Foster, JoIj Pettys, A. T. Miller, Peter 
Rumsey, D. S. Reynolds, John B. Frary, Jonathan Pettys. 



scirio TOWNSHIP. G57 

Schools. About 1826 or 1827 th(> schools of the ])ioneer period first made 
tlu'ir iippearancp in the township. Two decades later there wer(^ fourteen 
school districts and 1)53 pupils enrolled. The township board of education 
was organized April 18. 1853, with Jacob Brong. (ieorge Stearns, Daniel 
Brown, David Neikirk. William Baker. Henry Troxall, T. P. Roberts, Elijah 
Brown, clerks of the several districts. The L(>gislature passed an act creating 
a joint sub-district, known as the Rockaw.iy District, enibracing Bloom Tc)wn- 
shi]), Eden Township, Clinton Townshij) and Scipio Township. Owing to the 
vigilance of the township school boards the act was declared invalid, and Rock- 
away did not obtain the school building sought for. 

Scliool Stnli.stics.^^lhe schools of Republic presented the following statistics 
for the year ending August 31, 1884: Numlier of pupils enrolled, 160 -82 boys 
and 78 girls of whom -tl attended the high school; 1 schoolhouse; value 
of property, $3,0(10; 4 teachers, average salaries, $67 and $32; local tax, 
$1,655. 55; "total revenue, $2,8119.55; total expenditures, $2.042. 5S. 

The statistics of separate school No. 1. as published at the close of August, 
iSS4, give the following tigui-es: Local tax, $11.29; total revenues, $578,49; 
expenditures, $244.35; 1 schoolhouse; value of property, $500; 1 teacher, sal- 
ary, $40; number of pupils, 56 boys; average attendance, 32. 

The school statistics of Scipio Townshij) for the year ending August 31, 
1884, are as follows: Local tax. $1,918.32; total revenue, $3,159.36; expendi- 
tures, $2,342; number of schoolhouses, 8; value of property, $13,000; mun- 
ber of teachers, 11; average salaries, $38 and $30; number of male pupils, 
144; of female pupils, 135; average daily attendance, 15(). 

General Stafistics. — The assessment of Scipio Township in 1841 gives the 
following figures: 22,843 acres, valued at $63,590; value of town lots, $10,- 
741; 307 horses, valued at $12,280; 713 cattle, valued at $5,704; moneys 
invested in stores and on interest, $7,030; 2 pleasiu-e carriages, valued at 
$150; total value, $99,495; total tax, $1,()66.54; delinquencies from 1840, 
$102.94. 

The valuation and taxation of Scipio Township and Republic village are as 
follows: 22,658 acres of land in township valued at $810,010, and chattel 
propertv, $243,180; 282 acres in Republic valued at $120,680, and personal 
property valued at $56,610, making a total valuation of $1,230,480. The 
total tax is $17,074.06. with $112 dog tax. Republic claims only 9 dogs. 
The population of Scipio in 1880, was 1,830, including 715 inhabitants in 
Republic village. 

The i)redial statistics of Scipio Township for 18S4 are as follows: Acres of 
wheat, 2,709, product of 1883 crop, 21,990 bushels; rye, 10 acres: oats, 1,559 
acres, product, 65,147 bushels; corn, 1,858 acres, product, 30,915 bushels; 
meadow, 2,305 acres, hay, 2,512 tons; clover, 917 acres, hay, 954 tons. 830 
bushels of seed; potatoes", 71 acres, 9,055 bushels; 1 acre of sorghum yielded 
65 gallons of syrup; maple sugar, 970 pounds; maple syrup. 1,223 gallons; 
134 hives, 340 'jwunds honey; 15,630 dozens of eggs; 3,84 acrt>s of orchard, 
:'), 51 5 bushels of apples, 18 bushels of pears; 14.310 acres of land owned and 
cultivated, 227 in pasture, 4,172 in forest, 125 waste, total acreage I8,834j 
wool shorn in 1883, 47,753 pounds; milch cows, 388; dogs. 112; killed, ( 
sheep; animals died from disease, 41 hogs, 290 sheep, 9 cattle and 7 horses. 

REPUBLIC. 

The original name of the location of Republic was "'Scipio Centre," a 
name founded on the principle of the Western Reserve, which confers on the 



OoS HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

iictaal geographical eenter, the name of the township with the word '"Centre" 
attached. 

John Wright and Adam Hance entered lands here in IH'I'l. In 1832 Sidney 
Smith (Gen. Sea) settled at Tiffin, coming from Portage County. Ohio, that 
year. A year or two later he purchased lands in Scipio. and in July, 1834, 
had a town surveyed at the Centre, and recorded under the name • ' Republic, ' ' 
which, as the General said, ' • was for the public good. " ' In September. 1 S36. 
John Wright, fi'om whom he purchased a parcel of the town site, sued him for 
the agreed price and got a judgment against lawyer Sea, which he is said to 
have paid. His enterprise was little appreciated by the people of Scipio. Of 
course John Wi'ijrht's loo- house, the first on the site of the village, stood 
where Gale's store was in 1847, and was, in fact. Gale's store until its destruc- 
tion or removal about 1869 or 1S71. 

In June. 183.'). the town consisted of Runnel's tavern. Gale's store, Amos 
Hall's shoe-making establishment, William Pearce's blacksmith shop ( a colored 
blacksmith) and a few log dwelling houses. The situation lu-ged Smith to adver- 
tise the town, and this he did through the columns of the Tiffin Gazette. He 
advertised all his lands and lots at Republic and Tiffin, but did not succeed in 
disposing of all, as when he moved to Cincinnati in 1838 he appointed lawyer 
Chaj)in his agent until his retiu'n to Republic in 1840. A year later he had 
his name changed to Sidney Sea by the Legislatitre, and in 1843 put himself 
forward for military honors, winning the position of brigadier-general of mill 
tia. Once in uniform he made every effort to ape the manners of Baron Steu- 
ben, one of Washington's distinguished German officers, noted for his 
soldierly bearing and qualities, and went so far as to address the unmilitary 
body, known as the Seneca militia, thus: ' Look bold! Look tierce! Look like 
the devil! Look as I do! ' He was generally obeyed, but the loyal old militia 
of Seneca County looked forward to parade day as they would to circus day. 
On one occasion he catight one of his men in the act of jumping out of George 
W. Black's restaurant at Tiffin. Riding furiously up to him, he addi-essed the 
hungry soldier thixs: "Attention! Great Jehovah! Look down on this! A 
son of Republic, a free Isorn American soldier, in the service of his countiy, 
eating George Black's gingerbread on parade. Shame! Shame! Shame!" 
About this time he removed from Repul)lic to Tiffin and in partuer.shii) with 
Luther A. Hall, carried on a law office for some time. Again, when such 
partnership had not existed, he went to Kentucky as the legal agent of Jere- 
miah Carpenter, an old settler of Venice, to look after his interests there. He 
failed to satisfy Carpenter that his accounting was exactly correct, and as a 
result Gen. Sea went to jail in 184(5. February T), 1847, Judge Reuben 
Wood, of the supreme court, whose term of office fortunately ended Febru- 
ary 6, that year, came to Tiffin, heard the arguments of R. G. Pennington 
and Oliver Cowdery in behalf of Sea. and ordered his release. A year later 
the family moved to AVisconsin. Such is an outline of the history of the be- 
ginning of Republic and the man who founded it. 

Orkjiiial Town and Additions. — Republic was laid out on the southeast cor- 
ner of Section 1(5, and northeast corner of Section 21 by D. Risdon in July, 
1834, for Sidney Smith, subsequently known as •'Gen. Sea." The eastern 
and sotithern additions were made in September, 1835, for Sidney Smith by 
Surveyor Shoemaker. "Waggoner's addition (Lots 155 to 24i)), was siu'veyed 
liy George Vi'. Gist for Samuel A\'aggoner and approved January 20. 1837. 
Patrick's addition was surveyed liy George W. GistinJidy. 1837, for Shepherd 
Patrick. Samuel AA'aggoner's addition of out-lots was made in August. 1841. 
Samuel Waggoner's Uurying ground addition (south part of east half of north- 



SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. 659 

oast (juartwof Section 21 ) was sm-veyod in December, 1844, Weiker & Schoch's 
first addition was surveyed in March. lS4*.t. and Roy G. Perry's in April. 1849. 
Farewell Retreat Bmyinf^-frround addition was made for Timothy P. Roberts 
in September. 1S48. In 1S74 additions wei'e made by Alfred Jenck, H. 
Bromley, D. D. Ogden and Conrad Dagons. 

Organic and Official.- There are no records whatever of the organization 
vi the village of Republic, or of the transactions of the town council from 
\i<i>'4 to ISBfi. It has lieen ascertained, however, that M. V. Bogart was 
mayor in 18r>8: "\V. S. Hamilton in l.So4-r>5; A. A. Hall in 185t); N. P. Col- 
well in 1857 •• Joseph Boyer in 1858; A. A. Hall in 185'J-()0; Daniel Metzgar 
in 186]-(j2: W. S. Hamilton in 18<)8. The officers and council ft-om 18tj7 to 
1 885 are named as follows : 

l8(i7-68.- N. P. Colwell, mayor; J. Corbett. recorder; John Scott, D. D. 
Ogden, L. L. Berry, P. Bollinger. E. S. Chittenden, council. 

18C)U.— N. P. Colwell, mayor; I. B. Witter, recorder; Philip Griffin, D. D. 
Ogden, S. Lapham, J. W. Stewart, Jacob Stuky, council. 

1870. — C. Osborne, mayor; J. S. Smith, recorder; George Duesler,J. Scott, 
Philo Bugbee, George Karsner, S. F. Hall, N. P. Colwell, council. 

1871. — C. Osborne, mayor; J. S. Smith, recorder; George Karsner, P. 
Griffin, W. V. Bromley, council. 

1872.- W. H. Pearce. mayor; J. W. Mills, recorder; S. Lapham, George 
Duesler, Roljert Chamberlin, council. 

1873. — ■\^■. H. Pearce, mayor; J. W. Mills, recorder; Thomas Smith, Philip 
Griffin, George Karsner, council. 

1874. — J. W. Shaw, mayor; N. E. Childs, recorder; S. Lapham, G. A. 
Hisey, A. Kellogg, council. 

1875. — J. W. Shaw, mayor; N. E. Childs, recorder; Thomas Smith, Will- 
iam Paucost, D. Troxell, council. 

1870. — Stephen Lajiham. mayor; Jesse Spooner, recorder; C. D. Tiu-ner, 
D. D. Ogden, Elwood Scott, council. 

1877. — Stephen Lapham, mayor; Jesse Spooner, recorder; E. Chittenden, 
Lei'oy Rice, Israel Rice, council. 

1878. — Stephen Lapham, mayor; John A. Colwell, recorder; A. Tompkins, 
S. J. Beigh. A. Palmer, council. 

1879. — Stephen Lapham, mayor; John A. Colwell, recorder; W. H. Anway, 
S. C, Neikirk, J. B. Wilcox, council. 

188H. — Stephen Lajjham, mayor; John A. Colwell, recorder; no record of 
council. 

1881. — Stephen Lapham, mayor; John A. Colwell, recorder; no record of 
council. 

1882-83. — George Tnbbs, mayor; John A. Colwell, recorder; X. F. 
Charles. G. W. Hemingway, Charles Lease, A. T. Jones, Eli Beard, D. D. 
Ogden, council. 

1884.— E. R. Sage, mayor; William Robinalt, recorder; M. Breyman, F. 
B. Ogden, Peter Coffman, H. McCartney, X. F, Charles, G, R. Hemingway, 
council. 

1885.— E. R. Sage, mayor; William Robinalt, recorder; X. F. Charles, 
Israel Lease, M. Breyman, council; E. Scott, m.irshal; E. R. Sage, B. Cris- 
sell, F. Moore, P. Griffin, William Pancost, A. T. Jones, board of education. 

CHUBCHES. 

The Presbyterian Church* was known at Republic previous to 1831. 



♦From Key. T> r>. Blggar's History. 



660 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY 

for prior to its organization Rev. James Robinson, pastor of Melmore, 
preached there. September 17, 1831, a number of citizens of Scipio met at 
the house of Ethan Smith, when Abram Tremain. Rufus Bishop and Brainard 
Cleveland were elected ruling elders. April IVt, 1882, a society was organized 
with the following members; Abram Tremain, R. Bishop, B. Cleveland, Will- 
iam Smith, of Scipio, N. Y. ; William Van Fleet and wife fi-om Melmore ; 
Eliza Church, Sophia Cleveland and Susan Bishoj) fi-om Homer, N. Y. ; and 
Martha Tremain from Genoa. N. Y. At this time a resolution adopting the 
Presbyterian confession of faith was carried, and in the barn attached to Ethan 
Smith's house the organization was perfected. For some time after services 
were held in the barns of T. P. Roberts and Ethan Smith, and in the winters 
within Smith's house. Rev. James Robinson was the first preacher, receiving 
$75 per annum, and a monthly call to shorten his sermons. At this time there 
were only a blacksmith shop and a little store at Republic. In 1834 the vil- 
lage was sui'veyed and platted by one Shoemaker, settlement was retarded and 
the progress of this church slow. Rev. John McCutchen was the tii'st resident 
pastor, having preached here April 22, 1 832. He remained almost ten years, and 
won a membership approximating 100 for the chiu'ch. December 10, 1837, a 
protracted revival was closed by Mr. McCutchen, and twenty-five members 
added to the society, of whom one. Orange Cooley, alone remains. Mr. Mc- 
Cutchen left August 20, 18-11. Rev. John Spicer, a doctor (who committed 
suicide in Wisconsin), was called in 1842, and filled the jiuljiit until 1844, 
although Rev. John Whipple came in 1843. Both were succeeded by Rev. 
Merrit Harmon May 23, 1844, who remained until 1846. During the cam- 
paign of 1844 politics claimed the greater attention of members, and created 
serious dissensions in the church circle. An ecclesiastical trial, too, was car- 
ried on from October 3, 184."). to July 2, 1846. Rev. Calvin Ransom came 
January 2, 1847, left in October of that year, and after many changes settled 
at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lost his eyesight. Rev. C. B. Sheldon came 
August 25, 1850, and had charge until July 7, 1855. He was ordained and 
installed pastor October 8, 1851, and was the first regularly installed minister 
of the society. June 6. 185<'). Rev. F. Putnam an'ived, and he remained until 
1857. November 10 of that year Rev. Samuel Montgomery came and re- 
mained until April 3, 1S5U. Rev. J. B. Parlin came in September, 1861, and 
was pastor until May 29, 1864. From October. 1865, until September, 1866, 
Rev. William Newton was pastor. In the latter year he was called to the 
church at Melmore. In 1868 Rev. R. S. Lockwood was pastor, and about this 
time the services of Rev. Henry Rice were recognized. March 14, 1874, Rev. 
Alvin Baker took charge and continued pastor until October 10, 1875. Mr. 
Baker died in 1884. Rev. Walton Pattinson was pastor of the churches at 
Republic and Bloomville from July, 1876, to April, 1878. In 1880 Rev. R. 
B. Moore was called. During his pastorate the church building at Republic 
was erected. Rev. D. D. Biggar filled the pulpit aftenvard. The list of rul- 
ing elders comprise the names given as elected in 1831: Joseph Curtin and 
Ethan Smith, elected April 11, 1838; Gaylord Smith in 1842; Jt>seph Creque, 
Orange Cooley and Henry Chamberlain in 1851 ; Elroy C. Smith, B. Rush, 
Porter Payne, and Lyman F. Payne in October, 1877. 

The first log church building completed in the winter of 1831-32, was erected 
on the Anway farm, one mile and a quarter southeast of Republic. In 1837 
the second church was erected, during the pastorate of Rev. John McCutchen, 
and on its opening the revival services of that year were commenced. In 1 845 
steps were taken by Rev. Harmon and society, to build the new or third church. 
This was completed in 1846 at a cost of §3,000. This building is now known as 



SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. 661 

Stickney & Di»iitler"s warelioiisp. The present ehurch was completed in 1S81. 
The whole number of communicants from 1S81 to 1SS4. was 2y>i\-. of baptisms, 
140; of pastors. 17, and of ruling elders, 12. Mrs. Emma Stickney is senior 
member of the church, having united in 1830: Orange Cooley, in 1837: Nathan 
Caldwell and A. J. Scott, in 1840; Mrs. Robinson, in 1848; Jane Miller, in 
1841): Abram Miller, in 1847; Lydia Ann Shaw, nee Stickney, in 1852. and 
Hannah R. Porter, in 1854. 

The Metliodi.it Episcopal Church, of Republic, is almost contemporary with 
the old church of Melmore, and for years the same circuit preachers, named 
in the histoiy of the Melmore society, appeared here, their coming dating away 
back to the days when Cunningham's log workshop was the center of the 
Christian Chiu'ch in the young settlement of Republic. In 1845 the Univer- 
salists introduced the era of ehurch building. In 1840 the Methodist society 
erected a liner house of worship, and this was eclipsed in 1847 by the Presby- 
terians, who expended a greater amount of money on their house than either 
the Universalists or Methodists, viz.: $2,400. the limit of a church building 
fund in those days. The history of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Eden 
Township contains some facts relating to the establishment of a society here, 

Salem Reformed Church of Scijiio and Adams Townships was founded in 
1837, as a union of the Lutheran and Reformed societies, by Rev. F. Ra- 
hauser. and a house of worship erected on lands donated by John German. The 
old church of 1837 gave place some years later to a better building, and this 
also was superseded. 

Salem German Reformed Congregation of Adamn and Sci]>io Townships 
was reorganized September 29, 1807, out of the older organization of Adam 
Township. John Hensinger presided, with Rev. Eli Keller, clerk. J. Hen- 
singer. Anthony Harpster and H. Bachman were elected trustees. In 1808 a 
brick house of worship was erected on lands purchased from David Wyant. 

The U)(irersalist Society was founded here in 1840 under the name " Uni- 
versalian Church," and in 1845 a house of worship was erected. Forty years 
ago this was one of the leading churches of the township, the society expend- 
ing over :*2.000 on the erection of a house of worship. 

Tlie Baptist Society, of Republic, was organized December 29. 1837. with 
the following named members: Giles Pearce. Content Pearce, Israel Green, 
wife and two daughters. Nathan Cramer. Aaron Carle, wife and daughter, 
Lowell Robinson, Irene Spooner, Margaret Hammond, Sarah Eastman, Lovina 
Robinson and Margaret Holt. The secretaries of the society since 1837 were 
Joel Platte. R. H. Blodgett. O. F. Colwell and A. Maria Cole, nee Platte, the 
present clerk. The roll of pastors of the church embraces the names of Revs. 
Brown, Goodenough. Mack. Keating. Beebe. Collins. ^\ all, Clark, Oviatt. Dunn, 
Lockhart. Lyon. Hall. Buell and Ramsay. The present membership numbers 
twenty-two. "and the value of property placed at .§800. Mrs. Cole, in speaking 
of this chiu-ch and society says: "The little Baptist Church at Republic has 
passed through many trials and conflicts. It was first called the Bloom and 
Scipio Church fi-om the two townships in which the meetings were held alter- 
nately. In March, 1830. the name was changed to Republic and the 
meetings all held at said village. The church was driven hither and thither, 
like the tempest-tossed l)ark, sometimes securing a home for a few w^-eks or 
months in some public building; but this frequently was denied them, and they 
were obliged to hold meetings within the narrow walls of some ])rivatc> dwell- 
ing which had been thrown open by some brother or sister. In 18*)2 they pur- 
chased a hotise and lot of Republic Union School District for $\0'K which 
t.hev remodeled and deiic.ited to the service of God, and to-day we have a 



062 HISTOKY OF SEN'ECA CODNTT. 

neat little cliurch in good repair of which we feel proud. ' ' This society was 
reorganized under the act of May 1, 1852, on Februarj' 18, 1854, fi-om the 
Scipio Baptist Society. T. R. Wall was chairman, and Asa Way, clerk. Ben- 
nett Sjiooner, Giles Pearce and P. H. Pettys were elected trustees and Joel 
Piatt, clerk and treasiu-er. 

In the history of the Republic churches by Rev. Air. Biggar, it is related 
that three preachers, a Presbyterian, a Methodist and a Baptist, attempted sui- 
cide, of whom two succeeded. 

CEMETERY. 

Republic Cemetertj. — Just east of the Bloomville road, and north of the 
Baltimore & Ohio Raih'oad is the beautiful little cemetery of the village. 
Many of the pioneers are intended here, and many elegant monuments stand 
sentry over their remains. The grounds are neatly laid out and shaded by 
ornamental trees. 

SCHOOLS. 

At i>age 657 the statistics of the schools of Republic are given. The Seneca 
County Academy was chartered in 1836. The incorporators organized on Feb- 
ruary 8, 1844. and the academy was opened November 10, 1845, with S. W. 
Shepard, principal. In December, 1847, the preparatory school was opened 
by Miss Amelia E. Root. From 1845, onward, Mrs. Sarah Jane Thayer was a 
teacher here, while Mrs. Eliza A. Baxter presided over the school of music. 
In 1870 the academy ceased, and in its place was instituted the Northwestern 
Normal School. 

When the board of trustees organized in 1844, Timothy P. Roljerts was 
elected president, WiDiam C. Cole, secretai-y. and Edson T. Stickney, treas- 
urer. There were nine trustees, under whose authority the red brick building, 
still called the " " academy, ' ' was erected on the east side of the village. 

The Northwestern Normal School was founded at Republic in 1870. with 
Richard J. Fraise, principal. In 1874 he moved to Fostoria, carrying with 
him. to that rising town, the name, principals, and one or two teachers of his 
school at Republic. 

The Republic Normal School was founded, in 1874. by B. B. Hall, and the 
lir.st session inaugurated in the building known as the ''academy." 

FIRE DEPABTMENT. 

August 20, 1869, a fire swept away thirteen buildings in the village of Re- 
public. The entire contents of the Masonic lodge room were destroyed, and 
the records of other societies lost or burned. In 1871 another fire swept away 
two business blocks. Prior to 1869 a tire company was organized here, which 
ranked with the old-time fire-pail companies. After the fire of that year a new 
equipment was introduced, and after the fire of 1871 the department was re- 
organized. 

Republic Star Hook and Ladder Company was reorganized under the State 
law September 17, 1872. H. R. Covert was elected secretai-y, and H. R. Cov- 
ert, J. D. Hopkins, T. M. Green, Daniel Bollinger and Jonathan Witter, trus- 
tees. 

SOCIETIES. 

The Masonic society was organized at Republic very early in the history of 
the village, biit. unfortunately, the records were destroyed in the tire of 1 869, 
together with all the property of the lodge. 

Hihlreth Lodge No. 165, A. F. & A. M. , was reorganizeil under State law 
January 28, 1873, when trustees were elected. 

De Molaij Cominnnderij, K. T.. was organized at Republic August 10 



SLll'U) TOW.NSllU'. 663 

184S. with Josiah lloop H. L. Harris. M. V. Bogart, Ed "Winthrop, Hiram 
Humphrey, Dauiel Watersons, H. Bentou, Piatt Benedict and John P. Woi^s- 
tell, members. This was essentially a society of Republic until Februarj', 
1S()9. when the charter was transferred to Tifhn. H. Bromley, elected E. C. 
in ISfio, continued in office until 1870. 

Kcpnblic Lodge A'o. 40. I. 0. O. F., was reorganized for incorporation 
August 2, 1856, with E. T. Stickney, G. M. Ogden and O. T. Robinson, trust- 
ees. H. Burton was pre\'iously elected N. G., and N. P. Colwell, secretary. 

Horace Robinson Post, G. A. R., was established under charter Septem- 
ber 10, 1881, and named in honor of a soldier who fell at Chancellorsville May 
2, 18C)3. The charter members are named as follows: G. R. Hemingway, 
George Tubbs, L. C. Hopkins, E. R. Sage, J. T. Dittman, H. K. Spooner, J. 
B. Ennis, L. S. Bergstresser, D. D. Neikirk, W. A. MiUs, C, A. ^\"av. L. A. 
Cook, D. Troxell, M. F. Sweetland. W. R. Robinalt, J. P. Sparks. E. C. 
Sparks. M. Gray. J. Crossley, J. P. Rogers, E. F. Gray, L. R. Barker, H. M. 
Reed. P. J. Shaw, A. "Way. H. C. Martindale, F. A. Lumbar, G. W. Singer 
and B. A. Sloate. W. A. Mills. was commander to the close of 1882; P. S. 
Shaw, in 1883, and E. R. Sage, in 1884. The post has a membership of about 
forty. 

Republic Lodge No. li)2, I. O. G. T., was incorporated August 1">, 1870, 
when ^\'. H. Pearce, D. M. Neikirk and George Duesler were elected trustees, 
Lizzie Hamilton, secretary, and J. W. Stewart. W. C. T. 

Scij)io Rangers. — A society known as the "Scipio Rangers" was organ- 
ized in 18-17 for the apprehension of horse thieves. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Roll of Business Men. — The business cu'cle of Republic in 1884-S5 was 
made up as follows: A. F. Betts. E. S. Chittenden, J. F. Freeman. B. F. 
Hartman and Stickney & Dentler, dnigs and groceries; T. C. Case, dry goods; 
H. Mansfield Bro. , general store: Cooley & McCartney. F. A. Lumbar, hard- 
ware; Cole &. Estabrook, Miss E. A. Osborne, millinery and dress rooms; Buck- 
eye Chiu-n Co.; J. L. Cole, H. Melber. lawyers; C. H. Con-ell, re.staurant; 
Daniel Wyant and H. R. Covert, carnage builder; G. R. Hemingway, hotel; 
H. Howland and C. F. Ricketson. livei-ies; D. Jones, books, stationeiy. to- 
bacco; F. B. Ogden, planing-mill and foundry; stave and baiTel works, G. 
Woodward, proprietor; Pancost & Co. , furniture; George E. Peabody and W. 
B. Thatcher, boots and shoes; J. E. Scott, meat market; Soiu-wine & Sons, 
flour-mill; L. F. Strausbaugh, jeweler; D. T. Strong, saloon; Henry Melber. 
])0stmaster; M. Bre^Tuan. dentist; George Tubbs, C. E. and surveyor. The 
resident physicians of Republic in 1847 were ^\■il]iam C. Cole, Dr. Pierce, 
William L. Hamilton. F. S. Kendall. J. S. Sparks and John Ball. Dr. Spooner 
is an old physician of the town. Dr. Maguire was also here, and Dr. Stover 
was a more recent resident. Stephen Lapham is justice of the peace. 

Railroads and Highimijs. -The Mad River Railroad, the history of which 
is given in the general history, was actually built and in operation between 
Sandusky and TifRu. ria Bellevue. Lodi and Republic at one time; but the 
track was taken u]) and both ties and rails used on the new track ria Clyde and 
Green Spring to TitHn. .The loss of this road was a serious l)low to the young 
village, for with it disappeared the chances of constructing the Melmore Jk 
Republic line, projected in May, 1880. Th(> old railroad entered the village 
fi-om the northeast, at the intei-section of East and J(>ft"erson Streets, and then 
took a dne western course. 

The Baltimore & Ohio, once known as the B., P. &,C. R. R., runs through 
the southwestern corner of the village. 



664 HISTORY OF SKXECA COUNTY. 

The Kilbomue Road, uamed after Col. James Kilboui-ne, who in 1S27 sur- 
veyed the Sandusky & Cohunbus Tiu'npike for a toll-road company, was opened 
through Republic. AVilliam and John Anwav opened the first road to Tiffin 
in lS2;i or 1824. 

CONCLUSION. 

From the very beginning of settlement to the present time, the people of 
the township, and particularly of Scipio Centre, made great efforts, and, in 
many instances, great sacrifices, to place this division of the county foremost 
among the townships. So early as 1832 they entered their claims for the Mad 
River Railroad, and won the road some years later; again they assisted in 
efforts to secirre railroad connection with Melmore and other points south, but 
when near the goal of success, other and opposing influences took away the 
railroad which they possessed, and destroyed all hopes of success for new enter- 
prises of this kind. In 1841 or 1842 a well organized effort was made to secure 
the county seat; but like other measures which deserve success, these failed to 
win the coveted prize. With all the failures credited to the center of the 
township, Scipio, as a whole, has made remarkable progress, and to-day vies 
with the best sub-divisions of northwestern Ohio in wealth and all its accom- 
paniments. The building of the Baltimore & Ohio gave a new impetus to the 
business life of Republic, and this village now may be said to share with the 
township in general prosperity. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

SENECA TOAVNSHIP. 



THIS Township, known in the original survey as Township 1 north. Range 
14 east, was surveyed in 1820 by J. T. AVorthington, United States 
surveyor, and offered for sale in 1821. About the time the siu-vey of the town- 
ships now fonning Seneca County was completed, the commissioners of San- 
dusky County set off the whole of Seneca, except Thompson Township (as 
organized in Ajjril, 1820), and the Indian Reservations, into one township "to 
be known as Seneca Township." In other words, Seneca Township as estab- 
lished May 8, 1820, comprised all the present county, except the Seneca and 
other reservations, the townships of Thompson, Reed and Venice and the east- 
ern two and one-half mile strip of Adams, Scipio an<l Bloom Townships. In 
June, 1820, Clinton was detached: in June, 1S21, Eden was detached: June?. 
1824, Bloom was detached: Scipio and Hopewell in December, 1824, and 
the same date Seneca Township was reorganized, comprising the present town 
and Big Spi'ing Township. Big Spring was detached in March, lS-)8. 

The Sandusky River enters the township in Section 3(), flows northerly 
through the eastern sections in a tortuous course and leaves the township in 
Section 1. The head waters of Wolf Creek find a home here in Sections 16 and 
'20. and unite in one stream in Section 4, which, flowing through this section, 
leaves the township at the ' ' Worling Farm. ' ' 

A few small streams flow south from the water-shed or height of land and 
unite with Delaware Creek just south of the county line in the old Delaware 
Reservation. A number of rivulets flow ea^t from the ridge road into the San 



SENECA TOWNSHIP. 6G5 

dusky Rivor, while mxmerous springs, creeks and wells yield a full sui))>ly of 
good water. In a few instances, as on the old "Coleman Farm," crystal streams 
dow throuf^hout the year from never failing, never fi-eezing springs. 

Tlu> Ohio Central Railroad enters the township from the southeast at Mc- 
Cutchenville and, jiursning a northwesterly course, pusses Berwick and finally 
connects with Fostoria. The Indiana, Bloomiugton & Ohio Railroad enters the 
township a short distance southwest of Berwick, which it pusses in its north- 
easterly course through the townshi|>, connecting with Tiffin. 

Owing to the presence of the Sandusky River, there is a large urea of rich l)ot- 
tom lands found thi-oughout the eastern tier of sections. The Tiffin and McCutch- 
enville road may be said to mark the face of the plateau or teiTUce. and from 
this westward the township forms one hapi)y pastoral picture of well cultivated 
farms, neat dw(>llings and pretentious farm buildings. The old, old forest has 
not all disaj)peared. Enough remains to beautify the landscape. The soil 
throughout is fertile, the leading roads ure kept in good repair and through- 
out the township the spirit of progress manifests itself in eveiything. 

(hyniiii' find Offlciiil. — Seneca Township, as established May N, 1820, em- 
braced all the district west of a line di'awn south to the liase line fi'om the 
southeast corner of the Seneca Reservation. The first officers were elected 
June 1, 1820. David Risdon. West Barney and John Lay were elected trustees; 
John Eaton, clerk; B. Barney, treasiu-er; Joseph Keller and David Rice, over- 
seers of poor; James Montgomeiy, Erastus Bowe and Joel Chuffin, supervisors; 
P. Wilson, lister, Asu Pike, appraiser; T. Nicholson and Abner Pike, viewers; 
John Boughton and J. Lee, constables. 

The officers elected in 1820. were re-elected in 1821. with David Smitli and 
Daniel Rice, justices. Benjamin Gregg was appointed trustee in May, IS21, 
and John Boughton, collector. The names of trustees and clerks from 1X22 
to 1885, both inclusive, are given as follows, the last named being the clerk: 

1822.- John Lay. David Smith. Alex McNutt: David Risdon. 

1823. — James Gordon, D. Smith, W. D. Shenvood; D. Risdon. 

1824.- J. W. G. McCluer. D. Fox. John Crocker; Abram Coiu-twright. 

182"). — David Culver. F. Waggoner. J. W. G. McCluer; Abram CourtwTight. 

1826.- G. Nessell, F. Waggoner, E. Mills. J.W. G. McCluer: JohnTingler. 

1827. - George Xessell. Abram Switzer. F. AVaggoner: John Tingler. 

1828. Abel Pratt. F. Waggoner, G. Nessell; John Tingler. 

1829. Abel Pratt. F. Waggoner, G. Nessell; John Tingler. 

1880. Fred. Waggon(>r. William Kimberly. George Fleck: Andrew Eby. 

1831. Eli Ragau, James Burke. Thomas Bland: Antkew Eliy. 

1832.- Fred. AVaggoner, James Burke. Thomas Bland; George Nessell. 

1833. Lewis Crandall. John Larkin. AA". McCormick; A. El)y. 

1834. Peter Wvgart. David Elder, John Larkins: A. Eby. 
183.").- David Eider. J. Neswander, W. S. Nafns: Jacob Wolf. 
1830.- William Prior. Lvman Furbash. D. Elder; Jacob Wolf. 
1837.- William Perrine,"john Davidson. D. Elder: Jacol) Wolf. 
1838.- John Davidson. John Larkin, Alex. Bolin: Jacob Wolf. 
183'J. Anthony Sunders, John Larkin, Alex. Bolin: F. Brushers, 

1840. Thomus Bland. John Larkin, Alex. Bolin: F. Brashers. 

1841. Thomus Brundage, William Patterson, T. Bland: (i. T. Christlip. 
1842.- Jacob Wolf. George Heck. Samuel Sailor: G. T. Christlip. 

1843. Isaac Sloan. Sam. Sailor, Jacob Wolf; G. T. Christlip. 

1844. Stephen I. Pecher, Isaac Sloan. Sam. Sloan; G. T. Christlij). 
1845.- Anthonv Sanders. A. Bowland. John Larkin: P. P. Bercaw. 



666 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

1846. — "William Perrine, A. Bowland. A. Sanders: G. W. HofFman. 

1847. — Alex. Bowland. Anthony Sanders. D. Hoffman: G. W. Hoffman. 

1848. — Daniel Hoft'man. Joseph Spitler. AVilliam Pemne: Jacob Wolf. 

1850. — James Brinkerhoff. Daniel Hoffman. Joseph Spitler: J. Sailor. 

1851. — James Brinkerhoff. Daniel Hoffman. AVilliam Rex; Joseph Sailor. 

1852. — J. S. Jennings. S. Sailor. J. H. Brinkerhoff'; George S. Christlip. 

1853. — George Vanness, P. Weikert, John Mangan: George S. Christlip. 

1854. — Lewis Staib. P. AA'eikert. G. A. Kerr; George S. Christlip. 

1855. — Thomas Bland. Joseph Spitler, Lewis Staib: Robert B\Tne. 

1856. — Thomas Bland. Joseph Spitler. John Wank: Robert Byrne. 

1857. — John Wank. G. AA'. Anlger. R. MeClellan: Benjamin 13rundage. 

1858.— John Wank. G. W. Anlger. R. MeClellan: Spencer St. John. 

1859.— David Cline. George W. Anlger. R. MeClellan: Sam. W. Sailor. 

I860.— D. Cramer. D. Cline, Joseph Spitler: G. AV. Hoffman. 

1861.— M. Hufford, D. Cramer. Joseph Spitler: A. A^■eikert. 

186'2. — Joseph E. Magers. D. Cline, Joseph Spitler: A. Weikert. 

1863.— Joseph E. Magers. D. Cline, William Rex: A. Weikert. 

1864.— Peter Weikert. J. E. Magers. R. J. Yanderbogart: A. Weikert. 

1865. — Peter Weikert. Joseph Spitler. R. J. Yanderbogart: A. Weikert. 

1866.— F. W. BA-rne. Lewis Kintz. R. MeClellan: J. M. Yonng. 

1867.— R. MeClellan. James Starkv, D. Cline: J. Zint. 

1868.— D. Cline, Joseph Spitler. R. MeClellan: J. Zint. 

1869. — J. C. Brundage, Joseph Spitler. R. MeClellan; James Y. Magers. 

1870. — James Sanders, Joseph Sailor, Joseph Spitler; James V. ]\lagers. 

1871. — John Wank, Joseph Spitler, James Sanders: James Y. Magers. 

1872. — John Wank, Henry Lease, James Sanders: G. W. Weikert. 

1873.— Allen Pontins. P. Hfeliing, J. Sanders: G. W. Weikert. 

1874.— J. Rex, S. G. Long, M. Arbogast: G. W. Weikert. 

1875. — J. Rex, S. G. Long, E. P. Bvrne. trustees: James Starky, justice; 
G. W. Weikert. clerk. 

1876.— D. Culver. S. G. Long, E. P. Bp-us. trustees; A. Pontius, P. 
Hsefling, justices: G. W. Weikert. clerk. 

1877. — Nicholas Wall, J. Sanders, S. G. Long, trustees: J. Heck. G. A\'. 
Weikert. justices: Isaac Culp, clerk. 

1878.- E. P. Byrne. N. Wall, J. Sanders: Isaac Culp. 

1879. — James Sanders, G. W. Aulger. J. F. Smith: Isaac Culp. 

1880.— G. W. Aulger, J. F. Smith. J. Wannemacher: M. B. Sailor. 

1881. — Louis Kingseed, James Sanders. G. W. Aulger: Isaac Culp. 

1882. —Jacob F. Smith, J. Wannemacher, E. P. Byrne (refused); R. W. 
Brown, clerk. 

1883. — J. Wannemacher, J. F. Smith, Levi Haines; R. W. Brown. 

1884. — Jacob F. Smith, John Dice, J. C. Brundage: R. W. Brown. 

The officers elected in 1885 are Edward P. Byrne. John Dice and C. H. 
Bartz, trustees: George W. Bushong, clerk; Perry Eakin, treasurer*: John 
Spitler and J. M. Twiggs, constables; R. W. Brown and Joseph C. Reiff, jus- 
tices of the peace. 

Pioneer Tcuc Payers. — The following list of the taxable property owners of 
Seneca Township in 1S22 points out unmistakably the tei-ritory comprised in 
the original organized township; 

*Mr. Cunoingham filled the po8ition of township treasurer for fifteen years. 



SENECA TOWNSHIP. 



667 



Aldrith. Solomon 
Butler, Paul D. 
Bowe. Eriistus 
Bcartlstill. Chris. 
Barney, Consider C. 
Courtwriglit. Ahram 
Chapman, .lereniiah 
Chandler, Thomas 
Chaffer, Joel 
Clancy, John 
Crissa, Levi 
Dumond. I.saac 
Duinond, Daniel 
Davis, Isaac 
Eaton, .lolin 
Gregg, Benjamin 



Gordon. .lames 
Gordon, Jolin 
(iurrettson, Daniel 
Grey, Anson 
IIulb\irt. Jacques 
Harris, William 
Harris. Samuel 
Harris. August 
Hanks, Peter 
Ingraham, Agreen 
Keeler, Joseph 
Lav. John 
McXutt, Duvid 
McNutt, Ale.v. 
McNutt, Daniel 
Montgomery, James 



Nicholson. Thomas 
Pike, Aliner 
Pike. Samuel 
Patrick. Sheppard 
Powers, Isaac 
Rogers. Eliphalet 
nice, Daniel 
Rice, Caleb 
Sprague, Ezra 
Sprague. William 
Sliippey, .Nathan 
Shipper. Robert 
Sherwood, W. S. 
Smith, David 
Swittree, Abram 



Pioneer History. — In the foregoing pages the names of early officials do not de- 
note pioiieership of this township generally, as the townshij) embraced the greater 
part of the county, and elected officers from Fort Ball. Tiffin and Fort Seneca, 
rtither than from settlers within the present boundaries. 

Seneca Township was not without its Indian Reservation. Among the gifts 
of public lands made by the treaty of 1817 was one to Catherine Walker, a 
"Wyandot woman, and to John E. AValker. her son, who. as stated in the treaty, 
was wounded in the United States service, at Manguagon, in 1812. This 
grant consisted of 640 acres to each, to begin at the northwestern corner of the 
John Van Meter tract, and to run with the line thereof south 320 poles, thence 
and from the beginning west for quantity. This grant the Walkers sold, about 
1829, to Judge Lugenbeel and others, and moving to upper Sandusky engaged 
in mercantile business there. ( V/c/e page 1(H(). 

James Aiken settled here in 1822. . . .William Anderson settled in Seneca 
Township in 1823 ... .William Arnold and his wife settled near ilcCutchen 
ville in 1823, coming from Frederick Coimty, Md., that year. It is related 
that when their first child was born, they had to take the little one to Lancas- 
ter, Ohio, to be baptized. A few years later, the fiimily took a leading part in 
the establishment of the Catholic Chiu-ch of MeCutchenville .... Andi-ews C. 
Arnold moved to Seneca County in 1849 .... Jacob Adelsberger, a settler of 
1833, died near Tiffin: his son John died in 1878 at Fostoria .... Michael 
Arbogast (see Hoj)ewell Township) .... Samuel Aulger came in 1834. 

Frank and Elizabeth Bartz. natives of Btivaria. parents of Mrs. Ciisper 
Ziegler (who was born in Bavaria in 1830 1, came to this county in 1N40. and 
here died. . . .Peter P. and Sarah Bercaw. natives of Peunsylvaniii. parents of 
Silas W. Bercaw and Mrs. James H. Bare (former born in Pennsylvania, in 
1837; latter in this county, in 1844): settled in this county in 1840, where Mi'. 
Bercaw died in 1882, and Mrs. Bercaw in 187(5 .... W. Blair settled in Seneca 
Township about 1834, and died in 1803. . . .Thomas Blair was herein 1824. . . . 
Alex. Bowland was ;in old resident. . . .Hezekiiih BrinkerhofF. father of James 
H. Brinkerhoff. of Eden Township (who was l)orii in 181'J, in Penn.sylvania). 
came here iia 1834. and died in 1847. . . .Truman Brashares. ii native of Mary- 
land, settled in Seneca County in 1835: died December IT). 1849. ... Louis 
Bredoon. -A cannon which was cast at Tiffin, to be tised in the celebration July 
4. 1837, at MeCutchenville, while being proven, bm-st. killing Louis Bredoon 
and wounding two others. . . .Philip Brock, aged ninety two yeai's, who died 
April 5, 1885, was a native of Virginia: moved to Ohio over fifty years 
ago, and was a resident of MeCutchenville for forty-five years .... Thomas 
Brundage, a native of New York, settled in Seneca, Townslii)) in 1828, with his 
wife (»i('c Miss Osee Depue); he died August 21, 1S79. ^Irs. Johnson, of 



668 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Wyandot County, their daughter, was born in Seneca County, in 1^(HI>. . . .liob- 
ert Byrne entered the west half of the northwest quarter of Section It, To^vn- 
ship 1 north, Range 14 east, in May, 1883; he was justice of the peace for 
many years, and served as county commissioner. He died in 1S6'2. A brother 
of his settled in Seneca Township in 1830, and was di'owned below Tiffin in 
1832 Frederick BjTne died in July, 1831. 

Michael Cahill. who settled in Seneca County, in 1849, freight agent for 
the Pennsylvania Company at TifiSn, was killed at the depot in 1881 . . . .Michael 
Coleman, a native of Ire land, entered 160 acres on Section 4, this township, 
in 1834, and resided here until his death in 1874. Richard Connor 
was one of the pioneers of Seneca Township .... Dennis K. and Mag- 
dalene Conaghan. former a native of Ireland, latter of Pennsylvania, 
parents of Joseph Conaghan (who was born in Pennsylvania in 1808), came here 
at an early date, and here died .... Joseph and Margaret Conaghan, natives of 
Pennsylvania, parents of Horatio D. Conaghan and ilrs. James Sanders, came 
to this county from Stark County, at an early date .... Jacob and Elizabeth 
Copier, natives of Germany, parents of Mrs. Henry Hepf (who was born in 
Germany in 1817), came to this county in early days, and here died. . . .Mrs. 
Elizabeth Cromer, who died April 4, 1885, came fi-om Northumberland Coun- 
ty, Penn., tifty-two years ago, and was a resident of Berwick, for a quarter of a 
century. . . .David Culver, a native of New York, came in 1825. . . .John and 
Lucy (Bartlett) Crocker, parents of Roswell Crocker and Mrs. Charles W. Fos- 
ter, of Fostoria, came in 1823 to this county, settling in this township, where 
Mrs. Crocker died. Mr. Crocker then moved to Fostoria and there died. 
.... Roswell Crocker (see history of Loudon Township). 

John and Mary A. Davidson, natives of Ireland, where the}' were married, 
parents of Hem-y and William Davidson, came to this county in 1834, aud 
here died. . . .Jacob and Maria (Apley) Dice, natives of Pennsylvania, parents 
of Mrs. Adam Weikert. came into the county in early times; Mrs. Dice died 

in 187U John Dockweiller settled in Seneca Township in 1833; died in 

March, 1880 The Dugan family, of Kenton, were early settlers of Seneca. 

....Thomas Dunn came from New York State in 1853 ... .Philip Dutrow, 
father of David A. and William M. Dutrow, of Tiffin, was a native of Mary- 
land, born in 181V), and came in 1843 to Seneca Township. . . .Philip H. and 
Elizabeth Dutrow, natives of Mainland, parents of Robert H. Dutrow, came 
here about 1832; Mi's. Dutrow died in 1881, and Mr. Dutrow subsequently 
moved to Tiffin, where he now resides. 

John and Elizabeth Einsel, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively, 
parents of Mrs. Robert McClellan, came to this county in 1833, and here died. 
....Anderson aud Julia A. (BrinkerhofF ) Ewing, natives of Pennsylvania, 
parents of Mrs. John M. Laughlin, came to this county in 1840; Mi's. Ewing 
died in 1847; Mr. Ewing died in Wyandot County, Ohio, in 1875.... John 
and Mary M. Eyler, jiarents of Mrs. Joseph Conaghan, were early settlers of 
this county, where they died. 

George Flack, who died SeptemVx'r 3. 1834, owned lands in Section 12, 
Town 1 north. Range 14; and also a lot at Tiffin. Henry Cronise was admin- 
istrator of the estate, and Messrs. Seney & Coffinbeiry, solicitors for the ad- 
ministrator .... David and Veronica Foght, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of 
David M. Foght, came fi'om Fairfield Countv, Ohio, to this countv about 
1828, and here Mr. Foght died in 1881. and Mrs. Foght in 1874.!.. John 
Freund came from France in 1849. .. .Charles W. Foster settled in Seneca 
Township in 1820, and moved to a point north of Tiffin in 1829, and to Fos- 
toria in 1832. . . .Charles Foster, born in Seneca Township in 1828. moved to 



SENECA TOWNSHIP. 669 

Rome in 1832. . . .Daniel and Sarah Funk, former a native of Ohio, latter of 
Pennsylvania, parents of J. K. Funk, came in early days to the county; Mr. 

Funk died in 187U; his widow resides with her son, J. K Charles and 

Elizabeth Fr\' were early settlers. 

The Galbraith family settled here in early days, some persons placing the 
date of their settlement at 1822 .... Mrs. E. Gangwer settled in the towuship 
with her parents in 1855, and died July 0, 187(5. . . .Hassel A. Garrison car- 
ried on a tavern \\nthout a license in 1832, and was lined $5 and costs; bevond 
this there is little or nothing to be learned of this old settler. . . .Michael" and 
Eva Gessuer. natives of Germany, parents of Mi-s. Christian Ruehle, came 
here at an early date .... Andrew and Catharine Gillig, natives of Germany, 
parents of Joseph Gillig, came here fi-om Stark County in 1844; Mrs. Gillig 
dii>d several years ago, Mr. Gillig in 1809. 

Job and Ann Haines, parents of Jonathan A. Haines, of Bio- Sprinc Town- 
ship, and Owen and Levi Haines, of Seneca Township, came here about 1840, 
and here died, the former in 1845, and the latter in 1857 .... George and 
Elizabeth Harmon, former a native of Virginia, born in 1807, latter born in 
Ross County. Ohio, in 1812, parents of George A. Harmon, came to Seneca 
Township in 1831, and here Mis. Harmon died in 1875. . . . Georwe and Sarah 
Heck, former born in Ohio in 1797, latter a native of Germany, died in 1839, 
parents of John Heck, were pioneers of the county: Mr. Heck" is still living on 
the farm where he has spent sixty-three years of his life. . . .Henry Hepf. a 
native of Germany, bom in 1813, came to this county in 1830. .. .William 
Hitt" s name occurs in pioneer dociuuents, but of him little can be learned .... 
F. J. Hirt. who stabbed John Feck in 1841, escaped to Canada, subsecpiently 
settled in Johnson Coimly, Iowa, induced his wife and mother to move thither, 
and there killed them and hanged himself .... Henry Houek, born in 181(), 
settled in this county iu 1832, and after residing near Tiffin a short time, 
moved to his present farm in this township. 

JacoV) S. and Osee Jennings, former a native of New Jersey, latter of War- 
ren County, Ohio, parents of Mrs. Benjamin C. Reeme. came here several 
years ago and died. 

Joseph Keller, born iu Pennsylvania in 1797, father of Amos Keller, came 

in 1849 to this coimty where he died in 1855 John King, one of the early 

settlers of Tiffin, was killed at Fort Ball in 1855 .... Martin Kingseed came to 
Seneca in 1834; but sixteen years later moved to Fostoria, where he has taken 
a leading part in building up the city. . . .Anton and Margaret (Rauth) King- 
seed, natives of Germany, both born in 1796, parents of Martin Kingseed, 
came by wagon from Pennsylvania to this county, settling in Seneca Township, 
where Anton Kingseed still resides at the age of eighty-nine years. . . .Jacob 
Kirgis, a native of Germany, father of Heniy Kirgis of Bloom Township, 
«ame to Seneca Township in 1 833 .... Anton Kingsman or Kcenigsman, camo 
here in 1834. Two years prior to this date he left Bavaria. 

John M. Laughlin. born in New York State in 1839, came to Seneca Town- 
ship about 1840. . . .Jacob and Elizabeth Lease, former, a native of Maryland, 
latter of Ohio, parents of Mrs. Horatio D. Conaghan, came here in early times 
and here Mrs. Lease died ; Mr. Lease moved subsequently to A\'vandot County. 
.... John F. and Elizabeth Long, natives of Switzerland, parents of Mrs. 
Joseph Weisenberger, came here in early days. . . .James Lockhart. one of the 
oldest residents of this part of the eoimty, died March 15. 1885, aged seventy- 
five years .... Joseph Lonsway, or Longuin, a native of Three Rivers, province 
of Quebec, born in 1818, is a pioneer of the county. . . .Col. Pet«r Lett, bora 

30 



670 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV. 

March 8. 1795, near Gettysburg, Penn., settled at River Bend in 1829, and 
died at Forest, Ohio, December 19, 1872 .... Lorenz Ley was au early settler. 

Alexander and llary Morrison, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, 
respectively, parents of !Mrs. William Davidson, came to Seneca County in 
1825, and here died .... John H. and Charlotte Mon-ison, natives of 
Pennsylvania, parents of Mrs. Henry Davidson, came to this county in 1887, 
where MJr. Mon'ison died in 1857, and his widow in 1883 .... Joseph and Jane 
McClellan, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of Robert MeClellan, came fi-om 
Kentucky to Seneca County in 1822, where Mr. MeClellan died in 1860, and his 
widow in 1866. . . ."William McCormack was among the pioneer settlers of the 
township. . . .Joseph McCutcheu settled south of the county line in 1827. . . . 
Miles Mitten, a native of Maryland, settled in Seneca Coiinty in 1838, moved 
to "Wyandot County in 1843, and died in 1865. . . .Bernard Miu-phy, a native 
of Ireland, settled in Seneca Township at an early date, moved to Big Spring 
Township about seventeen years ago: he served as clerk of Big Spring Town- 
ship for many years .... Joseph Musgrave settled at McCutchenville in 1845 
.... Joseph and Sarah Martin came in an enrly day .... John and Margaret 
Myre were early settlers. 

Michael Noel, a pioneer of the county, died in April, 1870. 

Timothy O'Connor, a native of Ireland, located in Connecticut, in 1848. 
and came to Seneca Township in 1852. 

James Pence, a native of Virginia, came here in 1832 .... Elijah Penning- 
ton located in Seneca County in 1826 .... Peter Pennington was born just south 
of the county line in 1835 . . . .Benjamin Peck was one of the pioneers. 

Samuel and Elizabeth Ralston, natives of Virginia, parents of IVIrs. George 
Swigart, came to this county in 1834. Mr. Ralston died in 1868; his vridowis 
yet living. . . .Sarah Ramsower, a native of Pennsylvania, came in 1852. . . . 
Jacob and Joanna Redfox, natives of Germany, parents of Jonathan Redfox. 
settled here about 1833; Mi's. Redfox died in 1851, Mr. Redfox, in 186ii. 
.... Michael and Bridget Redmond, natives of Ireland, parents of ili-s. Peter 
Haefling, came to Seneca County in 1835, where Mr. Redmond died in 1849. 
and his widow in 1854. . . .Jeremiah Rex, a native of Ohio, was here in 1844. 
.... Gus G. Reininger settled in Seneca Township in 1832 .... Jacob and Mary 
E. Reisz, natives of Germany, parents of Daniel Reisz, came in 1833, to the 
farm where Daniel Reisz now resides, and here they died .... Mi's. Lida Roley, 
widow of Jesse Roley, and mother of Inman Roley, came with her family to 
this county in 1833, and here died in 1843; Inman Roley located here in 
1838. . . .Daniel Friedi'ich and Margaret M. (Ruehle) Ruehle. natives of Ger- 
many, came here in 1848 .... John J. Ruehle, (deceased), a native of Germany, 
father of Christian Ruehle, came to the county at an early day; his widow. 
Mrs. Catharine Ruehle, a native of this county, is living. 

Anthony and Mary A. Sanders, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of James 
Sanders, came at an early date to this county, whei'e they died . . . . G. N. Scott, 
an Ohioan, settled here in 1849 .... William Shaffner, a Pennsylvanian, came 
in 1843 .... Jacob and Margaret Shoup. former a native of Pennsylvania, 
latter of Maryland, parents of.Mi's. Henry Funk, came here in 1844 .... Christian 
Scheer, a German, came to this county in 1835 .... Jacob and Elizabeth C. 
Staib, natives of Germany, parents of Jacob U. Staib, came to this county in 
1835, where !Mr. Staib died in 1867, aged eighty-seven, and his widow in 
1880, aged ninety-seven years; Jacob U. Staib came in 1833. 

Christopher and Elizabeth Terflinger, natives of Virginia, pai'ents of Lew- 
is Terflinger, came to this county from Wyandot County, with his parents. 



srxECA TowNSHir. i;t1 

Jacob and Elizabeth, in 1830, and lived on the farm where Lewis Terfliu<jer 
now resides; here ^Mi-s. Terflinger died in ISO,"), and Mr. Terflinger in lS()(i. 

Theobald and Catharine ANagncr. natives of Germany, parents of Theobald 
■\Vagner. came direct to Seneca County in \H?>H: !Mr. ^Vagner died in IM47. . . . 
The Wannemachers are classed among the old residents of the townshi]): .S. 
T. "Wannemacher, a native of Ohio, was here in 1S4'.I ... Peter and Susau 
Weikert. natives of Ohio, parents of Adam ^\■eikert. came at an early date; 
in 1870 they located near Tiffin, where they now reside. . . .Matthias and Jo- 
sephine A\'eiseuberger, natives of France, parents of Joseph Weisenberger, 
came here in 1833, where Mi-. Weisenberger died in 184fV and Mrs. Weisen- 
berger in 1830 .... Andrew Willett. a German, came in 184'2 .... Adam M'ilhelm 
was one of the old settlers. . . .John Wininger, born in Fau'field County. Ohio, 
in 1810, was a son of Adam ^^'ininger and Mary Crow, the latter of whom was 
sold for a certain number of years to pay her i)assage from Germany: so early as 
1832 he kept a tavern in this county. . . Andrew J. "Wonder, born in AVayne 
County. Ohio, settled in Seneca with his parents in 1830: now resides in Wy- 
andot County .... George Worley, a native of Germany, came in 1835.... 
Mailin Werling, an Ohioan, was here in 1840. . . .George and Elizabeth (Long) 
Wehrle. natives of Germany, former born in 1820, latter in 1827, married in 
New Riegel in 1847, parents of Joseph C. "Wehrle, were early settlers here. 

John H. and Catharine (Cooney) Yamljert. natives of Pennsylvania, former 
father by a former maiTiage. of Rev. Aaron Yambert. of Seneca Township, 
came with their family to this township in 1831. where Mr. Yambert died in 1.S03 
. . . .William Yambert settled in Seneca Comity in 1833. died in 1803. . . .Dan- 
iel Yambert was tb-owned in the Sandusky, near Mexico, in 1841 : three sisters, 
whose names have not been learned, were di'owned together at this point .... 

B. Yeutzer, a native of Pennsylvania, came to this township in 1840. 
Casper Ziegler, born in Bavaria in 1829, came to Seneca County in 1840 .... 

Jacob and Elizabeth M. Zeis, natives of Germany, parents of Jlrs. David M. 
Foght and Leander Zeis, came to this township abont 1828: Mr. Zeis died in 
1870, and his widow in 1878. . . .Joseph and Julia Zint, parents of Mrs. Le\i 
Haines, came to this county at an early date. 

There were others who settled here in pioneer times, of whom little or noth- 
ing authentic can be learned. In the official history of this township, and in 
the various sections into which this chapter is diN'ided, many pioneer names 
occur. Thus, although the names are omitted in the pioneer section of the chap- 
ter, they find mention in direct connection with the event or institution thai? 
claimed their interest. It will be found, however, that the great majority of 
pioneers, who were identified with the actual progress of the township, find 
mention here. 

VILLAGER. 

""i Berwick: was platted in an angle between Railroad Street. Pittsburgh 
Street, and Findlay Street, was surveyed by Thomas Heming, in Ajjril, 
184."), forH. B. Kaestner, W. BrinkerhofT and John CamplH>ll. De Camp's 
addition was surveyed by Thomas Heming. July 27, 1847. for Ralph and 
Mary De Camp. Weikert' s addition was made in July. 1848. for Peter Wei- 
kert. Christlip's addition was platted February 12, 1857, by L. E. Holtz, fur 
George S. Christlip. J. Mathias' addition was surveyed in August, 1881, and 

C. Foster & Co.'s in March, 1881. The name was conferred on the ^nllage by 
John Campbell, who came from Berwick, Penn. . prior to 1S45. 

The business circle of Berwick, in 1884-85. comprised: S. P. Bemisderfer, 
Sailor & Son, general stores: John Kimble, M. Weber, groceries: N. P. Nick 
and F. Walton, druggists; "Central House;" "Junction House: " J. Cromer, 



(!72 lllSTURV OF SENECA COUNTY. 

blacksmith; Higbeo. Miller & Co.. grain elevator: H. Peer, cooper; J. Seren, 
.'ihoe- maker; Joseph Sobly, cai-penter; J. L. Shafer. railroad agent, and S. W. 
Bercaw, express agent. 

The village is situated on the slope of the Big Spring Ridge, or height of 
laud, at the crossing of the Ohio Central and the Indiana. Bloomington & 
Western Raiboads. thus enjoying direct communication with north and south 
and east and west. 

McCntchenrlUc. — This village is partly in Seneca Townshij), and partly in 
^^'yandot County. It was platted in 18'2i) for Col. Joseph McCutchen, by Dr. 
G. W. Samjjson. who was a surveyor as well as physician. In that year 
Col. McCutchen erected the first dwelling hotise. and Dr. Sampson the second, in 
1830. Aaron Welsh opened the first store al:)out this time. Among the first 
settlers in the vicuiity was James Wright, an Indian captive, who for years 
was silversmith and trinket-repairer to the Delawares of the Tymochtee. Sam- 
uel Keenan opened a hotel here in 183(1, and conducted it for twenty-one years. 
The Noels, Arnolds, Dimns, Braytons, Chamljerlins, Brockleys, Smiths, 
SchafPers and others, named in the pioneer history of the townships, were here 
in pioneer days. G. W. Samjason's addition to McCutchenville was siu-veyed 
October 1, 1874, by John Agaton. That portion of the village in Seneca 
County is bounded by the Ohio Central on the northeast, and the street running 
parallel with the Tiffin road on the northwest, the l)ase line foiiuing the south- 
ern boundary. 

CHURCHES. 

In 1833, when James M. Chamberlin settled at McCutchenville, there 
was a log chitrch one quarter of a mile north in Seneca Township, which 
was taken down and a new building erected in the village, which was the 
Methodist Church up to 1858. Shortly after 1833 the German Reformed 
Society and the Lutherans erected a log chm-ch. which they sold in after years, 
having no necessity for a chiu'ch at that point. Then the Methodist Protest- 
ants (1835) undertook to build a church, which they were unable to complete. 
The Congregational society was then formed, and agreed to complete the 
church for the privilege of its use half the time foi- twenty-five years, but in 
1860 the Congi'cgationalists and Methodist Protestants agreed to sell the V)uild- 
ing, the former having disbanded in 185(t. In 1834-35 ^h\ Arnold and other 
Catholics erected a neat frame chiu'ch, which continued in use down to a few 
years ago, when it was burned by an incendiary. The Albright society erected 
a small fi-ame house at McCutchenville. which they used until the brick chiu'ch. 
two and a half miles east in Seneca County, was completed, when the old build- 
ing was disposed of. 

Methodist FJpi.icopal CInii-cli. McCutchenville. was founded early in the 
■"thu'ties." one mile and one- fourth north in Seneca Township. Before 1840 the 
old log house was abolished and a church Iniilt at McCutchenville, which 
continued in use until 1858, when the present house was erected at a cost of 
$2. 500. Among the early meml)ers were Thomas and Caleb Brundage. John 
Tingle, John Nafus, Samuel Sailor, D. Wetzell, Hugh ]Mulhollaud, Jacob Sig- 
ler, Messrs. Nestle, Pratt. Ellis. Drake. Vanness and their wives, with Mrs. 
Samson, Mrs. Porter and 'Mis. Dedwitt. 

i'Vcs/ Presbi/ieriaii C/(H/-c/(.— Immediately after the collapse of the Methoil- 
ist Protestant and Congregational Societies in 1850. the Presbj'terians organ- 
ized, and in May, 1854, established a society, worshiping in the church of the 
Methodist Protestants and Congregationalists until I860, when a new house 
of worship was erected. The early members were J. M. Chamberlin, S. Hill, 
J. C. McGotfin, Jacob Johnson, J. Mangus, P. Lott. W. Ken-, John Kerr, 



SENECA TOWNSHIP. 673 

Matthew Laird. J. H. BriukcrhofF and their wives, with a number of female 
members. This church has been attended by supplies since the time lleva 
Chai-les Thayer, L. Pelan and Matthew Roger, the organizing ministers. 

Zion U)iited Brethren Church was founded in 184(5 in the cabin of Hiram 
Anderson, with George and Sarah Ciuis and Catherine Anderson, members. 
In 1854 a house of worshiji was erected on Section 23. Tymochtee Township. 

Ebenezer Kmvgelical Church was organized in October. 1835, at Jacob 
C'orfman's hous(> by Rev. Heiu'y Downey. In 1845 a missionary society was 
formed, in 1S50 and 18B() revivals were held, and in 18(37 a Sabbath -school 
was founded. 

Methodist Episcopal Church and Evangelical Cliapel, at iMexico, border on 
the south line of this county. The first was built in 18(39 at a cost of $5, 000, 
and the latter in 187(3 at a cost of $2,300. 

German Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed Protestant Ccmgre- 
ijcdioti of Seneca Township was organized under State law. July 10, 1848, 
with Philip Nubergall. chairman; Casper Buehman. clerk; Lewis Staib, treas- 
lu'er; Konrad Schmit. A. Biu-gdcerfer and Lewis Staib, trustees. 

Gei-i)ia)i Reformed Church. — The building, a frame structure, was erected 
in 1860, a few miles northeast of Berwick. 

South Bend Bethel Church Society was incorporated as a branch of the 
Evangelical Association of North America, March 17, 1875. Aaron Yambert 
was chairman and Z. A\'. Roseer, secretary. They, with D. Foght, William 
Yambert and Thomas Bnindage were elected trustees. 

Salem Reformed Church (Seneca Township) was fonndi-d November 12, 
1853, by Rev. E. N. Gerhart, with Casper Buehman, Isaac Jliller, Ludwig 
Emich, Lambert Martin, John Houck, Jacob Schaub, A. Biugdcerfer, ^\'. 
Rex and F. Baker, members. This was a reorganization of the Lutheran and 
Reformed Society organized one mile and a half east of New Riegel in 1834, 
where a house of worship was built in 1837. Immediately after reorganiza- 
tion in 1853 this building was replaced by a fi-ame structiu'e. The jiastors 
have been E. V. Gerhart, M. Mueller, J. J. Eseher, F. Strassner, Jacob Kuhn, 
W. H. Fenneman L. Richter, J. H. Good. A church was established at Ber- 
wick in 1850, by Rev. F. Wahl, the members and pastors of which are iden- 
tified with the Salem Chiu'ch. 

Deutsche Vereinigte Era)igeliste Seneca Jerusalem Kirclie was erected in 
18(51, and dedicated December 15, same year. This is a brick chiuch, erected 
within the chiu'ch cemetery. 

Seneca United Brethren Church was built in 1881, near Isaac A\'aunemak- 
cr's house. Rev. Mr. Sargent, of Melmore, was the pastor. 

CEMETERIES. 

South Bend Cemetery Association was founded by persons interested 
in the old burying ground, on the James Starkev fanii, April 2, 1804. 
John Kerr. J. 'H. BrinkerhofF, P. P. Bercaw, E." Evler. J. C. Brinker 
hoff, J. AVininger, ^L J. Laird. M. Laird, J. McGoffiu, C." il. Lott, D. Slusser, 
John Mangus, James Starkey, Solomon Wininger. M'. Yambert. Solomon 
Yambert, S. St. John and George F. Brinkerhoff were the inct)rporators. 

Hoffman Cemetery. The grcjunds around the old Hoffman graveyard were 
sui'veyed February 4, 18(54, for John Ken-, J. Mangus and George L. Win- 
inger, trustees. There are a few other burial grounds in the township, all 
neatly kept. 

SCHOOLS. 

The school statistics of Seneca Township for the year ending August 



674 HISTORV OF SENECA COUNT V. 

81. 1884. are as follows: Xuinber of males em-olled. 209; of females. 227: 
average attendance, 248 ; schoolhonses, 12; value of property, §17,000; 
number of teachers, 24; average salaries, $40 and $8(3; local tax. §8.571.41; 
total revenue. §0,921.12; expenditures. §4,729. In December. 1888. a school 
building bee erected the first schoolhouse and completed it in one day. May 
2<». 1888. trustees John Davidson. John Larkins and Andrew Bolin laid out 
nine school districts, and from this date the system advanced until the schools 
of the township today rank among the best in the county. 

VALUATION AND TAXATION. 

The as.sessment roll of Seneca Township, for 1841, gives the following fig- 
ures: 22,187 acres of land valued at §(50,155; no town lots; 264 horses 
valued at §10,500; 598 cattle, valued at $4,784; 1 pleasure carriage valued 
at §100. Total. §75.599. Total tax, $1,077.28. Delinquencies fi-om 1840, 
$(i7.88. 

The valuation and taxation of Seneca Townshif) for 1884-85, are set forth in 
the following statistics: Number of acres of land, 22,588. value, §848.440; 
value of personal i^ropertv. §247.190; total valuation. §1.095,630. Total tax- 
ation for 1884-85, $12,597.01, with §188 for dogs. The population in 1880 
was 1.519. 

The predial statistics of Seneca Townshiji for 1884 give the following 
figm-es: Acres of wheat, 4,748, product in 1888, 45,476 bushels; oats, 
1.108 acres; barley. 23 acres; corn. 2.859 acres, produced 78,455 
bushels; 70(5 acres of meadow yielded l.()12 tons of hay; 1,140 acres 
of clover yielded 1.808 tons of hay and 1,120 bushels of seed; 18() acres 
of potatoes gave 14,040 bushels; home-made butter, 58,420 pounds; 
18 gallons sorghum s\Tup; 20 pounds maple sugar and 44(3 gallons maple 
syrup; 107 hives. 1.008 pounds of honey; 40.870 dozens of eggs: 1 acre of 
vines produced (')() gallons of wine: 448 acres of orchards. 0.820 bushels of 
apples and 45 bushels of pears. Acres of land o\\'ned and cultivated. 14.414; 
in pasture. 1.854; in forest. 4,093; waste, 15; total, 20,87(5 acres; wool shorn 
in 1883. 8,79() poimds; milch cows, 573; dogs. 133; killed 43 sheep and 
injui'ed 37; domestic animals died of diseas(>. 84 hogs. 184 sheep. 30 cattle 
and 12 horses. 

CONCLUSION. 

The history of this old township begins in 1820. while yet an Indian family 
were the sole owners of lands within its present limits. A few years later the 
stream of immigration crossed the Sandusky Eiver. and formed, as it were, 
expansions here. The settlement grew in niunbers and influence even before 
1880, and drew around it all those old settlers who have built wp the township 
to its present proud positii:)n among the divisions of Seneca County. 

The po])ulation in 1880 was 8(59. Ten years later it was placed at 1.893; 
in 1850 it was 1.017; in 18(30. 1823; decreased by 1870. to 1.771. and by 
1880. to 1.5111. New fields of enterprise and the growth of the youth of 1860 
to that age when such fields carried them away frtim home, may account for a 
decrease of 3.000 in ))opulation within twenty years. 



THOMPSON TOWNSHIP. 675 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

THOIMPSON TOWNSHIP. 

THIS division of the county was surveyed into quarter sections in 182(1 by 
Price J. Kellogg, and a year later the squatter settlers entered their 
lands there. In 1820 the population did not exceed twenty inhabitants; ten 
vears later the number increased to ;j<i2; in 1840 the census returns place the 
number of inhabitants at 1,404; in 1850 at l.(ir)8; in 1800 at 1,702; in 1870 
at 2,070; and in 1880 the population was 1,1)01. A reference to the stati-stics 
at the close of this chajater will point out the township's value and predial 
gi'owth. 

The corniferous outcrop in Thompson is of a marked character. On the 
northwest quarter of Section 20 it was worked years ago by John W, Paine. 
On the southwest quarter of Section 10, George Good and Samuel Rover quar- 
i'i(>d in fine horrizontal beds of this conformation, and so on throughout the 
township. . lleuben Hartman's quairies on Section 14; John M. Krauss' on 
Section 15; Wygart's on Section 11; Isaac Kerns on Section 10; Joseph 
Sherck's on Section 21; the Hoover quarry on Section 29; the old Grimes 
quarry on Section 2; Benjamin Bunn's on the same section^ William Clem- 
en's, George Sheffield's and Charles Smith's old quarries in Section 1 were 
all good exposiu'es or so lightly covered by drift material as to rank with 
outcrops. In some localities within the township the corniferous rocks 
present many evidences of upheaval and convidsion, leaving several crev- 
ices or openings, sometimes called fissures, which are said to connect with 
the nether world. Sink Creek disappears in one of these fissures and it is 
called the "River Styx" of this part of the continent. In the ancient history 
of Eiu'opean countries it is a common thing to find related the fact of a river 
or lake springing into existence in one night; within this township, in our own 
times, the phenomenon has taken place on a small scale. Years ago Samuel 
Horner decided to dig a well, and, in prosecuting this determination he struck 
rock at a depth of six or seven feet, when a stream of water rushed forth, which 
has since continued to flow. Samuel is said to have used an iron bar and not 
the Scriptiu-al Mosaic rod. 

In the Sandusky Clarion of August, 1844, now in possession of Mr. Wag- 
goner of Toledo, that gentleman states the following facts : "A man well known 
to myself had a team of three yoke of cattle plowing in the spring. When it 
commenced raining he stopped his work and ttirned his cattle loose in the field. 
The rain proved to be a strong storm lasting several days. When it held up 
and the cattle looked for after, one of them was missing, supposed by the owner 
to have jumped the fence and strayed off, until more than three weeks after- 
ward when the ox was found in the lot, where it had settled down through the soil 
into the crevice of a rock below, and nothing but his head and shoulders out. 
He was taken out, and lived, with no other injury than the loss of hair from the 
braised part; another ox was lost three weeks, and found at the bottom of a 
sink-hole in the woods, the sides of which he had browsed clean." 

The existence of these holes, the rise and fall of the waters which appear 
in them, and their connection with other phenomena in northwestern Ohio, all 



676 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

pertain to the jihilosophy of history rather than to historj', and for this reason 
their existence is only referred to here. 

The township historian, writing in 1873 for D. J. Stewart's atlas, refers to 
another natural cimosity in this \'icinity. He says: "This township possesses 
a far more remarkable phenomenal ciu'iosity than these sink-holes. We refer 
to Thompson's Cave, which affords an interesting object to the casual visitor, 
or to the scientist and geologist. The entrance to this remarkable subterran- 
eous natural structure is situated a short distance fi-om the original track of 
the Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland Railroad, in Section 1, near the extreme 
northeast corner of the county. It is located on land owned by Mrs. Elizabeth 
Kinney, which was formerly owned by her husband. Mason Kinney, deceased, 
one and one-half mile from Bellevue, and not quite a mile from Lewis\'ille, in 
this township. The discovery of this cave is generally attributed to George 
and Henry Hassan, and the tu-st exploration of it to Lyman and Asa Strong. 
Prior to 1815 we find that it was known to exist by some of the early settlers 
upon the fire lands, as mention is made of it in a manuscript now in oiu- pos- 
session, written in 1814. It was then a sort of general rendezvous for rattle- 
snakes, and from this circumstance was yclept 'Rattlesnakes' Den. ' It was a 
frequent resort for hunters in those days, who delighted in killing these ven- 
omous reptiles. They were ultimately successful in exterminating them, and 
none have been seen in the %'icinity for many years." In 1844 the water rose 
to within thirty feet of the surface, or a height of 170 feet in the cave. 

The soil throughout the township is of the most fertile character, the farms 
show the care bestowed upon them, while in everj-ihing pastoral Thompson 
ranks among the first agricultural districts of all Ohio. 

The creek named "Sink Creek, " already noticed, and the two county di'ains 
are the only water courses in the township, but it is said that many creeks, 
such as Cold Creek, draw their supplies from subteiTanean streams here of 
which the geologist has little or no knowledge. 

Since the removal of the old Mad River Railroad track there has not been 
a line of railroad running through the township. However the "Nickel Plate." 
running just north of the county line, and the Baltimore & Ohio, coursing 
through the township next south, afford reasonable facilities to the people of 
Thompson Township. 

Organic and Official. — This township was established under authority of 
the commissioners of Sandusky County, given April 25, 1820. As set off at 
that time it included almost the whole of the present county east of the San- 
diisky River, together with the district bounded as follows: Begiiming at the 
northeast corner of the Seneca Reservation ; thence north to the old trail from 
Croghansville to Strong's; thence east to intersect the fii-e lands, south with 
that line to the base line; thence west along base to a point whence a line due 
north will strike the northeast corner of the Seneca Reservation. A reference 
to Chapter TV (Transactions of the Commissioners' Board) and to the history 
of Seneca Township, will point out the changes since 1824. The first election, 
held at Joseph Parmenter's house May 6, 1820, resulted in the choice of 
officers. 

There is no record of this election to be found, and, fiuiher, there is not 
one person in the original organized township (which comprised the present 
townships of Thompson, Reed and Venice, and a strip two and one-half miles 
in width on the east side of the present townships of Adams, Scipio and 
Bloom) who can relate anything respecting the first township board. 

Following is a list of names of trustees, clerks and justices from 1838: 

.1838. — John Decker, George Weiker, trustees. 



THOMPSON TOWNSHIP. 677 

1889. — Jacob Buim. David Underbill, Samuel Arnold, trustees: Horace R. 
Dimick, clerk. 

1840. -Stei)lien Fisher. Jacob Bunu, William McCauley, trustees; H. R. 
Dimick, clerk. 

1841. — William McCauley. J. Wolleusclilegel, Peter Borgner, tnistees; J. 
G. Horner, clerk. 

1842. — Stephen Fisher, Peter Borgner, H. R. Dimick, trustees; Jacob 
Bunn. justice of the peace; J. G. Korner, clerk. 

1843. — George Billman. Henry Wagner, Jacob Korner, trustees; H. R. 
Dimick, clerk; David Underbill and John Terry, justices. 

1844. — George Billman. Heniy Wagner. Jacob Korner, tnistees; J. C. 
Wales, clerk; George Billman. justice of the peace. 

1845. — George Bolin, Heni-y Wagner. Jacob Korner, trustees; H. R. Dim- 
ick, clerk. 

1846. — Peter Borgner, George Billman. John Royer, trustees; John Grimes, 
clerk. 

1847. — H. R. Dimick. John Royer. P. Borgner, trustees; John Grimes, 
clerk. 

1848. — Heniy AVagner. Samuel Arnold, John Royer, trustees; John 
Grimes, clerk. 

1849. — John Royer, Henry Wagner, Jacob Korner, trustees; John Grimes, 
clerk. 

1850. — Henry Hoover, John Royer, Jacob Korner, trustees; John Grimes, 
clerk. 

1851. — Heni-y Hoover. John Royer, Jacob Korner, trustees; George 
Schock. justice of the peace. 

1852. — Melchior Reik, William Heater, John Grimes, trustees; S. P. Huff, 
clerk. 

1853. — Levi Korner, William Heater, George Billman, trustees; S. P. Huff, 
clerk. 

1854. — George BiUman. Levi Korner, Silas McHenry, trustees; Samuel 
Horner, clerk; C. L. McCarty, justice of the peace. 

1855. — Silas McHenry. Levi Korner. F. Haipster, trustees; Samuel Hor- 
ner, clerk. 

1856. — George Schock. George Billman. J. C. Horner, trustees; S. Horner, 
acting clerk. 

1857. — George Billman. Isaac Tompkins. John Bunn, trustees: J. C. Hor- 
ner, clerk; C. L. McCarty. Joseph Horner, justices. 

1858. — George Billman, John Bunu. Samuel Arnold, tnistees; Peter 
Ebersole, clerk. 

1859. — John Bunn, F. Harpster, George Schock, trustees; J. C. Horner, 
clerk. 

1860. — Fred. Harpster. Joseph Sherck. Anthony Krupp, trustees; J. C. 
Horner, clerk; Henry Diamond, justice. 

1861. — Fred. Harpster. Joseph Sherck, Anthony Krupp, trustees; B. F. 
Schock, clerk. 

1862. — John W'erely, F. Harpster, Joseph Sherck, trustees: James Bolin, 
clerk; C. L. McCarty. J. Hoover, justices of the peace. 

1863. — J. W. Paine, John Werely, Jacob Korner, trustees; James Bolin, 
clerk. 

1864. — William McCauley. Jacob Korner, J. W. Paine, trustees; E. T. 
Conser, Amos Decker. Joseph Sherck, justices. 

1865. — Jacob Kuhn, Jacob Korner, John AV. Paine, tnistees; A. Kern, 



678 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

appoiated trustee: B. F. Schock, clerk; C. L. MeCarty, Joseph Sherck, jus- 
tices. 

18<)0. — W. R. Alexander, John Westrich, A. Kern, trustees; B. F. Schock. 
clerk. 

18*37. — W. R. Alexander, John Westrich, George Good, trustees; James 
Feese, clerk. 

1808. — Solomon Hartman, George Good, John Westrich, tiiistees; J. A. 
Feese. clerk. 

18<jy. — William Baker, Solomon Hartman, George Good, trustees; Amos 
Decker, clerk; Joseph Sherck, justices. 

1870. — Solomon Hartman, William Baker, J. ^^'. Paine, trustees; George 
Good, appointed trustee; Amos Decker, clerk. 

1871. — J. D. Rubort, D. Albright. William Baker, trustees; Amos Decker, 
clerk. 

1872. — William Burger, William Baker, J. D. Rubert, trustees; David 
Rubert, clerk. 

1878. — J. D. Rubert, William Baker, Levi Kern, trustees; Samuel Decker, 
clerk; Amos Decker, ju.^tice. 

1874. — Henry Billmau, William Baker, J. D. Rubert, trustees; Samuel 
Decker, clerk. 

1875. — Henry Billman, 'William Baker, J. D. Rubert, trustees; W. F. 
BennehofF. clerk. 

1876. — Charles Rinehart, Hemy Billman, J. D. Rubert, trustees; W. F. 
Bennehoff, clerk. 

1877. — Charles Rinehart, Henry Sanders, William Baker, trustees; W. F. 
Bennehoff, clerk. 

1878. — John Boliu, H. Sanders, C. Rinehart, trustees; W. F. Bennehoff, 
clerk. 

1879. — Henry Sanders, John Bolin, Vincent Koby, trustees; W. F. Benne- 
hoff, clerk. 

1881. — Joseph Dick, L. E. Scothorn, Isaac Weiker, trustees; R. H. Nagle, 
clerk. 

1882.— Joseph Dick. L. E. Scothorn, C. C. Wollenschlegel, trustees: W. 
Wingard, clerk; Samuel Decker, justice: J. A. Feese, L. Horner, a.ssistant 
clerks. 

1883. — C. C. Wollenschlegel, A. Humm, X. Henney, trustees; Samuel 
Horner, clerk. 

1884. — Martin Sherck, LjTuan Clemens, A. Humm, trustees; L. K. Royer. 
clerk; Samuel Decker, Samuel Horner, justices. 

Pioneers of Thompson Township. — Although this was one of the fii'st divis- 
ions of the county to receive the honors of establishment from the commis- 
sioners of Sandusky, it was one of the last to receive a full quota of settlers. 
While the squatters of 1819-20 were actually on the ground prior to the land 
sales and for years afterward, yet the working pioneers did not come until 
1829. In 1832-33 the influx of German pioneers gave a new impetus to agri- 
cultural life, and fi-om this dates the phenomenal progress which has marked 
this pastoral township for its own. In the following pages an effort is made 
io notice all the pioneers: 

William Baker came here at an early date .... Francis Ball, a native of 
Germany, settled here in 1832 .... Reuben Bennehoff. an uncle of the popular 
recorder of the county, settled in Thompson Township in 1833, died February 
f), 1881. in his seventy-fourth year. Another branch of the Bennehoff' family 
came about this time .... Philip Bowers, a Pennsylvanian, was here in 1840 .... 



THOMI'SOX TOWNSHIP. G7ft 

(ieorge and ^Nlarv (Pearce) Bolin. natives of Virginia and Maryland, rpspeet- 
ivt'ly. and parents of Enoch and Jam(vs Bolin, came to this county in 1S81, 
(ieorge Bt)lin having entered land in 1S8(). They l)oth died in Thompson 
Township in far advanced life, the father in 1880. when ninety-one years old 
.... Harman Bolte, a native of Germany, maternal gi-andfather of Biu-tis M. 
Finch, was a pioneer. . . ..John and Sarah (Boyer) Borger came in 1888-34 to 
Thompson Townshij): the former died in 185'.), latter in 1879. Of their chil- 
dren, who came with them to Ohio, Williiim resides here .... John Bunn, 
grandfather of .Judge Bunn. of Tiffin, a native of Peinisylvania, came to Seneca 
County at an early ])eriod of its history, settling here. . . .Jacob and Elizabeth 
(Jjeiter) Buim. came to Thomj)son Township in 1888 and settled on an entirely 
new farm. He died in 1878, aged seventy -six years. His widow is now in 
her seventy-eighth vear . . . . .John Biirman, born in Jjancaster. Ohio, in 1818. 
came to Flat Rock in 1848. 

Benjamin Clark and "William Clark are names connected with the early 
history of the township (18"2()), but farther than this nothing authentic can be 
learned of them .... William Clemens, born in Pennsylvania in 1824, came 
with his parents to Adams Township, this county, in 1881; then in 18f)2 
moved into Thompson Township. He was killed in the railroad accident at 
Ashtabula in 187<>....N. P. Colwell came to Thom]>son Township in 1831. 
settled in Republic in 1838, and was, for eleven years, clerk of Scipio Town- 
ship, and justice of the peiice for sixteen years. . . .^^'illiam Cornell, referred 
to in the general history, was a pioneer. 

.John and .Julia Ann (Royer) Decker, parents of Hon. Jacob Decker, of 
Belle^^^e, came from Wayne Coimty, Ohio, to Thompson Township in 1830: 
John Decker died in 1854, his widow in 1875, in the eighty-seventh year of 
her age. . . . A. Dewald, a Pennsylvanian, is said to have settled here in 1831. 
. . . ..John Dillingham, who died in Porter County SeptemV)er 20, 18(')1, settled 
at Bloomingville in the tire lands in 1813, and moved to Indiana in 188)). 
.... Solomon Dimick was among the pioneers, and is said to have been here as 
early as 1820. 

Michael and Susan (Fisher) Fauble came to Thompson Township in 1833 
from Pennsylvania. . . .George Fender is classed among the old settlers. 

John Glassner, a native of Prussia, came to Ohio, locating in Thompson 
Township in 1885; he died in 1863; his son John, born in Prussui in 1818, 
also came to Thompson Township at the same time .... George Good and 
Emanuel Good, natives of Pennsylvania, came in 1881 or 1832. .. .Samuel 
Grimes, born in ^'ermont in 1 780, married Mary Arnold, also a native of Ver- 
mont, bom in 17!)2; they came to Ohio in 1823, residing some months in 
Thompson Township: then moved into Sandusky County, and in 182S retiu'ned 
to this township: he died in 1868, his wife in 1858. 

John Harpster, a native of Pennsylvania, entered eighty acres of land 
where Flat Rock Village now stands, in 1828, and is living at Clyde, Ohio. . . 
David Harpster came with his parents to this county in 1828, settling on the 
site of Flat Rock .... Frederick Harjister, a native of Pennsylvania, came in 
1880 from Wayne County, Ohio, to Flat Rock, and at one time owned all the 
land now occupied l)y that town. He tlied in 1874. .. .Jefferson Hoover, a 
native of Ohio, was here in 1 847 .... Joseph and Hannah Horner came to 
Thomi)son Townshij) in 1885. where former earned on first tailor shop in vicin- 
ity of Flat Rock. Thc\ died in 1858. Squire Saninel Horner, their son, also 
came in 1835. . . ..John Heater and Ira Holmes are names connect<Ml with the 
«'arlv days of Thomjjson Town.ship. 

Jacoi) and Elizabeth Kern came to Thompson Townshii) fiom Peunsyl- 



680 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

vania in 1833. He died about 1852, his widow in 1855. Their son, 
George, born in 1821, still resides in Thompson Township .... Isaac Kern, 
born in Pennsylvania, was brought by his father, Jacob Kem, to Thompson 
Township in 1832. . . .Anthony Kern, born in Pennsylvania in 1813. came to 
Thompson Township with his parents, Peter and Rachel Kern, in 1831 .... 
Charles and Catherine Krupp came from Bavaria with then- family, in 1833, 
direct to Thompson Township. Anthony Krupp being one of their sons. 

Hiram Longbrake, a native of Ohio, was here in 1859. 

William McCauley was one of the projectors of Thomsontown in 1840 and 
one of the old settlers. . . .Benjamin Mun-ay was here at an early date. . . .Dr. 
Joseph Myers and Dr. Henry L. Harris were physicians at Lewisville (Thomp- 
son Township) in 1847. 

Henry Neikirk, born in Ohio, came in 1845. 

Joseph Osborne was among the pioneer settlers. 

Joseph Parmenter, at whose house the first election was held in 1820, was 
one of the th-st actual settlers of the county .... Joseph Philo settled in 
Thompson Townshiji at an early date .... The Pratt family and H. Piu'dy's 
family were also among the first settlers, coming here prior to the organization 
of 1820. . . .John W. Paine, born in 1820, came to Adams Township in 1829 
with his parents, John and Sarah Paine. He died in 1882. His widow now 
resides at the family homestead. 

G. W. Reaham. an Ohioan, was here in 1839 .... John Eoyer, a native of 
Pennsylvania, grandfather of the present mayor of Tiffin, settled in Thompson 
Township in 1829 .... John Royer, Jr. , born in Thompson Township, is a son 
of the famous pioneer, John Royer, and is said to have been the first child 
born to Pennsylvanian settlers in Thompson Township in 1831 ... .Samuel 
Royer, a resident of the county for over fifty-seven years, died in his fifty- 
ninth year, in August, 1884; he was the father of the estimable mayor of Tiffin, 
and a pioneer of this township .... Isaac Royer came in 1829 .... Abram Romig, 
a Pennsylvanian. came here in 1 iS32. 

John and Magdalena Sherck came to Thompson Township in 1834 and 
removed to Michigan in 18fi8. Their son, Hon. Joseph Sherck, mayor of 
Bellevue, Ohio, was brought by his parents here in 1834, moving to Belle\'ue in 
1873. . . .Abram Sherck, with Samuel Sherck and William McCauley, founded 
Thompsontown in 1840. . . .George Schock, born in 1812 in Pennsylvania, and his 
wife, Rachael (Korner), also a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1810, came to 
Thompson Township in 1836, accompanied by their parents, George and 
Margaret (Siebert) Schock (now deceased), and Andrew and Sarah (Hendricks) 
Korner .... The famous hunter and trapper. Snow, is supposed to have been 
the first white resident of the township .... The Sjionables, referred to in other 
pages, were early residents here. . . .Samuel and Sarah (Wilts) Stewart located 
on Section 2, Thompson Township, in 1829. In 1S()7 they moved into Flat 
Rock, where the former died in 187('; his widow now resides there .... Peter 
Stetler, a Pennsylvanian, came to the county in 1837. 

A. H. Twiss and family came here at a very early date; it is said they were 
here aboxit 1819. . . .Isaac and Christina (Scothorn) Tompkins, parents of Mrs. 
James Bolin were early settlers in this township. 

James XJnderhill, David Ilnderhill. Jasper Underhill and other members 
of that family were among the first permanent residents coming in Decem- 
ber, 1819. 

Levi Waggoner, a Pennsylvanian, came in 1831 . . . .Elias Weiker came 
from Pennsylvania to Thompson Township in 1833, with his parents. George 
and Susanna ^^'eiker (both deceased), and now resides in Bellevue .... Isaac 



TIIOMrSON TOWNSHIP, 681 

Weiker settled here in 1842. . . .John Weller settled here in 1S{4. . . .Georce 
Wetzell. a Penusylvaniau, came in 1854 .... John AVelsli, James Whitmore. 
Nathan Whitney and William "Whitney were all here about or at the time the 
lownshi]) was organized. . . .The Wollenschlegels settled here at an early day. 
. . . .Daniel and Catharine Wonder, parents of George Wonder, were born in 
Pennsylvania and tl.'ere man-ied and lived until 1828; then moved to Wayne 
County, Ohio, and in 1830 to Thompson Township; thence to Wyandot 
County, wh<>r(> Mi's. Wonder died. Daniel A\'onder, now ninety-four years of 
age, resides with his son George, in Big Spring Township. 

Benevel Yarger, a native of Pennsylvania, fatlier of George E. Yarger, of 
Fostoria, located at Flat Rock in 1851, and in ISfJl moved to Carey, Ohio. 

J. M. Zermillizer, a Pennsylvanian, came in 1857 . . . . J. M. Zahm settled in 
or near the township in 1832. 

Isaac Lewis, the Bowmans, Kellys, Anthony and George Zahm, Peter 
Schoendorf, John Host, the Hein family, the Umlors, Westrichs, Neises, 
Krupps, Kuhns, Knafips, Glassners, McCauleys and others were here prior to 
1840, and shared with the pioneers, hitherto noticed, in their toils, their 
pleasures and their sorrows. Refen'ing to the earl}- settlement of Ihis division 
of the county, the following testimony is taken fi'om Stewart's work, published 
in 1874: '"The greater j)ortionof the early settlement of Thompson Township 
consisted of people fi-om Pennsylvania, and of immigrants direct fi-om Genuany; 
a good substantial class of people, naturally inclined to improve the soil and U> 
enrich the township and county by persevering industry and toil. In the 
southwestern portion of the townshiji, a large number of Germans formed a 
settlement. They belonged princijjally to the Roman Catholic Church, and 
estal)Iished a nunnery, which has greatly prospered, and has received many 
devout }iersons. professing the creed of the Church of Rome, within its portals. 
Her(> residi> those eminent Christian women kno\\n as Sisters of Charity, a 
title they richly deserve for the real good which they do among the poor and 
needy." 

VILL.\GES. 

Thompsontoini was surveyed November 12, 1840, by Jonas Hershberger for 
A\'illiam McCauley. Altram Sharchand and Sanuiel Sherck, on the corners of 
Sections 14. 15, 22 and 23. The plat of Thomp.sontown was vacated in 1843 
at the recpiest of the original owners. 

J^'irisn'lle was surveyed by Jonas Hershberger for Fred. Harjjster, John 
M'ingard, Jacob Connor and George Schoch. Jr., January 21, 1841. George 
Schoch's addition to Lewisville was surveyed by G. H. Heming, April 5, 
1853, the streets being a continuation of a parallel to streets in the original 
town. Homer & McCarty's addition to Lewisville on the east half, northeast 
quarter of Section 11, was siu'veyed April 6, 1856. by G. H. Heming. 

A postoffice was established here under the name of Flat Rock Postoffice. 
and by this name Lewisville is generally known. The business circle of the 
village is made up as follows: R. B. Hickey, hardware; John M. Terwilliger, 
grocer; and A\'illiam Shaffer i-ice J. M. Terwilliger, postmaster, in charge of 
the i)OstotKce. At one time there was a station here on the " underground 
railway." 

CHURCHES. 

Reformed Church, of Thompson Township, was organized in 1830. and in 
1832 a house of worship was erected on a lot donated by John Heater. This 
building gave pl.tce to a larger one in 1843, and this in tm-n to the present 
beautiful brick church of 1873. The original members were John H<)y(>r, 



1382 IIISTORV OF SENECA COUXTV. 

Wolleusclilegel, Adam Good, Jacob Buun, John Bunn. Sr. . John Bunn, Jr., 
Hem-y Bunn, Isaac Lewis, Henn- Bowman. Kud.jlph Bowman and Henry 
Stetler. The first pastor was Rev. Stauch. The value of property is estimated 
at S7,000. 

Evangelical Association, — This was founded here years ago, and is now pre- 
sided over by Rev. J. A. Biirket. of Flat Rock Circviit. 

United Brethren Chiirch,a,i Flat Rock, founded some yeai's ago. has a small 
membership. The meeting-house cost $1.(KM> {ride histoiy of Fostoria). 

Zion Reformed Cluirch, of Thompson Township, was organized in 1881). 
German Reformed Zion's Church was reorganized under State law, December 
18, 18(50. John Rover. Sr., presided, with D. W. Kelley, secretary. Harrison 
AMlt, Levi Korner and Edward Kern were elected trustees. 

St. Michael's Church dates its beginning back to 1838. when Rev. F. X. 
Tschenhens, C. S. S. R., came to visit the few Catholic families then in this 
neighborhood, and rejjeated his visits for years until Fathers Alig and Mal- 
hebouf were appointed his successors. Verj' Rev. Sales Brunuer came in 18-11. 
In 1847-48 the first regular chiu'ch building was begun and completed, taking 
the place of the first log building. In 1888 the present Gothic l)uilding was 
commenced. This is one of the largest country churches in Ohio, and is built 
on the same plan as St. Joseph's Chiu'ch at Tiffin. The congi-egation num- 
bers about 400, the number of families belonging Iseing seventy-one. Among 
the first members were the late John Adam Perhard Stein. Ch. Krupp, John 
Host, Hein, Lei>])old Kuhn. John Westrich. A. Krupp, B. Ramsehlag, 
William Glassner, John Glassner and Daniel Neis. Many, if not all, of those 
pioneer members donated lands for chiirch, school and cemeteiy. The pres- 
ent congregation built the new chui'ch and school of their own means, under 
the direction of their building committee, Anthony Krupp. Peter Hepp, Ferd. 
SehoefFel, Jacob Gerber, Joe Dick. Balzer Layman, ilichael and Gerber. 
The tnistees are Anthony Gerhardstein. Joseph Greulich. Jacob Greulich and 
Anthony Ham. The chmrh is in charge <jf the jariests of the Order of the 
Most Precious Blood. This society was incorporated July ir>, 1848, when 
Rev. Francis !Maria Sales Brunner, Rev. Maria Anthony Meyer, and Rev. 
John Wittmer, were elected trustees. Rev. F. M. S. Brunner, superior, and 
Rev. M. A. Meyer, clerk. The locations named in acts of incorporation were 
Big Spring and Thompson Townships. 



The first school in the township, known as District No. 7. was foxmded 
shortly after the arrival of the Bolin family, with Elisha Boliii, first teacher. 
He is now a resident of Wabash. Ind. 

The election to decide the question of selling school lands. Section K), 
Thompson Township, was held April (i, 1S46. John Bunn. Jr.. John Heater 
and James Bolin were judges. The vote stood 127 for sale, and seven against. 
The record of sale of Section 16. Range 17, Township 3. which took place 
February 26, 1847, is as follows: Peter Stetler, east half of the southea.st 
quarter; Heniy Engle, west half of the southeast qiiarter: John Heater, east 
half of the southwest qiiarter, and west half of the southwest quarter; Henry 
Engle, west half of northwest quarter: John Royer, east half of the northwest 
quarter and west half of the northeast quarter; John Heater, Jr.. east half of 
the northeast quarter. The sum realized from sale was i^ll.O'.tO. 

The condition of the schools of Thompson Township on August 81, 1884, 
is given in the following statistics: Number of male pupils em-olled, 282; of 
females, 226; total, 41)8. Schoolhouses, 8; value of property, §12,000; num- 



THOMPSON TOWNSHIP. G83 

ber of toaohors. Ifi; average salaries. $44 and $23; local tax, $2,584.83: total 
revenue. Sr).3(ilt.r>l : expemlitwres. $2,'J10.()r(. 

Coiivi-iit (if till' Sisters of the Most Precious Blood was rounded herein 1844, 
when the sisters took charge of the schools that year, and established the 
orphanage, which institution was transferred to New Kiegel in IS")!). To Rev. 
Sales Bninner the credit is given for establishing this convent here. His mother 
was the founder of this branch of the order, and the sisters, who came from Switz- 
erland in 1844, left the mother house at Father Brunner's request, to continue 
their good works of charity in the then wilds of northwestern Ohio. The 
new buildings, commenced in 1888, were completed in 1885. The Convent of 
the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, in Thompson Township, claimed liftv- 
nine sisters in 1847. The monastery of the same order in that township con- 
tained twenty- foiu' members. 

St. Michael's School, dating back to 1844, claims a large number of pupils. 
The building is a brick structiu-e, containing two commodious school rooms. 

ORPHANAGES. 

St. Michaers Orphan Asybiin was founded, in 1844, by Rev. Sales Bninner, 
with the Sisters of Charity, fi'om Switzerland, Eurojje, in charge. The orphans 
were transferred in 1851) to the larger house at New Riegel. 

Ebenezer Orphan A-fylitm. of the Evangelical Association of North America, 
was incorporated March lU. 1868, with George F. Spring, L. Scheiu-man, D, 
Strohman, Abner Niebel and William Negele, trustees. This asylum is de- 
nominational and well conducted. Its location is just on the southern border 
of Flat Rock Village. 

GEXEiJAL STATISTICS. 

The assessment of Thompson Township, in 1841, gives the following figures: 
23,040 acres of land, valued at ST0,G52; town lots, none; 298 horses, valued at 
$11,720; C.nU cattle, valued at $5,352; total value, $87,724; total tax. $1,887.71); 
delinquencies, $76.70. 

The valuation and taxation of Thompson Township for 1884-85 present the 
following statistics: 23,8111 acres of laud, valued at $1)28.080, and personal 
property at $197.1(80, aggregating $1,126,010. The total taxes in 1885 
amount" to $11, 814.56. with 1201 dog tax. The population in 1880 was l.KOl. 

The predial statistics of Thompson Townshij) for 1884, are 6.610 acres of 
wheat: 1 aciv of lye. 27 bushels; 24 acres of Inickwheat. 145 bushels; 1.748 
acres of oats. ])roduct about 78.624 bushels; 18 acres of barley; 2,866 acres of 
corn, product (shelled) about 84.000 bushels; 697 acres of meadow, 855 tons of 
hay; 1,854 acres of clover, 2,387 tons of hay, 1,888 bu.shels of seed and 86 
acres plowed under ; 1 92 acres of potatoes, yielding 20. 935 bushels ; 62. 600 pounds 
home made butter: 5 acres of sorghum produced 518 gallons of syrup; mapli> 
syrup, !(• gallons; 155 hives, 953 pounds of honey; 65.460 dozens of eggs; 1 
vineyard. 150 pounds of grapes. IMi gallons of wine; 1 acre sweet potatoes, 
yielding 187 bushels; 454 acres of orchards, 3,080 bushels of apjiles. 108 of 
peaches. 122 of pears. 10 of chenies; acres of land owned and cultivated. 
13.140; in pasture. 1 . 706 : woodland, 2.539: waste land. 177; total acreage 
owned. 17.5(52; wool shorn in 1883, 3.567; milch cows, 595; dogs. 197; sheep 
killed and injured, 9; animals died of disease, 135 hogs, 95 sheep, 28 cattle 
and 15 horses. 



684 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

VENICE TOWNSHIP. 

THIS township, inclndiag the southeru part of the "gore." was sur- 
veyed into quarter sections in 1820, by Price J. Kellogg, and the lands 
offered for sale in 1821. Venice formed a part of Thompson Township fi'om 
1820 to 1 829, when it was established a separate township and organized as 
such. The year of its organization the population was contined to families of 
the officers elected in 1829, and perhaps a few others named in the pioneer 
section of this chapter. In 1840 the census places the number of inhabitants 
Kt 1,222; in 1850, at 1.830; in 1860, at 2,013; in 1870, at 1,781, increased in 
1880 to 2,231, and in 1885 to 2,600 (estimated). In 1880 Attica Village 
claimed a population of 663, which nimiber has been added to considerably 
diu'ing the last five years. The name Venice was suggested by Johnson Ford 
to memorialize his home in Cayuga County, N. Y. 

Honey Ci'eek enters the county in fractional Section 19 and flowing in a 
tortuous course west by north, through the old settlement of Caroline, leaves 
the township in Section 6. A few small creeks are found both noi"th and south 
of Honey Creek. 

The Columbus and Sanduskj' pike road runs diagonally through the town- 
ship fi'om Attica Station, a mile north of the old village of Attica, through 
Caroline to Carrothers. The petition of Ezra Gilbert, presented to the county 
board in November. 1828, prayed for the establishment of a road beginning at 
the town line, two and one-half miles west of Attica, and running south In- 
east so as to intersect the New Haven road, three and one half miles east of 
Attica, near the line of Huron County. The petition was granted, the line 
was at once smweyed by David Risdon. and cut through or nnderbmshed by 
Ezi'a Gilbert, Johnson Ford and Samuel Halsted, within six days. 

The Northwestern Ohio Railroad runs through the southwestern sections, 
while the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad passes across the extreme northeastern 
corners of fi'aetional Section 6 and Section 1. 

The lands are fertile, and the face of the countiy just sulfieiently rolling to 
confer on it a beauty and utility which could not belong to a level country. 

Orfjatiic and Official. — This township was established in 1829 (r/r/c Trans- 
actions of the Commissioners" Board, Chap. IV. ), and the first election held 
June 13, that year. Thomas West, Ezra Gilbert and Moses Smith were chosen 
trustees; Philip E. Bronson, clerk; James Halsted, treasui'er; Henrj- Speaker. 
Elisha Fair, overseers of the poor; Cornelius Gilmore and Ezi-a Gilbert, fence 
viewers; and WaiTen Blakesly, constable. 

From this date to 1 854 the township shares with many other divisions of 
the county'in the loss of old record books. Those old books alone could tell 
the story of each annual election, and to the fact of their being lost or de- 
stroyed, rather than to any carelessness on the part of the present townshi]) 
clerk, who made out the following list, or the historian, must be attributed the 
((uarter century break in the official historj'. Many of the men refeiTed to in 
the pioneer section of this chapter will be identified as sharing in the local 



VENICE TOWNSHIP. 685 

government of the township in early days. The following list contains the 
names of township officers fi'om 1854 to 1885: 

lS5-t. — Franklin Gray, Henry Meyers, James Hanna, trustees; James Mc- 
Maniu;al, clerk. 

1S55. — J. W. Carson, AVilliam Sourwine, James Hanna, trustees; James 
Mc^Ianigal. clerk. 

1850. — H. N. Chase, Hiram Royce, Samuel Weaver, trustees; James Mc- 
Manigal. clerk. 

1857. — James Hanna, Jehu Lozier, M. E. Crow, trustees; James Mc]!klan- 
igal, clerk. 

1858-59. — William Sounvine, Christ Link, Stephen Friedley, trustees; S. 
A. Ringle, clerk. 

1860. — Charles Guyer, Christ Link, Stephen Friedley, trustees; S. A. Rin- 
gle, clerk. 

1861.— Henry Smith, E. W. Tink. Stephen Friedley. trustees; S. A. Rin- 
gle, clerk. 

1862. — Heni'y Smith, Frederick Steigmeyer. Stephen Friedley, trustees; 
S. A. Ringle, clerk. 

1863. — Peter Basore. F. Steigmeyer, Stephen Friedley, trustees; S. A. Rin- 
gle, clerk. 

1864. — Peter Basore, F. Steigmeyer, Mathias Carrothers, trustees; S. A. 
Ringle, clerk. 

181)5-66. — Peter Basore, F. Steigmeyer, Samuel Bemenderfer, trustees; S. 
A. Ringle, clerk. 

18f)7. — Peter Basore. Joseph Friedley, Franklin Gray, trustees; F. H. 
Steigmeyer. clerk. 

1868. — David Ringle, Joseph Friedley, J. D. Sumerlin, trustees: David 
McManigal. clerk. 

1869. — David Ringle, Ji-., Samuel Speaker, J. D. Sumerlin, trustees; S. 
A. Ringle. clerk. 

1870. — David Ringle, Jr., Wallace Olds, J. W. Carson, trustees: W. M. 
Miller, clerk. 

1871. — Michael Steinmetz, Joseph HufiFman, William Everingim, tni.stees; 
W. :M^ Miller, clerk. 

1 8 ri. — Michael Steinmetz, G. W. Lemmou, H. F. Myers, tru.stees; Ed. 
Bemenderfer, clerk. 

1873. — Michael Steinmetz, Wallace Olds, Joseph Huffman, trustees; W. 
M. Miller, clerk. 

1874. — M. Steinmetz, Joseph Friedley, Lewis Bollinger, trustees; W. M. 
Miller, clerk. 

1875. — William King, Joseph Friedley, I. A. Spencer, trustees; F. H. 
Steigmeyer, clerk. 

1876. — William King, David Ringle, Jr., I. A. Spencer, trustees: F. H. 
Steigmeyer. clerk. 

1877. —William King, David Ringle, Jr., H. J. Smith, trustees: F. H. 
Steigmeyer, clerk. 

1878. — George Gangheff, J. W. Steigmeyer, H. J. Smith, trustees; F. H. 
Steigmeyer, clerk. 

1879. — Michael Steinmetz, Fred. Wolfert, George Heabler, trustees; James 
L. Couch, clerk. 

1880. — David Holmes, Fred. Wolfert, George Heabler, tnistees: James L. 
Couch, clerk. 



686 



HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 



Hoke, trustees; James L. 
Hoke, trustees; James L. 



1881. — David Holmes, J. ^^'. Link, George Heabler, tnistees; James L. 
Couch, clerk. 

1882. — David Holmes, J. W. Link, John F. Hoke, trustees; James L. 
Couch, clerk. 

1883.— David Holmes, J. W. Link. John F. 
Couch, clerk. 

1884. — David Holmes. J. W. Link, John F. 
Couch, clerk. 

The officers of Venice for 1885-86 are David Holmes, William King and 
John B. Wilhelm. trustees; James L. Coiich, clerk; A. B. Brant, treasiu-er; 
J. T. Meyers, assessor; A. F. Lepper and Otto Blust, constables; James L. 
Couch and O. J. McPherson. justices of the peace. 

Pioneers of Venice. — Half a centmy and eight years have elapsed since 
the pioneer of American civilization looked into the wilderness of Venice Town- 
ship, and called it his home. To Cornelius Gilmore, Johnson Ford, Samuel 
Halsted, the fii-st road-makers, the Urst farmers, the tirst actual workers in the 
township, the special honors pertaining to pioneers are accorded. Although 
they first settled on the head waters of Honey Creek a full decade after the 
adventurous pioneers of Delaware Covmty visited and settled on the Sandusky 
at Fort Ball, and eight years after the Welchs settled on lower Honey Creek, 
the honors are still due; for then the beautiful district, now called Venice, 
was a wilderness, unvisited by the pioneers of other parts of the county and 
indeed unheard of by them. In the following pages the writer has made an 
effort to group all the pioneers together, and speak of each so far as authentic 
accounts permit. 

John Armatage settled here in 1829. coming that year fi'om Maryland, 
where he was born in 1806. 

John Barrick settled in Seneca County in 1884 .... Joel Billings settled 
here in 1829. . . .Lewis Bollinger (deceased), born in Germany in 1825, came 
from Stark County, Ohio, to this county in 1844, settling in this township. 

Jeremiah Carpenter and Charles D. and Emeline (Michener) Carpen- 
ter — former born in 1823, died in 1868, latter born in 1830. died in 1873. 
parents of William A. Carpenter — were early settlers .... Samuel and Eliza- 
beth (Wiloughby) Carson, natives of Pennsylvania, father of J. M'. Carson, 
came to this county in 1835, and here died at advanced ages .... Robert Car- 
son, grandfather of J. W. Carson, came to the county at an early date and 
here died in 1836. His wife died same year . . . . H. M. Chandler came from 
Connecticut in 1838 .... Matthew J. Clark, who died Januaiy 4, 1882, in his 
fifty-sixth year, was an old settler of Venice TowTiship. He moved to Tiifin 
many years ago .... Jacob Cook settled here in 1829 . . . . H. B. Covuiwi-ight, 
in 1832 , . . . James Madison Crabbs. father of Cjtus N. Crabbs, came here at 
an early date .... Samuel Croxton settled here in 1829. 

Stephen and Magdalena Dick came fi'om Alsace, Germany (then France), 
to this country in 1830; lived twenty-two years in this and seventeen in Bloom 
Township, finally locating in Thompson Township in 1872. Stephen Dick 
died in 1876; his widow resides near Frank's Corners. 

Jacob Ebersole, born in Pennsylvania in 1807. has resided here since 1834. 
. . . .Gov. Edwards settled here in 1829. 

Elisha Fair settled here in December, 1828 ... .Philip and Chri.stina 
(Kerner) Falter, natives of Germany, came thence to Seneca County, in 1883; 
former died in 1842. J. B. Falter, their son. also a native of Germany, born 
in 1826, lives in Venice Townshij) . . . . Philip Falter, born on mid-ocean in 1823 
(his pai'ents being on their way from Germany to the United States, and who 



VENICE TOWNSHIP. 6)^7 

died in Venice Township), married Miss Elizabeth Houek, and they then 
came to Venice Townshij). where they Vioth died, in 1S72 . . . .Jolinson Ford, horn 
in Renssehier County. N. Y. . Jun(>'.l. ITUCi. came to Seneca Conntv in IN'JS. fi-om 
Cayuf^a Coiitity, N. Y. . and, purchasing 1(10 acres of land. where Attica Villatre 
now stands, entered on pioneer wt)rk in the wilderu(\ss. His neighbor. Cornelius 
Gilmore, settled in the townshi]) the year before, and a few others came in 
1829. Mr. Ford opened the tirst farm in Venice Township, clearing, plowing, 
and sowing the seed himself. His wife. Esther, died March T.t. 18211. and her 
remains had to be cairied to the Seipio Cemetery. Shortly after he revisited 
New Y'ork State, and there married a second time; returning with his bride to 
the wilderness. In IS^:! or lS>i4 lie was appointed superintendent of the Union 
Sunday-school, succeeding John Miirtairi. and this position he held until IS.IB 
oris,")!): when the Presl)yterian Church was organized in October, LS;5:5. he was 
ordained an elder. He and Ezra Gilbert suggested the name Attica for the 
present village in 182U, and the same year he gave the name of Venice to the 
township. For over half a century he has made the township his home and 
shared in every effort to develop it .... J. J. Friedley and his father, Ludwick 
Friedley, a Pennsylvanian. settledherein IS^iS, latter dying in 1871. Barbara 
(Link), wife of J. J. Friedley. born in Germany, came when two years old with 
her jiarents. who were among the first settlers of Seneca County. It is stated 
on other authority that this family came in 1883. 

Cornelius Gilmore was the tirst settler and lii'st blacksmith in Venice Town- 
ship, having settled here in June, 1827. where O. J. McPherson's house now' 
stands, on the south bank of Honey Creek. About 1882 Mr. Gilmore removed 
the Caroline postoffice, when a new office was established at Attica .... The 
tii-st road in the township, from a point two and a half miles west of Attica to 
the Hiu-on County line, was cut through in November, 1828. by Ezra Gilliert, 
Johnson Ford and Samuel Halsted. and a year later Ezra Gilbert erected his 
cabin where the Ford & Stranler hardware store of Attica's later days stands. 
Ezra Gill)ert settled here in April. 1829, and was the first postmaster, and 
first settlei' on the site of Attica. 

James Hanna. born in Pennsylvania in 1804. came to Venice Township in 
1!S34. . . .Samuel Halsted settled here in August. 1S2S. . . .The Ham iltons were 
here in 1845. . . .Samuel Harper, a soldier of the Eevolution, an Irishman, was 
biu'ied in Sycamore Township in 1821 .... Samuel Hawk was here in 183ri .... 
George Heabler. Sr. , a native of Pennsylvania, located in Venice Township in 
188."), bringing his son George, of Attica and Tiffin . , . . George Herr came ft-om 
Germany in l.sr)2 . . . . John Hillis. a native of Ireland, came direct from his 
native land to Seneca County. si>ttling in Venice Townshi)) in 184<). dying in 

187ri John Holmes, born in Jefferson County. Ohio, in 18(17. came here in 

an early day, and now resides with his son. David .... Samuel and Charles 
Hoyt settled here in 1S.'')4. Sanuiel died in 1S72. Charles resides in ^\'yandot 
County.... J. W. Huffman, born in Columbiana County. Ohio, in 1S87. was 
brought by his ])arents, Jacob and Catharine (Weaver) Huffman, to Venice 

Townshi]) in 1889: JacoVi Huffman died in 1855 Michael Hull, a native of 

Pennsylvania, born in 1807, came to this county in 1834, settling on 5fi() 
acres of laud on Section 7 of Venice Township, where he still resides. . . .Mi- 
chael and Barl)ara (Free) Hull, ])areuts of George F, Hull, were early settlers 
of this township, where Michael Hull now resides. 

Thomas Kem]), born in Pennsylvania in 1813, came with liis parents, 
David and Sarah (\Vard) Kemp, to Venice Township in an early day . . . . 
David J. Kelly was here in 1849. 

John C. and Christianna (Eichenhofer) Lebold, parents of Jacob F. 



688 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

Lebold. all natives o^ Germany, came from Tuscarawas Coiinty. Ohio, in 1842. 
to Section 16, this township, where John C. still resides. . . .Aveiy Leonard, 
born in Pennsylvania in 1 798, came here with his family in 1834 .... John 
Lepard was here in 1831 ... .Jacob and Maryann (Gerling) Link, n.itives of 
Germany, came to this county in 1838, the former dying in 1841. Their son. 
J. \V. Link, born on the ocean, when his parents were on their way to Amprica, 
resides in Venice Township. . . ..John Lozier came in 1853. 

J. McCai-ty and Daniel McCarty, natives of Ireland, settled here about 
1832 or 1834. . . .John and Elizabeth (Hannah) McClelland, natives of Penn- 
sylvania, settled here in 1836. . . .James McKibben came here in June, 1830. 
....James B. McKibben, a Penu.sylvanian, was here in 1832. .. .William 
McPherson settled in Venice Township in November. 1828. He was born 
in Scotland in 1793. . . .Henrj- and Kebecca (Free) Meyers, former a native of 
Switzerland, l)orn in 181)8, were early pioneers of the county. Mr. Meyers 
came in 1835, a comparatively poor young man, and at his death in 1884 he 
owned over 2.0(H) acres of land .... Nathan Merrimau settled in Venice in 

1829 The Metcalf family settled here previous to 1836 John M. Miller. 

a native of Gennany. father of Paul Miller, immigrated to America in 1832; 
resided about four years in Medina County, Ohio, and then settled per- 
manently in this county. He died in 1884 .... Maurice and Hannah (Davis) 
Moore — former a native of New Jersey, born in 1 797 ; latter a native of Wales, 
born in 1800 — came to the county in 1834, settling in Venice Township. They 
died in 1883 ... .Andrew Moore settled here in 1830: died in 1846. His 
widow died in 1880. . . .Philip Muck settled in Venice in 1829. . . .Jacob and 
Fanny (Werder) Myers (or Meyers), natives of Switzerland. came to Ohio in 1829 
and to this coiinty in 1831. Their son, Henry F. flyers, also a native of 
Switzerland, born in 1822. came with them and is a farmer here . , . . Hemy 
Meyers, :' Tailor Meyers," as he was known to all. was born in village of Ober- 
endengen. Switzerland, April 2(^ 1807; died at Attica in July, 1884. In 
1835 he brought the first $5 in gold ever seen in Tiffin, and also piu'chased 
the first mowing machine and the first grain di'ill in Venice Township. Five 
years after he came to Seneca County, on July 11. 1840, he was man'ied. 
After working six years for one man at his trade in Philadelphia, he left there 
on the 10th of July, 1835, and came by canal to Sandusky. Ohio, arriving on 
the 29th of the same month, and walked to Attica on the old tiu'npike, where 
he had previously piu'chased wild land. For six years after his arrival in 
Seneca Coimty he worked at his trade in Tiffin, after which he worked for live 
years in the village of Attica, using his money thus earned for the improvement 
of his land. 

Jacob Newkii'k settled in Venice in 1831 . . . .Leonard and Mary (Hachter) 
Noble, natives of Germany, former born in 1822, latter in 1829, came the 
year they were married (1852) to Venice Township, and some time after moved 
to Reed Township, where Mr. Noble died in 1871. 

Mrs. Cathi'ine Olds died at the residence of her son. Wallace Olds, three 
and one- half miles west of Attica, July 18, 1878, aged seventj- one years, live 
months and thirteen days. Mrs. Olds was one of the old jsioneers of Seneca 
County, having resided here forty-two years. 

William Pollinger, a Pennsylvanian. came in 1855. 

Jeremiah Eex {vide Chapter V). . . .S. H. Ringle, an Ohioan, was here in 
1832 .... Stephen Rogers, a native of England, came to America in 1818. and 
to this county in 1837. John Rogers, a pioneer farmer of the county, born in 
France in 1819, is a son of his. . . .David Roop settled here in 1829. . . .Aaron 
Rush, an old settler of Venice Township, died in 1837. 



VENICE TOAVNSHIP. 689 

Jacob Schaaf, who came from Germany in IS'29. is an old sottlor here. . . . 
Sebastian Scnn, a native of Hwitzorhind. born in 1S28, came in IS^iS with his 
father, who settled on a farm in this county. . . .Samuel Shade, Sr. . born in 
IS(K), purchased, in 18;J4, 'MM acres of timber land in Venice Township; he 
came from Columl)iana County, Ohio; died at Tiflfhi in 1872. Samuel Shade, 
his .son, resides in Eden Township .... J. L. Shirey came from Pennsylvania in 
1844. . . .Christian Shuly, a native of Penn.sylvania came in 18r)(). . . . Ludwig 
Shoup came from (Germany in 1854. . . .Georf;ce Sillman. father of Jlrs. Michael 
Kirchner, of 'J'itHn. came from Germany and settled in Venice Tinvnship about 
1888. . . .Maiiin Smeltz, a native of Germany, was among the early settlers of 
this county. . . .John and Maiy (Weaver) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania, par- 
ents of Martin Smith, of Venice Township, came to the county in 1888, and 
settled in this township, where John Smith died in 1882. . . .Jacob and Cath- 
arine (Myers) Smith, natives of Switzerland, jiarents of Mi-s. Norman Benham, 
of Scipio Township, came to America in 1827, and in course of time were early 
settlers of Venice Township .... Jeremiah Smith, born in Bedford County, 
Penn., February IS, 1818, came to Seneca County in 1884, and died here 
January 5, 1 885 .... Eli Snow. Cold Creek ( see story of the Indian • 'Pumpkin' ' ). 
. . . .Henry Speaker, Jr., settled here in 182U. and erected the first saw-mill in 
1831 ... .Samuel and Hannah (Harper) Speaker, parents of Samuel Speaker, 
came in 1840; Samuel died in 1S()8 . . . .Huckins Spencer, born in Maine, 
father of I. A. Spencer, of Venice Township, settled in this county in 1 884 .... 
Frederick Steigmeyer, a native of Switzerland, came fi-om Pennsylvania to 
Seneca County in 1886. .. .John Steigmeyer, father of Mrs. John B. Blum, 
was a native of Switzerland, born in 1811; he settled, in 1885. two miles west 
iif Attica, where he still resides .... Martin and Elizabeth (Lang) Steinmetz, 
parents of Mrs. J. B. Falter, natives of Alsace, came to Seneca County about 
1833....M. C. Steinmetz, born in France in 1829, came with his parents, 
Martin and Elizabeth (Baltz) Steinmetz, from France to America al)Out 1881, 
and to Venice Township about 1 887 .... James D. Stevenson, a native of Ver- 
mont, settled here in 1838, died in Michigan in 18()5. . . .John A. Stephenson, 
father of Prof. William H. Stejihenson, of Attica, and a native of Pennsj'lvania. 
settled in Venice Township in 1881 . . . .E. P. Sutton, known as "Pomeroy" 
Sutton, an old resident of Attica, died December 27, 1879, at New Washing- 
ton .... Lester Sutton came fi-om New York State in 1852. 

John Tompkins, a native of New York, came in 1885. . . .Peter Trumpler, 
a native of Bavaria, was among the early settlers of the townshiji .... John 
Trumpler was here in 1841. 

Samuel Weaver, father of E. Weaver, of Attica, was born in Maryland in 
1822, and came among the early settlers to this county; he died in 18()3. . . . 
Martin S. Weaver, born in Pennsylvania in 1811. came here in 1888. . . .Thomas 
West settled in Venice in October, 1828. . . . James Willoughby, who owned the 
northwest quarter of Section 84 in 1829, died in 1885. . . .Jacob Wise, a Penn- 
sylvanian, settled here in 1828. .. .Samuel Wise, a native, was here in 1887. 
. . . .John and Samuel Woolet settled here in 1829. . . .Christian and Hannah 
(Lehman) Worm came into the county from Germany in 1888. 

Earlij I)i(li<ntricK. — Henry S])eaker"s saw-mill was erected between Caroline 
and .\ttica in 1881. Th(> jjower was supplied by oxen. The first grist-mill 
and carding mill was established in 1832. This was simply a conversion of 
Speaker's old sawmill. The ^letcalf Steam Saw-Mill was erected in 188(') by 
Ebenezer and George Metcalf, close to the spot on which the Heabler Mill was 
afterward built. The fire of March. 1840, destroyed this buOding. The Kiu- 
naman Steam Saw & Gri.st-Mills were erected at Caroline by Peter Kinnaman, 



690 HISTORY OF SEXECA COUNTY. 

and carried on until destroyed by tire. In 18D7 Ephraim Groves' son was 
scalded to death, owing to the explosion of the boiler in this concern. The 
Steigmeyer Steam Saw-Mill was erected near the site of the Metcalf Mills, and 
a grist-mill added siilssequently. This industry is now can-ied on by the 
Heablers. 

The conspiracy of 1857 to defi-aud the people reached its zenith at Attica. 
Schiiyler, Higley and Chandler were among the leaders of those fi'audiilent 
dealers. The counterfeiters were also busy at this time and had a den in this 
township. 

ATTICA. 

The location of this village on Sections 10 and 3. Venice Township, at the 
crossing of the TifSu and Sandusky roads, was selected in 1838 by William and 
Samuel Miller, and surveyed for them l)y David Eisdon. Four years prior to 
this time Ezra Gilbert built a cabin iu the center of what is now the village of 
Attica, where he kept a tavern and established a postoflice, winning for it 
firom the department the name of his old home, Attica, X. Y. Thus the Jlillers 
had not to go to the trouble of selectinof a name for their new town in the 
wilderness. Nathan jNIerriman's store was also established here, and within 
live years from the day of Gilbert's settlement the place grew fiom one log- 
cabin to be a village of twenty dwellings and of a population bordering on 
100. Johnson Ford erected his cabin iu 1828. In 1831 the tirst fi'ame house 
in the township was erected by Jacob Newkirk iu the business center of the 
village. 

Attica was platted April 7, 1833, by David Eisdon for William and Samuel 
Miller. Miller & Schuyler's addition of Hugh 51. Ellis' lands was surveyed 
in Januaiy, 1848, by H. B. Cain for John Miller and Marcus Schuyler. An 
addition to this addition was maile at the same time for John L. LaMareaux, 
H. Chandler, Joseph Baughman, John Heckman, John ShurifP and D. K. Burg. 

The following-named additions were made in 1873-74 and 1875: George 
Eingle's, October, 1873: David Einffle'.s, October, 1873; William King's, 
February, 1875: Finley Eingle's, December, 1874: Boyle & Bemenderfer's, 
March, 1875. The additions to the village in Sections 3 and 10 were authorized 
by the commissioners, October 1, 1875. A petition to extend the limits of 
Attica coi-poration was presented to the county board by Lester Sutton, agent. 
May 26, 1880. The contest which ensued is of record. 

Bemenderfer & Gates' addition was surveyed in March, 1882, and Eingle 
& Lemmon's adelition in Ajn-il, 1882. 

ORGANIC .\KD 0FFICI.\L. 

The first officers of Attica Village, elected April 0, 1850, were: John L. 
LaMoreaux, mayor; Samuel Miller, clerk: AMlliam Rininger, treasiu-er: S. E. 
Martin, marshal; Samuel Crobaugh, D. K. Burg, Benjamin Kelly, John Heck- 
man and John Eingle, councilmen; Samuel Miller, M. E. Moltz. John Lay, 
Ebeu. Metcalf, Orlando Miller and James H. Brisco. members of board of 
education. The mayors of Attica since that time are named as follows: William 
Miller. 1851; William Eininger, 1852-55; P. Kinnaman. 1855: K. H. Blodgett. 
1850-57; W. Eininger, 1858: P. Kinnaman. 185U: W. Eininger, ISliO; J. R. 
Buckingham and E.H. Blodgett. 18()1: E. H. Blodgett. 1802; W. Eininger, 1805; 
W. M. Miller, 18()0; H. M. Chandler (vacancv), ISOO, and elected 1807-08; 
H. J. Ford, ISO'J; J. C. Meyers, 1870-74; J. 'W. Simpson, 18(4 (died that 
year): James L. Couch, 1874-70, re-elected in 187fi; and William Harman, 
the present mayor. 



VENICE TOWNSHIP. 691 

The names of those who have held the jiosition of city clerks are as follows: 
Samuel Miller, IS'iO; Josephiis Chandler, Isaiah Frederick, M. Schuyler, \V. 
B. Ames, C. V. Fay, J. W. Brown, S. A. Ringle. W. M. Miller, J. W. Simp- 
son, W. M. Miller and the present city clerk, James L. Couch. 

The names of those who have been elected and served as councilmen since 
18r)2. are as follows: John Miller, H. B. Cain, Samuel Crobaugh, AVilliam 
Kininger, I. A. Childs. William Miller. B. Patterson, John Shade, G. W. 
Moltz, James Hull, J. D. Harford, John A\'olf, M'illiam McJIanigal. Leonard 
Buts or Brets, P. Kiunaman, Samuel Ernest, A. P. Philo, S. A. Ringle, Levi 
Rice. T. T. Cook, "^\'illiam Smith. George Heabler, John Engelhart, Henry 
Heabler. J. Q. Holmes, J. D. Meyers, John Heabler. J. A\'. Leonard. John 
Foster, J. W. Hall, Hiram Roycp. George Ringle. Jacob Eljersole, M. R. Moltz, 
J. M. Silcox, Thomas Neelev, Samuel Bemeuderfer, James L. Couch, William 
King, J. R. Strandler, David Sanford, Ed. Bemenderfer. J. F. Lebold, F. H. 
Steigmeyer. A. B. Brant, David Heabler, Simeon Decker, J. L. Friedley, T. 
K. Crane, H. S. Seavolt. Jacob Engelhart and D. T. Heabler. 

BUSINESS INTERESTS. 

The first postoffice at Attica was opened in 1832, with Ezi-a Gilbert, post- 
master; the owner of the first tavern there. In 1833. Xathan Memman, of 
Bucpiis, opened the first store. V,'. M. Miller was postmaster at this point 
for years. Levi J. Todd is the present postmaster. 

The business cii'cle of Attica in 1884-85 comprised the following: Bemen- 
derfer & Co., sash, door and blind factoiy; Heabler Bros., flouring-mills; Hall 
& Meyers, iron founders ; George Keller, brick and tile-makers : Libe & Burget, 
carriage-makers; Armatage & Wiu'ts, J. R. Strandler. hardware; David S. 
Jackson, saw-mill; J. ^^'. Walker, furnitiue and undertaker; W. Smith, fur 
nitui'e; George Sherman, harness; Friedly Bros. , Rininger ^ Silcox, George 
H. Hamilton, Leonard Sachs, Myers & Keller, F. H. Steigmeyer, merchants; 
T. K. Crane, jeweler; J. M. Teeples, milliner: Engelhart & Klear, black- 
smiths: David Heabler, boots and shoes; R. T. Hearson, J. F. Lebold. dnig- 
gists; J. Reid, C. Schottler. tailors; X. S. YanHorne, baker; J. M. Rice, 
painter; Jacob CourtwTight, livery; William King.cooper; George Kupp, meat 
market; David Ap-es, W. SchofF, hotels: Adolf Hassler, billiards; A. Kappas, 
F. Uhle. Joseph Myers, saloons; James L. Couch. O. J. McPherson, justices 
of the peace: William Harmau, dentist; M. H. Mills, H. G. Blaine, A. W. 
Knight. Alfred Force; J. K. Buckingham, C. L. Jones, physicians; Lester 
Sutton, attorney, banker, etc. ; Dr. H. G. Blaine, George Stoner, editors Attica 
Journal. 

The old buildings which occupied the site of the M'illiam Rininger build- 
ing, were destroyed by fire in 1853. In 1850 another fire swept away the old 
William Miller Hotel, northwest corner of Main and TiflSn Streets, then con- 
ducted by H. M. Chandler. Subsequently the Chandler Block was erected on 
th(> spot. 

CHURCHES. 

The first sermon in Venice Township was delivered by the Presbj-ter- 
ian preacher of Melmore about 1830, and a L'nion Sabbath -school was organ- 
ized early in 1833, by Agent Patty, of which Martain was chosen superintend- 
ent. 

Thf Presbyterian Society was organized in October, 1833, with thirteen 
members, by E. Conger and E. Judson. of Hiuon Presbyteiy. John Holmes 
and Johnson Ford were the first elders. 

Attica Bajifist Society \ras organized in 1841, with nine memViei-s. Not, 



692 HISTORY OF SENECA CODNTY 

however, until April 2, 18-42. was the first preacher appointed in the person 
of Kev. S. M. Mack. In 1852 the Baptist Chiu-ch was erected. 

Baptist Church of Attica was organized July 17, 1841. with the follow- 
ing members; Nathan Childs. Adam Philo, Russell Windriison, Leonard Gip- 
son. Thomas Rundell, Eliza Childs, Electa Philo. Hannah Windi'uson. Hilda 
Gipson and Nancy Rundell, all of whom have gone to join the church above. 
The pastors of the church have been A. Abbott, E. Goodnow, Y. R. Wall, 
Elder L. Mack, F. Freeman, A. C. Lockhart, E. 'S^'. Clark, J. Hawker. Rea- 
son Lockhai-t, Robert Lockhart, J. L. Wiley, Frank Lyon, A. Buell, T. Dyall, 
and E. W. Lyon. The secretaries of the societ}' were E. H. Blodgett. H. P. 
Philo. L. L. Gipson and John Riddle. The last named has served twenty 
years. The membership is fifty-nine, and the value of church property is 
$3,000. 

United Brethren Society was organized in 1855 by Rev. M. Bulger, with 
the following named members: William Seed, Hemy Hershiser and wife, 
Mi-s. Miller and Mrs. Huddlestone. The pastors of the ehiu'ch, since its organi- 
zation, are named as follows: Revs. M. Bulger. S. Jacoby. S. Altman. — Og- 
den, J. F. Seiler, S. Foster, William Nevill, William Mathers. J. Aumiller, 
W. W. McCurdy. Klingle, O. H. Ramsey, C. L. Bevington and W. A. Keesy, 
the present incumbent. The societ}^ is building a new brick church on the lot 
where the old church stands on Eden Street. 

Universalist Church of Attica was organized December 29. 1860. April 
26, 1860, a number of citizens of Attica and vicinity, met to consider the 
means for building a Universalist Church, when a vote in favor of the enter- 
prise was carried. William Rininger, Mark E. Crow, and Samuel Crobaiigh 
were elected trustees; John Childs, secretaiy. Individual suViscriptions were 
ordered to be divided into shares of §5 each, and each share was entitled to a 
vote. Samuel Crobaugh presented his interest, valued at $60. to the chiu'ch May 
2, 1861. Among the original members, besides those named above, were Par- 
thena Crow, Miranda Crow, Maria Crow, Maiy Metealf. Naomi Pruden, Har- 
rison Hathaway, Lodency and Louisa Childs. The pastors have been Rev. 
E. E. Wood, six months; H. R. Nye, twenty-fom- months; J. W. Henley, 
eighteen months; J. F. Rice, six months; N. A. Saxton, six months; A. J. 
Seitz, twenty-four months; G. R. Brown, eighteen months, and J. F. Rice, the 
present pastor, twelve years. The secretaries of the society have been H. 
Hathaway. J. H. Boyle, Maria and Allie Boyle, Martha Silcox, Anna Meyers, 
Arvilla Green, J. N. Lee, W. T. Meyers. F. H. Steigmeyer. Nettie Couch, and 
L. J. Todd. The house of worship was erected in 1800. The membership is 
ninety. 

The MethodiMs of Venice organized in 1835. 

Methodist Protestant Church was organized at Attica early in 1866. The 
names of original members are William McPherson and wife. Maurice Moore 
and wife. Mrs. George Ringle, Mrs. David Ringle. ]\Iary Bennet, !Mi's. Lester 
Sutton, Mrs. Elizabeth Day, and Mrs. Vahnliiah Williams. The names of 
pastors are given as follows: Maiy Ann Steinbaugh. H. J. Bradford, James 
Williams. W. S. Cairns, J. H. Gray. L. Boman, The jiresent pastor is D. C. 
Cobiu-n. The number of members is placed at 105, and the value of jiropertv 
at $4,000. 

Attica Mission of the Metliodist Church, at Heed, was reorganized in 1872, 
and James Williams, Adolph SaUieres and Hiram Boyd were elected trustees 
November 30, 1872. 

The English Lutherans organized in 1838, and in 1840-41, erected the 
Union Church, afterward controlled by the United Brethren. This church was 
sold for debt, piu'chased by Johnson Ford and used as a Union Chiu'ch for years. 



VENICE TOWNSHIP. G93 

*Er(itigclical Lutheran Congregation, originally consistod of German Lutlier- 
an and German Reformed members who settled here between 1880 and 1N40. 
Rev. Conrad. Lutheran minister then residing at Tiffin. h(>ld the first services 
in 1S3-J-37 in private houses. In 1839 Rev. Kra ise also of Tiffin (Lutheran) 
was called and preached every fovu' weeks for about sis years. In 1!S42 during 
his stay hero the first ehm-ch was built, a log structure to the east of Caroline. 
In 1S43 a complete organization was effected and a constitution adopted, and 
the chiu'ch was known as the German Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed 
Congregation. Rev. Krause's successor was Rev. Robi'rt Graetz (now of St. 
Mary's. Ohio), 1S45-.J5. In December. 1855. Rev. \\". Schmogrow (deceased), 
then of Xew Washington, was called. In the spring of 1 857 dissatisfaction hav- 
ing arisen on the part of the Reformed on account of Lutheran isructiee at the 
Lord's Supper, a separation took place, both parties organizing separately. 
The Lutheran portion organized in the fall of the same year in accordance with 
the laws of the State as the "German Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehem Con- 
gregation of CiU'oline, Ohio." and adopted its own constitution. Its officers 
then were Conrad Lebold and Valentine Roehring. elders: Martin Smeltz 
and Jeremiah Smith, deacons: John Springer, Daniel Schaf and Jacob 
Faber. trustees. The constitution is still the constitution of the cougi-egation. 
The pastors following Eev. Schmogrow were Rev. Paul Mueller (now at 
AVichita Kas.): Rev. Carl Schmidt (now at HulAiard. Ohio): Rev. Buech 
enstein. Rev. W. Braunwarth, Eev. A. C. L'lrich (now at Nor walk, Ohio); Rev. 
Kramer (now at Castle Garden. New York): Rev. J. Krieger (now at Arling- 
ton. Ohio): firom May, 1883, to May, 1884. Rev. H. G. Suiter (now atBelle- 
vue, Ohio), and since June, 1884. Rev. Carl Ackermann. In 1870 the pres- 
ent' church was built at a cost of perhaps §2.500. This spring a new parson- 
age was seciu'ed. costing Sl,20(>. The German language was always the me- 
dium used in preaching until Rev. Suiter was called, since which time German 
and English have been used alternately. At present the congregation numbers 
about eighty communicant members. Mr. Leonard Sachs is the present secre- 
tary of the congregation. ^ 

English Reformed Church, at Carrothers, was founded some years ago. This 
church at Caroline claims a membership of 100 and a large chiuxh building. 
The Smiday-school of the chiu-ch at Carrothers was organized in April, 1885. 
with the following named officers: superintendent, G. S. McKee: assistant 
superintendent. P. H. Buchmau: secretary. Ida McClelland; treasurer, Katie 
Goetize. 

.S.S'. Peter and Paul Church, of Attica, is modern in organization, but old in 
its membership. Previous to the year 1882. the few Catholics living in and 
around Attica, having no house of worship of their own, attended the nearest 
Catholic Church for religious services. At a social meeting in the spring of 
1882 the first steps toward the organization of the SS. Peter and Paul congre 
gation were taken. The question of building a Catholic Church at Attica was 
then eagerly discussed by John and Frederick Steigraeyer and Seljastian Seiin, 
three of the oldest and most respected settlers of Attica: J. B. Blum. F. X. 
Snyder and Knipp Bros. The result was a subscription of $1,0110 for buying 
a suitable place for the intended church. Soon the work commenced and 
October 2Vt, 1882. the church was dedicated to divine service. July 17. 
18S2. Rev. X. Htithmacher was appointed first i)astor of the newly organized 
congregation but no religious service was held before October 2'.', 1NS2. the day 
of detlication. The present membership comprises twenty-five families; the 
original number was six families. The value of the property is placed at 
$4.0(10. 

•By r.ev. Carl Ackeriuaun, preavliL-r. 



G94: HISTORY OF SENECA COUXTV. 

CEMETERIES. 

The first death in the township was that of Esther, wife of Jonathan Ford, 
who died March 19, 1829. She was buried in the Scipio Cemetery. Samuel 
Halsted's child, who died shortly after, was interred in a field near the pike road, 
while Philip Muck's child was interred on the "Ford Farm. " where Johnson 
Ford donated and cleared a small cemetery. 

Myers Cemetery Association was organized August 27, 1808. with Dr. J. C. 
Meyers, H. F. Myers, George W. Meyers, J. D. Meyers, D. Zimmerman, David 
Smith, D. C. Meyers, Abram Meyers and H. A. Meyers. 

SOCIETIES. 

Venice Lodge No. 197, I. O. O. F. was chartered April 30, 1852, and 
elected trustees under the act of May 1, 1852, January 16, 1855. Jacob "Wise, 
C\Tus King and Michael R. Moltz were chosen trustees, and John L. Laraar- 
eaus, clerk. The names of original members are Isaiah Fredrick, M. R. Moltz, 
David Bennett, W. H. Cronkite. "William Croxton, George W. INIoltz, J. L. 
Kinuaman, J. P. Kinnaman, Solomon Gambee. The roll of Past Grands em- 
braces the following names: J. L. Kinnaman, David Bennett, Isaiah Fred- 
rick, George W. Moltz, W. Sourwine, Leonard Butts, "W. V. B. Ames, A. S. 
Wickwu-e, Samuel Wise, C. Link, R. Willoughby, I. Barrick, Samuel Heabler, 
Thomas Neeley, Jacob Wise, J. R. Strandler, J. W. Simpson, A. Stout, 
Charles Schottler, W. King, E. W. Fink. M. R. Moltz, J. L. Couch. D. A. 
Boyle, CjTus King, J. L. LaMareaux, H. F. Myers, J. C. Meyers, L. A. Ringle, 
James Sowerwine, Jacob Decker, George Heabler, J. D. Meyers, H. Royce, 
Lester Sutton, J. A. Spencer, D. Y. Fink, Solomon Gambee, Mathias Dough- 
erty, William Harman, W. Olds, W. Green, D. J. Xeikirk, J. T. ISIeyers, -H. 
A. xMeyers, David Heabler, "W. O. Heabler, G. H. Rice, ^\. T. Meyers, G. F. 
Drake, S. S. Lepard, J. C. Moore, J. Schottler, S. A. Willoughby. Fremont 
Wickwire, Howard Price, Charles A\'eidner and George Engelhart. J. W. 
Walker is secretary, and J. T. Meyers, to whom the writer is indebted for this 
sketch, is the recording secretary. The number of members is seventy, and 
value of lodge property, §8,000. 

Rebecca Lodge No. 1 1 was organized here some years ago. 
Attica Lodge No. 367, F. &• A. M. was organized years ago. The greater 
number of names given in the history of the Odd Fellows' lodge are identified 
with this old Masonic circle. J. R. Strandler was Worshipful Master 'in 
1878, Lester W. Sutton in 1879-85. W. Harman has served as secretary for 
some years. G. W. Friedley is the present secretary. 

Attica Division No. 239, S. of T. , consisting of twenty members, reorgan- 
ized January 21, 1853, and elected Johnson Ford, William McCauley and 
George W. Culver, trustees, and John L. LaMareaux, clerk. 

Venice Township Farmers' Club, an old and useful organization, elected 
the following named oflficers in January, 1885: Wesley Hatton, president; 
David German, vice-president; Bert Rice, secretary; H. Hathaway, treasurer. 
Rice d- Cregloir Post No. 112. G. A. R., was organized under charter July 
31, 1881, with the following members: William Harman, Thomas Neeley, P. 
M. Hershiser. D. J. Neikirk. W. M. Miller, W. H. H. Miller, George E. 
Prudeu, John H. Carpenter, F. M. Kelly, John Lebold, S. S. Seiple, James 
Pangbiu-n, George H. Rice, J. F. Fink, J. C. Moore. H. A. Libe. John Hodge, 
Isaac Lepard, S. T. Groves, C. Sheely, Daniel Hubble, William Luce, S. C. 
Giites, Jacob Wise, John Sherwood, Jacob Decker, W. H. Stevenson, Daniel 
Carpenter. D. Y. Fink and J. T. "\\'illiams. The post was named in honor of 
Stephen Rice and Jos(>ph Creglow, who were killed at AMnchester. They en- 



VENICE TOW.NSHIl'. 695 

listed at Attica on the same day and were killed the same day. The Command- 
ers were William Harmau, lSSl-8;^; D. J. Neikirk, 1883-85. J. H. Carpen- 
ter, Adjutant. 

REVIEW. 

The village of Attica in itself presents an index to the townshiji. Main 
Street is well built up in the business district, and claims some large business- 
like mercantile houses, while, north and south, a wide boulevard extends, bor- 
dered by the neat cottage homos and substantial residences of the citizens. 
This street, in its extent and general appearance, compares very favorably 
with the residence streets of large cities. It is fast building up, and will uii- 
tloubtedly continue to spread out until the village of Attica Station and 
old Attica are united by one well built up thoroughfare. The chiu'ches, 
schools, newspaper press, secret and l)enevolent societies, literary and art so- 
cieties, and all the evidences of an advanced state in cultiu'e and wealth are 
found here, conferring on this southeastern village of the county an impress of 
Seneca" s gi'owth in all that contributes to public well being. 

SMALL VILLAGES. 

Can-others was laid out on Sections 32 and 33, August 21, 1873, by John 
Newman, surveyor, for James Can-others. The business interests are represent- 
ed by the following: G. S. McKee, ]\Iartiu Phillips, Jacob Buchmaii, general 
stores: H. Einsel, grain and seed; A. Kerchner, boots and shoes: W. H. Moweiy, 
produce: A. Snyder, blacksmith: E. Albangh, lumber; O. Blust, saw-mill: 
Carson & Friedly, John Dellinger, stock dealers; Jacob Durr, wagon-maker; 
Huser & Knecht, tile factory; J. B. Falter, breeder of line stock; P. Regula. 
hotel: H. A. Brick, saloon; J. J. Deck, physician; G. S. McKee, postmaster: 
Henry V. Tmmpler. agent Pennsylvania Railroad Company. 

The town of Caroline was j^rojected and svu-veyed by James Kilboui'ne for 
Hector and BvTon Kilbourne and Cornelius Gilmore February 28, 1828, on 
Sections 10 and 15. There is also on record a survey of the village, alleged 
to have been made in June, 1837, and protracted by L. E. Holtz in 1858 for 
James Kilb(jurni'. Jr. The name was confened in honor of Caroline, daugh- 
ter of Cornelias Gilmore. 

The tirst settler near Caroline was Cornelius Gilmore in 1827. Before the 
close of 1830 he built the tirst house in the village, and within the following 
ten years the population increased to twenty-seven. When Gilmore located at 
Caroline there were only fifteen families in Venice Township. 

SCHOOLS. 

From 1830 to the present time the school system has been a cherished one 
in Venice Townslii]i. In the year mentioned a school building, a very jirimitive 
concern in material, architeetiu-e and course of study, was erected at Attica. 
Ten years later the • -Brick Schoolhouse" ' was erected on the site of the present 
schoolhuuse. which continued in use until 1857, when Levi Rice completed a 
more pretentious house at a cost of §1,328.42. 

The Attica Grammai- School was instituted imder authority, given in the 
legislative act of March 4, 1851, which empowered the school board to levy a 
tax of 2 mills on the dollar for the support of this school. The vote on the 
sale of school land. Section IS, Venice Township, was recorded April 2, 1849, 
by Henry Smith, S. ^\oollett and Samuel Bemenderfer, judges of election, 
and November 3, 1S4U, the sale of Section IS in fractional Township No. 1, 
north. Range IS, was effected. \\'illiam F. Leonard purchased the east half 
of the southwest (luarter, and Andrew P. Smith the west half of the southwest 



696 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 

quarter. The sum realized was $1.-1:90. In 1847 there were twelve school dis- 
tricts organized, and 680 pupils eni-olled. 

The schools of Attica presented the following statistics at the close of the 
school year of 1884: Local tax, §1,986. 54; total revenue. $3,575.82; expendi- 
tures, $2,426.31 ; one school building valued at $13,000; five teachers, average 
salaries, $67, 156 and $33, nimiber of male pupils. 106. of female pupils, 107, 
of whom 16 are pupils in the high school. 

The condition of the schools of Venice Township at the close of the school 
year of 1884, is shown in the following statistics: Local tax, $4,224.63; total 
revenue. $7,917.28; expenditm-es; $5,234.06: schoolhouses, 13; value of prop- 
erty, $13,000; number of teachers, 27; average salaiy, $37 and $23; number 
of male pupils enrolled, 217: of female pupils, 185; total enrollment, 402. 

GENERAL STATISTICS. 

The assessment of Venice Township in 1S41 was as follows: 25,197 acres, 
valued at $58,753; town lots valued at $3,733; 172 horses valued at $6,880: 
578 cattle valued at $4,624; merchants' capital and moneys at interest, $2,600; 
one can-iage valued at $50. Total value, $76,640. Total tax, $977.16. De- 
linquencies from 1840, $64.80. 

The valuation and taxation of Venice Township in 1884-85 are as foUows: 
Acres of land in township, 24,575, valued at $780,200. and personal property 
at $276,910; total, $1,057,110. Acres of land in Attica Village, 168; valued 
at $161, 130, and personal property. $105,130; total. $2()6,260; making a grand 
total valuation of $1,323,370. The total tax in 1884-S5 was $21,999.59; and 
$192 dog tax. The population of Venice Township (including Attica, 663), in 
1880, was 2,231. 

The predial statistics of Venice Township for 1884 are as follows: Wheat, 
3,584 acres; rye, 8 acres; buckwheat, 3 acres; oats, 1,573 acres, product, 
64,496 bushels; corn 1,880 acres, product, 34,900 bushels; meadow, 2,283 
acres, hay, 2.790 tons; clover. 1,038 acres, 1,105 tons and 803 bushels of 
seed; flax, 89 acres, 853 bushels of seed: potatoes, 110 acres, 14,0(14 bushels; 
milk sold for family use, 4,700 gallons; home-made butter, 77,805 pounds; 
sorghum, 3 acres, 136 gallons of syrup; maple sugar, 357 pounds, and 536 
gallons of syrup; bee-hives, 169, pounds of honey, 1.790; eggs, 26,370 doz- 
ens; 1 acre of vineyard, 2,000 pounds of grapes; 408 acres of orchards, 8,350 
bushels of apples, 52 of pears, and 2 of chen-ies; 12,301 acres of cultivated 
lands; 2,218 in pasture; 4.642 in woodland, and 45 waste, total, 19,206; wool 
shorn in 1884, 36.440 poimds; milch cows. 740; dogs, 164; sheep killed by 
dogs, 24: domestic animals died from disease, 25 hogs. 49 sheep, 8 cattle and 
3 horses. 

CONCLUSION. 

So much has been wi'itten in the general history relating to men and events 
connected with this division of the county, nothing remains for this chapter 
save a plain, matter-of-fact statement of its settlement and organization, of its 
[)ioneers and material progress. The professional men. the politicians, the 
soldiers of Venice have all been withdi'awn, as it were, from these pages to aid 
in making up the four chapters of the general history devoted to these sub- 
jects. There are other evidences of the principle. " "Robbing Peter to pay 
Paul," to be found here; but withal, the writer is confident that the transfer 
of such names and events to the general history will be found appropriate, in- 
somuch that such transfer is justified by the generality of the subject or its 
special adaptation to the chapter wherein it finds mention. 



PART IV. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 



ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 



ROBERT M. BARTLETT, lumber dealer. P. O. Green Spring. The 
pater«al grandparents of the subject of this sketch were Samuel and Elizalx'th 
(Hating) Bartlett. natives of Maine, who came to Ohio diu'ing the war of ISTJ. 
and in 1820) settled in this county, where they died. Their son, Oliver L. 
Bartlett (the father of Robert M.). was born in Hamilton County. Ohio, in 
ISiy, and was man-ied, in Seneca County, in 1!S44, to Hannah E. AVarner, 
who was born in ]S26, in Berkley County, Va. (Her jiarents were natives of 
Virginia, where her father died, his widow and family coming to Seneca County. 
Ohio, about 1888, and here Mi-s. Warner ilied at the age of seventy -eiii-ht 
years.) Oliver L. Bartlett began farm life in this county, where he improved 
many acres of land. In 1844 he removed to Sandusky County. Ohio. There 
he continued farming, reading law in leisure hours, and in a few years he com- 
menced the practice of law in his neighborhood. In i8()(l he was admitted to 
the bar, and in 1862 he moved to Green Spring, Ohio, where he ojjened a law 
office. He acquired a large jiractice in the courts of Lucas. Sanduskj' and 
Seneca Counties, and continued in the practice of law until his death, which 
occurred in 1882. His son. Robert M. Bartlett. subject of this sketch, was 
born October 9, 1847, in Sandusky County. Ohio. Early in life he learned the 
carpenter's trade, which he followed for several years. In 1882 he entered 
into partnership with C. R. Smith, and purchased the sash, door and blind 
factory in Green Spring. Ohio, which lie still continues to operate in connec- 
tion with a large lumber yard. etc. He was married, August 27, 187,"), to 
iliss Mary Franks, a native of this county, and this unicm has been blessed 
with tliree ehildi-en: HaiTy, Bert and Fred. Jlr. Biuiletthas three sisters and 
two brothers. He is a man of business ability, and active in public improve- 
ments and enterprises; was mayor for one term. 

ENOCH BOLIN, farmer, *P. O. Clyde, Sandusky County, was born in 
Wayne County. Ohio, May 2. 182(5. and is a son of George and Maiy (Pearce) 
Bolin. natives of Virginia and Maniand respectively, and who were mai-ried 
in Columbiana County. Ohio, moving to AVayne County, and fi-om there to this 
county in 1882; they died in Thompson Township, this comity, at the ages of 
ninety and eighty-seven years respectively. George Bolin was drafted in 1812, 
and served six months in the war of that time. Of their family of ten children 
seven are now living. Enoch Bolin piu-chased his land in Adams Township, 
this county, in 1853, and has resided upon it ever since. He was man'ied, 
September 14, 1851, to Miss Polly Kestler. of Adams Township, this county, 
a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Kestler. who 
settled in this county about 1838; they had eleven chiltb-en, of whom only two 
sm-vive. To Jlr. and Jlrs. Bolin has been born one daughter, Amanda J., now 



700 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

the wife of Jacob "Wagner, wlio resides upon and operates the farm owned 
bv Mr. Bolin. Mr. and ilrs. Wagner have one daughter named Delia Kebecca. 

GEORGE E. BOS^^■ORTH, retired farmer, P. O. Green Spring, one of 
the early and highly respected pioneer citizens of Adams Township, Seneca 
Co., Ohio, was born in Chelsea, Orange Co,, Yt., April 4, 1800, son of Nathan- 
iel and Mary (Ranney) Bosworth, the former born in Rhode Island April V2, 
1753, the latter in Connecticut, June 2-t, 1757: they man-ied in Chatham, 
Conn,, and there remained iintil after the Revolutionary war. Nathaniel 
Bosworth enlisted in the first regiment that was organized under Gen, George 
"Washington, serving his country eight years, and was in the last regiment 
when it was disbanded; four years of his time he served as cominissaiy for 
"Washington's family. He was captiu'ed by the British three times, and the 
last time was placed on board a British prison ship; he and four others deserted 
fi'om the ship, and, venturing to swim across the North River, three of the party 
reached the shore, but the other two were less fortunate and sank beneath the 
waters. After the war JIi-. N. Bosworth returned to his wife and children at 
Chatham, and remained there some years; thence he moved to Lebanon, N. 
H. , where he and his family resided nine years, then moved to Chelsea, Vt. , 
and in 180(3 to Berlin, Vt,, where the parents spent their remaining days; the 
mother died August 11, 1841, and the father, March 11, 1844; they were the 
parents of eleven children, only two of whom survive: Florella Richardson 
(aged ninety-five years) and George R, The siibject of this sketch, in 1824, 
went from Berlin to Albany, Vt. , where he was united in marriage, November 
5, 1827, with Lucy Delano, born May 25, 1803, in New Hampshire, daughter 
of Moses and Lydia (Baker) Delano, lioth deceased. To oiu' subject and wife 
were born seven children: Lillis and William Franklin, living, and Solon, Sid- 
ney, Orjjha, Mary and Frederick, deceased. August 9, 1834. Mi-. Bosworth 
and family came to Adams Township, this county, and settled on the farm 
where he now resides. Mrs. Bosworth departed this life August 5, 1849, and 
Mr. Bosworth was afterward united in maiTiage. January 10, 1850, with Adaline 
Franklin, born April 20, 1810. in Herkimer County. N. Y. , daughter of Daniel 
and Ruth (Rounds) Franklin, both deceased. Mr, and ]Mrs. Bosworth have 
acted the part of parents toward Emma Childs, taking her when eight 
years of age, and rearing her to womanhood. Mr, Bosworth is a carpenter by 
trade, but has been engaged most of his life in farming. 

DR. J, L. BROWN, Green Spring, was Ijorn in Onondaga County, N. 
Y., and is a son of Charles and Anna (Phelps) Brown, of New England 
birth and descendants of Plymouth colonists. His grandfather. Gen. John 
Brown, was a distinguished soldier of the Revolutionary war; his father served 
in the war of 1812. and the Doctor himself was in the late war of the Re- 
bellion. His father and mother went to New York with theii- parents when 
but children, and were there reared and manied. In 1832 they removed 
thence to Ashtabula County, Ohio. Both are now deceased. Dr. Brown is 
the youngest of a family of six children. The father being a teacher In' 
profession, each of his childi'en. under his instruction, received their first 
educational training. The Doctor attended school at the Jefferson Academy 
until he was eleven years old, then continued his studies at Austinburg 
Institute, in Ashtabula County, working for* his board with the family of a 
dairj'man, where, night and morning, he milked seven cows and di'ove them 
to pastvu'e a distance of two and one half miles, studying at nights by the 
light of a bark fire. At the age of twelve, at the request of his mother, he was 
taken into the family of Rev. Mr. Austin, a Presbyterian minister, there to be 
educated for the ministrv of that denomination, and he remained about one 



ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 701 

year. At tlie age of thii-teen he entered a drug store for a term of five years. 
When fifteen years old he taught his first temi, thus aiding himself in fiuiher- 
ing the great object of his life, the practice of medicine. At the age of 
eighteen he attended his first course of medical lectm-es. At twenty the Doe- 
tor was united in marriage with Miss Mary Mclntyre, and soon after marriage 
he came to Fort Seneca, Seneca Co., Ohio, and there began the practice of 
medicine, with a fortune of SI. 70 as the sum of his worldly possessions. He 
continued practice in Fort Seneca for eight years, and in the fall of 1S59 re- 
moved to Green Spring. The following winter he graduated fi-om the Cleve- 
land Medical College, and pursued his profession until the winter of 1802-63, 
when he enlisted as a vohmteer sirrgeon in the One Hundred and Sixteenth 
Ohio Vohinteer Infantry stationed at "Winchester, Va., where he con- 
tinued until Jime 17, 1863, when he was taken prisoner at the battle of 
"Winchester, Gen. Milroy being in command. The Doctor was then sent 
to Richmond with other prisoners, and confined in the historical prison 
"Castle Thunder," under grave charges preferred by the rebels. These 
charges not being sustained, after nineteen days of dungeon life, he was re- 
moved to Libby prison and put on equal footing with other prisoners of war. 
Here he was kept seven months and twenty-twci days. At the expiration of 
this time he was exchanged, and retiu'ned to his regiment in Virginia, where 
he was appointed post-surgeon, having to report monthly to Washington 
the sanitary condition of all hospitals from Martinsburg. Va., to Harper's 
Feny. This arduous duty Dr. Brown j)erformed until the troops were all re- 
turned fi'om these points to Richmond and vicinity. He then returned to his 
home aud family at Green Spring, and soon after recommenced his profes- 
sion. Previous to the war he was a pronounced anti slaven' man. With 
his father and his brother, the late Hon. O. P. Brown, he made adib'esses 
throughout a large portion of this State, urging the people to vote and work 
for the freedom of the slave. As a "boy orator"' the Doctor gained a wide 
reputation, nor did his work consist in talk alone, for while the celebrated "un ■ 
dergi-ound raih'oad'" was in operation he assisted many a poor negro to gain 
his liberty. The Doctor is a film supporter of the principles of the Repub- 
lican partv. 

DR. i). PROCTOR CAMPBELL, Green Spring, is a ruitive of Hamp- 
ton, N. H. , and son of David and Betsey (Godfrey) Campbell. Our subject 
remained at home giving considerable time to educational matters under the 
du-ection of the Shaker Society .at CanterbiUT. N. H. . and under the jirivate 
instraction of Prof. A. J. Goss, M. A., of Epsom, N. H. , devoting the latter 
part of his home life to teaching. In 1804 he began the study of medicine 
under the instructions of many of the most prominent iihysicians of the East- 
ern States, including Dr. Dio Lewis, and others of equal note. He continueil 
his studies until 1874. when he began the practice of his profession in Du- 
buque. Iowa. He afterward attended the Jledical I'niversity at New York, 
and in 1S77 graduated at the Cincinnati College of ^Medicine and Surgery. Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio. In ISSl became to Green Spring, Ohio, where he has built up 
a large practice which occupies his daily attention. He was man-ied, May '23, 
1878. in Bedford, N. H., to Miss .lUice K. Watrous. a native of Green Sjjring, 
Ohio, and daughter of James A. and Hannah F. (Carpenter) Watrous, who 
were originally from New London, Conn., their native place. They came to 
Ohio in 1831, settling first in Hiu-on County, and a few years later moved to 
Green Spring, wl)(>re they died, Mrs. Matrons in May. 1882, and Mr. Wat- 
rous in December, 1884. To Dr. and Mrs. Campbell has been bom one 
child, (iracie T. 

38 



702 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 

EDWIN AV. CROCKETT, farmer. P. O. Clyde, Sandusky Coiinty. was 
born in Adams Township, this county. June 7, 1857, and is a son of Josiah and 
Harriet (Beymer) Crockett, who came to Ohio with their parents and to this 
county in an early day. They were married in this county and were the par- 
ents of six children: Estella. Edwin W., Elbert R., James. Arthur B. and 
Walter, all living. Their father was killed September 1, 1879, by the falling 
of a large stone which he was undermining, and his widow is now a resident of 
Clyde. Edwin W. Crockett, the subject of this sketch, was married. Septem 
ber 25, 1879, to Miss Hattie Niles, a native of Sanduskj' County, Ohio, born 
August 13, 1860, daughter of Claudius and Elizabeth (Jackson) Niles, who 
were early settlers in Sandusky County, Ohio, where Mr. Niles died (his widow 
is now wife of George Lee, of that county). The union of iMi\ and Mrs Ed- 
win W. Crockett has been blessed with two children: Earle, born October 12. 
1882. and Ethel, born June 16. 1884. 

JAMES CROCKETT (deceased) was born in Lincoln County. Me., in Feb- 
ruary, 1798. He served in the war of 1812. also was one of the crew on a 
I)rivateer which made several prizes. In 1817 he came to Muskingum County, 
Ohio, remaining one year, then retui'ned to his native State and followed the 
sea until he was thirty years of age, when he came to Ohio the second time, 
locating in Seneca County, where he lived until his death, which occm-red 
October. 1875. He was married in 1823 to Mary P. Haskell, daughter of 
Josiah Haskell, a soldier of the Revolution, at the age of twenty-four years, 
and they had a family of eleven chilcb'en: George, Almira, Josiah, Nathaniel 
and Edwin, born in the State of Maine; Knott, Edward. Amanda, Charles. 
Celia and Marion E. , born in the State of Ohio. George died in Hemy Coun- 
ty, this State, leaving a family of foiu- children: Malcolm. Alice, Ernest and 
Knott. Almira (Reid) is living in Henry County, this State; has a famLl_y of 
six children: Mary, Knott. Willie, Charles, Edwin and Agnes. Josiah was 
killed by a rock (he was trying to biu'y) falling upon him; left a family of six 
childi-en: Estella, Edwin W.. Elbert R.. James. Arthur B. and Walter. Ed- 
win was wounded at the battle of Cedar Creek, Shenandoah Valley, siu-vived 
and is now living in Saline County, Mo. ; has a family of six chikb-en 
(Thomas, his eldest son, having recently died): Josiah, Dee. Minie. James. 
Edward and Angus. Knott was killed at the Battle of Franklin. Tenn. 
Amanda (Reid) is living in Henry County. Ohio, and has a family of fom- 
children: Charles, Angus. Grace and Thomas. Charles was killed at the bat- 
tle of the AVilderness. Celia (Pulasky ) is living in Henry County, Ohio, and has 
a family of live children: Edward. Marion E., George, jNIary and Belle. 
Marion (Engler) is living in this county, and has a family of five children: 
Celia, Bert, Grace, Nettie and one not named. James and Mary P. Crockett, 
remained in Lincoln County. Me., until 1828. when they came to Ohio, and 
settled in Adams Township, this county. He died in October. 1875. aged 
seventy-seven years, his wife having departed this life in May of same year, 
aged seventy-two years. In politics the family are all Republican. 

EDWARD CROCKETT, farmer. P. O. . Green Spring, was born in Pleas- 
ant Township, this county. November 22. 1833. son of James and Mary P. 
(Haskell) Crockett. He was married, SeptemerlB. 1858, to Miss E. J. Brown, 
daiighter of Elijah and Catharine Brown, of Scipio Township, this county, 
former of whom was a native of Frederick County. Md. . latter of Perry County, 
Ohio; they came to this county in 1842, and reared a family of eight children, 
of whom six are now living. Mr. Brown died in 1885: his widow still resides 
in Scipio Township. Mr. and Mrs. Crockett are the parents of ten children — 
Adell. Henry, Charles (deceased). Nellie, Frank, Theodore (deceased), Mabell. 
Catharine, Elijah and Alice. 



ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 703 

HENRY A. DETERMAN, fuimer, P. O. Green Spring, was born in 
Adams Township, this eouiity, December 2o, 18")!, sou of Harman H. and 
Mary E. (Coinedick) Determan, natives of Germany, where they were maiTied 
September 2t, 1S8H, near Western Kapplen. Tlioy came to this country in 
1884, and settled upon the land wliere the father still resides, and which he 
has improved with his own hands. Harman H. Determan reared a family of 
eight children, of whom four are now living, and all married: George. Samuel, 
Cath(>rine E. and Henry A. Our subject, who is the yoimgest. was married, 
August 27. 1874. to Miss Mary A. Kistler, of Adams Township, this county, 
where she was boiii August 27. 185(1. daughter of Joseph and Catherine 
(Shawberry) Kistler. early settlers in this county, where they still reside. Mr. 
and Mi-s. Determan have one daughter, Dora A. Our subject has puix-hased 
eighty-fom- acres of good land, which he is imjiroving iu many ways. Mr. 
Determan is a member of the German Reformed Chui'ch; and Mrs. Detei'man 
of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat. 

WARREN DROWN, farmer, P. O. Green Spring, is a native of New 
Hampshire, born in 1814. He went with his parents, Solomon and Fanny 
(Dennis) Drown, in 181") to New York State, in 1882 to Pennsylvania, 
and in 1881) came to this county, where his jiarents both died: they had 
a large family of children. Warren Drown has given his attention to gen- 
eral agricultiu'e and has made many valuable improvements on his farm 
of ninety acres, which was originally nearly covered with forest. He was mar- 
ried in 1844 and is the father of two daughters: Elizabeth and Emma, for- 
mer the wife of James Reed, of Hiu'on County. Ohio, antl the mother of three 
children: Jessie. Freddie and ^\'aiTPn. Emma is still with her parents. 

DAVID W. D^DRO^^", farmer, P. O. Green Spring, is a native of Fred,- 
erick County, Md. , born October 25, 1825. son of David and Elizabeth (Hines) 
Dudi'ow, also natives of ^Maryland, of German descent. Of their family only 
three survive: Mary. Phili}) H. and David W. The subject of this sketch 
came to this county in 1845, settling in Adams Township, where he purchased 
and improved a large farm, upon which he still resides. He was married, 
January 8, 1858, to Mary J. Rule, of Adams Township, this county, where 
she was born November 8, 1884. Her parents, Daniel and Jane (Groscrost) 
Riile, were about the first settlers in this county. To yir. and Mrs. Ducb'ow 
have been born eight children, foiu- of whom are yet living: Byron, practicing 
law. in partnership with H. R. Finefi'ock. at Fremont. Ohio, has twice been 
elected city solicitor of Fremont: William, who owns and cultivates a large 
farm, at Green Spring, in Adams Township; Fred and JIary J., latter attend- 
ing Baldwin University, at Berea. Ohio. The deceased are John. Alice. 
Daniel and David, the two latter being twins. JIi\ Dudrow has nearly 450 
acres of land, which he and his son, Fred, operate, giv'ing considerable attention 
to stock-raising, merino sheeji, etc. 

G. ^\'. EARH.\RT. i)roprietor of the city bakery and fancy giocery, 
choice cigars, tobacco and confectioner^-. Green Spring, was born in Lancaster, 
Fairfield Co.. Ohio, April 1(3, 1845. where he obtained a common school 
education, and learned the trade of baker and confectioner. In 18('i('> he 
moved to Toledo, Ohio, where he resided ten years. In 187C) he came to 
Green Spring and started in the bakery and confectionery business, and by 
close attention to business he was soon enabled to enlarge the same, and in 
1881 he erected, as a monument to his industry and enterjirise, a two-story 
brick block containing two store-rooms, both of which he now occui)ies: he 
is now considered one of the leading business men of the town in which he 
resides. He has been elected, and served two tei-ms as treasurer of Adams 



704 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Township, this county; served two terms in the village council: served 
six years as a member of the school board, two years as the treasurer, and one 
year as the president of the board. He was a charter member of Clyde 
Lodge No. 120, K. of P. ; he is a member of Clyde Lodge No. 989, K. of H. ; 
he was a charter member of Potter Post No. 105, G. A. R. . of Green Spring, 
and served as commander of same in 1888. He enlisted diu-ing the Rebellion 
in Company C, One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for a 
term of one year, and was discharged fi'om the service. May 8, 1865, by rea- 
son of close of the war. Politically he is a Republican. He was manied, in 
1860, to Mary C. Hill, of Lancaster, Ohio. She was born in 1841, and is the 
mother of five childi'en: Falenia T. , Liilu, Martin D. . May E. and George W. 

H. J. ERNSBERGER, Green Spring, was born in Richland County, Ohio, 
in 1832. He began active life as a school teacher, and afterward went into 
business at Mansfield. Subsequently he removed to a farm. where he remained 
until 1884, when he went into partnership with M. F. Yan Buskirk. of Green 
Spring, in the publication of the TiineA {ride page 327). 

CHARLES D. HOLTZ. farmer. P. O. Green Spring, was born in Pleasant 
Township, this county. January 31, 1840. son of Jacob P. and Susannah 
(Huss) Holtz, early settlers of and still residing in Pleasant Township, this coun- 
ty. Our subject was married, October 9, 1872, to Miss Mary (Lillis) Smith, of 
Green Spring, Ohio, where she was born June 20, 1854, daughter of Samuel 
H. and Charlotte (Van Syckel) Smith, natives of New Jersey and who now re- 
side in Green Spring, Ohio. Mr. Holtz is the father of three childi'en : Grace, 
born March 15, 1874; Nellie, born September 11, 1877: Jessie. Irorn August 
24, 1883; all living. Mr. Holtz purchased land in Adams Township, this coun- 
ty, which he has improved in various ways and where he follows general farm- 
ing. In politics he is Republican. 

CLAY HOLTZ, farmer. P. O. Green Spring, is a native of Pleasant Town- 
ship, this county, born December 11, 1841, the second son of William and 
Catharine M. (Cramer) Holtz. early settlers in this county, where they resided 
until the death of the former in 1862: !Mrs. Holtz still resides there. Our sub- 
ject enlisted October 9, 1801. in Company H, Fifty-fifty Regiment Ohio Vol- 
unteer Infantrj', serving three years. He is now a ]neml)er of Potter Post. 105, 
G. A. R., Green Spring, Ohio. 'Mr. Holtz was married February 28. 1808, to 
Miss Dora M. Egbert, of Clinton Township, her native place, a daiTghter of 
Jeremiah and Lucy (Rule) Egbert, early settlers in this county. To the union 
of Mr. and 'Mrs. Holtz have been born seven children: Harry. Alice. William. 
Catharine, Siisan, Lottie and Lucy, all living. Mr. Holtz is a medium farmer 
and operates over 300 acres of land, on which he has made many valuable im- 
provements. He has a tine large brick house and large barn. He is a member 
of the I. O. O. F. of Green Spring; in politics he is a Republican. 

J. C. KANNEY. grocer. Green Spring, was born in Reed Township, Seneca 
Co., Ohio, February 12, 1855, son of Jacob and Mary (Reiner) Kanney. of Seneca 
County, Ohio, who were early settlers in the county and are still living in Reed 
Township. They are the parents of eleven childi-en: Alford, Charles, Katie. 
John, Francis (deceased), Anthony (deceased), Jacob (deceased). Elydeth 
(deceased). Francis 2d, Anthony 2d and Michael. Until he an-ived at the 
age of twelve years the life of oiu- subject was passed upon a farm. After 
receiving a common school education he commenced clerking in WestLodi, and 
in 1871 came to Green Spring. In April, 1881, he embarked in the gi'ocery 
business, and by close attention to business and the coiu'teous manner in which 
he attends to the wants of his many customers, he has gainetl a leading and suc- 
cessful trade. He is an active F. & A. M. ; politically a stanch Republican ; is 



ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 705 

the present trea>ui(>r of the corporation. ]\[r. Kaniiey was married, October 21 , 
lS/4. to Miss EUa Biuion. daughter of C S. Burton. 

MONROE KISTLER. farmer. P. O. Clyde. Sandusky County, is a native 
of Lancaster County. Penn.. born November 7, \HHO. juui is a soil of John T. 
and Eve (Brishi Kistler, who came to this county in IS;^;^ and settled in Adams 
Townshij). where they I'eared a family of thi-ee childien: Polly, Sarah and 
Monroe. John T. Kistler died July 14, 1870, aged sixty-six years, and his 
widow, January 8, 1878, at the age of seventy-two. Om- subject was mar- 
ried, September 11, 1849, to Catharine Setzler, of Adams Township, this 
coiiuty. a native of Gennany, boru ISIarch 7. 1880. daughter of Henry jmd 
Elizabeth (Swan) Setzler, who came to America in 18:54. settling tirst in Huron 
County. Ohio, where they remained fourteen yeai-s, and then moved to this 
county, where they died, former in 1801. aged si.xty-six years, latter in ISHfi, 
aged seventy-one years. They were the parents of six chikb-en, of whom 
John, Lena. Elizabeth and Catharine are living, and George and Philij) are 
deceased. Mr. and Mi-s. Kistler are the parents of ten children: those living 
are John M., Heniy. Lena, George. Mom-oe. Nathan, Franklin and Anna; 
Philip and Augustus are deceased. IMr. Kistler has improved many acres of 
land in this county, and has served his township in several of its offices. He 
and his wife are prominent members of the Lutheran Chiu-ch, of which 
Church his entire family are also members. Mr. Kistler has given all his at- 
tention to general agriculture. He has owned several himdied acres of land, 
most of which he has di.stributed among his chiklivn. and still has 2'2() acres. 
In politics. Mr. Kistler is a Democrat. 

JOHN M. LEE, farmer. P. O. Green Spring, was born in Fayette 
County, Iowa, March 25, 1856, son of David and Maiy A. (Miller) Lee, and 
natives of Pennsylvania and New York States, respectively. They came with 
their parents to this country in a verj' early day. and* were manied in this 
county, but in 1854 moved to Iowa, where they remained until 18(i(), in which 
year they returned to Seneca County, where David Lee died August 1 1, 1 883 ; 
his widow resides in Adams Township, this county. They were the parents of 
eight childi'en: Lydia A., Homer. John M. . Rosa. Arthur H.. Harkness C, 
Nellie and Stella, all living. John M. Lee was man-ied. Febniaiy 24, 1870, 
to Miss Emma S. Prentice, of Erie County, Ohio, born April 29. 1857, daughter 
of Nelson E. and Emily (Wadsworth) Prentice, who were among the tu-st set- 
tlers in Erie County. Ohio. They had six children: Emma S. . Kate C. , Nel- 
.son D., May E. , Maggie W. and Nettie S. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Lee 
has been blessed with one son, Hany H. . born April 5. 1877. Mr. Lee began 
farming for himself, n-hen mamed. and now has eighty -eight acres of laud, 
which he has well imjiroved. He and his wif(> are members of the Christian 
Union Chiu'ch. In politics. Mr. Lee is a stanch RepulUican. 

JA]MES McINTIRE, fanner, P. O. Green Spring, was born in "Wayne 
County, Ohio, in 1825. a son of Smith and Catharine (Larkins) Mclntire. both 
deceased, who came to this county in 1882. parents of ten children, six of 
whom are still living. Oiu subject was mairied, in 1850. to Miss Cathai'ine 
Myers, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Ryne) Myers, early settlers in this 
county and Adams Township, and to this union have been born seven childi'en, 
four of whom are now living. His wife dying in 18<)5. Mr. Mclntire th<'n 
married, in 1807. Miss Wealthy Scott, of Sand\isky County, Ohio, daughter of 
William and Susan (Blubaker) Scott. This man-iage has resulted in the birth 
of three chikb-en. two of whom survive. Mr. Mclntire has served in some of 
the township offices in Adams Township: in politics he is a Democrat. 



706 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

DR. ARCHIBALD R. McKELLAR. phvsician and surgeon. Green 
Spring, was born in Elgin County. Ontario, in 1850. His father, Malcom 
McKellar emigrated from Scotland in 1833, and was one of the pioneer set- 
tlers of Elgin County, Ontario. Dr. A. R. McKellar was the youngest of 
eight children — six sons and two daughters. After receiving a common school 
education, he taught school in the surrounding districts for two or three years. 
He then further promoted his education by attending the Provincial Normal 
School at Toronto, passing his examinations with honor. He again resumed 
the profession of teaching, and taught in several rural districts until he was 
ajjpointed assistant high school master of the Smith's Falls High School 
(one of the most efticient schools in the Province of Ontario), at a very liberal 
salary. He subsequently filled the position of high master in the Hawkes- 
bury School, having an average daily attendance of 600 pupils: but in 
1873, at the earnest solicitation of the people of Smith's Falls, he again 
assumed the position of high master of the high school in that place. Having 
tiu'ned his attention to the study of medicine, he entered the Ann Ailior 
University in the fall of 187-""). and at the end of the session he attended the 
summer coiu'se of lectures in the College of Medicine and Surgery of Cincin- 
nati, graduating with honor in the summer. The following fall, to thoroughly 
complete his medical education, he attended a session of the College of Physi- 
cians and Siu'geons. New York, and was one of the six students who passed 
the most successf id examination. He first settled in Detroit, Mich. , and from 
there moved to Green Spring, Ohio, in July, 1877, where he has since 
remained, and has met with ample success in his profession. The Doctor is a 
member of the Seneca Coiiuty. State of Ohio, and American Medical Associa- 
tions; is a member of the Orange. Masonic and I. O. O. F. societies. He is 
nominally a member of the Presbyterian Church. A\'hile in Canada he was a 
stanch Reformer, and since he became an American he is equally as strong a 
Republican. In the year 1S77 he was man'ied to Catharine Morwood, whoVas 
born near the village of St. John. Province of Quebec. She removed to the 
Province of Ontario, in 1850, with her mothei'. three brothers and thi-ee sisters. 
The Doctor and his wife have two boys, both healthy and strong, their names 
being Ai-chibald and Neil. Dr. ISIcKellar has a remunerative practice, and is 
destined to be a permanent and prominent resident of Green Spring. 

DANIEL :METZGER. farmer. P. O. Republic, is a native of Pickaway 
County. Ohio, born August 15. 1818, son of Heniy and Catharine (Wise) 
Metzger. natives of Union County. Penn. . and who were married in Pickaway 
County, Ohio, and moved to this county in October. 1833; they were the 
parents of four childi'en: Elizabeth, Mary A.. Harriet and Daniel. Hemy 
Metzger was born February 8. 171)7. died March 4. 18r)8; his widow Avas born 
August 14, 1794, died May 0, 1880. The father of oiu- subject was one of 
the first to enter land in this county, and he imi^roved many acres with his 
own hands and the assistance of his only son. Daniel. He was a noted military 
man. having drilled several companies of home guards. He was an ardent 
advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and was a member of the 
Lutheran Church. Daniel 5Ietzger. the subject of this sketch, bought his 
fu-st land in Adams Township in 1841, to which, by industry and economy, he 
has added until he now has 210 acres, most of which he has improved in various 
ways. He has been twice maiTied; fii'st to Miss Sarah Whiteman. August 31, 
1838, by whom he has had four children: Catharine, Hem-ietta. Han-iet A. 
and Hemy v., all living and mairied. Henry V. has six children: Hamet 
A., the widow of John Bowman, has one son; Henrietta, the wife of Otha H. 
Hull, has four children, and Catharine, the wife o5 Samuel Bo*ers. has thi-ee 



AUAMS TOWNSHIP. 707 

chiklrfn. The two latter families live in Henry County. Ohio, and the two 
foniier reside in Adams Township, this county. Mr. iletzger's first wife died 
April 1(\ 1850. She was a native of Columbia County, I'eun., born Septem- 
ber 18, 1819, a daughter of Daniel and Susan (Coleman) Whitenian. who came 
from Pennsylvania to Seni^ca County. Ohio, in a very early day; both are 
now dead. !Mr. Metzger's second man-iage took place June '22. IS')!, with 
Miss Catharine Bowerman. of Adams Township, this county, a native of 
Seneca County, N. Y. , born November 18. 1822, a daughter of Jacob and 
Mary (Eitter) Bowerman, natives of Pennsylvania, and who maiTied in Seneca 
County, N. Y. , coming to Seneca County. Ohio, in 18'2'J. They had twelve 
cliilib'en, of whom nine are still living. The father died August 1<), 187(5, 
aged eighty-one years; the mother died in February, 1877, aged seventy-eight 
yeai's. Jlr. Bowerman was a noted hunter iu his day, and for several years 
gained a livelihood by hunting. By his second marriage Mr. Metzger is the 
father of five chiklren. the sole survivor of whom. Mary J. . is now the wife of 
Samuel Weller. and has three children. Mr. Metzger is an active Democratic 
politician; has served in many of the township offices; has been justice of the 
peace for nine years, and is now filling the office of infirmary director of this 
county. 

JOHN C. INIETZGER, farmer, P. O. Green Spring, is a native of 
Adams Township, this county, born December 4, 1838, son of Samuel and 
Eebecca(Heltzel) Metzger, natives of Union County, Penn., and Hardy County, 
Va. (now West Virginia I, respectively, and of German descent. They were 
married in Pickaway County. Ohio, in 1836. and same year came to this 
county and pui'chased land in Adams Township. They reared a family of fi\e 
children: Henry H., John C. , Sarah A., Jacob and Lavina E., all living 
except Sarah A., who died in April, 1877. Samuel Metzger remained in this 
county iintil 1880, then removed to Sandusky County, Ohio, where he now 
resides. John C. Metzger was married, JIarch 29, 1860. to IMiss Sarah IMiller, 
of Clinton Township, this county, a native of Scipio Township, this county, 
born January 2. 1841. daughter of Daniel and Anna (Bergstresser) Miller, 
natives of New York State, and among the first to settle in this county, where 
Mr. Miller still lives; Mrs. Miller died in 1845. To Mr. and Mrs. Metzger have 
been born three childi-en: Alwilda, now the wife of Isaac Dillman. of Adams 
Township, Gertrude and Samuel. Mr. Metzger remove<l to Steuben County, 
Ind., in 1862, bui returned to his native county in 1869. He has served his 
township in several of its offices, and is an advocate of the principles of the 
Democratic party. 

JACOB J. iriLLER, fanner, P. O. Green Spring, is a native of Yates 
County, N. Y., born February 21, 1829. and came with his parents, in 1838. to 
this county where he was reared a farmer. His parents Daniel and Anna (Berg- 
stresser) Miller, came from New York State to this county in 1838. They have 
reared a family of eight children: Jacob J.. Man* A.. Peter, Barbara. Cath- 
arine. Sarah, Angeline and Martin. The mother dying. March 24, 1849. aged 
forty-fom- years, the father then manied, in 1851, Mi-s. Sarah Eeeber, and 
now" resides in Clinton Township, this county. At the age of sixteen years our 
subject began learning the cooper's trade, which he followed for twenty six 
years, with the exception of two years spent in mining in California, which, 
together with his trade, was quite profitaVile to him, financially; hence he was 
prepared to pay for the land he had purchased in Adams Township, this county, 
in 1857. and, liy industry and economy, he has since added to the samejiiutil 
he now has 164 acres, which he has improved in various ways. In 1870 he 
erected a fine brick residence, at a cost of over ^3,000. Mr. Miller was mar- 



708 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

ried March 29, 1855, to Miss Sarah Eobenalt, a native of Clinton Township, 
this county, born September 1, 1837, daughter of Solomon and Catharine 
(Powell) Robenalt, natives of Pennsylvania, who married in Fairfield County, 
Ohio, and came to this county about 1833; they had a family of thirteen chil- 
dren, of whom eleven are now living : Mary, Elizabeth, La vina, Catharine, Chris- 
tena. Sarah, Barbara J., Andrew J.. George. Solomon and William. The 
deceased are John and Peter. The father of this famUy died in Jxme, 1866, 
aged sixty-five years. The mother died December 25, 1881, aged eighty years. 
To Ml', and Mrs. Jacob J. Miller have been born ten childi-en. of whom six are 
yet living: Ida J.. Daniel L., Almarinda. Mary B., Minda A. and J. P. The 
deceased are Warren P. , Delia A. , Noble A. and an infant twin brother of 
Minda A. Ida J. is now the wife of A. E. Young, a furnitiu'e dealer in Green 
Spring, Ohio. Mr. and IVIi-s. Miller are members of the Reformed Chiu'ch. 
He has served in several of the township of&ces. In politics he is a Democrat. 

OSCAR MYERS, farmer, P. O. Green Spring, was born October 9. 1856, 
in Adams Township, this county, son of John and Elizabeth A. (Ryne) Myers, 
natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively, and who were married in this 
county: they had two childi-en : Catharine (deceased) and Oscar. The mother 
died January 24, 1885; the father is now seventy-seven years old; he was a very 
industrious man through life, having accumulated considerable land and other 
property, most of which he has already given to his son Oscar, who is a worthy 
young man. In politics both father and son are Democratic from principle. 
Our subject was man'ied December 5, 1876, to Emma Gibbons, born in 
Adams Township, this county, March 28, 1857, daughter of William and Jane 
(Stilwell) Gibbons, natives of Pennsylvania and New Y'^ork. respectively, coming 
to this county about 1853, where they still reside: they reared a family of one 
son and two daughters: Almerinda, John and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar 
Myers have two children: Frank and Cecil. Mr. Myers was reared a farmer, 
an occupation he stUl follows, devoting his spare time to operating a steam fac- 
tory he has on his farm, where he manufactures bee hives and various articles 
of wooden ware. He also has a feed-mill, for grinding corn etc. 

JAMES PAINE (deceased) was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, June 2, 
1818; son of John and Sarah (Lawrence) Paine. He was reared on a farm, 
received a common school education and entered upon his course in life as a 
teacher in common schools. In 1832 his parents moved to Seneca County, 
Ohio, and located in Adams Township, and here oiu' subject turned his atten- 
tion to farming and soon became one of the practical and successful farmers of 
the township. He was active in public affairs, and took an interest in all 
efforts for the advancement and good of the community in which he lived. He 
was especially interested in religious and educational affairs, was an ardent 
advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and for many years served 
the people in various offices of the township. Mr. Paine was fii-st married, Jan- 
uary 25. 18-1:2, to Maria Ann Kline, who died July 25, 1854. She was the mother 
of six children: George, John, Sarah, Melvina, Samantha and William. Mr. 
Paine' s second marriage was, March 8, 1855, with Mrs. Flora (Ellis) Cramer, 
who was born in Vermont, August 13, 1832, She was the widow of James 
Cramer, who. in life, was a mechanic in Castalia, Ohio, where he was well and 
favoral)ly known for many years. By him she had one child, James, who died 
in infancy. This second union was blessed with three children: Clementine, 
James and Florence, Mr. Paine died May 4, 1876, and the following year his 
widow moved to Clyde, Ohio, where she remained about eighteen months, and 
then came to Green Spring, this county, where, in 1883, she erected the fine 
residence in which she now lives. She has with her a grandchild. May 
(daughter of James E. Paine. Jr. ). whose mother is deceased. 



ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 709 

WILLIAM J. PAYNE, farmer, P. O. Greoii Spring, is a native of Adams 
Township, Seueea Co. Ohio, boru February cS. 1S48, son of JohnAV. and Susan 
(Rule) Payne, who moved fiom Pickaway County to Seneca County, about 1882, 
and to Thompson Townsliip. in lSfi(h they botli died in this county. His 
grandfather Payne moved here from Pickaway County, Ohio, about ]S;52, and his 
grandfather Rule moved here from New York State about the same time or 
a little later. The subject of this sketch was reared in Thompson Town- 
ship, as a fanner, and was married, in 1805, to Sophronia Gambee of Reed 
Township, this county, born ]May 25, 1844, a daughter of Solomon and Mary 
Gambee. also of Reed Township, where they were early settlers, having come 
fi'om New York State. In 1875 Mr. Payne returned to Adams Township. where 
he purchased land on which he now resides and f(jllows general agricultiu'al 
pursuits: he also opei'ates a hay and straw press. He served a few months in 
the late war: has tilled several of the township otHces. He is the father of five 
chikb-en: Lucv E.. John W.. .4.1, Jesse O. and Bessie L. 

SAMTEL "PONTIUS (deceased) was born December 26, 1814. in Pick- 
away County, Ohio, where he was reared as a farmer, and remained until 1842 
when he moved to this countv, bringing with him his wife and two children. 
He was man-ied. October 1(1, 1889. to Miss Lydia Shellhammer of Pickaway 
County. Ohio, a native of Lehigh County, Penu. , born March 31, 1817. Her 
parents were Jonah and Sarah (Meckel) Shellhammer, natives of Peuns3lvania, 
who came to Ohio in 1823 and settled in Pickaway County, where they died; 
of their family of eleven children nine are still living. Mr. Pontius was a 
prominent man in his neighborhood and highly resj)ected by all who knew him; 
he was a memlaer of the L^nited Brethi-en Church ; a fanner by occupation, he 
cleared and improved about 1(10 acres of land in Adams Township, this county. 
He was the father of foiu- childi'en: Benjamin. Sarah, Wilson (deceased) and 
Rosa. Mi-s. Pontius, after her husband's death, pm-chased the childrens* in- 
terest in the home farm, which now consists of nine acres of well-improved 
land, at present operated under her supervision by J. E. Paine. 

WILSON PONTILES (deceased) was born in Adams Township. Seneca 
Co.. Ohio. February 25. 1845. son of Samuel and Lydia (Shellhammer) Pon 
tius, and brother of Benjamin. Sarah and Rosa Pontius. His father died 
several years ago. and his mother still lives upon the homestead farm. He was 
married. September 23. 1868. to Miss Nancy M. Paine, a native of Adams 
Township, this county, born October 9, 1848, daughter of James and Maria 
Ann (Kline) Paine who were among the early settlers in this county, where 
they were highly respected by all who knew them. Mrs. Paine was the mother 
of six childi'en; her death occurred July 25. 1854. Mr. Paine married again 
in March. 1855. this time to Mrs. Flora (Ellis) Cramer, by whom he had three 
children: his death occun-ed May 4. 1876. Wilson Pontius, the subject of 
this sketch, died JIarch 1 2, 1 879, the father of foiu' childi'en, of whom only two 
are now living: Schuyler R. and Hibbard A. He was possessed of manly 
principles and an energetic spirit, and ranked high among his fellow men; and 
although comparatively young in the affairs of this life, had ser\'ed his town- 
ship in several of its offices. Mrs. Pontius still resides upon the farm, which 
she oversees. 

DANIEL C. RULE, farmer, P. O. Green Spring, is a native of Adams 
Towniship. this county, born December 10. 1838; son of Daniel and Jane 
(Groscost) Rule, who were among the first settlers in this county. wh(>i-o Dan- 
iel Rule still resides. The mother of our subject died December 2. 1S7U, aged 
seventy-eight years: she was a native of Pennsylvania and came with her par- 
ents to Trumbull Countv, Ohio, where she met and maiTied Daniel Rule; from 



710 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

there, a few years later, thej' came by overland route with an ox team to this 
county. They stopped first in Scipio Township, and thence came to Adams 
Township. They reared a family of ten childi-en, of whom five survive. Mrs. 
Rule's father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Daniel C. Rule, the 
subject of this sketch, was married March "20, ISH'i, to Elenor Chiu'ch.of Adams 
Township, this county, where she was born June I, 1837, daughter of Earl and 
Colena (Titus) Chui-ch, natives of New York and Connecticut respectively, and 
who were man-ied in Litchfield, Conn., June 14, 1827; they resided in Genesee 
County, N. Y. , a few years, then moved to Huron County, Ohio, and in 1837 
came to Adams Township, this county: they had eight children, five of whom 
are still living. Mr. Church died in August, 1849, aged fifty-one years; his 
widow died January 18. 1884, aged seventy-six years, ill-, and Mrs. Rule 
are the parents of one daughter and thi'ee sons: Anna C, Ralph, Harvey and 
Daniel C. . all living except Harvey, who died September 14, 1874. Mr. Rule 
gives considerable attention to stock dealing. He is a Republican, and has 
taken an active part in the politics of his township. His brother, Isaac P. 
Rule, was a member of the One Hundred and First Regiment Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry, and was promoted to lieutenant in 1802. He served thirteen months 
and was mortally wounded at the battle of Chickamauga. The post of the G. 
A. R. , at Tiffin, Ohio, is named in honor of him. 

JOHN B. SCHWENDT, dealer in boots and shoes. Green Spring, was 
bom in Germany, July 24, 18ol. He received a common school education in 
his native land, where he also learned the .shoe-making trade. He immigrated 
to America August 23, 1872, locating in Erie, Penn. . where he remained until 
1874. and in June of that year he came to Green Spring, but a month later 
moved to Toledo and there remained until March, 1875, when he retui'ned to 
Green Spring, and soon after entered into partnership in the boot and shoe 
trade, and in 1877 piu'chased his joartner's interest in the business. Mr. 
Sehwendt is a self-made man, and owes his present success and acquisition of 
property to his own natural business qualifications and habits of industry. 
Socially he ranks high in the community for his many good qualities. He is 
an active member of the German Reformed Church ; in politics a stanch Re- 
publican. He was married, October 29, 187<), to Miss Louisa E. Bates, of 
Fulton County, Ohio, who has borne him three childi'en: Edna. Cydona and 
Bernard. 

DR. L. H. SPRAGUE, Green Spring, was born in Vermont, Janu- 
ary 21, 1821. He obtained a common school and an academic educa- 
tion, then commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Heniy Ranney, who 
at that time was lieutenant-governor of Vermont. He afterward attended 
Casselton Medical College, where he graduated in 1844, entering upon the 
practice of his profession at Clifton Park, N. Y., where he continued in prac- 
tice seventeen years. He then went to Clifton Springs and engaged in the 
water-cure business; from there he proceeded to Cleveland and engaged with 
Dr. Seeley for three years in the same line: he next came to Green Spring and 
assisted in organizing a water-cvu-e and sanitarium, holding the office of phy- 
sician and general director of that institution. Five years later he disposed of 
his interest in the water-eiu'e and sanitariiun, but has been medical director of 
the institution full}' half the time since then. For the last five years the 
Doctor has made a specialty of treatment with electricity. He has been P. M. 
of the order of F. & A. M. in Green Spring, and was formerly a member of 
the I. O. O. F. Politically he is a Republican. Dr. Sprague was married, 
March 29, 1843. to Miss Phelene Howe, born February 18, 1824, in Townsend, 
Windham Co., Vt., and a direct descendant of Lord John Howe, of England 



ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 711 

(spoken of in Longfellow's ''Tales of a "Wayside Inn"). To Dr. and Mrs. 
Sprague were born two childi-en: Lorenzo, a physician auddiuggist in Pember- 
ville, Wood Co., Ohio; and Adelaide, wife of Henry Thompson, of Syracuse, 
N. Y. 

JACOB STEM was born in 1 792, in Carroll County, Md. ; at the age of four- 
teen he lost his father, when much of the care of a large farm fell upon him. 
At twonty-one he married and settled upon one of the beautiful farms of \\'ake- 
lield 'N'alley, Md. , but the growing attractions of the " far West, " as Ohio was 
then call('il,made him long to try his fortune there, and after several horse-back 
journeys over the mountains, to see for himself what the country promised, he 
decided to leave the old home for a new one in the West. He came to Tiffin, 
Ohio, about 1 830, where he jjui-chased several large tracts of land, and engaged 
in merchandise. At the sale of government lands, which took place not long 
after, he purchased abovit 1, 200 acres of land in Seneca and Sandusky Counties, 
including the wonderful suljihur s))ring, fi'om which the village of Green 
Spring takes its name. Here he laid out the village of Green Spring, and north 
of the village about one mile, put up a large flouring-mill, with sawmill and 
other improvements. This mill was considered an immense structure at that 
(>arly day, wonderful for height and capacity. The water-power was ol)tained 
fi-om the never-failing spring above mentioned; and mills were few and far 
between, and all subject to be stopped for want of water in time of di'ought. A 
dry season was siu-e to bring to this mill great numbers of teams, heavily laden 
with wheat, from all directions: even from Upper Sanduskj' on the south, and 
Toledo on the northwest. Then Toledo was but a village, and the intervening 
county but thinly settled. People came from all directions, and the mill ran 
all night and all day. week after week, and yet some were obliged to wait for 
days (sleeping in their covered wagons), for their turn to have grinding done. 
Many of the wagons used were the old Pennsylvania covered wagon, which 
could be made comfortable for a niuuber of persons to sleep in. While carry- 
ing on this business, with other important interests engaging his attention, Mr. 
Stem's health suddenly gave way; and so serious was the malady (asthma 
with symptoms of consiuuption), that his physicians, Drs. Dresbach and Tilden, 
assured him that his only hope of recovery was in giving up business, and 
spending si>veral years in travel. He was thus obliged to place all his affairs 
in the hands of others. Having done this, he spent months traveling on horse 
back through the Southern States. Not finding relief fi-om this, he deter- 
mined tt) tiy the effect of the climate of Cuba. Accordingly he went there and 
spent about a year, returning home, for sake of the sea voyage, by the way of 
Boston. This experiment also proved ineffectual as a means of restoring his 
health. He came home after having been gone nearly two years, not better, 
but rather worse, and giving up all hope of recovery, he quietly put aside all 
the hopes he had cherished of gi-eat financial success, and with unexampled for- 
titude and submission, yielded to the prospect of spending the remainder of 
his days a confirmed invalid. In person, Mi'. Stem was tall, nearly six feet, 
and well foiTned, having, in youth, raven black hair, swarthy complexion, with 
searching yet jileasant black eyes, and a countenance that, in conversation, 
lighted up with unusual animation and intelligence. His bearing was that of a 
gentleman of coiutesy and refinement. He was fond of the acquisition of 
knowledge, and for a mere man of business, was, withal, something of a stu- 
dent, being familiar with some of the best writers of ancient and modern times. 
In politics, he was an old-line Whig, and an ardent admirer of Henry Clay. 
He allowed his name at one time to be put liy his party in nomination for the 
State Legislature, but was defeated. When the Republican party came into 



71:2 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

existouce. he eutliusiastically placed himself in its ranks aud gloried ia the 
triumphs he saw it attain. Enterprising and public -spirited, he was earnest 
and liberal in the endeavor to promote whatever tended to the general welfare 
of the commiinity, especially in matters of education. ' 'Sincerity in speech, 
and integrity in action,"' were the marked traits of his character. Jacob Stem 
was the only son of Mathias and Elizabeth (Englar) Stem, both natives of 
Chester County. Penn. , and both of German extraction. He had ten childi'en: 
Mathias. Emeline, Jesse, Elizabeth, Catherine, Leander, Sarah. Lydia, Clem- 
entina and Ezra, five of whom are living. 'Sh: Stem died November 25, 1800, 
in the sixty-eighth year of his age. 

GEORGE R. STRICKLING. P. O. Tiffin, was born July 19, 1819. son 
of Thomas and Elizabeth (Whitestiue) Strickling. natives of Virginia and Ger- 
many, respectively, former of Welsh, and latter of German descent. Tiiey 
were man'ied in Fairfield County, Ohio, where they remained until -October, 
1829. then moved to this county, settling in Clinton Townshi]), where they 
leased land for a few years. From there they went to Scipio Township, and 
in 18:J7 came to Adams Township, and entered the land upon which our subject 
no\V resides, and which they improved. They were the jiarents of eleven chil- 
dren, those now living being George R., Catharine G.. Daniel H. , John W. and 
Michael N. Thomas Strickling died in 1840, aged iiftysix years, and his 
widow iu 185-1, aged sixty-two years. George R. Strickling. the subject of 
this sketch, was married, November 17, 1842, to Miss Sarah Egbert, of Pleas- 
ant Township, this county, born in Franklin County, Ohio. May 1, 1821. 
daughter of Uriah and SiTsannah (Williams) Egbert, who were married iu 
Franklin County, Ohio, in 1815, and who, in 1822, came to this county, where 
they spent the remainder of their days. They were the parents of thirteen 
chilth'en. ten of whom are now living: Mary, Jeremiah. John D.. Sarah, Thomas 
W.. Eliza, Jesse S., Andi'ew J., Susan and Priscilla. Mr. Egbert died Oc- 
tober 9. 1876, aged eighty-foiu" years; Mrs Egliert died May 13, 1S75. aged 
seventy-nine years. To our subject and wife have been born eight childi-en: 
Eliza J., Sarah E., Thomas U., Theodore S.. Susie E.. John W., Rollin J. 
and Minnie. Mi-. Strickling served in the 100 days" enrollment in the late war, 
in Company E, One Hundi'ed and Sixty -fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry. He aud his wife have been members for fifty years of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, with which he is officially connected. He was a Democrat 
in early life, but for the past twenty years has been a Republican. 

C^SAR TEARE, farmer. P. 6. "Green Spring, is a native of the Isle of 
Slau, Great Britain, born and baptised February 28. 1809, the son of Coesar 
and Esther (Kewiu ) Teare, who have long since been dead, and of whose fam- 
ily oiu- subject is the only survivor. He came to this country and this county 
in 1870 to take possession of the farm in Adams Township he now owns and 
occupies, and which was left him by the last will and testament of his lirother, 
Thomas Teare, who came to America and settled in Adams Township, this 
county, about forty years ago. but never lived upon his land, he being a boot 
and shoe-maker, a trade he followed in the city of Tiffin until his death. He 
left no offspring, having never been married. Ci^sar Teare continues to op- 
erate the farm with the assistance of the family who liv(> with him upou the 
same. He has never man'ied. 

M. F. VAN BUSKIRK was born in Richland County August 22. 1862. 
He received his early education in a country school, and afterward completed 
his schooling at Vermillion Institute, of Hayesville. Ohio, and Otterbein I'ni- 
versity, of West(>rville. Ohio. Before he had completed his education he was 
connected with the Hayesville (Ohio) Journal. In 1881 he purchased the 



ADAMS TOWNSJIIP. 718 

Groon Spring Times, being then only nineteen years of age. Excellent suc- 
cess attondeil his efforts, and in 1881 his uncle, H. J. Ernsberger, went into 
partnership with him under the firm name of Van Buskirk & Co.* The oflice 
has gradually grown fi-om an army press and small e(juipment in a gan-et, to a 
steam office, counting room, etc. 

JOHN WALES 2d, farmer, P, O. Clyde, Sandusky County, was born in 
Thompson Township, this county, March 7, 188r), son of Jacob and Catharine 
(llans) Wales, natives of Pennsylvania, of ^\'elsh and German descent. On 
coming to Ohio they s<>ttled first in Wayne County, and in 1828 came to this 
county, where they both died. Their family consisted of live children, throe 
of whom are now living: Elizabeth, in \Vood County, Ohio; Jemima Ann D., 
in Huron County, Ohio, and John. The subject of this sketch resided on his 
father's farm until he was eighteen years of age and then removed to Me 
Henry County, 111, , and entered the employ of his uncle in an extensive mer- 
chandising Inisiness. He remained about six years, during which time he 
manifested more than ordinary business tact and ability. In 1858 he re- 
turned to his native county, where he purchased land and a saw-mill, which he 
operated for about foiu- years. He then disposed of these interests and pur- 
chased a farm in Section 14, Adams Township, this county, which he has im- 
proved and upon which he now resides. He now has lUO acres in all. He 
was married, ^rarch 29, 1860, to Miss Sarah J. Gnisbert, a native of Adams 
Township, born in July, lHii7\ daughter of John and Elizabeth (Mhiten^an) 
Guisi)ert, both of whom are now deceased; they were natives of Maryland and 
Pennsylvania, respectively, and of German descent. They were among the 
first settlers in this county and were the parents of a large family of children, 
of whom six survive: Andrew, Elizabeth, Daniel, John E., Sarah J. and 
Lilly. Mr. and Mrs. Wales 2d are the parents of seven children: Marcellus 
A\'.. Libliie C, Leno L. and Lena L. , John E. , Rosco A. and AVaklo V. 
(the two latter are twins). John Wales 2d is a jjrominent and ardent advo- 
cate of the principles of the Republican party. He has filled several of th(^ 
township offices. He served under the KM) days" call in the late war in 
Company K. One Hundreil and Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio ^'^oh\nteer Infan- 
tiy. He is a liberal contributor to all benevolent enterprises, a man of good 
moral principles, although not particularly identified with any denomination 
or sect. He is a prominent and worthy member of the order of F. & A. M. 
His wife is a member of the United Brethren Chiu-ch. 

JOSEPH WEIKER. farmer. P. O. Green Spring, was born in Inion 
County. Penn. . in 180 (, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Deal) Weiker, who 
came to this county in 1884, where they both died several years later. Our 
subject also came to this county about six 3'ears after. He was married in his 
native county to Nancy Hawkin. a native of Virginia, daughter of George and 
Hannah (Long) Hawkin. To Mi', and Mrs. Weiker have been born eleven 
children: John, Sarah, Jacob, David, Isaac, Emanuel, Levi, George, Jonas, 
Hannah and Valentine. All the boys vote the Democratic ticket, which is a 
soiu'ce of great satisfaction to their father. His sons-in-law also vote the 
same ticket. Mr. A\'eiker has more than forty gi-andchildren and several 
great gi'andchildren. On coming into this county he purchased land of Asa 
Crockett, one of the first pioneers of this county, long since gone to his final 
resting place. Mr. Weiker suffered many of the hardships of the early days 
in this county, and has cleared and improved many acres with his own hands. 
He has now 140 acres of land, after having divided liberally with his sons Mini 
(laughters, also assisting them in many ways. 



714 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

CHAELES "WRIGHT, famicr. P. O. Clvde. Sandusky County, is a na- 
tive of Adams Township. Seneca Co.. Ohio, and son of Cyrenus and Di- 
ana (Cole) AVright; the former a native of New York State and the latter of 
Montreal, Canada. They settled in this county in 1827 and reared a family 
of nine childi-en, of whom seven are now living, our subject alone remaining 
in this county. Cyrenus "Wright died in 1872. and his widow in 1880. Charles 
Wright was manied. in 1808, to Olivia Cooper. Four children have been born 
to this iinion, three now living: Lam-a N. . Clara N. and Charles CjTenus. 
Mrs. Wright departed this life Februarj- U. 1874. and Mr. Wright then mar- 
ried, in 1875, Elvina Kistler, of Adams Township, this county. He is en- 
gaged in general farming. In politics he is a Republican. 

ALBERT R. YOUNG, furniture manufacturer and dealer. Green Spring, 
is a native of Adams Township, born Febiiiarj- 14. 1851; son of Charles and 
Catharine (Spangler) Young, who came fi'om Germany in their youth, first 
settling in Maiyland, and in 1845 came to this county, where they died not many 
years since. Oiu- subject was reared on a farm, and, at the age of eighteen 
years, went to Dayton. Ohio, where he learned the trade of carpenter and 
joiner, and returning to Green Spring the following year he continued work- 
ing at the same trade for three years. In the spring of 1873 he built a line 
hearse and began the undertaking business, which he followed for several 
years in connection with his trade. In 1878 he was employed by the village 
council to prepare plans and specifications for the erection of a town hall, the 
contract for building the same being given to him. He completed the build- 
ing the following year, and in 1880 he rented room in the same for the furni- 
ture store which he still carries on. In the same year he, in partnership with 
his brother, Daniel W., also Ijuilt a line foiu--stoiy frame factoiy for manufactur- 
ing fiu'niture: this factory was destroyed by fii'e in the spring of 1883, entailing 
a loss of S14,(W0. Mr. Young is a prominent citizen of Green Spring, gifted 
' with a spirit of public enterprise, and. notwithstanding his being an ardent 
advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, has filled several of the 
village ofiices. the village being largely Republican. !Mr. Young was man'ied. 
September 4. 1873, to Miss Ida J. Miller, of Adams Township, where she was 
born January 4, 1856, and by her he has three children: Mary B. , Charles J. 
and Bernard G. 

JOSIAH YOUNG, farmer and Virick and tile manufacturer. P. O. 
Green Spring, is a native of Adams Township, this county, born December 5. 
1852. son of Charles and Mary Catharine (Spangler) Young, and brother of 
Henry F., Charles M., Lewis V,'., John P.. Albert E.. Daniel W.. Edward A. 
and ^Minerva Y'^oung. He was reared on a farm and has since given some 
attention to farming. He became owner of land at the death of his father, in 
1877. and now owns land in both Adams and Pleasant Townships, this county. 
He also holds j)roperty in the village of Green Spring. He followed the 
carpenter's trade for a short time, and in 1881, he began the manufacture of 
brick, to which line of business he added, in 1883, that of tile making, all of 
which he still operates quite extensively. IVIi-. Young was maiTied, February 
18. 1879. to Miss Caroline Schuster, of Adams Townshi]). this coimty. She 
is a native- of Erie County, N. Y. . born July 3, 185(3, daughter of Christian 
and Elizabeth (Hauek) Schuster, natives of Germany, and who were married 
in Erie Coxmty, N. Y. ; they were j)arents of seven childi-en, five of whom 
are still living: Delana, Elizabeth. George H. . Christiana and Caroline. 
Those deceased are Dewalt and Jacob E. , the former of whom was killed in 
the late war, June 23, 1864; latter died at Wellborn. Fla. , September 26, 1883. 
]\Ir. Schuster died October 8, 1880: his widow now resides with her children 



BIG SPRING TOWNSHir. 715 

ill their several localities. To Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Yonng has been l)orn 
one child. Ervin D., born May 27, 1880. Mrs. Young is a member of tho 
Jlethodist Episcopal Church. In politics ilr. Young is a Democrat. 

JOSIAH ZIMJIERMAN. farmer. P. O. Clyde. Sandusky County, is a 
native of Adams Township. Seneca Co., Ohio, born October 20, 184 1; son of 
John and Kebecca (Fisher) Zimmerman, who emigiated from Pennsylvania to 
this State and county more than forty years ago, and here remained until their 
death. Our subject was reared on a farm, has followed farming all his life, 
and purchased land in Adams Township, this county, in 1880. He was 
married, January 1, 1873, to Miss Hamet E. Shellhammer. who is also a 
native of Adams Township, born December 14, 1848. To this union have 
been born four children: Clara J., Lena M. . Jesse W. and Yinnie E. (de- 
ceased). Mrs. Zimmerman is a daughterof Charles and Elizabeth (Whiteman) 
Shellhammer. natives of Pennsylvania. They both came to Ohio in an early 
day. she in 1835, and he in 1842. They were married here and have reared a 
family of four childi-en: Sarah J.. Han-iet E., William C. and Yiola, all of 
whom are now married. In politics Mr. Zimmerman has identilied himself 
with the Democratic party. 



BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP. 



REV. RUDOLPH ABBREDEKIS, Catholic priest. New Riegel. was born 
in the old country, September 18, 1850. His parents, John G. and Mary A. 
(Matt) Al:)brederis, were natives of Genuany. where they were married and re- 
mained until death. They were the parents of live chikhen. of whom our subject 
is the youngest. After acquiring a classical education in Feldkirch our suliject 
immigi'ated to Mercer County. Ohio, in January. 1S70, and there pursued a the- 
ological coiu'se in college at Carthagena. After his ordination. August 15. 1873. 
he took charge of a congregation in jMercer County, and then was transferred to 
Pulaski County. Ind. , thence to Putnam County, Ohio, and finally, in October, 
1883. to New Riegel. this county, where he is pastor of St. Peter's Chiu'ch. 

NICHOLAS AREND. farmer. P. O. Bei-wick,was born in Belgium. November 
f'l. 1814. His parents. Nicholas and Mary A. Arend. were also natives of Belgium, 
where they manied and lived and died. Our subject married. May 4. 1857. 
Anna Pethe. who was born in Belgium in November. 1832, daughter of Andrew 
and Margaret Pethe, of same nativity and who remained in their native land 
until death. Our subject and wife immigrated to America, coming dii-ect to 
Big Spring Township, this county, in 1857, where they have remained ever 
since. They are the parents of eight chiUli-en. seven now living: Nicholas, 
John, Anna (wife of Peter M. Reinhart), Dominic, Peter, Mary and Andrew: 
Nicholas is deceased. Our subject now owns eighty acres of fint^ land, whereon 
he and his family reside. They are all faithful members of the Catholic Church 
at St. Nicholas. 

NICHOLAS BAKEIS. farmer. P. O. Acbian, was born in Big Spring 
Township, this county, son of Joseph (a farmer) and Jane (Jenning) Bakeis, 
natives of Belgiiuu. foiToer born March 7, 1820. latter born May 25, 1825; 
they were manned Febimarv" 25. 1845, and were the parents of twelve children, 
six of whom are now living: Joseph, John. Nicholas. Frank. Andrew and Lewis. 
Josepli Bakeis, the father of this family, died June 5, 1885, aged sixty -five 



716 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

years, two months and twenty-nine days. Our siiliject. along with his brothers, 
is managing the homestead farm, comprising 152 acres of good land, where the 
family has resided nearly forty-three years. They are all members of the 
Catholic Chiu-ch at St. Nicholas. 

JACOB BLACK, farmer, P. O. Adrian, was born in Clinton Township, 
this county, May 3, 1828; son of Jacob and Sarah Black, natives of Mary- 
land, who were man'ied and tu'st settled in the East, thence in 1S2T moving to 
Tiffin, this coimty, and fi-om there to M'yandot County, Ohio, where !Mrs. 
Black departed this life in 1863; MJr. Black lived among his childi'en until his 
death which occuiTed in 1877. Oiu- subject was united in maixiage, Novem- 
ber 11, 1852, with Elizabeth Miley, born in this coimty, March 8, 183>s, 
daughter of John and Magdalena Miley, natives of Yu'ginia, who settled in 
Seneca County, Ohio, about 1828, and here remained imtil their death, Mr. 
Miley dying in 1874 and his wife in 1856. Our subject and wife are the par- 
ents of four chikhren, of whom two are now living: John H. , born Septem- 
ber 1. 1853, and Albert F., born September 28, 1862: the deceased are Emma 
A., wife of Frank Johnson, and an infant. Mr. Black owns 173 acres well- 
improved land. Mrs. Black is a faithful and consistent member of the United 
Brethren Church. 

PETER BRAYTON. farmer, P. O. Carey, Wyandot County, one of 
the first settlers of Big Spring Township, this county, was born in Crawford 
(now Wyandot) County, Ohio, February 7, 1825, son of Elijah and Anna 
(Holebrook) Brayton, natives of Vermont where they were married and lived 
for a few years thereafter; thence they moved to Fremont. Ohio, in 1814, and 
from there to Huron County, Ohio, about 1816, and later to Wyandot County 
where they remained until about 1831, when they came to Big Spring Town- 
ship, this county, settling on what is known as the Indian Reserve, and here 
they resided until death, Elijah Brayton dying in 1868, his wife in 1851. Our 
subject has been twice married, the tirst time January 1, 1845, to Mary Ogg, 
born in Wyandot County, Ohio, August 17, 1826, daughter of Kiusey and 
Eliza Ogg, natives of Ohio (both now deceased), and to this union were born six 
children, five now living: Josephine, wife of John Foulk; Jesse; Emily J., 
wife of Joseph Crislip; Lafayette; Tefronia, wife of Maj. C. Bright; Newton 
is deceased. Jesse has been twice niaiTied, tirst time to Sarah Boucher, by 
whom he had one son and one daughter, and second time to Lilla Montgomery, 
who has born him one son and one daughter. Mrs. Braj'ton died August 1 , 
1871, deeply mourned by her husband, family and a host of friends; she was 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Chiu-ch. March 19, 1872, ]Mr. Brayton 
was again man-ied, this time to Hannah Little, born in Hancock County, Ohio, 
October 31, 1838, daughter of Solomon and Rachel Little, former of whom, a 
native of Virginia, died in July. 18(54, latter, born in Han-ison County, Ohio, 
is still living. One child, now deceased, was the issue of our subject's last 
marriage. i\li-. Brayton owns 64(^ acres of good land. He was a member of 
the Ohio National Guards diu'ing the late civil war, enlisting June 29. 1862. in 
Company C, Forty-ninth Regiment; was detailed for giiai-d duty at Johnson's 
Island, and received an honorable discharge, August 12, 1862, and returned 
home. He subsequently provided two substitutes at a cost of $350. He and 
his wife are members of the Methodist Episciipal Chiu-ch. Politically ]\Ii'. 
Bravton is a stanch Republican. 

S. P. BROSEMER. farmer, P. O. New Riegel. was born in Big 
Spring Township, this county, October 28, 1846, son of Landelin and Eliza- 
beth Brosemer, natives of Baden, where they were married; they immigrated to 
America about 1832, and here settled on the farm where our subject now 



BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP. 717 

resides in Big Sprincr Townshii); thenco thoy moved to New Riegel and there 
remained until Mi's. Brosemor's death. May 4, 1881. caused by a team of 
horses running away. Landelin Brosemer was born Sejttember 8, 1808, died 
July "Jt"), 1885. Our subject was united in marriage. April U. 18')!), with Mary 
Thiel, born in Seneca County, Ohio, in December. 1851. daughter of Matthias 
(deceased) and Anna Thiel, and by this union have been horn ten ehildi'en, 
nine now living: Matthias, Stephen, Charles, Henry. Joseph. Leo. Anna. Otto 
and Louie A. ; Andrew is deceased. Our subject owns eighty acres of good 
laud. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church. 

ISA.iC W, CLINE. farmer. P. O. Adr-iau, was born in Fairfield County, 
Ohio, June 9, 1887; son of David and Rebecca Cline, the former a native of 
Fairfield County, Ohio, born April 8, 1812, the latter a native of Virginia, born 
in Februaiy, 1818; after their mairiage they first settled in Fairfield County, and 
from there came to this county, Januaiy Ifi, 1849, where they remained until 
death. David Cline died Match 9. 1880, his widow December 10.1881. Our 
subject was united in marriage, December 16, 1800, with Elizabeth Johnson, 
bom in this coixnty May 27, 1887, daughter of Archibald and Catharine John- 
son, natives of Peimsylvania, former of whom was killed by lightning in 1S45; 
his widow siu'vivedhim until 1879. when she passed away from earth. !Mr. and 
Mrs. Cline have one daughter, Nettie J., born May 15, 18(i5. Mr. Cline has 
been very prosperous since starting out for himself. He learned carpentering 
of his father, who followed that vocation, and, after working at his trade eleven 
years, purchased property in Adrian, opened a general store and since 1 87() has 
continued in merchandising. He now owns the old homestead, comprising 
eighty acres of land in Seneca Township, this comity. jVL'. Cline has tilled the 
o^ice of trustee three terms, and is now serving his thu'd tenn as justice of the 
peace of Big Spring Township. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. 

FRANK COLLET, fanner, P. O. Adj-ian. was born in Belgiiuu, Novem- 
ber 25, 1820; son of Thecjdore and Margaret Collet, natives of Belgium, where 
they lived and died, Oiu- subject immigrated to America in 1858 and aiTived at 
Tiffin, this county, in 1854. He was united in marriage, in 1854, with Victoria 
Guillam, born in Belgium in 1880, daughter of Nicholas and Mary A. Guillam, 
who died" in Seneca County, Ohio. To Mi-, and Mrs. Collet were born eight 
children: Josej)hine (wife of John Windaw), Theodore (married), Laiu-a, Frank, 
Augusta and John, living, and Josephine and Jacob, deceased. Mrs. Collet de- 
parted this life October 8t), 1872, leaving her family and a large concourse of 
friends to mourn her loss. In 1875 Mr. Collet returned to his native land and 
there mairied Mary Ballom, born in Belgium November 15, 1844, daughter of 
Nicholas and Mai'garet Ballom, the former of whom is still living, the latter 
deceased. By this union there are five children: Philemean. Nicliolas. Will- 
iam, Joseph and Peter. Mr. Collet owns 120 acres mostly improved land, 
where he resides. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church at 
St. Nicholas, in wliich he has served as one of the trustees for six year's. 

JOHN H. EWrNG, carpenter, Adrian, was born in Adams County, Peiui., 
September 0. 1884; son of Anderson and Julia Ewing, natives of Pennsylvania, 
where they remained until 1840, then moved to Seneca County, Ohio, residing 
here until Mrs. Ewing' s death, which occun-ed in 1847. Anderson Ewing was 
subsequently married to Lucretia Crooks, and moved to Wyandot County, Ohio, 
where he died in 1875. and where his widow still resides. Our subject was united 
in man'iage, June 6. 1801. with Lavenia McCullough, born in Seneca County, 
Ohio, January 28, 1844, daughter of ^L'lek and Eliza ilcChillough, who tii-st 
settled in Seneca County, Ohio, thence moved to Wyandot County, Ohio, where 
they died. Mr. and Mrs. Ewing are the parents of five children : Alva. Anna, 

29 



718 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Emmet and Omar, living, and an infant, deceased. Our subject owns nice town 
property ; is a caiisenter by trade, an occupation he lias followed nearly all his 
life. During the late war of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company D, Forty- 
ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served from 1S62 until August. 
ISfJo, participating in several serious engagements. He is a F. & A. M.. and 
a member of the I. O. O. F. 

AVILLIAM H. FOCHT, M. S., M. D., New Riegel, was born in Lehigh 
Count}', Penn.. January IS, 1S5S. His parents, James F. and Polly A. Focht. 
were also natives of Pennsylvania, where they were maiTied and remained until 
November 10, 1870, when they moved to Seneca County, Ohio, where they 
have since resided. They are the parents of three children: William H. . James 
D. and Charles E. Our subject, who is the eldest, piu'sued a scientific course 
of study at Heidelberg College. Tiffin. Ohio, graduating June 17. 1880. He 
then read medicine with Dr. A. B. Hovey (now deceased), and. March 1. 1883. 
gi-aduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Baltimore, Md. 
and located March 9, same year, at New Riegel. this county, where he has 
since been following his profession, having now the best practice of any physi- 
cian in Big Spring Township. On the "ilst of June, 1883, the tnistees of 
Heidelberg College conferred upon him the degi'ee of Master of Science. 

THEODORE M. FRINK, retired farmer, P. O. New Riegel, is one of the 
pioneers of Seneca County. Ohio, and was born in "West Springfield. Hampden 
Co., Mass., November 2, 1804, a son of Luther and Phcebe Frink. also natives 
of Massachiisetts, where they were married and there remained until death. 
Oiu' subject was united in maiTiage in his native State, April 25. 1832, with 
Sabrina Torrey, born in Hamjishire County. ^lass. , July 22. 1808, and to 
this union were born four chilcb-en: Ellen, wife of Heni'y Pepper; Elvira, wife 
of William Ames; James and Henry. Mrs. Frink departed this life February 
3. 1855. Our subject was married on second occasion, July 3. 1862, with 
Frederica Kopp, born in Wurtembiu-g, Germany, February 28, 1831, daughter 
of Jacob and Frederica Kopp, who both died in M'urtemberg, and by this mar- 
riage there was born April 3, 1866. one child. Sophia L. ili'. Frink owns 
eighty acres of fine land, whereon he and his family reside. He filled the 
office of trustee eight years, and has been one of the justices of the peace of 
Big Spring Township for thirty-one years. Mrs. Frink is a member of the 
Lutheran Church. 

ALBERT FUCHS, farmer. P. O. Adiian, an enterprising yomig man, was 
born in Sandusky City, Ohio, August 3. 1855, his parents being Sebastian and 
Agatha Fuchs, natives of Baden, Germany. Sebastian Fuchs is fi'om the vil- 
lage of Gindlingen. Baden Co. , Old Breisach. Mrs. Agatha Fuchs, former name 
Agatha Kraus, wife of Sebastian Fuchs, was fi'om the village Eshbaeh, Baden 
Co., Staufen. They immigrated to Ohio, settling in Big Spring Town.ship, 
Seueca County, about 1854. where they remained until the death of Mrs. 
Fuchs. April 12.1875; Mr. Fuchs now resides with his son Albert. Oiir subject 
was united in marriage. June 12, 1877. with Catherine Kin. born in the village 
Hachy, County D'Etalle. Province de Luxemburg. Belgium. August 28, 1855. 
daughter of John and ]\Iary Kin, former a resident of Kirby, Wyandot Co., 
Ohio; latter deceased. To oiu- subject and wife were born four childi-en: Mary 
L., born June 2'J, 1878, died August 29, 1878; John S. , born October 11,1879; 
Margarette, born October 30, 1881, and John H.. born September 11, 1883. 
Ml'. Fuchs has met with good success, and now owns 120 acres of land, mostly 
improved, whereon he resides. He and his family are members of the St. 
Nicholas Catholic Church. Mr. Fuchs is serving on the school board of Big 
Spring Township. 



Bir, SPUING TiiWN.siIir. 71!) 

REV. JOSEPH P. GLODEN, priest, Berwick, was bom January 12, 
1842. ill Luxomburt^. Gormany. His parents. Nicholas and Susan (Klein) 
Gloden. were also natives of Luxemburg, where the former was born in IS 17. 
and the latter in 181-"): they were married in their native land and there JIi's. 
Gloden departed this life in 1801. Nicholas Gloden still resides in Ijuxem- 
Inu'g. Tlie subject of this sketch acquired a classical education in Europe, 
came to America and took a theological course at Clev(>land, Ohio: was or- 
dained in 18()1), by Bishop Kai)])e. and in 1871 b(>came pastor of the St. 
Nicholas congregation in Big Spring Township, this county, to whose spiritual 
wants he has since ministered. His church, now comprising eighty-two fami- 
lies, was organized in ISoo, and the church edilice was built in ISS'). Father 
L. Molon was the first pastor, and in the coiu'se of time was succeeded by 
Fathers Ball}'. Dolwick, Lanx. Moes, Magenhann. Burkel and Rev. Joseph P. 
Gloden. 

ANTHONY GOEHR. farmer. P. O. New Riegel. was born in Baden. 
Germany. January 24. bS85: son of Peter and Mary Goehr. also natives of 
Baden, where they remained until their death. Our subject immigrated to 
America, coming direct to Seneca County. Ohio. He was united in marriage. 
May 24, 1807, with Rosa Bosch, born in Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1850, a daugh- 
ter of Frank and Catharine Bosch, the former living, the latter deceased. To 
oiu' subject and wife have been born foui- children, three of whom are now 
living: IMary, Joseph and Anna; Sophia is deceased. Jlr. Goehr is a stone 
and brickmason by trade which he worked at in Tiffin and Dayton. Ohio, 
about six years; then went to California and engaged in mining and dealing iu 
stock; in 18G7 he returned to this county and has lived iu Big Spring Town- 
ship ever since. He owns seventy-eight acres of improved land where he re- 
sides. He and his family are members of the Catholic Chiu'ch. 

JOHN GRINE. farmer, P. O. Adrian, a respected citizen of Seneca 
County, was born in Belgium, September 24, 1810; son of Stephen and Eliza- 
beth Grine, also natives of Belgium, where they remained until their death. 
Our subject was married in the old country, in August, 1888. to Margaret 
Limbauch, and immigrated to America, locating in this county, on his present 
farm, in 1847. This union was blessed with live children, four living: Catha- 
rine, wife of Peter \\'elter; Maiy, wife of Charles Nolan; Catharine, wife of 
John Pui)enburg; Susan, wife of John Christ; Henry is deceased. Mrs. 
Grine departed this life in 184U and our subject then married, in 1851. Mary 
Shortchen, born in Belgium in 1828, daughter of John B. and Margaret 
Shortchen, who both died in Belgium, and to this union were born ten chil- 
di-en, nine now living: Katie, wife of Samuel Cariethers; John; Joseph; 
Margaret, wife of Peter Wagner; Adam; Annie; Nicholas; Henry and 
Thomas; Peter is deceased. Mrs. Grine died January 27, 1884. Our sub- 
ject is a weaver by trade, but since coming to America has ])rincipally engaged 
in farming and now owns 1 01 .\ acres of improved land where he resides. He 
and his familv are members of the Catholic Church. 

JONATHAN A. HAINES, farmer, P. O. Acbiaii, was born in Mary- 
land, January 23. 1828; son of Job and Ann Haines, natives of the East, 
who came to Seneca Township, this county, about 1840, and remained the 
balance of their lives; the former died in 1845, the latter in 1857. Our sub- 
ject was united in marriage. May 29, 1858, with Rachael YoHUg. born in 
Seneca County, Ohio, September 1, 1835; her parents were Samuel and Isa- 
bella Young, natives of Pennsylvania, who were maiTied in AVayne County, 
Ohio, where they remained until 1838. at which time they moved to Big 
Spring Township, this county, and here resideil until Mr. Young's death 



720 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

which occiUTed iu September, 1859; his widow subsequently maiTied Samuel 
Hoyt (now deceased); she resides in Adrian, Ohio. To our subject and wife 
were born six children: Clara E.. Anna B. . Stella. Frank W., Elsie M. and 
Alice F. Dm-ing the war of the Rebellion our subject served II tO days in 
Company B, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards. 
Mr. Haines followed his trade, carpentering, for nine yefirs; passed two years 
in California. Since 1861 he has engaged in farming, and now owns sixty 
acres improved land on which he and his familv reside. 

JOSEPH W. HARSH, farmer, P. O.Alvada. was born in Wayne County, Ohio. 
October 12. 1823.' son of Benjamin and Margaret Har.sh. natives of Pennsylva- 
nia, who settled in Wayne County. Ohio, where they remained until their 
death. Benjamin Harsh died June U, 18(i8: his wife May 6, 1861. Our sub- 
ject was united in maniage. May 13. 1847, with Elizabeth Titler. born in 
Wayne County, Ohio. Februaiy 3, 182'.). daughter of Jacob and Margaret Titler 
(both deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Harsh came to Big Spring Township, this 
county, in 1848, and has lived here ever since. They are the parents of three 
childi'en: Margaret A., wife of William Reynolds: Emily, wife of Nicholas 
Boley: Eliza J., deceased. Mi-. Harsh owns ninety-three acres of good land 
where he and his family reside, and 160 acres in Iowa. He is a member of 
the I. O. O. F. Diu'ing the late war of the Rebellion he tii'st enlisted in 
Company F. Forty-ninth Regiment Ohio National Guards, in the spring of 
1863. and in the fall of that \ear the regiment was called out to gxiard Con- 
federate prisoners at Johnson's Island, on Lake Erie; on May 2. 1864, the reg- 
iment was called out to do guard duty around Washington City: then was 
taken to Cleveland, Ohio, and there mustered into the United States service. 
There oiu' subject was put. May 2. 1864. into Company C. One Hundi'ed and 
Sixty-foiuth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and from there left for A\'ashing- 
ton City, and thence marched to Arlington Heights. Com])any C was sta- 
tioned at Fort Cochran, and remained there till the 18th of August. 1864; 
was then taken back to Cleveland, and there discharged. ^Ir. and Mrs. Harsh 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

JACOB HERBERT, farmer, P. O. Alvada. was born in Bavaria. Ger- 
many. Augiist 5. 1828. His parents. Frederick and Margarite Herbert, were 
also natives of Germany, where they maiTied and lived until the death of the 
mother April 13, 1849: the father, who was born in 1801, immigrated to Amer- 
ica, settling in Loudon Township, this county, in 1861, and here died in 1S6S. 
Our subject came to this county in isr)4. He was united in man-iage, Janu- 
ary ^'}. 1807. with Adaline Schlemmer. born in Seneca Township, this county. 
July 17, 1838. daughter of Christian and Elizabeth Schlemmer (both 
deceased), and to this union were liorn nine children, seven of whom are now 
li'\'ing: Matilda C. (wife of Hiram Preslerl, ^largaret E.. Frederick W.. 
Anna M. . Jacob A., Adam R. . Lucy A.: Hemy and Minnie E. are deceiised. 
Mr. Herbert worked at his trade (cai-jientering) fourteen years, since when he 
has been engaged in farming, and ikjw owns 125 acres of land, mostly 
imjn'oved, whei'e he resides. He and his family are membeis of the German 
Reformed Church. Mi-. Herl)ert has been a member of the school board for 
foiu'teen years. 

CONRAD HERBERT, farmer. P O. Alvada. was born in Germany Feb- 
ruary 19, 1830. son of Frederick and Margarite Herbert, natives of Genuany, 
where they lived until Mrs. Herbert's death in 1849. Frederick Herbert re- 
sided several years in his native land: then immigrated to America, and to Loudon 
Township, Seneca Co., Ohio, in 1861. where he departed this life May 1, 1868. 
Our subject was luiited in marriage. January 11. 1859, with Civillie Fruith, 



BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP. 721 

also a native of Germany, born January 0, 1840, a daughter of Jacob J. and 
Civillie Fruith. who were born in the old eouutry, immigi-ating to America, 
and locating in Cuyahoga County, near Cleveland, Ohio, where they remained 
two years; thence came to this county, where Mr. Fruith died April '28, 1S73; 
his widow resides in Loudon Township. IMi-. and Mrs. Herbert have had 
eleven children, nine now living: Susan M. (wife of Nathan A. Hakes), 
Christena, Katharine (wife of Lewis Siegchrist), Anna M. , John J., Barbara 
E. , Conrad A., Augusta C. and Lucy A. Edward and an infant are deceased, 
ilr. Herb(>rt is a carpenter by trade, an occupation he followed one year after 
coming to America in 1S53. In 1854 he went to California, and after engag- 
ing in mining nearly four years returned to this county, where he now owns 
170 acres of improved land, and has since l)een farming. Mr. Herbert has 
been a memlier of the school board twelve years. He and his wife are members 
of the Reformed Church. 

FREDERIC:K W. Herbert, farmer, p. O. Alvada, was born in Bava 
ria. Germany, October 25, 1833, son of Fi'ederick and Margarite Herliert, 
natives of Germany, and where the latter died April 1 3, 184i). After his wife's 
demise, Frederick Herbert came to Ohio about 1861, and died in Loudon Town- 
ship, this county. May 1, 1868. Our subject immigrated to Loudon Town- 
seip. this county, in 1861, where he met Miss Josephine Schlemmer, who was 
born in Seneca County, Ohio, January 21, 1N44, a daughter of Christian and 
Elizabeth Schlemmer (both deceased). On the 24th of February, 1870, the 
ceremony was performed which made our subject and Miss Schlemmer husband 
and wife, and to this union have been bom two childi-en: Sarah E., born 
October 4, 1872: and Amelia V., born Januaiy 18, 1876. Mr. Herbert is a 
carpenter by trade, but has been engaged in fanning since coming to America, 
where he has met with good success. He owns fifty-six and a half acres of 
good land, whereon he and his family reside. Mi\ and Mrs. Herbert are mem- 
bers of the GeiTuan Reformed Chiu'ch. He served in the regular army in the 
mother country fi'om 1854 to 1S()(). 

RANSOM "j. HIGGINS. farmer, P. O. Atkian. is a son of John and 
Joanna Higgius.and was born August 1. 1852, in Wyandot County, Ohio. His 
father, a native of Maryland, and his mother a native of New York, were 
united in marriage in Newark, Ohio, where they first settled ; thence moved to 
Wyandot County, Ohio, in the spring of 1852, fi-om there to this county in 
18(54, and in 1884 returned to Wyandot County, where they reside at present. 
Our subject was married, March 23, 1875, to Olive R. Slaymaker, born in 
Seneca County, Ohio, July 13. 1851. Her parents, William H. and Mary M. 
Slaymaker. natives of Pennsylvania, were united in marriage in Seneca County, 
Ohio, where they have remained ever since. To Mr. and ^Irs. Higgins were 
born two childi-en: Arthm- Jay, born November 23, 1877, died August 12. 
1878, and Ernest J., born March i), 187'j. Oiu- subject, after marriage, set- 
tled on the farm of eighty acres which he still owns, and when" he and his 
family reside. 

WILLLVM HIGLI, farmer, P, O. Adrian, was born in Wyandot County. 
Ohio. Jime 14, 1837. His parents, Jaronimus and Matilda Higli, natives of 
Pennsylvania, were man-ied in Medina County, Ohio, and settled in Wyandot 
County, Ohio, where they remained until death. Jaronimus Higli dejjarted 
this life in 1873. his wife in 1862. Our subject was united in marriage. 
Se))tember 6, 1869, with Emily Ton-ey, born in Wyandot C<.)unty, Ohio, July 
31, 1841, a daughter of Joseph T. and Elizabeth Torrey. the former born in 
Massachusetts, July 25. 1811, the latter born in New York, April 25, 181(1. 
They were married in Ravenna, Portage Co., Ohio, and settled in Wyandot 



iTl BIOGRAPHICAL SKEICHES: 

County, Ohio, where thej remained until Mrs. Torrey's death. March 12, 
1884. Mr. ToiToy is now a resident of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. and Mi's. Higli 
have two childi-eii: Bessie M. , born Febiiiary 7, 187"), and Isa M., born May 
lU. 1877. Ovu- subject has followed farming all his life. He served his 
country during the late war of the llebellion. in Company A, Fifth M. T. , 
from August 14. 1801. until he was discharged. July 15, 1865. He was in all 
the engagements of the Army of the Potomac during the Peninsular cam- 
paign, and was wounded in his right arm in the battle of the Wilderness. 

PAUL HUSS. farmer. P. O. New Eiegel, was born ia Germany, March 
27, 1843, son of Nicholas and Catharine Huss, natives of Germany, where 
they were manned and first settled. In 1 840 they immigrated to America, 
coming direct to Ohio and locating in Seneca County, where they remained 
until the death of j\L-s. Huss, May 5, 1873. Nichola.s Huss is now a resident 
of New Eiegel. Ohio. Our subject was united in maniage. January 26. 186U. 
with Josephine Plenz. born in New Riegel. this county, July 12, 1850. Her 
parents, Nicholas and Elizabeth Plenz. natives of Germany, immigrated to 
Big Spring Townshiji, this county, about thirty-six years ago and have lived 
here ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Huss are the parents of seven children : Joseph 
N., Philomina C Loretta M., Hemy A,, Charlie P,, Alfi-ida M. and Del- 
phina M. Oiu- subject has followed agricultiu-al piu'suits nearly all his life, 
and now owns eighty acres improved land. He is one of the present trustees 
of Big Spring Township. He and his family are members of the Catholic 
Church. 

WILLIAM JOHNSON, farmer. P. O. AtWan, was born in Pennsylvania, 
October 10, 1S14, a son of Archibald and Catharine Johnson, also natives of 
Pennsylvania, where they were married and first settled. They moved to 
Medina County. Ohio, and thence to this county in 1820, where they re.sided 
until death. Archibald Johnson was killed by lightning in 1845; his widow 
died September 1, 187U. Oui- subject was married. February 17, 1845, to 
Nancy Cline, born in Lancaster County, Penn., May 8. 1827, daughter of 
George and Maiy Cline. natives of IMaryland, who were manned in Lancaster 
County, first settling there; they came to this county about 1836, and here re- 
mained the residue of their lives. Mrs. Cline died in 1856. and Mi-. Cline in 
1861. Our subject and wife are parents of nine childi'en, of whom eight are 
now living: Kebecca, Isaac, William J.. George A., Mary, Jennie, Henrj- E. 
and Andrew. Mr. Johnson, who has always been a farmer, owns 113 acres of 
land mostly improved, also town property. He is one of the old settlers of 
this county, and has lived an honest, straightforward life. 

FRANCIS KALMES, farmer, P. O. Adi'ian, was born in Belgium. No- 
vember 3. 1822; son of Nicholas and Catharine Kalmes, who departed this 
life in the old country. Oiu- subject immigi-ated to Ohio and located in this 
county in 1846. He was united in mamage, June 27, 1848, with Catharine 
Jenny, born in Germany in 1S28. daughter of Lewis and Margaret Jenny, 
natives of Europe, who came to Ohio and died in Big Spring Township, this 
county. ^Ir. and Mrs. Kalmes are the parents of fourteen ehildi'en: Joseph, 
Jane (wife of Jacob Wernement). Lewis F., Frank W., John, Catharine (wife 
of E. J. Curtis), Felix, Nicholas, Mary E., Anna, Josephine, Lizzie C. , 
Dominiek and one deceased, Theresa. Om- subject is a cai-penter by trade, an 
(,)CCtipation he followed several years, but of late has engaged in farming, and 
now owns ninety acres improved land whereon he and his family reside. Mr. 
and Mrs. Kalmes and family ar(> members of the Catholic Chiu'ch. 

A. J. KIXNEY. farmer, P. O. Adrian, was born in New Jersey, April 24. 
1807, son of Frederick and Margaret Kinney, natives of New Jersey, where 



BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP. 723 

they remained until their death. Our subject came to PeiTy County, Ohio, 
in 1S:5(1, and there resided for seven years; thence moved to "Wyandot County, 
Ohio, and from there to this county where he has since remained. He was 
united in mairiafje, in New Jersey, October IS, 1S32. with Harriet Smith, a 
native of that State, born October "22. 1810, daughter of Abraham and Mary 
Smith, also natives of New Jersey, w^here they resided until Mrs. Smith's de- 
mise, when 'Mi. .Smith moved to Pen-y County, thence to "Wyandot County, 
and fi'om there to Newark. Ohio, where he died. To our subject and wife 
liave been born ten chikken, all now married but two: Mary M. , Frederick M. . 
Abraham S. , Hartley L. , Margaret A. , Eobert C. , Philip S. , Alma I. , Emma 
and Roxanna. Mr. Kinney is a blacksmith by trade. He was raised on a 
farm and now owns 120 acres of very fine land. He is a F. & A. M. 

CH1\RLES H. KLEIN, merchant. Now Eiegel, was born November 7, 
1S.")0, in Mansfield, Richland Co. . Ohio; son of George and Anna M. Klein, 
residents of New Riegel. the foi-mer born in Baden, Germany, December 0, 
lS2r), the latter in Nassau, Prussia, April 30, 1825. They were united in mar- 
riage, in Ohio, January 1, 1850, and to them were boiTi five childi-en: Charles 
H. , John J., Anna C Jacob A. and Mary. Our subject was mamed, August 
11, 1874, to Rosa T. "Werley, born in Cohimbus. Ohio, September 17, 1855, 
daughter of Andrew and Catharine "U'erley, and by this imion there are five 
chikh-en: Albinus, Mary C. , Dora, Stella and Bertha. ^Mi-. Klein was reared 
in New Riegel, and after starting out for himself first engaged in teachinc at 
Rockport and Monroeville, Ohio, for ten years, since which time he has lieen 
merchandising in New Riegel. where he keejjs a general stock of dry goods, 
groceries, boots, shoes, hardware, etc. He is postmaster of New Rieo-el, and 
has filled the ofKce of treasurer and clerk of the corporation since March, 
1SS3. He and his famUv are members of the Catholic Church. 

AUSTIN KNOWLTON, P. O. Adrian, one of the pioneer farmers of Big 
Spring Township, this county, was born in Massachusetts November 15. 1809, 
son of Timothy and Rhoda Knowlton, of English descent, natives of Massa- 
chusetts, where they were man-ied and remained until the former's death in 
1823. The family then came to "Wyandot County, Ohio, and after residing 
there some years moved to Big Spring Township, this county, where Mrs. 
Knowlton died at the age of eighty-six years. Oiu' subject has resided in this 
county since 1830. He was united in man'iage, December 27, 1839, with 
Louisa McKenzie, by whom he had five chikh-en, only one now living, Mark 
L., born November 1, 1841. Mrs. Knowlton departed this life in September, 
1848, and Mr. Knowlton then married. October 11, 1850, jMi's. Sarah E. Swi- 
gart, widow of Josiah Swigart. and born in Newark, Ohio, January 19, 1819, 
daughter of Titen and Elizabeth Henderson, the foi-mer deceased, the latter 
living at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. To our subject and wife 
were ijorn foui- children: Richard J., born April 17, 1858, man-ied to Ida S. 
Gladstone May 8, 1884; Frank Y.. born May 7, 1860; Lucy S., born January 
5. 1802, and Mary L., born September 20, 1803. In early days Mi-. Knowl- 
ton sen-ed as caj)tain in the militia regiment of which ex-Gov. Fosters father 
was colonel. He has always engaged in fanning, and now owns 100 acres of 
good land, most of which he has helped to clear. Mi-s. Knowlton is a mem- 
ber of the ^Methodist Episcopal Chm-ch. 

CATHARINE KRELL, hotel keeper, Adrian, was born in Luxemburg, 
Germany, December 2S, 1832. daughter of John and Susan Hen-ig, natives of 
Germany, who immigrated to Seneca Countj', Ohio, in 1851. settling near Bas- 
com, where they remained until their death. Oui- subject was united in mar- 
riage, September 15. 1857, with J. N. Krell, born in Belgium in 1820, a son 



72-4 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

of Peter Krell, who departed this life in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Krell 
first settled in Tiffin. Ohio, where they remained until 1865, thence moved to 
Adrian, this county, where the family have since resided. They were the par- 
ents of six children, of whom live are now living: Jennie, Kittle, John P., 
Anna I. and William H. Alphonso is deceased. Mi'. Ki'ell clerked in a dry 
goods store for several years, then engaged in keeping the hotel which he con- 
tinued in until his death, which occiuTed April 8, 1 Sfi8. The hotel is now 
managed by his widow and her children. The family are all members of the 
Catholic Chiirch, 

P. JOSEPH LAFONTAINE, farmer, P. O, New Riegel, was born in 
Belgium September 5, 1825, son of Nicholas and Mary Lafontaine, natives of 
Belgimn. where they married and remained until 1841, when they immigrated 
to America, coming direct to Seneca Coujity, Ohio, residing in Big Spring 
Township until their death. Oiu' subject was united in man-iage, in 1848, 
with Elizabeth Wagner, born in Luxembui'g, Germany, in 1822, daughter of 
Michael and Anna ^^"agner, the former now ninety-foui- years of age, the latter 
deceased. Oiu' subject and wife are the j^arents of six children: Nicholas, 
mari'ied to Theresa Hepp; Maiy, wife of John Loescer; Lizzie; Susan, wife of 
Bartholomew Kenney; Lena, wife of Peter Mose, and Kose, Mr, Lafontaine 
owns 200 acres of first-class land. He settled on his present farm in 1849, 
He and his familv are members of the Catholic Chm-ch. 

JAMES W. LAWHEAD. farmer, P. O Adi'ian, was born in Franklin 
County, Penn. , Januarj' 10. 1822: son of James and Jane Lawhead, also na- 
tives of Pennsylvania, where they remained until the former's death, which 
occurred in 1832. The widow and her five children subsequently accompanied 
her father to Adams County, Penn. . where they remained until the spring of 
18-45, when our subject, who was then twenty-three years of age, and the eld- 
est of the family, brought his mother, three sisters and one brother to Big 
Spring Township, this county, and settled on the farm where he and his 
family now reside. His mother departed this life in 1878, James W, Law- 
head was united in marriage, the first time, November 11, 1847, with Maria 
Frederick, born in Ohio in 1824, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Frederick 
(both now deceased), and to this union was born one child, William H. , mar- 
ried and now residing in ^\'ood County, Ohio, Mrs, Lawhead dying Januarj- 
1, 1848, Mr, Lawhead then married, November 22, 1850, Catherine Dievly, 
born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1826, daughter of Henry and Barbara Dievly 
(both deceased), and by this union are seven children, foiu- of whom are now 
living: Mary J,, Lewis, Sarah E. and Jacob E. Oiu- subject owns 288 acres 
of improved land, and for a number of years was engaged in buying and selling 
stock. He served as county coroner one term. 

DANIEL LENNER, farmer, P. O. Adrian, was born in Stark County, 
Ohio, March 27, 1835. His parents. Christian and Catherine Lenner, were 
natives of Bavaria, Gennany. where they were married: they immigrated to 
New York in 1831, and remained there until the spring of 1832, when they 
moved to Stark County, Ohio, where they resided imtil 1837, when they moved 
to Big Spring Township, this coimty, and here Mrs, Lenner died November 
28, 1876, Christian Lenner has made his home with his son Daniel ever since 
his wife's death, Chi'istian and Catherine Lenner were the parents of five 
childien, of whom two siu-vive: Daniel and Catherine Miller, the eldest 
daughter. Our subject was united in marriage. May 10, 1859, with Frances 
V. Ribley, born in Virginia September 14, 1840, daiighter of John and Mary 
Ribley. natives of France, where they were married; thence they immigrated 
to America, locating in Baltimore, Md. , in 1832; from thence moving to Vir- 



BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP. 725 

giuia: thence to Sandusky County. Ohio, and from there to ^^'yandot County, 
Ohio, where tliey remained until ]\Ii\s. Ribleys death, which occurred March 
14, 1S77. Ml'. Itibley resides with his daufjhter. Mr. and Mrs. Louuer are 
the parents of eight chikireu: Alven D., Mary C. . Rollin W., Jay, Roseoe, 
Susan E. , Cora B. and Clara A. Mr. Lenner owns 373 acres of land, mostly 
imjirovod. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. ; has served as township 
appraiser. He is a member of the Reformed Church; his wife of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Chiu'ch. 

JOHN LUZADER, farmer, P. O. Carey, Wyandot County, was born in Ross 
County, Ohio, October 17, 1814; son of Thomas and Margaret Luzader, 
natives of Virginia, who were born and man'ied near Grafton; thence they emi- 
gi-ated to Ross County, Ohio, remaining there until their death; the former 
dying about 1821, the latter in 1823. Oiu' subject moved to ^^'yandot (then 
Crawford) County. Ohio, in 1827, thence came to Seneca County in 1833. 
He was united in marriage. January 1(\ 183'.). with Sarah Latto. born in Penn- 
sylvania. July 20, 1819, daughter of Ephraim and Christiana Latto (both 
deceased), and to this union were born ten childi-en. of whom seven are now 
living. Mrs. Luzader departed this life June 1), 18f5(), and her loss was deeply 
mourned In* her family and a host of fi-iends. Mr. Luzader man'ied. for his 
second wife. January 1, 1802. Cynthia Dil>le. born in Big Spring Township, 
this county, June 1(), 1838, daughter of Frederick and Frederica Dible (both 
deceased), and by her he has one child. Ovu' subject owns 129 acres of land, 
mostly improved. He has filled the offices of constable and clerk of his town- 
shij). with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. 

THOMAS M.iRKS. saloon keeper. New Riegel, was born in Big Spring 
Township, this county, April 15, 1856, son of Nicholas and Theresa Marks, 
natives of Germany, former born in 1809, latter in 1823; they were married in 
Germany and immigrated to America, coming direct to this county. July 7, 
1850. and settling in Big Spring Township, where they have remained ever 
since. Our subject was united in man'iage. June 20. 1883, with Kate Wagner, 
born in Seneca County, Ohio, September 19, 1859, daughter of Jacob and Mary 
M'agner, also natives of Germany, coming to America and dii'ectto this county, 
settling in Big Spring Township, where they reside at present. Our subject 
and wife are parents of two childi'en: Adeline and Jacob. Mr. Marks was 
reared on a farm, and in 1882 moved to New Riegel, where he has since been 
engaged in keeping saloon, and where he owns fine town property. He and his 
wife belong to the Catholic Church. 

JOHN B. iLlRTZ, farmer. P. O. New Riegel. was born in Belgiiim, Au 
gust 31. 1820. son of Heui'y and Margaret Martz.also natives of Belgium, where 
they were married and remained until 184r). at which time they embarked for 
America, coming direct to Big Spring Township, this county, and hero resided the 
residue of their days. Our subject resided here with his father until February 
10, 1852, in which year he went to California, working in the gold mountains 
for two years; after that time he returned to Big Spring Township, Seneca 
County, and was imited in marriage, January 31, 1850, with Elizal>eth Martz 
born in Belgium, July 22. 1834, daughter of Michael and Kate Martz (both 
deceased). To our subject and wife were born nine chikireu, five now living: 
Margaret, wife of Jacob Fetzer; Susan, wife of John Wagner; Nicholas. Cath- 
arine and Mary: and four deceased: Henrj-. John. Elizabeth and Michael Mr. 
Martz owns eighty acres of fine land where he and his family reside. The 
familv are members of the Catholic Church of St. Boniface. 

JOHN MATHIAS. farmer, P. O. Berwick, was born in Big Spring 
Township, this county. Feljruary 3. 1843. a son of Lewis and Clara ^lathias. 



726 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

natives of Luxemburg, Germany, who immigrated to America in 1840, settling 
in Big Spring Township, this county, where they remained until their death. 
Our subject was united in marriage, August 2, 1865, with Rosie Guilliam, born 
in Big Spring Township, this county, December 25, 1848, daughter of John 
and Elizabeth Guilliam (both deceased). I\Ii-. and Mrs. Mathias were the par- 
ents of twelve childi-en, of whom. Clara, Andrew, Nicholas, Lizzie, Joseph, 
Theresa, Martin, Fronia and Theodore are living, and Adam. Michael and 
Lizzie are deceased. Our subject is a blacksmith by trade, but for several 
years has engaged in farming and now owns 130 acres of good land in a state 
of CTiltivation. He filled the office of tru.stee of the township for foui- years, 
and was clerk of the school board nine years. He and his family are members 
of the Catholic Church at Saint Nicholas, of which he is trustee. 

NICHOLAS MATHIAS, gi-ocer, New Eiegel, was born in Big Spring 
Township, this county, July 25, 1849, a son of Lewis and Josephine Mathias, 
natives of Eiu'ope, who immigrated to Big Spring To\vnship, this county, and 
after marriage settling in same township, where they remained until the death 
of Lewis Mathias, which occiuTed August 6. 1878: his widow survives him. 
Our subject was united in man'iage. October 17, 1871, with Margaret Nepper, 
born in Big Spring Township, this county, June 22, 1854, daughter of Felix 
and Josephine Nepper. and to this union were born six children: Lewis N. , 
Mary J. . Rosa M. . Elizabeth A. . Edward V. and Eleanor M. 'Mr. Mathias. 
who was reared on a farm, moved to New Eiegel in 1876 (where he has nice 
property), and has since been engaged in merchandising. He keeps a full 
stock of groceries and provisions and has also a bar attached. He and his 
wife are members of the Catholic Church.. 

FELIX NEPPER, farmer, P. O. Berwick, was born in Belgium, 
November 13, 1815, son of Bernard and Mary J. Nepper, also natives of Bel- 
gium, where they lived and died. Oiu' subject was married in Belgium, Octo- 
ber 30, 1849. to Josephine Defountain. born March 20, 1820, daughter of 
Joseph and Margaret Defountain. who departed this life in the old country. 
Our subject and wife have four childi-en: Charles, born February 7, 1850; 
Margaret, born June 17, 1854; Victor, born November 25, 1857; Augustus, 
born October 3, 1859. Mr. Nepper came to this county in 1853. He has been 
engaged in farming all his life, and now owns eighty-nine acres of improved 
land in Big Spring Township, whereon he resides. He and all his family are 
faithful members of the Catholic Chm-ch of St. Nicholas. 

JOSEPH D. PETERS, farmer, P. O. Alvada, was born in Jefferson County, 
Ohio, September 16, 1823, a son of Ephraim and xVnna (Thompson) Peters, 
natives of Virginia, where they were married and first settled; thence they 
moved to Belmont County, Ohio, about 1824, and fi-om there to Jefferson 
County, and in 1834 moved to Hancock Coimty, where Ephraim Peters died in 
1844 ; his widow was subsequently married to John MiUlen, a soldier in the 
late civil war, and who died in the hospital at Nashville, Tenn. : she resides near 
the old home farm and was seventj -five years of age August 7, 1884. Our sub- 
ject was married, September 17, 1848, to Sarah Benham. born in Wyandot 
County. Ohio. November 11. 1829, a daughter of William and Julia Benham 
(both deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Peters were the parents of four chiliken, 
two now living: Josephine, wife of Daniel Shentz. and Melvina J., wife oE 
William Fiu-gerson ; the deceased are ^Villiam and Sarah J. Mrs. Peters 
departed this life March 2, 1855,and Mr. Peters was married, on second occa- 
sion, November 6, 1855, to Nancy Roller, born in Hancock County, Ohio. April 
4, 1837, daughter of Caleb (deceased) and Sarah Roller. To this union have 
been born nine childi-en. seven now living: Ida M., Charles J.. Alma K.. Hany 



BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP. (ill 

O. , Anua, Ada D. and Mertie E. Emma aud Kose are deceased. Mr. Peters 
and his family settled in Big Spring Township in 1849. He owns 250 acres 
improved laiul. He and his wife are members of the Jlethodist Episcopal 
Church. During the late war of the Kebellion Mi-. Peters enlisted, March >^. 
ISC)."), in Company E. One Hundi-ed aud Ninety-seventh Regiment Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry, and was mustered out at Camj) Bradford, near Baltimore. Md. , 
August S, 1865. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. 

AUGUSTE PETHE, farmer, P. O. Ackian, was born December 28, 1830, 
in Belgium, where his j)arents, John B. and Barbara Pethe, were also born 
and wli(>re they married and died. Our subject immigrated to America and 
settled in Big Spring Township, this county, in 1859. I^ovember 13, 1800, 
he married Apoline Guillamu of same nativity, born Jime 3. 1831, daughter 
of Frank and Theresa Guillaum, also natives of Belgium, where they were mar- 
ried ; thence they came to America, and in 1853. located in Big Spring Town- 
ship, this county, where they have since resided. Oiu- siibject and wife have 
had a family of seven children, sis now living: Mary, wife of John Schira: 
Philomena, Victoria, Frank, Joseph and AN'illiam: Leopold is deceased. 
ilr. Pethe, who was reared on a faiin, has followed agricultural piu-suits 
all his life. He owns fifty-eight and a half acres improved land where 
he resides. He and his family are members of the Catholic Chm'ch at St. 
Nicholas. 

KEV. BONIFACE ErSS. C. PP. S. , Catholic Priest, New Riegel, was 
born in Auglaize County. Ohio. November 12, 1855. son of John and Barbara 
Russ, natives of Bavaria, Germany, where the former was born in 1812. latter 
in 1815; they immigrated to America, coming direct to Auglaize County. Ohio, 
where John Russ died in 1872, and his widow still resides. Oiu- subject ac- 
quired his education in Carthageua, Mercer Co., Ohio. After his ordination, 
in 1878, he took charge of a congregation at St. Sebastian, Ohio, and August 24. 
1880, he became pastor of the large congregation at New Riegel which was one 
of the iirst churches in the county. 

ANTHONY SCHALK. fai-mer. P. O. New Riegel, was born near Fostoria, 
Seneca Co., Ohio, February 12, 1852. son of Martin and Amelia Schalk. na- 
tives of Biron, France, who immigrated to America, and were married and first 
settled near Fostoria, this county, there remaining until 1S5S; thence they moved 
on the farm where our subject now resides, where they lived until the death of 
Martin Schalk, February 2, 1875; his widow is a resident of Tiffin, Ohio. 
Om- subject was united in marriage. May 11, 1875, with Anna K. Kline, liorn 
in Rome, Richland Co., Ohio, October 20, 1855, daughter of George and Anna 
M. Kline, now living in New Riegel, Ohio. Mr. and ]Mrs. Schalk are the par- 
ents of four childi-en, two living: Mary P.. born iSIay 15. 1880; Lewis A., born 
February 7, 1885, and two deceased: Isabella and Florian J. 5Ir. Schalk o^^•ns 
ninety-five acres of improved land, where he and his family reside; also has an 
interest in the Schalk store in New Riegel, Ohio. He and his wife are con- 
sistent members of the Catholic Church. 

JACOB SCHIFFER, teacher. New Riegel, was born in Bavaria. Germany. 
September 29, 1839, son of LawTance and Christena Schiffer, also natives of 
Bavaria, where they were mairied, aud where La\\Tance Schiffer ditnl in 1847. 
His widow subsequently man'ied John Brown (who died in 1880). aud still re- 
sides in her native land. Our subject immigrated to America July 1, 1857, 
first settling in Clarion County, Penn. ; from there moved to Seneca County, 
Ohio, in 1800, where he remained till 1S<);^; thence went to Dearborn County, 
Ind,, and from there returned to this county, locating in New Riegel in 1807, 
where he has remained ever since. He was united in maiTiage. October IS, 



728 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

18G0, with Thei-esa Werley. horn in Badeu. Geiinany. October 14, 1835. 
daughter of Francis and Agatha Werley. natives of Baden, where they re- 
mained until their death. 5lr. and ili-s. Schiffer are the parents of six chil- 
dren, four now li\'ing: Maiy, Stephen, Julius and Rudolph. Oiu- subject has 
been a teacher for over twenty-five years, and is organist in the New Eiegel 
church. He and his family are members of the Catholic Chiu-eh at St. Boni- 
face. 

A. C. SCHINDLER, farmer, P. O. New Riegel, is one of the industrious 
and enterprising young farmers of Big Spring Township, this county, whore 
he was born July 4, IStiO, a son of Charles and Ursula Scliindler, natives of 
Baden, Germany. Oiu- sulijeet's father was twice married, the first time in 
Baden, second time in Seneca County, Ohio, and was the parent of the follow- 
ing childi'en: John, by his first wife; and by his second wife, Mary, wife of 
Michael Grass; Agatha, wife of John Klein: Anthony C. ; Frances and Eliza- 
beth now living, and Jacob and Frederick deceased. Oui' subject, with his 
brother-in-law is managing his fathei-'s farm, comprising 200 acres of laud in 
a high state of cultivation. The family are all members of the Catholic 
Church of St. Boniface. 

CHARLES SCHUBERT, farmer. P. O. Alvada, was born in Germany, 
November 1, 1833, son of Henry and Elizabeth Sehubeit. natives of Germany 
who immigrated to America and to Seneca County, Ohio, in 1853, settling in Big 
Spring Township where they remained about two years; thence moved to San- 
dusky County, Ohio, and in 1865 retiu-ned to this coiiuty where Henry Schubert 
died in 1877, and his widow resides with her son. Om- subject was united in 
marriage, October 27, 1859, with Sarah Krabill, born in Big Spring Township, 
this county, January 29, 1839, a daughter of David and Jemima Krabill, now 
residing in Hancock County, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Schubert have been born 
seven children: Han-iet A. (wife of Jacob M. Wagner), Mary A., Elmer A., 
Lewis C, Jacob W., Sylvester and Jessie A. Our subject followed his trade, 
that of a carpenter, eight years; then engaged in farming and now owns 154 
acres of land which is improved, and on which is one of the finest residences in 
Big Spring Township. He is a member of the Lutheran Chiu'ch. Mr. Schu- 
bert is a justice of the peace, an ofiice he has served in for six years ; is also 
township treasurer at present time. 

JOHNM. SMTH. farmer, P. O. New Riegei, was bornFebraaiy 14. 1824, 
son of Conrad and Elizabeth Smith, natives of Germany, where they married 
and remained until 1834, then immigrated to America, coming to Seneca County, 
Ohio, where they resided the balance of their lives; Com-ad Smith died in 1880, 
his wife in 1870. Oiu- subject was mairied. October 21, 1847, to Catharine 
Sauter, born in Bavaria. Germany. June 22, 1830, daughter of Philip A. and 
Barbara Sauter, both of whom died in Seneca County. Ohio. To Jlr. and Mrs. 
Smith were Dorn twelve childi-en. nine living: Coni'ad, Hemy C, John W., 
Frank B., Charles D., Rosella, William H.. Albert F. and Edward F., and 
three deceased: George W.. Christena and Anna C. Oiu' subject is a brick 
and stone mason by trade, but has been engaged in farming since 1843. He 
owns 200 acres, mostly imjiroved land. He and his family are members of 
the Lutheran Chiu-ch. Mrs. Smith departed this life, January 3. 1872; she 
was a loving wife, a kind mother, and her loss was moiu-ned by all who knew 
her. 

WILLIAM SMITH, farmer, P. O. Alvada, was born in the St;ito of New 
York, February 18. 1815. son of Timothy and Catharine Smith, also natives of 
New York, who came to Seneca County. Ohio, in 1833 and remained until their 
death; the former died in 1853, the latter in 1883. Oiu- subject has been 



BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP. 729 

thrip(> iiKUTioil: on first occasion to Catbarino Boiiclicr. a native of ]'(>iuisylva- 
Ilia and danglitcr of Jacob and Catharine Boucher (both deceased), and by lier 
he had ei^ht chikh-eii. live now living: Sarah E., John B., Maryette, Jacol) 
\V. and Sevilhi A. JIi's. Smith died April 7, ISfio, and Mr. Smith then 
mari'ied Mi-s. Boucher, a widow and a native of Ohio, who departed this life 
in 1807. He was ajrain united in marriage, this time with Annetta McClellan, 
a native of "Williams County, Ohio, born September 2, 1844, daughter of 
William and Sophia McClellan. and to this union was l)orn one child. Nettie 
.Vlvada. afiiT whom was named Ah'ada. now a thriving village and which was 
laid out by Mr. Smith on his farm, Januaiy VI. 187f). Om- subject owns 140 
acres of good land and a saw-mill. He was assessor, also trustee for several 
years: has been owner of four saw-mills, one of which is running at the present 
time. Ml-. Smith also built a grist-mill which he operated twelve years. He 
was ticket, fi-eight and express agent for six years, also postmaster for six 
years, and carried on a diT goods and grocery store. He has filled the offices 
of justice of the i)eaee and constable with credit to himself, and to the satis- 
faction of the people. 

JACOB SPRAW. fanner. P. O. Berwick, was Ijorn in Bavaria. Germany, 
.luly '1'k 180',): son of Adam and Catharine Spraw. natives of Germany who 
immigrated to America, where they lived and died. Our subject came to Ohio 
in 1882. and located in Big Spring Township, this county. He was manied, 
August 2, 1848. to Salome AVe^iner. born in France. September 2, 1828, 
daughter of Jacob and Salome ^\'eyrner. the former of whom died in "Wayne 
County, the latter in Fulton County, Ohio. To Mi-, and Mrs. Spraw have 
been born ten children, seven now living: Jacob; Catharine, wife of Henry 
(irunder: Elizabeth, wife of Frank Erney: Adam; Rachael. wife of Philip 
Chrisman: Mary : Ellie C and three deceased: Sarah. Hattie and an infant. 
Mr. Spraw t>wus eighty acres of land, whereon he and his family reside. He 
and his wife are memljers of the German IJefornied Chiuch. and are among th(> 
leading families of Seneca County. 

HEXKY TIELL. farmer, P. O. Alvada. was liorn in Luxemburg. 
Germany. Xovember 80. 1819; son of .Antb-ew and Susan Tiell, both natives of 
Luxembm'g. where they were manied and remained until theii' death. Our 
subject immigi'ated to America in 1849, locating in Seneca County, Ohio, 
where he was united in marriage. April 13, 1857, with Catharine Lucius, who 
was born in Belgium. January 24. 1887. Her parents were Jose]ih and 
(Catharine Lucius, also natives of Belgium, and who immigi'ated to America, 
settling in Seneca Connty, Ohio, in 18ri4, and her(> lived and died. Mr. and 
Mrs. Tiell hav<> lieen blessed with twelve childi'en, eight now living: Jose]ih, 
Peter. Lewis. John, Michael, Nicholas, Henry and Albert; th(> deceased are 
^lary. Cathaiine. Jlary and Martin. Om' sul)ject owns 100 acres of land, 
mostly improved, where he resides. He and his family are members of the 
Catholic Church at St. Nicholas. Mi-. Tiell came to Seneca County, remain- 
ing three years, thence went to California and worked in a gold mine for 
thirteen months, then retm-ned to Seneca County and engaged in farming, in 
which he has continued ever since. 

AL'GUST M'EINANDY. Adrian, one of the enterprising young teachers of 
Seneca Connty. was l)orn in Big Spring Township, this county. September 80. 
1S()1. son of Michael and Philomena Weinandy. former of whom, born in 
Holland. September 14, 1828, immigrated to America in lSr>7: latter born in 
Belgium, Septemljer U). 1S8'J, came to America in 1840. This coujile were 
united in marriage August 80. 1859, in Seneca County, Ohio, and settled in 
Big Spring Township, where they have ever since remained. They are the 



730 BlOGUAPlllCAL SKETCHES: 

parents of foiu' childi-en: August, Frank J., John P. and Jacob. Oxir 
subject was reared on a farm and acquired Lis education in the common 
school and at Heidelberg College, Tiffin. Ohio: he also took a course in the 
commercial schools of Dayton, Ohio. He is now teaching his first term iu the 
schools of his native township and is meeting with splendid success. He and 
the rest of the family are faithful members of the Catholic Church. 

J. WELLY, farmer P. O. Alvada, was born in Seneca County. Ohio, 
October 80, 1S4G: son of Michael and Theresa (Rinehart) Welly, natives 
of Germany, who immigrated to Seneca County, Ohio, where they were united 
in maiTiage. locating in Big Spring Township and there remained until 
then- death, Michael AVelly dying in August. IStiO. his widow in 1862. Oiu' 
subject was married. January 19. 1875, to Miss Helena Nye. born in 1852. 
daughter of Frederick and Catharine Nye, also natives of Germany, who im- 
migrated to this county and settled in Big Spring Township, where they re- 
sided till their death. Mr. Nye dying in August. 1868. and Mrs. Nye in June, 
1884. To Mr. and j\Ii's. Welly were born sis childi'en, five now living: Frank 
S. , Frederick J., Catharine, Daniel S. and Susan: Lovina is deceased. Oiu' 
subject was reared on a farm and has always followed agricultural piirsuits. 
He now owns 284 acres of land, nearly all of which is improved, and wln-reon 
he resides. He and his family are members of the Catholic Chiu-ch. 

ANDREW ^\'ERLEY, retired merchant, mavor of New Riegel. was born 
in Baden, Germany, November 22. 1825; son of Francis Joseph and Agatha 
Werley, also natives of Baden, where they married, lived and died, former 
September 23, 1848, latter October 15, same year. Oiu- subject immigrated 
to America, coming direct to Delaware County. Ohio, June 29, 1846, where he 
remained for a short time, and then went to Columbus, Ohio. Here he was 
united in marriage. August 27. 1851, with Catharine Smith, born in Baden, 
Germany, August 2(5, 1828, daughter of Philip and Anna Smith. Mr. Smith 
died in 1853; his wife in 1830. To ^Mr. and Mrs. A\ erley were born twelve 
childi-en, nine living: Rosa, wife of C. H. Klein: Stephen A.; PhDomena M. ; 
Clotilda T. : Sophia T. ; Victor M. ; Loretta E. ; Isal)ella ^L ; and Seraphene C. ; 
and three deceased: Isabella. Matilda and Albinus. In 1850 our subject, with 
his family, moved to New Riegel. this county, where they have since resided. 
Mr. Merley is a clock-maker by trade, and after coming to this counti-y first 
engaged in iseddling clocks ; then was employed by the Ohio Tool Comi)any. at 
Coliimbus, Ohio. After coming to New Riegel he embarked iu merchandis- 
ing, in which he continued for about twenty years, since when he has engaged 
in the grain trade to some extent. He tilled the office of township treasurer 
for nineteen years; was the first postmaster of New Riegel. and after the town 
was incorporated was elected to the office of mayor, a position he is tilling at 
the present time. He and his familv are members of the Catholic Church. 

aiARTIN AVETZEL. harness-maker. New Riegel. was born in Baden, Ger- 
many. November 1 1, 1832; son of Jacob and Anna Wetzel, natives of Baden, 
where they married, lived and died. Oiu- subject came to America and to 
Huron County. Ohio, in 1855, where he remained a short time; came to Seneca 
County in 1S5U, and in 1800 moved to Kansas, thence returned to Seneca 
County; from here he went to Canada, where he remained until 1862, when he 
took a trip to Detroit, Mich. , and on his retm-n came to this county, locating 
in New Riegel. where he has since remained. He was united in marriage. 
May 21, 1867. with Catharine Gase. born Septemlier 29, 1842. daughter of 
George and Catharine Gase, who ai'e both living. To oiu" subject and wife 
have been born eight children: Joseph. George. Jacob. John, Charles, Eliza- 
beth, Edward and Anna. ^Ir. Wetzel has followed the occupation of saddler about 



BIG Sl'RlNG TOWNSHIP. 781 

twenty-eight years. He owns nice property in New Hiegcl. wliere ho resides, 
and by industrious habits and economical management has accumuhited a com- 
petence. He has an enviable reputation for honesty and integrity. He and 
his family are consistent m<>mbers of the Catholic Churcli. 

GEORGE AVONDEFx. farmer, P. O.Adrian, was born in Mifllin County. Penn., 
June lU, 181U. His parents. Daniel and Catharine Wonder, were born and married 
and lived in Pennsylvania until 1823, vrhen they moved to Wayne County, 
Ohio, and in 1830 moved to Thompson Township, this county, and fi-om tliere 
to "Wyandot County, where !Mi*s. Wonder died. Daniel Wonder is now ninety- 
four years of age. and resides with his son George. Our subject was united 
in marriage. May '2'2, 184."), with Nancy Henney, born in Wayne County, Ohio, 
January 17. 1823, daughter of Adam and Cathaiine Henney (both deceased). 
-Mr. and Ill's. Wonder are the parents of twelv(> children, of whom six are now 
living: Cynthia, Agnes, Emma. Henry E.. Hattie and Lucy Y. Our subject 
owns oTlt acres of good land. He has filled the olfice of trustee of Crawford 
Township, Wyandot County. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical 
Chvu'ch. 

B. G. WULLENSCHNEIDER, hotel keeper. New Riegel. was born in 
Big S]-)ring Township, this county, January 25. 1 845. His parents were John 
and Elizabeth Wullenschneider. natives of Germany, the former of whom 
immigiated to Licking County, the latter to Seneca County. Ohio. They were 
married in Licking County, and settled in Big Spring Township, this countj', 
remaining here until Mr. \\'ullenschneider"s death, which occurred in 1800. 
His widow is still living. Oiu' subject was united in marriage, in 1S71, with 
Josephine Zeuder, born in Big Spring Township, this county, and to this union 
were born thi-ee childien: Mary, Anna and Ida. Our subject's wife dying in 
187(), he then man-ied, November 24. 187U, Theresa Klaus, born in Big Sjiring 
Township, this county, October 21, 18G0, daughter of Peter (deceased) and 
Catharine Klaus, and to this marriage were born three childi-en: Joseph, Ellen 
and Clara Y. Our subject since starting out for himself has engaged in farm- 
ing and saw milling, but is now proprietor of the Empire Hotel in New Riegel. 
He and his wife are members of the Catholic Chiirch. 

JOSEPH ZENDER. butcher. New Riegel. was born in Big Spring Town- 
sliip. this county. May 28, 1835, son of Nimrod and Mary Zender, the former a 
native of Switzerland, the latter of Luxemburg, who immigrated to America 
after they were married, and located in Big Spring Township, where the}' 
remained until their death. Nimrod Zender died January 10, 1806, and his 
widow October 31, 1870. Oiu- subject was maixied, October 15, 1872, to Mar- 
gartit Erford, born in Big Spring Township, this county, January 28, 1852, 
daughter of Peter and Catharine Erford. residents of that township. This 
union has been blessed with six childi'en. four living: Peter, Kate M. , Lucy 
L. and Mary E., and two deceased: Frank A\'. and Theresa S. Our subject was 
reared on a fann and followed agricultm-al pursuits until December, 1881, 
when he moved to New Riegel. where he owns good property, and is engaged in 
butchering, enjoying a gootl patronage. He has tilled the offices of constable 
and marshal of New Riegel with credit to himself and'to the satisfaction of 
his coustituent.s. He and his family are consistent members of the Catholic 
Church. 



732 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



BL0031 TOWNSHIP, 

ISAAC S. BALD^VIN, farmer, P. O. Bloomville. was born December 10, 
1838, in Republic, this county. His parents. Nathan and Matilda Baldwin, 
natives of Cayuga, N. Y. . settled in this county in 1835. and after living three 
years on their farm in Scipio Township moved to Republic, where Nathan Bald- 
win caiTied on a wagon shop until his death. September 3, 1849. INIrs. Bald- 
win kept her family together until they gi-ew to manhood and womanhood; their 
names are George H. . now a resident of Ionia County. Mich. : Isaac S. : Rush 
P., who served three years during the late Rebellion as a member of the Twen- 
ty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry and Ninth Ohio Volunteer Cavaliy. 
and Mrs. Addie S. Chittenden, a resident of Republic, this county. Oirr sul)- 
ject was man-ied. February 7. 1861, to Miss Ellen Krilley. who bore him the 
following children : Eliza. William and two deceased. Mi', and Mrs. Baldwin 
moved to Ionia County. Mich., and there developed a farm. i\Irs. Baldwin sub- 
sequently retiu'ned to Republic for medical treatment, and there died July 2, 
1872. Oui- subject then also retm-ned to this county, and here married, March 
<). 1873, Mrs. Emily J. Brown, of Bloom Township, the widow of William 
Brown (by whom she had one daughter — Wilhelmina), and who was born in 
Bloom Township February 9, 1838, daughter of Butler and ^laiy (Boyd) Mun- 
sell. To this union were born Nettie and Nellie (twins), Freddie and Jesse. 
Mr. Baldwin has a farm comprising eighty acres of well-improved land, which 
he has cleared up and developed within the last ten years. He is a supporter 
of the Democratic party : has sen'ed his township as assessor three tei-ms and 
is a citizen highly respected by all. Mrs. Baldwin is a consistent member of 
the Presbyterian Chiirch. 

LEWIS C. BIRK. jiroprietor of harness shop and liverv" stable. Bloomville, 
was born June 19, 1854. in Bucjtus. Ohio, where his parents. John G. and 
Hannah Birk. still reside. At foxu-teen years of age om- subject began learning 
the trade of saddler and harness-maker. He mamed, June 19, 1876, Miss Car- 
rie Kirgis. who was born on the farm in Lykens Township. Crawford Co. . Ohio. 
Mr. and Mj-s. Birk located in Bloomville, this county, in May, 1 878, and he at 
once established a shop where he manufactures a general line of harness, sad- 
dles, etc. , and keeps a full stock of whips, lirushes, robes, blankets and hoi-se 
furnishing goods. This is the only ])lace of the kind in Bloomville. and one of 
the best and most comjilete shops in Seneca County. In March. 1 884. Mr. Birk 
established a livery stable in Bloomville. building a new barn and furnishing it 
throughout, and. as he believes in the old adage that " what is worth doiucj at 
all is worth doing well. ' ' has made it one of the best liveries in the county. 
Htli. Birk is a member of the K. of P. 

EDWARD P. BLISS, merchant, Bloomville. was born in Ledyard. Cayuga 
Co., N. Y., July 1. 1833. His father. Parley Bliss, was di-owned in Cayuga 
Lake, June '29. 1834: his widowed mother, Mrs. Polly Bliss, came to Scipio 
Township, this county, in 1835. Here oiu' subject gi'ew to maturity, receiving 
his education in the school of the home district. At eighteen years of age he 
began life for himself as clerk in a di-y goods store, an occupation he followed 
until he embarked in business on his ovra account in 1857. He carried on a 
store in Republic. Ohio, until 1859. when he located in Bloomville. and estab- 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 733 

lished a storo. woll known to all of the older inhabitants, in the old HunsickiT 
Block. In 1808 he purchased the hotel building oppo-site, in which he carried 
on the store in connection with the hotel for about ten years. In 1878, in part- 
nership wth John T. lleid, he built the Commercial Block in Bloomville. This 
block was the beginning of the improvements of the town, and is .still one of 
the best business buildings in the place. Mr. Bli.ss at once located in the store 
which he still occupies in this block, and has here the oldest dry goods estab- 
lishment as well as the oldest business house, carried on continuously by the 
same iiro])rietor in Bloomville. He has a full line of dry goods, boots, shoes, 
hats. caps, notions, etc., and has built up an extensive trade, which he contin- 
ues to hold above all competitors. November 16. 1854, Mr. Bli.ss was united 
in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Krilley, who died September 12. 1878, leaving 
four children: Melvin O., Malcolm E., Willie H. and Ginnella. Mr. Bliss 
maiTied, on second occasion. December 2, 1874, Miss Nancy E. Tiu-ner. wht) 
died April 1. 1875. He afterward married. June 7, 1877. Miss Eliza A. An- 
drews, a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Bliss is a life- 
long Republican and takes an active interest in public affairs. 

JAMES BOYD (decea.sed) was born Jamuiry 81. 1805, in Centre County, 
Penu. His father. Thomas Boyd, moved to Boss County. Ohio, in 1818. and 
thence to Bloom Township, this county, in April, 1822, where he cleared up a 
farm and resided until his death in 1847. James Boyd mamed Miss Eliza 
Steele, who died leaving two daughters; Elizabeth, wife of George Shumaker, 
of ANatson Station. Ohio, and Mi's. Emily Everett, who died in San Francisco, 
Cal.. in Novemlier. 1871. Our subject mamed, on second occasion. Miss Mercy 
Smith, who was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., reared at Hadley, Mass.. and 
came to Scijiio Township, this county, with her widow'ed mother and brothers 
about 1885. To this union were born three children: James T., Ethan C 
and Ellen E. Mrs. Boyd died July 14, 1865. Mr. Boyd ended a useful life, 
November 11, 1871. at his homestead on Honev Creek, this county. 

JAMES T. BOYD, fanner, P. O. Bloom\dile. was born July"24. 1842. in 
Bloom Township, this county. After attending the schools of the district he 
completed his education under Prof. Aaron Schuyler at llepxiblic. AVhile at 
that school he enlisted. September 25 1861, in the Fifty-lifth Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry, and took part in many of the historical engagements of Virginia and 
the southeast. He received a severe wound in the right shoidder at the battle 
of Resaca. Ga. : re-enlisted with his regiment and served until the close of the 
war. Ix'ing discharged. July 20. 1865. He bore a distinguished part in the 
sei-vice and rose to the rank of ca]itain of his comi)any. Retmning home after 
the struggle he adopted agricultural pursuits. He was man-ied, October 10, 
1867, to ^Nliss Vu-ginia E. DeA\itt, eldest daughter of the well known pioneer, 
William DeWitt, of Bloomville. Ohio. They have since resided on their 
pleasant farm of 175 acres. Their children are Smith DeWitt, Mary Alice, 
James Everett and Carrie Eoline. "Mi-. Boyd is a Republican in politics. He 
has served his township as assessor and assistant Fnited States marshal, and 
took the census in 1.S70 in Bloom. Venice and Reed Townships, this county. 
Mr. and Mi-s. Bovd are members of the Presbvterian ChiU'ch. 

CONRAD BRINER. farmer, P. O. Bloomville, was born November 8, 
1830. in Baden. Germany. His parents, John and Sophia Briner. came to 
America and settled in Bloom Township, this county. May 1 . 1 852. Here they 
purchased a home where they resided until their death. John Briner died, 
August 28, 1878: his widow, December 18. 1882, each aged eighty-two years. 
Theii' eight children were Mrs. Catherine Sitsler, residing in Germany; Susan 
(deceased): Jacob, residing in Logan Coimty. Ohio; Conrad, Henry and Eliz- 

40 



73-1 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: ■ 

abeth. living in Bloom Township; John, residing in Pittsbvu'gh, Penri., an J 
Adam, a resident of Hardin County. Ohio. Our subject received an excellent 
education in his native language in Baden, and coming to America with his 
parents he has resided here ever since. He was manied. November IT). 1857. 
to Miss Anna Hunsicker, born in 1824, daughter of Michael and Hannah Hun- 
sicker. Her parents moved from Montgomery Coimty. Penn. . to Columbiana 
County. Ohio, in 1887. and thence to Bloom Township, this county, in 1842. 
and subsequently to Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Briner's childi'en. Ida (Mi's. Reif). 
Marsin. Adam. Jacob. William. Josephine and Frank are intelligent and indus- 
trious, occupying high positions in society. Hilr. Briner is a member of the 
Reformed Chiu'ch; Mrs. Briner. of the Mennonite society. They have been 
very successful through life; starting with but smiill means, they have accu- 
mulated a comfortable competency, and own a fine farm of 280 acres. 

FRANK A. CHATFIELD. di-uggist. Bloomville. was born August 24, 
1848, at Painted Post. Steuben Co.. N. Y. His father. Charles J. Chatfield. 
a native of Massachusetts, died in 1863; his mother, Mi's. Sarah D. (Foster) 
Chatfield, still resides at Painted Post. Our suljject, after a short academic 
course at Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Penn.. attended Oljerliu College. 
Oberlin. Ohio., fi-om 18fiG to 1871, holding a position as instructor in Greek 
during the last year. He afterward attended Bonn University. Germany, one 
year in 1874 and 1875. He received the degree of A. M. from Oberlin Col- 
lege in 1876. Mr. Chatfield spent one year (1871 to 1872) in mercantile busi- 
ness at Addison. N. Y. , and the following year as principal of the school at 
Mamaroneck. N. Y. He was united in marriage, December 81. 1873, with 
Miss Emma J. Watson, of Bloom Township, this county. Her father. I. G. 
Watson, was one of the pioneers of Bloom Township, where he died in 1873. 
His widow. Mrs. Elizabeth J. Watson, still siu-vives. To Mr. and Mrs. Chat 
field have been born five children : Grier P. . Carl Ernst. Merrick M. . Merle 
Day and Roy W. In April, 1S77. Mr. Chatfield established his present busi- 
ness house in Bloomville. He keeps a full stock of drugs, medicines, books, 
stationery, wall paper, window shades and ch'uggists notions. By strict atten- 
tion to biisiness he has built up a large and prosjjerous trade. 

WILLIAM M. DAVIS, farmer. P. O. Bloomville. was born January 
18. 1819, in Pen-}' County, Ohio. His father, John Davis, born in 1785, 
in Frederick County. Md. . married, in 1816. Miss Hannah Kershner who was 
born in Franklin County, Penn.. in 1790. After keeping the Hai-jier's FeiTy 
Hotel and ferry for two years they moved to Peiry County. Ohio, where they 
lived until November, 1824. when they settled permanently on Section 8. 
Bloom Township, this county. They were thirteen days coming 12(5 miles. 
There were not fifty acres cleared in the township and there were more Indians 
than white people. Seneca John with a tribe of Indians camped close to the 
farm, and they would trade deer meat and skins for provisions. (John T. 
Reed, now a resident of Bloomville. taught the second school in the first school- 
house in the township). Mi-. Davis went to mill at Tiffin when there were but 
seven houses; hauled provisions to Toledo when there were not ten houses on 
the road. He saw the fii-st train that ran through the county, Hogge being the 
engineer and Jesse Diu'liin. conductor, who afterward became a Methodist 
minister. John Davis and Russel Munsell built on that farm a saw- 
mill, in 1826. which was rebuilt later and sold to John Shouts. This mill 
was for some time the only one on Honey Creek above !Melmore. and was 
usually kept running day and night making lumber for the early settlers to 
use as flooring, etc. John Davis was a very industrious man and led an active 
life. He was a Methodist and helped establish the first church in the township. 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 735 

Hk'ilioclin 1849. He was a man of generous disposition, always liberal to 
llie poor. His wife a Pre.sbyterian and an earnest Christian woman died in 
KS40. The chikb'en of this couple are William M. ; Jonathan and Dr. Thomas 
W.. of Wapella. 111.; Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor, of Bloomington. 111.; Milton li.. 
of Mendota, Mo. ; and Mi-s. Sarah Stinchcomb of BIodiu Township, this county. 
Milton li. was a soldier, enlisting in Illinois and serving in defence of his 
country during the late Rebellion. William M. Davis, married July iil. 1S4'"), 
Sarah rj(>mmert, of Crawford County. Ohio, who died in 1S72. The children born 
to this union are as follows: Mrs. Sarepta Corey, of Biilgoe, Ohio; John C'. ; 
Milton K., of Bairdsburgh, Iowa; !Mrs. Virginia Ho wland (deceased): Bruce 
and Charles F. Mr. Davis married, on second occasion, in 1S77, Mi-s. Louisa 
Super, born in Lancaster Coimty, Penn., daughter of John Myers, a resident 
of Wayne County, Ohio. Mr. Davis is one of the oldest pioneers of Bloom 
Township. He is an upright man. highlv respected bv all. 

JOHN H. .DETTERMAN, farmer. " P. O. Bloomville, was born May 
IS, INK), in Prussia, Germany. He immigrated to America in 1833, and went 
with his brother, Harmon, and some friends to Fort Wayne Ind.. where he 
worked one year on the Wabash & Erie Canal. Then he came to this county 
where he was married, in January, 1834, to Miss Kathrina Steigemeier, also a 
native of Pru.ssia, Germany. After living one year in Scipio Township and 
live years on Honey Creek, this township. Mr. and 'Mrs. Detterman located in 
Adams Township, where they went to work clearing up a farm. Mi's. Detter- 
man died August 2, ISOO. leaving three sons: Harris, Amos and Samuel. Mr. 
Detterman was man'ied on second occasion, JIarch 5, 1807, to Mrs. .Vnii 
Somers, who was born in Ct-nter County, Penn., and came to Sandusky 
County. Ohio, at eight years of age. with her father, Frederick Rhinehart. In 
ISCiS Mr. and Mrs. Detterman settled permanently in Bloom Township), this 
county, where they purchased a line farm of 200 acres on which thei'e is an 
exci>lleat stone quairy. Mr. Detterman has given each of his sons an inde- 
pendent start in life. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical 
Church. 

S.^MUEL DETTERMAN, farmer, P. O. Bloomville. was born Janu- 
ary Ki. 1S4'.I, in Adams Township, this county, and is a son of the well known 
j)ioneer John H. Detterman; our subject rec(>ived his education in the schools 
of the home district and in 1809 came with his father to Bloom Township, 
this county. Here he was married. December '27k 1870. to Miss Jane Shaw 
man. and In' this union were born the following children: Emmet Edson. 
John Uri. Jesse Hemy (deceased). Samuel \\'intield and Jacob Richard. After 
marriage Mr. and Mrs. Detterman settled on what is now a fine farm of nine- 
ty-nine and a half acres of improved land situated on Honey Cr(>ek, where 
they have since resided. They are consistent members of the Evangelical 
Church. Oiu- suljject is an enterprising and successful farmer, highly r(>- 
spected bv all who know him. 

JACOB DETWILER. farmer and .stock-raiser. P. O. Bloomville. was l.orii 
April '.I, 1S2S. in Columbiana County, Ohio. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth 
Detwiier, natives of Lancaster County, Penn.. settled in Bloom Townslii[). this 
county, in 1844, locating a new farm which they at once began to dear and 
improve. Jacob Detwiier, Sr. , died in 1850, his widow in 18f')(). They were 
parents of the following ehildi'en: Samuel, Jacob and Mrs. Hannah Geigor. 
(Mrs. Jacob Detwiier, Sr., was also the mother of five childivnby her previous 
man'iage with Christ Shetter. ) Our subject was united in marriage. April 30, 
18<>7, with Elizabeth ^luckley, born in Bloom Township, this county. March 0, 
1834. Her father. George Mucklev, came from German v to Stai'k Count v. 



73(3 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Ohio, aad was there married to jVIiss Magilalena Troxel, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania. They located in Bloom Township, this county, in i!S38. Mr. Mnckley 
died March 20, 1843. His widow subsequently married Isaac Rohrer. and now 
lives in Mahoning County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Detwiler located where they 
now reside, in 186(1, and have one of the best improved farms in the township. 
Then- chUdi'en are Emma O. . Mary M. , George E. , Delia J. and Samuel M. 
Mr. Detwiler is a member of the Mennonite society, and Mrs. Detwiler, of the 
Reformed Chiu'ch. 

JOHN R. DICKEN. farmer, P. O. Bloomville. was born November 27, 
1884, in Liberty, Ohio. His parents. David and Diana (Lewman) Dicken. 
natives of Bedford Count}-. Penn. . settled in Liberty Township, this county, 
in 1831, and entered land fi-om the Government. He was a local preacher, and 
one of the earliest shoe-makers of that township. Of theh thirteen chUdi-en 
three boys and five girls are living. . The deceased are Isaac O. and Heni'y C. . 
who gave their lives in defense of their country in the war of ISfil ; Joshua H., 
who died at home, from disabilities received in his countiy's service; Albert M., 
who died of consumption, and ^Martha. David Dicken ended a useful life Ajtril 
7. 1871 ; his widow died October 21. 1873. Om' subject was mamed. July ITi. 
'1855. to Mary A. Sour, a native of Summit County. Ohio, and who came to Sen- 
eca County, in 1852. with her parents. Jacob and Mary A. (Harter) Sour, and to 
this imion were born Jasper P. (of Hicksville, Ohio), Mrs. Luella 8. Riuglc 
(of Jackson Township, this county). U. S. Grant, Genora E. and Clinton E. 
Mr. Dicken spent four- months in 1804 as a soldier in the One Hundred and 
Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He held position of second 
corporal, and left a record of a brave and faithftil soldier, always at his post. 
After their marriage our subject and wife resided in Jackson Township, this 
county, until March, 1883, when they settled in Bloom Township, where they 
have a farm of 1(^0 acres. Mr. Dicken is a Republican in ])olitics. He held 
the office of trustee of Jackson Township four terms: was also postmaster of 
Amsden, this county, eight vears. He is a member of high standing in the I. 
O. O. F. ' ■ 

HENRY EINSEL, grain dealer, Bloomville. was born October 6, 1834, in 
Bloom Township, this county. His parents. John and Elizabeth Einsel. natives 
of Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively, came to this county fi'om Fairfield 
County, Ohio, in 1833. and at once entered upon the pioneer vfork of develop- 
ing a farm. Their children were Mi-s. Sarah McClelland, of Seneca Townshiji, 
this county: Lydia. wbo died February 20. 1881: Noah, a resident of Tiffin. 
Ohio: Heniy: Mrs. Mahala Kagy. of Michigan, and Levi, who died October 
29, 1870. Mr. Eiusel died March 5, 1872, aged seventy -three years, his wife 
having preceded him April 1 . 1 8(55, aged fifty-seven years. Oui- subject was 
brought up on liis father's farm, attending the schools of the home district. 
He was mairied. December 29, 1854, to Miss Emily Spitler. by whom he had 
the following childi'en: Mrs. Ella Wilsey, Charles R. , William S., Locksley B. . 
John L. and Claude. They resided on their farm until 1872. when they located 
in Bloomville. Here, in 1874, Mr. Einsel jiurchased the elevator and grain 
storage building near the depot, and does an extensive business, buying and 
shipping all kinds of grain and seeds. Mr. Einsel is a life-long Democrat. 
He takes a deep interest in public affairs, and has held the positions of tovvu- 
shiji assessor and mayor of Bloomville. besides other local and township offices. 
He is at present a member of the town council of Bloomville. 

PHILIP FALTER (deceased) was born on mid-ocean in 1823, while his 
parents were making the voyage fi'om Germany to the United States. They 
located in Stark County. Ohio (where Philip was reared), and spent their last 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 737 

days in Venice Township, this county. Our subject man-ied Miss Elizabeth 
Houck, a resident of Stark County at the time. They CiVme to Venice Town- 
ship, this county, with their entire earthly possessions. 2t)0, and began making 
a home for tliemselves, and were very successful, acquiring a farm of 120 acres. 
The chikL'en born to this union are Henry, Mrs. Christina Phillips, Frank A., 
Joseph. Mrs. Anna Thomma, John, and four deceased. Mr. Falter died April 
'-'1, 1872. his wife having preceded him March 12, of that year. 

FRANK ALBERT FALTER, merchant, Bloomville, was born March 29, 
IsriT), in Venice Township, this county, son of Pliilip and Elizabeth (Houck) 
Falter. He received his education in the schools of the disti-ict and at St. 
Stephen's Academy. At his parents' decease he began life for himself, estab- 
lishing a business house at St. Stephen's in March. 1875), and erecting an entirely 
new building, which he stocked completely. In 1881 he was appointed post- 
master of that place and held the commission until September, 188-1:, when he 
sold out his busiiK'ss, moved to Bloomville, and here piu'chased the grocery and 
provision store of Bevington & Farnsworth, which he now canies on. Mr. Fal- 
ter married. September 30, 1879, Miss Rosa Phillips, and their children are 
Flora. Charles and "William. He and his wife are members of St. Stephen's 
Catholic Clim-ch. JIi'. Falter is an euteiprising, successful business man. 

DANIx:L LEWIS AND DAVID W. FISHER, fai-mers, P. O. Bloom- 
ville, are the sons of John and Barbara (Myers) Fisher, of CaiToll County, Md., 
who located here in 1835, and who were the parents of seven children, of whom 
three are now living: Daniel L., Mrs. Hannah Foneannon and David W. John 
Fisher died in 1879, his wife having preceded him in 185(1. Daniel L. Fisher 
devoted five months, in 1804, to the service of his country, enlisting in the 
One Hundred and Sixty- foiu'th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He manned Miss 
Paulina Munsell November 5, 18fi4, by whom he had four children: John W. , 
FredL., Mary Ninnette and Blanche L. Mrs. Fisher died August 12, 1882. 
Daniel L. Fisher owns a farm of 100 acres on Stoner Creek, on which is located 
one of the best blue-limestone quairies in the State. He is a F. & A. M. , and 
a member of the K. of P. and G. A. K. David W. Fi.sher was born April 16. 
1838, in Bloom Township, this county. In his youth he spent three years 
traveling through California and the West. He then returned home and took 
a course at Heidelberg College, Ohio. He was one of the first citizens of Bloom 
Township to enlist in April, 1861, but the number desired being already made 
up he was honorably discharged after oni^ month's service. He married, Juue 
21, 18()1, Miss Elizabeth C. Andrews, of Bettsville. Ohio. He re-enlisted in 
August, 1861. in the Third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, taking the 
position of sergeant. He received a wound near Corinth, Miss., June 4, 1862, 
• necessitating his discharge in September of that year. He carried on a sutler's 
store from 1863 until the close of the war. After living some time in Michigan, 
and owning and o{)erating the steamer "'Lizzie May" on Lake Michigan three 
years, he returned to Bloomville. During 1874, 1875 and 1S76 he edited the 
Bloomrille Bcntner, and also in 1876 conducted a campaign pajjer in Paulding 
County. Ohio, and made RepuVilican s))eeches. At the election following, the 
county was changed fi-om a Democratic to a Re))ublican majority. In 1877 he 
settled on his faiTn one mile and one-half east of Bloomville. Mi\ Fisher does 
an extensive business in connection with the pension dejiartinent. To him anil 
his wife have been bom four children : Charles D. , a successful teacher, of this 
county; Louis F., Emma E. and Jennie A. Mr. Fisher is a member in high 
standing of the I. O. O. F. . the K. of P. and the G. A. R. He has led a varied 
and useful life, and is a highly respected citizen of this community. 



T38 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

T. J. FOSTER, physician and surgeon, Bloomville, was bom October 'I, 
1800, in Attica, this county. His father, John Foster, a native of Hiu'oii 
County, Ohio, mairied Miss Sarah Polliuger, a native of Cumberhmd 
County, Penn. . ,aud soon af tei-ward settled in Attica, where he carried on a 
shoe shop until a few years before his death in 1871.- The subject of this 
sketch received his literary education in the schools of his native township. At 
twenty-one years of age he entered upon the study of medicine iiuder Dr. J. 
M. Fackler. of Plymouth. Ohio, and February 27. 1884. graduated fi'om the 
Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago. 111. April 7, of the same year, the 
Doctor opened his office in Bloomville. this county, since which time he has de- 
voted himself energetically to the practice of his chosen profession. He is the 
only phj-sician of the homceopathic school in Bloom Township, and has alieady 
built up a large and lucrative practice, being recognized as a skillfrJ and 
scientific physician. He is a charter memljer of Procles Lodge No. 192. K. of P. 

SAMUEL GROSS, reth-ed, Bloomville, one of the oldest men living in 
Bloom Township, was born January 0, 181(), in Union County, Penn., and in 
July, 1831. moved with his pai-ents, Henry and Jane Gross, to Tiffin. Ohio. 
He was married. April 29, 1830, to Miss Aim Owen, who was born in Perry 
County, Penn., March 7. 1807. They located in Bloom Township, this county, 
in 1831. !Mi-. Gross was a practical mechanic and according to the necessities 
of the settlers of those .early times, made and repaired guns, pistols, clocks, 
watches and many other things. His shop, still standing, is well known to all 
the old pioneers, and is one of the landmarks of Bloom Township. Thej* still 
occupy the log house which they built upon coming here and which is the old- 
est residence in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Gross have three daughters: 
Martha Ann. Mrs. Amelia J. Coon and Mrs. Mary E. Gifford. Mr. Gross 
voted for Gen. Jackson in 1832, and has supported the Democratic party since. 
He has served as township trustee three terms, clerk one term, and has tilled 
other local and township offices of trust. He and his worthy wife and childi'en 
are Presbvterians. 

JOHN COLES HAMPTON (deceased) was born in Frederick County. Va. , in 
1803, and was brought up principally in Ross County, Ohio. He came to 
Bloom Township, this coi\nty. in 1822. and here ho married Elizabeth Long in 
1832. Mr. Hampton followed the profession of auctioneer in this locality nearly 
forty years. He helped to raise the first house, and owned a farm of 120 acres 
in Bloom Township at the time of his death, which occurred May 14, 1885. 
Politicallv Mr. Hampton was a Democrat. 

JOHN HARTSCHrH. farmer. P. O. Bloomville, was born June 19, 1835, 
in Stark County. Ohio. His father. John Hartschuh. a native of Wurtemberg, 
Germany, married Miss Susanna Baer. of Pennsylvania, and al.)Out l'S43 locat- 
ed in Chattield Township. Crawford Co. , Ohio, where they lived and died. 
Our subject was reared in that county on his father's farm, and attended the 
schools of the home district. He was married. April 23. 1864, to Miss Mary 
Keller, born in Germany, and brought up in Lykens Township. Ci'awford Co., 
Ohio. Our suliject and wife have resid(>d in Bloom Township, this county, 
ever since their marriage. Their children are Vi' . Franldin. J. Albert. Eme- 
line Loitisa. Elizabeth. George L., Ida May, Mary Anna, David H. and Charley 
J, Mr. and Mrs. Hartschuh began life depending almost entirely on their 
own resources, and by industry and economy have acquired a fine farm, com- 
prising 280 acres of well-improved land. They are members of the German 
Reformed Church. Mr. Hartschuh is a Democrat in politics. 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 739 

PETER HAWBLITS. farmor, P. O. Attica, was bom March IS, 1S29, in 
\\'iirtemberg, Germany, and came to America in l.S3() with hi.s parents, John 
(Tet)rg(> and Catherine Hawblits, who, after living nine years in Stark County, 
Oliio, settled in Bloom Township, this county, but are now residents of Venice 
Township. Our subject, February 26, 1857, maiTied ISIiss ^Mary Ann Briggle, 
born in 1834, in Reed Township, this county; her parents, Valentine and Mary 
Briggle, were natives ot Baden, Germany, and among the earliest settlers of 
Keod Township. The father died in 1875; the mother is now living with our 
subject at the advanced age of eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Hawblits lived in 
Reed Township, this county, nineteen years after their marriage, and then lo- 
cated in Bloom Townshij), where thi>y bought Jonathan Webster's place, and 
now have a tine farm of I'JO acres of well-improved land, as well as eighty-five 
acres in Reed Township. They have one son- David Henry (married to Miss 
•Tennie Seiple), who is devoting a great deal of attention to raising tine stock 
on the home farm. He has lately purchased twenty head of registered Merino 
sheep, one of the finest flocks in the whole county, having received distin- 
guished premiums at the fairs held at Toledo, Tiffin, Clyde and Attica. Ohio. 
Our subject is a prosperous, enterprising farmer, highly lespected hj the whole 
community. 

OSCAR M. HOLCOMB, editor and publisher of the Seneca County Record 
Bloom ville. was born September 8, 1829. in Hamilton County, Ohio. His 
father, David H. Holcomb, afterward a merchant of Cincinnati, Ohio, came 
■with his parents fi-om Vermont to Hamilton County in 1808. Om' sul)ject and 
his parents resided at Pekin, 111., and in same county from 1881 to 1843, when 
they removed to Chicago. There he learned the printer's trade in the office 
of the Gem of the Prairie. In 1846 he set the first type on the Chicago Trib- 
une. In 18-47 Mr. Holcomb enlisted in Company F, Second Regiment Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, and went to Mexico under Gen. Scott. He was stationed 
at C'amp "Washington, in Vera Cruz, and at Jalapa. receiving an honorable dis- 
charge at Alton. 111., in 1848. March 26, 1849, he with his father started 
across the plains to California, awiving at Sacramento September 13. same 
year. an<l there his father died November 18, 1849, his wife having preceded 
him in 1.S32 at Pekin, 111. Om- subject retmned to Chicago in April, 1852, and 
re-engaged on the Tribune. He was a delegate to the National Printers' Union 
at Pittsbiu-gh, Penn., in 1853. He was married September 22, 1853, to Miss 
Mary A. Leitch, of Warren County, Ohio, and to this union were born Mrs. 
Ora A. Rowen, of Washington, Iowa; Mi-s. lona E. Longhead, of same place; 
Orma M., of California; 5lrs. L. L. Hodges, of Waterloo, Ind., and William 
H. , of Fort Collins, Col. They spent several years in Iowa, where Mr. Holcomb 
published the Hardin County Sentinel at Eldora, Iowa. Snbse(juently they moved 
to Washington County, where Mr. Holcoml) held the position of agent for the 
Rock Island Raih-oad Company, at Ainsworth, for nine years. He lost his 
wife by death November 18, 1867, and subsequently married, August 6, 1868, 
Miss Mary A. ^\'hiting, by whom he has had five childien, all now deceased. 
They finally located in Bloom ville, this county, April 15, 1878, where Mr. Hol- 
comb purchased the printing office and established the Seneca County Record, 
which he has built up to a point of success never before attained by any paper 
in this locality, with a circulation of upward of 7(10. It is very jiopular with 
the best citizens of the county. In the spring of 18S4 Mr. Holcomb was elected 
mayor of Bloomville and justice of the peace, and he fulfils the duties of these 
offices to the satisfaction of all. 

JACOB HOSSLER. of Bloom Township, was born January 31, 1806, at 
Gettysburg, Adams Co. , Perm., and moved wth his parent-; in 1821. to Stark 



740 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

County. Ohio. His father.' Frederick, and his grandfather, John G. , were born 
in Pennsylvania, the former iu 1 T8'2. the latter in 1758, and his great-grand- 
father was Ijorn in France. Eairope. and immigrated to Philadelphia. Penn. . iu 
1754. September 23, 1830. the subject of this sketch married Anna 
Funk, of Osnabiu-g. Stark Co., Ohio. May 30, 1834, Mr. Hossler and 
wife landed in Bloom Township, Seneca Co. . Ohio, on their present fanu 
homestead, consisting of 320 acres, part of which is in Venice Township, at a 
time when this township was comparatively a wilderness. By industry and 
economy the twain made this one of the most pleasant and deskable homes in 
that locality, in a short duration of time. Mr. and IMrs. Hossler reared eleven 
children — four sons, and seven daughters — all of whom are men and women of 
enterprise and usefulness. In 1800 he removed to the village of Bloomville, 
went into the mercantile trade, and has very recently retired fi'om the activity 
of business, but enjoys his vigorous old age with every indication of living 
many yejirs. He was justice of the peace twenty-four years, mayor of Bloom- 
ville four years, postmaster under part of Grant's administration, and held 
other positions of honor in the township, all of which he has filled with marked 
honesty and ability. Also administered the settlement of many decedents' 
estates. One of the most notable events in Bloom Township in 1880, was the 
celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the nuptial vows of Mr. and ]Mi-s. Hoss- 
ler. Mr. Hossler is a gentleman who enjoys the respect of all who know him, 
and is an intelligent and iijjright citizen, and one who takes pride in the pros- 
perity of his township and county. He is honest and straight forward in busi- 
ness, his word being equivalent to his bond any day. He is one of the few 
remaining stanch pioneer settlers of Bloom Townshijs. 

SAMUEL B. HOSSLER. farmer, P. O. Bloomville, was born April 12, 
1842, in Bloom Township, this county, a son of the well known pioneer, Jacob 
Hossler. He completed his education under Prof. Aaron Schuyler in the 
Seneca County Academy at Republic, adopting the profession of teacher 
before he was nineteen years of age. and teaching seven terms almost in 
succession in Bloom Township. Diu'ing the late war of the Rebellion he 
spent foui' months, in 1S04, as a soldier in the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth 
Regiment Ohio National Guards. Our subject married, April 11, 1865, Miss 
Jennie Lomiller, a native of Scipio Townshiji. this county. After living one 
year at Bloomville and eleven years at his father's homestead, our subject 
and family finally settled where they now reside, owning a well improved 
farm of 100 acres. Their children are Nellie, J. Schuyler, Maiy A. and 
Anna C. Mr. Hossler is an earnest Republican. In 1873 he was called upon 
to serve his township as assessor. In 1880 he was chosen land appraiser, the 
difficult duties of which position he filled to the general satisfaction of the 
peojjle. He held the office of township trustee two terms (fi'om ISSl to 1883) 
and in addition he has done an extensive business as executor and administra- 
tor, settling decedents' estates. He is one of the leading public spirited, 
enterprising citizens of Bloom Township. 

ABRAHAM KAGY, farmer, P. O. Bloomville. was born in Shenandoah 
County. Va. , December 23, 1803. He came to Fairfield County. Ohio, at seven- 
teen years of age with his parents. Christian and Hannah Kagy, former of whom 
died in Fairfield County, and latter in Bloom Township, this county, when 
over ninety years of age. Abraham Kagy married Miss Elizabeth Rueh, of 
Fan-field Comity, Ohio, and, in 1823, settled in Bloom Township, this county, 
where they cleared up and developed a fann. They were industrious and 
successful, at one time owning over 1.000 acres of laud. 040 of which were in 
Bloom Township. To them were born the following children: Mrs. Hannah 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 741 

Spitler: Christian, who ilioil July 2U, 1S29, agodthroe years; John; Mary, who 
died June 30, 1S21). aged one year; ^Ii-s. Barbara Martin; IMx's. LavinaSaiil; Mrs. 
Eliza Hershberger, of Warsaw, Ind. : George, who died Februaiy 28, 1803, aged 
twenty-nine years ; Lewis ; Cameron ; Martha, who died, aged six years ; Benjamin, 
a resident of Putnam County. Ohio; Elijah; Stephen; and Leander in Oregon. 
Mrs. Kagy di(>d August U, 18G3. Our subject now resides on the homestead 
at the advanced age of eighty-one years. He is a member of the Old Si-hool 
Baptist Church: is an upright pioneer citizen and is now living in the peace 
and quiet of an honored old age. John Kagy, our subject's son, has lived 
most of his life in Bloom Township. He takes an active interest in public 
affairs, having served the township in several responsible positions. He has 
held the office of justice of the peace, fulfilling the important duties of this 
office to the entire satisfaction of the people. He now resides on the farm 
south of Bloomville. 

HENRY KIRGIS, farmer and stock dealer, P. O. Bloomville, was born 
January 10, 1S4(). in Seneca Township, this county. His father, Jacob 
Kirgis, a native of AVurtemberg, Germany, came to this county in 1833 with 
his parents, who died in Seneca Township, this county. He, Jacob, married 
Mary Sliafer of Reed Townshi|>, a native of Baden, Germany. Our subject 
was reared in Lykens Township. Crawford Co. , Ohio, where his parents had 
located when he was seven years old. His educational opportunities were 
limited, but he improved them to good advantage and has been an extensive 
reader. He married, February (5, 1802. Miss Mary Ann Shellhorn, whose 
parents were natives of A\'m-temlierg, Germany, and lived some years in Stark 
County, Ohio, before locating in Lykens Township, Crawford County. Mr. 
and !Mrs. Kirgis have resided in Bloom Township since theu- marriage. They 
have, by industry and good management, acquired 500 acres of land. They 
ai-e members of the Lutheran Chm-ch. Their children are Mrs. Caroline A. 
Haines. William. Aiuia M. and Henry M. "Mi. Kirgis is a Democrat, politi- 
cally, and a close observer of pulilic affairs. He has for the past eight 
yeai-s devoted his attention princijjally to raising and dealing in stock. He is 
giving his childi'en good educational advantages. His daughter, Anna, is an 
accomplished and efficient teacher, having taught very successfully six terms 
in the schools of the home district. 

SIMON KOLLER (deceased) was born February 8. 1802, in York County 
Penn. , where he grew to manhood. He was married in his native county 
to Mrs. Mary ]\Iagdalena Bricker, also a native of Y^ork County, Penn. . born 
JanuaiT f>. 1810. In 1S3S they turned their faces westward, attracted by 
the advantages for new settlers in the climate and soil of Ohio. Thej- re- 
mained al)out two years in Wayne County, Ohio, and in 1840 settled per- 
manently on Honej- Creek, Bloom Township, this county. Hero they bought 
160 acres of land which they increased the next year to 320 acres. They 
reai'ed an intelligent and influential family, five of their eight chihb(>n are 
now living: Josiah, residing at Napoleon. Ohio; Mrs. Maria Zeigler, residing 
at Bucyrus. Ohio: Mrs. Sarah S(>ig!ey: Martin; and Mrs. Leah Benenderfer. 
Ml'. Koller was a man of wonderful indu.stry and energy. Besides his extensive 
farm interests he established a saw-mill on his place and afterward built a grist- 
mill, near by. which he operated until ISO."). He added to his landed property 
iintil he owned in all about Tj^O acres in this county. As a citizen Mr. Koller 
was known far and wide for his generosity and liberality to the poor. It is 
said that even those who had done him great injui-y received favors from his 
hand. Mr. Koller died Feljruary 13, 1882, his %vife having preei'ded him 
September 0. ISSl. They were pious members of the Reformed Church. Mr. 



742 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Roller being almost the main support in building the church here; they were 
among the township's best known and most highly respected pioneers and 
their memory will long be honored by the citizens. 

JOHN ROLLER (deceased) was a native of York County. Penn. . where 
he married Eve Reigle. In June, 1834, they settled on Honej' Oreek, Bloom 
Township, this county, where they cleared up a farm and reared their family of 
three childi'en. Mr. Roller was an old-tinle democrat, and took an active part 
in public affairs, serving his township as trustee for several terms. He was 
devoted to the improvement of his home, and built the first brick house in 
Bloom Township, and the fii-st line residence of any kind on Honey Creek. He 
was a very useful and valuable citizen and his early death. February 18. 1845, 
when but thirty-six years of age, was deeply lamented by the whole community. 
His widow, who subsequentlv married William Watson, died October 25. 18'^1 
NATHANIEL ROLLER, farmer, P. O. Bloomville, was born December 
24, 1884, and is the eldest of the three children born to John and Eve (Reigle) 
Roller. He was united in marriage, February 29. 1856. with Miss Magdalena 
Hossler. daughter of the well known pioneer. Jacob Hossler. Mr. and !Mi's. 
Roller settled on their present farm in February, 1859, where they have a 
comfortable home and sixty-three acres of well improved land. They have one 
daughter. Mary Ettie, wife of James G. Potteiger, and they have one daughter. 
Ella M. Mr. Roller is a Republican in politics. Mrs. Roller is a member of 
the United Brethren Church. 

SAMUEL A. B. McCLELLAND. farmer, P. O. Bloomville. was born June 
7, 1818, in Centre County, Penn. His father, Hugh McClelland, died aliout 1 823, 
and his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Boyd) McClelland, came to Eden Township, 
this county, with her young family, in 1830. They settled on a new farm which 
they at once began to clear up and develop. The names of their childi-en are 
William H. : Mrs. Nancy J. Clark, in Hancock County: Sarah I., (deceased); 
S. A. B. ; Mrs. Mary H. Moe; and Mrs. Margaret F. Watson. Our subject 
married, July 26. 'l849. Miss Catherine Ralston, born March 31. 1828. in 
Brooke County, Va.. daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Parks) Ralston, who 
settled in Bloom Township, this county, in 1834. Mr. Ralston died Jahuary 
4. 1867, and his widow still lives in Bloom Township. Two of their sons gave 
their lives in defense of their country, Joseph M. C. being a member of the One 
Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, and Robert of the Fifty-fifth Regiment ' 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry. l\Ir. and Mrs. McClelland settled in Bloom Town- 
ship, this county, in 1853. Their children are Salomon Chase, of Michigan; 
William H. . in Rosciusko County, Ind. ; Samuel; Ward B. ; Hugh: and Ida E. 
Mr. McClelland has been an ardent Republican since the organization of the 
party. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Chiu'ch. 

JOHN McCLELLAND. a native of Fayette County, Penn., was married in 
Wayne County, Ohio, in 1832, to Miss Elizabeth Hannah, a native of Cumber- 
land County, Penn. They settled in Venice Township, this county, in 1836. 
Of their twelve children Thomas A., the only one residing in Bloom Town- 
ship, married, August 23, 1866, Miss Catherine Wilson. Her father. John W. 
Wilson, was born in Fayette County, Penn., in 1S21, and came to Ohio with his 
father. Rev. James Wilson, a native of Ensrland and a minister of the Jlethodist 
Episcopal Church. John W. Wilson man-ied Miss Hannah J. McWilliams, of 
Richland County. Ohio, and resided on their farm until 1875. when they located 
in Bloomville, where Mr. Wilson died, in November, 1880; his widow now 
resides at her home. 

NATHAN MARTIN (deceased), son of William and Hannah (Chapman) 
Martin, was lH)rn in Miftlin Countv. Penn.. November 6, 1785; enlisted in Dear- 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 743 

horn's commaiul in 1812, and served during that war; was discharged and paid 
off at Fort Niagara, then went to York (Toronto) to visit his mother's sisters who 
resided there, and became a resident of that district. He was married there to 
Miss Elizabeth Devins. and engaged in agricnltiu-e in Canada until May, 1839, 
when he moved to Bloom Township. Seneca Co., Ohio, where his two 
brothers had settled at an earlier date. His wife and children — five boys and 
three girls — accompanied him hither. On arriving in Bloom, June 1, he nego- 
tiated for the piu'chase of a farm, and went to reside on it (Section lU) July 1, 
lS3y. He was trastee of Bloom Township for many years pre%-ious to his 
death, which occiured February 11, 1862, his demise being attributed to wony, 
caused by the war. His widow died in JanuaiT, 1870. 

JOHN CHAPMAN MARTIN (deceased), was born Febmary 26, 1798, in 
Mifflin County. Penn. He came to Fail-field County. Ohio, in 1812, where he 
was united in marriage with INIiss ^lary Ann ]\IcC'andlish, a native of Water- 
ford. Ohio. They moved to Bloom Township, this county, in 1S2S. and entered 
an eighty-acre tract, north of Honey Creek, which they subsequently increased 
to 1(50 acres. They lived at their home on Honey Creek until theu- death. Mr. 
Martin died January 8, 1881. his wife December 30, 1870. Of their eleven 
chikli'en foiu- are now living: William, a resident of Des Moines. Iowa: Anthony 
M., an M. D. in Bloomville, Ohio; George !M., living on the homestead on 
Honey Creek; and Albert, in King City, Mo. Our subject and his worthy 
wife were among the honored pioneers of Bloom Township, where they lived 
long and useful lives. 

PAUL MILLER, manufactiu-er, Bloomville. was born May o, 1840, in 
Venice Township, this coimty. His father. John M. Miller, a native of "\\'ur- 
tembi>rg, Germany, man'ied Miss Rickey Reider. immigrated to America in 
1832. and, after living in Medina Comity, Ohio, about foiu- years, settled per- 
Tnauautly in Seneca County, Ohio. After his wife's demise, which occurred 
when she was aged forty-two years and twenty-five days, John M. ISIiller mar- 
ried Miss Catherine Kalb, who died February 9, 1878, aged sixty-nine years; 
he remained a widower the remainder of his life; he died March 29, 1884, 
aged eighty-two years, nine months and twenty-one days; he was an enter- 
prising farmer and acquired an estate of 400 acres of land. His childi-en — 
nine sons and one daughter — are all now living but Aaron, who was cb-owned in 
Sandixsky River, at Tiffin, Ohio. March 12. 1868. Two of the sons. D. G. and 
C. C. . gave their services in defense of the Government in the war of the Re- 
liellion, serving four years each. Our subject was employed three months as 
carpenter by the Government during the Rebellion. He was married, March 
lit. 1864. to Mary E. Marshall, then located at Richville, Crawford County, 
Ohio, two years, after which he purchased a saw-mill at Tiffin, Ohio, which he 
carried on for eight years. He next resided in the southeast corner of Clinton 
Township, this county, for some time, but finally located in Bloomville in 
IN7r). Here he caiTies on an extensive saw-mill, planing-mill and luml)i>r 
Imsiness, supplying the home market: has a large railroad trade and is ship- 
jiing extensively to Toledo and other points. This is the only establishment 
of the kind in Bloomville. He is noted as on(> of the most enterprising and suc- 
cessful business men of the day. INL. and Mrs. Miller's children are John 
David. Elizabeth Anna, ilary Emma, Benjamin Franklin, Nelson HaiTy and 
Iva Pearl. Mrs. Miller is a member of the German Reformed Chnrch. 

HERBERT G. OGDEN, merchant, Bloomville, was born August 13. 1843, 
in Scipio Township, this county. His father. Gilbert 51. Ogden, of Tomp- 
kins County, N. Y. , came to this county in 183(5. where he was married to 
Miss Sarah Jopp, of Pleasant Township, who died in IS.')!. Gilbert M. Ogdeu 



744 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 

carried on a mercantile trade in Republic, Ohio, from 1840 to 18(53 (when his 
son took his jslace in the establishment); spent from 1807 to 1875 among the 
mines in Nevada, and died at Toledo, Ohio, in September, 1884. Oar subject 
caiTied on the diy goods store foiiuerly owned by his father in Eepublie, until 
1871, when he located in Green Spring, Ohio. In 1881 he came to Bloom- 
ville, this county, where he formed the present partnership with G. F. Swi- 
gert. They cany a full line of diy goods, boots, shoes, notions, etc., and 
have built up a large and lucrative trade. Mr. Ogden was married. November 
19, 1808, to Miss Harriet I. Swigert. by whom he has one son, Fred. Mr. 
Ogden is a Royal Ai-ch Mason. He is a representative business man and an 
influential citizen in this community. He enlisted during the late war of the 
Rebellion, in May, 1861. in Company G, Twenty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry, was transferred in August, 1862, to the One Himdi-ed and First 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry; served in the AiTny of the Potomac and took part in 
many severe engagements fought in West Vu'ginia and Virginia. He was 
wounded in the left arm at the battle of Cross Keys, W. Va. , and resigned on 
account of disability, with the rank of fir.st lieutenant, in 1803. 

LEWIS R. OWEN, farmer. P. O. BloomvUle, was born in Milo, Yates 
Co., N. Y., April 30, 1815. His parents, Nathaniel and Elizabeth Owen, 
came to Scipio Township, this county, in 1833, and there cleared up a new 
farm, endm'ing the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Of their seven 
childi'en five are now living: Alanson, in Bloom Township; Charles, in Eden 
Township, this county; Lewis R., in Bloom Township; !Mi\s. Mary Blackman, 
in Wisconsin, and Jonathan in Dakota. Nathaniel Owen died in 1846, his 
widow in 1882, aged ninety years. Our subject, after helping on his father's 
farm, married Miss Sallie Free, and commenced to clear a farm for himself 
in Bloom Township, this county, in 1835. Here they acquired a tine property 
of 240 acres of well improved land. Mrs. Owen died in 184'J, leaving three 
ehildien: John, in Bloom Township ; Mrs. Mary Kagy, in Iowa; and William. 
Our subject was married on second occasion to Miss Almeda Rice, and their 
childi'en are Elleiy, a resident of Iowa; Lasaida (deceased); Sarah Andrews, 
in Wyandot County, Ohio; Brilla Worm, in Bloom Township. Mr. and Mi's. 
Owen are members of the Baptist Church. He is an earnest Democrat in 
politics and takes a deep interest in public afPaii's. He has been called upon 
to serve his township as trustee for six years. 

JOHN T. REID. retired farmer, P. 6. Bloomville,was born January 1, 1807, 
in Frederick County. Md. His father, Aj'chibald Reid, a native of England, 
was maiTied to Catherine Talbott, of Maryland, and died in about ISOU, the 
widow then locating with her family in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1814, where 
she resided until her death in 1835. One of their sons. Benjamin, was a 
soldier in the war of 1812. Ova- subject came to Fairfield County with his 
uncle in 1813 and to Bloom Township, thiscoimty, in 1831, and here he began 
clearing up a farm in the western part of the township. He was married. 
April 25. 1833, to Jkliss Eliza B. Watson, who was born March 14, 1810, in 
Center County, Penn., and came to Eden Township, this county, at twenty 
years of age with her widowed mother, Mrs. Elizabeth McClelland. Since 
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Reid have resided in Bloom Township. Their 
children are Benjamin F.. of Westport. Cal. ; Mary Elizabeth, who died at 
three years of age; William L. . in Bloom Township, this county; and Mrs. 
Margaret E. Mar<)uis. also in Bloom Township. Mr. and ^frs. Reid have been 
leading a retired life in Bloomville since 1873. They are members of the 
Presbyterian Church and are devoted to the temperance cause, upright pioneer 
people, respected by the entire community. 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 745 

WILLIAM L. REID, farmer. P. O. Bloomville, was born Jaimary M. 
188S. ia Bloom Towniship, this county, and is n son of John T. and Eliza 13. 
(Watson) Reid. Oiu- subject received his education in the schools of the home 
district, but, as was common among the sons of the settlers of those early times, 
his educational advantages were necessarily limited, owing to the demand for 
his lielp on the farm. He was united in marriage. April 2."), ISfil, with Miss 
Martha C. Hershbergei . whose jiarents. Jonas and ilartha Hershberger. moved 
from Shenandoah County, Ya.. and settled in Eden Township, this county. 
in 1S8;!. To ilr. and Mrs. Keid have been born three children: ^frs. Ellen 
Bliss. Eliza and Wilbert (deceased). During the late war of the Rebellion, our 
sul)ject served about live months, in 1804, as a member of the One Hundred 
and Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He has resided on the 
old family homestead ever since his maiTiage. Mr. Reid is a life-long Repub 
liean. takes an active interest in public affairs, and is at present a trustee of 
Bloom Township. 

JOHN RICE, farmer, P. O. Attica, was born March '22, 182:-J, in Yates 
County, N. Y., son of William and Luceba (Blodgett) Rice, who settled in Reed 
Township, this county, in 1S29, and there resided luitil the death of William 
Rice, which occiUTed August 'JO. IS^^f"). His widow siu-vived him iintil 18(53. 
Oxu- subject was married, March 28, 1844, to Susan Henrietta Hall, born in 
Steuben County.' N. Y.. January 2L 182G, daughter of Rev. Henry F. and 
Susan (Sellon) Hall, who settled in the corner of Bloom Township in 1837). 
Mr. Hall was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Chm-ch. being ordained 
in 1832 l)y Bishop Hedding. He was a man of much eloquence and power, 
anil preached a great deal in the sxu'rounding communities. He ended his use- 
ful life March "), lSr)8, aged sixty-nine years. His %vidow survived him 
until March 23. 1871. She had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Chm-oh for sixty years. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Rice liv(>d in Reed 
Township, three years; in Wyandot County, seven years, and finally settled, in 
18r)4, where they now reside, on the old family homestead of Rev. 'Sh: Hall. 
They have a fine place of 200 acres, which is one of the best imj>ri)S'ed farms 
in the township. Their children are Sidney Herbert, of St. Joseph. Mo. ; 
Francis Leroy. of Cleveland. Ohio: Mrs. Nettie Pinger, of Barry. III.: Bert 
E. and Charles A. reside on the old farm. ill-, and Mrs. 'Rice are consistent 
members of the Methodist E])iseopal Church, with which the former has been 
connected since twelve, and the latter since eighteen years of age. He is an 
earnest Re])ublican. taking a deep interest in public affairs, and is recognized 
as one of the leading citizens of Seneca County, ill's. Rice is a literary writer, 
contributing many valuable articles to the papers. She has been called upon 
to deliver addi'esses before the Tem[)le Grange, Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges, 
Seneca County Farmers' Institute and other representative bodies. She is an 
effective and popular isTiter. striking with force at the vices and follies of our 
day. She was an active member of the well known woman's ciiisade against 
the whisky traffic. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have three cottages at Lakeside camp 
ground, one of them being the best in the jilace. and Mr. Rice is one of the 
leading officers of that institution. 

EDWIN J. SEIGLEY, deceased, was born in 1842, in Summit County. 
Ohio, where his father, Joseph Seigley, still resides. In his Ijoyhood he 
attended Heidelljerg College at Tiffin, Ohio, and resided for some time with his 
brother. B. F. Seigley. in Bloom Township. He was married, in September, 
1862, to Jliss Sarah Koller, who was born in Bloom Township, thi^; county, in 
1843, a daughter of Simon Koller. The children lK)rn to this union are Mrs. 
Izora V. Fry. Earl E. and Jessie M. Mr. and Mrs. Seigley resided in this 



746 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

township for three years, and then located at Melmore, Edeu Township, this 
county, where he died in August. 1S()1. His widow now resides at her home 
north of Bloomville. She is a member of the Reformed Church, a lady of 
exalted Christian character, respected and esteemed by all who know her, and 
who has carefully reared her family to become intelligent, influential citizens of 
this township. 

JOHN SEITZ (deceased) was born in Rockingham Coiinty, Va., October 28, 
1790, and came to Fairfield County, Ohio, with his parents in 1801. There he was 
united in mari'iage. in IS 11. with Miss Magdalena Spitler. a native of what is 
now Page County, Ya. They located permanently iu Bloom Township, this 
county, in 1828, ilr. Seitz having come out the iwevious year, Ijought land 
and biiilt a house, and named Bloom Township. Of the eight childi-en born 
to this union four are now living: Abram (residing in Sacramento, Cal.), Lewis 
(a resident of Wyandot County, Ohio), Daniel and Isaac. Four died in this 
county : Mrs. Mary Perkey, Mrs. Anna Kagy. Josiah and Mrs. Elizabeth Bretz. 
John Seitz was serving as county commissioner when the first coiui house was 
built in Tiffin, in 1834, and filled the office of justice of the peace about fifteen 
years. He died September 27, 1874. his wife having preceded him in 18(12. 
They were upright pioneers and helped develop the resources of Seneca C'ounty. 
and their names will long be revered by the citizens of Bloom Township. 
They were Primitive Baptists. 

DANIEL SEITZ, farmer, P. O. Bloomville. a son of John and Magdalena 
(Spitler) Seitz, was born May 5, 1825, the first white male child to seethe light 
of day in Bloom Township, and now the oldest resident of the same. He 
acquired his education in the old log schoolhouse within a few steps of his 
father's home, and took part iu the usual work that fell to the lot of the pio- 
neers' sons of that early day. He married. February 4, 18r52, Miss Barbara 
E. Bretz, born iu Bloom Township, this county. September 12, 1834, a daugh- 
ter of David and Frances Bretz, natives of Virginia, who al/o came here fixim 
Fairfield County, Ohio, iu early times. To this union were born Cassius M. 
and Cora Belle (twins), AVade Hampton and Jesse W. After mairiage Mr. and 
Mrs. Seitz lived on the family homestead iintil 1874, when they moved to their 
present farm adjoining, and here they have a fine farm of eighty-seven and a 
half acres of well improved land. j\Ir. Seitz is an earnest Republican, having 
cast his first vote for Van Bureu for President. He has served the township 
as trustee several terms. He is a worthy representative of one of the oldest 
families in Bloom Township, and is a citizen of much influence. 

ELDER LEWIS SEITZ, retired. Bloomville, was born October 21, 1802. 
in Fairfield County, Ohio. His parents, Lewis and Anna (Beery) Seitz, natives 
of Lancaster County, Penn. , were married iu York County, and after living 
eleven years in Rockingham County, Va., made a permanent settlement in 
Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1801. Ten of their fourteen ehildi-en were born in 
Virginia; all were married in Fairfield County, Ohio, and the youngest was 
over fifty years of age before their rank was broken by death, oiir subject and 
his sister, Mrs. Rebecca Friesner, of Shelby County, 111., being now the only 
survivors. The othoi-s are resting " their life's journey o'er," at various places 
throughout Ohio and the West. Oiu' subject married. Aiigust 24, 1823, !Miss 
Barbara Kagy. who died September 27, 1848, and of the fourteen children 
born to this union, six are deceased. ili\ Lewis was baptized by an ""Old 
School " or Primitive Baptist the year following his marriage (March. 1824); 
he moved to Bloomville Township, this county, October 17, 1825. and here be- 
gan life in the wilderness; the Indians, who were quite numerous here at tJiat 
time, always found in him a warm friend. Elder Seitz, now in his eightv-third 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 747 

year, began proaching at twenty-five years of ago, and Las labored in tlie Lord's 
vineyard almost continuously ever since, and yet preaches one hour or more at a 
stretch. He has traveled many miles through the dangers of a new country, 
and asked ior no compensation for his time. He was married, on second occa- 
sion, January K). 184U. to i\Irs Martha Hershberger. who died Septemlier 22, 
1888. Elder Seitz has cleared up and developed a large farm; has led a very 
active life, and his name will long be honored liy the residents of Bloom Town- 
ship. 

AAKON SEITZ. farmer, P. O. Bloomville. was born March 11^, IS44, iu 
Bloom Township, this county, and is a son of the pioneer Elder Lewis Seitz. 
He was married October 24, 1804, to Miss Eliza Shock, born July IS, 1842, in 
Bloom Township, this county, daughter of Jacob Shock, a native of Stark 
County, Ohio, and who early settled iu Bloom Township, dying in 187S. Mr. 
and Mrs. Seitz settled where they now reside in 1S72. and here have a fine farm 
of 1st) J acres of well-improved land. Their children are Iiwin L. , Alvin J., 
Mattie !May, Myrtie Blanche. Om- subject and his worthy^ wife. are members 
of the Primitive Baptist Chiu'ch. Mr. Seitz is an enterprising farmer and a 
citizen of strict integrity. 

JOHN SHONTZ. proprietor of steam floming-mill. Bloomville. was liornin 

1823, in Stiirk County. Ohio. His father. Henry Shontz, of Bedford County. 
Penn., was maiTied to Sarah Williard. of Armstrong County, Penn., and 
moved to Stark County, Ohio, in 1823. thence to Jackson Township, this 
county, in 1834. where they resided the remainder of their lives. 
'Mr. Shontz died in 1871, aged eighty-two. his wife having preceded 
him in ISf)-"), at the age of sixty-six years. Of their nine children our subject 
is the fourth. He married. December ]<ri. 1847, Miss Rebecca Einebolt. of 
Loudon Township, this county, and to this union were born seven children, 
now living: Mrs. Melissa Smith. Elias, Alphens J.. Mrs. Angeline Hartline. Neri. 
Arie and Lucinda. Mi'. Shontz united with the German Baptist Church Sep- 
tember 30, 1840; was elected to the ofiice of deacon May 22, 1859: chosen to the 
ministry October 1. 1860, and advanced to the second degi'ee of the ministry 
September 22, 1874. Dui-ing this tijne he j)reached in several of the suiTound- 
iug counties, having his home, however, located in the jiortage district until No- 
vember 10. ISni, when he was .stationed at the Seneca Church near Bloomville, 
and at that time moved on his f aiTQ west of Bloomville. In June. 1 878, he and 
his son purchased the Koller Mill, north of Bloomville, which they ojjerated un- 
til the fall of 1S7U. when they built a large mill in Bloomville, the onlv grist 
and tlouring-mill in the township, and which they are now conducting, en- 
joying a verv extensive custom. 

■ MAKTIN J. SPITLER. farmer. P. O. Bloomville, was bcnn May 10, 

1824. in Fairfield County, Ohio. His parents,- Jacob and Catharine (Seitz) 
Spitler, natives of Shenandoah County, Va., came to Fairfield County, Ohio, 
about 1S02, where they grt^w up and were maiTied. They l(jcated in Bloom 
Township, this county, in 1850; were consistent members of the Primitive 
Baptist Church. They were parents of seventeen children, fifteen of whom 
attained maturity: Lewis: ]\Irs. Rachel Clev(>nger. a resident of Allen County, 
Ohio: ill's. Anna Mesnard (deceased): Mrs. Catharine Siple (deceased); Elder 
Noah (deceased): Jacob, killed by lightning: Daniel: Benjamin: Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Donald, of Iowa; iMartin J.; !Mi's. Sophia Crawford, of Hancock County, 
Ohio; Eli; Mrs. Lydia Pearsall (deceased): Mahala (deceased); Mrs. Emily 
Einsel; and an infant (deceased). Jacob Spitler's useful life ended July 7, 
18f»r). his wife having preceded him January 21, 1803. At their death they 
left 127 descendants. They were an upright pioneer couple; respected by all. 



748 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Martin J., our subject, located in Bloom Township, this county, in the fall of 
1845. Here he married, July 24. 1853. Miss Mary E.' Slee, of Crawford 
County, Ohio, born in Jefferson County. Ohio, in 1826. coming to Crawford 
County in 1837 with her j)arents, Francis and Mary Slee, who resided there 
until death. Mr. and Jlrs. Spitler have resided in Bloom Township, since 
man'iage, and on their present farm since April 10, 1873. Hero they have a 
fine property of 246 acres of well improved land. The names of their chil- 
di'en are as follows: Winfield Taylor; Mrs. Frances Ellen Segrist, of Heniy 
County, Ohio; Fremont Dayton; Wilmot Hamlin; Brough Anderson; Nettie 
Belle (deceased); Sherman Grant; Minnie Alice; and Foster. ]Mr. and Mrs. 
Spitler are members of the I'rimitive Baptist Church. They have acquired 
their property entirely by their own industry and good management. Mr. 
Spitler is one of the few living original Republicans, which party he continues 
to support. 

FREDERICK SPONSELLER, farmer. P. O. BloomviUe, was born Novem- 
ber 11, 1815, in Stark County, Ohio. His father, John Sponseller. of Colum- 
biana County, Ohio, was one of the earliest settlers of Stark County, Ohio, 
going there when there were but two or three houses at Canton, and there he 
married Miss Catherine Harpster, a native of Pennsylvania, and of their eight 
children seven are living; of these Frederick. John and Mrs. Catherine Sellers 
reside in this county. John Sponseller died in 1873 after a useful life of 
nearly eighty-five years; his widow still lives at the homestead and is ninety- 
two years old. Our subject was mamed, February 12, 1840. to Elizabeth 
Prouse, born September 13, 1818, in Stark County, where her parents, "Will- 
iam and Hannah (Dock) Prouse, of Pennsylvania, early settled, and there 
lived and died, the former in 1872, aged eighty-thi-ee; the latter in 1879, aged 
seventy -eight. After their marriage Mi', and J\Ii's. Sponseller turned their 
faces Westward and located on their present farm in Bloom Township, this 
county. Here they began clearing their farm, endiu'ing all the struggles and 
hardships of pioneer life. They have been industrious and successful, having 
acquired a fine farm of 240 acres well-improved land, and have given their chil- 
di'en a good start in life. Then- children are William, deceassd; John, died 
at thirty-one years of age; Philip; Abraham; Elisha, deceased; David; Levi; 
and Hannah C. , deceased. Mr. and Mi-s. Sponseller are members of the 
Lutheran Chui'ch. 

ABRAHAM SPONSELLER, fai-mer, P. O. BloomviUe, was born April 
20, 1 845, in Bloom Township, this county, a son of the well known pioneer, 
Fred. Sponseller. After comjileting a common school coiu'se in the home dis- 
trict, he attended the academy at Republic, Ohio. He was successfully 
(engaged as a teacher one term in Bloom Township, this county, and one term 
in Chattield Township, Crawford Co., Ohio. He married, March 10. 1867, 
Miss Catherine Bessey, born July 3, 1842. in Seneca County. Ohio, daughter 
of Jacob and Rosa Bessey, natives of Germany, who, after living some time in 
Bloom Township, this coimty, moved to Hui'on Coiinty, finally settled in 
Bloom Township in 1855, and here ISL-. Bessey died. July 31, 1867. His 
widow now resides in Crawford County. Ohio. !Mr. and Mrs. Bessey" s chil- 
dren are Mrs. Rosa Sweitzer, of Barry County, Mich. ; George, of Crawford 
County, Ohio; Mrs. Christine Swanders, of Iowa; Jacob, of Ionia County, 
Mich.; Jeremiah C. in Harper County. Kas. ; ]\L-s. Mar}- A. Brillhart. of 
Chatfield Township, Crawford Co,, Ohio; and Mrs. Sponseller. After their 
marriage Mr. and 31JS. Sponseller resided in Crawford Coiinty five years, and 
then located in Bloom Township, this county, and have lived in their present 
home since 1882. where they have a well-improved farm of 100 acres. Their 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 749 

ibikken are Minnie Ellen; Kosa Elizabeth; Mary Florence; Heniy Earl, who 
I licil October HI. 1881. aged six years, and one infant (deceased). Mr. and 
Mrs. Spouseller are Free-Will Baptists. He is a Democrat in politics, and 
takes an active interest in pnblic affairs. He has been called upon to sei-ve his 
township three terms in succession as tiiistee. 

ADAM STINEBAUGH. retired. P. O. Kockaway. was born February 20. 
ITitSt. in Lancaster County, Penn. He lost his father when he was but a year 
and a half old. and his widowed mother moved with him over into AVashington 
County, ild. , where he was brought uji. There he was man'ied, February 5. 
1 S'2',). to Miss Susanna Bowser, sister of the well known citizen and pioneer, 
Capt. Jacob Bowser. A few weeks after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Stinebaugh 
started, in company with her father. John Bowser, for this county, arriving in 
April, 1S2'.(. Here o\v sul)ject piu-chased a tract of land, conijnising sixty 
acres, where Republic now stands, and which he sold in 1835 to jiarties for 
the purpose of estalilishing that town. In bS:]f) he purchased a farm in Bloom 
Township of Henry Valentine, which was then a comj)aratively new farm, but 
well improved for those early days, having about thuiyfive acres cleared. 
Here they made a pennanent settlement, and Mrs. Stinebaugh died August 28, 
ISoO. Their only child, Isaac B. . was born November 14. 1829, on the site of 
Repul)lic. Ohio. In 1841 om- suliject turned over the care of the farm to this 
son. who has added I'iO acres to the oi-iginal eighty acres, and has erected tine 
buildings, etc., until it is now one of the best improved places in the townshi]). 
July •{. ISof). Isaac B. Stinebaugh married Miss Nancy Long, and to this union 
were born six children: ^Ii's. Susan CVwley, Mrs. Sceva N. Walker, Isaac L. . 
Maggie J., Charles E. and Lillie D. Mr. and JIi's. Isaac B. Stinebaugh are 
consistent members of the Free-^A'ill Baptist Church, in which he takes an act- 
ive interest, toeing also a worker in the Sabbath-school. He was successfully 
engaged in teaching in early life, beginning at sixteen years of age, and his 
eldest three children have followed in his footsteps, having established a fine 
reputation as successful and popular instructors. 

JOHN S^\"IGEKT. hardware dealer. Bloomville. was Ijorn in Franklin 
County. Penn.. March*'). 1S17. His parents, George and Elizabeth (Small) 
Swigert. aftei-ward became citizens of this county, settling on their fann in 
Scipio Township in 184"). where they resided until George Swigert' s death in 
1851). His widow died in Bloom Township in 1873. Our subject was mar- 
ried, in 1839, to Miss Maria I. Smith, of Franklin County, Penn.. and to this 
union were born seven children, of whom four are now living: William. jNIrs. 
Hattie Ogden. Mrs. Florence Moore and Frederick G. The deceased are Mrs. 
Blanche Tal)or. Ann Rebecca and Mrs. Jennie Roller. Mrs. Swigert departed 
this life August 18. 1884. she was a lady of estimal)le. Christian character, and 
her loss was mourned by a large circle of fi'iends. Mr. Swigert followed his 
trade as carpenter and join<>r until 1843. when he came to Ohio, and after liv- 
ing a few months in Ashland, located on a farm in Scipio Townshij), this coun- 
ty: kept hotel at Re])ul)lic. Ohio, fi'om 184(5 to IS,")*). In 1852 he took a tri]> 
to California, remaining there three years. He then resided on his farm until 
1872, when he made a permanent location in Bloomville, where he has carried 
on his present lousiness ever since. Mr. Swigert keeps a general line of hard- 
ware, stoves, tinware, agi-icultural implements, watches, clocks, jewelry and 
silverware. He has l)uilt up an extensive establishment with a large trade in 
the s\uTounding community. Since coming here Mr. Swigert has added very 
materially to the imi>rovement of the town. In 1873 he built the Swigert 
Block on the southeast corner of Marion and New Haven Streets, and in 1881 



750 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

a block on the southwest corner of same streets. These buildings are large, 
commodious and fire- proof, and are the finest business blocks in Bloomville. 

THE VALENTINE FAMILY. George Valentine was a soldier of the 
Eevolutionaiy war, enlisting fi'om his native State, Pennsylvania, and serving 
three years and six months under Gen. Washington. He afterward married 
Miss Mary Grove, of Maryland, whose acquaintance he had made while calling 
at a farm house for provisions while on the march. They came to Fairfield 
County, Ohio, in 1807, where they cleared up a large farm, but lived the latter 
years of their lives in Bloom Township, this county. Mr. Valentine's grave in 
Woodland Cemetery is perhaps the only Revolutionary soldier's grave in Sen- 
eca County. 

John Valentine, the eldest son of this couple, was married to ^liss Sarah 
Talbott, of Fairfield Coimty, a native of Maryland. He enlisted in the war of 
1812, but on account of sickness in his family was compelled to hire a substi- 
tute to serve out the latter part of his time. 5Ir. and 'Mrs. John Valentine set- 
tled in 1827 on a quarter section of land in Bloom Township, this county, 
which he had obtained from the Government in 1S22. Of their ten childi-en 
three are living in Bloom Township: John. Mary E. and George; four are in 
Indiana: Samuel R. , Edward Washington. Charles W. and Mrs. SelinaBetts: 
one lives in Michigan, Henry, and two are deceased. James Harvey Valen- 
tine (deceased) and Charles ^^'. Valentine were both in the One Hundred and 
Sixty-fourth Ohio National Guards, and served till the close of the war of the 
Rebellion. 

Thomas George Valentine, farmer. P. O. Bloomville. was born February 
22, 1826, son of John and Sarah (Talbott) Valentine. He enlisted September 
13, 1861, in the Fifty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving in the 
Army of the Potomac, and taking part in the fierce engagements in and around 
Virginia. After the battle of Gettysbm-g he was transfen-ed to the Aimy of 
the Cumberland, and served in eastern Tennessee, northern Georgia and vicin- 
ity. He received his discharge in the winter of 1864, having served in all 
three years and three months. He took part in eveiy battle in which his regi- 
ment engaged; was always at the front and never sent to hospital. His grand- 
father, father and himself served altogether nearly eight years in defense of 
the Government, and not one aj^plied for a pension. Oiu- subject man'ied Miss 
Katie Ann Baum, of Kosciusko County. Ind. . March 16, 1865, and to this 
union were born eight childi'en. four of whom are now living: Emmet Irvie. 
Jesse Alvin. Charley Baum andMyrta May. Mr. Valentine now owns and oc- 
cupies the quarter section of land originally entered by his father, and which 
has never been out of the familv name since. 

ENOCH B. WATSON, farmer, P, O, Can-others, was born September 24, 
1843, in Bloom Township, this county. He grew up on his father's farm in 
Bloom Township and attended the schools of the home district. During the 
late war of the Rebellion he enlisted, September, 1861. in the Fifty-fifth 
Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry: sers'ed in the Ai-mj' of the Potomac, 
participating in the historic battles of Virginia until his regiment was trans- 
ferred to the Army of the Ciuuberland, in 1863. He was severely wounded 
in the head by a piece of shell at the second battle of Bull Run. and in the 
right hand at Resaca. Ga. (The last wound resulted in his losing his fore 
finger. ) He re-enlisted in his regiment, in 1864. and seized until the close of 
the war. He left an honorable record as a brave and faithful soldier. He 
was married, March 13, 18(56, to Miss Marilda A. Dellinger. a native of 
Lykens Township, Crawford Co. , Ohio, and to this union was born a daughter, 
Estella E. Mr. Watson is a Republican in politics, taking a deep interest in 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 751 

])aMi<' affairs. Ho resided some years in Bloomville and held the position of 
constable two years dnrinj^ tliat time. He has been a member of the school 
board of Bltjom Township for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are mem- 
bers of the Protestant Methodist Chureli. 

TH0M.\8 \A"EST (deceased) was born April 15. 1S(»(). near Binghampton. 
X. Y. , and moved to Bloom Township, this county, in 1S28. Here he was 
maiTied. in 18'24, to Miss Margaret C. Donnoll. who was born January It*. 
1S04, in Centre County. Peun. . and came to Bloom Township with her 
parents. John and Mary (Boyd) Dunnell in 1822. Mr. and Mrs. West resided 
on their farm, live miles west of Bloomville. for several years and there Mrs. 
West died September !(*, ]S8(). leaving six children: Hemy and Franklin, 
residents of Barry County, Mich. ; Mi-s. Martha Turner; Alexander, fatally 
injured by a prematui'e blast in the France Stone Quarry, Bloom Townshij). 
this county. November 10, 1 884, and died on the IHth of the same month; 
John A,: and Dr. Thomas J., of Tiffin, Ohio. ili\ AVest was married, on the 
second occasion, June 5, 1837, to Jlrs. Eve Schultz. who died about 1841. 
He afterward married. November 21, 1844, Miss Nancy B. Eoyd, who was 
born in Centre County. Peun., May IT), 1806, daughter of Thomas and 
Elizabeth (Hughes) Boyd, who located on Honey Creek in 1822, being the first 
permanent settlers in Bloom Township and resided on their farm until their 
death; Mrs, Boyd dying August 80, 1834, Mr. Boyd, November 27. 1847. 
Their children were Capt. James Boyd (deceased): Mrs. Nancy B. West; 
Jesse, a resident of Clark County, Ohio: !lMrs. Mary Munsel dleceased); 
Samuel, a soldier of the Mexican war and who died in California: T, Jefferson 
(deceased): and Mrs. Ann Eliza Pettit. of Benzonia. Mich. Mr. and Mrs. 
Thomas West located in Bloomville in 181)1, and here ilr. West died. April 2. 
1 871) ; his widow, who still resides at the family homestead, is the only repre- 
sentative of her father" s family in this county and the second oldest picjneer 
in the township. 

•JOHN A. ^\'EST, auctioneer and stock dealer, Bloomville, son of 
Thomas and Margaret C. (Donnell) West, was born April 22, 1834, in Venice 
Townshij), this county, and has resided in Bloom Township since he was sis 
years of age. He finished his education under Prof. Schuyler at Republic, 
Ohio. He early engaged as an auctioneer, which employment he has followed 
continuously till the present time. He also does a got)d insurance biisiuess. 
rejiresenting a few standard companies, including Cooper and Fireraens, of 
Dayton, Ohio. John A. West was manied, December 4, 1862, to Miss ]Maria 
Smeltz, of Venice Township, this county, and by her has two sous: ]\Iartin 
Bernard and Frank Tiu'ner. Mr. West is an upright, worthy citizen, highly 
respected In' the entire community. 

J. D. WILSEY, manufactiu'er. Bloomville, was born November 0, 1828. 
in Broome County, N. Y., son of Tunis and Nancy A. Wilsey, the former 
died at Le Koy, Minn., in 1870. The latter is now living with her son, J. D. 
Our subject" s boyhood was spent principally in Wayne County, Peun.. and there 
he began the manufacture of boat oars, which he has made his life oecujiation. 
At twenty -two years of age he moved to Erie County. Penn. . VFhere he established 
au<l canned on a maiuifactory of oars at Pageville for eleven years. There he 
was married. July 23, 1853, to Miss Calfunia Otis, by whom he has six chil- 
dren; Jay F. and F. D. , engaged as partners in the oar business; Oru T. ; John 
H. ; Blanche; and Glades. Mr. Wilsey located at Tticeville, Penn., in 1802, 
thence moved to Ohio, in 18()4, and here carried on his manufactory in 
Defiance County, until 1874, when he located in Bloomville. this county. 
which he has made his home, moving his factory, however, to suit the lumber 



752 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

supply, and it is now located in "Wood County, Ohio, with headquarters at 
office GU AVest Street. New York City, where o\\r subject spends a considerable 
portion of his time. The fiiin is known there as the New York "Boat Oar Com- 
pany, and does a business aggi-egating from $75,000 to $125,000 per year, 
ship))ing their goods to almost every civilized nation on the globe. The firm 
in Ohio is known as J. D. Wilsey & Son. Besides his manufacturing. 'Mr. 
Wilsey manages extensive farming interests in this ctmuty and in Kansas. 
He also operates a stone quarry on his faim in Bloom Township. He is one 
of the leading business men of Bloomville, and has done much toward buildiuir 
it u]) and securing its prosperity. 

FREDERICK ZIMMERMAN, gi-ocer. Bloomville. was born February 27, 
1822, in Baden. (Germany. After receiving his education in his native land, 
he immigrated to America, and located in Canal Dover, Tuscarawas Co.. Ohio, 
io 1843, where he followed his trade, that of a painter. There he was mar- 
ried August 1, 1844. to Miss Mary A. Oswald. They settled in Bloomville, 
this county, in June 1847. Here Mr. Zimmerman followed his trade for ten 
years, and established a grocery and provision store, which he has carried on ever 
since, and which is one of the oldest business houses in Bloomville. His several 
partners have been as follows: Dr. J. R. Buckingham, Henry Dittenhafer, 
Squire James Tm-ner, James Ayres, and lastly, George ^\'. Moore, who, in Feb- 
ruai-y, 1883, entered the firm, which is now known as Zimmerman & Moore. 
They carry a full line of groceries, provisions, queensware, etc.. and by strict 
attention to business have built up a large trade with the surrounding com- 
munity. MJr. Zimmerman is a leading and influential citizen. For twenty- 
seven years he and his worthy wife have Ijeen members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in which he is a steward. 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP AND TIFFIN CITY. 

PERRY M. ADAMS, attorney at law, Tiffin, and prosecuting attorney 
for Seneca County, was horn in "Wood Coimty, Ohio. December 2. 1850, and is 
the eldest son and second child (of a family of three sons and five daughters), 
of Harvey and Susannah A. (Phelps) Adams, and is of lineal descent, on his 
father's side, from an old New England family. His great-great-grandfather, 
Alexander Adams, was of RevolutionaiT times and a native of New Jersey. His 
greatgrandfather, David Adams, settled in Beaver (now Lawrence) County, 
Penn. , from New Jersey, where his son David, father of Harvey, was raised and 
married Sarah McKibben, and subsequently, in 1 835, moved to Wood County, 
Ohio, with his family, when Harvey was twelve years of age, and raised a 
family of seven sons and seven daughters, who (with the exception of thi'ee 
members) reared large families in "Wood County. Mrs. Susannah A. (Phelps) 
Adams, a native of Pennsylvania, was a darighter of Ralph D. Phelps, a farmer 
of Wood County, Ohio, and a native of Connecticut, and Nancy (Parson) 
Phelps, a native of Kentixcky. The subject of our sketch received a good edu- 
cation in the public schools of his native county and engaged in teaching, in 
which professson he excelled. He. however, applied himself to further 
his literary accomplishments, and, being self-dependent, taught while he read 
law. He attended literai-y and scientific coirrses at Fostoria. Ohio, and after- 
ward at Republic, same State. Feeling an "itching palm" for the knowledge 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 753 

of law, he pveiitually eiimo to Tiffin, this county, ami eutered the office of the 
Hon. W. P. Noble (his present piirtner), March 18, 1874, and on April 13, 
l.sTn, was admitted to the bar of Ohio. He immediately accepted a partner- 
ship with his worthy precejitoi', which has continued without interruption since. 
In April. ISTU. ho was chosen solicitor for the city, and re-elected in 1S81, 
resigning, how('V(>r, in March, 18S2. to accept his present incumbency to which 
he had been elected the preceding October, and to which he was honorably re- 
elected in October, 188-1. Mr. Adams married, in Washington, D. C, April 
21). 1881. Miss Annie E. Kiskaddou. of that city, a lady of excellent literary 
and musical attainments, and a graduate of Mrs. Willard's College, New York. 
She is the only daughter of ^\'illiam and Mary E. (Campbell) Kiskadden, the 
former a native of Ohio, and prominent contractor, now of Denver, Col. ; the 
latter a daughter of Alexander Campbell, a pioneer of Seneca County. Mr. 
and Mrs. Adams have two children: Eugenia K. and Harvey M. Mr. Adams 
has taken a jirominent place in his profession here for so young a man, and 
l)ids fair to be heard fi'om in the councils of the nation in the near future. He 
is of line physique, of tall and commanding presence, and eminently fitted, as 
becomes his character, to dictate rather than accept. He is a worthy member 
of the ^lasonic fi'aternity. 

MAKT. L. ALBRECHT. dealer in gioceries and provisions. Tiffin, was 
born in Tiffin, this coimty, August 2. 1850. His parents, Philip and Minnie 
(Kreeger) Albrecht, were natives of Baden, the former born m Eppingen, and 
the latter in Sultzfeldt; they were married here in 1841). Philip Albrecht 
came to this country in 1882. and learned the trade of mason and Irailder fi-om 
his father, Andrew Albrecht, who had three sous and one daughter, all of 
wliom reared families here. Philip Albrecht reared two sons and two 
daughters. Mart. L. Albrecht learned the trade of his father, and was actively 
connected with it here for several years. In 1S7U he embarked in his 
])resent business and is one of the successful young men of the city. 
He is an active member of the Tui'ner's Society, K. of 1?. and Bruderbund. 
He has given considerable attention to his musical training, and has been a 
member of Boos' Band and Orchestra since 1875. He is an excellent gentle- 
man, of fine physitpie and noble bearing. He has lived in this city all his life, 
and hisrejiutation is second to none. 

LOUIS ANGENE, harness manufactui'er and projnietor of livery stable, 
Tiffin, was bora in Bavaria, Germany, in 1847. His parents, Adam and Bar- 
bara (Shearer I Angone, also natives of Bavaria, came to America in 1817 and 
settled in Crawford County, Ohio, where the former carried on farming (his 
original business was floiir-milling), and where they reared four sons and seven 
daughters. The subject of oiu- sketch can'ied on farming in Crawford Coun- 
ty, and did considerable in the way of auctioneering. In 1875 he came to 
Tiffin, and has hocn an important factor in the development of many industrial 
enterjiriscs: first in buggy and carriage trade: next in harness manufacturing. 
and, latterly, in tlie liveiy and feed business, all of which he still caiTies 
on. He has in the meantime also done an imjiortant part in crying sales in 
the county, and his aliility in this dii'eetion has gained for him the sobri- 
quet of '"th;' affal)le auctioneer of Tiffin." ill-. Angene was maixied in Craw- 
ford County. Ohio, in 1874, to Barbara E., daughter of John Feighner. Esq., 
a pioneer there from Pennsylvania, and by this union there is one daughter, 
Anna Laura. In November, 1877, Mi's. Angene passed away from this life in 
full communion with the First Presln'terian Church, and is laid to rest in 
Majile Grove Cemetery. Mr. Angene is an able business man and a worthy 
citizen, and. although holding aloof from public office, has served efficiently 
in his party (Democratic) as an active worker. 



"^54 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

WILLIAM S. BACON, proprietor of the Clifton Mills, Tiffin, was born 
in Crawford Count}', Ohio, December 1. 1829, and comes of a line of pioneers 
of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, antedating the "Revolution." His 
father, Ealph Bacon, a native of Massachusetts, and descended of pioneers in 
that State from the Isle of Man, settled in what is now known as Lake County, 
Ohio, al)out 1TU8, and man-ied Polly Jordan, a native of Pennsylvania, whose 
fjrandfather settled in that State from Ireland. Ralph Bacon raised a family 
of five sons and eight daughters (all of whom except one daughter reared 
families). The subject of this sketch was reared in Crawford Coimty (whither 
his parents had removed in 1820), and, at fifteen, went 'West, returning at the 
age of nineteen to his native place, where he carried on cai-pentering (also in 
Wyandot County), for several years. He subsequently took up saw-milling, 
at which he was engaged till the breaking out of the war, when he retired from 
that business and carried on a tanneiy, which, in 1804. he abandoned, coming 
to this county and purchasing a half interest in the Bloomville Flouring Mills. 
This he subsequently sold out and returned to saw-milling and building in 
Crawford County, till ]8n8, when he. in partnership with Dr. I. B. Squier, 
bought the ••Lilierty Mills " (flonring-mills). in Crawford County, and carried 
on that industry there till 1875, when he returned to Bloomville and purchased 
his former property and operated the Bloomville Mills till 1879. when he pui'- 
chased his present mills, which he has brought up to a leading prominence in 
the milling interests of this county. He is a public sjiirited and progressive 
citizen, and has contributed in no small degree to the development of the 
many excellent social and industrial institutions of Tiffin. He was married in 
BucjTus, December 1. \ST^'.), to Miss Savena Hawk, daughter of the late David 
Hawk, an early pioneer fi'om Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mi's. Bacon have three 
sous and two daughters, Frank (a practical miller associated with his father), 
Clara, ^Villis, Herbert and Helen. Mrs. Bacon, a lady of estimable attain- 
ments, is a member of the Lutheran Chiu'ch. 

SILAS W. BAKER, P. O. Tiffin, is one of the young and enterprising 
farmers of Clinton Township, where he was born Februai-y 2, 185(5. His 
parents, Frederick A. and Ann C. Baker, natives of Maryland, were married 
in Tiffin. Ohio, and settled on the farm where oiu' subject now resides, and 
where they have remained ever since. They are the parents of three children: 
Silas W., Jennie and Rosa. Silas W., our subject, was united in marriage, 
November 29, 1881, with Hattie Miller, born in Pleasant Township, this county, 
December 9. 1801. daughter of Andi-ew J. and Ann M. Miller, the former a 
native of New York State, and the latter of Seneca County, Ohio. Both are 
residing in Pleasant Township. To our subject and wife have been born two 
childi-en: Maud, born Februaiy 23, 1883. and OUie. born July IS, 1884. Our 
subject manages his father's farm, consisting of 190 acres, all improved land. 
He is a meml)(>r of the Grange. 

CHARLES H. BALDWIN, secretary of the Tiffin Union Churn Com- 
pany, of Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, this county. May 23, 1S45, and is a son of 
A. C. and Mary Jane Baldwin, of this city. The subject of our sketch com- 
pleted a liberal literary education here, and. at fifteen, entered the office of the 
Seneca Adrrrt iser, 'v.-herp he completed an apprenticeship at type-setting. The 
late civil war breaking out, he enlisted his services in Company H, Eighty-sixth 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1862, and continued in service till the dismemberment 
of the regiment. Upon leaving the army he "went West," where he was con- 
nected with freighting ' ' over the plains ' ' fi-om St. Joe, Mo. . to Denver, Col. , 
for some time. Returning hero he assumed his present position. He was 
married, in 1874. to Anna, daughter of Thomas W. <',iul Sarah Jane Watson, 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 755 

of Ploasant Townshiji. this county, ami this xxnion has been blessed with two 
sons and one daughter: Anna Watson, Thomas Chenoweth and Absalom Charles. 
He and his worthy wife are members of the Presbji;erian Church. He has 
been a Mason since he was twenty-four yoai-s of age and has attained to the 
degree of Knight Templar of De Molar Commandery No. 9; also Scottish Rite 
degrees of Masoniy including ;^2 '. 

FRANCIS BALL, proprietor of restaiu-ant and saloon, Tiffin, was born in 
Biihl, Canton of Seltz, Alsace, October 1, 1S85, and came to this county in 
1852, son of Joseph and Catharine (Schaub) Ball, who settled in Thompson 
Township, this county, about IS"):! Francis Ball had preceded his parents to 
this country, and u{ion theu- arrival came with them here, where he fanned, 
and subsequently engaged in merchandising, in what is known as Frank's Cor- 
ners (named after him), where he carried on an active business for over fifteen 
years, and was the first postmaster of that place, a useful public man and citi- 
zen. He afterward located at Tiffin, in his present business. He was married, 
in 1859, to Johanna, daughter of Paul Herman, Esq. . of Thompson Township, 
this county, and by her has a family of seven sons and four daughters : Francis 
X. (a merchant). Marv Anna, Jacob J., John H. (a printer). Edward L., Ce- 
cilia J., Albert G.. William A.. Lucy M.. Ida A. and Otto P. INIi-. Ball and 
family are members of the Roman Catholic Chiu'ch. St. Joseph's congregation. 
He has been an active member of the Bruderbund. and is its present honored 
secretary. ^Ii-. Ball has always been fully alive to the progressive spirit 
of the times, and has contributed liberally toward the support of all measiu'es 
tending to the public good. He is an ardent Democrat, and a worthy member 
of the party in this county. 

B. F. BAU5I, agent of the Northwestern Ohio RaUway Company, Tiffin, 
was born in York County, Penn.. December 9, 1845, and is a son of Peter S. and 
Elizabeth (Stambaugh) Baum. The Baums were German pioneers in the 
State, Peter Baum. grandfather of our subject, being a native of Germany, 
one who did recognized service in the Revolutionaiy war. The Stambaugh's' 
bore a similar record, Jonathan Stambaugh, subject's maternal grandfather, 
having also served in the Revolutionaiy war. The subject of this sketch began 
telegi-aphing in Parkton, JId. , and held the office there for two years. He con- 
tinued with the Northern Central Railway of Maryland for seven years, after 
which he engaged in commission warehousing in Glen Rock, York Co. , Penn. 
In 1872 he came to Wooster, Ohio, and after a year's professional work with 
the Pennsylvania Company's lines he came to Tiffin, where he has been promi- 
nently identified with the Northwestern Ohio Railway since, his present incimi- 
bency having been received by him in 1881. Mi-. Baum was mai-ried at Glen 
Rock, Penn. , in 1868, to Marj- Elizabeth, daughter of Emanuel Sheffer, and 
by this union there were two sons and three daughters: Arthur, Philip, Clara 
and Gracie living, Lottie (the eldest) is deceased. Mr. Baum has been a F. & 
A. M. since 1809; is also a member of the K. of H. and K. of P. 

CHARLES F. BEARD, stock dealer. Tiffin, represents one of the impor- 
tant industries in this locality. He was born in Bristol County, Mass., Octo- 
ber 25, 1829, and is descended of pioneer Scotch and English ancestry in the 
East. His parents, ]\Iatthew and Hanna (Lapham) Beard, settled in Scipio 
Township, this county, in lS3fJ, and are there buried along with a son and 
daughter. The subject of our sketch has followed his father's business (farm- 
ing and stock-raising) with excellent success. He was united in marriage, in 
1853. with Mrs. Lucinda Tabor, daughter of Erastus Jones, of Scipio Town- 
ship, this county, and by her he has two daughters: Ida, now the wife of J. 
Smith, of Scipio, and Janie, wife of Mr. Skransewfky. of Ohio. ^Ir. Beard 



756 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

has avoided publicity in political matters, acting upon the motto that "'what 
is worth doing is worth doing well." He has accumulated a handsome coui 
potency from his biisiness, and has lived to see his children well educated and 
takino- upon themselves the importance in life this position requires. 

LEWIS F. BENDER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born near Red River, 
Canada. June 9, 1823, and is a son of Jacob and Rosanna Bender, natives of 
the old countiy, and who came to Canada where they were maiTied and first 
settled about 1822; in the latter part of 1823, being routed by the Indians, they 
went down the Missouri River as far as St. Louis, and there Mrs. Bender 
departed this life. The rest of the family remained in St. Louis abont fonr 
years, during which time Jacob Bender again married, this time to Rosanna 
Clink, a native of Wurtemberg. From St. Louis the family moved to Alton. 
111., and there remained some years, then moved to Cincinnati, where thcx 
staid a .short time, and fi-om there went to Richland County, Ohio, and, in 
1833, came to this county, remaining until 1847, then moved to Williams 
County, where Jacob Bender died; his widow now resides in Missoiu-i. Lewis 
F. Bender, our subject, was united in marriage in this county, September IT), 
1850, with Massey Figgens, whose maiden name was Leonard, a daughter of 
Ezekiel and Anna (Leonard) Leonard, and who was born in Westchester 
County, Penn. , July 21, 181U; her parents are both deceased. Oiu- subject 
and wife are the parents of four children: Ada V., wife of Isaiah Staley; 
Rebecca E. ; Charlie F. ; and Mabel, all living. Mi-. Bender is a tanner and 
cun-ier by trade, but has been engaged in farming most of his life, and owns 
a fine farm where he and his family reside. Oiu- suliject, like his father, has 
been somewhat of a rover in his time. In 1861 he went prospecting in Cali- 
fornia and retiu-ned at close of same year. Mrs. Bender and her son, Charles, 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mi'. Bender was christened 
in the German Lutheran, when an infant, and also in the Catholic faith, at five 
years of age, it being the grandparents' wish on the mother's side, but being 
' ' universally " inclined he has joined no other chui-ch. 

JOHN H. BENNEHOFF, ' county recorder, Tiffin, was born in Adams 
Township, Seneca Co. , Ohio. His parents, Solomon and Ann (Rader) Ben 
nehoff, settled in that locality in 1840, coming fi-om Lehigh County, Penn., 
the former descended from jjioneer German ancestry of Pennsylvania, and the 
latter from English pioneers of same State. John H. BeunehofF is the seventh 
child and fifth son of a family of six sons and two daughters (two sons and a 
daughter now deceased). His early education was obtained in the schools of 
Scipio Township, this county, where he excelled as a student, insomuch that 
at the age of eighteen he received a certificate as teacher, in which profession 
he was well known here for twelve years; during this time he also attended 
school at Heidelberg College, and completed a commercial training at Bi-yant 
& Stratton's College at Cincinnati. He is what is generally known as a self 
made man, having to rely upon himself for an education and his advancement 
in social life. In 1881 lie retired from teaching to fill his present incumbency 
(a position to which he was chosen out of a list of thirteen competitors), in 
which capacity he has been reputably connected ever since, receiving at his 
re-election a largely increased majority of the popular vote of the county. 
jVIr. Bennehoff has served as secretary of the State Recorders' Association and 
is now vice-president of said association. He was married. November U, 1882. 
at Mom-oe, Mich. , to Miss Ida A. Hensinger. a lady of excellent attainments, 
daughter of John and Catharine (Neikirk) Hensinger, of Adams Township, 
this county. They have two sons Otto John and Orlando G. Our subject is 
a member of the L O. O. F. and of the encampment. He is a stockliolder of 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 757 

the Tiffin Edisou Electric Ilhiniinating Company, and a cordial supporter of 
all measures tendiii<r to the develo[)meut ot the industrial life of this locality. 

CAPT. RUSSEL HANBY BEVER, contractor and builder, Tiffin, was 
born in Crawford County. Ohio, April U), 1S87, son of the Rev. Joseph and 
Sarah (Trimble) Bever, the former of whom, a native of Virf,'mia and of 
pioneer German ancestry of that State, was educated to the ministry of the 
United Brethren Church, and after doing eonsideralile pioneer work in other 
parts of the State settled in Eden Townshij) in the spring of 182:1 Rev. 
Joseph Bever reared six sons, all of whom are active and useful citizens: Rus- 
sel H. ; A. M., a builder of Marion. Ohio; D. M., a builder; L. O., a farmer 
in Eden Township, this county; J. T., a builder of Fostoria. Ohio; J. M. , a 
lawyer and present mayor of Fostoria. Capt. Bever learned the blacksmith's 
trade at Melmore and followe;i it there till the breaking out of the war of the 
Rebellion, when he enlisted. September 25, 1801, in Company H, Fifty-sixth 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and steadily advanced in promotion to the commis- 
sion of second lieutenant. May 2, 1803. April 1, 1864, he was commissioned 
first lieutenant, and November 8, same year, to the captaincy of his company, 
which ho honorably held till the end of the war. He was honorably dis- 
charged at Cleveland, Ohio, July 21, 1865, as veteran of Company H, Fifty- 
sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After the war he engaged in contracting and 
building in Tiffin, and has been prominently identified with that industry here 
since. Capt. B(ner was married in Melmore. this county, in 1S58. to A. E. 
Bretz. daughter of Jacob and Phila (Wolf) Bretz, pioneers of Eden Town- 
ship. This union has been blessed vv-ith three sons and two daughters: Robert 
C, Viola B., Minnie J., Ralph V. and Earl J. Mi-s. Bever and daughters 
iire worthy members of the Methodist Protestant Church, to which the Cap- 
tain is a liberal contributor. He is a member of Isaac P. Rule Post G. A. R. 

DELANZA MONROE BEVER. contractor and builder, Tiffin, is the 
fomih son of the Rev. Joseph Bever, and was born in Eden Township, this 
county, March 7, 1844. He learned the carpentering trade in this county and 
embarked in the building business, with which he has been prominently con- 
nected since. Mi-. Bever was united in marriage. Febiiiary 22, 1 888. at Tiffin, 
with Jessie, daughter of Squire Gabriel J. and Regetta Keen, the former a 
native of Baltimore. Md. , the latter of Pennsylvania. Mi\ Bever' s building 
interest here has been confined to private residences, among which may be 
noticed those belonging to C. J. Tingling, Benjamin G. Atkins, and others. 

CATHARINE BIEHLER, P. O. Tiffin, widow of Andrew Biehler, who 
died in 1876, was born in Alsace, France (now Germany). Landing in 
Marj'land, she remained there foiu' years, then moved to Pennsylvania, where 
she resided four years, and in 1854 came to this county. Her six children are 
all married: Catharine (]\Irs. Schroth. mother of four chikken); Nicholas, 
maiTied to Christena ^\'illie; Henry, married to Sarah Breidinger (have two 
children); Louisa, married to J. Schroth (have one child); David, maiTied to 
A. M. Hoke (have foiu- childi-en); Callie B.. married to W. .S. Wagner (have 
one child). Mi's. Biehler, who is a fine old French lady, resides on the old 
homestead. 

REV. D. D. BIGGER, pastor of the First Presbyterian Chuich. of Tiffin, 
was born in Pittsbm-gh, Penn., May 18. 1849. and descends from a people 
j)rominent in connection with Presbj-terian church work in this country on both 
sides of his parentage. His father, the late Rev. Matthew Bigger, D.D., of 
Bushnell, 111., was a son of David Bigger, of New Concord. Ohio, who was 
prominimt there as a |)ioneer farmer, tanner, and an active I'nited Presbyterian 
chiu'chman, was of Scotch-Iri.sh ancestry, and of direct lineal descent from 



758 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

the Biggars, of Biggar, Lanarkshire. Scotland. His familj- consisted of 
four sons and four daughters, of whom Matthew, the eldest, took prominence 
in connection with educational institutions, notably in West Virginia and in 
Illinois, and another son was the Hon. David Proudiit Bigger,. M. D. , of Mis- 
souri, and, more professionally, consulting surgeon of the Union Pacific Railway. 
The mother of our subject was Mary Jane Cunningham, daughter of John 
Cunningham, a native of Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Iiush extrac- 
tion, and who reared a family of four sons and four daughters, of whom are 
Thomas Mitchell Cunningham, D. D., prominently known in this country in 
connection with the Presbyterian Chiu-ch, and James Cunningham, M. D., of 
Monmouth, 111., a physician of repute, and an ardent churchman. It may be 
said in this connection that both the Bigger and Cunningham families' love for 
the faith was no less marked than their love of their early nationality, of which, 
in some of the earlier mention of these families' annals and reminiscences, 
their native heather, where they could worship openly, became talismanic. 
The subject of our sketch spent his eai-ly life in Monmouth (whither his father 
had removed in connection with the Presbyterian Theological Seminary there) 
and was educated there and at Chicago. He completed his academical educa- 
tion at Monmouth, and graduated in a collegiate course there in 187o. He 
then entered the Seminary of the Northwest at Chicago in a theological coarse, 
and graduated from that institution, under the presidency of F. L. Patton, 
D. D. , LL.D., in 1878. He had received a license to preach in the preced- 
ing year, and had during his stay in Chicago been very active in connection 
with mission work, with the Presbyterian Church there, so that upon gradu- 
ating he felt better able to combat his work, and accepted his present call, in 
May, following his graduation, and circiimstances have proved his better judg- 
ment (see church history). He married in La Porte. Ind. , May 23. 1878, Miss 
Sarah Louisa Breese, daughter of John H. and Harriet (Bowers) Breese, 
natives, respectively, of New York and Vermont. They have two sons and one 
daughter: Paul Breese, Matthew Leon and Genevieve Marie. Mr. Bigger, 
while being an ardent minister, is an excellent citizen: of a suave and affable 
disposition, he gathers around him many friends not controlled by hia eccle- 
siastical teachings, and in this connection may V)e probably traced an import- 
ant incentive to the marked growth of the Presb}i:erian Church here since his 
advent. In statiire he is of medium height, of good physique, and, on the 
rostrum, he is a deep reasoner, a forcible debater and an eloquent speaker. 

COL. JACOB BOWSER, retired farmer, P. O., Tiffin, is one of the pio- 
neers of Seneca County, born in Washington County, Md.. January 7, 1806, 
His parents, John and Magdalena Bowser, were natives of Maryland, where 
they married and remained until 1829, at which time they moved to Ohio 
and settled in Clinton Township, and there resided until their death. They 
were the parents of nine children, only two of whom are now living: oiu- sub- 
ject and Mrs. Allen. Col. Bowser came to this county in 1827, remaining only 
a few weeks, and then returned to Maryland. In 1829 he again visited Ohio 
and bought the farm where he now lives, and in 183(^ he returned to Maryland 
for his wife. They were married March 25, and came direct to the farm he 
had purchased in Clinton Township. Mrs. Bowser's maiden name was Anna 
Startzman; she was born in Maryland in 1809, and was a daughter of Da\'id 
and INIargaret Startzman, who remained in Maryland until their deaths. Col. 
and Mrs. Bowser were the parents of nine ehildi-en. five now living: Martin L., 
Thomas B. , Ezra J. , James M. and Isabella, wife of Frank Chase. The de- 
ceased are David H. . Margaret, John H. and an infant. Col. Bowser, who 
has been enoraced in farming nearlv all his life, owns 820 acres of land where 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 759 

he resides. He has filled the offices of justice of the peace, trustee and land 
appraiser. Many years a»o he was captain (commissioned September 20. 1S8;5) 
of a company of State militia; eijrht years afterward he was promoted to the 
rank of major, a position he declined, acei>pting the rank of lieutenant-colonel. 
Col. Bowser is a memlier of the Lutheran Church. IMrs. Bowser depaited 
this life in January. 187(», leavinj^ her hnsliand and children, besides a larjjje 
circle of friends to mourn her loss. She was a member of the Lutheran ('hurch. 

NELSON LUTHER BREWER, attormn- at law. Tiffin, was born in Clear 
Spring. Washington Co.. Md. , September 17, 183'2, the only son and youngest 
child of the family of five childi'en of Emmanuel and Catharine (Zacharias) 
Brewer. His father was a son of Henry Brewer or Brua (as it was formerly 
spelled), who settled in Washington County about the time of the Revolution, 
and comes of German (Huguenot) ancestry, they having left their native 
country in consequence of the persecutions of that sect. Our suljject's mothei-. 
Catharine (Zacharias) Brewer, was a daughter of George Zacharias. who set 
tied in Washington County. Md.. from Pennsylvania. Our subject at the age 
of twelve years went to Frederick City, Md. . where he remained under the 
guardianship of his uncle. Rev. Daniel Zacharias, D. D., of the Reformed 
Church, a gentleman of prominence in his professional work in that State. 
There he gained a good literary training, and at nineteen years of age "went 
West" and taught school near Monroe City, Mich., for a year and a half. 
May 11, IS.jS. he came to Tiffin, this coiinty, for the purpose of furthering his 
education and entered Heidelberar CoUesre. from which he graduated in IS")"). 
Soon after he entered the office of the Hon. J. C. Lee, where he devoted him- 
self to the study of law, and meantime taught in the college. In May, 1S.")S, 
he was admitted to the practice and accepted a partnership with his honored 
preceptor, which continued till 1S()9. Meanwhile the gi-eat civil war broke 
out, and Mr. Brewer pronounced himself in strong terms for the Union cause, 
and assisted with his means in defense of it, and in May, 1864, entered the 
tield of service, where he remained till the close of the war, when he received 
an honorable discharge with a commission as captain. Upon the dissolution 
of partnership, in ISfi',), Gen. Lee went to Toledo, and Mr. Brewer, continuing 
the practice here, has since transacted a very important part of the professional 
work in this locality. He has often been urgently solicited to become a candi- 
date in the p.jlitical tield. but with the exception of serving honorably on the 
school board for many years, has declined any further official honors. He has 
been an ardent member of the Reformed Church many years, has served its 
Sabbath -school as superintendent for over twenty years, and has bei^n elder in 
the chiu-ch for several years. Mr. Brewer was maiTied,in Tiffin, September 17, 
lSo7. to Lil)bie. eldest daughter of Dr. Joseph and Juliette (Hedges) Mason, 
and who passed away her young life in ISfiO. followed by heronly child, Lottie, 
live years later. In 18()1 Mr. Brewer inamed Hairiet M., daughter of Amaza 
and Julia Chidester. of Aurora. N. Y. , and l)y this union has two sons and two 
daughters: Julia. Edward A.. Wallace W. and Grace. Mr. Brewer is a close 
student of human nature, a gentleman of broad and lil)eral principles, and, 
while in political minority, has done important service here in blending strong 
political factions in a common cause for the better fiu-therance of local interests. 

ANDREW J. BRICKNER, secretary and treasm-er of the Ohio Stove Works, 
and di.stiller. Tiffin, was born near Rodenfelss, Kingdom of Bavaria. January 
\2. IS'Jlt. His parents. Michael and Margaret (Raedelbach) Brickner. came to 
Am(>rica with theii- family in 1S40, and settled on land now known as Cromer's 
Station in Lilierty Township, this county, where they reared four sons and five 
<laughters: Michael, the eldest son (died, leaving a family of four children in 



760 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Delplios. Ohio) : Jolin. a rcsidout of W'ashingtou Township, Van Wort Co. , 
Ohio: George, a manufacturer of woolen goods at Sheboygan Falls, Wis.; 
Marj-. wife of John Houk. of Tiffin: Margaret (single), who manages Andrew 
J. 's household affairs: Lizzie, wife of L. E. Sexstater, of Tiffin: Louisa, a Sister 
in the Lrsuline Convent, and Lucinda, also a Sister in the Ursuline Convent; 
and A. J. The subject of ova- sketch learned merchant tailoring in Tiffin, and 
clerked for awhile in a diy goods store at Delphos. At twenty-two. he and his 
brother George went to Sheboygan Falls, Wis., and commenced a general 
store and milling business. In 1857 he- retired from business there and went 
to Delphos. where he was connected with distilling for several years, in part- 
nership with Bernhard Esch of that place. Withdi-awing from that, he came 
to Tiffin, and in 18(j7 bought an intei-est in the grocery and distillery, the firm 
beincj known as Wagner & Brickner: the distillery is still caiTied on by 5Ir. 
Briekuer. In 18(9 he became one of the original incorporators of the Ohio 
Stove Works, in Tiffin, with which he is still identified. He ^as been promi- 
nent before the people as an enterprising citizen and business man, and 
although adverse to holding office, has tilled the alderman' s chair for his ward 
for eight terms. Socially, he is a very pleasant and affable gentleman. 

JACOB BRIDINGER. M. D.. health officer of Tiffin, was born in Noith- 
ampton County. Peuu. . March 25. 184-3; son of Jacob and Saloma (Snyder) 
Bridinger. natives of that county, and of pioneer ancestry in the State. The 
subject of this sketch came to this county at the age of fifteen, completed 
a good edixcation, and taught school for six years, principally in Crawford Coun- 
ty. Ohio. He had meanwhile engaged in the study of medicine, but followed 
merchandising in Bucyrus, whence he removed after two years to Mount Blanch- 
ard, where he remained in that connection till 1874, when he I'eturned to his 
medical studies and graduated in 1876, fi-om the Eclectic Medical Institute of 
Cincinnati. After a short practice in Ashland, Ohio, he came to Tiffin, w'here 
he has since been professionally connected. Dr. Bridinger was married in 
Columbiana County, Ohio, to Lizzie Alberstadt, a native of that county, of 
pioneer Penusylvanians. To this union have been born three sons, living: 
Frank L. . Hany J. and Leon A. The Doctor and his wife are members of the 
English Lutheran Church. He is a F. & A. M. . and has passed thi'ough the 
council. He is a member of the Ohio State and Northwestern Ohio Eclectic 
Medical Associations. Since locating here the Doctor has been a very active 
worker in professional and public life, and has ser\'ed the city as a member of 
the council for his (Fifth) Ward. 

KORA FRANK BRIGGS. son of Knowlton H. and JIary A. (Steele) 
Briggs, was born in Huron County. Ohio. March Ci. 185S: moved with his 
parents to Wyandot Comity, where he grew to manhood: attended school at 
Upper Sanduskv'. and taught his first term in the winter of 1878-7U, and five 
subsequent terms; attended the Ohio A\"esleyan Fniversity, at Delaware, Ohio, 
several years, teaching diu'ing vacation to pay his expenses. First newspaper 
work, as a solicitor for the Tiffin Xcivn, in 1880, and afterward for the Upper 
Sandusky RepnhJican. In August, 1883, he engaged to Dumm & Bninner 
to take charge of the local department of the Marion Democratic Mirror. Shortly 
thereafter Messrs. Dumm it Brunner sold their interest in the Mirror, and Mr. 
Briggs came to Tiffin with ]Mi\ Brunner, and assumed a similar ))lace on the 
Seneca Adcertiser, in April, 1 884, which he still holds. Oiu- subject is married 
to Emma E. . daughter of John Bi'obst, of Upper Sandusky, and has one child, 
a little girl. 

C. D. BRISH. butcher. Tiffin, was born in Seneca County. Ohio, in 1839, 
son of William and Delila (Snook) Brish. and nephew of Gen. H. C. Brish; 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 761 

both the brothers. William and Gen. H. C. Brish, served with credit in {govern- 
ment employ in (\irly times; they were natives of JIaryland. and of Scotch 
ancestry. Charles D. Brish was one of a family of foiu' sons and fiv(> daugh- 
ters. He married Catharine, dan^rhter of Frederick Barres, Escj., of Tiffin. 
Ohio, who was of Pennsylvania pioneer stock, and by this nnion there is one 
son, Hem-y. Mrs. Brish is a member of the Lntheran Clmrch. Mr. Brisli 
served for thirteen years as a member of the city constalnilary of Tiffin, atul 
was a niemlier of the tire department. He beIon{:fs to the I. O. O. F. 

HENRY BKOHL, notary public, insurance business and steamshij) pas- 
senger agent. Tiffin, was born in Bonn, on the Rhine, kingdom of Prnssia, 
November \0, 1881. His parents. Henry and Anna Maria (Froendgen) Brohl, 
natives of Bonn, reai'ed a family of five sons and five danghters. of whom Henry 
came to (his country. The subject of oui' sk<>tch was reared to mercantil(> ])nrsnits 
(his father's lmsiness).and was completing a thorough collegiate training in his 
native land, when, in consequence of the '"revolution,"' and upon his entering 
his majority, he felt compelled to seek an asylum where he conld better cultivate 
his political independence, and came to om- shores, locating at Sandusky City. 
Ohio, where he clerked for a few years in the dry goods and grocery business. 
In 1855 he came to Tiffin, and clerked in a wholesale grocery till the following 
year, when he joined Robert Ciiim in the wholesale groceiy and liquor trade, 
in which he continued till ISfi,"). when he retired from it, and has since been 
engaged in mercantile business. He married in Sanduskj- City. Ohio, in lS.")fi, 
^liss Katharine Kranz. a native of Wiesbaden, (xrand Duchy of Nassau, Ger- 
many, and daughter of Balthasar and Elizabeth Kranz, who came to this 
country in 1848. and settled on a farm near Sandusky City. Mr. and Mrs. 
Brohl have four sons and three daughters: Harry, in the Tribiotf office here; 
Edward P. ( jil umber by trade i. now a book-keeper in Sandnsky City: Charles, 
a civil engineer at New Hanover. 111. : Theodore, a clerk in the Tiffin postoffice; 
Jennie: Bertha: and Katie. In 1880 Mr. Brohl was appointed notary public, 
and soon after added an insurance and steamshij) agency to the business. He 
is a gentleman of line learning aiid noble qualities, ha.s been a useful citizen 
in pnlilic as well as social life, and has served with credit on the school Ixiard 
■jf Tiffin for six vears. 

THOilAS GALEN BROSIFS, farmer. P. (). Tiffin, was born December 
8(t. 18r)(l. in Wayne County. Ohio; son of Newton and Sarah (Dawson) Brosius, 
former of whom was l)orn December ■">, 18"28, in Chester County, Penn. ; a son 
of Benjamin and Phfpbe (Booth) Brosius. who settled in Columbiana County, 
Ohio, in 18;-5(), removing seven years later to Stark County, where they juir- 
chased land near Mt. Union: they reared a family of ten childi-en, all of whom 
are yet living: their names are Charles, Barkley, Newton, Joseph. Heni-y. 
Benjamin. Septimus, Jacob, Aimer and Thomas. Our siibject was married. 
May 4. IS81, to Mary E. Zook. daughter of (leorge ^^'. Zook. who die<l in 
Heiny (,'ounty. Ohio, in the spring of \HC)i). formerly a resident oS B(>dford 
(jounty. Penn.. and one of the earliest pioneei's of Clinton Township. (A 
part of his family still live in thiit section of the county.) This union has 
been blessed with two children one deceased at age of ten months ami Edward 
Galen. In 1870 Mr. Brosius visited Philadelphia, fittending the exposition in 
that city. He has a fine farm, well stocked, and is an enterprising farmer and 
stock raiser. 

HON. LOnS A. BRrNNER, of Tiffin, is of German ancestry, and was 
born in Frederick City, Frederick Co. . Md. He fully availed himself of the 
advantages of an elementary and classical education, and. after a thorough 
course of theological .study, was licensed to preach, in the summer of 184(1. at 



76'2 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Cohunbus, Ohio. Subsequontly he entered upon the duties of the ministry, 
and served several Presbyterian congregations. In the spring of 1852 hi- 
was elected, by the Presbytery of Marion, Ohio, commissioner to the General 
Assembly, and attended the sittings of that body in Philadelphia, Penu., in 
May following. In ISGO his nervous centers gave way, prostrating him to 
such an extent as to force him to relinquish his chosen profession. However, 
having from a young boy dabbled in printer's ink, and being compelled to labor 
for a livelihood, he purchased a printing office and took charge of the editorial 
<lepartment, and while not engaged in his duties of the tripod, worked at the 
case, sticking type. He has performed editorial work on the Odd Fellow, pub- 
lished at Boonesboro, Washington Co. . Md. , the Pioneer and the Union, of 
Upper Sandusky, and the Fort Wai/ne Daily Sentinel, an interest in which he 
owned in IS68 and 1869. He has resided in Wyandot County since 1S4U. 
excepting four years passed in Maryland, fi'om 185() to 1801. He has serveil 
on the board of school examiners of Wyandot, as a member of the village 
council, and was elected a member of the Sixty-first, Sixty-second, Sixty-lifth and 
Sixty-sixth General Assemblies of the State of Ohio, occupying during the 
session of 1883-84 and 1885 the honored position of Speaker pro tern. In 
the Sixty-foui-th General Assembly he served as clerk of the house, and his 
large experience as a lawmaker and his peculiar fitness for clerical duties, the 
result of early training, made him one of the best clerks the assembly ever 
had, and it was acknowledged by the members of both parties. Hence, as a 
mark of recognition, embodying the admiration of members, he was presenteil 
at the close of the session with a costly gold watch and chain, which he still 
carries with pardonable pride. Mr. Bi-unner's first year in the General Assem- 
bly was marked with ability and true statesmanship, and although it is seldom 
the lot of a new member to take prominence at the beginning, his experience 
was an exception, for, before the close of the session, he was the recognized 
leader of his side of the house, and this position he has ably and gracefully 
maintained during every term of his legislative career. His superior qualifi- 
cations as a presiding officer attraced attention fi'om all parts of the State, and 
in the Sixty-sixth Assembly he was the almost unanimous choice of his party for 
speaker; yet his usefulness upon the floor, and his own inclinations for activity 
amid conflict, induced him to decline the honor, and to accept at the demands 
of his party the position of speaker jjro teni. He is perhaps the finest parlia- 
mentarian in the State, and we cannot better express this opinion than to give 
an extract fi'om a letter wi'itten by a newsj)aper correspondent during the ses- 
sion of 1883-84. ""The Wyandot Sachem, Brunner, as speaker pro tern., has 
demonstrated himself to be a superior presiding officer, fit to have held the 
gavel of the Long Parliament of Cromwell's days, and whose legislative career 
has given his solid little Gibraltar |\\'vandot County) a cameo-like prominence 
in the State's councils." In 1871* Mr. Brunner, in connection with Robert D. 
Dumm, piuchased the Wyandot Union of L, J. Stalter, and by their united 
efforts again made the old Union one of the best county newspapers in the 
State. It now enjoys a large circulation, and an enviable widespread reputa- 
tion. As an editor Mr. Brunner has few superiors. He is logical, clear and 
very effective, and has gained many admirers for his humorous touches of local 
incidents: but his great force and efficiency is as a campaigner, filling his well- 
ronnded and emphatic periods in that direct and forcible manner, which leaves 
no room for effective reply. While a ready, sjiicy and able wi'iter, he is 
equally as ready and effective as a speaker, which his prominence in the house 
on all important questions of State policy has fully made clear. His j^olish. as 
a gentleman, and his gi'eat tact in winning and retaining the admiration and 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 763 

esteem i)f bis fellow citizens are due, to some extent, to his genial nature, 
thorough education and wide range of information, gained through the avenues 
of an extensive and careful study of books and men. In September, 18M2, he, with 
his old partner, lIi'. Dumm, bought a half interest in the Mirror, at Marion, Ohio, 
and, although it proved to be a profitable investment and, in connection with 
the Democracy of Marion County, highly acceptable and pleasant, after 
eighteen months they sold their interest to their partner. Col. J. H. Vaughan. 
A part of this time Mr. Brttnner was editor of the paper, and in the memora- 
ble campaign of 1888 gained a host of admirers for his efficient editorial work. 
Since the close of the legislative session of 1888-84 he has assumed a controlling 
interest and editorial chai'ge of the Seneca Advertiser, one of the oldest and 
best newspapers published in Ohio, ard he has fully made up his mind to make 
Tiffin his future home. He still holds his connection with the Wycuidof i'liion 
with Mr. Dumm, but undoubtedly in the near future will sever that relation, 
and give his whole attention to the Advertiser, which will advance tinder his 
influence and enterprise, and rapidly become the leading county pajier of the 
State. ^Ir. Bntnner was mamed, in 18r)(l, to Miss Jane Sherman, of Dela- 
ware. Ohio, and who was a native of M"atertown, N. Y. Their three children 
are Mary, now the wife of John AV. Geiger. of Tiffin. Ohio; Addie. now Mrs. 
B. W. Holman. of \Vashington. D. C and CTrace. 

PETER BUCHJIAN, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in this county in June, 
18-1-2. His parents, John and Magdalena Buchman, were natives of Switzer- 
land, where they were mai'ried and remained till about 1840, at which time 
they came to America, settled in this county, and there remained until the 
death of the latter, which oeciuTed October 4, 18fiS. Jlr. Buchman now re- 
sides with his childi'en. Oiu' sitbject was united in marriage. April 10, 1807, 
with Catharine Senn, born in this county May 23, 1843, a daughter of John 
and Catharine Senn, the former of whom was born in Switzerland, the latter in 
Belgium; they were manned in Tiffin, Ohio, and first settled in Seneca County. 
Ohio, and from there removed to Pulaski County, Ind. , wheie they now reside. 
To our subject and wife have been born three children: Marv" E.. Maggie C. 
and llosa A. Mr. Btichman is one of the prosperous farmers of this county, 
and owns 103 acres of improved land. He and his family are members of the 
Catholic Church. 

JACOB FEEDEEICK BUNN. attorney at law. Tiffin, and judge of the 
Probate Court of Seneca County, was born in Thompson Township, this county. 
■June 0, 1847. He comes of English ance.strv' on his father's side, and is of 
[lioneer Pennsylvania stock. His gi-andfather. John Bunn, was a native of 
Berks Coimty, Penn. . and thence removed to Perry County, in the same State 
(where Jacob Bunn, father of the Judge, was born), and from there to this 
county at an eai'ly i)eriod in its history, settling in Thompson Township. The 
subject of this sketch, when a lad, attended the common schools of this county, 
and at nineteen entered Heidell)erg College, taking a full classical course of 
study, graduating in 1870. He had in the meantime engaged in the study of 
law in the office of the Hon. George E. Seney. and upon completing his stitdies 
at Heidelberg entered the Cincinnati Law School, in affiliation with the Uni- 
versity of Cincinnati, and the following year was admitted to the practice of 
that profession in the State. He formed a partnership with the late Hon. A. 
V. Bierce, of Aki-on, Ohio, where he continued in excellent professional work 
for two years, when he retired from it there and came to Tiffin, this county, 
the associations sitrrounding his alnid )«a/«*r proving the magnet. Here he de- 
velojied his abilities as a jurist, and, in 1878, received the nomination of his party 
and was elected to the incumbency which he now enjoys, and was re-elected to 



764 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

succeed himself in 1881. He married in Tiffin, in October. 1873, Miss Laura 
O. , daughter of the late Hezekiah GrofF, of Tiffin, a lady of estimable attain- 
ments, a graduate of Heidelberg, and who passed away her young life July 12, 
1880. and is bm'ied in (Ireenlawn Cemetery. Judge Bunn is a keen dissector 
of facts, a deep reasoner. and. while busily engaged in adjudicating the more 
important portions of a case, does not let a single featiu'e escape him, weighing 
well eveiy issue. He is slow of conviction, but positive when convinced, char- 
acteristics which eminently fit him for more exalted spheres as a jurist in the 
time to come. Socially, he is an excellent citizen and an active supporter of 
measures tending to the city's development. He is vice-president of the Tiffin 
Edison Electric Illuminating Com])any, was for several years president of the 
Board of Trade of Tiffin, member of th(> school board, and is a member of tlie 
Library Association. 

HENRY A. BUSKIRK. coal merchant. Tiffin, was born in Penn Yan. 
Yates Co.. N. Y.. in 1824; son of Jacob Buskirk (originally Van Buskirk). of 
pioneer Holland people in that State, and Adeline Wilson, of English an- 
cestry of pioneer Vermont peoj)le. In 1832 Jacob and Adeline (AVilson) Bus- 
kirk settled in Melmore. this county, where they were connected with the hotel 
business till the death of the former in 1837. In 1839 Henry A. took charge 
of the hotel, and carried it on till 1845. when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and 
engaged in merchandising, in wholesale groceiy business as clerk, from which 
he retired in 184U. and in 1851 embarked in business in Tiffin, and carried on 
an extensive wholesale and retail grocery trade for over twenty-six years, re- 
tiring fi'om it in 1877 and engaging in his present industry. He was mairied 
at Melmore, this county, in 1848, to Angeline Arnold, by whom he has two 
sons and two daughters: Clara (wife of T. H. Noonan, general freight agent 
of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad; E. K., in the wholesale mercantile trav- 
eling trade: HamW.. in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad freight office here, 
and Jennie, wife of Dr. John Robb. of Baltimore. Md. . surgeon for the Balti- 
more & Ohio Railroad. In 1808 Mrs. Buskirk passed away fi-om this life in 
full communion with the Presbyterian Church, and is buried in Wood Lawn 
Cemetery here. In 1871 Mr. Buskirk married Fannie E. (Trover, of Silver 
Creek, N. Y. . and Viy this union has one' son and two daughters: H. Grover. 
Eirene and Florence. Mr. and Mrs. Buskirk attend th(> Presbyterian Church 
service, of which cliurch she is a member. Mr. Buskirk has been a verj' act- 
ive, public spirited pioneer citizen of Tiffin, and has contributed liberally 
toward the development of its manv social and industrial interests. 

ALBERT BUSKIRK. farmer." etc.. Tiflin. a son of Jacob and Adeline 
(Wilson I Buskirk. was born in Pittsburg. Penn.. August 7. 1832. and was 
brought the same year to this county by his parents, who settled in ilelmore. 
and there his father died in 1837: his mother died in Lima, Ohio, in 188(\ (For 
the genealogy of the Van Buskirks and ^^'ilsons, see H. A. Buskirk' s sketch. ) 
Albert Buskirk was reared to merchandising, and was well and favorably known 
to the trade here for eighteen years, retiring from it about 18(57 to give his 
attention to farming, and stock rearing and dealing; in 187(5 he went West to 
engage in stock rearing and dealing, and in 1880 he took J. M. Naylor in as 
partner, and so continued until they sold in 1883. 'Mi-. Buskirk has ever been 
enterprising and progressive, and has contributed in no small degree to the 
many important interests of Tiffin. He was one of the organizers of the 
National Exchange Bank of Tiffin (now the Tiffin National Bank), and is at 
present one of its board of directors. During the war he did service in the 
One Hundred and Sixty -fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as qiiarter- 
master. He was married in Tiffin, in 1856, to .inn C. daughter of Benja- 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 765 

mill and Thoresa (Crpeger) Pittiiii^cr. natives of jraryland. and this uuiuii 
has been blessed with two sons /and two daufjhters: Italpli J., Kat(>. Don 
and Addie. Mr. Buskirk is liberal in religious and political matters, and 
contributes to all worthy enterprises. He has accumulated a goodly amount 
of property, the result of steady, persistent ind\istry, and has reared and 
educated his family well. He is a worthy citizen, and a kind hnsl)and and 
father. 

FRANKLIN CARPENTEE. dry goods merchant. Tiffin, was Iwrn in 
Bennington. Yt. . February 2, 1 S;i2. and comes of a line of merchants. His 
father, Richard Carpenter, merchant, of Bennington, was a grandson of Capt. 
Oliver Carpenter, a native of England, who was educated for a sea captaincy, 
and held a commission on the civil list of Great Britain in the merchant ma- 
rine, finally settling in Providence, R. I., where his descendants eventually 
espoused the cause of Independence. His mother, Betsy (Austin) Carpenter, 
was a daughter of John Austin, of Vermont, and whose genealogy is conncctetl 
with the early settlers in this county fi-om the Netherlands. The subject of 
oiu' sketch, at thirteen, went to Albany, N. Y.. and subsecpiently to Bridge- 
l)ort. Conn., spending six years of this time in mercantile pursuits. When 
twenty years old he accompanied his father to Ob<>rlin, Ohio. wlier(> li(> after- 
ward carried on merchandising for several years. In 18.")^ he came to Tiffin, 
this county, and after six years of successful merchandising here he went to 
New York, where he embarked in extensive importing and jobbing business. 
After several years of active business life he went to A\"hite Plains. N. Y'. , 
where he remained in business for nine years, retiring then £o come here in 
W-i'2. Here he rejiresents the firm of F. Carpenter & Co.. diy goods, etc.. 
etc., and does a leaiUng business. He was man'ied in his native jilace. in 
ISf");! to Miss Helen M. Roberts, a lady of estimal)l(> attainments, daughter of 
James Roberts, merchant of Windsor, Conn., and by this union has one son 
and one daughter: Richard, now a merchant, and Louisa. Mr. Car]>enter. 
a very able master of his business, is public spirited and progressive, and 
socially is a very pleasant gentleman. He and his wife attend the worship of 
the Episcopal faith. He is a F. & A. M. of many years standing. 

SCUDDER CHAMBERLAIN, contractor and builder of wooden and 
brick structiu'es. Tiffin, was born in Hunterdon County, N. J.. July "28. ISl'.L 
and comes of Irish and French-English pioneers in that State. His parents 
were Jacob and Eliza1)eth (Johnson) Chamberlain, who settled in ^[elmore in 
1<S8('). where their family of live sons and two daughters grew up: Ege John- 
son died in San Francisco in IST'J; James died in Green Spring; Scndder; 
(ieorge Washington, Jr., in Peru, Ind. ; Rebecca (deceased wife of Dr. 
Henry Ladd: she died in Melmore); Jacob Gardner, in railway business at 
Stevens' Point, Wis.: Sarah (deceased); all had children but the last named. 
The subject of our sketch was reared to his present industry, with which hi> 
has l>een prominently identified in this locality since, having erected some of 
the finest buildings in Tiffin and surrounding cities, among which are the 
handsome residences of John M. Naylor, John D. Loomis, William Hunters, 
Benjamin T()nil)s, Fred Grummet, and many other residences, churches, etc.. 
etc.. and he is at present erecting the new Heidelberg College Mr. Chamber- 
lain man'ied. in Melmore, this county, in 1S44, Martha Ardelia. daught(>r of 
Samuel Wing, a descendant of English pioneers in ilassachusetts. They have 
three sons: Samuel Oscar, a contractor and builder in Tiffin; Henry Dow. in 
same business at San Mateo. Cal., and Duff Johnson, clerk in postoffice. 
Tiffin. Mr. Chamberlain has been a worthy Odd Fellow for thu-ty-six years, 
and is present Grand High Priest nf the State Encampment; is a member of 

42 ' 



766 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

the R. A., aud has been its representative to the Grand Council of Ohio for 
the last live years: is also a member of the L. of H. In public life he served 
with credit in manv local offices. 

F. P. COPPER, agent of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. Tiffin, 
was born in Chatham. Licking Co., Ohio. May 6.1853; son of J. B. aud Nancy 
(Albaugh) Cojiper. the former of pioneer Pennsylvania stock, and latter of 
same, but a native of Licking County. Ohio. The subject of our sketch com- 
pleted a thorough education in telegraphy at Mount Vernon, Ohio, in connec- 
tion with the present railroad, and has continued in creditable professional 
work with the corporation ever since. In September, 1884:, he received his 
[)reseut appointment. Our subject was united in marriage at Fostoria, Ohio, 
in 1879, with Italia Edwina Ferris, a lady of estimable attainments, and by her 
he has one son — Joseph Smith. Mi's. Copper is a daughter of the late Smith 
Fen-is. Esq. , of Marion, Ohio. She is a worthy member of the Presbyterian 
Church, of which ili'. Copper is a liberal supporter. 

DENNIS FREDERICK CRA]\IER. retired farmer, Tiffin, was born in 
Frederick County. Md., January li. 1811: son of Frederick and Catharine 
(Barrick) Cramer, natives of Frederick Co, , Md. . where they were raised and 
resided until they came to Ohio in the fall of 1880. They settled in Clinton 
Township, this county (Section 10), where they raised a family of two sons and 
three daughters, all of whom reared families (except one son), in this locality. 
The original stock of the Cramer family resided in the State of New Jersey, 
and our subject's father's family, or rather his ancestors, immigrated to 
Maryland, presumably, in a very early day. The subject of our sketch is the 
third child and eldest son in the family, and was reared to farming, au occupa- 
tion, he can'ied on successfully for many years. He was maiTied March 29, 
1838, in Clinton Township, this county, to Mary E, . daughter of Jacob and 
Susanna (Fiege) Holz. pioneers from Frederick County, Md. , to Seneca Coun- 
ty. Ohio. This union was blessed with live sons, who have taken creditable 
po.iitious in their different ]uu"suits: John \\ illiam. the eldest, an attorney, is 
now farming in A\'yandot County, Ohio: Judge I'pton F, is an attorney of 
Tiffin: Lewis J. is principal of the schools of Columbus. Neb; Charles H. is 
an attorney of Sanduskv' City, Ohio, and A\'alter Scott, the youngest, is a mem- 
ber of the bar of Tiffin, and caiTies on an active insirrance and real estate 
business. 'Mi. and Mrs. Cramer are worthy members of the Fiist Reformed 
Chm-ch of Tiffin. 

THOMAS H. CROMER, retired farmer. Tiffin, born in Frederick County. 
Md. , November 13. 18'21.is son of John and Mary Ann Cromer, who came to Tif- 
fin in the fall of 182'). the former of whom died in 1829; the latter subsequently 
man'ied Jacob AVagner, and died in 1.S39. John Cromer left three .sons and 
three daughters: Rebecca. Ezra, John, Mary Ann, Elizabeth and Thomas H.. 
the last named being the only survivor. The subject of our sketch was happily 
married to Louisa Smith, who lilessed him with a family of three sons and 
three daughters. After a short illness her young life passed away: she was in 
full communion with the M. B. Church. ]\Ir. Cromer" s family consists of 
Susan, wife of George Seckman: John T. , a farmer; William H. . residing in 
Tiffin: MUda Jane, wife of Benjamin Weaver, who is in the railroad business: 
Charles Edward, a merchant: and Ella, wife of John W. Loose, a farmer in 
Adams Township, this county, Mr. Cromer has been a worthy citizen of 
Tiffin for many years, and has always been identified as a liberal contributor to 
the interests of the city. He has retired from the more active cares of life, 
and has the pleasure of seeing his children holding leading positions in their 
respective vocations. He is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Chiu'ch. 



or.iNTdX ntUNsiiU'. 767 

GEORGE AV. CUNNINGHAM was born in Berkeley Couuty. W. Ya.. 
June 2'), 1823, son of Levi and Alice Cunningham. From 1S8'J to 1848. our 
subject served an apprentieeshij) at milling, and then worked as journeyman 
for one year, at Martinslmrg, Va. July 27. 1S44. he eame to this coiuity. 
and followed his trade for two and a half years witli the late Ezra Baker, and 
then for seven months was employed by Kummel \- McBride in th(> old 
Rock Creek Mill. He then rented the LugeubiM^l Mill from the late Judg*" 
Lugenbeel. October U). 1847. and oi)erated it till IS,"):}. In 1850 he had pur- 
chased the lease of the Rock Creek Mill and ran the two mills until 1854. 
From 1854 to 1855 he engaged in buying clover seed and pork. In J>dy he 
leased the Shoemaker Mill and condiicted it, in connection with the product- 
business and a feed store, for three years, and then rented the old Keller Mill, 
and operated that for about six months, when it btu-iied down. March (>. 18(KI, 
Mr. Cunningham purchased the site of the Clifton Mill, and erected the build- 
ing that now stands at the nortli end of the A\'ashington Htreet bridge, and 
operated this mill till 1878, also conducting at the same time a railroad ware- 
house which he had purchased in \H(\Vi. In June, 1870, he bought the old Rock 
Creek Mill, and in 1872 also purchased the Carey Mill, at Carey. M'yandot 
County, Ohio, and in 1877 added the Reuben Keller Mill to his list, conduct- 
ing his business successfully until 1878. During his business career, the 
amount of trade done was very large, and he probably pui'chased more prod- 
uce than any single buyer has before or since. He also bought and sold con- 
siderable real estate. Ho served as a member of the city council for eight 
years, and as a member of the school lioard for five years, and in other offices 
of trust. Mr. Cunningham was married, in 1851, to Mary E.. daught(>r of 
Rev. John Souder. and who (li(>d in July, 1858. Om- subject was manied on 
second occasion, April 10, 1S5(). to Miss Mary A., daughter of Levi Keller, and 
to this union were born fom- childi-en. all now living: Arthur A.. Ella M., 
Frank and Courtney. Mr. Cunningham has been a liberal contributtir to 
Tiffin's best enterprises. 

ARTHUR ALLEN CUNNINGHAM, proprietor and operator of the Cun 
ningham Elevator, and dealer in grain and seeds. Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, 
this county, in 1857: his parents, George W. and Mary A. (Keller) Cunning- 
ham, having settled here in early times; the former a A'irginian by birth, and 
son of Levi Cunningham (a miller), of Martinsburg. Va. . and a native of Scot- 
lanil; the lattei' a daughter of Levi Keller, a native of Pennsylvania. .Arthur 
A. (eldest son of a family of three sons and one daughter), completed a good 
training in the schools of Tiffin, graduating from the high schools here at 
eighteen. He had meanwhile com])leted an apprenticeship at milling, and 
after graduating he embarked in the grain and seed trade, pvu-chasing the 
elevator business some few years later (1878), and has taken a prominent 
position in the mercantile fraternity of this community as a successful 
and prosperous tradesman. He has always felt his impoiiance as a citizen, 
and has contributed liberally to the support of many of Tiffin's social and 
industrial institutions. He is a F. ife A. M. and a memb(>r of the Royal Arca- 
num. Mr. Cunningham was married at Tiffin, in 1881. to Miss Minnie B. 
Holt, a lady of tine accomplishments, daughter of William Holt. Esq., grain 
dealer of Tiffin. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are supporters of the Methodist 
Episcopal faith. 

SAMUEL H. DeWITT. farmer. P. O. Tithn. was born in Lycoming County. 
Penn.. April 8, 1822, son of Peter and ilargaret DeWitt. wlio were married 
in Pennsylvania in 1811; tlie fonner was a nativ(> of New Jersey, and the lat- 
ter was a native of Peimsylvania. They remained in latter State until 182'.l, 



768 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES; 

when they came to Marion County, Ohio, ami in 1.S81 moved to this county 
where they remained until their death. Peter DeM'itt departed this life in 
185:3, and his widow in 188:3. Oui- subject was married. March 20, 185(3, to 
Catharine Miller, who was born in this county. April 17. 18:39. daughter of 
Daniel and Anna Miller, who were nian-ied in the State of New York, and who 
moved to this county in I8:i37, here remaining until the death of Mrs. Miller, 
which occmred March 24, 1 849. Mr. Miller afterward manied Sarah Raber, 
and they are now living in Clinton Township, this county. Our subject and 
wife are the parents of live childi'en; of these four are living: Clarence D.. 
Delia O., John J., and Allie M. ; Seneca E. is deceased. Mr. DeWitt is a 
blacksmith by trade, but has been en*aged in farming and sheep raising. He 
owns 810 acres of fine land. In January, 1S50, he went to California and en- 
eased in minino; until 185:3, when he returned home. He aiad his i)arents 
were among the lirst settlers of the county. 

PETER DIEMER. meat lousiness, Tiffin, was Ijorn in Alsace, Germany, 
February 8, 18:32; a son of the late Gotfi-ied Jacol) and Maria (Schweir) Die- 
mer, of Niedel Mogen, Alsace. In 1852 he came to this country and eventu- 
ally settled in Massilon, Stark Co., Ohio, where he earned on meat market- 
ing and butchering for many years. In 18(38 he came to Tiffin, engaging in 
business, and has taken an important part in the meat marketing, butchering 
and sausage-making trade since. He was married, in 185:3, in Ma.ssilou, Ohio, 
to Magdalena Schweir. of same nativity, and In' this union has six sons and 
two daughters: George Philip, in business at Kenton; Samuel, in the factory at 
Tiffin; Peter, in the market: Jacob (t. . who has the general management of the 
buying department; John E. and AVilliam A., young lads, but excellent work- 
men, in the factoiy; Sarah Maria, married to William Lick, also engaged in 
the factory (have a son, Charles), and Anna, unmairied. JIi-. Diemer, with his 
sous and son-in-law. does an immense business in his line (upward of $:30.00() 
a year). His slaughter-house and sausage factory are well fiu-nished and 
equipped, and he does not only an extensive retail trade here, but a very 
creditable wholesale trade in sausages, ])articularlv through the countv. 

WILLIAM OSCAR DILDINE, coal merchant. Tiffin, was liorn inRepul)lic, 
this county, in 1849; his father, William McEwenDildine, was a native of Fair- 
held County, Ohio, and with his parents came to this county in 182:3, settling 
upon the land now occupied as Green Lawn Cemetery, and was of English 
pioneer ancestry of Pennsylvania. His mother, Christina Aim (Berger) Dildine. 
was a native of Frederick County, Md., and came with her uncle, Levi 
Davis, to this county in about 1830, her parents John and Elenor (Davis) Ber- 
ger. natives of Maryland, having died when she was but eight years old. ^^'ill - 
iam O.scar and Wallace Berger Dildine are the only living issue of their par- 
ents. The subject of this sketch, when but sixteen, entered the county clerk's 
office as depiity (his father's office then), and remained in creditable connection 
with it for seventeen years. Retiring from this incumbency he engaged in the 
coal business here. He married at Tiffin, in 1872, Anna M. . daughter of John 
H. and Ellen (Stein) Glick, pioneers here fi'om Lehigh County, Penn. By this 
ha]>py union there are three sons and one daiighter living: Minnie May. 
Charles Glick. William Oscar. Jr.. and Phares W. Flora J., the eldest child, 
is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery. Mi'. Dildine is an active, enterprising 
;ind public sjiirited citizen', fully awake to the progressiveness of the times, and 
is a cordial supporter of all meas\u'es tending to the growth and development 
of the social and industrial interests of the county. 

AUGUST DISTELHORST (see sketch of Philip Emich). 

JOHN DORE, dealer in groceries etc.. Tiffin, the worthy member of the 
council from the Second Ward, is a son of the Emerald Isle. He was born in 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 769 

the parish of Daa<;;h, County Keny, Ireland, Jimo 22, 1828, and is third child 
aiiil third son of the family of three sons and two daughters of James and 
Ellon (Connors) Dore, of Duagh. Young Doro at twenty-two, left the old home 
and came to America, and after making a short stay in Connecticut, came to 
Tiffin, Ohio, in I ST)!, where ho has remained an enterprising and public spir- 
ited citizen since. His first undertaking was farming, but this he abandoned 
for railroading, which he subsequently retired from in 1878, for his present 
morchaudising luisiness. He was married, in 1859, to Catharine Bresnin, of 
Castle Island, County Kerry, Ireland, daughter of John and Ellen (King) Bres- 
nin, worthy pet)]ile of that place. Foiu- sons and three daughters blessed this 
union: William H. , now a rising attorney of Tiffin; Mary; Richard; Kate; 
Francis J.; Charles and Maggie. The family are all members of St. Mary's 
congregation, Roman Catholic Church. He is a member of the Prudential Order 
of America. 

DR. EDWIN W. Dubois (deceased) was born in Orange County, N. Y., 
in 18;il. His parents. John E. and Orpha DuBois, were natives of New York 
State, where they were married, remaining there until the death of the mother; 
the father is now eighty-one years of age. Our subject came to Tiffin, Ohio, 
about 18B(1, and was maiTied, June 12, 1862. to Miss Mary M. Ditto, born near 
Tiffin, Ohio, February 3. 1887, daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Ditto, 
natives of Pennsylvania, and who immigrated to Ohio, and settled in this county 
in a very early day, remaining here until the death of Mr. Ditto, which occm-red 
in 1858: his widow died August U, 1885. aged ninety years, one month and 
twenty-seven days. Our subject and wife were the parents of two childien, 
John E., born February 2, i8(')8. and George D., born July 28. 1871. Dr. 
DuBois, prior to his coming to Ohio, had been engaged in the practice of 
medicine in New York State, and after coming to Ohio, entered into the drug 
business; lie owned nice property, including land, at the time of his death, which 
occurred July 2, 1873. Some years after the death of Dr. DuBois, his 
wid'jw married James Patterson, and they reside near Tilfin. 

D.WID A. AND WILLIAM M. DUTROW. of the firm of Dutrow Bros., 
livery, sal<> and feed stables. Tiffin, arc among the enterprising busine.ss men 
of the place, sons of Philip and Elizabeth (Develbis) Dutrow. Philip Dnti'ow 
was born in Maryland. July 15, 181U. and is a son of David and Elizabeth 
(Hinos) Dutrow. of pione(>r stock of Maryland. May 11. 1843, he (Philip) 
settled in Seneca Township, this county, where he carried on farming success- 
fully for many years, retiring, in 1880, to settle in Tiffin. He had maiTied in 
1841, and was the parent of thirteen children, nine of whom are living: Cath- 
arine, M;iry, Lucretia. Robert, David A., William M. , Ella, Solomon and 
Flora Lewis. The elde.st son was in the Fifty-tifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry 
dxiring the late civil war, and died in the service, in Cumberland hospital, Md. 
The family worship in Grace Reformed Church. 

NORMAN D. EGBERT, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Clinton Town- 
ship, Soneea Co., Ohio, March 18, 1843, son of Jeremiah W. and Lucy A. 
Egbert, natives of Ohio, and who after marriage settled in Pleasant Townshij), 
this county, having remained in the county ever since. The subject of this 
sketch was united in mari'iage. Februaiy 28, 1805, with Susan C. Holtz. born 
in Pleasant Township, this county, November 30, 1845, daughter of AN'illiam 
and Catharine Holtz, tie former of whom died January 21, 1SG2; the latter 
now resides in Pleasant Township. Our subject and wife are the parents of 
four children: William H.. Knott C, Norman D. and Frances. Mr. Egbert 
is one of tlie successful farmers of this county, and owns 231 acres of splendid 
land. He served his country in the late war. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. 



T70 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

ISAAC R. EGBERT. P. O. Tiffin, the subject of this sketch, an indus- 
trious young farmer, was born Febniary 10, 1858, on the farm where he and 
his family now reside, in Clinton Township, this county. His parents, Jere- 
miah W. and Lucy A. Egbert, were born in Ohio and settled in this couuty, 
where they still reside. Oui" subject was united in marriage, April 15, 1880, 
^\'ith Emma Coiuiney. who was liorn near Green Spring, Ohio. December 2. 
1861. Her parents. William and Margaret Courtney, natives of Ireland, were 
mai'ried in the State of New York, and settled in Seneca County, Ohio, where 
they now reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Egbert have been born three chiklren: 
Lulu M. , Edith and Berton. 

JOHN B. EHRENFRIED, general manager and secretary of the Tiffin 
JIanufactiu'ing Company, Tiffin, was born in Bleifeld. kingdom of Bavaria. 
June 24. 1845. He is the only son and only sui'viving child of Zacharias and 
kmi Mary (Koeppel) Ehrenfried. natives of Bavaria, who came to America in 
1847. locating in Thompson Township, this county, where they passed the re- 
mainder of their lives, the former dying Februarv' 25. 1848. and the latter 
May 21). 18r)l): they are Ijuried in the family cemetery in that township along 
with their daughter Barbara. (The other child of the family. Maiy. who mar- 
ried Joseph Slauser. is biu-ied In Kenton Cemeteiy, Hardin Co. . Ohio. ) The 
subject of our sketch, at eighteen, engaged in lumbering and milling at Havana, 
Ohio, with which he was actively connected for several years. He had in the 
meantime attended business college and completed a commercial course of 
stiidy. graduating in 1870. Shortly after graduating he retired from business 
at Havana and located in a similar industn' at Larue. Marion Co., Ohio, where 
he remained about three years wh(^n he sold out his interest there and came to 
Tiffin and took charge of his present business. He married, in Thompson Town- 
ship, tliis county. October 4. 1870, Miss Margaret Glassuer. eldest daughter 
of John and Catharine fGies) Glassner. of that township, and by her has tkree 
sons and two daughters living: Otto Joseph. George Jacob, Charles William, 
Anne Matilda and Gertrude Clara, and one daughter, their eldest child, Maiy 
Louisa (deceased). Mi', and Mi's. Ehrenfi'ied are regular communicants of the 
Roman Catholic Chui'ch. He is an active member of St. John's Benevolent 
Society; an energetic business man and a pojiular gentleman. Although 
averse to holding public office he has most creditably tilled the chair of alderman 
of the Fourth Ward of Tiflin for two terms. 

HENRY EIXSEL. retired farmer. P. O. . Tiffin, was born in York County, 
Penn. , Febrnary H5, 1805. son of Hemy and Barbara Einsel. who both de- 
parted this life near Lancaster. Ohio. Om- subject came to this county in 
1828, and was united in marriage February 20, 1835, with Sarah Keller, born 
in Fairfield County. Ohio, .'^pril 2!), 1813. Her parents, John and Elizabeth 
Keller, natives of York County. Penn., moved to Ohio and were among the 
first settlers of Clinton Township, where they remained until their death. Our 
subject and wife are the parents of six children, of these four are living: Lewis. 
William. Sophia (wife of Harrison Detterman) and Shubert. The deceased 
aie Mary and Margaret. Mr. Einsel. who lia^ been one of the prosperous 
farmers of the county, now owns 206 acres of land, all improved. He and his 
wife are members of the Evangelical Church. 

PHILIP EMICH. Among the many important jiioneers of Tiffin and Seneca 
County stands Philip Emich (now deceased), who for many years figiu'ed as the 
tried Mend and true of the early settlers, particularly so of the German popu- 
lation. He was born in AValdmohr. Rhenish Bavaria. July li), 1822, son of 
Louis Emich. a liotel keeper, who died in Tiffin. Ohio, in 1873, and was the 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 771 

piiroiit of the following ehiklren: Hannali (wife of John Doll, in Milwaukee. 
Wis.). Loui.s Philip. Caroline (wife of Jacob Leiliroek of Tiffin), Elizabeth (wife 
of J. Karsehner. of Tiffin). Catherine (wife of Rev. B. Ziunbe. of Younirstown. 
Ohio). Charlotte (deceased wife of ^\"illiam DeBusnian. of Tiffin), and Ma- 
tilda (wife of Theodore Munz. of Toledcj. Ohio). The subject of our sketch 
received a liberal education in his native land, and at the age of twenty-four 
cani(> to America and located in Tiffin. Ohio. He was man'ied to Elizabeth, 
daiighter of Francis Keif. a. pioneer here, native of Neustadt, on the Hart, in 
Khenish Bavaria, and to this union one son and five daughters were born: 
Mary (wife of F. Puehringer, of Cleveland. Ohio). Frank L.. who carries on an 
extensive book and stationery business here (niaiTied in Tiffin, ]\Iary. daughter 
of Blasius and Rosa Kuebler, now of Chicago, and by her he has a son, AUiion). 
Matilda, (wife of Hany Weidling. a druggist of Tiffin), Anna (wife of Aug. 
Distelhorst, with F. L. Emich, bookseller and stationer). Flora and Lela are 
unmarried. (August Distelhorst was born in Karlsruhe. Baden. May 28. 1861. 
son of Frederick and Sophia (Deimling) Distelhorst. natives of that place: 
received a good literaiy education and subsequently came to America, spent 
some three years traveling through the west, and in 1883 eatne to Tiifin where 
he subseqently settled.) The subject of this sketch was reared to linen weaving 
in Germany, but on coming to this countiy turned his attention to merchandis- 
ing, with which he was connected here for many years. He had been appointed 
notary public, and in this connection it may be said to his credit (so upright a 
business life he led here) that he continued till his demise the counsel and busi- 
ness man of his countrymen who settled in Tiffin and vicinity. He died in 1870, 
moiu'nedby all whoknew him. and was buried with the honors of the Druids. 
I. O. O. F. and K. of P. societies, of which he had been a worthy member. 
He was always energetic in business matters, public spirited, and an active cit- 
izen. Though deeply interested in political matters he. however, refused pub- 
lic office, although tendered nomination for many worthy positions. 

CH.\RLES ERNST, superintendent and general manager of the Enter- 
l)rise Mainifactiu'iug Company, Tiffin, was born in Northampton County. Penn., 
August •■51. 181M. son of Samuel and Mary (Bridinger) Ernst, natives of that 
locality, and descendants of pioneer German families of the State. They 
reared a family of seven sons and two daughters, of whom Charles and John 
came West in 1871 and settled in Tiffin, this county. Charles Ernst learned 
the hardwood working art in his native county, and after coming here followed 
it as journeyman, doing also considerable business in the way of contracting 
and building, till, upon the formation of the eoifjoration conti-olling the present 
company, he joined his issues with it. and has remained as its above named 
official since. Mr. Ernst was united in mamage in Tiffin, in 1872, with Miss 
.Mary j\I. Crist, daughter of Jose|)h and MaiT Crist, natives of Ohio, and of 
German parentage. Oursul)ject and wife have two sons: Franklin and Samuel. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ernst are members of the Reformed Chiu'ch. He is an active 
nif-mber of the K. of P. and I. O. O. F. 

JOHN' ERNST, secretary and treasiu-er of th(> Enteri)rise Manufacturing 
C'ompany. Tiffin, is a younger brother of Charles Ernst, superintendent and gen- 
eral manager for this company. He was born in July, 1850. in Northampton 
County. Penn.. and educated to the hardwood working art. He joined his 
brother Charles in his ventures in the West, and was connected here as journey- 
man, and also as contractor and builder, joining the Enterprise Manufactui'ing 
Company as member, iipon its organization, and which he has creditably sei^ved in 
his official capacity. 5lr. Ernst was maiTied in Tiffin, in 1878. to Miss Libbie 
M. Laux. a native of Germany, and l)y her he has a daughter and son: Mary 



772 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Susan and AVilliam John. !Mrs. John Ernst is a member of the Reformed 
Chm-ch. Our subject is a member of the I. O. O. F. and encampment, and of 
the K. of P. He has always had an aversion to holding office, but has done 
his share in that sphere here, and is at present member of the board of alder- 
men, of Tiffin, fi-om the Third Ward. The brothers, Charles and John Ernst 
are iinited in their business as well as society interests, and stand prominent 
among the self-made men of industrial notoriety of Tiffin. 

J. F. E. FANNING, M. D., Tiffin, president of the Medical Association of 
Seneca County, was born in Tiffin, Ohio, October 1, 1844, and comes of pioneer 
people of Seneca County. His fathei-. Francis Fanning, was a native of 
Longford, Ireland, among whose people were many prominent '"men of let- 
ters." His mother, Nancy Ann (Woods) Fanning, was a native of Tyi'one, 
Ireland. They were married in New York City and settled here in 1884, where 
three sons and four- daughters were born, of whom one son and two daughters 
survive: Ann, maiTied to Michael J. Reinbolt, a farmer of Sandusky County, 
Ohio; Mary, married to A. H. Arnold, deputy sheriff of this county, and J. F. 
E. Our subject received a good common school training in Tiffin and engaged 
in literary studies in Cleveland. At twenty he began the study of medicine at 
Tiffin, in the late Dr. N. V. Hovey's office, and attended lectures at Belle vue 
Hospital College, of New York City, completing his studies at the age of 
twenty-five, at Miami Medical College, of Cincinnati, fi-om which he graduated 
in 1809. The Doctor came to Tiffin, engaged in the practice of his profession, 
and has been creditably connected with same since. He is a close student of 
his profession and bids fair to rank well in it, in the near futui'e. He is an 
excellent citizen, and clever, and, although unpretentious, is looked upon 
with respect as a master mind in his vocation. He has served with credit in 
the councils of the city, and is at present one of the board of pension examiners 
at Tiffin. 

HENRY FIEGE, of the firm Fiege Bros., furniture dealers. Tiffin, is the 
eldest living son of John and Louisa (Von Blon) Fiege, Lutherans and worthy 
pioneers of Tiffin, who settled here in 1883-34, the former of whom, a native 
of Oedelsheim, electorate of Hesse, Ijorn July 3, 1811, lost his life, March 31, 
1809, by di'owning in his mill-race in Tiffin. IVIrs. Fiege, born in Waldmohr. 
Bavarian Palatinate, December 8, 1813, died December 29, 1874. Of their 
ten childi-en but three sons survive: Henry, John L. and George W. ; the last 
named retired fi-om the firm in 1879, and is mairied to Alice Stroliper, by whom 
he has one son — Charles. Henry Fiege was reared to his present iudustrj' in 
Tiffin, and has been prominently identified with it. He married, in 1804. 
Hannah M. Kaup, daughter of Benjamin Kaup, and niece of Solomon Kaup, 
and by her has one son and five daughters: Mary L. , Carrie E.. John B., 
Maud, Jennie and Cora. 'Mr. Fiege has always contributed liberally to the 
sujiport of Tiffin's social and industrial interests, and has reared and educated 
his family well. He is a worthy F. & A. M,, and is a member of Clinton 
Council No. 47, R. & S. M. ; is silso a member of the I. O. O. F. The family 
attend the services of the German Reformed Chiu'ch. John L. Fiege, the 
junior member of the firm, is an excellent citizen and clever business man, and 
although of prepossessing apjiearance is still treading the rugged paths of 
single blessedness. 

A. L. FLACK, manufacturer and merchant. Tiffin, was born at McCutchen- 
ville, Ohio. February 8. 1849. His parents, Josiah and Sylvia Ann (Dailey) 
Flack, belong to very early settlers in this county, the former a son of George 
Flack, who settled here from Frederick County. Md.. and the latter a daughter 
of Samuel Dailey. The sul)ject of our sketch is the eldest of a family of five 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 773 

sons: A. L. ; W. R., a morcliant salesman: E. G., a blacksmith; G. K.. min- 
ister of the Methodist Episcopal faith in Iowa, and George L. A. L. Flack 
completed a j^ood literaiy training in the public schools, and at eighteen taught 
school, in which profession he exc(illed l)oth as a student and teacher. At 
twenty-nine he embarked in the insiu'ance business, which he carried on with 
vigor and ability, retuiug in March, 1885. August 28, 1884, he joined 
the Oval AVot)d Dish Company, of Delta, Ohio, whose principal factory is at 
Mancelona, Mich., who also ri>oently established a factory in Canada, and has 
vigorously prosecuted that industry since, his retirement fi-om the insurance 
business being in a measure due to the latter investment. He is an able sales- 
man, an excellent judge of human nature and an energetic worker, and is char- 
acterized in his different pursuits as a master mind. Ho is stockholder in the 
Tiffin Union Churn Company, and an active member; general manager of the 
Tiffin Stove Polish Company, and carries on an extensive business in jobbing in 
the wholesale cigar trade. Mr. Flack married, March 28, 1872, Amelia, 
daughter of Jeptha and Sarah (Holmes) Brown, early settlers of A\'yandot 
Count v, Ohio, and of New York State ancestrv. Thev have three sons living: 
Edgar, Ralph and Clifford, and biu'ied their eldest — Clarence. Mr. and Mrs. 
Flack are members of the Methodist Episcopal ChiU'ch. He is an active Odd 
Fellow and member of the encampment, and a member of the K. of P., Tiffin 
Library Association and of Pickwick Division, IT. R. K. of P., of Tiffin, and 
also member of the Travelers' Protection Association of the United States. 

JACOB J. FLECK, druggist and manufacturer and proprietor of pro- 
prietary medicines. Tiffin, was born in Findlay, Ohio, May 6, 1851-5; son of 
Joseph and Barbara (Karst) Fleck, natives of Germany, and connected with 
grocery merchandising in Findlay. The subject of our sketch completed a 
good school training in his native town, and at seventeen entered th(> drug 
busin(>ss there and studied pharmacy, attending lectui'es in the Philadelphia 
College of Pharmacy in 1873-74. In 1877 he embarked in the drug business, 
on his own account, at Findlay. and followed that industry there with success 
for .several years, meanwhile buying other stores at Gilboa. Ohio (in 188(1), and 
at Dunkirk and McComb, Ohio (in 1881). In 1888 he retired from his inter- 
ests in these places, and in June of that year came to Tiffin and bought his 
present business, and soon afterward added the manufacture of several im 
portant medicines, among which may be mentioned "'Fleck's Vegetable Liver 
and Blood Pills," "Fleck's Saponaceous Tooth Powder" and "Positive Corn 
Cure." Mr. Fleck is a member of the Ohio and American Pharmaceutical 
Associations, and, notwithstanding his active business interests, devotes a great 
deal of time to the study of his profession. He is a clever business man. a 
devoted student, and an amiable. j)ablic spirited citizen. 

OLIVER PERRY FREES, photographic artist. Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, 
this county, Februarj- 4, 1852; son of Wesley Bowman and Catharine (Slos- 
ser) Frees, the former a son of Jacob Frees, who settled here in a very early 
period in the history of the county. Oliver P. Frees was one of two children; 
his sister married John M. Myers, of this city. Our subject completed a good 
common schooling, and at nineteen began an apjirenticeship at his present 
business, which he completed, and. on April 1, 1874, embarked in business in 
his present studio, where he has continued in creditable professional work since. 
He was married in TifHn. December 22, 1875, to Mary Sevilla, daughter of 
Uriah Wilcox, and by her he has one son- Orva Melvin. Mr. Frees is a mem- 
ber of the K. of P., of the National Union Insurance Company, and of the 
American Photographers' Association. H-' and his wife are worthy members of 
the Methodist Protestant Church, in which faith he was reared. 



774 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

JOSIAH B. FROST, merdiant tailor. Tiffin, was born near Danville. Knox 
Co., Ohio. July 13. 1848. His parents, Enoch C. and Isabella (Hobbs) Frost, 
were both of pioneer English ancestry in this country, the former of whom, a 
native of Maryland, was prominently identified with contracting and building 
interests in that State; the latter was a native of Knox County. Ohio, daugh- 
ter of James Hobbs, Esq. The subject of our sketch was reared to merchan- 
dising. In 1855 he cama to Tiffin, this county, and in 1872 embarked in the 
merchant tailoring business, with which he has been successfully connected 
since. Mr. Frost was married here in 18fi8 to Isa B. . daughter of Daniel and 
Laura (Perkins) Dildine. pioneers of this county, and by this union have been 
l)orn three sons: Percy Beecher. Frank Lincoln and Evart C. ^Ir. and Mrs. 
Frost are esteemed members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which 
society she is a very active worker in connection with womens' mission work, 
etc. Mr. Frost is a member of the G. A. R.. having done service in Company 
H, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, fi-om August ll\ lSCi'2. 
till the close of the war. 

WILLIAM GALLUP, jeweller. Tiffin, was born in Xorwalk, Ohio, Febru- 
ary 22. 1820, and comes of pioneer English stock, who early came to our 
shores, and who in their turn were probably descended from the Kollops, of 
Lorraine, France, who followed the fortunes of William the Concpieror to En- 
gland in lOGB, and who-ie nomenclature, like many other French and Norman 
names, became differently spelled. In 1036, or earlier in the seventeenth cen- 
tury, John and William Galhip, brothers, settled in Boston, Mass. , from En- 
gland; the former of whom, after doing distinguished service in the earlier 
Indian warfare, died without issue in 1652; the latter repaired to New Lon- 
don, Conn. , where he reared two sons, William and Hallet. Hallet figured 
prominently in King Philip's war. in which he lost his life; and William reared 
a large family, of whom a son, William, reared two sons and ten daughters, 
the sons also being named William and Hallet. This William Gallup in 1774 
removed to Kingston, Penn. . where in his family two sons, William and Hal- 
let, were reared, and this William (the fifth in descent) married Freelove, 
daughter of Capt. Caleb Hathaway, of Philadelphia, by whom he had four 
sons: William, Hallet, James Divine and Caleb Hathaway. This William 
Gallup came to Norwalk. Ohio, in 1818, and in the following year married 
Sally Boalt, daughter of Capt. John Boalt, and to this union were born twelve 
children: William', Matilda, Mary (decea.sed), Francis, Ruth, Ann, George 
(deceased), Susan, Samuel C James H. , John and Rose. The eldest of this 
family (our subject), received a good literary training in Granville College 
(now Denison University), and learned the jeweler's trade. In 1841 he went 
to Covington, Ky., where he remained in professional work till 1S51. when he 
came to Tiffin, Ohio. He was married at Lebanon. Ohio, in 1845, to Cassan- 
di-ia, daughter of John and Sally Whaley, of Kenton County, Ky. , by which 
union they have reared three sons and five daughters: Adeline, wife of A\ . C. 
Jones, a civil engineer of Jamestown. Dak. ; Sarah, wife of O. G., Meacham, 
banker of Carrington. Dak.; Mary: James William, a civil engineer in rail- 
way employ at Spanish Honduras; Julia, widow of the late Granville Jones 
(brother of W. C. Jones), a civil engineer with the Mexican National Company 
of Mexico, where he lost his life by assassination; Caroline; Francis, a ranch- 
man of Garden City, Kas. ; John Caldwell, at home. Mr. Gallup has always 
given a cordial support to the development of the social and industrial life of 
his adopted city, and stands prominent with Tiffin's public spirited citizens. 
He has been an active member of the Baptist Church. He is a member of 
De Molav Commandery. F. it A. ]M. Although averse to holding public office. 



CLINTON TOWNSlllP. 775 

lie has s(>rve(l with efficionev on tho school board, and held the postmastership 
of Tilliu from ISC.-J to ISmi. 

JOHN AV. GEKiEK, son of Geort^e and Margarett (Beerbower) Geiger. 
natives of Hancock, ^\'ashington Co., Md. (the former died March 17, 1844, the 
latter March :'0, 1885, at Gallon), was born January "JH, 184'2, at Marion, 
Ohio, to which place the ])ari>nts moved abont 18:]2, and there Mr. Geiger was 
educated, and resided nntil ISfil. when he moved to Galion, Ohio, as book- 
keeper for that division of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis 
llailroad, th(»n known as the "Bee Line. " He was elected treasurer of Galion in 
1872. In 1877 he was transferred to Indianapolis as book-keeper of the divis- 
ion, and remained until January. 18711, when he entered the Belt Kailroad 
Com|)any"s einjiloy as book-keeper, and was in that service until March. 18S(), 
when he moved to Upper Sandusky, and purchased a half interest in Thomas 
E. Beery' s old estal>lished iby goods house. This partnership contiiuied until 
March, 1882, when he purchased the entire interest, and conducted the store 
until the spring of 1884, when he sold the stock to Beery. Best & Brandt, and, 
with Hon, L. A. Bn;nner, purchased an interest in the Tiffin Advertiser a most 
valuable property, of which journal he is the business manager. Mj-. Geiger 
was married September 2*), 1872, to Miss Mary J. Brunner, daughter of L, A. 
Brunner, at Upper Sanduslc}'. They are the parents of two chOtb-en: Alice 
M. , born September 14, 1873, and Benton R.. born Januaiy 3. 1882. Mi-. 
Geiger holds a deed made to his father. May 1:?, 1839, by old El)er Baker, of 
Marion. 

CHARLES GEYER. Sr., capitalist. Tiffin, was born near Leipsic, in the 
Kingdom of Saxony, October 13, 1827. His parents. Christian and Catharine 
Geyer, came to America, in 1839, and settl(>d in Hiu'on County, Ohio, where they 
reared five sons and four daughters, of whom three sons and foiir daughters 
married and became heads of families. The subject of this sketch was brought 
up to the tanning lousiness in his father's tanneiy, and, in 1859, located in 
Cansline, this county, where he carried on a tannery, and followed farming for 
several years, removing his tannery business here in 1871, and which he 
retired from, aft(>r several years, to continue the purchase and sale of hides and 
pelts. He has been an impoi-tant factor in many of Tiflin's industries, and 
owns a very valual)le amount of projjerty in the city. He is one of the boaid 
of directors of the Commercial Bank of Tiffin. Mr. Geyer was married in 
Chicago. 111., in 18r)4, to Ida Caessmann, of same nativity, and they have iive 
sons and three daughters living: Louisa, wife of the Hon. J. L. Kaley, of Red 
Cloud, Neb,; Charles, Jr., a merchant; Samuel; Emma: Frank; William; 
Artie; and Ida; and have biu'ied one son, Oscar. Mr. and Mi's. Geyer are 
members of the English Lutheran Church, of which the former has been a 
raemlier for many years. Mr. Geyer has been an active, energetic, public 
spirited citizen, iind has contributed in no small degree to the support of many 
of TilHu's social and industrial interests. 

HARMON B. GIBBON, M. D., Tiffin, was born. March 12. 18.".2,, in 
Wayne County, Ohio, of which locality his parents, Tobias M. and Ursula 
(Nowkirk) Gibbon, were early settlers, coming fi'om Pennsylvania. The sub- 
ject of this memoir is the third son and sixth child in a family of four sons and 
four daughters. Having received, in the common school of his native i)lace, 
good prei)aratory instruction, he, at the age of fifteen, went to Shreve, Ohio, 
where, at a select school, he ac(|uired a regular literary education, which he 
complet(>d at an academy in Perrysville, Ohio. Mr. Gibl)on afterwanl 
became princif)al of the high school at P(>iTysville, an incumbency he retired 
from in 1874, in order to attend to reiidings in medicine in the office 



776 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

of Dr. W. S. Battles, of Shreve. In ISTo he attended a course of 
lectures at the College of Medicine and Surgery of St. Louis, and in 1(S7()- 
77 the Erie Street Medical College of Cleveland, graduating in June. I.S77, 
from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Sui'gery. at Cincinnati. Ohio. 
In August, 1877, Dr. Gibbon commenced the practice of his profession at Kan- 
sas, this county, continuing afterward in the same for a .short time at Betts- 
ville, also this county, coming to Tiffin, October 10. 1880. The Doctor is an 
active member of the Seneca Medical Society, has sen-ed as its vice-president, 
is the secretary of the association at present, and is also a member of the 
North Central Ohio Medical Society, and of the Northwestern Society of 
Ohio. He was united in marriage at Wooster. Ohio, in 1878, with Emma M. 
Linn, a lady of estimable attainments, second daughter of William Linn, Esq., 
of. that place, and to this union has been born (ine daughter — Eva ]M. Dr. and 
Mi's. Gibbon are respected chiu-ch people. 

JAMES GOETSCHIUS, retired, P. O. Tiffin, is one of the old pioneers of 
Ohio, and was born on Alum Creek, near Columbus, September 24, 1807, His 
parents, Nicholas and Susan Goetschius, natives of Montgomery County, N. 
Y,, first settled, after they were man'ied. near Columbus, Ohio, and there 
remained until 1825, when they came to this county, and settled on the Green- 
field road, five miles from Tiffiu, and afterward moved to Tiffin, where Mrs. 
Goetschius died. Nicholas Goetsrhius departed this life near Green Spring, 
Ohio, Our subject was united in marriage. November 7>, 182',). in Tiffin, with 
Parmelia Smith, who was born in Maryland. September ]'>. 1S12. a daughter 
of Frederick Smith, who died in Maryland. Mr, Goetschius is the father of 
eleven children: Elizabeth, Nicholas, Dudley, Evaline, John, George and 
Evan, now living; and Raymos, Hugh, James and Hemy, deceased. Our sub- 
ject is a retired farmer, owning sixtv-niue and one quarter acres of good land. 

EEV. JEREiHAH H. GOOD,*D. D., professor in theological seminary 
at Tiffin, has been a resident of Tiffin since the year 18r)0, and is widely known 
throughout the county and city. He was born in a little village that nestles 
under the shadows of the Blue Mountains in Pennsylvania, named Rehrers- 
burg, Berks County, and comes of Palatinate German stock through Ijoth his 
parents. He is a son of Philip Augustus and Elizabeth (Haak) trood. His 
grandfather, John Adam Good, left the fatherland (now called Rhenish Bava- 
ria) as a young man and settled in the province of William Penn, where he 
was subsequently united in marriage with Miss Adam. He was a pious, well- 
educated young man, and devoted himself to instructing church schools, and as 
the chiu'ch master he usually read a sermon on Sabbaths, when the pastor 
could not come. His children were Jacob, Elizabeth, Abraham, Philip, 
Augustus, Christina, Joseph and Daniel. Their descendants still live for the 
most part in Berks County, Penn. Philip Augustus Good, father of Dr. Good, 
and of Prof. R. Good, of Heidelbertj Colleire, was well educated, and filled 
many public positions, such as representative in the Legislature, justice of the 
peace, prothonotary of the county, etc. Dr. Good lived in Rehrersbm-g for 
about eight years, when the family removed to Reading, the county seat. 
Here, at the age of ten years, our subject lost his father, who was then pro- 
thonotary of the county, and became the adopted son of his uncle, Joseph 
Good, with whom he remained until the hitter's death, receiving a good clas- 
sical education at the Reading Academy and in private lessons from Mr. Mid- 
dlemass, a somewhat celebrated local instructor fi'om England. He was 
intended for the })rofession of the law, and when, at the age of fourteen, he 
resolved to obtain a complete college education, it was with the full intention 
of becoming an attorney. In September. 1S3(). he started for Marshall Col- 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 777 

lege, in Franklin County. I'eun.. then undor (ho presidency of Dr. F. A. 
Kanch. a celebrated and brilliant scholar fi'om Germany. He spent two years 
in the preparatory department and four years in the college, and graduated 
with the highest honor of the class (the valedictory) on the last "Wednesday of 
September. 184!i. The class numbered nine, of whom four have been profes- 
sors in colleges and seminaries, and one a member of Congress. From 1842 to 
IS 4,") Dr. Good was sub-rector of the preparatory department, and at the same 
time a student in the theological seminary under Dr. J. M'. Novin. In the 
autiimn of 184;") he was liciMised to preach by the Merci>rsburgh Classis. and soon 
thereafter followed a call to Lancaster, Ohio. Here he lal)ored as pastor from 
October, 184'), until October, IS47, and also founded and conducted a select 
school. In the latter year he was elected by the Ohio Synod of the Reformed 
Cliurch to found and edit a religious paper. In pm-suance of this apjjoint- 
ment he removed to Columbus, Ohio, in October, 1847. and started the U'esf- 
i'l-n MitiSioiiari/. a semi-monthly (now known as the widely circulateul Christian 
Worhl. and published in Dayton. Ohio). At the reformed synod in Navarre, 
Ohio, in 184(1, he was electeil (in connection with his l)rother, Prof. Reuben 
Good) to start the projected c(jlleg(> (now Heidelberg College at TitKn), and in 
consequence of this call the two brothers removed to Titlftn, Seneca Co., Ohio, 
in Oct(jber, 1849. They soon opened the new college in the third story of 
'• Commercial Row." (For the hi.story of this enterprise, and the theological 
seminary in connection with it, see page oOl, this volume. ) For twenty years 
(November, 1849, to September. I86U, ) our sul)ject filled the professorship 
of mathematics in the college, at the same time continuing to edit the Wesfcrn 
Missionary/ for a period of three y(>ars. Besides this he has been a supply to 
various churches in the city and county (Reformed Chui'ch in Tiffin, twenty 
years; St. Jacobs, in Adams Township, thii-ty-fom- years; Salem, in Seneca 
Township, seven years: Bascom. nine years, and others for shorter terms). In 
the year 18(59 he was elected by the synod at Shelby to the chair of dogmatic 
and practical theology in Heidelberg Theological Seminary (in connection with 
the College), which position he yet occnjiies. Dr. Good has participated in some 
jmblic enterprises, such as the woolen niills.the National Exchange Bank (being 
director for twenty years), etc. Dr. Good has i<ublished a number of works 
of a practical religious character: "The Reformed Church Hymnal," 1878; 
*' The Heidelberg Catechism," newlv arranged. 1879; "■ The Childrens' Cate- 
chism," 1881; "A Prayer Book," 1881; "The Churcli Meml)er's Hand Book," 
18S'J. Dr. Good was married. December 'lii, 1841), at Granville, Licking Co., 
Ohio, to Miss Susan Hubliard Root, with whom he has lived in a happy union for 
thirty-nine years to the present date. She was the daughter of Noble and Har- 
riet (Bnshnell) Root, lioth of Granville, the father lieing originally ft-om "West- 
field, Mass. , the mother fi-om Nonvich.. Conn. Her mother was the daughter of 
Ebenezer and Susan (Hubbard) Bnshnell, of Norwich, Conn. Her gi-andfa- 
ther, Ebenezer Bu.shnell. was a graduate of Yale College, classmate of Noah 
Webster, assisting in the work of ^\'l'bster's spelling book, a merchant, editor 
of the Weekly Kegistcr, of Norwich, a man of genius, who went to sea as pur- 
ser in the slooji of war "barren." in (he I'"'reiich war, and died August 8, 
1800, otT Matanzas, of yellow fever. On the Bnshnell side Mrs. Good traces 
her descent back to Richard Bushuell, of Saybrook, Conn., who was married, 
October 11, 1G48, to Mary Manin, of London, England. Through her grand- 
mother, Susan Hubljard, she stands connected with the widely-extended Hub- 
bard connection. Dr. Good has but one child, a son, John Chrysostom Good, 
who was born in Columbus, Ohio, June 20, 1849; he was gi-aduated in Heidel- 
berg College, studied medicine and is now residing in Cleveland, Ohio, engaged 



( (8 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

in the drug business: in 1ST7 he was married, in Massillon, Ohio, to Miss Flor- 
ence Parsons, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Parsons, formerly of Phila- 
delphia, Penn. 

JOHN M. GREINER, proprietor of restaiu-ant, Tiffin, was born in Pitts- 
burg, Penn., November 22, 18-18; son of John David and Magdalena (Rail* 
Greiner, natives of Eichelbron and Dettingen, ^Vurtemberg, Germany, res{)ect- 
ively, and who settled in Tiffin in 1852, rearing a family of four sons and three 
daughters. (Three sons and two daughters are now residents of Hancock Coun- 
ty, Ohio, and one son and one daughter live here. ) The subject of this sketch 
was reared in Tiffin, and December 31, 1809. embarked in his present business, 
in which he is well and favoraljly known. He was married, in 187<\ to Mary 
Louisa, eldest daughter of Henry and Barbara (Sehwarterj Heinz, the former 
a native of Ludiingen. Alsace, France (now Germany ), and the latter of AValselda. 
AV lu'temberg, and who reared six daughters and two sons: Mary Louisa, Regina 
Magdalena, John Hemy, William Hartman. Hemietta Lucinda, Anna Matilda, 
Cora Ida and Fedena Evalina. To Mr. and Mi-s. Greiner were born two sons 
and two daughters : Cora Elenora, Albert B. , Mary Magdalena and Louis H. , 
the latter of whom died August 15, 1885, aged one year, eight months and nineteen 
days. jNIrs. Greiner is a member of the German Reformed Church, and Mr. 
Greiner of the German Lutheran denomination. He is a member of the K. of 
P.. quartermaster of Division No. 17. of that society, and is a member of the 
Ancient Order of Druids. He has been a member of the Tiffin tu-e department 
for over twenty -two years, and is first assistant engineer of that organization. 
ilr. Greiner is a worthy citizen and an ardent partisan of the Democratic 
party. 

JOHN A. HALL, United States guager, and store-keeper. Tiffin, war, 
born in Tiffin, Ohio, February 12. 18-11. son of Luther A. and Cynthia A. 
(Hedges) Hall, the former a native of Onondaga County. N. Y. , and the latter 
a daughter of Josiah Hedges. Esq. They reare 1 four sons: Josiah, now in 
the South; James H., in Orange. Los Angeles Co., Cal. ; John A., and Dr. 
-Ubon Eugene, in Visalia, Tulare Co., Cal. The subject of our sketch was 
reared in Tiffin. Ohio, and in January, 1SG3, he was apjwinted assistant 
assessor of internal revenue for this district, which position he held till Janu- 
ary 1, 1873, He married in Tiffin. Ohio, in Jime. 1867, Maiy B., daughter of 
John A. and Sarah Baltzell Stoner, who were natives of Maiyland, By this 
iTnion there are two daughters, Grace and Mary Edith, and two sons, Lewis 
Baltzell and James Hedges. Mr. Hall and family are attendants of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. He is a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity, and 
has passed all the chaus to the Chapter, and is a member of the Roval Arcanum. 

GEORGE HE ABLER, Jr.. of Heabler Bros., proprietors of Attica Mills 
and dealers in grain, floiu", etc., at Attica and Tiffin, was born in Millville. Co- 
lumbia Co., Penn., in 1828. His parents. George and Hannah (Klingeman) 
Heabler, were natives of that county and of pioneer German ancestiy. George 
Heabler. Sr. , a practical miller, located in Venice Township, this county, in 
1835, and was prominently connected with milling in this locality for many 
years. Our subject was reared to the business in all its departments and in 
1863 united with his brothers, John and Henry, in forming the jiresent firm. 
He maiTied in 1852. in Attica. Catharine, daughter of Peter and Anna Tro.xel. 
natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Heabler died in 1871. leaving two sons and two 
daughters: William Oscar, a harness-maker; David Troxel. a miller: Maria: 
and Emma, now the wife ot A. L. Stokes, a blacksmith of Mount Vernon. Ohio. 
Our subject was married on the second occasion to Hannah, daughter of Joseph 
and Marv Hassler, natives of Germanv, and to this union were born two sons : 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 779 

Khermiin and Shwidan. Ml'. Heablei' is au active business man and a public- 
spirited citizen, and has been an efficient otKcial in the school liuard and in the 
councils of the citv and township. He is a member of the Methodist Protest- 
ant Church. He did honorable service dm'in<^ the late war of the Rebellion, 
serving as a member of Company C. One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio Na 
tional Guards. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. 

KEY. FATHER MICHAEL HEALY. pastor of St. Mary's Roman 
Catholics Church, TilHu, Ohio, was born in the parisli of Kilmoyly. County 
KeiT\'. Ireland. September 2(5. 1S'2;5, son of Francis and Elizabeth (Brie) Healy. 
The Healys and the Brics were of the Ijetter class of yeomanry of that locality, 
and reckoned among thoir number many clever professional peojile — clergymen, 
attorneys, jihysicians. etc. Father Healy obtained all the benefits the schools 
of his native place afforded, and in 1S41 he became a scholar at Tralee, in the 
classical school of John McCarty. and finished in the school of T. Horan. of 
Tralee. At the age of twenty-live years he went to All Hallows College, near 
Dublin, and in IS4U left college to come to America, where he comjileted his 
theological studies in St, Maiy"s Seminary, at Cleveland, Ohio, in which city 
he was ordained in 1851 by Bishoi) Rappe, and is now the oldest living priest 
ordain(>d by that bishop. Father Healy" s first services were at A\'ooster, Ohio, 
where he at first sei-^'ed as assistant priest, and latterly as pastor. He resigned 
this position to retiu'n to St. Mary' s Seminary, where he passed another year, 
and in the summer of 1858 he was sent to Elyria, Lorain Co, , Ohio, where 
he built St. Mary's Church the following summer: he also biiilt St. Patrick's 
Church, at Wellington, Lorain Co., Oliio, in 1S57. In lS5!)he came to Tiffin, 
where liesides liquidating a debt of .'^(■).UOII on St. Mary's Church, he has aided 
materially in improving, furnishing and beautifying the present handsome St. 
Mary's Cluu'ch edifice, schools, cemetery, etc. (see History of St. Clary's Church 
and congregation, page 495). 

J. ITHLRICK HECHERMAX. M. D. . Tiffin, was born in Chambcrsbiirg. 
Penn., November 22. 1825. His father. Jacob Heekerman. was a pioneer of 
Prussian ancestry in this country, dating back to 1780, The mother, Catharine 
(Stuplej Heckennan, was of jtioneer Swiss ancestry in Pennsylvania, Dr, 
Heekerman was one of five children, all of whom, except himself, reared fam- 
ilies in Pennsylvania. He was left an orphan in infancy and was reared by his 
guardian. Jacob Heck, a merchant of Chambersburg. where he studied and 
graduated from the then Columbian School of iledicine. of Washington. D.C. . 
in March. 1^4*). He entered upon the practice of his profession in Cashtown, 
Penn., where he continued till in June. 184'.*, when he was persuaded to come 
to Tiffin, this county (through the iuHuence of the late Rev. Hiram Shaull), 
and where he has since devoted himself closely to his professional work, his 
first recreation being in the centeimial year, when he .visited the East, and, 
secondly, in 1SS8 (after the loss of his esteemed son). He maiTied, in 
Mercersl)urg, Penn., in August. 184(), Jane Anderson Dick, and this union was 
blessed with two sons and three daughters. Mrs. Heekerman tl(>i)art(>d this 
life in 1801 in full communion with the Presl)yterian Cluu'ch. and is bmied in 
Ma])le Grovt' Cemetery with her two sons: Charles B. . who followed her in 
]8()2. and William H. in 1883. who, after receiving a careful literary and med- 
ical training in the schools of this country and Etu'ope, passed away in his 
twenty-seventh year. The daughters are MaryE. . wife of Dr. F. W. Swan; 
Anna Kate, wife of William S. Giesy. of Douglass, Kas., and Jane Anderson, 
at home. Dr. Heekerman was married, on second occasion, in INTO, to Amanda 
McBride. who died in 18'i'J without issue, and is also inteiTed in Maple Grove 
Cemeter}-. The Doctor is a close student of his i)rofession and a worthy citizen. 



780 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 

JOSIAH HEDGES, founder of Tiffin, was a lineal descendant of Sir 
Charles Hedges, one of the Secretaries of State under Queen Anne, of Eng- 
land, and a member of the British Parliament. Joseph Hedges, who was a 
son of Charles Hedges, gentleman, and grandson of Sir Charles, came to 
America at an early day and settled in Prince George County. Md. He had 
nine children, two of whom — Charles and Josej^h— moved to Frederick County. 
The former of these became the father of foiu'teen childi'en. one of whom was 
named Charles; the latter had only one child, a daughter, ReViecea. inter- 
marrying, left their Maryland home and settled in Virginia. They were 
the parents of eleven children, including the subject of this sketch, who was 
born in Brooke County, Va. , April 1), 1778. Reared amid the incidents of a 
long war, inspired by contact with heroes of the Revolution. Josiah grew up a 
sturdy, resolute and self-reliant youth. At the age of eighteen he was en- 
gaged on his own account in shipjiiug produce fi'om Wheeling to New Orleaus. 
the then seat of the French Government of Louisiana. About the same time 
he moved into the " "Northwestern Territory." He was permanently located 
there in 1801, and when a year afterward Ohio was admitted as a State into 
the Union, the peoi)le of Belmont County conferred the honor of making him 
their , first sheriff. Intelligent, energetic and upright, this executor of the 
law, young as he was, discharged the duties of the high trust with promptness 
and discretion, and secm-ed the good will of his fellow citizens, for. upon the 
expiiation of his term he was chosen clerk of the courts. He made a careful 
and efficient clerk and continued to hold that office until, tiu-ning his attention 
to mercantile pursuits, he devoted his time to the establishing of an extensive 
trade at St. Clairsville. There were no commercial agents on the road in those 
days, no facilities for exchange, and Philadelphia (300 miles away) was the 
nearest point at which to replenish a depleted stock. Thither on horseback, 
semiannually, the enterpiising merchant journeyed, with large sums of money 
on his person, to make selections and pay for the goods he might purchase. 
By prudent investment and judicious management Mr. Hedges made the St. 
Clairsville venture a success, and. in 18111. he started a new store in Manslield. 
Ohio, and associated with him as partners, his brothers. Elza Hedges, a man 
of mark in his day. and Gen. James Hedges, a distinguished soldier of the 
war of ISI'2. on Gen. Harrison's staff. The Hedges Brothers, of Manslield, 
were a prosperous lirm. and a sti'ong l)ond of fi-iendship existed between its 
members throughout their lives. In 1820 Josiah Hedges visited Fort Ball, 
bought a tract of land opposite it, on the Sandusky River, laid out a town, 
which in honor of his warm personal friend, the first governor of Ohio, he 
named Tiffin. In \S'2'Z he had put up« saw-mill, built a mill for making flour, 
erected a public hall, provided rooms for offices and shops and then by dispos- 
ing of building lots at moderate jiriees. and being lenient and magnanimous with 
purchasers the infant town of Tiffin grmv apace. In 1824. upon the organi- 
zation of Seneca County. Mr. Hedges aspired to make TifHn the county seat. 
It was centrally located and had many natiu'al advantages, and its founder jiro- 
posed donating ample and suitable grounds for county buildings. Across the 
river, however, was a troublesome rival. At Fort Ball a town called Oakley 
had been started, equally well situated, and which its projjrietor. Jesse Spencer, 
declared outranked Tifhn in seniority and in its reminiscences of history. 
While the respective fi'iends of these two places were studying how best to get 
ahead, INIi'. Hedges, with his usual quickness of decision and promptness of 
action, cut the gordian knot by buying out Spencer, and becoming the owner 
of both Oakley and Tifiin. The county seat secured, the town increased 
steadily, the land office was removed to it from Delaware, manufactories sprung 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 781 

up. commorcp floiu'ishcd. aiul Mj'. Hedges lived to see si wildi'incss tiansformed 
into a city of eheei-fiil homes and busy iiidiistiy. l^nterprisiiig and pnl>lie. 
spirited tliougli he was, ]Mr. Hedj^es did not seek ])ul)lie position, but intelli- 
gence, integrity and sound judgment were qualities wliich his fellow citizens 
recognized in him, and of which they availed themselv(>s. in 1^25. by electing 
liim to the Legislature. He representcnl in that body the counties of Sandusky, 
Crawford. Seneca and Marion, and discharg(>d the duties of legislator with 
marked ability. In the good old dajs of Jackson and Clay, Mr. Hedges was 
an ardent ^^ hig. He was frequently nominated by his party for political 
prefermeTit. But the Democrats having the ascendancy, he held no political 
ortice until 1830, when he was re-elected to the Legislatm-e by the district 
composed of Seneca. Hancock. Sandusky and Wood. His legislative career 
was characterized l)y industry and by an unswerving devotion to the yoiing 
counties of the Noi'thwest. Mr. Hedges jjossessed the attributes of a good 
citizen and ('hristian gentleman. Though a man of great lirmness and decis- 
ion of character, he was benevolent and just, and was the last man in the 
world to di'ive another to th(> wall. He ,lent a helping hand to the honest 
poor, and was ready, at all times, to assist with his funds any good work need- 
ing aid. He gave building sites, and subscribed liberally to the chiu'ches. 
Itin(>raut ministers and visiting statesmen made his home a resort., for the 
"latch-string was always hanging out." and the cordial and generous hos- 
pitality was provei'bial. lu the domestic circle he was kind and indulgent, 
and was, as he deserved to be, the idol of the household. He was one of the 
original stockholders and directors of the lirst railroad constructed in Ohio — 
the Mad River & Lake Erie, now the Indiana. Bloomington & Western and 
it was through his instnimentality that the benefits of that road were secured 
to the people of Til!iu. In religious faith the ancestors of !Mr. Hedges were 
Episco})alians. He was thrice wedded. His first wife, Rebecca Russell, was 
of Ohio parentage, and died at the early age of thirty, leaving six childi'en 
- three Ixns and three girls. Two of the boys. Thomas and Albert, die<l in 
early youth and Josiah at the age of thirty-six. Of the girls, Julia was mar- 
ried to Dr. Joseph Afason. and Rebecca to Joseph Walker, one of the earliest 
merchants of Tittin. Clarinda. the only survivor, was the wife of the late 
William Hunter. Mr. Hedges" second maixiage was with Eliza Hammerley, 
who came of a Virginia family: her father was Oarrett Hannnerley. Of the 
three sons and six daughters of this maiTiage. two of the sons died in infancy, 
the other, William C. Hedges, who died in ISTfi, was a gi-aduate of the Har 
vard Law School and a ripe scholar. He projected the first public library in 
Tiffin, and iuaugiu-ated a taste for literary and scientific lectures among its 
people by laboi'ing for and securing the most talented lecturers. Of the 
daughters. Eva died at the age of twenty-one: she was the wife of Dr. Hemy 
Russell, of Ci.lumlms. The five remaining daughters are Sarah, wif(> of W. 
C W. .\rmstrong. ex-Secretary of State and editor Plahulcaler at Cleveland, 
where he resides: Mmy Jane, wife of A. il. Baldwin, a prominent manu- 
facturer of Tiffin: Minerva, wife of H. Noble, ex-mayor of Tiffin and pres- 
ent probate judge: Elizabeth, relict of J. G. dross (deceased), a leading 
maiuifacturer of Tiffin, and Cynthia A., widow of Luther A. Hall, of the 
Tiffin l)ar. The mother of these chikken died in 1887. Seven years after 
Mr. Hedges man-ied again: but without issue, Miss Harriet Snook: she died 
Februai-y. 1885. Mr. Hedges was a fine looking man. he was well bnilt, 
erect, of robust physiipie and dignified mien. His forehead was high, eyes 
black, nose slightly of the Roman cast, and a motith that indicated firmness 
and decision. At the age of eighty years he continued to give daily attention 

43 



782 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

to his business interests, and nj) to the time of his last illness was in full pos- 
session of his mental powers. He died at Tiffin. July 15, 1858. When he 
departed there passed away a useful and honored life, a life full of activity 
consecrated by good deeds and enshrined in tht' affections of his children 
and friends. 

JOHN HEILjVIAN, proprietor of the extensive Brick and Tile Manufactur- 
ing Works, Tiffin, was born in Bermersheim, Hessen Darmstadt. Germany. 
September 11. 1821; son of Daniel (a farmer) and Barbara Heilman. In 1848 
he came to America and located in Tiffin. Ohio, and in 1850 he established a 
manufactory for making brick, to which in 181)8 he added tile making. The 
business proved successful, and is now one of the most important industries of 
Tiffin. After accumulating a handsome competency fi-om it, Mr. Heilman has 
turned it over to the care of his sons. William and Otto, who do a large busi- 
ness. The subject of our sketch was married, in Tiffin, to Mary Sehnecken- 
berger, who died without issue. He was afterward maiTied to Elizabeth Zeis, 
of Epingen, Baden, who bore him three sons and two daughters : Lizzie, wife 
of John La Bar, a hardware merchant: JohnG. . a tinsmith, of Santa Anna. 
Cal. ; Kate, wife of George Diemer, of Carey, Ohio; William, married to Elva 
M. , daughter of James M. Bore (have two daughters. Bertha and Edith), and 
Otto. Mr. Heilman buried his second wife in Tiffin, and subsequently married 
Fredericka Wetzel, of ^Vurtemlserg, Germany, and by her has a son and 
daughter: Albert and Anna. The family attend the German Lutheran Chui-ch. 
Mr. Heilman, a worthy citizen of Tiffin, has contributed in no small degi'ee to 
the growth of its interests and industries, Thoiigh he has ever been averse to 
holding public office he has served with credit as member of the council. 

JOHN D. HEILMAN, grocer and saloon keeper, Tiffin, born in Tiffin, 
Ohio, December 15, 1842, is a son of Jacob and Mary (Wick) Heilman, who 
came to this county from Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, in 1S8U, and whose 
children are Susan, John D. , Philip. Jacob, Elizabeth. Mary, Chi'istian and 
William. Oiu- subject was reared to brick-making. September 12, I8fi4. he 
enlisted in Company C, One Hunch-ed and Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 
and served till the close of the war; he was wounded in the left hand, and 
received an honorable discharge. Having contracted rheumatism he was com- 
pelled to give up brick-making, and then engaged in his present business. He 
married, in 1867. Margaret, daughter of Balthasar and Christina Rohe. of 
Landau, Rhine Bierue, Germany, and by her has two sons and two daughters: 
Jacob N., Mary, Libbie and John A. The family belong to the Gei-man Lu- 
theran Brethren Church. !Mr. Heilman is a member of Leander .Stem Post G. 
A. R. , and has been a member of the tire department for fourteen years. 

WILLIAM HEROLD. saloon keeper. Tiffin, was l)orn in Naumburg. Sax- 
ony, December 23. 1823. son of Carl Tielo and Mina (Poose) Herold. In 1847 
he came to America, and after following his trade, rope-making, in the East, 
principally in Sackett's Harbor. N. Y. , he came to Tiffin, Ohio, and canied on 
the same industry for several years, retiring fi-om it to enter his present busi- 
ness. He married in Tiffin, Elizabeth Mueller, of Harbisheim, Hessen Darm- 
stadt, Germany, who bore him two sons and two daughters: F. F. a harness- 
maker, who married Laura C. Hubert, and has one daughter — Gertie May; 
Marietta, wife of Frederick Eekhard, a barber, in Tiffin; Otto, a ba)'ber, in 
Cleveland; and Ida. Mi-. Herold' s first wife dying, he man'ied again. By 
his second wife he has no children. He is a member of the Reformed Church, 
and his wife of St. Joseph' s Roman Catholic Chvu'ch. ill', and ilrs. Herold 
are prominent among the many worthy German families of this city, and are 
respected by all. 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. (83 

HENRY KEGQ HERSHISER. JI. D.. TitKu. was born in BeJf.nd Coun- 
ty. PtMin.. July ~. is:}]; son of Ht'ni'v and Miiria Barbara (Kogg) Horsbiser, 
anil graiuison of Lewis and Polly (Smith) Hcrshiser Lewis Hersliiser. a dis 
tiller by occupation, was a native of Wuitemberg. Germany. Maria B. (Kegg) 
Hershiser was a Jlaughtor of Peter and Eva (Harchelroad) Kegg, of Bedford 
County. Penn. Tlie parents of our subject came to Tiffin in 1838. and here 
reared four sons and two daughters: William A., engaged in the ■wholesale 
and retail lumber business at Columbus, Ohio (no children); Peter M.. farm 
iug. in Huron County. Ohio (has one son); Ann ?]lizabetli. deceased wife of 
Edward Bradley, also deeeas(>d (left two sous); Henry K. ; Mary E... wife of J. 
\V. Bradley, a contractor and builder of Columbus (have a son and daughter): 
David P.. a machinist at Columbus. Ohio. Dr. Hershiser read medicine under 
Dr. J. P. Kiuuaman, and graduated from the Columbus Medical College at 
Columbus, Ohio. He spent considerable time in the late war, in a professional 
caj)acity, retiring at the close of the struggle as assistant sui'geon of the One 
Huntb-ed and Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After the war he was 
engaged in the di'ug business for nine years, retiring fi'om it to take up the 
practice of m(>dicini'. in which he has attained considerable reputatit>n. The 
Doctor m;i:Ti(Hl. in Tiffin, Susan D. Myers, of Clear Spring. Md. . who has 
blessed him with one daughter: Jessie Day. a lady of estimable literary and 
musical abilities. Dr. Hershiser has been a member of the Masonic i>rder for 
foiu'teeu }ears, and has attained to the degree of Knight T(>mi)lar in De Mo- 
lay Commaudery; has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for many years, and of 
the society of Chosen Friends; is also jiresident of the Soldiers Decorating and 
Benevolent Society. 

F. K. HEWITT, architect. Tiffin, was born in Owego. Tioga County. N. 
Y.. December 28, 1889. His father, Horace Wheeler Hewitt (a millwright), 
comes of jiioneer English stock in the State, cousin of the Hon. .Vbram S. 
Hewitt of New York; subject's mother. Huldah (Kingsbury) Hewitt, was of sim- 
ilar lineage. The subject of our sketch was reared in New York City, when' he 
completed his professional training. In March. 181)2. he enlisted his services in 
Company C, Fifth New Y'ork Artillery, and remained in service al)out three 
years when he received an honorable discharge atHarjier's Feny, February 18. 
\HC)7>, as veteran. ha\nng re-enlisted. After the war he betook himself to j)ro- 
fessional work and traveled over the greater part of the Northern and Western 
States and California, locating in Tiffin. Ohio, in 1882. He was maiTied at 
Elmira. N. Y.. to Sarah F., daughter of Zeru) Carpenter, and this union wsis 
blessed with two sons and foiu- daughters: John Dudley. Lulu. Daisy. Kate, 
Hattie and Fred. Mrs. Hewitt is a member of the Ejiiscopal Church. Mr. 
Hewitt is a F. it A. M., and a member of the A. O. I'. A\'. 

RE^■. H. H. W. HIBSmiAN, D. D., pastor of Orace Reformed Church. 
Tiffin, was born in Shaefferstown, Lebanon County. Penn.. November 25. 
1887, and is of Swiss lineage. His great-gi-eat-grandfather. Oerhard Hibsh- 
man. emigrated from Switzerland to America, in the year 1781 or 1782. and 
located aliout two miles north of Ephratah. Lancaster Co. Penn. His 
grejit-grandfather. Wend(>l Hibshman, was a major in the Revolutionar}' war, 
and a member of the State Legislature of Pennsylvania for four years. His 
grandfather. John Hibshman. a man of intelligence, possessed a knowledge of 
both the German and the English languages, as also did his wife, wlio was of 
English descent. Jolm held office in the Reformed Church, of whidi he was a 
devoted member for many years, and was elder and treasurer of his congrega- 
tion at the time of his death. He was of mild disposition, a lover of books.' 
fond of music, and wrote on a leaf of a music book, the artistic work of tlie 



784 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

pen of his mother; "'God give him grace ther<>iu to look and to understand, 
that learning is better than money and land. Decemlier \'2. ^ T'JiS. " " He was of 
temperate habits, and had a reputation for honesty, integrity of character, for 
generosity to the poor, and was esteemed by all who knew him. Our subject's 
father, Hon. A. V. Hibshman. was by profession a scrivener and surveyor, a 
lover of books and learning, and in early years taught the parochial school of 
the congregation of which he was a member. He spoke and -wTote both in 
English and German. He was a man of strictly temperate habits, untiring 
diligence, energy and perseverance. In civil and political life he wielded great 
intlueuce in the community in which he lived. He was a member of the 
Reformed Chnrch. He left some line di-awings of the counties of Lancaster, 
Lebanon, Dauphin, Chester and Berks, in Pennsylvania: also in manuscript 
foi'm, written in easy style, ' ' The History of the Hib.-;hman family down to the 
year 1 870. ' ' He was paralyzed at his desk in the first auditor' s office, treasiuy 
de])artment, Washington, D. C, after holding his position there for eighteen 
years, and died at the age of seventy-live years. His wife, a most amiable 
Woman, loved and esteemed by all who knew her, for he)' many excellencies, 
died at the age of seventy years. 

H. H. W. HiBSHM.\x. the only surviving sou, and ])ast()r of Grace Reformed 
Ghiu'ch, Tiffin, graduated with his younger brother, Henry (who was ])ro 
fessor of Latin and Greek at Andulisa College, and died at the age of twenty 
years), in the class of 1801 of Franklin and Mar.shall College. Lancaster, Penu. 
He studied theology at the theological seminary of the Reformed ChiU'ch of 
the Synod of the United States, and was licensed and ordained to discharge 
the functions of the office of the ministry Ijy the Synod of Ohio. He received 
the degree of master of arts from his aliiia )iiater in course: and, at the age of 
forty-two, Ursinns College honored liim with the degree of Din'tiitafis Doctor. 
As a minist(>r of his church, his record compares with many of his jjeers. He 
has been highly successful in every Held of labor to which he was called. He 
founded two congregations, built fom' houses of worship and two j)arsonages. 
He also WTote considerably for both secular and religious joiu'nals; has sevei'al 
lectures on the (juestion of temperance in print, and many of his sermons hav(> 
l)een given to the public in published form. Rev. H. H. ^\'. Hibshman mar- 
ried Miss Alice J. Clark, a gi-aduate of the high schools of Lancaster City, 
Penn. , and daughter of Edwin C. Clark, a man of great inventive genius. They 
have six sons and one daughter, all jiartaking of the energy and spirit of their 
parents. The work in which he is engaged in Tiffin, has jn'ogressed under his 
pastorate beyond the antici])ations oi the most sanguine members. He was 
forty-seven years old his last natal day (18S4) and will remain permanently in 
Seneca County, Ohio, unless oveiTuled l)y Providence. Of his childi-en Edwin 
Clark has chosen medicine for his profession and is student in a classical, lit- 
erary course of Ursinus College at Freeland, Penn. : Allen Porter is engaged 
in merchandising in Tiffin: Albert Helfenstine has chosen the profession of 
law, is student at Heidellierg College: Henry Eberly and A^'altei- Strickland 
are students at the high school of Tiffin, and have chosen the ministry. Roy 
Super and JIaigaret MuiTay are too young to attend school. Rev. Hibshman 
has been a worthy Mason since 1S()4. and was knighted in Crusade Command- 
ery. No. 1 1 . Bloomsburg. Penn. . in 1 8()(). and is at present a worthy knight of 
De Molay Commaudery, No. U, of Tiffin. He is also a member of the Phi Kappa 
Psi. The original of the Hibshman name was spelled Hueljschman, and is so 
recorded by Gerhard Huel>schman. one of th(^ first settlers of the family in 
Pennsylvania. 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 785 

FREDERICK K. HOLDERMAX. .liy goods m.nohaiit. Tiffin, was Iwiu 
iicai- Fremont. Ohio. Au>rust I. 1S4;{. His parents. Michael ami Mai y (Siuitji) 
Holtlerman. natives of Freilnu'i^. Duchy of Baden, came to this country on the 
same steamer, in icSH'i. and settletl near Fremont, where they were married in 
the followintj y(>ar, the union being blessed with three sons and three daugh- 
ters, of whom only the sons survive. Frederick K. , the youngest son, com- 
l)leted a liberal common school training, and at fourteen entered the store of 
D. Betts (i: Co.. of Fremont, in dry goods merchandising, where he remained iu 
creditable connection till the l)reaking out of the war. He then enlisted in 
defense of the Union and was detailed to service in the Mississippi Squatb'on. 
under command of Com. Porter, where he remained in active duty dnr 
ing the term of his enlistment (one year). Upon receiving his discharge he 
returned to his home. and. after recuperating his health, went to ISauduskj- 
City in the fall of lS(i'2, where he was connected with merchandising as clerk 
and. later, as principal : retiring in ltS7(X he came here and has been successfidly 
idiMititied with the diy goods indiistry of Tiffin since. He was maiTied in 
Sandusky City. Ohio, in ISfUi, to Miss Susan Kogg, daughter of the Rov. 
(}eorg(( Kogg, a pioneer minister of the Evangelical Church, liy which happy 
union lie has two little daughters: Alice and Nina. Mr. Holderman is a clear- 
headed and far-sighted business man. and while endeavoring to arrang(> his 
very numerous classes of goods to the public taste, he in no small degree edu 
cates his customers to his own choice by a very ingenious introduction of his 
goods by advertisements, etc., etc. Socially he is an excellent gentl(>man and 
an honored citizen. He is a Knight Templar and a member of De Molay Com- 
mandery No. 'J. In politics he is a stanch Republican, voting last election for 
James G. Blaine, ili-. and Mrs. Holderman attend the Presbyterian Church 
service and are active supporters of that denomination. 

FRANK H. HOLMES, of the firm of Holmes & Romig. manufacturers 
and dealers in boots and shoes, NO ^Vashington Street, Tiffin, was born in 
Huntington. Mass.. January 7, \H7^C). son of Loren Smith and Letitia C. 
(Knox) Holmes. The former was a sou of Josejjh Holmes. Jr.. whose father. 
Joseph Holmes, settled in that State (from northern England) at a very early 
])eriod in its history. The latter. Letitia C. (Knos) Holmes, was a daughter of 
Alanson Knox, who descends from Scotch pioneers in Massachusetts. • Frank 
H. -vvas one of a family of three sons and a daughter - Eugene L.. who died in 
Chester. Mass., in October, 1874; Joseph A., a resident of Defiance. Ohio, 
and Katie L. . a resident of Deshler, Ohio, all of whom settled in Jackson 
Township, AVood Co,, Ohio, with their i)arents, in ISCifi. The subject of our 
sketch, at seventeen, left the farm, and took a position as salesman in a general 
merchandise store at Deshler, Ohio, and in lS7r), at the age of nineteen, a i)art- 
nership was formed, consisting of his father, brother and self, for the j)urix)s«> 
of conducting a general merchandise business under the firm name of L. S. 
Holmes & Sons. August '20. 1877. his father died, but the business continued 
until the spring of ]S8L In 188'2 he and his brother came to Tiffin, and 
bought out the present business, which was can-ied on nnder the name of 
Holmes Brothers for one year, Joseph A. then withdiawing and disjiosing of 
his interest to J(mas Romig. ilr. Holmes was married, in Deshler, Ohio, 
May ('), ISSO. to Elizalit^th Williams, who was born in Hancock County. Ohio, 
Ai)ril 22. IS.")."). Jti's. Holmes is a lady of estimable attainments, and a highly 
respected member of society. Since coming here Mr. Holmes has tak(Mi an 
active pait in the development of all enterjjrises tending to the social and in- 
dustrial life of Tiffin. He is a member of the city council, an officer of Tiffin 
Lixlge No. 77, F. ct A. M. . and member of the Roval .Ircanum. He is also 



T86" BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

one of tlie trvisteos of the First Presbyterian Cliiircb, of which he and his wife 
are regular attendants. 

GEORGE HOLTZ, farmer. P. O. Tiffin.' was born in Frederick County. 
Md. , Februaiy 21). IS 19. son of Jacob and Susannah M. Holtz. natives of ilary- 
land, and who came to Seneca County. Ohio. April 28, 1834. settling in Clin- 
ton Township, and there remaining until their death : Jacob Holtz died 
December 28, ISoil. and his widow May 28. 187II. Our subject was united in 
maiTiage. October U. 1870. with Phcebe Moore, who.se maiden name was Wise. 
She was born in Washington County, Penn. . January 25. 1841. Her parents. 
David and Charlotta Wise, now reside in Pleasant Township, this county. 
Mrs. Holtz is the mother of one son. John W. , by her lii'st husband. Our sul)- 
jeet has always been engaged in farming, and now owns 134 acres of good 
land, where he and his family reside. He is a F. & A. M. and a member of 
the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Holtz is a member of the German Baptist Church. 

DENNIS HOLTZ. farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born March 21. 1827. in 
Frederick County. Md. His parents, Jacob and Susannah M. Holtz. na- 
tives of Maryland, where they were married, remained in Maryland until 
April 28. 1834, and then moved to Seneca County. Ohio, where they remained 
until the death of the former, which oceiuTed December 28, 1850. on the farm 
where our subject now resides. After the death of Jacob Holtz his widow 
resided with her son George until her death, which occiu'red May 2N. 187n. 
Our subject was united in marriage. November lb. 1851. with Mary J. Schroyer. 
born in Frederick County. Md., November 8. 1827, a daughter of George and 
Meribah Schroyer (both deceased). To this vmion were born two children. 
Marcus and Meribah R. Mrs. Holtz departed this life September lb. 1870. 
She was a memlier of the First Reformed Church of Tiffin. After the death 
of his first wife Mr. Holtz was united in marriage. May 20. 1873. with Anna 
il. Good, who was born near Reading. Penn.. September 10. 1820. daughter 
of Philip A. and Elizabeth Good, who remained in Pennsylvania until their 
death. Our subject has resided on his present farm since seven years of age. 
He owns IfSO acres of land. He and his wife are members of Grace RefoiTued 
Church of Tiffin. 

BENJAMIN H. HORNE. farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born March 24. 1850. 
in Lehigh County. Penn.. where his parents and their parents were also boru. 
raised and educated. In 18bO Samuel Home, father of oiu- subject, together 
with his family, came to Ohio and settled at Fort Seneca, in Seneca County, 
where they still reside. Samuel Horno has a family of six chikh'en: Benja- 
min H. . Samuel. John. Aquilla. Elmina and Rosa. Our subject was engaged 
in farming with his father until 1882. when he took the large farm of Noble 
ifc Shawhan. near Tiffin, which he has well stocked. He is a stiiTing business 
man; has 327 acres of land, and is engaged in stock-raising in connection 
with his father. 

PHIL. A. HOXJCK, dealer in boots and shoes. Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, 
this county. September 12. 1853. His parents. John and Ottilia (Fisher) 
Houck. natives of Baden, came to this country with their respective families, 
who settled in this county. His mother died in December, 1858. his present 
mother being his step-mother. Phil. A. is a full brother of the Rev. G. F. 
Houck, secretary to Bishop Gilmoure, of Cleveland, Ohio. Our subject's pa- 
ternal grandfather and father were shoe-makers and dealers in boots and shoes, 
and it well became him (Phil. A.), when arriving at manhood, to follow their 
example. He emViarked in the boot and shoe trade, and when twenty-eight 
years old took entire possession of the business of his father, which he ably 
represents. He is the fifth child and fourth son of a family of nine sons and 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 787 

six diinghtors living (two sons aro tleceased). He married, in Sanduskj' 
City. Ohio, in ISTfi, Lonisa Buyer, and to this union were born two sons: 
William and Eugene. Mrs. Houck is the second (laught(>r and fourth child 
in the family of four sons and five daughters of Nicholas and Barbara (Schei- 
del) Buyer, natives of Bavaria and Baden, respectively. oMi-. Houck is an 
enterprising business man and citizen. Although averse to holding political 
office himself, he is. nevertheless, a pronounced partisan of the Democratic 
party, and has contributed in no small degree to its maintenance and support. 
He and his worthy wife are members of the R. C. Chiu'ch and regular com- 
municants of St. Joseph's congregation, of which church ho is trastee. He 
is an active member of St. John's Benevolent Association, and has served as 
its financial secretary for eight years. 

HENRY HUBACH, brewer, TiiMn, was born in Dlir Kheim. province of 
Rheinpfalz, kingdom of Bavaria, January '11. 1S48, and comes of a line of 
people prominently connected with the brewery business. His parents were 
Heniy and Catharine (Engel) Hubach. The subject of this sketch came to 
this country in 186"). and worked at tlio brewing business in Philadelphia for 
a time, afterward spending some considerable time in the same occupation in 
the West and South, principally in Milwaukee, Wis., and Cincinnati, Ohio. 
He eventually embarked in the business at Fort Wayne, Ind., which he con- 
ducted there for foiu* years. Coming here in 1S77 he j)urchased the business 
of F. J. ^Vaguer, and has brought it up to an excellent condition, doing the 
leading business in his line in this locality. He is thoroughly awake to the 
progressive interests of his trade, and is an excellent business man and citizen. 
He was married at Cincinnati, in 1871, to Miss Emma Refus, who was born in 
the Duchy of Baden, Germany, and by her he has two sons and four daughters : 
Emma, Willie, Alma, Charlie, Selma and Alice. Mrs. Hubach is a member 
of the Reformed Church. Mr. Hubach is a member of the Bruderliund and 
Turnverein. 

HON. ELISHA BLAIR HUBBARD, M. D., chuggist. Tilfin, was born 
in Chester, Hampden Co.. Mass.. December 2S. 1840. and comes of verj' 
worthy pioneer people of English ancestiy in that State. His father, Ed- 
mund Hubbard, formerly of Chester (now of Pittsfield) Mass., is a son of Ed- 
mund Huljbard, of Chester (whom he succeeded in the leather manuf actui ing 
business there), whose father was also named Edmund, and who in turn was a 
son of Daniel Hubbard, who located in Hadley, Mass., in 1700, being one of 
three brothers who came over fi-om England to Massachusetts between 1 00") 
and It'iS."). one brother returning to England, and the others settling in Con- 
necticut. Dr. Hubliard's mother, Caroline (Blair) Huhbard. was the eldest 
daughter of Luther Blair, of Beckett. Mass., a prominent merchant of that 
place, and also widely known in Congregational C'hurch work. The subject 
of this sketch completed a good academical training at Hinsdale, Mass. , pre- 
paratory to entering AVilliams College, but, in consequence of the financial 
embarrassments of his father through heavy western land investments, he 
joined his brother. Dwight. in coming West, and located at Bollevue, Ohio, 
and for three years was favorably known in connection with the teaching pro- 
fession in Huron and Erie Counties. In IS'iO he returned to Massachusetts to 
accept the supervision of the State primaiT schools at ilonson, where he re- 
mained about three years, meanwhile embracing the opportunities offered thero 
in the hospital and dispensary of that institution for the study of medicine 
and pharmacy. Upon retiring from that incumbency he went to Springfield. 
Mass.. where he remained in pharmaceutical study in the office of Dr. Hutch- 
ins for about a year, and soon after embarked in the ilrug business in Amherst. 



788 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Mass. Ill ]871 he retired from Ijusiness there and came "West with the view 
of locating at Chicago, 111., but invested in a drug business in Bellevu(>. Ohio, 
where he remained till 1S7>?. when he came to Tiffin, and in January. 1S74, 
embarked in the drug business, and here has been well and favorable known, 
not only professionally but as a business man and a public spirited citizen. 
He is an active member of the Ohio Pharmaceutical Association. He has 
been an efficient city official, serving upon the school l)oard for several years 
and as president of that body for six years. He was one of the prime movers 
in the establishment of the Tiffin Edison Electric Illuminating Comjiany, of 
Tiffin, and served as its secretary. He is manager of the National Hall (opera 
house) and owner and proprietor of the Daily Herald, and has been ever ready 
in his support of all measures tending to the development of the social and 
industrial interests of his adoj^ted city and county. Hon. Dr. Hubbard has 
been prominently recognized as a master spirit in his pai-ty, who, foreseeing in 
his ability excellent substance for a worthy representation of their interests 
in the councils of tlie State or nation, have (1885) chosen him by a handsome 
majority as their representative in the State Legislature. He maiTied, August 
27. ]87'3. in Nashua, N. H., Helen M. Sawyer, a graduate of Clinton College, 
N. Y. , and eldest daughter of the Hon. George Yeaton Sawjer, attorney of 
Nashua, and judge of the supreme coiut of the State, and of worthy pioneer 
ancestry of that State. By this union were born two childi-en. of whom the 
eldest, Clara Sawyer Hubbard, siu-vives. Their son, Sheldon B., is bm-ied in 
Greenwood Cemetery. Dr. and Mrs. Hubbard are members of the Episcopal 
Church, in which he has been a vestryman for several years. He has been a 
member of the Masonic order since attaining his majority, and is now a Knight 
Templar in Connecticut Valley Commandery, of Greenfield, Mass. 

JOHN HUABIER, city marshal of Tiffin, was born in Dieferdinger, 
Luxembiug, Germany, Februaiy 27, 1840; son of Peter and Margaret (Kolb) 
Hummer (the former a native of Tyrol), who came to America in 184(3, settling 
in Seneca Township, where they reared three sons and one daughter: John, An- 
thony, Margaret and John B. The subject of oui- sketch, the eldest, began 
life "for himself, when but a boy, at saw-milling and lumber dealing, and 
worked at stave making, etc., in this and siuTounding coimties for many years. 
November 1, 1877, he came to Tiffin and worked at stave-making and in the 
himber business till 1 88;], when he was appointed to the city police, and April 
<■), 1885, was houoraWy elected to his present incumbency, which he ably fills. 
He had, while residing in Ansonia, Darke Co. . Ohio, sei-s'ed as its marshal and 
commissioner of streets, so that we find the Marshal with a creditalile pro- 
fessional record before him. He married, in New Riegel in 1804. Elizabeth, 
daughter of John and ]Mary Wile. This union was blessed with nine childi-en: 
Mary. John B. , Katrina, Elizabeth, Margaret, Hattie, Clara. Annie and Willie. 
JIi-. Hummer and his family are of the Roman Catholic faith, and meml)ers of 
St. Joseph's congregation. He is a worthy member of St. John's Benevolent 
Society, Catholic Knights of America. Catholic Benevolent Legion and the 
Bruderbund. 

S. S. HUNTER, farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born in Clinton Township, 
Seneca Co., Ohio, December 2(1, 1832. His parents, William and Clorinda 
Hunter, natives of Virginia, were married in Tiffin. Ohio, and settled in Clin- 
ton Township, where they remained until the death of the former, which oc- 
curred December 23. 18()y. His widow resides in Tiffin. Oiu- subject was 
imited in marriage, October 81. 1800, with Emma Tunison. She was born in 
Rahway, N. J., June 15, 1839. Her parents, David C. and Abigail Tunison. 
natives of New Jersey, where they were married, in September, 1^38, moved 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 789 

to New York City in lSr)(); thoiico to TifMn, Ohio, iu 1854, whoiv they have 
since residod. Our sul)j('ct ami wife have been blessed with three children: 
Harvey B.. Alice M. and Willie D. Mr. Hunter is a F. & A. M. Mrs. Hunter 
has been a mi'mber of the Episcopal Chiu'ch for nearly thirty years. 

OEOIKjIE llOBINSON HUSS, dealer in books and stationery, Tiflm, was 
born in Titlin, this county, January 22, 1S2S, and conies of pioneer stock of 
Seneca County. His father, Jacob Huss, saddler and harness-maker, settled 
here fi'om Maryland iu 1821, and carried on the lii-st industry in his line in 
Tiffin; he died in 1849. Sarah (Robinson) Huss, subject's mothei-, -was a na- 
tive of Berkeley County, Va. . and was descended from j)rominent pioneer an- 
cestry in that State. She passed away from this life in 187f5, and is buried 
(beside her husliand, one sou and two <lanij;hters) in Maple Grove Cemetery 
(the family burial place); she left one son and two daughters: George R., Han- 
nah R., wife of George Adams, and Sarah, wife of Judge S. T. Satj)hen, of 
Defiance, Ohio. The subject of our sketch was reared to his father's business 
and conducted it for several years after hitter's demise. He was subsequently 
prominently identified with the early banking interests of Tiffin, forming one 
of the firm of Tomb. Hess & Co. , and was afterward a director of the First 
Xiitional Bank, in which he held important stock interests till its dissolution. 
In ISC) I he embarked in his present business. He was maiTied. in bS-jl, to 
Mary Ann Tomb, of Lycoming County, Penu., daughter of Benjamin Tomb, 
of Tiffin, and by her he has four sous and two daughters: Benjamin J., en- 
gaged in the oil business in Pennsylvania; John R., physician at Peabody, 
Kas. : Harry H. G. , merchant in Kaunas City; Frank C, in cattle business in 
Nebraska; Emma and Nellie. Mrs. Huss is a worthy member of the Baptist 
Church, and Mr. Huss of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has 
been an official for many years. He is a member of Do Molay Commandery 
No. y. Mr. Huss has contributed an important share towai'd the development 
of the social and industrial life of his city, and has aided very materially in 
railwaj' luiilding and other important outside interests. 

AVILLIAM HYTER, farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born in Carroll County, 
Md. , August 20, 1831, son of Jacob and Margaret Hyter, natives of Maryland, 
where they were man'ied and remaineil until IN:j9. at which time they came to 
Ohio, remaining in this cjunty imtil their death; he died in 1800, and his 
widow siu'vived him but a few years. Om- subject was united iu marriage, 
February 18, 1855, with Margaret A. Gittinger, born in Frederick County, 
Md., August 28, 1834, daughter of Daniel and JaneE. Gittiugei-. natives of 
Maiylaud, and who remained in that State until 1845, when they moved to Ohio 
and settled in this coimty until their death. To our subject and his wife have 
been born five childi'en, only two now living: Charles W. and Frank K. 
(twins), born January 7. ISOf). The deceased are Alice, Emma B. and Will- 
iam C. Mr. Hyter owns IS I acres of improved land, situate iu Ohio and 
Indiana. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Chiu'ch. 

HENRY JACOBS, ])roi)rietor of the "Jacobs Neck-yoke Maimfactory," 
was born in Karlski'ohna, Sweden, March 28, 1838, son of Hokenson and 
Maiy Jacobson (the name "Jacobs'" being the English abbreviation). In 1854 
the parents came to this countiy and located at Rock Island, 111. . where they 
were carried off by the cholera ; they left three sons and two daughters : John, a 
mechanic, with the firm; Henry, the subject of this sketch: Mary, now Mrs. 
Nelson, of Waco, Tex. ; Anna, wife of C)wen Jones, of Marshall. Kas. ; and 
Oliver, whose whereabouts is unknown. Henry Jacobs w;is rem-ed in Knox 
County, 111. Being dependent, he set about obtaining a good education, and 
after a while taught school. He attended two years at Knox College in Gales- 



790 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Inir^, and afterward entered Union Park Theological Seminary in Chicago 
in 1808. He was then for five years actively identified with mission work in con- 
nection with the Congregational Church; meanwhile he had given considerable 
attention to mechanical work, and in 1871 he engaged in manufacturing near 
Elgin. 111. In 1877 he moved to Sanduskj% Ohio, and in 1883 came to Tiffin, 
Ohio, where he built his present factory. Mr. Jacobs mamed. in 1870, in 
Oneida, Knox County. 111., Cordelia, daughter of Michael Metcalf. Esq., 
of English descent, who came from New York State to Illinois. 51i\ and Mr.s. 
Jacobs have two sons and two daughters: Alva. Hemy, Mary and Helen. 
There being no congregation of their faith in Tiffin, our subject and wife 
attend St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church. 

PORTEK HAiVnLTOX JAYNE. attorney at law. Tiffin, was born near 
Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co. , Penn. , March 7, 18")8, and comes of pioneer 
ancestry of that State. His parents were William and Nancy fSumner) Jayne. 
The father of all the Jaynes in this country was a Puritan preacher, who was 
Ijuried on Long Island, and the inscription on his tombstone was as follows: 

Here Jiea r/e bodij : 

■ of : 
■■ WILLIAM JAYJ^E, \ 

■ Born in Bristol, England, Jan. ye 2o. 161H. Deceased \ 
'■ Mar. ye 24. 1714. Aged 00 years. 

The subject of oui- sketch was the seventh child and fifth son in a family 
of six sons and four daughters. He received a good schooling in his native 
place, and at nineteen years of age entered Wyoming Seminary and Commer- 
cial College at Kingston Penn., fi-om which he graduated at twenty -three. 
He engaged in teaching at that institution, Init soon came West and located 
in Tiffin, this county, in 187t). and here read law in the office of Noble & 
Lutes and was honorably admitted to the practice of that profession in 1878. 
He then entered practice, and in the following year was elected justice of the 
peace. He was maiTied, in 1877, to Lefee Foidje, of Tiffin, a lady of estima- 
ble attainments, and by her he has one son and two daughters: Porter H.. 
Jr. , Mary L. and Helen. Mr. Jayne is a member of the P. O. of A. society 
and of the Chosen Friends, He has shown himself well fitted for his official 
incumbency, and has been honorably continued in it since his induction. He 
has applied himself to the jiractice of law, and. sitting as justice of the peaces 
having heard and decided over 1,000 cases since his election. Although not 
giving his whole time to his law practice, he has some bright talent employed 
in his office in the .study of the profession. 

ABRAHAM KAGA, born in Seneca County, in November, 1839, entered 
the Advertiser office at Tiffin, in 1850, to learn the printers trade; became 
editor and publisher of the Slwiby Coinifij Democrat, in 1800; enlisted in 
April. 1801. and was commissioned captain of Company F. Fifteenth Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry; transfen-ed to Company E. Benton Cadets, and i\\n\ to 
Company K, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as captain, in Januaiy. 1802. 
He was wounded at Raymond, iliss. ; was discharged in January, 1 804. He was 
chief clerk of the House of Representatives in 1804-05; edited and piiblished 
the Tiffin Tribune from April, 1804, to June, 1805, and the same fall was 
local for the Daily Advertiser, of Kansas City. From February, 1800. to 
September, 1808, he held a position in the Treasui-y Department, at Washing 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 791 

ton. D. C. ; was a sforokoopcr for tli(> Nortlicrn Ohio District up to M.iy, 
ISCiSt, then engaged in cotton and l)room-eorn growing in Alabama, in ISTtl. 
moved to Missouri as a journalist, served as clerk in the Missouri Legislature 
in lM7r>. and has since been editorial writer and correspondent. 

SOLOMON KAl'P. manufacturer of sash, doors, blinds, etc.. Tiffin, was 
born in Schuylkill County, Peun., in 1S18. His father, John Kaup, was a 
native of that county, descended of [lioneers in that State fi-om Amsterdam, 
Holliind. His mother, Hannah (Bensinger) Kaup, was of German ances- 
try. John and Hannah Kaup reared a family of six sons and four daughters. 
The subject of our sketch in early life embarked in manufacturing, and was 
prominently identified in that connection iu the East for many years, princi- 
pally at Newark. N. J. . where he inigaged for <i considerable time in lumber 
and afterward in tlonr-milling. Mr. Kaup married in Newark. N. J., in 1881), 
Hannah H. Osborn. a lady of estimable attainments, daughter of Thomas H. 
Osborn, a boot and shoe merchant of that (lity. and by her had the following 
children: John T., mail agent of the Lake Shore Railway; A. L (carpenter by 
trade), manufacturer: Maiy Jane, wife of George W. Eugg, of Cleveland; 
Sarah Elizabeth, wife of William B. Stanley, of Tiffin, and Benjamin S.. a 
builder: their youngest daughter, Hauna H. . is buried in Green Lawn Cemeteiy 
here. Our subject and his family came to Tiffin, this county, in 18r)(). Mr. 
and Mi-s. Kaup are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

LE\\IS HAMILTON KEF AI'A'ER. pastor of the First Reformed Church. 
Tiffin, was born in Frederick County, Md. , January '25, 1827: son of John and 
Rebecca (Clum) Kefauver. natives of that county, and grandson of Nicholas 
Kefauver, of direct Alsatian pioneer stock in Maryland, and of presumjitive 
Huguenot stock in Alsace. John and Rebecca Kefauver had a family of two 
sous and two daughters, all of whom live in Ohio: "William, a builder in 
Daji-ou: Lewis H. : Anna, wife of William Zittle, a merchant of Springfield, 
Ohio; and Elizabeth. In early life the subject of this sketch learned caliinet- 
making. but upon attaining to manhood he felt a clo.ser tie to the church of his 
people and decided to work in its \-ineyard in the ministerial office. January 
81. 1S47, he made a public profession of faith in Middletowii. Md. , and 
completed a preparatory training in the parochial school of the Reformed 
Church of that village. He afterward attended Marshall College, at Mercers- 
burg, Penn. , in a literary and theological course of study, taking his college 
degree in 1852, and he had in his senior year at college taken the first year's 
course of studies in the seminaiy, so that in the year following his collegiate 
graduation he graduated fi-om the seminary. He then took a charge of the 
Reformed Church, in Fairfield. Penn., where he received his ordination and re- 
mained three years and a half. He next went to Greensbiirg, Penn.. and spent 
nearly four years in church work there, which ]w still remembers with a jiro- 
fcssional fondness: the results were flattering, but his youthful ambition en- 
couraged him to seek Western work, and accordingly February 8, 1861. he 
took charge of the Reformed Church at Dayton, Ohio, whence (after two and 
a half years of successful labor) he came to Tiffin, July 1, 1863, where he has 
remained since, and is the oldest resident minister of the city. Mr. Kefauver 
was united in marriage in Middletown. Md. , in 1S55. with Amanda E., youngest 
daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Floyd) Routzahu. natives of Maiwland; the 
ancestry of her father is similar to tluit of our subject, and the ancestry of her 
mother is of English stock. This union has been blessed with three sons and 
one daughter: Charles Addison, a student of medicine in th(> medical depart- 
ment of the Western Reserve Fniversity, of Cleveland; Elmer Routzahn. with 
the American Express Company, at Dunkirk. N. Y. ; and William Franklin. 



792 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

at home, a student in Heidelberg College, and they have laid to her rest in 
Maple Grove Cemetery, their only daughter. Elizabeth R.. a young lady of 
nineteen vears, full of future promise. 

LE^^ is KELLER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Fairtield County, 
Ohio, October 21), 1808, son of John and Elizabeth Keller, natives of York 
County, Penn. , where they were married. From there they moved to Fairtield 
County, Ohio, in 1S05, where they remained until 1828, then moved to Clinton 
Township, this county, and here spent the remainder of their days, Mi's. Kel- 
ler dying in 1857 and Mr. Keller in 1859. Our .subject was united in mar- 
riage March 25. 1845, with Mary A. Shi'iver, who was born in Adams County. 
Penn., March 14, 1814. Her parents were Frederick W. and Catharine Shrivi^r, 
natives of Adams County, Ponn.. and who in 1824 moved to Columliiana 
County, Ohio, remaining until 188:^. in which year they settled in this county, 
where they died. Mr. Shriver in 184() and his widow in 1884. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Keller have been born seven childi'en. three now living: Catharine E. (wife of 
AY. H. Baker), John W. and Sarah J. Oiu- subject is a blacksmith, a trade he 
followed for years. He owns a nice farm where he and family reside. They 
are members of Grace Reformed Church. 

JOEL KELLER (deceased) was born in Fairfield County, Ohio. February 
28, 1821; son of John and Elizabeth Keller, natives of York County, Penn., 
and who moved to Fairfield County. Ohio, in 1805. there remaining until 1828 
when they came to Clinton Township, this county, where they remained until 
their death, Mi's. Keller dying in 1S57 and Mr. Keller in 185'.t. (hu' subject 
was united in marriage January 1. 18r)(). with Mary A. Cupj), l)orn in Fair- 
field County, Ohio. February 5, 1884, daughter of AMlliam and Catharine 
Cupp, natives of Virginia, who were married in Fairtield County, Ohio, anil 
in 1865 nioved to Tiffin, this county, where they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Kel- 
ler were the parents of two childi-en: George W. and Can'ie E. Jlr. Keller 
was reared on a farm, and was engaged in farming and milling most of his 
life. At the time of his death he owned two mills and over 40(1 acres of tine 
land. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Protestant Church. He de- 
parted this life September 15, 1881, leaving a widow and two childien, be.sides 
a host of fi-iends. to moiun his loss. ilrs. Mary A. C. Keller is a devoted ad- 
herent of the Methodist Protestant Church. 

JOHN E. KING, contractor and builder in stone and Ijrick. Tiffin, was 
born in Tiffin, this county, December (5, 1841). His parents. Lawrence and 
Bridget (Conners) King, were natives of County KeriT, Ireland, the former of 
the parish of Duagh. In 1841 Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence King came tothiscoun 
try with their infant son. Timothy, now in the express business at San Francisco. 
Cal., and settled here, where six sons and tive daughters were liorn (two sons 
and two daughters of whom tli<\v have buried): Mary (wife of Lewis Stone, of 
Fostoria): William (died in lu)spital, Georgia, fi'om Company C, Forty-ninth 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry); Jeremiah, in quarry business in Tiffin; Bridgi^t, 
(wife of Heniy C. Cook, of Omaha): John E. ; Margaret (unmarried); Eliz- 
abeth, Philip and Ellen all died fi'om diphtheria; and Lawrence and David, in 
general merchandise business in Republic, Mo. Oiu' subject learned the trade 
of mason, and at the age of twenty-five emljarked in contracting anil l)nilding in 
that connection, with which he has been successfully identified since. He em- 
ploys from thirty to sixty men and has already left records of his workmanship 
in many of the fine residences, manufactories, chiu'ches, business blocks, etc. . 
etc., in Tiffin and siurounding cities. He has also done considerable bridge 
building in railway work, and in county buildings. He is at present on the con- 
tract for buildine the HeidelberijColle<re here: he built the Olirii'ii ^lanufactur 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 793 

iiij; (.'(imi>iuiy's Works, the Tiffin Nut aud Bolt Works, (4race Keformeil Cbxircli, 
etc. yir. Kiiif^ was miUTiinl in Fremont, Ohio, in 187<), to Marv, daughter of 
Thomas aud Marv (C'otU'r) Keefe, of Duagh, County Keixy, Ireland. This 
union was blessed with two sous and two daughters; William Cornelius. Lulu 
May, David Erwiu aud Euna M. Our subject and his family are regular oom- 
inunicants of St. Mary's Koman Catholic Church. He is a member of St. 
Patrick's T. A. Society, t^atholic Knights of America and the Catholic Benev- 
olent Legion. Mr. King is a clever and successful business man. 

LE\\"IS KINTZ. retired farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born in Adams C.)unty, 
Peuu.. Novemlier '-iO. ISIS, son of Joseph and Margaret Kintz. natives of Penn- 
sylvania, where they wen? maiTi(>d. They moved to Stark County, Ohio, and 
from ther(> to this county, and here dieil. Lewis Kintz, the sul>ject of this 
nu>moir, was married iu Pennsylvania June '22. 18-tO, to Elizabeth Kuhn, bom 
in Pennsylvania iu 1817, a daughter of George and Jlary Kuhn, who remained 
in Pennsylvania until their deaths. Mr. and Mrs. Kintz came to Ohio in 18r)4, 
and have resided in this county ever since. They are the parents of ten chil- 
dren, eight now living: Sylvester J.. Louisa M. . wife of Simon Hains: Anna 
M. . wife of Paul Gase: Henry: .Vgnes. wife of George Gase: Edward, George 
and Johaiuia. The deceased are Auili'ew and Lewis. Mr. Kintz owns fifty 
acres of tine land where he resides. He and his family are members of the 
(.'atholic Church. 

M. L. KINTZ. P. O. Tiffin, was born iu Adams County. Penn.. in Octo- 
ber. IS'22, son of Jos(>ph and Margiiret Kintz, who were maiTied in Pennsyl- 
vania and moved to Stark County, Ohio, where they remained for some 
years, then moved to this county where they remained until their death. 
The subject of this sketch was united in marriage October 10, 1848, 
with Margaret Harkins. liorn in New Jersey March lit, ISlC), daughter of John ' 
and Bridget Harkins. natives of Ireland, who were maiTied in Westmoreland 
County. Penn., thence moved to New Jersey, where they lived for a time, and 
then to Philadeli>hia. returning fi'om there to ^\'estmoreland County, where 
they resided until their deaths. Mr. and ilrs. Kintz came to Stark County, 
Ohio, iu 1S4'). and to this county in 18r)4. where they have resided ever since. 
They are the parents of five chikbcn: Mary A., John H., Charles E. . AVilliam 
J. and Peter K. Mr. Kintz is a potter and miller by trade, but for the past 
eleven years has Immmi engaged in farming. He owns thirty-six acres of land, 
where he and his family reside. He and his family are members of the Cath- 
olic Church. 

THOMAS J. KINTZ (ex-county recorder of Seneca County) abstracts. 
Tiffin, was born in Canton. Stark Co.. Ohio. February 14, 1S44. His 
])arents, George and Lucinda (Conaghan) Kintz, were natives of Ohio. His 
mother dying when our subject was an infant, he was placed under the guard- 
ianship of her brother. Joseph Conaghan, of Seneca Township, this county, 
and there he gi-ew *o manhood. His early life was unpropitious. lieing an in 
valid, ami at fifteen he had little or no education. He. however, had a deter- 
mination to excel, and we find him at twenty-one enrolled upon the list of 
teachers of Seneca C'ouuty. April 17. 1S()7. he accepted a clerkship in the 
recorder's office, and he continu(>d in this cai)acity for eight years, although it 
must be admitteil for a fair jjortion of that time he was the tit' fcirfo officml. 
In 1S74 he was ai>])ointed (/('/rirto recorder to succeed Ml-. De AVitt, and iu 
the following convention received the nomination and was elected to fill tho 
office for I'acli consecutive term till 1882, at which time he had nearly com- 
pleted a set of abstract books of the county, showing the title to every jjiece 
of land or town lot. Said books were his individual property, and thus opened 



794 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

his new work, which has already become the place to look at and examine 
titles. His accuracy and efficiency justly deserves the confidence of the whoL' 
people of Seneca Count}'. Mr. Kintz was maiTied in Tiffin. February 1"), 
1872, to Miss Addie V. Weller, a lady of estimable attainments, daughter of 
the late Nelson Weller, formerly a jjrominent merchant and liusiuess man of 
Prince Edward County, Ontario. He and his wife are members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. JMi-. Kintz is an active business man and an enter- 
I)rising citizen, and has a strong hold upon the good wishes of many of Seneca 
County's citizens. He is a member of the corporation of the Ohio Stove 
Works, of which he has held stock for several yeai's. He lias served his 
ward (Second) in the councils of the citv. 

MICHAEL KIRCHNEE. merchant tailor, of Tiffin, was born in Ober- 
bacli, in the kingdom of Bavaria, Uuter Franken. July '22, 1S20; son of John 
and Mary (Achumm) Kirchner. who came to America in 1844. and settled in 
this county. (The father had engaged in farming and floiu'-milliug in his na- 
tive land. ) Theii' two sons. Michael and John, had preceded the parents to 
this country (in 1840), and located at Pittsburgh, Penn., where John remained, 
Michael coming to Tiffin the same year, where, after working for a few years at 
his trade, he embarked on his own account in business, in which he has since 
continued in successful connection. Our subject married. February 21. 184>>. 
Christina Sillman. a native of Baden. Germany, daughter of George Sillman. 
who settled in Venice Township, this county, about lS33. Mr. and Sli's. Kirch- 
ner have no children of then- own, but have adopted a nephew, Michael Bauer 
Kirchner (son of Nicholas and Mary Kirchner Bauer), who manned Elizabeth 
Delzeit, who, dying, left three daughters: Emma, Flora and Lydia, who are 
also the adopted children of their foster grandparents and bear the name. Mr. 
Kirchner is a regirlar communicant in St. Joseph's congregation of the Roman 
Catholic Chiirch, and a member of St. Joseph's Benevolent Society. He is an 
excellent gentleman, a jsublie spirited citizen and has contributed liberally to 
the support of manv of Tiffin" s social and industrial interests. 

MICHAEL JOSEPH KIRCHNER. dealer in groceries. Tiffin, was born 
in the village of Windshauseu, near Neustadt an der Saal, in the kingdom of 
Bavaria, December 27, 182(3. His parents were Kaspar and Margaret (Stiuiu) 
Ivirchner, who came to this countiy in 188',l. and settled in Cleveland the fol- 
lowing year, where they passed the remainder of their lives. The father, who 
was also bom in AVindshausen, where he lived till he came to America, died 
here in 1860, and the mother in 18r)4, leaving a family of four sons and one 
daughter: John, buried in the Roman Catholic cemeteiw in Cleveland, Ohio, 
along with his parents: Ferdinand, supposed to have perished in the forest 
tires of Michigan; Kaspar, a baker, in Tiffin; Susanna, wife of 'Mi: Jacobs 
of Cleveland, and Michael Joseph. The subject of oiu- sketch learned the 
trade of shoe-making when a youth, but was compelled to abandon it 
eventually in consequence of ill health. In 185!") he came to Tiffin, and in 
18(30 embarked in business for himself, then in 18()3 located at his present 
stand where he has since been very successful. ]VIr. Ku'chner man-ied in 
Thompson Townshiji. this county, in 1802, Magdalena Martin, daughter of 
John and Barbara (Hammerschmidt I Martin, natives of Germany, and by this 
union has had six sons and three daughters: Mary B. . John Louis. Joseph Cas- 
par. John Michael Joseph. Francis Dominick, Annie Kathrina. Otto Peter, 
Margerete Rosa Pliilomina. and Charles Aloisius. Mr. and Mrs. Kirchner 
are regular communicants of the Roman Catholic Chiu-ch, in which he has 
served as an active official since coming here. He is a very worthy representa- 
tive of the German people in Tiffin, and has by many noble characteristics en- 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 795 

deared himself to his fellow citizens, amonff whom he has many close friends 
and no eni'mics. He is a worthy husbaml. and a kind father to his children, 
on whose education ho has spared no pains. 

FKEDERICK DE LAUGHTER KISHLER, undertaker and cabinet- 
nifiker. Tiffin, was born in Tiffin. Seneca Co.. Ohio, February 10, 1881. His 
parents, Frederick and Elizabeth (Miller) Kishler came here in 1828, from 
Perry County, Ohio (they were formerly of Chambersburg, Penn. . and came 
of pioneer stock in that State). They reared four sons and three daughters, 
all of whom have families in the State. The subject of oiu' sketch learned 
cabinet-making, in Tiffin, with John A. Myers, and has continued creditably 
connected with that industry, in connection with undertaking since. He was 
united in marriage, in 1854. with Catharine, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca 
(De Laughter) AVilcox, who settled here in 1880, from Maryland. To this 
union have been born one son and one daughter: Otto Jefferson, a traveling 
salesman for machinery, and Flora Kishler, j)ortrait and landscape painter. 
Mr. and Mi-s. Kishler are worthy members of the Methodist Protestant Church. 
He is a member of the K. of P.. and of the K. of L. During the 
war of the Rebellion Mr. Kishler did lionorable service in thi^ National 
Gtiards fi'om which he received an honorable discharge. He has been an active 
member of the Tiffin tire department thirty-one years, and served as its chief 
for six years. He is a member of the city council, with which he has been con- 
nected for four vears. 

PROF. JAMES WILSON KNOTT, superintendent of the city and high 
schools of Tiffin, was born in West Bedford. Ohio. August 14. l85(1: son of 
the late Rev. J. W. Knott, a pioneer minister (jf the Presbyterian Church in 
this State, a native of Westmoreland County. Penn., and whose father, Maj. 
A\'ilson Knott, figiu-ed conspicuously as an officer in the war of 1S12. They 
(the Knotts) were of Scotch Presbyterian ancestry. Prof. Knott's mother was 
Juliii K(>rr. daughter of James and Mary (Jewel) KeiT. Pennsylvanians. The 
father of James KeiT settled in Pennsylvania from Ireland. On the Jewel 
side the genealogy runs a long way back, and connects with the branch of the 
Jewel family to which ex-Postmaster-General Jewel belongs. The issue of the 
marriage of Rev. J. W. and Julia (Kerr) Knott was two sons and two daugh- 
ters. Of the former, Walter M. L. died in his youth; of the latter. Mary 
Jewel is the wife of Col. E. Finger, of Ashland. Ohio, and Wallie R. is the 
wife of Armer Gregg, of Savannah. Ohio. The subject of om- sketch, the 
youngest son of the family, received a good common school training near 
Shelby, Ohio, and took his j)re]>aratory course of study in the' academy at 
Savannah, Ohio. He graduated in a full classical and scientific comse jit the 
University of Wooster. at A^'ooster. Ohio, in 187U. He had meanwhile taught 
school as a means of supporting himself in his studies, and upon graduating 
accepted his present incumbency, with which he has been reputably connected 
since. Since coming to Tiffin he has taken an important part in the develop- 
ment of the social anil literary interests of the city; has served upon the 
board of trustees of the Presbyterian C'hurch and of the Library Association, 
and is a member of the Beta Theta Phi of his alma mater. September 8, 
1S()4. his father passed away, ending his useful life as a minister of the Pres- 
l)yterian Church and teacher in its institutions in the State, and is buried at 
Shelby, Ohio, the i)lace of his marriage. Mrs. Knott sm-vives and resides 
with her son here, esteemed by all, a worthy woman and kind mother. Among 
the many gi-aduates under Prof. Knott's instruction may be mentioned some 
who are (as young men) taking rapid strides forward in ))rofessional careers: 
Frank Wenner, Jissistant principal of the high school at Bellaire. Ohio: Will- 



796 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 

iam H. Dore, a worthy momber of the Tiflui bar: Albert Norton, cadet in th(> 
naval school at Annapolis: Theodore Brohl. Elmer Hershbergcr, Fred L. ^^'en 
ner. William Miller. Edward Boos. Dr. Willis White, and many others, who. 
while busy with the furtherance of their otlier studies, do not forget their old 
master. In personal appearance Prof. Knott is tall and commanding, of 
studioiTS, mien and pleasant, open countenance, bespeaking his Scotch-Irish 
lineage. Socially he is very clever, and although possessed of all the requisites 
in the make-ui^ of a worthy husband and sire he is still treading the thorny 
paths of celibacy. 

AARON KREADER, of the tirm of Kreader & Zint, plumbers and gas 
titters, Tiffin, was born in Northampton County, Penn. . May 10, 1887; son of 
Samuel and Magdalena (Bauder) Kreader. the former of Scotch ancesby in 
Pennsylvania. Mr. Kreader learned mechanics and worked as machinist in 
the woolen-mills in the East. April 1. ISTiiS, he came to Tiffin. Ohio, and en- 
gaged in the woolen-mills here, as master mechanic, firom l.S'H till May, ISSl. 
when, upon the dissolution of the firm, ho left that business and engaged with 
Mr. Zint in his present liusiness. Mr. Kreader was married, in Tiffin, to 
Elizabeth SchifFert, by whom he has two sons and two daughters: \Villiaiii 
Marcus, a mechanic; Lillie May, a lady of excellent literary attainments, a 
teacher in the city high schools; Jennie Burt and Charles Washington. The 
family worship in the Methodist Protestant Church, of which the mother and 
eldest daughter are worthy members. Mr. Kreader is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. and of the encampment. 

J. H. KITEBLER. wholesale and retad dealer in leather and findings, 
boots and shoes. Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, this county. May 24, 18r)2. son of 
Anthony and Frances (Schabacher) Ku(>l)ler. early settlers here. Anthony 
Kuebler. a native of the Duchy of Baden, came to this countiT, settling in 
Tiffin about 1835, and was prominently identified with the boot and shoe indus- 
try here for many years. The mother was a native of Rhine Pfaltz. Bierne 
(Bavaria), and came to this country when a young girl with her people, who 
settled here. J. H. Kuebler was the third child and second sou in a family of 
thirteen chiklren. He received a good common school education and was ap- 
prenticed to his j)resent business in his father's store. At the age of twenty - 
five he embarked in trade on his own account in Tiffin ;uid has maintained a 
creditable prominence in connection with the leather industry here since. He 
was married, in Tiffin, in 1877, to Catharine Mueller, a lady of estimable 
attainments, eldest child of Christian and Margaret (Gross) Mueller, of Tiffin. 
and by this union there are three sons and one daughter: Frank. Albert. Carl 
and Corinne. of whom they have laid to rest in the Roman Catholic Cemetery, 
little Carl and Corinne. Mr. and Mrs. Kuebler are regular communicants of 
the Roman Catholic faith. He is an active member and official of the St. 
John's Benevolent Society. Mr. Kuel)ler has avoided the jiolitical field and 
has never ventured into caiicus meetings, although a pronounced i)arty man. 
Socially he is an excellent citizen and an afl'alile and pleasant gentleman. 

JOHN LAUER, grocery merchant. Tiffin, was born in Roschberg, Rhine 
Prussia, June (), 18"20, son of Francis and Lena (Schaadt) Lauer, the former a 
native of Roschberg, the latter of Oldenbiu-g, They reared two sons and two 
daughters of whom the sons, only, came to this country. A\'endel (brother of 
om- sudject) died in WilkesbaiTe. Penn., leaving a son and two daughters. 
John Lauer was reared to farming and served twenty-two months in the vol- 
unteer militia of his country. In December. 1847. he sailed for America and 
came to Buffalo. N. Y. , and in the following year visited Tiffin. Being a 
young man he felt a desire to travel, and we sultsequently find him in Califor- 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 797 

Ilia, where ho spent six years in successful work. Iteliuniug East in 185f') he 
located at Tiffin, where he shortly after engaged in his present business, with 
which he has been creditably connected since. He was man-ied, at Buffalo, 
N. Y.. in 1858. to Barbara Deniuth, a native of LVweiler. Prussia, by whom he has 
thn>(> sons and two daughters, and one stepdaughter, by Mrs. Lauer's previous 
marriage; their names are as follows: Catharine Schlacter, now the wife of O. 
M. Loesser: Mary, Peter, Frank, CJharles and Amelia. Of the sons. Peter and 
Charles are merchants and Frank is a carriage trimmer. The family are mem- 
l)ers of St. Joseph's congregation of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Lauer 
is a genial gentleman and has won the respect of his fi'llow citizens by his up- 
right character and broadness of principles. He is ever ready to support all 
measures that tend to the city's development, and contributes to all worthy 
enterprises. 

THOMAS LEAHY, farmer and stock-raiser, of Eden Township, P. O. 
Tiffin, is a native of County Kerry. Ireland, where he was born in the parish 
(if Abbeyfeale, son of John and Mary (Kane) Leahy, of that parish, de.scended 
from honoral)le ancestry, counting among them many of the better class of 
yeomanry, as well as literary and professional people (lawyers, physicians, etc.). 
Our suliject was reared to farming. He was united in marriage with Ellen, 
daughter of Maiuice Hartnett, of Abl)eyfeale, Ireland, which family reckon 
among themselves veiy clever professional people iu Counties Cork and Limer- 
ick, Ireland. Upon the encouragement of his father-in-law, Maurice Hartnett, 
Thomas Leahy concluded to come to America, and in the fall of 18()3 anived 
here. His finances were limited, Imt being of the "right stuff"' for a success- 
ful farmer in Ohio, he set about and rented laud, and finally Ixwght ))roperty, 
eventually locating on his present farm, one of the finest in the county, and 
has succeeded in accumulating a handsome competency. His business life is 
a worthy example of what can b(> accomplished liv a man of strong resolution 
coupled with steady persistent industry. Besides his success as a farmer and 
stock-raiser lie has reared and educated his family well, and has the satisfaction 
of seeing his chikkeu occupying prominent i)ositions in the social and indus- 
trial life of his adopted country. John W., his eldest, and James F., his 
third son, are honored members of the Tiffin bar; Dr. Maurice Leahy, the 
second son. is a ]>rominent physician of Tiffin (he is the father of two boys by 
his marriage with Enna. daughter of the late Dr. John Alexander McFarland", 
of Tiffin); Mary A. and Maggie, the only daughters, are ladi(^s of excellent 
literary and social attainments, and assist to cheer the fireside. Thomas J. is 
a farmer. Richard P. and Michael are students at Heidelberg College and Jere- 
miah, the youngest son. a lad, is at home. The family are regular communi- 
cants of St. Mary's Chm-ch. 

LLOYD NORRIS LEASE, ex-sheriflf of Seneca County and proprietor of 
hotel and liverj% Tiffin, was born in Eden Township, this county, April '2, 
1838, and comes of worthy jnoneer ancestrj-. His parents, Otho and Belinda 
(Street) Lease, were natives of ilaryland; the former, a son of Han-y Lease, 
descended fi-om English pioneers in that State, and tlie latter fi'om Scotch pio- 
neers. In 1S8"J Mr. Lease's parents located in Eden Townshi]), this county, 
where they remained till 184^), when they removed to Sandusky County, Ohio, 
and (here reared a family of six sons and three daughters, all of whom married 
and reared families. L. N. Lease, the fifth c-hild and foiuth son. upon arriv- 
ing at manhood returned to this county, subsefpiently locating in Tiffin, where 
he has since remained, prominently identified with many business interests. ' 
He was man-ied in Tiffin, in \Hhi). to Miss Maria L., daughter of Samuel and 
Rebecca (Thompson) Kridler, natives of Penu.sylvania. who settled here in 

44 



798 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

1832. To this nnion was born one son, Eden L. , a young man 'of lirigM intel- 
ligence, an academic student. Mr. Lease has always borne a leading part in 
local politics, and has been an almost time-honored delegate to the many con- 
ventions of his (the Democratic) party. In 1878 he accepted the nomination to 
the sheriffalty of Seneca County, and polled the then large majority vote of 
1,275. Accepting a renomination at the end of his official incumbency he car- 
ried 1,385 majority, the largest known in the county. He is a very public 
spirited man and has always contributed liberally to the support of the many 
social and industrial interests of his localitj. He is of tine physique (standing 
over sis feet and weighing '225 poimds), genial nature, and is socially a very 
pleasant gentleman. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. 

LEWIS LEFFLEE. farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born in Clinton Township, 
this county, July 14, 184/, son of Lewis H. and Sarah Leffler, natives of 
Wurtemberg, where they married and remained until 184fi. at which time they 
immigrated to America and settled in Clinton Tovmship, and there remained 
until their death: the former departed this life December 12, 1879, and the 
latter Februai\v 14. 1885. Oiu- subject was united in marriage May, 24. 1S71. 
with Barbara Breckel: she was born in "\A'iirtemberg, April 18, 184(5. Her par- 
ents were Gotleib and Anna Breckel, now residents of Tiffin. Ohio. Mr. and 
Mi's. Leffler have sis chikb-en: Sarah A.. Tillie. Thomas, Eosa. Eobeyt and 
Clara. Our subject owns eighty-iive acres of good land where he and his family 
reside. Mr. and ]Mi's. Leffler are members of the Gei'man Lutheran Chiu'ch. 

O. T. LOCKE, editor and proprietor of the Tribune, and postmaster of 
Tiffin, was born in Killawog, Cortland Co., N. Y., Febniary 27, 1S42, and is 
descended of a line of pioneer New Englanders. fi-om England, his gi'eat- 
grandfather having served as a British officer in early colonial times. His 
father. Nathaniel R. Locke, a tanner and shoe-maker by occupation, a native 
of VeiTiiont, served in the war of 1812 and afterward settled in Cortland 
County, N. Y. O. T. Locke after receiving a common school education in his 
native State, and when eighteen years old. "went AVest" and engaged as "tyjjo" 
in the office of the Bucyriis .Journal, at Bucynis, Ohio (D. E. Locke, proprii'tor ) ; 
here he comjjleted his apprenticeship and. in 1863, with another brother, C. N. 
Locke (now deceased), bought the Fintilaij Jeffersonian. at Findlay, Ohio, and 
conducted it till 1868, when they with Mr. W. G. Blymer (who had joined them 
at Findlay) bought out his jwesent paper, the Tribune. Mr. Locke was mar- 
I'ied in Findlay, in 1866. to Miss Maria C. Porch, second daughter of Henry 
Porch. Esq. . of Findlay, Ohio, and by her he has two daughters and one son : 
Carrie. Sallie and John. He is a member of the Masonic order. 

JAMES "W. LOVE, president of the city council of Tiffin, was born near 
Lancaster, Fairfield Co. , Ohio. November 2. 1828. His parents. Andi'ew and 
Mary (Swayze) Love, the former of Lancaster, Penn.. and the latter of Vir- 
ginia, were maiTied in Pennsylvania and located in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 
1812, and in about the year 1830, moved to Seneca Coimty and settled in 
Tiffin. They reared a family of six children — two sons and lover daughters — of 
whom one son. James W., and two daughters, Mrs. Sarah Kecm, of Lancaster. 
Ohio, and Mrs. Abigail Eex, of A\'ells Coiinty. Ind. . survive. The subject of 
our sketch learned the trades of spinning-wheel and cabinet furnitiu'e making 
in his father's shop, which was among the first established in Tiffin. Upon 
the death of his father, in 1841. he carried (jn his business for several years. 
He aftei-ward was em])loyed Ity Mr. John Fiege (subsequently Fiege Bros. ) 
for twenty-four years in the manufaetiu-e of furniture. In 1881 he was one 
of the incorporaters of the Enterprise Manufacturing Company, in whose employ 
he is at present. Mr. Love married in Upper Sandusky. Ohio, in 1853. Miss 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 7l»!> 

Elizalioth. clannfhtor of John and Cathcrino (Hu^;^) Tripp, jjioneers of AVy.in- 
ilot County. Ohio, but formerly of Phihidelphia. Penii.. and by this union has 
one son, Victor J. , a journalist and " typo " connoctod with the Toledo Bee. of 
Toledo. Ohio. Mr. Love is an ardent supporter of all measures tendinj^ to the 
developement of his city, and has served with credit in its councils, and for the 
last four years has been its presiding ofiicer. He is a time-honored Odd Fel- 
low, a member of Seneca Lodf:je No. -Jt"). also a member of Hobah Encamj)- 
ment No. 11), I. O. O. F., and has served as its. scribe for the last fifteen 
years; is also one of the charter members of the K. of P.. Lodge No. <S(). of 
Titiin. In matters of religion. althoTigh not connected with any sects or 
creeds, our sulijeet is a liberal suppoi'tei' of the Kefoi'med Church, of which 
Mrs. Love is an active member. 

ROBERT LYSLE, notary public, general insurance- and real estate busi- 
ness. Tiffin, was born in Chester County. Penn. , March 2'), 1833, son of Rob- 
ert and Eliza A. (Walker) Lysle. both of L-ish ancestry. The grandfather. 
Lieut. James Lysle. left his native count)'y. L'eland, and aiTiving in America 
settled in Chester County. Penn. He was by occupation a teacher; served 
under Gen. Anthony Wayne diu'ing the Revolutionary war and was with him 
at the storming of Stoniugtou: he died of qiiick consumption in 180G. Our 
subject's grandparents left Chester County. Penn.. and moved to Sewickley. 
I'enn.. in ISOl. Oivr subject's father was born in Chester County, Penn.. 
anil returning there bought the homestead in 1820. Our subject' s*mother 
comes of pioneer stock in Pennsylvania, among whom are many tanners and 
cui'riers on the maternal, and pap(>r mannfactui'ers on the paternal side. The 
subject of our sketch, one of a family of tlii-ee sons and six daughters (all liv- 
ing in Philadelphia and vicinity, except himself and one sister, who died in 
lN4(i). was reared to paper-making (the business of his father) and in com- 
pany with his brother. James AY., carried on the "old mill."" In ISBO he sold 
his interest in the business and came West, and in April, LSfU. located with 
his family in Titiin. He engaged in book-keeping for a time and subsequentlv 
became a knight of the road in commercial business, in which caj)acity he was 
favc)rably known for ten years, retiring in 1877 to take up his present vocation. 
He received a commission as notary ])ublic from Gov. Hayes and has had it 
renewed under Govs. Foster and Ht)adly. ^tr. Lysle was married in Chester 
County. Penn.. to Hannah Kimble Brown, daughter of Phineas and Louisa 
(Kimble) Brown, by whom he has three sons and three tlaughters: Florence 
May. wife of J. \\'. Audi-ews. of Toledo; A\'alter Barnes, stock dealer of Ida 
(irove. Iowa: Lillie Brown; Olive Louisa: Robert Walker, a young lad of 
excellent attainments; and George Kiml)le. born July 2U. 1885. Mr. Lysle 
and family are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has 
served as member of the board of elders and president of the board of trustees. 
He is a F. & A. M. and has passed all the chairs to the commandery; is pres- 
ent Ca})tain General in De Molay Commandery No. 1), K. T. He is president 
of the library association, and has altogether l)een foremost in the support of 
Tiffin's many literary and educational institutions. During the late war of 
the Rebellion Mr. Lysle did honorable service, enlisting, June, 1802. in Com- 
pany I. One Hundred and First Regiment Ohio Yolunteer Infantiy: was com- 
missioned tirst lieutenant August 1 1 of that year, and did active service till 
January 2."'t. ISfiH, when he was compelled to resign on accout of ill health. 
Regaining his health he set about organizing Company I, Eighty-sixth Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry, which he took in the lield as captain July 14. 18<')3. and 
was in active service again till February 10, 1804, when the regiment was 
mustered out. 



800 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

El'HKAIM J. McCOLLUM. M. D., pliysieiau aad surgeon. Tiffin, was 
bora ill Richland Coimty, Ohio, in June. 1^25. He is the third iu the fam- 
ily of live children of John and Sarah (Barljer) McColliim. and was born on 
his father's farm. A\'hen live years of age his father died, and he was taken 
by his grandfather McCoUnm, who was a farmer in Columbia County, Perm. 
There he attended school, and later worked on the farm during the siunmer 
months. In 1 842 he taught school, which he continued to do for f oiu' years. 
In 1840 he began the study of medicine, with Dr. William Marr. of Washing- 
ton. Penn. In 1847-48 he attended lectiu'es at Jefferson College. Philadelphia. 
In 184it he conimenccd the ])ractiee of his chosen profession in JlcCutchen- 
ville, Ohio, where he continued for thi'ee years. In IS.") 2- 58 he again attended 
a coiu'se of lectures at Jefferson .Medical College, and was grailuated therefrom 
in March. 1858. The same month he was married to Margaret MaiT, a sister 
of Dr. Marl', with whom he had studied. He immediately located himself in 
Tiffin, Ohio, which has ever since been his residence. In 1854. during the 
cholera epidemic in Tiffin, the Doctor became a victim, but fortunately recov- 
ered. The time was a trying one. for in the little town of 8,000 pojjulation 
fi'om ten to fifteen were dying every day. The Doctor is one of the oldest 
jihysicians iu Tiffin. His practice has been large, successful, and remunera- 
tive. On the opening of the Chicago Division of the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad he received the appointment as surgeon for that road, as well as of 
the Northwestern Ohio Railroad (now the Toledo Division of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad). These positions he has held for many years; has been health offi- 
cer of Tiffin; president of the County Medical Society; and a member of the 
Northwestern Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society, and tht! Amer- 
ican Medical Society. He has been a membei- of the Presbyterian Chxu'ch 
since about twenty-five years of age. His son. Leon, born in ISofJ. studied 
with him. took two coiu'ses in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keo- 
kuk. Iowa, where hv graduated, and settled in the practice of medicine at 
Lodi. Seneca County. He is now in practice with his father at Tiffin. The 
Doctor, by both parents, is of Scotch descent. His grandfather. Ephraim 
MeCollum, who was born in the ITuited States, was the son of a Sotchman. 
On his mother's side he can trace his ancestry in Scotland back to the time of 
Queen Elizabeth. These records, in possession of the Doctor, are of remark- 
able interest. His maternal grandmother was a Kennedy, one of the descend- 
ants of Roland de Garrick. who was himself a direct descendant of the old 
Scottish kings. The authentic record says: "In early ])art of fourteenth 
century the descendants of Roland de Garrick adopted the name of Kennedy 
as a sm'uame. " Scotch history is full of mention of members of this family. 
James Kennedy, archbishop of St. Andi'ews. was cousin to James II, of 
Scotland, and was one of the most pow<n-ful statesmen of Scotland, of his 
time. We find mention of high chiu'ch dignitaries, great generals, and states- 
men. One of the women of the family stands out conspicuous in history, 
fi'om the fact that she was one of the two ladies in waiting who were allowed 
to attend the unfortunate Mary. Queen of Scots, at her execution. The Ken 
neclys. though at first somewhat divided, early threw then' influence in favor 
of the refoimed religion. In 158iS Alexander Kennedy, a finely educated 
young gentleman, was burned at tht' stake, in Glasgow, for writing a poetical 
satire against the Franciscan friars. Branches of the Kennedy family migrated 
to Ireland, and fiom thence, at a later date, to America. In America, as in 
Scotland, they have become stanch Presbyterians in religious faith. 

W. RUSH McFARLAND. projirietor of restaurant and saloon. Tiffin, only 
surviving son of the late Dr. John Alexander McFarland.was liorn in Tiffin, this 



CLINTON TOWNSFIIP. 801 

county. .TnnnaiT 10, 1840. and after recoivino; a good education ciirfageil in 
merchandising, willi which he was connected for several yeai*s. establishing his 
present business in ISSO. Febniarv '2'.(. ISTO, he was married to Elizabeth, 
daughter of John B. and Jlargaret (SchaetTer) Graveldinger, the former of 
Remich, Luxemburg, Germany, and the latter of Dudenbrun, Baden. To this 
union were born three sons: Alexander Rush, Hc^iry Arthur (buried iu the 
Homan Catholic cemetery- here) and William Albert. Mr. and Mrs. McFar- 
land are members of St. M;iry's congregation of the Roman Catholic Church. 
He is a member of the Bruderbund society, and has been a member of the fire 
department for eleven years. 

ArSTIX McNE.lL. merchant. Tiffin, was born at Fort Ball (now Tiffin), 
Ohio. June I 1, 1S;5(), sou of Milton and Maria (Gregory) McNeal. the former 
of whom was born in Orange County, X. Y., and settled here in 1S23: the lat- 
ter, who came here the following year, was a daughter of Nehemiah and 
Patience (Brown) Gregory, who settled in Athens County, Ohio, in ISOl, fi-om 
New York State (they were of Scotch-Irish ancestrj% and came of Presbyterian 
Church j)eo])le. and of Revolutionary stock, the father of Patience Brown 
serving with marked distinction as a commissioned officer in the Revolutionary 
war). Milton McNeal died in 1S34, leaving a son and two daughters: of the 
latter, Amanda is the wife of James \\". Bayard, of Athens County, Ohio, and 
Laura is the wife of Judge Truman H. Bagby, of TifHu. Austin, the son. 
was reared to his father's business (merchandising), and has been prominently 
identified with the industiy here since. He was united in man'iage with Sarah 
.\nn, daughter of Dr. Secretary Rawson, of Richfield, Ohio (now of Des 
.Minnes, Iowa), and brother of Abel Riiwsou, this union b(>ing blessed with a 
son and a daugher: Otis R. (whom they bxiried) and Liicy Maria, now the wife 
I if Don R. Gibson, of Payne, Ohio, son of Dr. Robert McDonald Gibson, 
l)rother of Gen. W. H. Gibson, of Tiffin. Mrs. ]Maria ^IcNeal after living a 
widow for years was happily maiTied to Abel Rawsc)n, with whom she remained 
a kind companion until his demise. She is still hale and vigorous, and re- 
tains in her memory many of the very interesting events of her early life. She 
is very kindly n>spected by all who know her as the warm fi-iend of the dis- 
tressed, the nobli> woman, kind mother and affectionate wife. While many of 
her age have passed the more active sjihere of their lives, she still continues her 
domestic duties, milking her cows, making butter as of yore and attending to 
her household duties. The wonder is how she has carried her years of care 
and labor. 

JAMES V. MAGERS. clerk of the coiuts of Seneca County, was born in 
St«irk County. Ohit>, May 17, 1S4'2. His parents, Joseph E. Magers and Mary 
A. Sneeringer, settled in this county in 1S52, coming fi-om Stark County. The 
former was a nativ<> of Maiyland. and of j)ioneer French descent, and the lat- 
ter of German ])ioneer ancestry in Penn.sylvania: of their family of eleven 
I'hikiren they reared foiu- sons and two daughters. The subject of this sketch 
(their eldest child) enjoyed the benefits of the common schools, and finished 
his education at Heidelberjr Colleire. He entja<jed in teachinjj. with which 
profe.ssion he was jirominently identified in this locality for many years. In 
politics he has always been a stanch Democrat. October, INSl, he was elected 
to his present incumbency, and u])on the exjiiration of his term of office was 
honorably re-elected. He married. January 7, 180S, at New Riegel. this 
county. Maiy J., daughter of John Adi'lsperger and Mary A. Alliert. pioneers 
of Loudon Township, the former ot whom was a native of Maryland, and the 
latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Magers have two sons and two datigh- 
ters living: Charles F., Olive I.. Camilla E. and Victor L. : and have biu'ied 



802 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

two sons: Orville V. and Joseph J. Mr. Magers. while being a very reputa- 
ble teacher, is an active and enterprising public man and citizen, and contrib- 
utes in no small degree to the support of his party, as attested to by his popular 
al)ility as an official. 

J. F. MARQUARDT, druggist, Tiffin, Ohio, born in Aldingen, 'Wm-tem- 
berg, Germany, November 22, 1839, son of the late Christian Marquardt, of 
that place. J. F. Marquardt came to America, at the age of foiu-teen years, 
through the influence of the late Dr. Jacob Frederick Jeack. under whose 
guardianship he remained in study. On the death of Dr. Jeack two years 
later he apprenticed himself to the drug business, and after spending two 
years at this trade in Toledo returned to Tiffin in 1S5S. opened a drug store, 
and has been prominently identified with the drug business ever since. In 
1S()2 he married, in Tiffin. Ai'della E. Roller, foiuih daughter of Jesse Roller, 
and by her he has one son: Jesse C, a young man of excellent attainments, a 
graduate of the Ohio State University, and at present in charge of his father's 
dnig business at New Washington, Ohio. 'Mi: Marquardt has accumulated a 
handsome competence in his business, the result of steady, persistent industry. 
He has always been a liberal contributor to public measures tending to the 
growth and develo])ment of the social and industrial life of his adopted city. 
He is a worthy Mason, and has attained to the degree of Rnight Templar 
in De Molay C'tjmmandery. He is also a member of the R. of H. . and 
of the Royal Arcanum. Diu'ing the late civil war he pronounced himself in 
strong accord with the Union, and so extended his services. In 1874 he 
erected the handsome building in which he does business, and which bears his 
name. He is also interested in many other enterprises. 

JACOB ilARSHAL. retired farmer and one of the old pioneers of the 
county, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Biron. Germany, September 23, 181"), son of 
George and Elizabeth Marshal, who immigrated to Ainerica direct to Seneca 
County. Ohio, in 183-1, and here remained until their death. Om- subject was 
maiTied. August 28, ]83(). to Sophia Bishop, born in Germany July 23. 1809, 
daughter of Nicholas and Eve Bishop, who died in Germany. To our subject 
and wife have been born eight childi'en. live now living: George. Jacob, ilary 
(wife of Paul Miller), Susan (wife of Jonas Hoblits), Elizabeth (wife of Fred- 
erick Meyers). The deceased are David, Margaret and an infant. Our 
subject, who has been a farmer all his life, owns nearly 100 acres of laud. He 
and his wife are faithful memlicrs of the Reformeil Church. 

CHARLES MARTIN, dealer in groceries. Tiffin, was born in Houdingen, 
Grand Duchy of Baden. Germany, in 1837, and was aj)prcnticedto the cabinet- 
' making irade there. In 1853 he came to America and located in the following 
year in Melm )re, this county, whore he was connected with merehandi-^ing till 
181)2, when he came to Tiffin and followed the same occupation till in 1804, 
when, upon the organization of the One Hundi'ed and Sixty-fourth Regiment 
Ohio National Guards, he enlisted in Com]>any A. and did duty during its 
term of service. In December of 1S()4 he formed a partnership in the gi'oeery 
busine.ss with Mr. Nighswander, which continued until 18()8, when Mr. Negele 
])urchased an interest (Mr. Nighswander retiring), and the firm has since been 
favorably kni)wn as Martin & Negele. Besides a regular trade the firm have 
introduced an important feature in the enterprise of coffee roasting and grind- 
ing, as well as spice grinding, which has ])roved no small addition to then- 
business. Mr. JCartin was maiTied at Melmore. in ISOO, to Miss Sophia Pfau, 
a native of Columbiana County. Ohio, daughter of Frederick Pfau. a native of 
AVurtemberg. Germany. They have two sons and three daughters: James G. 
(in mercantile tra le at Havward. Wis.), Emma. Elsie, Flora and Silas. 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 803 

^Ir. aiitl Mrs. Martin are members of tlie Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
which the former has been an official foi- several years. He is a member of the 
different Masonic bodies in Tiflin, also K. of H. . Koyal Ai'camim and A. L. of 
H. Mr. Martin has always felt aveise to holding public office. V>ut has 
served his ward (Fourth) in the councils of the citv. 

JAMES F. MAETIX. son of Nathan Martin, of Pennsylvania, and Eliza- 
beth Devins, of York County, Canada, was born in Canada May 0. 1880, and 
came to Seneca Coimty with his parents in 1839. He was educated in Bloom 
Township, and at the Seneca County Academy; worked on the home- 
stead farm until August. 1850. w'hen he was severely injiu'ed by a threshing 
machine; he then attended the Seneca County Academy, and in 1853 taught 
school in Bloom Township, which he followed until 1SI)5, when he was 
elected county recorder. He was re-elected in 1S()8, and served until the close 
of 1871. In 1.S74 he was chosen assistant sergeaut-at-arms, at Columbus, for 
the Legislature. !\Ii\ ^lartin was married on Christmas day, 1855, to Miss Julia 
Engle, of Thompson Township. This lady died JIarch 20, 1874, leaving four 
children. Of these two daughters have died since that time. 

DR. JOHN W. MAKTIN, dentist. Tiffin, was born in Clinton Township, 
Seneca Co. . Ohio. March 3, 1832. His parents, John and Barbara (Broad- 
Iteck) Martin, were early settlers in this county, having moved fi'om Freder- 
ick County, Md.. in 182(5; the former was born in Frederick County, 
:Md. , and the latter near York, Penn. The subject of our sketch was 
reared on the farm and followed agricultural piu'suits till he was twenty- 
six years of age. when he commenced the study of dentistry. After a short 
practice at ^^■esterville. Ohio, he located in Tiffin, this county, in 18()1, and 
has Ijeen favorably identified with jii'ofessional work here since. He was united 
in marTiag(», in 1853, with Eachael A., daughter of John and Lydia (Ream) 
Berkey, of Liberty Township, this county; she passed away her young life, 
leaving one daughter, Kachael, now the wife of H. H. Neligh, a dentist. Dr. 
Martin was married on second occasion, in 1861, to Elizabeth A., daughter of 
Ki'v. John and Elizabeth (^\'alker) Souder; she also departed this life Decem- 
ber 17, ]884, leavins no issue. Dr. Martin is a worthy citizen, a clever dental 
sui'geon and an enterprising public spirited business man. He is a worthy 
member of the ^lethodist Episcopal Church. 

JOHN MEKKELBACH, giocer, Tiffin, born in Granzhausen, in the duke- 
dom of Nassau, April 5, 182(); is a son of Jacob ^Villiam and Elizabeth (Remi) 
Merkelbach, who had foiu- sons and foiu' daughters, of whom one son and two 
daughters came to America: Catharine (wife of Jacob Cfesai', of New York 
City, have four sons and foiu- daughters); Wilhemina (wife of Fred(>rick Her- 
ner, of Allentown. Penn.. have three sons and two daughters), and John. The 
subject of this sketch learned jjainting in his native land, and upon coming to 
Tiffin. Ohio, in 1853. he carried on liis trade and accjuired a handsome compe- 
tence. In 187() he eml)ark4>d in the grocery business, which he still can'ies on. 
Feljruary 4, 1855. he man-ied Cathai'ine, daughter of Andrew Albrecht, and by 
her has eleven children — two sons and nine daughters: Louisa, wife of James 
George, of Tiffin; Anna, wife of George Dutt, of Tiffin; Mina. who carries on 
the store; Emma, a lady of excellent attainments, a teacher in the schools of 
Tiffin; Eva; Mary: John Frederick, a painter; Lizzie: Ida; Charlie and Cora. 
The family attend the Gi'rman Refoi-med Chui'ch. ilr. Merkelbach is a mem- 
ber of the Bruderbund society, of which he has served as its honored president. 
PETER MILLER, farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born in Ontario County. N. 
Y. , Sejit ember 1(), 1833, son of Daniel W. and Anna Miller, who were united 
in marriage in the State of New York, and who moved to Seneca County, Ohio, 



804 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

in 1S37. where tliey remained until the death of the latter. Daniel W. Miller 
afterward married Sarah Raber. and they now reside in Clinton Township. 
Onr subject was married March 2. 1854, to Levina Robenalt. born in this 
county September 12. 1832, daughter of Solomon and Catharine Robenalt. 
natives of Pennsylvania, and who were married in Fail-field County. Ohio, 
moving to Seneca County in 1829, and there remaining until their death: the 
father died in I8fi8 and the mother in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the 
parents of seven children, of whom six are now living: Frank P.. born October 
1. 18.")(): Orlando A., born March 12, 1858: DanieMV.. born August 1. 185'J: 
Alice v.. born October 25, 18130; Burton R. and Anna M.. born November K). 
18(U. The deceased. Gideon A., was born January 4, 1855, and died Aj)ril 
22. 1802. 'Mi. Miller is a cooper, a trade he followed for several years, and 
then became engaged in farming. He owns 288 acres of land, nearly all improved. 
He is trustee of the township, a position he has filled for six years with 
credit to himself and the satisfaction of his constituents. Ho is a member of 
the I. O. O. F. 

P. L. MORCHER, proprietor of bakery, confectioneiy and dining hall. 
TiiSn. was born in Fort Seneca. Pleasant Township, this county. May 21), 1854. 
His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Rehm) Morcher, former of whom came 
from ^\'urtemberg, Germany, when a lad of fourteen, and here learned shoe- 
making, which he carried on at Fortr Seneca till his death, which occurred in 
Januaiy, 1870: the latter was a native of Bierne, Bavaria, daughter of Philip 
Lorenzo and Elizabeth (Mechsdesheimer) Rehm, who located at Fort Seneca, 
this county, in 1845. Jacob and Elizabeth (Rehm) Morcher had a family of 
six sons and one daughter: John William, of Tiffin; Philip Lorenzo; George 
Henry, a baker; Frank Albert, a farmer and lumber dealer; Charles Jacob, a 
baker; Frances Elizabeth, now Mrs. Charles Purcel, in bakery and restaurant 
business at Fostoria, and Jacob Udel. with Philip Lorenzo. The subject of 
o\v sketch learned shoe-making, which he followed till he was twenty-six years 
of age, when he engaged in his present business, which he has successfully 
carried on since. He was mamed. December 6, 1881, to Matilda, daughter of 
Charles and Catharine (Bechle) Wendler. He and his wife are worthy mem 
bers of the First Reformed Chiu'ch. ]Mi'. Morcher is a member of the K. of P. 
and of P. O. of A. 

BENJAMIN F. MYERS, Tiffin, is a descendant of the German pioneers 
of Ohio from Maryland and Pennsylvania. Conrad Myers, his grandfather, 
coming from Maryland, settled in Mahoning County. Ohio, in 17U6. His 
father, whose name was Conrad, was married to Miss Leah Ranch, of Penn- 
sylvania. In 1845 they came to this county and made their home on a farm 
in Jackson Township, where a family of five sons and three daughters grew 
U{) around them. The subject of this sketch was born in Mahoning County, 
Ohio, May 2, 1833. His early education was acquired in the district schools 
in his neighborhood. He made such advancement that at the age of sixteen he 
taught his first term of school. Afterward he attended Heidelberg College. 
Tiflin. Ohio, where he prosecuted the studies of the scientific course. Leaving 
college he engaged in teaching, and has ever since been prominently connected 
with the educational interests of his county. After a successful experience of 
seventeen years in the district schools, he accepted a position in the public 
schools of the city of Tiffin, where he became principal of the Second ^^'ard, 
and assistant superintendent. This position Mr. Myers has held since ] 800. 
During the last nineteen years he has served as a member of the board of 
county school examiners for Seneca County. In 1850 Mr. Myers was man'ied 
to Miss Leah A. Faulk, of Columbiana County. Ohio, and thev have one son 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 805 

Cliinde EiifTcMic. The family all i)t'loiig to the Kcfurnioil Cliurch. in which 
formally yoars they havo licoii consistent lucmhors and etiiciprit workers. The 
fjeiiial. ijenerons disposition of Mr. Myers has made him many fi'iends. Per- 
sonally he is of line physicjue. tall and compactly built, and of commanding 
presence, .\fter an active and successful service in his profession, he has the 
enviable reputation of being a man of honor and of the strictest integrity. 
He is still in the prime of life, and after being nominated by the Democratic 
party as theii' candidate for the office of treasiu'er of Seneca County, he was 
elected, in October. 1885. to that office by a large majority, even running over 
;-?(IO votes ahead of his ticket. 

\i. FR.VNK MYERS, dealer in hardware, stoves and tinware, Tiffin, was 
boi'n in Manstield. Ohio. March 2(1, 1S4S. His parents, John A. and Sarah 
(Blymer I flyers, natives (jf Franklin County. Penn.. located in Mansfield in 
1842. and thence came to Tiffin in 1S4S. where John A. Myers carried on hard- 
ware business, etc., till his death, which occiuTed in 1877. Since the death of 
his father, oiu" subject, who was in a manner reared to it, has carried on the 
business with excellent success. He was married, in Tiffin, in 1878. to Alver- 
da L.. daughter of the late M'illiam Cromwell. Esq., a native of Frederick 
County. Md. . and by this union th€>re are one son and one daughter: Alfi-ed R. 
and .Vleeta. Mr. and Mrs. Myers ;ire members of the ^Methodist Episcopal 
Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of P., and is president of 
the Tiffin Building Association. 

JOHN JIYERS. farmer. P. O. Tiffin, one of the old settlers of this county, 
was born in Germany, June 24. 181(5. sou of Blasius and Elizabeth Myers, 
natives of Germany, who immigrated, in 1834, to Huron County, Ohio, and 
remained there until their deaths. John Myers, the subject of this sketch, 
came to this county in 1844, and was united in raai-riage the same year with 
Catharine Ardner, who was liorn in Bavaria in 1821. ill-, and Mrs. Myers 
raised quite a large family. He is a cari)euter by trade, but of late years has 
been engaged in farming, owning fifty-five acres of good land. He has filled 
several municipal offices with credit. Mi-s. Myers departed this life in Novem- 
ber. 1878. leaving a family to mourn her loss. 

JCJSEPH P. JFi'ERS. contractor, builder and street commissioner of 
Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, this county. August 10, 1845, the eldest son of John 
and Catharine (Ardner) Myers, and was reared to the building business with 
which he has remained jjiominently connected since (his father retiring fi-om 
it to the farm in 1803, where he now lives). Many of the prominent buildings 
and shops have been constnicted under his supervision. In the year 1884. 
while acting in the capacity of city civil engineer, which profession he ado])ted. 
liv diligent study and hard work he made a complete system of maps of the 
city, which have been adopted by the city. On the breaking out of the late 
war of the Rebellion !Mi'. Myers offered his services and was admitted into 
Company I, One Hundi-ed and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he did 
active service for three years. July 4. 18()4. he was shot through the left 
lung at the battle of Pilot Knob, Marietta, Ga. . and, after lying in the hospital 
for many months, regained his health and was discharged at Columbus. Ohio. 
He participated in the battles of Chickamauga and in many others. Retiu'n- 
ing from tlie war he continued his profession;il work and in the following year 
(1805) was unit»>d in marriage with Mahala Myers, who blessed him with five 
children: Jennie. Bruce. Frank. Rush and Hairy. In 1.S75 Mi-s. Myers 
passed away from this life and is laid to rest in Maple Grove Cemetery. Mr. 
Myers was man-ied on the second occasion, in 18S3. to Belle Byrns. and by 
this union has two bright little l>ov^: Clarence ,i;id Earl. Mr. Myers has al 



806 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 

ways taken an active part in public life, and is a stanch Democrat in politics. 
He has always given a cordial support to the social and industrial development 
of this city. He is director of the Tiffin Building Association; stockholder and 
active operator of the Tiffin Edison Electric Illuminating Company; member 
of Leander Stem Post G. A. E.. K. of P.. P. O. of A. and Bi-uderbund socie- 
ties, and served with credit as chief of the Tiffin Fire Department for several 
years. He belongs to many musical societies. His brothers as well as himself 
are all excellent musicians. 

JOHN BLASIUS MYERS, dealer in groceries and provisions, Tiffin, was 
born in Tiffin, August 7. IS-H); son of John and Catharine (Arduer) Myers, the 
former a native of Neuberg, Baden, and the latter of Betzchbach. Bavaria; 
thev were married in Tiffin in 1S44, and reared four sons and foiu' daughters: 
Joseph P. ; Mary, wife of Martin Hufferd, a farmer in Mercer County, Ohio; 
Johanna, wife of Peter Weber, of Tiffin; John B. ; Catharine, wife of Andi-ew 
Weigle. a mechanic of Tiffin; Chri.stiana (deceased wife of Charles Sheter, and 
who left four children); William H. and Charles L. (latter deceased). The 
subject of our sketch learned his father's trade (carpentering and building), and 
was connected with it for several years, dvu'ing which time he did some import- 
ant contracting and building on public and private buildings and on public 
highways. January 1. ISTo, he retired fi'om that trade and embarked in gro- 
cery, provisions and qu?ensware business. April 21, 1874, he mairied Theresa 
R. Myers, a native of Tiffin. Ohio, daughter of Joseph and Catharine (Sinz) 
Steui-j natives of Tyrol, the former of Herbranz and the latter of Kennelbach. 
and who settled here in early times; they were mamed in May, 1853. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Myers wore born three daughters and two sons: Paulina K., Al- 
fred J., Oswald J., Victoria Annie and Bertha E. Ish: Myers is a regular 
communicant of St. Joseph's Church (Roman Catholic). He is an active mem- 
ber of the Bruderbund, and its honored treasurer; is also a member of the 
Turuverein, and has been an active member of the Fire Department of Tiffin, 
and was engineer of the steam fire engine fi-om 187() to 1880. In 1880 Mr. 
Myers purchased the property where he was born, which he now occupies, and 
on which he has a handsome residence, and when he retires from the cares of 
the day, he lays his head to rest but a short distance from where he was tirst 
pillowed. He is a worthy citizen, a kind husband and father, and a very 
sociable gentleman. 

JOHN M. MYERS was born in Clearspring, Washington Co., :Md.. 
September 13, 1888, son of Michael and Anna E. (Wagner) Myers, descend 
ants of pioneer Germans, of Franklin County, Penn. , who reared a family of 
four sons and two daughters, all of whom removed to this county, in 185*). 
with their parents. John M. had served an apprenticeship in tjiie-setting in 
his native county and had also been reared to the Ijuilding Imsiness, by his 
father, and irpon coming here he continued in that vocation irntil February 
20, 1S()0, when he entered the office of the Seneca Advertiser, as a printer. 
In January. 1863. he became its editor and publisher, and in 186 < he pur 
chased a half interest in the paper, associating with himself, as partner, hi- 
brother, E. Shelby Myers; the business was conducted successfiilly and satis 
factorally till April, 1884, when E. Shelby, and E. Bruce (who had become a 
partner in 1878) sold their interests to L. A. Brunner and J. W. Geiger, who 
now carry it on. The firm of Myers Brothers, under which the paper was 
conducted for eighteen years, succeeded in building up a prosperous business, 
and enlarging the sphere and usefulness of the Adcerfiser. and at the time of 
the dissolution of the firm, it was considered one of the best establishments in 
Ohio. It, would be proper to say here that in the many enterprises in which 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 807 

our subject has been ussociatcHl. his brothers have always shared tirianeially 
with him, and although known as the head of the business, in all matters their 
united counsels have always marked his line of conduct, and the actions of Mr. 
Jlyers have l>een V)etter known as that of the Jlyers Brothel's, who havt> con- 
tributed their share in the development of the material industries of Tiffin. 
In the spring of LST'.t, J. M. , in connection with foiu' other gentlemen of 
Tiffin, pm-chased the Ohio Stove Works, which was conducted as a parnorship 
until January, 1882. at which time the business was organized as a stock com- 
l)aiiy, with John M. as its president, in which position h(^ has cc>ntinued until 
the present time. Our subject was married here in 1S71, to Miss Lurena A. 
Frees, a lady of excellent attainments, daughter of AVesley B. Frees, of Tiffin. 
^Ir. ]\Iyers has always condemned the scramble for public office, and has never 
held an office nor asked for one. He has, however, Ijeen active in th^ further 
ance of the principles of his party and has had the jtleasure of seeing the 
majority gradually growing in his county, fi'om twenty when he t ok charge 
of the paper in 1808, to over 1,20() when he retired fi'om its control in 1884. ' 
Latterly he has become interested with his brothers in the cattle business in 
New Mexico, to which industry he is paying much attention. E. Shelliy 
Myers was born in 1840, and married, in 187(t, to ]\Iiss Sarah E. Haas, 
(laughter of John R. Haas, one of the founders of the Tiffin Agricultural 
Works. E. Bruce Myers was born in* Clearspring, Md. , February 1. 1851. 
;uid man'ied here in 1879. Miss Ella M. Cunningham, daughter of George ^^". 
Cunningham, a prominent miller and grain dealer. To this union has been 
Ijorn a daughter. Bessie. Leon B. Myers the youngest brother, was born in 
185,"), and married, in 1880, to Rebecca McDonald, daughter of Maj, McDonald, 
of Bucyrus, and has two daughters by the union, 

JOHN M. NAYLOR. This well known citizen and business man of Tiffin, 
was born at Wooster, Ohio, December U, 1822, His parents, James and 
Eleanor Dill (Musgravel Naylor. were natives of Beaver and Dauphin Counties. 
Penn.. respectively. James Naylor was a carpenter and house builder, and 
can-ied on that business at Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, for m;iny years. John 
M. Naylor, during his earlier years, attended the public schools, where was 
laid the foundation for a practical English education. Before he was out of 
his ''teens," however, he taught school for several terms, and thus acquired 
means to pay his way at Granville College, where he was a student for some 
time. Up to this date his aim had been to obtain a thoroitgh education and 
to devote himself to the study and jnactice of law. but at the age of twenty 
years he was induced to accejit a clerkship in the hardware store of Jacobs A: 
kouke, at Wooster, Ohio, and thus the channt-l of his life was diverted and 
directed into mercantile pursuits. He remained with the above named firm 
for hmr years, at the ex])iration of which time, in 1847, hi> formed a partner 
ship with Harv(>y Howard and came to Tiffin, where they opened a hardware 
store under the firm name of Howard & Naylor. Four years afterward Mi: 
Howard sold his interest, and Mr. Naylor assumed the sole proprietorshiji of 
the house, continuing the same up to the present time. Under his manage- 
ment the business has steadily prospered and grown, until now it is the most 
extensive establishment of its kind in Tiffin, and, indeed, is excelled by few, 
if any. in northern Ohio. Notwithstanding the assiduous attention ^Ii-. Naylor 
has given to his business, lie has always been a student of men and affairs and 
devoted much time to the study of standard works, thus acquiring a valuable 
fund of information that is generally only attained by a thorough collegiate 
cour.s(>. He has now been ju-ominently identifie<l with the commercial, social 
and other interests of Tiffin for a period of thirty-eight xears. during which 



808 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

time he has beeu proved to be a maa of excellent executive and linaucial abili- 
ties, with percei^tive and reasouiag faculties of no ordinary mold. His judj,'- 
ment and prompt decision in business affairs are seldom at fault. These tjual- 
ities, together with great firmness and a conscientious desire to be just toward 
all men, are characteristics of the man. Though never a politician in the general 
acceptance of the term, he has alwaj's been a Republican, zealously interested 
in the welfare of that party, believing it to be the paity of progi-ess. as it was 
of the Union during the dark days of the civil .war; in those days by means 
and influence Mr. Naylor was earnest in his aid and support of the Union 
cause. He has been a member of the INIethodist Church for many years, and 
has been a liberal donator and one of its chief supports in Tiffin. When the 
new brick chui'ch was built he contrilmted largely toward its erection and com- 
pletion, and in various ways the city of Tiffin has always found him to the 
front in support of any public entei'prise calculated to benefit the whole people. 
He was one of the founders of the National Exchange, now the Tiffin National 
Bank, of which he has always been a director and large stockholder. I\Ir. 
Naylor commenced his business career with little or no means, and is a striking 
example of what may be accomplished in the space of a few years when energy 
is aided by well directed industry, accomj)anied by strict integrity. Mr. Nay- 
lor was married. December 11. 18-19. to Cornelia T.. daught*'r of Judge Ben- 
jamin Pittenger, and although two childi-en were boin to this union none now 
survive: Cora, born in IS.jl. died, after a short illness, in 1878, and Frank, 
born in isr)4. died while on an exciu-sion in Florida in 1SS8. 

WILLIAM NECtELE. of the firm of Martin cV Negele, grocers, etc. . Tiffin, 
was born iu Plochingen, Wuj-temberg. Germany, February 0, 1885, son of 
William and Eosina (Handel) Negele. who came to America in 1858, locating 
at Tiffin the following year. The subject of oui' sketch learned his father's 
business (soap and candle-makingi in his native land, but on coming here 
learned marble-cutting, which he followed till the breaking out of the late 
civil war. He enlisted at Tiffin September 22. 1S()1. in Company H. Fifty- 
fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry: was wounded at the second battle of Bull Run 
and received his discharge at Columljus. February 27, 1808. After the war 
Jlr. Negele returned to Tiffin and engaged as clerk in the grocery business, 
and in 1868 embarked in business along with Jlr. Martin, the firm being 
favorably known to the people of this locality since. He married, in Sanduskj', 
Ohio, in 1804, Christina, daugrhter of the late Christian Kreitzinurer. of San- 
dusky, the tmion being blessed with one son and four daughters: Clara. Mattie, 
Minnie. Cora and Charles. Mi*. Negele aud family are members of the Evan- 
gelical Cluu'ch. of the Sabbath-school of which he has been the superintendent 
for many years. He is a member of the R. A.. K. of H. , L. of H. and of 
Leauder Stem Post. G. A. R. A\"illiam Negele" s only brother. C'harles. is 
a minister in the Evangelical Association of Sandusky, Ohio. Of his sisters, 
Paulina is the deceased wife of Valentine Stetzer, oi Toledo: Louisa is the 
wife of George Mautz. a farmer, of Zanesville, Ohio, and Christiana is the wife 
of Louis Smith. ;i manufacturer, of Zanesville. Ohio. 

HARRY L. NIGHSWANDER. agent of the Baltimore & Ohio Telegraph 
Company, Tiffin, is among the younger elements of Tiffin" s successful citizens. 
His father. John H. Nighswander. was a native of Franklin County. Penu., 
born October 5. 1820. and comes of ]noneer stock of ]\raryland and Pennsyl- 
vania. Upon attaining his majority the father of our subject engaged iu mer- 
chandising and in 1S4S came to Tiffin and embarked in business on his own ac- 
count. Here he married, in 1852, Margaret C diiughter of Eli Umsted. of 
Clinton Township, this county, who bore him three sons and two daughters: 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 809 

Clara (wilt- of Jonas Komii;), Charles Fn-iuont (oj]iTator with tho Western 
I'liioii Telegraph Coiniiaiiy, Toledo), Harry Lincoln (the subject of our sketch), 
Jennie ami John. John H. Ni^^hswander was a member of the constabulary 
of the city and connty for several years: was one of the lirst memV)ers of the 
tire de])artment: is Pa.st Grand of the I. O. O. F., of which he has been a 
member since ]H7h\. 

SAMl'EL XKtHSWAXDKR. connty surveyor and engineer of Seneca 
County, Ohio, P. O. Fort Seneca, was born in Franklin Coixnty, Penn. , May 
0, l.S;-54, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Bare) Nighswander, who settled in this 
county April '2-k 1S47, and who had fifteen childi'en, twelve of whom are yet liv- 
ing. The subject of this sketch was educated in this county, taught school 
for a while, and afterward studied surveying and civil engineering, with which 
he has been iilentitifnl ever since. He has served in his j)resent office for eight 
years. Mr. Nighswamler married ^largaret Beck, by whom he has one son and 
tive daughters; Elizabeth (now IMrs. Charles Bastian), and Savilla (wife of 
Dallas Hade), all residing in Fort Seneca, Ohio: William; Avarintha: Catharine 
and Louisa. Mr. Nighswander is a member of the K. of H. 

HON. W'AKllEN P. NOBLE., a prominent lawj-er of Tiffin, and a highly 
respected citizen of Seneca County, stands high in this locality as one of the early 
ancl most active business men, and as a promoter of many of its most important 
industries. He was born in Luzerne County. Penn.. June 14. lSl-0. His 
father, AVilliiim Noble, was a native of Coiuiecticut. and comes of English ances- 
try, in that State: and his mother, Rebecca (Lytle) Noble, comes of Irish pioneer 
ancestry, of Pennsylvania. They settled in Jackson Township, this county, in 
188(>. where they reared a large family. The subject of our sketch completed 
a good common school education, and taught school for several years in Fos- 
toria and vicinity. The faciliti(>s for obtaining an education in this part of 
Ohio, at that time, were very few. and in order to obtain better o])portunities, 
^Ii'. Noble was compelled to make the trip on foot, several times, to and from 
an academy in Medina County, then under control and management of John 
McGregger. He subsequently read law in the ottice of Rawson tV Pennington, 
of Tiflin. a«cl was admitted to the l)ar in IS44. since which time he has steadily 
advanced to and nov.' occupies the f.ont rank of the profession. He has a 
strong, vigorous constitution, and probably may be reckoned amongst the 
most indefatigable workers in his profession anywhere. In 184<') he w'as elect- 
ed to the Legislature, and was honorably re-elected for a second term. Rptir- 
ing from this, he was elected iirosecuting attorney for Seneca County, to which 
last named ofMce he was re-elected, but resigned before the expiration of the 
second term, to give his entire att(>ntion to his other large law practice. In 
18()(l he was elected to the Thirty-seventh National Congress, and afterward 
again to tlu' Thirty eighth, in both of which he served as representative of the 
war wing of the Democratic ])arty. retiring on the 4th of March, 18<)5. Ljxni 
the dissolution of the First National Bank, of Tiftin, he was appointed its re- 
ceiver, and creilitatjly and promptly closed up and settled the business of that 
concern. Fpon the organization of the Commercial Bank, in 1871), he was 
elected its president, which incumbency he still holds. He served without 
portfolio, for ten years, as member of the board of trustees of the Ohio State 
University, a part of the timi- as president of the board, and was among the 
tirst here to introduci- and make permanent oiu' railroad facilities. He mar- 
ried, in 1847, Mary E., eldest daughter of F. Singer. Mrs. Nol)le died March 
il. IS,"):!. l(>aving two daughters and one son: Belle, now ]\Ls. William L. Bates, 
of Dayton, Ohio: Mary Ellen, widow of the late Silas ^V. Groft", Esip, of Tiflin, 
atid \Varren F.. a graduate of the Ohio State University, class of IHIM. and 



810 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

now a worthy momber of the bar of this State, at Tiffin. After years of cel- 
ibacy, Mr. Noble married, for his second wife. September '21, 1870, Alice M. , 
daughter of the late Alexander Campbell, of TifJin. and this vinion has been 
blessed with two daughters: Hattie. born September 25. 1873. and Alice, born 
January 12, 187."). ]\Ir. Noble has always given a cordial sujiijort to all meas- 
lU'es to promote the gi'owth and development of the social and industrial life of 
this locality. Non-sectarian in religous matters, he contributes freely to all 
church institntions of this place. He is a worthy Knight Templar and a mem- 
ber of De Molav Commanderv of Tiffin. 

HARRISON NOBLE, lawyer. Tiffin, and judge of the proliate court of 
Seneca County, comes of pioneer Ohioans of Connecticut and Pennsylvania stock 
— his father, "William Noble, being of Connecticut, and his mother. Rebecca ( Lytle) 
Noble, ef Pennsylvania. They reared ten childi'en. Harrison Noble was born 
in Salt Creek Township, Wayne Co.. Ohio, and moved here, in 1838, with his 
people who settled in Jackson Township, where he obtained a good schooling 
for the times. He attended Oberlin College and afterward Seneca County 
Academy at Republic. He then taught school and attended law study in the 
office of his brother the Hon. W. P. Noble. • He was admitted to the practice 
of law in 1849 and formed a partnership with his l>rother and preceptor. In 
1874 he retired fi'om this alliance and formed a partnership with N. B. Lutes, 
which he retired fi'om in 1880, and subsequently fonued one with James H. Latt, 
the present city solicitor, which firm Mr. Noble retired fi'om to enter upon his 
present incumbency. He has served his city as solicitor two terms; member of 
the council twelve years; mayor of Tiffin two terms; director of the County 
infirmai'y six years; and has tilled other important local official positions. 
During the late war of the Rebellion he worked actively in the interests of or- 
ganization of the different regiments raised in the countv and was commis- 
sioned colonel of the second regiment raised here. Mr. Noble was mairied 
at Tiffin, in ISe'iS, to Minerva, sixth daughter of the late Josiah Hayes, and by 
this union has two sons: Harry H. , now engaged in medical studies, and Bir- 
die M. , at home. JIi\ Noble while attending a good professional practice has 
also been preceptor of some of our leading yoimg attorneys. In the social 
and industrial life of Seneca County he has contributed in no small degi-ee to 
the advancement of its growth and development. 

T. H. NOONAN, di\'ision freight agent of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- 
road, Tiffin, is a representative of one of the important commercial interests of 
this locality, and is a worthy example of a self-made man in his vocation. He 
was born in Lockport, N, Y.. June 26. ]84r): son of John T. and Mary (Arm- 
strong) Noouan. natives of Ireland, the former a descendant of merchantmen 
of County Clare, and the latter of the Armstrongs, of Sligo. many of whom rank 
well in the literary professions; they married in Sligo and cam(> to America, 
locating in this county a few years previous to the cholera epidemic, and here 
reared three sons and three daiighters. The subject of our sketch became an 
apprenticed clerk at twelve years of age. and upon completing his apprentice- 
ship learned book-keeping and telegraphy, and became clerk and operator in 
the Cincinnati. Sandiisla- & Cleveland Railroad, now the Indiana. Bloomington 
& ^\'estern Railroad. After a few years creditable connection with this corpor- 
ation, he accepted a position on the Ohio & Mississipj)i Railroad at Yincennes. 
Ind. , where he remained in charge of that office for about six years. He next 
spent two years as " mine host" of the Shawhan House, at Tiffin, and was also 
interested in the Hays House, of Fostoria, at the same time. Retiring fi'om 
this business, he accepted a position with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad as 
traveling freight agent in June, 1870, and in 1880 was ap})ointed to his pr(>s- 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 811 

cnt incniDl)ency,'wliicli lie ahly fills. Mr. Nooiiiin was man-ied iu Tiffin. Octo 
ber, 1870, to Clara Ai-iiold, eldest daughter of Hoiirv A. Buskirk. and to this 
union were born two sons: Hany and Dor.sey Ray. llr. Noouan has always 
held aloof from stronof political and religioiis connections, but has liberally con- 
tl'ibiited to all worthy enterjsrises. 

LLOYD XORRIS, farmer and stock d(>a]er, P. O. Tiffin, was born in this 
county October Ti, \KW. sou of Nathaniel and Sarah Norris, natives of Mary- 
land, where they wei-e married and where they first settled: fiom there they 
came to this county, about IS'iS, and here remained until their death: N'athan- 
iel Norris departed this life December 8. lSfi4, and his widow February Ti, ISGo. 
Oiu' subject was united iu mairiage, March 80, lSo4, with Barbara A. Miller, 
born in the State of New York, October Ifi, 1830, daughter of Daniel and 
Anna Miller, who were married in New Y'ork State, and who moved to Ohio in 
1837, settling in this county, where they remained until the death of Mrs, 
Miller, which occurred March 24, 1849,' After the death of his tirst wife Mi\ 
Miller married Sarah Raber. and they now reside in Clinton Townshij), this 
county. To our suliject and wife have been born two chihlien: Sidney C, , born 
December 10, 18r)7, and Arthur L,, born Augu.st \'2. 187'J. ]\Lr. Norris owns 
1(>0 acres of tine land, with good buildings. Mrs. Norris is a member of the 
Lutheran Church. 

HON. JAMES A. NORTON, Tiffin, a .son of Dr. Rufus and Clarissa CWater.s) 
Norton, pioneers of Seneca County, was born here November 11, 1843. the 
youngest of a family of fom* sons and one daughter, all but one man-ied and now 
heads of families. Dr. Rufus Norton was a native of L'tica. N. Y.. and sou of 
Isaiah Norton, a native of the north of England, fi-om whence probably came 
the corruption of the name MacNaughton, of Scotch history, to the English 
Norton. Dr. Rufus Norton settled here in 183.") and carried on a imputable 
and extensive medical practice for more than thirty years. The subject of this 
sketch received a good education in the schools of Tiffin. Upon the breaking 
out of the late civil war, though but eighteen years of age. he enlisted in de- 
fense of the Union, was accepted and did active and honorable service for four 
years. He was promoted to a lieutenancy, upon examination by a regular 
army board, and was serving as post-adjutant at Louisville, Ky. . when mus- 
tered out. He served in all the important battles of tln> Department of the 
Cumberland, being severely wounded at the battle of Chickamauga. After 
the war he completed a thorough medical education and engaged iu the ])rac- 
tice of the ]>rofession with his father. He. however, began to disjilay abilities 
as a political lender, and. although a young man. made his influence felt in 
this locality; his broad views of human nature and versatility of makeuj), ren- 
dered him eminently titled for this sphere, and his constituents recogniz(>d it 
by electing him to the Si.x:ty-iirst General Assembly of the State, in 1 873, by a 
very positive majority, and in re-electing him to the Sixty-second and Sixty- 
third General Assemljlies, in the latter of which he served as speaker jim U'lti., 
and (luring all his experience iu the Legislature made his influence felt as an 
able speaker, a fearless defender of the principles of his (the Democratic) party. 
Retiring fi-om active legislative duties, he studied law. antl was admitted to 
the practice in the State in 187i). l)ut has paid but little attention to office 
work in that profession, his later interests l)eing in connection with the water 
works, and as manager for the M'iley Construction Comjiany of Greenfield, 
Mass. Besides his interests here, he is a i)rominent stockholder in the Adrian, 
Mich., Water Works, and president of the Grand Haven, Mich,, Water A\'orks, 
He was married here, July I'J, 180"), to Adeline, daughter of the late Thomas 
Hemming, and this union has been blessed with two bright chikb'en: Albert 



812 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Leland. a graduato of tlu> Tiffin High* School and now an eiglit -years' cadet in 
the naval school at Annapolis, and Clara Adele. It may be truthfully said that 
Mr. Noi-ton has but few ecjuals as an extemporaneous speaker. He has served 
the city and county as an official and promoter of most of its important inter- 
ests. He is an active member of the Seneca County Agricidtural Society, has 
served as president of the school board of the city. pre.sideut of the council, is 
now serving as county auditor of this county, and has been prominently before 
the people as congressman; he represented the Seventh Congressional District 
as delegate to the late much respected Democratic National Convention: was 
appointed, liy Secretary of the Treasury Daniel Manning, as inspector of cus- 
toms at the Isthmus of Panama. V)ut declined the apjiointment because of Ini-- 
iness relations that forbade his acceptance. 

WINDFIELD S. NOYINGER. carriage and wagon-maker. P. O. Tiffin, 
is a son of John and Susan (Killinger) No\'inger. natives of Pennsylvania, who 
came to Ohio in 18.S2 and settled in Clinton Township, where they are pleas- 
antly located. They have had eight children : WindtieldS. , Jacob. Irviu. George 
W., Virgil, Kate and Thomas, now living; and Hiram, who died when four 
years old. Om- subject was born September 1. 1863. in Dauphin County, 
Penn., and was educated in the common schools. He came to Ohio with his 
pai'ents in 1882. and after remaining one year in Stark County, moved to this 
county. He was married. June 14, 1881, to Emma, daughter of Levi Snively, 
and by this union there are two children; Clidie and Edgar. Mr. Novinger 
has purchased a beautiful corner residence and shop, in which latter he is 
doing a tine business, having all the facilities necessaiy for repairing carriages 
and wagons neatly. 

JAMES O'BRIEN, president of the O'Brien Bros. Manufacturing Company . 
of Tiffin, represents an important industry, as well as one of the most public 
spirited and enterprising corporations in Seneca County. He is a native of 
Ireland, born in Dublin July "i.J, 1826. His parents were John and Eliza 
(O" Toole) O'Brien, the form(>r a native of County Carlow, and the latter of 
Dublin, Ireland. John O'Brien was a plumber and gas-titter by trade. In 
1833 he came to this cinintry and located in New Orleans, where he brought 
his family (consisting of his wife, two sons and a daughter) two years later, 
but soon afterward removed to Peoria County, 111., where he caiTied on farm- 
ing; until his death, which occiu'red in 1873, his widow following him some 
four years later. They reared a family of five sons and four daughters, all of 
whom lived to be active and usefid citizens. The subject of this sketch learned 
caipentering at eighteen, and was ]irominently identilied with the building in- 
terests in Illinois for several years. In IS").") he embarked in wagon and car- 
riage-making at Galva. 111. Retiring from that industry there in 18r)9. he 
located in Prineeville. Peoria County, and in 18('>r) located at Kewanee. HI., 
where he was well and fa\"orably known in the business for many years. In 
1882 he opened his lousiness here, in which he was united by his two younger 
brothers : William Smith O' Brien, the present superintendent and treasurer, 
and Joseph Peter, secretary and foreman of the machinery department of the 
company. Mi-. O'Brien married, in 1850, Margaret Francis Seery, daughter 
of Lawrence and Bridget (Norton) Seery, natives of Ireland, where Mrs. 
O'Brien was born. To this union were born three daughters: Mary Caroline, 
and two dead; and three sons, John Edward (head book-keeper for the firm). 
Henry Eugene (traveling salesman for the firm), and George Norton (book- 
keejier and stenographi^r for the firm). Mr. O'Brien has always made his 
mark as an enterprising and ])ublic spirited citizen. He served Kewanee as its 
mayor, justice of the jieace and councilman, and has been creditably identified 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 813 

in other official positions both there and elsewhere. He is a kind husband, a 
<;ood father, and has educated his children well, his three sons all being gi'ad- 
iiates of Notre Dame University. Ind. Jlr. O'Brien is a worthy m<>mber of 
the Roman t'atholic Church, and a icguhu- communicant of St. Mary's con- 
Ljregation. 

CHKISTOl'HKR C. PARK, hardware merchant and dealer in grain and 
<eeds. Tiffin, was born in Northumberland Comity, Peun. , October 4. 1 829, 
and comes of a pioneer family of English ancestry of the State of New Jer- 
sey. His father, John Pai'k (foiiuerly spelled Peai'ke) was a native of that 
State, and his mother, Elizabeth (Waggoner) Park, was a descendant of German 
pion(>ers of Pennsylvania. In 1880 John Park came to this county and located 
at Tiffin. l)ut after engaging in merchandising for several years removed (in 
lSt4) to what is now kno\vn as ''Pleasant Hill" farm. Section Ifi, Clinton 
Township (C. C. Park's present property), where oui' sTibject gi-ew to man- 
hood. At the age of twenty he (Christopher C. Park) went to California and 
spent two years successfully in mining operations, returning at the enii of that 
time to contiiuie his farming operations in this county. In ISCiS he took stock 
in the Ti ffin Agricultural Works, and has continued in suceessfid connection 
with it since. In that year (1808) he invested in stock in the Tiffin M'oolen 
Mills, and continued a supporter of that institution till its dissolution, and in 
ISTl he invested means in support of the Tiffin Shoe Factory, and was identi- 
lied with it till it ceased cor])orate existence. In ISTT) he joined the establish- 
ment of the " (irange store." and continued an active manager of its interests, 
latterly ( I8S(') |)ui'chasing the entire business, which he now represents only 
in hardware and agricultural machinery. He is also a very ardent sujiporter 
and contribtitor to many other jjublic enterprises in Tiffin, and has done a 
leading share to support its industries. Mr. Park was married in Trffin, No- 
vember 8, ]8t>r), to Malinda, eldest daughter of Ezra DeiT, of Clinton Town- 
shi]i. a native of Maryland. She died June IH. LSt')."), and is btuied in Green 
Lawn Cemetery with her two sons, Ezra Derr and Harry Rockey, leaving two 
sons and a daughter living: Hiram G.. associated with his father; Jtihn C. , 
with the United States Express Comjjany here, and Anna, wife of Thomas E. 
Crank, a <lruggist of Golden City. ]\Io. ^Ir. Park was married on the second 
occasion. September 10, ISftS, to Elizabeth C. Smith, a native of Virginia, a 
lady of estimable attainments, and by this union has two daughters and two 
sons living: Alva Marius. Ida May. Lela Gertrudi> and Charles Howard. 
Mr. and Mrs. Park are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with 
which he has lieen connected for over twenty years; is trustee at present, and 
has held official positions in it for many years. He has been a member of the 
Masonic order for over thirty years, and is Past Eminent Commander of De 
Molay Encam])ment No. 0. K. T. He is also a memlier of the K. of H.. and 
of the .v. L. of H. During the late war of the Rel)ellion he served in Com- 
pany D. Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the existence of that 
regiment. He has served with credit on the School Board of C'linton Township, 
and in municipal offices in same township. Mr. Park has been well and favor- 
ably known here for over half a cetitirry and has by dint of persistent indus- 
try and honesty accumulated a handsome competence, and has reared his fam- 
ilv well, among the older memliers of which are some of our leading citizens. 
ROBERT G. PENNINGTON, a prominent lawyer of Tiffin, was born in 
•Delaware County. Penu.. December 11. 181(1, and comes of Pennsylvania 
parentage of Quaker antecedents and of English descent. Isaac Peiuiington, 
to whom th(> ancestry is ti'aced, was an Englishman of large intltieiice and 
broad Christian charity. His daughter married William Penn, and, with Penn, 



814 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

George Fox, Robert Barclay and Thomas Elwood, he founded the Society of 
Friends. The first American Pennington was Edward, the son of Isaac, and 
who emisfrated from England with his brother-in-law. William Penn, in 1G82. 
Edward mairied a daughter of Gov. Jennings, of New Jersey, and from that 
maiTiage the Penningtons of New Jersey as well as Pennsylvania claim their 
American origin, ^"hen the subject of this sketch had reached his eighth 
year, his parents, Joseph and Sarah Pennington, moved then- family from 
Pennsylvania to New York, and in Cayuga County of that State the lad passed 
nine years of his early youth. His father, a well-to-do mechanic and farmer, 
desirous of procuring more acres for the increasing household, \-isited Ohio, 
and. purchasing land in Seneca Coiinty. settled here m 1834. Robert G. was 
then seventeen. He had been kept at school during boyhood and was reputed 
a fair scholar. On reaching Ohio, however, he commenced a course of studies 
in Huron Institute. He went through the cHrrictiliim of that popular school, 
and having completed the academic course turned his attention to the selecting 
of a jarofession. He chose the law. He read under the supervision of Abel 
Rawson, a distinguished jiu-ist and scholar, and was admitted to the bar in 
1842. The preceptor thinking well of the pupil took him into partnership. 
The firm of Rawson & Pennington continued for many years and until the 
senior member, in 1850, retired from practice. It was in the office of that 
firm that the Hon. W. P. Noble and Gen. W. H. Gibson took their early lessons 
in law and became prepared for the bar. Subsequently Mr. Pennington was as- 
sociated as law partner with Gen. W. H. Gibson, and later with another of his 
law students. J. C. Lee. ex-lieutenant-goveruor of Ohio, and lastly with John 
McCauley, with whom he remained as partner to the time Mr. McCauley was 
elected judge of the common pleas court. In ISGl, when the life of the na- 
tion was imperiled, ^Ir. Pennington rendered his country service by assisting 
to organize and prepare for the field the Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
and went with that regiment to the front as quarteimaster, proving himself 
worthy of the position. In coiu'se of time he became adjutant on Gen. Mc- 
Lean's stafP, but after two years of soldier life he quitted the army in conse- 
quence of impaired health, and returning to Tiffin ajiplied himself to recover- 
ing the clients and practice which had strayed away diuing his absence. He 
was successful. ]\Ir. Pennington has been devoted to his calling. He has 
made it the chief business of his life. Early in the practice he acquired the 
reputation of a painstaking, accurate, honest lawyer, which he stdl maintains. 
For over forty years he has-been an active attorney, and has held out longer 
than any who was a member of the Tiffin bar at the time of his admission. 
Instinctively and religiously he has been a hater of slaver}-: was an original 
"Free Soiler" and conspicuous as a public speaker in the campaign of 1850. 
and the same year was a member of the electoral college and cast his vote for 
Fremont. He has upheld the faith and has at all times been in accord with 
the Republican j'arty, but he has never held official position. His party, rec- 
ognizing his capacity for public life, has frequently placed him in nomination, 
but being in the minority in the district it has failed to elect. In 1847 Mr. 
Pennington was one of the incoiporators of the Seneca County Bank, a bank 
of issue and the fii-st established in the county. He was a director of Ihat in- 
stitiition and for a while its cashier. He was also a director and one of the 
largest stockholders of the late Fust National Bank of Tiffin. He was a pro- 
jector of the Tiffin Gas Light Company, and for several years was its president. 
He has taken an active and efficient part in the railroad projects that have 
seemed likely to benefit his town, securing the rights of way for them, invest 
iug largely in their stock, and facilitating and making possible their construe- 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 815 

tiou, and in this work ho was for several years president of the Tiffin & Fort 
M'ayne and the American iV Central Railway Companies. Mr. Penninp;ton ha.-i 
also encourarred and taken lar<;e peeuniaiy interests in mannl'acturing and oth(>r 
nsefnl e!iteri)rises. that liad for their ol)ject the present and jirospeoti ve welfare of 
Tiffin, and thoufrh through the commercial disasters whieh have overtaken some 
of them he has suffered severely, yet he is in poss(>ssion of an ample and hand- 
st)me comi)etence. He is a close observer and thinker; his reading on the 
natural sciences and kindred subjects have been extensive, and he talks elearlv 
on their application to architecture and the common affairs of life. Availing 
itself of this the court of common pleas has just (in 188:5) appointed him on the 
committee of which he is chairman to supervise the initiative acts and to look 
after the construction of the contem))lated new court house of Seneca County. 
In 1841^ Mr. Pennington was married to Caroline A. Kuhn. a native of the 
Island of Minorca (a province of Hj)ain). and daughter of Joseph L. Kuhn. of 
th(> Unit(>d States Navy, and granddaugliter of Lewis Chadwick Hargrave. late 
British consul-general to the Spanisli Balearic Islands. The late Dr. Henry 
Kuhn. an eminent physician of Tiffin, was her uncle. The Doctor was also the 
Imsband of Mr. Pennington's eldest sister. Of Mi\ Pennintrton's three 
(hiughters. Eugenia H. is the wife of Almon Hall of the Toledo bar (a lawyer 
of chiiracter and ability); Caroline C. is the wife of U. R. Steele (ex-member 
of the national Congress, and now a jirominent attorney of large practice in the 
Territory of Dakota); Louisa A., the youngest daughter, resides in Tiffin and 
is the wife of Samuel Keech (who is engaged in mercantile piusuits). Mr. 
Pennington is above the medium height, carries himself erect, and his move- 
ments are easy and active. In adcb-ess he is affable, fi-ank and kindly. He 
is modest and unpretentious, and his general demeanor bears the impress of 
his Quaker lineage. He attends with his family the services of the Ej)iscopal 
Church, of which his wife is a commnnicant. and he contributes to its supi^ort. 
In 18S4 he was appointed by Gov. Hoadly a member of the board of directors 
of the State Insane Asylum at Toledo. Ohio. 

BARCL.\Y PENNINGTON, photographic artist. Tiffin, a sou of Joseph 
and Sarah (Denison) Pennington and brotlier of R. G. Pennington, was born 
in Cayuga County. N. Y.. July '1. 1828. His parents removing to this county, 
in 18:51. he was reared and educated in the high school. Tiffin City. He 
learned his profession at Tiffin, and subsequently bought out the interest in 
the busin(>ss of his preceptor, a Mr. Hardsock, and has continued the business 
since. He was married herein 18()1 to Josephine E. Creeger, the elder and 
<mly siu-viving sister of Mrs. Gen. W. H. Gibson. She was a native of 
Frederick City, Md. Our subject and wife have but one child, Stella Louisa, 
a young lady of excellent literary and artistic attainments. She and her 
mother are worthy members of the ilethodist Episcopal Church, to which Mr. 
Pennington has always been a liberal contril)utor. He has been a worthy 
member of the I. O. O. F. since his majority, and has been the permanent 
secretary of that order here for the jtast twenty -six years. 

D. C. PITTENGER. fanner, P. O. Tiffili. was born in Seneca County. 
Ohio. January 24, 183(3: son of Benjamin and Theresa Pittenger, natives of 
Frederick County, Md. , where they were married. They moved to this county 
and settled in Tiffin in 1824, and there remained until the death of Mrs. Pit", 
tonger. which oecutTed December 8. 1847. After her death. Benjamin Pitten- 
ger married Jliss Mary A. Hunter, and in 18(11 they moved to the farm where 
our subject now resides, and remained ther>> until then- death; ^Irs. Pittenger 
died August 1"). 1877, and Mr. Pittenger January 24. 1881. Benjamin Pit- 
tenger was the father of twelve children, five now living: Cornelia T. (wife of 



816 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

J. M. Naylor). Ann C. (wife of Albert Buskirk), DeWitt C. ; Emma L. (wife 
of E. T. Naylor) and Millard F. D. C. Pittenger, the subject of this sketch, 
was united in marriaj^e. November 11. 1868. with Alma Fleet, born in Steuben 
County. N. Y. , October 81, 1844. daughter of Abraham Fleet, a native of 
New York State, now residing in Jasper County. Mo. !Mr. and Mrs. Pitten- 
ger are the parents of three childi-en: Cornelia T. . Benjamin and Ethel. Mr. 
Pittenger is the owner of the tine farm where he and his family reside. He 
and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Chiuch. of Tiffin. 

JOHN O. PLANK, ••mine host," " of the •• Shawhan House, " " Tiffin, rep- 
resents the leading hostelry of Tiffin, and stands prominent in hotel circles 
throughout not only Ohio, but the East, where he is the proprietor of the 
■"Columbia Hall."" at Lebanon Springs. N. Y. . and the "Ocean House." at 
Point Pleasant, N. J. Mr. Plank is entirely self-made, being left dependent 
when a mere lad. and as a successful hotel man he is worthy of more than a 
passing notice. -He was reared in Planktovvn. Ohio, and at twelve years of age 
engaged as night clerk in the "Coleman House." at Shelby (his native town), 
and fi'om here went to Mansfield. Ohio, where he clerked in the Tremont, 
Sherman. Kennard and St. James hotels, in which latter he spent tw'o years, 
diu^ing which time he also engaged as silent i)artner with W. W. Reed, in the 
"Central House," at Galion, Ohio. He afterward had the management of the 
"Rowley House," at Mount Vernon, Ohio, and in the same year leased the 
"Lake "V'iew House." at Chautauqua Lake. N. Y. After a very siiccessfiil sea- 
son with the latter house, he joined Mr. Reed in the "Haines House" at Mun- 
cie. Ind. Coming to Tiffin in 1878. he clerked in the "Shawhan House" a year, 
and then carried on the "Fo)est City House." at Forest. Ohio, and formed a 
joint stock company which built and opened the "Hotel Bryant." at Flint. 
Mich. . the leading hostelry of that State. After this he retiu'ued to Tiffin and 
took charge of the "Shawhan House." which he still carries on. During tliis 
year he carried on the "Reesee House" at Kenton. Ohio, and became manager 
of the " Green Spring Water Cure, " at Green Spring, this county. In 1880 
he took charge of the "Tenekall House." at Demorest, N. J., which he 
operated for on(> season successfully, and in the same year became the manager 
and proprietor of the "Columl)ia Hall, " at Lebanon Sj)rings. N. Y.. which he 
has successfully carried on since: in 1884. at an immense expense, com- 
])letely remodeling that grand hostelry. In 1883 he leased the "Ocean 
Hou^e." at Point I'leasant. N. J., which he has cairied on till the present 
time, and in 1884 leased the "Russell House." at Defiance. Ohio, which lie 
ably can'ieson; and this year, 1885, he has in addition to the hotels mentionetl. 
the famous hotels in the Green Mountains: the "Motint ^Mansfield Hotel." 
Stowe. Yt. . the largest and grandest hotel in the State, having accommoda- 
tions for oOtt guests: the "Summit House." on the top of Manstield Mountain. 
t)ver ."i.OOO feet altitude, a very noted jilace. and the highest mountain peak in 
the East: also, in connection, he personally has supervision of the "Half-Way 
House" and •'Moss Glen House" in the Green ^Mountains: making in all about 
twenty hotels he has been clerk, manager and i)roprietor of in the last seventeen 
years, since li<> was eleven years old. Mr. Plank's early training in hotel 
business was thorough, his first salary was but $C) a month, but by dint of per- 
sistent industry and fi'ugality he accumulated sufficient to start him in busi- 
ness, and this, coupled with his excellent managerial ability, has placed him in 
the fi^ont rank of hotel men of the country. He is but twenty-nine years of 
age, and the wonder is that he has accomjilished so much in his business in so 
little time. He was happily msu'ried. at Tiffin, to Miss Cora Bell, daughter of 
Martin and Susan Zeller. of this city, the union being blessed with one son. 
John Oliver. .Jr. 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 817 

JAMES H. PLATT. city solicitor of Tiffiu. was bom in Columljiaiia 
County. Ohio. August •12. \H:U. son of Gi'orgo and Eva M. (Faulk) Piatt, the 
latter of whom was a daughter of Solomon and Mario (Kaiioh) Faulk, pioneers 
in Columbiana County, Ohio, coming from Pennsylvania. George Piatt was 
a native of England, a millwright by profession, coming fi-om Oldham, Lan- 
cashire, to this country, and after spending a useful life died in 1807 at Find- 
lay. Ohio, leaving there a family of thi-ee sons and five daughters. The sub- 
ject of our sketch was reared in Tiffin, where he completed a fiill classical 
course of study at Heidelberg College, graduating in 187"). He had taught a 
term previovis to his graduation, and after that continued teaching till lS7il, 
when he commenced law study, and was admitted to practice in 1S81. He 
then jt)ined Jmlge Harrison Noble, which partnership continued until recently. 
In 18SH Mr. Piatt was elected solicitor for the city, and was honoral)ly re- 
elected April N, 1885. He was married in Tiflin. in 1883, to Rosa M. Warner, 
foster-daughter of Prof. B. F. Myers. This imion was blessed with one 
daughter — Mary Aleta. Mr. and Mrs. Piatt are worthy members of Grace 
Reformed Chm'ch. He is a member of Seneca County Bar Association, and 
of the P. O. of A. 

JOSEPH L. RANKER, hardware merchant. Tiffin, was born in Tiffin. 
Ohio, October 17, 1848, son of Joseph and Barbara (Shabacher) Ranker, 
natives of Bavaria, the former a blacksmith by trade, who settled in Tiffin in Uw 
spring of 1S;5"2; the father died April 8, 1S.")8, the mother May <). 1870. Foxu- of 
their children siu'vive: Frances A., wife of George Spaytli. of McCutcheuville; 
John Hiu\v. a blacksmith, in Tiffin; Josephine and Joseph L. The subject of 
this sketch was reared in Tiffin to the hardware business, and has been favora- 
bly identified with that branch of trade in the place for some years. He mar- 
ried in Tiffin, in 1S70, Rosa K. . daughter of Caspar Kirchner (brother of M. 
J. Kirchner). and they have a family of four sons and two daughters; Louis 
William. Emma Rosa, Albert Joseph, Flora Josephine, Herman Edward and 
Charles Jacob. The family are communicants of St. Joseph's congregation of 
the Roman Catholic Church, which church Mi-. Rankin has served as trustee. 
He is a member of St. John's Benevolent Association, and is the honored 
president of the Catholic Knights of America in Tiffin; is also an honorable 
member of the Bruderbund. Mi-. Ranker is a thorough and progressive busi- 
ness man and citizen, and has always contributed liberally to the supjiort of 
the social and industrial interests of his native city. Dm'ing the year 1884 
he made a trip to EuroiJe, and visited with pleasure and interest the homes of 
his ancestors. 

ABEL KA\\SON (deceased) was born at Warwick. Mass.. May 11, 17'.KS, 
and was the third sou of Lemuel and Sarah (Bass) Rawson, who were mairied 
there September 8. 17111. He was of the sixth generation in descent fivm 
Edward Rawson. who settled in that State from England in KVH, and served 
as secretary of the colony of Massachusetts Bay fi-om 1 (>.")( » to 1 <)8r>. Our sub- 
ject when a child suffered from a disease which cri])i)led his left leg for life, 
and, being dejiendent, he taught school, and educated himself in this way. Hi.s 
desire was to l)ecome a lawyer, and after completing a good literary educatit)ii 
he studied law. and was admitted to [>ractice in Massachusetts in 1823. In 
1824 he left his i)raetice in New Salem. Mass.. and came to Ohio, where he 
taught school in Dover and later in Norwalk, where in 182") he was admitted 
to the bar of Ohio. Tht> same year he visited Tiffiu. and February 1"). lS2t), 
loc.ited in Fort Ball with but little means and with a library containing the first 
volume of Swift's " Digest of Chitby's Pl<>adings." In Jlay following he was 
appointed prosecuting attorn?y. which incumbency he held till 1N33. as also 



818 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

other county offices and the postmastership of Fort Ball. In 1880 he was 
appointed register of the land office here, which position he retained six years, 
when he declined the office. In 1 846 K. G. Pennington united with him in law 
practice, which had now become very extensive, the partnership lasting some 
twelve years. In 184-4 our subject was delegate from the Ninth Congressional 
District to the Whig convention at Baltimore which nominated Clay and Fre- 
liughuysen. September 28, 1828, Mr. Eawson was married to Sarah Ann 
Clark, a native of Hancock, Vt. , and this union was blessed with two sons: 
Allen A. and Homer C. (graduates of Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1855, and 
now physicians of standing at Corning. Iowa): and a daughter — Aui'ina H. — 
who died in 1S48. followed by her mother June d. 1849. September 25, 1856, 
Mr. Rawson was united in marriage with Mrs. Maria McNeal, nee Gregory, 
widow of Milton McNeal. and daughter of Ca])t. Nehemiah Gregory, of Ath- 
ens, Athens Co.. Ohio, and with her he spent a happy domestic life till his 
death, which occurred August 24. 1871. Mr. Rawson was a man of sterlinsr 
character and strict, unbending integrity, and. although during a busy life here 
in public matters he was often severely criticised, his position on all matters 
became always acceptable as the best, and he gathered around him in his de- 
clining years a gracious support from all who knew him. 

CH.^RLES REINBOLT. farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born October 17, 1843, in 
Clinton Township, this county, on the farm where he and his family now reside. 
His parents were Michael and Louisa Reinbolt. the former born in Alsace, 
France, and the latter in Byron: they immigrated to America about 18211, set- 
tling in this county r were married in Pleasant Township, where they remained 
two years, then moved to Clinton Townshij) to the farm which Michael Rein- 
bolt bought from the government in 1884, and the one on which our subject 
now lives: the fatber of our subject remained in Seneca County until his death, 
which occurred May 4. 188(1; his widow resides in Sandusky. Ohio. Our sulj- 
ject was united in marriage. February 22. 1870. with Curtilda Sargner. who 
was born in Crawford County. Ohio. October 21. 1S4<1 Her parents are Lewis 
and Retina Sarijner. who reside in Tiffin. Ohio. To ill-, and ilrs. Sargner 
were born nine childien. seven now living —Sophia. Marcus. Catharine. Ann, 
Curtilda. Francis and Victoria. The deceased are Eve and Benedict. To ]Mr. 
and Mi's. Reinbolt have been born eight childi'en: Michael. Joseph (deceased). 
George, Cathrien (deceased), Louisa, Charles, Daniel and Mary (latter de- 
ceased). Our subject owns 160 acres of land. He and wife are members of 
the Catholic Church. 

ISAAC RE^'ERT. marble manufactiu'er. Tiffin, was born in Osnabiu'g 
Township. Stark Co.. Ohio. July 4. 1841. His parents. Daniel and Catharine 
(Funk) Revert, were pioneers of that place and descendants of pioneer Penn- 
sylvania people, originally from Baden. Germany. In 1849. they moved to 
Venice Township, this county, where Isaac (their only child) was reared to 
farming, and bought and owns a nice farm adjoining the old home.stead. In 
1880 the subject of this sketch came to Tiffin and united with Mr. Zeller in the 
coal business, with whom he continued till the spring of 1885, when he sold his 
interest and united with ilr. Thorn in marble manufacturing. Mr. Revert was 
married, in 18(55, to Sarah A. Beverof Bloom Township, this county, daughter 
of George and Sabiua (Bretz) Bever, who settled there fi'om near Martinsljurg, 
W. Va. Mr. Revert is a public spirited and progressive citizen, fully awake 
to the times, and will, ere long, take no small share in the developments of many 
of Tiffin's interests. He and his estimable wife attend the sei'viees of the M. P. 
Church, of which the latter is a worth v member. 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 819 

LYSANDEK KEYNOLDS. farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born in tlie 
State of New York. Februiiry lit. IS'lTt, a son of Ibrahim and Harriet 
Reynolds, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of Orange 
County. N. Y. ; they were man'ied in the State of New York where 
they remained until 1S8(), at which timi> they came to this county, 
afterward moving to Hancock County, and from there to Carey, AN'yan- 
dot County, where they remained until their death. Our subject was 
united in marriage, September. 1, 1858. with Elizabeth Huss, l)orn in 
Frederick County, Md. , December '20, 1823, daughter of David and Nancy 
Huss, the former a native of Franklin County. Penn. , and the latter of Mary- 
land, and who were married in Maryland, from whence they moved to Ohio in 
1S2(). settling in this county, and here remained until their death. To our 
subject and wife have been born two children: Clara (wife of Emit Corthell), 
and Ida, (wife of William Corthee). Mr. Reynolds owns foiiy-foui' acres of 
imi)roved land. He served his countrv in the late war. and is a member of the 
G. A. R. 

JESSE RIFFLE, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was burn in Frederick County. 
Md. , in 1810. son of Andi-ew and Magdalena Riffle, who wei-o man-ied in Adams 
County, Penn. . where they remained until their death. The subject of this 
sketch was united in man-iage, in 1846, with Mary A. Dedi-ick, born in France 
in 1824. and a daughter of Anthony Dediick. who died in Ohio. To Mr. and 
Mj-s. Riffle were born nine chikken: Cina J.. Martin T., Mary A. (wife of 
Thomas Bowser). TheaboltT., Rosa C. (wife of Luther C. Harsha), Theadore 
N.. William F. and Jesse, now living; and Edward, deceased. Mr. Riffle is a 
miller by trade, which he followed for fom- years, but has engaged in farming 
during his latter days. He owns lOO acres of land in a high state of cultiva- 
tion. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. Mrs. Riffle de- 
jjarted this life December 27, 1880, leaving her family and many friends to 
moiu"n her loss. 

LEROY W. RODGERS, contractor and builder. Tiffin, was born in Jeffer- 
son County. Ohio. September 25, 1844, son of William and Elizabeth (Walker) 
Rodgers. of that county, and grandson of John Rodgers, a native of Wales. 
The subject of this sketch, one of a family of five sons, learned his trade (car- 
pentering) at Steuben ville, Ohio. Upon the breaking out of the late civil war 
he joined intere.sts with the Union cause, and August 18, 1802, enlisted in Com- 
{)auy D. Ninety-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and remained in service till 
the end of the war. when he was honorably discharged. Returning to Steuben- 
ville he carried on professional work there for a while, and aftei"ward spent 
three years at it in Canton. Ohio, coming to Tiffin. Ohio, July 4. 1874. His 
work may be seen in many handsome residences, buildings, etc., among which 
may be mentioned the residences of George D. Loomis. Mrs. Cromwell, Mr. 
Nymau. Albert Buskirk, etc. , etc. , as well as many stores, warehouses, etc. 
He was united in marriage in Brookville, Penn., Jime 17, 1875, with Mary, 
daughter of William and Fanny Erdice. Mrs. Rodgers is a worthy member 
of the Presbj-terian Church, to which Mi-. Rodgers is a liberal contributor. 

JONAS ROMIG. dealer in boots and shoes, Tiffin, was born in Lehigh 
County, Penn.. November 1, 1844, son of Peter and Julia (Stephfen) Romig, 
natives of that county, the former of whom was a son of Peter Romig. Sr., 
who is of pioneer German ]ieople in the State, and the latter a daughter of 
Jonathan Stej)hfen. of similar ancestry to the Romigs. The subject of this 
sketch left his father's farm at nineteen and apprenticed himself to shoe-mak- 
ing at Emans (Lehigh County). In 1805 he came to Tiffin where ho complet- 
ed his traile. which he followed till 1878. when he embarked in business on his 



820 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 

owu account. Mr. Eomig was man-ied in 1874 to Clara A., daughter of John 
and Margaret C. (Umsted) Nighswander, by whom he has one son living. Riis 
sell: their first born they have buried in Maple Grove Cemetery. Mr. Romig 
is a member of the English Lvitheran and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. He is a member of the Roval Ai-canum. 

JACOB EOSENBERGER. fanner, P. O. Tiffin, was born Febniary 10. 
1837, in Clinton Township, this count}-, son of Hemy and Jane (Shaul) Rosen 
bercer, natives of Virginia. Henry Eosenberger came to Ohio in 18-i"2. set 
tlino- in Clinton Township, this county, where he entered ninety acres of land 
(then all forest), and began toiling in the interests of his family, clearing the 
land and educating his childi-en and making a perfect home for them; and 
here he lived and labored for fifty-one years. He was a valuable and honored 
citizen of his township. In 1870 he moved to Tifiin, Ohio, after selling his 
farm to Jacob (fifth son ). and here our subject still resides. He was twice mar- 
ried, and by his fiist wife had eleven children, seven now living: James (mar- 
ried to Mary Romsbiu'ger). George (man-ied twice: his present wife was Delila 
Baker), John (maiTied to Ann Baker), Elizabeth (wife of George Kepple). 
Martha (wife of David Loose). Eliza (wife of J. B. Shaul) and Jacob. Our 
subject remained with his father on the farm tOl he was twenty years of age. 
He was married, June 5, 1859, to Sophia, daughter of John Loose, and by 
this union there were nine children, seven li^dng: Frank (married to Ora 
Michaels), Cora (wife of Oliver Crum), William. Hemy. bilas, Stullie and Early. 
The deceased are J. W. and Eli. Mr. Eosenberger has long been one of the 
substantial farmers of Clinton Township. He and his familv are memlsers of 
the M. P. Church. 

JOHN CALVIN ROYER, mayor of Tiffin, and attorney at law, belongs 
to the '■ second generation " of Seneca County's eminent men and pioneers. 
He was born in Thompson Township May (\. 1856. His paternal grandfather. 
John Eoyer, who settled there in 1829, coming fi-om Summit County, Ohio, 
was a native of Lancaster County, Penn. , and descended of pioneer German 
stock of that State. He had a family of six sons and six daughters. Samuel 
Eoyer. the father of Mayor Eoyer, was the second son of John Eoyer' s family, 
and begat thirteen children, of whom four sons and foiu- daughters are living, 
and five daughters are biu'ied in the family cemetery near the old homestead in 
Thompson Township. The subject of our sketch completed a good training in 
the public schools of his native jilace. and at nineteen entered Heidelberg Col- 
lege in a classical and scientific course of study, from which he graduated in 
1879. He then applied himself to the study of law in the office of N. L. 
Brewer, an eminent member of the profession, and in October. 1881, he was 
admitted to the bar of the State from the office of Judge J. F. Bunn, where 
he had officiated as deputy clerk of probate. He then formed a partnershij) 
with J. C. Eickenbaugh, a rising younger member of the profession and a gen- 
tleman ' ■ to the manor born " " as well as his honor, and the fiim has done an 
active business since. Mayor Eoyer married, April 11, 1S88, Miss Clara Bait - 
zell, seventh child and fifth daughter of Thomas Baltzell, a retired farmer of 
Tiffin. She is a lady of fine accomjjlishments and a fitting helpmeet for him. 
They have one little girl, Helen. Mayor Eoyer" s close application to the 
development of all public enterprises and social institutions of Tiffin is a 
marked characteristic of his life, and he has (although a young man) been 
intrusted with imi^ortant official positions in the weal of many of its interests. 
He has been a member of the board of school examiners for several years, and 
for the last three has been president of that body. In April, 1883, he wa- 
elected to the mavoraltv, which incumbeucv he has honorablv held since. 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 821 

entitling him to tho respect of his people, and by his strict executive ability to 
iho sol n-icjitel of tlie " Ii-on Duke. '" He is president of the board of health 
and one of the active members of the board for the establishment of the Tiffin 
pulilic lil>rary. He is a member of the K. of P. 

HEKM.W RUST. D. D.. professor of chm-ch history and exegesis, Heidel- 
lierg Seminary. Tiffin, is a native of Bremen. Germany, where he received a 
good literary training. In 1840 he came to America and completed his English 
and classical training in Marshall College. Mercersburg, Penn. In 1850 he 
entered the ministiy of the Reformed Church and was ordained at Jonestown, 
near Lelianon. Penn. . and then served the Millers%alle charge (near Lancaster. 
Penn. ). for one year, being afterward sent to Cincinnati, Ohio, by the lioard of 
missions of his church, and there had charge of the First Reformed Church 
for twelve years. During bis ministrations there he built the present handsome 
edifice of the First Reformed Church, was instrumental in establishing two 
others in Cincinnati and one at Covington, Ky. . and helped educate nine young 
men for the ministiy, and began, other interests in clerical work. In 1862 he 
accepted the chaii' of German professorship in Heidelberg College and 
Seminary, and subsequently filled that chair in the seminary alone. After a 
few years the ]>rofessorship merged into the present chaii- of chiu'ch history and 
exegesis, which he has since creditably hi>ld. He married, in Lancaster, Ohio. 
Elizabeth, daughter of John Ulrich and Mary 'Hensel) Giesy, the former a 
native of Switzerland and the latter a descendant of pioneer Ohioans. Dr. 
and .Mrs. Rust have been blessed with a family of three sons and one 
daughter: John Benjamin, a graduate of Heidelberg College, now in charge of 
the Reformed Church of Waynesburgh, Ohio: Herman Samuel Frederick, a 
farmer and stock-raiser of Harlan County, Neb. ; Eugene Calvin, a student at 
Heidelberg C!ollege, and Mary Catharine, a young lady of estimable attain- 
ments. In connection with Dr. Rust's seminary duties he also jjreaches in the 
German congregation of the Reformed Church here. In industrial matters 
Dr. Rust is an active supporter of all measures tending to their advancement. 
H(> is president of the Tiffin Manufacturing Company, and owns stock in other 
industries. He has served upon the board of education, and was president of 
that honored body for many years. Dr. Rust is of medium stature, of a 
strong constitution, and employs his time closely in doing good among hi-^ 
acquaintances, be they of his own time of life or yoimg men just beginning for 
themselves. Though fai" advanced in years, he still feels young, and delights 
in his work. 

MICH.IEL SCANNELL, jn-esident and general manager of the Tiffin 
Water ^\'orks. Tiffin. Ohio, was born in County Keriy, L-eland, April 22, 
1848. His parents. John and Kate (Fitz Maurice) Scannell. were natives of 
that county, where the former died in 18r>l): the latter died in Titfin. Feliruary 
17, 1878: their issue is three sons and one daughter, all living: Michael. 
Mary (wife of Thomas V. Kelley. a resj)ected citizen of Mount Yernon. Ohio). 
Patrick J. (jjroprietor of book and stationery business. Tiffin) and Cornelius 
(superintendent of the Towanda Water Works, of Towanda. Penn.). The 
subject of this sketch, when a lad, conceived the idea of visiting this countrj-. 
and in 1 8(52 came over to New York City, where he was encouraged to think 
favorably of American citizenship. His mother preceded him to this ctumtry 
three years, and lived in New York until they moved to Tiffin and settled 
there, the balance of the family following soon after. In the early part of the 
year following lie enlisted in the Union .\rmy. and was mustered into Company 
A, One Huniired and Sixty-fourth Ohio Yolunteer Infantry. May 11. 1S(>4: he 
followed the fortunes of hi-; rc_'im'ut till its dissi)luti<jn in .Vugust following. 



822 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 

and was mustered out at Cleveland on the 21th of that month. He imme- 
diately re-enlisted in Company C. One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry, and did active service till July, ISO-"), when he was mustered out at 
Charlotte, N. C. Returning to peaceful pursuits he engaged with the Woolen 
Manufacturing Company of Tiffin, with which industry he remained connected 
for several years; the last eleven years he was in charge of the finishing de- 
partment. Retiring fi-om this industry he applied himself more closely to 
study, and completed a commercial term at Commercial College. Dui'ing this 
time he served the city (from the Second Ward) as member of the city council 
for one term. In August, 1879. he accepted the superiutendency of the city 
water works, and in August, 1883, was elected president and general manager. 
Upon the organization of the present Tiffin Edison Electric Illuminating Com- 
pany he took an active interest, and one year later was elected its president. 
Mr. Scannell is an enterprising business man and an affable, pleasant gentle- 
man. 

J, W. SCHAUFELBERGER, attorney at law, Tiffin, was born near Fos- 
toria, in Hancock County, Ohio. Januaiy 29, 1853. His father (Jacob), a 
native of Baden, came to America in 1837, at the age of twenty-two, and lo- 
cated at Freedom. Penn.. where he manned Margaret Fritcher, of same nativ- 
ity. In 1852 he moved to Ohio and settled in Hancock County, near Fostoria, 
where he engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1881. when he retired to 
ipiiet life in Fostoria. The family consists of six sons and three daughters. 
Mrs. Jacob Schaufelberger died in 1878, and is buried in the Fostoria Ceme- 
tery. John William, the subject of this sketch, was the second son and fourth 
child. He received a liberal training in the public schools, and at seventeen 
entered Heidelberg College, from which he graduated, in the classical course, 
in 1875. In September, of that year, he entered the law office of Hon. George 
E. Seney, his present partner, and was admitted to the bar of the State of 
Ohio, in April. 1877. He remained in the office of his preceptor until Febru- 
ary, 1878, when he located at Fostoria, where he earned on an active practice. 
In the fall of 1883 he returned to Tiffin and entered into his present partner- 
ship (Seney & Schaufelberger). In April, 188-i, he was admitted to practice 
in the Supreme Court of the United States, at Wa.shington. Since his first 
admission he has devoted his entire time to the practice of his profession, and 
is now ranked as one of the leading members of the Seneca County bar. Mr. 
Schaufelberger is of good physique and pleasant appeai-ance. studious in his 
character, a close reasoner and a devoted advocate of principles he considers 
just. He is a member of all the bodies of the Masonic fraternity. 

PHILIP SCHEIB, merchant tailor. Tiffin, was born in Odenheim, in the 
Rhine Province of the kingdom of Bavaria, November 20, 182Vt. His parents 
were Kasimer and Katharina (Krob) Sclieib, the former a farmer and shoe- 
maker. They reared four sous and two daughters: Peter, a shoe maker, died 
in Rochester, N, Y., leaving children : Christian, same trade, unmarried when 
heard from at Houston, Tex., just before the war; Elizabeth, widow of Peter 
Durn, of Norwalk. Ohio; Philip and Kasimer (twins), Kasimer being a farmer 
in his native land, and Barbara, wife of Carl Krohn, also a resident of 
Bavaria. Our subject received a good education at home, and at fourteen be- 
gan his present business as an apprentice, and after a few years went to 
Munich, where he remained working at his trade for three or four years, and 
then returned to his native city. He concluded to come to America, and in 
1852 landed at Rochester, N. Y. and in 1855 came to Tiffin, this county, and 
here worked at his trade till 1802. when he embarked in business on hfs own 
account. He nmrrieil in Rochcsfer, X. Y. . '^(nember 22. 1853, Margareta 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 823 

Emieh. horn in Sii>in(>n, in the Rhino provinci' of Prussia. To this union were 
born four sons and one (hiuf^hter; Elizal)eth (deceased); Louis I'hilip|ie, a 
merchant tail<jr: Frederick William. .M. D.. a i)hysieian of standinir. at Betts- 
vill(^. this county; Frank Kasinier and .John Philip. Mr. Scheib is an excel- 
lent citizen and business man. He is a worthy member of the German Re- 
formed Church. He has li»>en a member of the Masonic order since liS.M). and 
has attained to the degree of Knight Templar in De Molay Commandery. He 
is also a member of the K. of H. (since its organization), L. of H. , R. A.. 
Druids and the I. O. O. F. February 19, 188"), Mi-. Scheib sustained a loss 
in th(> d(>ath (jf his wife, who died in full communion with the German Re- 
former! Church and is biuied in Maple Grove Cemetery. 

JACOB SCHEIBER, of the Tiffin Manufacturing Company, Tiffin, was 
born in Schirrheim, Alsace, France. August .">. IS'21, son of Jacob and Mag- 
ilalena (Hteiumetz) Scbeiber. He came with his father to Baltimore, Md., 
January 11, 1S:32; and on the ir)th of February following to Osnaburgh, Stark 
County, where his parents died and are biu'ied. They there reared ten chil- 
di'en, live now living: John. Jose])h. Barbara, Mary and Jacob. Our subject 
.spent his early life in Canton, Ohio, where he learned wagon and plow mak- 
ing. In 184.S he came to Titlin and opened a blacksmith, plow and wagon 
shop, which he carried on till 1S.")(), when he established a machine sho]), which 
merged into the "Tiffin Agricultural Works." He retired from this in 1ST4 
and canied on coal business till \H~'), in which year he organized the Tiffin 
-Manufacturing Company, of which he owns the controlling stock. Mr. 
Scheibor was man-ied in Canton, Ohio, October 1 0, 1 848, to Mary Saumbarger, 
a native of Canton Arau. Switzerland, and to this union were born twelve 
children: Louis Peter, Mai-y Louise (deceased), Mary Elizabeth (deceased), 
John B. , August, Louisa, Joseph, Rosa, Clara Matilda, AVilliam, Annie and 
Caroline Magilah^na. The family are members of St. Jose[)h's congregation of 
the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Scheiber has been a member of the council 
two terms, stre ^t commissioner thriH? terms, a member of the board of health 
one term, trustee of St. Joseph's Church two terms, and was one of the build- 
ing committee upon the building of that edifice, and one of the dii-ectors and 
organizers of the Northwestern Ohio Railway, acting as president of the pres- 
ent company for the first six years of its organization. 

JACOB' SCHEIBLEY, proprietor ot restaiuant. Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, 
Seneca Co., Ohio, November 12, 1847. His parents, Michael and Barbara 
(Schneckenberger) Seheibley, natives of Wiuiemberg. Germany, settled in 
Tiffin, Ohio, in 1847), where they reared one son and sis daughters: Christina, 
wife of Fred Sdiauf, of Kansas; Margaret, wife of Mr. Swartzenberger of 
Cleveland; Mary, wife of Charles Andrews, of Tiffin: Kate, wife of Frederick 
.\rmbruster of Buffalo. N. Y. ; Jaeol); Annie, widow of Charles Bow, of Tiffin; 
Lena, wife of Edward Goddard, of Tiffin. In 1859 the father died and was 
buried in Maple Grove Cemetery. The subject of our sketch was reared to 
his pi'e<ent busine.ss and has since been prominently connected with it here. 
Mr. Seheibley was married in Tiffin, in 1872, to Caroline Keiffer, daughter of 
Daniel Keiffer. of Crawford County. Ohio, and to this union have been born 
one son and one daughter living. Ralph D. and Bertha May, and two sons 
docea^ocl: Charles F. and Lloyd F. ^Ir. and Mrs. Seheibley are worthy mem- 
bers of the German Lutheran Church. He is a worthy citizen: has been an 
a;;tive m >:nber of the tire department of Tiffin for over eighteen years and has 
•)ffisiate 1 as foreman of Wilson Hose Company for many years. 

LOUIS C. A. SCHMIDT, farm(>r, P. 6. Tiffin, was born in Germany, 
April 2'J, 1810, a son of Charles and Louisa Schmidt, natives of Germany, 



824 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

whore thoy were married and remained until their death. Oiu' subject came to 
America in 1810. and after traveling over different parts of the United States 
for several vears. visitincj Baltimore. Washint'ton. New York, Pitts))iirgh and 
Harper's Ferry, finally settled in Tiffin. Ohio, where he was united in marriage 
July 2, lS-t6, with Anna M. Rife, born in Germany December 11, 1S20. To 
this union have been born seven children, of whom five are now living: Charlie; 
Mary, wife of Jacob Marquardt: Amelia, wife of George Leisher; Albert and 
Emma A. ; the deceased are Julia A. and Matilda. Mr. Schmidt is a guu- 
.sinith Ijy trade, which he followed for many years, but of late years has en- 
gaged in farming. He owns 120 acres of well -improved land, where he and 
his family resid(\ Mrs. Schmidt and family are nieml)ers of the German 
Keformed Church. 

JACOB SCHMUCKER, proprietor of the beer bottling works, Tiffin, Ohio, 
born in Kirch Bierlingen, Oberamt Ehingen. ^\'urtemberg, Germany, August 
2, 1845, son of Anton Schmucker and Magdalena Seitz, came to America in 
ISfiO. He followed his trade (brewer) in Cincinnati, and afterward in San 
dnskj% and in 1N72 located in Tiffin, wh^re he has accumulated a competence 
and does a thriving bvisiuess. Mr. Selimucker married So})hia, daughter of 
Charles Fleischhauer and Caroline Keiffer, of Sandusky. Sh<^ was born in 
Utweiler. Prussia, the former home of her parents. Mr. and JSIrs. Schmucker 
have a family of two sons and three daughters: Caroline, Otto, Lena. Charles 
and Norma. 

PHILIP SCHWEICKHARD, saloon keeper. Tiffin, born in Wingen, 
Alsace. France. July 7. 188S. is a son of Balthasar and Magdalena (Woerner) 
Schweickhard, who came to America in 184(5, and settled in New York State, 
where they passed from this life, the former in 1881, and the latter February 
20. 18S8, leaving a large family. The sul)ject of this sketch learned the 
cooper's trade in New York State, and followed it through the ^^'est. April 
(5, lH(')Ti. he came to Tiffin, and has been prominently identified with the inter- 
ests of the city since that date. He marri(>d, in Yates County, N. Y.. 
Magdalena, dr.ughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Harmon) Faulstich, of that 
State, natives of Alsace, France, and by her has had eight children : Charles 
Philii^, Emma Elizabeth, Louisa Magdalena, George Benjamin (drowned at 
the age of six years). Catharine Caroline. Anna Christina, Samuel Frederick 
and Richard Allen. The family behjng to the German Lutheran Church. 
Mr. Schweickhard is a member of the A. O. U. D. , and has been the honored 
treasiu'er of the Alert Hose Company for nearly six years. He has been an 
active and enterprising citizen of Tiffin since coming here, and has accumu- 
lated a competence. 

HEZEKIAHSEARLES. retinnl farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born in Faii- 
field County, Ohio, December 4. ISIO. son of Johnand Jane (Dunken) Searles. 
the former born in ^Maryland, and the latter in Pennsylvania: they were mar 
ried in Fairfield County. Ohio, and in 1S20 came to this coimty, settling at 
Fort Ball, and living in one of the block-houses during the winter of 1820-21. 
They then moved to Eden Townshiji, and there remained until the death of 
John Searles. which occurred May 14. 1844. His widow died in 1870. Thoy 
were the parents of eleven children, of whom seven are living. Hezokiah 
Searles. the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage, October 28, 188S. 
with Eliza A. Lambertson. born in Northampton County. Penn. , June 12. 
1S17. daughter of Daniel and Susanna Lambertson. natives of Pennsylvania, 
where they were mairied and re;nained until 1824. at which time thoy moved 
to Huron County, Ohio, and after a short time came to this county, where tho}' 
remained mitil their death. Mrs. Lambertson dying December 14. |.'^44, and 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 825 

^Ir. Liimhcrtsoii Doconil)or "p, ]H7)2. Thon were the i)areiit.-= of four childivn, 
only Olio of whom survives. To our stibjeet and wife have l)eeii born sis chil- 
dren, two now livinjr; Irving M'. and Charles F.. tlie latter of whom married 
A Hie ]}. Nynian. and they are the parents of four chihken. Oiu' subject owns 
157 acres of good laud. Ho and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- 
coj>al Cliurch. 

PETEK SEEVEll. lumber dealer. Tiffin, was borti July 1^1. ISIU. in Fair- 
fi(>ld County. Ohio, sou of Peter and Elizabeth (Keller) Soever, the former 
born in Frederick Goimty, Va. . of French parentage, the latter a native of 
York County, Ponn. They were mairied in Faii-tield County. Ohio, in ISIO. 
Pt>ter S(>ever. Sr.. came t(j Ohio in 1S()4. and settled in Fairtield County, where 
he and his family lived for fifty years. The Kellers came to Ohio in 1808, 
and to Seneca County- in ls:{5. Peter and Elizal)eth (Keller; Soever had a 
family of fourteen ehildi-on, of whom seven survive. The subject of this 
sketch, unmarried, has been engiiged in the huuber trade for years. Ho is a 
well-road man. delights in arguments, and has taken a prominent ]>iirt in pub- 
lic debates. He has boarded at the "Mvers House"" for years. 

KEV. ISA.VC SEITZ. minister of the Free Baptist" Church. P. O. Tiffin, 
was born in Bloom Township, this county. August '1. 182S, son of John and 
Magdalena (Spitler) Seitz, the former a son of the Rev. Ifpwis Seitz. who set- 
tled in Fairfield County. Ohio, in 1802, coming from Eockinghani County, 
Va.. his father liaving emigrated to this country fi'om Bavaria: the Spitlers 
wore of Swiss ancestry and pioneers in Virginia. Rev. Isaac Seitz was the 
youngest of a family of five sons and three daughters, of whom but four sons 
survive: Alu'aham, residing in Sacramento, Cal. ; Lewis, a minister in the 
Regular Baptist Church; Daniel, a farmer in Bloom Township, this county, 
and our subject, who obtained a good common school education in Bloom 
Townslii]). this county, and attended twocoiU'ses of lectures at the academy at 
liejiul)lic. and two terms at Heidellx-rg. He read law under Judge Pillars, of 
TitKu, and was admitted to the bar in 18.")4. In \S7)7> ho married Caroline, 
daughter nf Jacob and Fanny Abt Sheidley. of Pennsylvania, former of whom 
came from Gii)])pengeii. (lerinany. when a young man, crossing the ocean in 
(•(jnipany with John Jacob Astor, of New York. This union has been blessed 
with four sons: John Do Alton, engaged in r(>al estate business in Kansas City, 
Mo. : Benjamin A., doing business for the C. L. R. R. Company, Kansas City. 
Mo. ; Charli's Sumner, a stock-raiser of Cowley County, Kas. , and Earl Williiim. 
a student in connnercial school, at Oberlin, ()hio. Our subject hail for some 
yj'ars felt a <'oni[)lete conversion to thi^ cause of Christ, and in 187'''> he entered 
the ministry and liegan work on a manuscript relative to his conversion, which 
after fdur years he ciimj)leted. It is a handsome 400 page octavo, entitled 
"Christian Experience of Isaac Seitz. with his Views on the Ministry. Justiti- 
cation. Sanctification. Future Rewards and Punishments. Ingersol is wrong 
in saying that Infidels iu'e the Intellectual Discoverers."" It is a volume of 
thrilling interest to Christian minds, and a guide in the service of the disciples 
of the Christian religion. 

GEOKOE EBBERT SENEY, Tiffin, was born May 29, 1882. at Union- 
town. Fayette Co.. Penn. The late Joshua Seney. of Tiffin, father of oiu 
subject, was boin. rt'ared and educated in New York City, where he graduated 
at Columl)ia College and the University Law School. He was a nephew of the 
distinguished statesman. .Vlbert Ciallatin, and was the private secretary of that 
gentleman when he was Secretary of the United States Treasury. Mr. Oallatin 
had a cotnitry seat at Uniontown, Penn., and it was there that Joshua Seney 
met Ann Elib(>rt. wln) afterward liecame his wife. After his marria<re Mr. 



826 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

St'iiey established himself at I'uioutowu as a lawyer and soon won distinction 
at the bar. While still a resideijt of that city he declined the appointment of 
United States Judge for the western district of Pennsylvania, which was 
tendered him by President Jackson. Removing to Ohio in 1832, he settled at 
Tiffin, and there lived until his death in 1 854. Of his four daughters one died 
early; one, the wife of the late George AV. Howell, of Columbus, Ohio, died in 
1SS8; two, Mrs. Frances M. Grum and Mrs. Harvey Redick. reside in Toledo. 
Ohio. His three sons are George E. . in Tiffin; Joshua R.. in Toledo, and 
Henry W.. in Kenton, Ohio. Joshua R. and Henry W. are lawyers. The 
former has served with distinction u])ou the bench, and the latt^er is now one of 
three judges who compose the circuit court for the Third Judicial Circuit of 
Ohio. Upon his removal to Tiffin, Mr. Seney did not engage in the jiraetice 
of law. Judge Lang, of Tiffin, who knew Mr. .Seney intimately and well, thus 
speaks of him, in his history of Seneca County published in 1880: " If Mr. 
Seney' s industry had been equal to his capacity he would have been very sue 
cessf ul as a lawyer. He had a natiu'al aversion to anything that looked liki ■ 
lalior. He was all politician, however, and a more shrewd, more calculating 
and far-seeing politician than Mr. Seney Seneca County never had in any 
party. He was not selfish nor sought office for himself. \\'heu he liked a 
p(>rson that aspired to office, he would do all in his power to aid him. Raised 
in the lap of wealth and luxury, he knew nothing about labor, nor the value of 
money. He had very little taste for, or appreciation of, the practical part of 
life. His language was chaste and polished, and his manners jjeculiarly his 
own. He was perfectly at home in an office and discharged every trust with 
ability and fidelity. He was treasurer of Seneca County for two terms, and 
clerk of the su]ireme court for many years. He w'rote a tine hand and his 
lecords were s])otless. 'Mr. Seney had a large well developed head, an 
exj)ressive countenance, a piercing lilack eye. a pleasant voice, and his hands 
were so small as to attract universal attention." To all of this may be added 
that Mr. Sen(>v had a tine education and scholarly tastes. He knew well the 
theoiy of the law, but had no ambition to practice it. He was a gi-eat student 
and read everything that he could lay his hands on. Few men were better 
posted than he in histoiy and general literature, and few understood as well as 
he whatever pertained to the aff'airs of church or State. He was not a good 
public s)ieaker. but as a forcible writer and entertaining talker he excelled. 

The grandfather of George Ebliert Seney was Jiishua Seney. of Marj-land. 
He was a distinguished citizen of that State, and took a prominent part in the 
public affairs of that colony during thi> Revolutionary struggle. He represented 
Maiyland in ilw last session of the Continental Congress, and in the tirst Con- 
gress under the Constitution of the United States. He resigned his seat in 
Congi'ess to accept a seat upon the judicial bench of Maryland. He was chosen 
one of the presidential electors for the State of Maryland and voted for George 
AVashington when he was first elected president. No less distinguished were 
the other ancestors of George Elibert Seney. His grandmother, upon his 
father's side, was a daughter of James Nicholson, a distinguished commodore 
in the United States Na\'y. in ITTT), (.-om. Nicholson was in command of the 
United States Frigate "•Trumbull." when she fought the British man of- war 
"Wyatt." The engagement was one of the most desperate naval battles of the 
Revolutionary war. Oneof the daughters of Com. Nicholson married Albert (ial- 
latin,then Secretary of the Treasury, and afterward Ignited States senator from 
Pennsylvania; another became the wife of Col. William Few. who was a mem- 
ber, from the State of Georgia, of the convention that fi'amed the Constitution 
of the United States, and afterward a senator in Congress fi'om that State; the 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 827 

third miirri(>(l Joliii Montgomery, oi Maryliiiul, then mayor of the city of Bal- 
timoro and aftciward a member of Congress ft'om that State: the foui-th, 
Frances, man'ied Joshua Seney. Upon the mother's side the grandparents of 
the subject of this sketch were George Ebbert and Sarah Wood, liorn in Phil- 
adeli)hia. where they were married. Removing to Uniontown. Penn.. George 
Ebbert there established a mercantih^ business, which he couductixi with 
maiked success for forty years. The older j)eople of that busy little eif \- s]ieak 
of him as a model man. He was. they say, "the soul of honor, a man of line 
business capacity and energetic and successful in whatever he undertook. H(> 
had a sound judgment and ex])ressed his views in a few words, but witli gi'eat 
clearness. He had a kind heart and a generous hand. He was without malice 
and with him charity was a great virtue. He was a well informed man and 
reailing was his favorite pastime. ' ' Sarah Ebbert is said to have been more 
than an ordinai-y woman; domestic in her tastes she lived a quiet life. She 
was a pious woman and took an active ])art in promoting the good of her 
church. The fathers of George Ebbert and Sarah ^\'ood were merchants in 
Philadelphia. In th:it city they accumuhited wealth and held high social posi- 
tions. Their lives were full oi good deeds and their memoi'ies are greatlv 
revered by tlu>ir descendants, and by the descendants of those who knew them 
a hundred years ago. To Mr. and Mrs. George Ebbert children were born, 
number unknown, five the writer of this sketch knew — three sons and two 
(huighters: two of the sons, Henry and John H. , were men of high character, 
both had ability, and their lives were conspicuously useful. One of the daugh- 
ters, Elizabeth Dorsey, wife of the late Dr. Caleb Dorsey, of Virginia, was a 
lady well accomplished in mind. The other daughter, Ann. the mother of 
Cieorge Ebbert Seney. is said to have been a bcNUitiful girl. She received a 
liberal education at IJrownsville (Penn. ) Female Seminary. She was a ladv of 
great practical sense and had strong religious convictions. Before her mar- 
riage she was an active Christian worker in her native town. At Tiffin, where 
she lived twenty-two years a wife and tw(>nty-si.K a widow, she was highly es- 
teemed. In her the poor had a fi'iend. She was a fi-equent and welcome 
visitor to the bedside of the sick and dying. A leading member in the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, she took an active part in ]>romoting the interests of that 
denomination. One of the handsome memorial windows in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, at Tiffin, was placed there by Judge Seney, in honor of the 
memory of his mother. Mrs. Ann Seney died May Ti. 1S79, aged seventy-five 
years. 

George Ebbert Seney was brought to Tiffin (then a village of 4(in inhabi- 
tants) an infant in his mother's arms. Judge .Seney (for by this name George 
E. is universally called) was educated at Norwalk (Ohio) Seminary, then under 
the charge of Dr. Edward Thomson, subsequently a bishop in the Methodist 
Ejiiscopal Church, .\fter four- years spent at that institution Judge Seney 
returned to Tiffin, and for a year or more was clerk in a dry goods store. In 
184S. perhaps, and while a mere boy, he and his uncle. George Ebbert. opened 
a book store in Tiffin. The stock with which the firm of Ebbert iV; Seney com- 
menced business was purchased in New York City by the boy partner, wlio went 
there for that ])urpose. Judge Seney remained in this store for less than a 
year. The business being small and un]>roritable for two. Judge Seney retired 
and ^Ir. Elibert remained. Ujwn leaving the book store. Judge Seney deter 
mined that St. Louis should l)e his futm-e home, and through a family relative 
in the East had secured a jiosition in a wholesale dry goods store in that city. 
This was ojijiosed by his mother and opposed as well In- his father, who had 
his heart set upon making a lawyer out of his son. Judge Seney's ambition 



828 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

was to be a merchant. To being a lawyer he was stoutly opposed. Simply to 
please his father, and to show his filial respect to his wishes he entered the 
office of Luther A. Hall. Esq., in Tiffin, to read law. but with an understand- 
ing that, if at the end of three months he 25referred the place open foi' him at 
St. Louis, neither father nor mother would further object. Years after, when 
Judge Seney was strong in his profession, ]\Ii'. Hall said: ''the first day George 
was in my office he and the law fell in love, and they have been loving each 
other ever since." Neither he, his family, nor his friends have cause to regret 
that he l)ecame a lawyer instead of a merchant. Two years of close and 
attentive study of the law books prepared Judge Seney for admission to th'' 
bar. He was admitted in 1858, and immediately commenced practice in com- 
pany with his pri'ceptor. ISlr. Hall. This partnership lasted about two years. 
The Judge, preferring to be alone, opened an office close by the one he now 
occupies, and alone, until his election to Congress, has he practiced his pro- 
fession, except when on the bench and in the army. At the time Judge Seney 
left the office of JIi'. Hall there were eighteen practicing law^'ers in Seneca 
County, several of them being gentlemen of large experience and acknowledged 
ability. Judge Seney had clients and cases fi-om the beginning: they grew in 
number, and when at the end of foiu- years he left the bar for the bench his 
bixsiness favoraltly compared with the best done by eithei- of the older attorneys. 
The reputation Judge Seney acquired during these six years of jiractice was 
that of a studious, methodical and reliable lawyer, and an able, effective and 
eloquent jiuy advocate. After his election as judge, and before his term of 
office commenced. President Buchanan tendered him the appointment of the 
United States district attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, which he de- 
clined, preferring the place on the bench to which he had just been elected: 
Judge Seney was on the bench five years. He was elected when he was 
twenty-six years of age, and is j)erhaps the youngest man who ever held a com- 
mon pleas coiu't in Ohio. That he was not over anxious for the place is to lie 
inferred from the fact that he refused to take his party" s nomination unless it 
was tendered unanimously. At a convention held at Carey, largely composed 
of lawyers fi'om Seneca, Crawford, "\^'yandot, Hancock and A\'ood Counties, he 
was nominated by acclamation as the Democratic candidate for common pleas 
judge of the third subdivision of the Third Judicial District. The jiolitics of 
the district at that time were doubtfid: Judge Seney caiTied it l>y a majority of 
l.OOn over his opjiouent. Gen. John C. Lee. The first coiu't held by Judge 
Seney was at Perrysburg. in AYood County, and the first lawyer who addressed 
him in the argument of a case was Hon. M. R. Waite, then a jiracticing attor- 
ney at T^>ledo. and now the chief justice of the Supreme Coiu't of the United 
States. During his term of five years on the bench Judge Seney held three 
terms of court each year at Tiffin, Bueyrus, Ujjper Sandusky, Findlay and 
Perrysburg, and fi'equently a term, or a part of a temi, in other counties in the 
first and second subdivisions of his district. In addition to this he and the 
judges of these two subdivisions, with one of the judges of the sui)reme coiui 
of the State, held a term of the district coxui, once a year, in each of the 
twenty counties comprising the judicial district. Upon the bench Judge Seney 
met the expectations of his friends. Youthful as he was, he presided with 
marked dignity, impartiality and eoiutesy, and by his decisions added to his 
reputation as a soiand lawver, a dispassionate reasoner and an honest, discreet 
and just judge. It Vas while Judge S(>ney was on the Ixnich that he published 
what is known to the profession as ' 'Seney' s Ohio Code, " " and, this volume he 
republished in 1874. Among lawyers this work is highly valued, and is in 
constant and extensive use in Ohio and several of the ^N'estern States. Judge 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 829 

Seney's term npoii tlio bench closed diirinn; the second year of the w<u'. Oiu' 
subject was an ardent Democrat, a stanch friend of the Union and nncom- 
l)roniisiug in Ids opjwsition to secession. Upon the chwe of the hist term of 
court he enlisted in the One Hundred and First Ohio Volunleer Infantrj'. he 
and three others binng tht> lirst to enlist in that regiment. Judge Seney was 
commissioned a first lieutenant, and immediately he and his three fellow sol- 
diers commenced I'ecruiting for the regiment. In thirty-eight days the regi- 
ment, over 1.000 strong, was iipon the (,'ovington (Kentucky) Hills, defending 
(jineinnati against attack from rebel forces, led by (ien. Kirby Smith. He was 
ajipointed <|uartermaster of the regiment. ser\'ing with it in the field for two years 
and a half under Buell. Rosecrans. Thomas and Shernian. He was with the 
regiment in its encounters at Perryville. at Lancaster and Nashville. He was 
j)resent at the engagement at Knob (xaj). and was within sound of the guns at 
Stone River. He saw service at Chickamauga and at Liberty Gap, and wit- 
nessed the heroic valor of the One Huntb-ed and First in the battles of Chatta- 
nooga and Franklin. He was with the One Hundi'ed and First in its five 
months" campaign of almost continuous marching and fighting, under Sher- 
man, from Mission Ridge to Atlanta. Resigning his army commission he re- 
turned to Tirtin in Decemlier. 1X()4, reojiened his law office, and in a short 
time was in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative practice. For the next 
eighteen years few lawj'ers labored harder in his pnjfession than Judge Seney. 
Early anil late, day after day, and night after night, he could be found at his 
office, or in court, or if elsewhere, always full of legal business. In ISTit a 
biograjiher speaks of Judge Seney in these words: "As a lawyer he is highly 
esteemed l)y his brethren of the profession. His papers are thoroughly pre- 
pared, the witnesses are sifted to the bottom, and the case is effectively pre- 
sented to the coiu-t and jiuy. While he excels as an advocate, being a fine 
speaker, and {)ossessing naturally oratorical gifts and graces, as an attorney 
and counsellor he is no less excellent, being well read upon points of law. From 
the fact that he is usually assigned the closing of a case, one can judge of the 
esteem in which he is held by those who are with him in it. As a man he is 
genial, and possessed of the native delicacy and refinement of the educated 
gentleman. ' ' 

"With politics he had little to do, unless to attend a convention to help a 
friend make a few sj)eeches during a campaign, and regularly, spring and fall, 
vote the Democratic ticket. When elected to Congress in ISS'2 he was fifty- 
yeai's of age and yet the only office he had held was that of judge, twenty- 
one years before. He was a candidate for pr(>sidential elector on the Buchan- 
an ticket in INaC). ANith these two exceptions his party had never been 
troubled with him in a convention or at an election, as a candidate foi- office. 
With the exception of judge and ineinber of Congress he never held an office, 
ward, township, city, county, district or State; never was a candidate for one 
before a convention or the people. In 1874 he was nominated to make the 
race for Congress against ex-Gov. Foster. There were other able Democrats 
who sought the place and in the convention were put in nomination. With- 
out his knowledge his name was ])resented. Judge Seney declined to be a 
candidate, saying that he would not acce[)tthe nomination if it was made. In 
spite of this refusal he was nominated upon the first ballot, receiving nearly 
all the votes. He again arose to decline. I)ut the convention was unwilling to 
heiir him. and in the noise and confusion that prevailed he was declared the 
nominee, and immediately the convention adjourned. It was thought that 
Judge Seney could carrj' the district against Foster, who had twict> before been 
elected, but Foster beat "him by 18!l votes. There is no remark respecting that 

46 



830 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

election more common than that Judge Seney did not want the f)lace and con- 
aequently made no effort to be elected. It is the opinion of those supposed to 
know that the Judge was pleased at his defeat. That he had no desire to be 
in Congress was satisfactorily demonstrated at Upper Sandusky four years 
later. The district had been changed, and was then Democratic by 5,000 
majority. An election was certain, he was about to be nominated, and would 
have been had he not arisen and appealed to the delegates not to vote for him, 
stating that under no circumstances would he accept of the nomination. In 
1876 he was made a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at St. 
Louis, and assisted in nominating Samuel J. Tilden for President. He was an 
active member of that body, and, in the campaign which followed, he eloquent- 
ly and ably advocated before the people the justness of his party's cause. In 
1882 he was made the Democratic candidate for Congress in the Fifth District. 
Soon after his nomination he made a thorough canvass of the district, 
speaking at fifty or more places. He was elected by a majority of 5,(513. In 
Seneca County he received many Republican votes. His majority in this 
county was 1,472; in Tiffin. 776, and in the First Ward of Tiffin, where he 
lived, 173. In 1883 his district was changed by taking off Putnam County 
with 1,4:17 Democratic majority and adding in Wood County with 496 Repub- 
lican majority. This change reduced the Democratic majority in his district, 
on the vote of 1882, to 3,644. Judge Seney was nominated in the new district 
in 1884. This was a presidential year. He made a thorough canvass, address- 
ing over seventy public meetings within his district. He was elected by 4,006 
majority. The majority for Cleveland and Hendricks in the district was 3,21(5. 

The reputation of Judge Seney as a lawyer followed him to Congress; he 
was appointed a member of the Judiciary Committee upon which were the 
ablest lawyers in the House. Diuing the session he was always in his seat in 
the committee or in the House, giving faithful attention to every duty; modest 
and unassuming, he talked little, but listened much. His speeches in the 
Ohio contested election case of Campbell vs. Morey, against the repeal of the 
tax on tobacco and spirits not used as a beverage, and against allowing Nation- 
al banks to increase their circulating notes, are exceedingly able efforts, and 
attracted, as they deserved, public attention. Judge Seney is known far and 
near as the friend of the soldiers. To their interest before Congress and in the 
departments he gives especial attention. All the letters he receives from sol- 
diers about their pension claims, and they number thousands, he promptly 
answers, and as promptly attends to all their requests. In 1884 the Ohio 
Legislature was Democratic in both branches; Judge Seney was prominently 
named for United States senator to succeed Senator Pendleton. He refused to 
be a candidate, and wrote to those who were urging his candidacy that he would 
neither seek nor decline the place. He was known to be the first choice of a 
few members, and the second choice of several others. Several of his party 
newspapers advocated his election, and not a few of the public men. in and 
out of the State, favored his election. It was thought that neither of the lead- 
ing aspirants — PajTie or Pendleton — would be chosen, and in that event. Judge 
Seney, better than any other Democrat, would be acceptable to the two fac- 
tions, Pendleton and anti-Peudleton, into which the Democratic members 
appeared to be divided. Mr. Payne, to the surprise of everybody, was chosen 
in the caucus upon the first ballot. Among those prominently named as the 
Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio, in 1885, is the distinguished con- 
gressman fi-om the Tiffin district. He positively refused to be a candidate or 
allow his name to be used in connection with the gubernatorial office. 

Years of industrious and energetic labor in his profession have not been 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 831 

■without substantial Towards to Judge Senoy in fortune, as he has been suc- 
cessful. By his own exertions he has accumulated property estimated to be 
worth |ir)0,0()0 to .S-JOO.OOl). He is the owner of the Tiffin Gas Works, which 
thirty years ago he assisted in constructing, and was for the tirst three years of 
their existence the secretary of the company who built them. He is a progres- 
sive, liberal and enterprising man. In whatever is calculated to advance Tiffin 
and the good of her [leople, he takes an active and leading part. If money is 
wanted to help the poor, the sick, or the unfortunate, no on(? gives more cheer- 
fully or liberally. If a church is to be built, a minister lacks support, the cause 
of education needs help, or any enterprise for the public good wants assistance, 
he is always ready and willing with his purse. He is a member of no church, 
yet the friend of religion and of all Chi-istian effort. Judge Seuey has no 
children. His estimable wife, Anna (Walker) Seney, is a daughter of the late 
Joseph Walker, Esq., long a merchant of Tiffin, and a granddaughter of the 
late Josiah Hedges, Esq., who was the founder of Tiffin, and is remembered 
by older citizens as an active leader in public affairs forty years ago. There 
are those who believe that still higher honors are in store for Judge Senev. 
We write not of the future, but of the past and the present. 

WILLIAM HALDERMAN SHAFFNER, dealer in agricultural imple- 
ments. Tiffin, was born in Dauphin County, Penn. , September ». IS'24. His 
parents, Martin and Sarah (Flescher) Shaffner, were descended from pioneer 
stock of that State, former of whom came to Crawford County in 18211. and to 
Bloom Township. Seneca County, in 1843. Martin Shaffner had twenty-one 
children by tkree maiTiages, William H. being the youngest of three sons and 
six daughters by the first marriage. Our subject took up farming, and has 
been very successfully identified with that industry, buying and selling consid- 
erably. He has exchanged nine different farms, aggregating about !?!•(). 000 
or .1100.000. He man'ied. in Scipio Township, this county, in 1846, Mary A., 
daughter of Joseph and Frances (Lanaga) Coft'man, natives of Pen-yCountv, 
Penn., and to this union have been born fovir sons and five daughters: Joseph 
Wesley, residing in ^\■yandot County. Ohio: Sarah F. . wife of Jacob Basore, 
of Huron County. Ohio: Emma, wife of Leo Andi-ews, of Liberty Township, 
this county; Charles B. . of Hughes County, Dak.: Martin F.. of Loudon 
Township, this county; Alice, wife of Charles Cramer, of Loudon Township, 
this county; Clara (deceased): Elmer L. and Ida. ^Ir. and Mrs. Shaffner are 
worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as 
trustee, steward, class leader and su])erinten<lent of the Sabbuth-school. He 
has been a member of the Masonic order for several years, and has attained to 
the degree of K. T. of De Molay Commandery. He is also a member of Isaac Rule 
Post G. A. R. , having seen service during the late war of the Rebellion as a 
member of the One Hundred and Sixty-fomih Regiment Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry. Mr. Shaffner' s present fann comprises 240 acres of valuable laml 
iu Loudon Township, this county. 

JOHN SHAULL, retired farmer, Tiffin, was born December 13. 1813, in 
Berkeley County, Va. : son of Jacob and Susan (Pulse) Shaull. natives of Vir- 
ginia. Jacob Shaull came to Ohio in 1833, and for a few months his family 
stopped in Marion until he could find a suitable location. He finally entered 
land in Williams County, where he and a ])ortion of his family settled, and 
there he and his wife lived and died, the latter departing this life in 1882, 
aged ninety-two years. Jacob Shaull liecame one of the leading farmers of 
Williams County and was one of its respected pioneers. His family consisteil 
of six sons and three daughters, of whom Milton, Samuel and John, only, sur- 
vive. Our subject came with his father to Ohio, but did not remain with the 



832 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

family, coming direct to Seneca County to his graudfatber. Michael Shaiill. an 
old pioneer, and here began life, and by industrious habits and economy soon 
accumulated enough to make a start for himself. He was married, in 1837, to 
Miss Barbara Shedingham; subsequently pm-chased a piece of land of his father- 
in-law and began life in earnest. To Mr. and Mi-s. Shaull were born ten chil 
driui, nine of whom are now living: George J., Mary E. (]\[rs. F. Fisher), 
Samuel K., David, Lydia (Mrs. K. Hill). Sarah (Mrs. Truman Zise), Conrad. 
Smiley and Joseph. The mother of these children dying. Mr. Shaull, October 
IS. 1.S6S, was married to Mi-s. Libby Staub, a widow, a daughter of Henry 
Stoner, an old settler of this county. John Shoull. who has been a successful 
farmer, still owns his farm in Hopewell Township, this county, but is living a 
retired life in TifiSn. He has been a leading pioneer; served in the offices of 
township trustee for several years and also as school director. 

REZIN ^V. SHAN\'HAN stands prominent among Tiffin's people as a suc- 
cessful mercliant and an active, public spirited citizen. His is an example of 
jiwell spent life, of careful, painstaking industry. His parents were Freder- 
ick and Eleanor (Wells) Shawhan. the latter a native of Virginia. His father 
was a native of Kent County. Md. , but had settled in Virginia after the Revo 
lutionary War. in which he was an active ])articipiiiit. having enlisted when but 
seventeen jears of age. He served under Gens. Wayne, Green, Lafayette and 
Washington, He was at the caj)tiire of Stony Point by Wayne, at the battle 
of Monmouth, at the crossing of the Delaware, and at the sixbsetpient 
capture of the Hessians at Ti'enton. In ISTi he moved to Ohio, and first 
located in Fairfield County, and afterward settled in Seneca County, and died 
near Tiffin August '2B, 1840, in the eightieth year of his age. The subject of 
this sketch was born October 19. INll, in Berkeley County, Va.. and 
worked on a farm until lifteen years of age. His chances for ediication were 
verj' limited. comj)rising only a common district school education of twenty- 
eight months. In 1S27 he entered the store of William McComb.in ^^'ooster, 
Ohio, as clerk, and when eighteen he was employed in the store of Zopher T. 
Moore, with whom he remained about three years. In 183;} he located in 
Tiffin, then a ullage of less than 500 inhabitants. In company with his 
brother, L. D. Shawhan. he opened a small store, but at the end of two years 
L. D. , fearing his health was being injured, withdrew his entu-e interest. K. 
W.. thereaftej-, driving the business alone. In April. 18;{U, Mr. Shawhan was 
married to Elvira Tuller. of "Worthington. Ohio, who died Mav 20. 1880. June 
29. 1881, he man-ied Delia A\atson, of Toledo, Ohio, still 'living. Having 
engaged in many enter])rises. many of which were unprofitable, still, by dint of 
persevereuce and unyielding industry, he has accumulated a handsome fortune, 
and has assisted in the growth of many important industries, among which may 
l)e mentioned the bankinjr and building interests, the "Shawhan House"" built 
ill 1850), being the only one however bearing his name. His entei-prise has not 
been confined to Tiffin only, but he has been connected with merchandising in 
other places, and has been interested in extensive land ])nrchases in Wisconsin. 
Nebraska and Kansas, all of which accrued to his profit. Mr. Shawhan is a 
man of excejttionally vigorous constitution, and gives personal attention to all 
of his affairs. He has always been a close student of business matters, and has 
given considerable attention to general reading, having ac(]uired a fine library. 
The subject of our sketch is the only siu'viving child in his father's family, and 
he has an onlv daughter. Ella, a ladv of excellent attainments. 

HENEY SHEATS, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Lancaster Coimty, 
Penn., May 28, 1822, son of Henry and Nancy Sheats. who were married in 
Pennsvlvania, came to Seneca Countv. Ohio, in October, 1839, and remained 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 833 

ill Clinton Townsliip until the doiith of the fiirin(>i'. After bis death All's. 
Sheats went to Henry County, and there remained until her death. Our .sub- 
ject was united in marriage, January IB. \H(V2, with Anna Ditto, born in Seneca 
County, Ohio, December '27, 1S82. daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Ditto, 
the former boru in 1785, in Northumberland County, Penn.. and the latter bom 
on the Atlantic Ocean in 1795; died Augusts, 188'"). They were married Octo- 
ber 14, 1814, and si^ttled in this county, where they remained until the death 
of Mr. Ditto, which occiured in 1853. Mr. Sheats is a cari)enter and black- 
smith by trade, but since his marriage has engaged in farming. Hi> and his 
family reside on a farm of 214 acres, owned by the late Jlrs. Ditto. Mi\ and 
]\Irs. Sheats are members of Grace Reformed Church. 

ELDRID(}E SHERMAN, farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born in this county 
Febrary 1, 1844, son of Howland and Huldah Sherman, the foi-mer a native of 
New York State, born June 8, 1814, and the latter a native of Connecticut, 
born March H, 1823. They were manied March 3. 1842, and settled in this 
county, where they remained until the death of Howland Sherman, which 
occuiTed June 13, 1805; his widow resides with our subject, the mother of five 
children : Eldridge, Frances, Phrona, Elnora and Lucinda. Our subject was 
united in marriage, AprO 23, 18()7, w'ith Catharine Earl, born in this county 
May 8, 1845, daughter of Matthew and Susanna Earl, the former deceased, the 
latter now living. To oiu- subject and wife have been born four children, 
three now living: William T. . Aura I. and Earl J. ; one died in infancy. Mi-. 
Sherman owns eighty- four acres of good land. He served his country in the 
late war, and is a member of the G. A. R. He and his wife are consistent 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Chiu-ch. 

DANIEL SHUBERT, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Lehigh County, 
Penn.. November 3, 184(); son of Lewis and Esther Shubert. natives of I'enn- 
sylvania, where they were married and first settled, remaining thme until 
1847. at which time they moved to Tiffin, Ohio, where they afterward resided. 
Our subject was united in marriage, December 31, 1808, with Barbara Einsel, 
l)orn in Clinton Township, this county, a daughter of Henry and Sarah Einsel, 
whose sketch appears elsewhere. To Mr. and Mi's. Shubert have been born 
five childi-en. four now living: Cyras A.. Sarah E., Oleva M. and Henry L. 
The deceased is an infant. Our subject is a carpenter and joiner l)y trade, 
but has of late years been engaged in farming, owning 107 acres of fine land. 
He served his country in the late war of the Rebellion, enlisting in Company 
B, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 18<i3. He 
was in several sharp engagements, and was mustered out at the expiration of 
his term of enlistment. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical 
Church. 

H. E. SIMON, born in Boardman Township. Mahoning Co., Ohio, July 17, 
1847. In 1851 the family moved to Bloom Township, Wood County, iu-riving 
there September 1. and in the public schools of that township our subject was 
educated. He was deputy auditor of Mahoning County in 1805-0(5. and in 
1870-71 he was deputy recorder of that county. In Octolier, 1872, he came to 
Tiffin, Seneca County, where he was engaged with the Baltimore & (Jliio en- 
gineer corps until the line was located, upon which that railway was Iniilt in 
the spring of 1S73. September 15, 1873, he entered the Tribune office (Locke 
«& Bro., proprietors) to learn the printer's trade, and remained at the case for 
about eighteen months until March 7, 1875, when C. N. Locke, the junior 
editor died. At this time Mr. Simon entered the counting room of the Tribuw 
office and took the position left vacant, and became associate editor with O. T. 
Locke, a position which he has held over ten years. ]Mr. Simon was married, 



834 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

May 14, 1879, to Miss Maiy L. , dauj^hter of Michael and Mary (Rinker) Wall, 
old settlers of Tiffin, then residing at Toledo, moving to Toledo in 1878, after 
about thirty years' residence at Tiffin. 

JAMES V. SIX, dealer in groceries and provisions. Tiffin, is a native of 
Tiffin, this county. His father, AS'illiam Alfred Six, was born in Frederick 
County, Md. , of pioneer German ancestry in that State, and, at the age of 
twenty-one (1843), came to Tiffin and learned brick-making, eventually taking 
an important part in the building interests of the city for many years. He 
married, in his native State, Henrietta A. Filler (whom he buried here), and 
the issue of this union was three sons and three daughters : James V. , David 
H. (a mason and builder); Winfield Scott (deceased); Ida (deceased); Lizzie 
(deceased); and Emma. The siibject of our sketch was reared to his father's 
business, which he followed, doing considerable building,* many of the business 
blocks, factories and residences of Tiffin being monuments of his handiwork. 
Retiring from that industry he took up merchandising. Mr. Six mairied, in 
Tiffin, Ohio, Hattie Crawford, a lady of estimable attainments, a graduate of 
the academy at Republic, and this union was blessed with three children, of 
whom but one daughter, Mabel, survives. Our subject and wife are worthy 
members of the Evangelical Church. He is a member of the K. of P. , and of 
the American National Union Insurance Company of Mansfield, Ohio. 

SAMUEL BAUGHER SNEATH, banker and merchant, one of Tiffin's 
prominent commercial citizens, is a native and to the " manor born ;' ' his 
parents, Richard and Catharine (Baugher) Sneath, settling here in 18'27, and 
his birth occurring December IS) of the following year. His father was a 
native of Connecticut, and was a prominent pioneer and business man of Tif- 
fin. His mother was a native of Pennsylvania, descended from a pioneer 
family of that State. Three sons and one daughter of the family survive: 
William O. and Richard G. , residents of San Francisco, Cal. ; Catharine, 
wife of James T. Drake, of Missouri; and Samuel B. The subject of our 
sketch, in early life, engaged in manufacturing business, and was successfully 
identified with that industry here till 1853, when he turned his attention to 
merchandising, and embarked in business with Jesse Shriver, the firm of 
Shriver & Sneath continuing with good success for many years. In 18()0 or 
1861 Mr. Sneath retired from the firm, and established a produce and commis- 
sion business, which he still carries on, and in 1862 he bought his former part- 
ner (Shriver) out and continued in drj' goods and merchant tailoring for a 
year or so, when he sold to P. Scheib, who still pursues the business. In 
1865 he became an incorporator and stockholder of the National Exchange 
Bank, severing his connection with that institution recently. In 1876 he took 
an active j)art in the organization of the Commercial Bank, and has remained 
its cashier since. He is a very cordial supporter of measures tending to the 
city's growth and development, and has contributed in no small degi'ee to its 
social and industrial institutions. Mr. Sneath married, in IfSOl, Mary L. 
Davis, a native of Tiffin, and daughter of Levi Davis, a native of Marj-land, 
and pioneer farmer of this county. Mrs. Sneath passed away from this life in 
1868, and is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery, leaving a daughter and son: 
Fannie, now the wife of C. F. M. Niles, an attorney at law and banker, a 
resident of Garden City, Kas., and Ralph D. , associated in the bank. In 
November, 1879, Mr. Sneath married Laura A. Stephenson, of Findlay, Ohio, 
a lady of excellent attainments, daughter of William Stephenson, a prominent 
farmer near Findlay. To this union has been born one daughter, Marian Lee. 
Mrs. Sneath is a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which Mr. Sneath 
has always been a liberal contributor. In public life he has kept aloof from 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 885 

holding office, but has nevertheless considered the importance of the ballot, 
his motto being ' ' What is worth doing is worth doing well. ' ' Mr. Sneath 
has applied his abilities to the furtherance of the commercial interests of this 
locality, in which he stands a prominent character. 

CALVIN SNYDER, proprietor of saloon and restaurant. Tiffin, was bom 
in Tiffin, Ohio, August '.^8, 1847, son of John W. and Barbara (Hammon) 
Snyder, natives of Baden, who settled in Tiffin in early times, and who reared 
a family of eleven children, of whom five sons and three daughters survive. 
Calvin Snyder was reared to the molder's trade, which he followed for many 
years. He spent a number of years traveling through the Western and North- 
western country, trading and trapping. In 1881 he returned here and 
embarked in his present business. In 1882 Mr. Snyder married Mrs. Emma 
(Rhu) Smith, who was born in New Riegel, this county, and by thisj union 
there is one daughter, Edith Smith. Mr. Snyder is a member of the Molder's 
Union and Veteran Firemen, and of Rescue Hose Company No. 1. 

WILLIAM A. SPONSLER, manufacturer and dealer in boots and 
shoes, was born in Boardman, Mahoning Co., Ohio, in 1834, and comes of a 
line of pioneer Pennsylvania people of German ancestry. His parents were 
pioneers in Ohio. The subject of this sketch was reared in Cumberland Coun- 
ty, Penn. , and, at twenty-one, went to Burbank, Wayne Co., Ohio, where he 
eventually engaged in merchandising. In 1874 he removed thence to Tiffin, 
this county, where he has since carried on a prominent business in his present 
industry. He was united in marriage at Bui-bank, in 1857, with Miss Sarah 
Jane Bowman, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Smith) Bowman, natives of 
Pennsylvania and pioneers of Wayne County, Ohio. 

C. D. SPRAGUE, manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company, 
Tiffin, was born in Fowler, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., June 28, 1847. His 
parents, Seth and Cynthia (Bowen) Sprague, are of Scotch and English ances- 
try, respectively; the Spragues of pioneer Scotchmen in Connecticut and 
Rhode Island, who settled there in the seventeenth century, of the family line- 
age of Gov. Sprague of Rhode Island; the Bowens of early English settlers 
in New York State. The subject of our sketch was the youngest of a family 
of four sons and five daughters, of whom three sons and three daughters sur- 
vive. His father carried on mercantile business in St. Lawrence County, N. 
Y. C. D. Sprague took up telegraphing at fifteen, at Gouverneur, that coun- 
ty; the year following he came to Elyria, Ohio, and clerked for awhile, com- 
pleting his education in telegraphy. He was creditably identified with his 
profession in Ohio and New York States, alternately, till 1872, when he came 
to Tiffin, and has been connected with his present occupation here since, mean- 
while taking an active part in other important pursuits. Mr. Sprague was 
married in Morristown, Minn. , to Jane, daughter of Joseph Hopkins, of St. 
Lawrence County, N. Y. She is a lady of estimable attainments, and was 
reared and educated with Mr. Sprague. This union has been blessed with four 
children: Mildred, Mamie, Charles B. <ind Sadie. Mr. and Mrs. Sprague are 
worthy members of the Presbyterian Church, of which be is treasurer, superin- 
tendent of the Sabbath-school, and leader of the choir; she is treasui'er of 
the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. Mr. Sprague has been a Mason, 
socially, since he was twenty-one years old, passing all the chairs of the chap- 
ter and council, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum. He is a stanch 
Republican in politics, and served as private secretary to Gov. Foster during 
his canvass in 1877. 

HON. DAVID J. STALTER, editor of the Tiffin Neu>8, was born in Eden 
Township, Seneca Coimty, August 14, 1845. His parents, David and Nancy 



836 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

(Boery) Stalter, uatives of Faii-lield County. Ohio, were old residents of Edeu. 
and his father, one of the township's most enterjsrising farmers luitU 18(5!5. 'Mi-. 
Stalter attended the common schools of the district until 1859, when, owing to 
the death of his mother, he was compelled to work as a farm laborer. Early 
in 18G5 he moved to Indiana, and dui'ing the summer of that year worked t)ii 
the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Eailroad as a section hand. In the 
fall of 1865 he removed to Michigan, and was there employed in bi'ick-making. 
and subsequently in the lumber industry. During the latter part of the year 
1807, he returned to Ohio; entered a select school at Adrian, in 18(58; soon 
obtained a teacher's certificate; took charge of a school in Big Spring Town- 
ship, and subsequently jjresided over the school at Melmore for eleven terms. 
During this period of school-teaching he saved sufficient money to meet the 
expenses of schooling at Heidelberg College several terms. In 1873 he accept- 
ed the position of traveling correspondent for a Toledo paper, and eventually 
became one of its stockholders. His natmral tact and industry, aided by the 
experiences which this position offered, pointed out to him other fields of labor. 
Disposing of his interest in the Toledo newspaper, he purchased a half inter- 
est in the Ottawa County Neics, and became editor and manager of that jour- 
nal. The columns of this newspaper he stamped with his indi\iduality, and 
its business department with marked success until the spring of 1878, when he 
j)urchased the Wyandot Democratic Union, which journal he published at 
Upper Sandusky until November, 1879. Like theA'eii's of Ottawa County, he 
built up the interests of the Democratic Union until the jovu-nal became valu- 
able property under his management. Early in 1880 he founded the Tiffin 
News, a new joiu'nal which has won for itself a large measure of support from 
the people of Seneca County since the day of its establishment. Mr. Stalter" s 
marriage, with Miss Lucy M. , daughter of Amos and Penelope (Thompson; 
Westover, natives of Ohio, was solemnized at Nevada, Wyandot Co., Ohio, 
July 2, 1874. Two children were born to them — David K. and Miss Touie 
Bernice; the former died in 1883. and was inteiTed in Green Lawn Cemetery 
beside his mother, who died in February, 1 883. Mi'. Stalter was nominated 
by the Democratic Convention of 18S3 to represent his native county in the 
Legislatuj'e. The nomination was bitterly opposed by the machine section of 
his party ; and, in a measure, this opposition was can-ied to the polls, but the 
votes thus lost were largely compensated for by the votes of Republicans, as he 
received 4,762, or 9(56 votes over his Republican opponent, 4,717 votesover his 
Greenback opponent (W. H. Patterson), and 4, 655 votes over A. T. McDonald, 
the candidate of the Prohibitionists. In 1872 he was elected clerk of Eden 
Township, the only Democrat ever chosen for that position by the people of 
Eden. His nominations for the major ixnd minor offices were only agreed to 
by him on representations made by the best men of the party, and on condi- 
tion of retiring after one term of office. ^Vhether in the newspaper office, Leg' 
islatiu-e or Masonic and Odd Fellows' circle, with which he is connected, in- 
dustry and zeal mark his every action. 

EDWARD W. STEPHENSON, jobbing and commission house in general 
merchandising. Tiffin, was born in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1845, son of Charles 
H. and Emily (Bellchamber) Stephenson, natives of England, the former born 
in Ycjrkshire and the latter in London. The subject of oui- sketch served an 
apprenticeship at the tinning business, and at the age of twenty came to this 
country and after traveling through the States a few years located in Tiffin, 
this county, in February, 1870, and united with jMi\ Ranaldo A. Gray in the 
establishment of the present enterpi-ise, Mr. Gray retiring in 1878. The busi- 
ness at first was small, but by dint of steady and persistent industry, Mr. 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 837 

Stephenson has j'.-iirecl it lu au annual accounting of over 5^20,00(1, and it now 
employs eighteen well equipped wagons on the road. Mr. Stephenson was 
man-ied, in Tiffin in IST'J, to Mary Cooper Giay, only surviving child of 
Kanaldo A. and Elizabeth (Jolly) Gray, the former a native of Connecticut and 
the latter of Zauesville, Ohio. They have au adopted child, Daisy May 
Stephenson. He and his wife are worthy menib((rs of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. He is au active member of the K. of P., is Grand Inner (iuard of 
the Grand Lodge of the State and recorder of the Uniform Rank of that 
society. He is a member of the P. O. of A., and of the I. O. O. F. ; is ex- 
president of the National Union Insurance Company of Mansfield, Ohio. In 
industrial matters Mr. Stephenson has always contributed liberally, and was 
one of the prime movers in the establishment of the National Machinery Com- 
pany of Tiffin. In jjublic life he has done efficient sei-^ace and has contributed 
in no small degree to the advancement of the Republican party.-, 

JAMES STINCHCOMB, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Bloom Town- 
ship, this county, March 2."), ISiU. His grandfather. George Stiucl^^omb. 
emigrated from Scotland, with his family, to America, and died in Maryland. 
The father of our subject, John Slinchcomb, came fi'om the neighborhood of 
Baltimore, Md. , to this county, December 3, 1825, and settled in Bloom Town- 
ship, where he purchased laud and remained until 1851, when he removed to 
Clinton Township, and where he died, his widow, Barbara ( Turnllinger) 
Stinchcomb, soon following him. They had tea children: Elizabeth A., 
George S., James, Mary J., Frances A., Daniel, Catharine (deceased^, Ajiiauda 
M., Henry and John. James Stinchcomb, the subject of this sketch, began to 
receive his education at the age of twenty-one, in Heidelberg College. He 
gradually worked up in his classes, and after the first term taught school, and 
continued teaching for twenty years. He is a quick observer, a lover of books, 
and a natural scholar. Mi'. Stinchcomb was twice married; his first wife being 
Matilda, daughter of Ezra and Mary Baker. This wife dying February 15, 
1871, our subject married, September 17, 1875, Annie S. Baker (a sister of his 
first wife), by whom he has one son — Robert Sherman. 

FRANCIS EDWIN STONER, late auditor of Seneca County, was born in 
this county, April 15, 1842; son of Dennis Caspar and Charlotte (Smith I 
Stoner, who settled here fiom Frederick County, Md. , in 18;i8. The Stoners 
were descended from German pioneers of Marylanil. the name being originally 
"Steiner." The Smiths, originally from Holland, were also pioneers of Mary- 
land. Of the family of nineteen chiklren (born to the two families) nine now 
survive — four sons and five daughters. Francis Edwin Stoner was reared upon 
the farm in Clinton Township, this county, and was educated in the schools of 
the county. In 1872 ho embarked in the grocery business, which he retired 
from in 18S1, upon accepting his late incumbency, which he creditably filled to 
the time of his death. He maiTied, in April, 1872, Juliet, daughter of the late 
Hon. J. D. O'Connor, M. D., and to this union were born two sons: Clark and 
Francis Edwin, Jr. Mr. Stoner died, after a short illness, at Ridge Farm, near 
Paris, HI. , August U, 1885, and was buried in Green Lawn (,'emett'ry, Tiffin. 
He w.is an obedient, affectionate son, a d(^voted, loving husband, and a kind, 
indulgi>nl father. Mr. Stoner was a member of the Presbyterian Chiuch'. a 
wortliy member of the I. O. O. F. Ho was always a generous supporter of all 
public measures, and contributed liberally toward the development of the 
social and industrial inter(>sts of his city and county. He was a most sociable 
gentleman, drawing around him a very liberal support, from all parties, to his 
official position. His widow is a member of the Presbyterian (Church. 



838 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

CHARLES J. M. SULLIVAN, Tiffin, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, 
September 0, 184!). His father, the late William Sullivan of Tiffin, was a 
native of Cork, Ireland, and son of Michael Sullivan, who died there in 1852. 
William Sullivan was reared to mercantile pursuits in his native land, and came 
to America in 1846, eventually locating, in hardware merchandising, in Cleve- 
land, Ohio, where he married Miss Hanora Leonard, a native of County Leit- 
rim, Ireland, who bore him a family of nine children, of whom three sons sur- 
vive: Charles J. M. , Dr. Emmett W., of Cleveland, and Jerald E., business 
manager of the loioa State Leader, at Des Moines, Iowa. In 1855 ^\'illiam 
Sullivan removed his family and business interests to Tiffin, this county, and 
was favorably known as an upright and successful business man, and an excel- 
lent citizen till his death, which occurred in April, 1873. The subject of this 
sketch received a good literary training in the college at Notre Dame, Ind. , and 
in June, 1867: graduated from that institution in a commercial course of study. 
He continued in the hardware business of his father, retiring from it in 1875. 
In 188'^ he opened his present business, insurance agency, and has operated it 
successfully since. He married here, in 1879, Miss Aldee M. Coonrod, a grad- 
uate of the Ursuline Academy, and daughter of the late Uriah P. Coonrod, of 
Hopewell Township, this county. They have two daughters, Mary and Eliza- 
beth, He and his wife are regular communicants of the Roman Catholic 
Church. He is a member of St. Patrick's Total Abstinence Society and Catholic 
Knights of America. Is a liberal supporter of all measures tending to the 
development of the interests of his locality. He was clerk of Tiffin from 1879 
to 1885. 

IRA H TOMPKINS, dealer in agricultural implements. Tiffin, was born 
in Thomson Township, this county, August 20, 1843, and comes of Welsh 
ancestry on his father's side. His father, Isaac, was a son of William, whose 
father, William Tompkins, Sr. , settled in this country from Wales before the 
Revolution, and was a soldier in that war to its close. His mother, Christina 
(Scothorn) Tompkins, was a daughter of Samuel Scothorn, of pioneer Vir- 
ginia stock, and settled in Reed Township, Seneca County, in 1823, from Fair- 
field County, Ohio. She and her one-year old sister, Ann, were the first white 
children in Reed Township. Ira H. is the fourth child and eldest son in their 
family of five sons and five daughters, and was reared to farming pursuits. 
At the age of twenty-three he embarked in the grocery business at West Lodi, 
this county, but after three years' successful work his store was destroyed by 
fire, and he subsequently engaged in dry goods and general merchandising 
there for about five years. In the meantime he dealt in agricultural imple- 
ments, and upon retiring from his other interests there he came in 1875 to 
Tiffin, where he has since been identified with the implement business, 
meanwhile doing considerable in inventions in that industry. Mr. Tompkins 
was married in Adams Township, this county. May 8, 1870, to Louisa Jane, 
daughter of Henry and Catharine (Beard) Neikirk, of Adams Township. They 
have one son and one daughter: Cosie Dale and Vance Vick. Mr. and IMrs. 
Tompkins attend St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a worthy 
Mason, and has attained to the degree of K. T. of De Molay Commandery. 
Mr. Tompkins is a practical business man and an excellent citizen, and has 
contributed liberally toward the futherance of many social and industrial inter- 
cuts of Tiffin. 

DAVID C. TUNISON, of the firm of Tunison & Son, photographers. Tif- 
fin, is a native of New Jersey, of Scotch ancestry. He learned his profession 
in New York City, where he completed a first-class education in the art. In 
1854 he came to Tiffin. Ohio, where he has since been favorably known to the 



J 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 889 

profession and to the public. He was united in marriage with Abigail Fraser 
Dolbier, of New Jersey, of Scotch pioneer ancestry of that State. This union 
has been blessed with one son and three daughters: Emma, wife of Samuel S. 
Hunter, of Tiffin; Gusta, unmarried; Oscar Barnett, and Addie, wife of John 
De Witt, a manufacturer and machinist of Richmond, Ind. Mr. Tunison is a 
worthy member of the Odd Fellows' Society and of the National Photograph- 
ers' Association. 

OSCAR BARNETT TUNISON was born in New Jersey, November 11, 
1842, but was reared and educated in Tiffin, where he learned the profession of 
his worthy sire, and joined him in the business. He was married, in Tiffin, to 
Mary E., daughter of John J. and Frances Hanna (Boyer) Steiner, worthy 
pioneers of Clinton Township, and this union was blessed with two bright 
sons: Hal and Berton. Mr. Tunison is a member of the National Photo- 
graphers' Association. Mrs. Tunison is a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. 

DR. JOHN FRANKLIN WAGNER, dentist. Tiffin, was born in Liberty 
Township, this county, August 1, 1857. His father, Edmund Carpenter Wag- 
ner, was a native of Franklin County, Penn., and settled in Liberty Township 
in 1843. His mother, Catherine Berkey^ was born in this county. They were 
married April 18, 1850, and resided in Liberty Township, where they reared a 
family of eight sons and one daughter: Levi J., Byron A., Edmund Berkey 
(deceased), John F. , George W., W. Scott, RoseB., William B. and Elmer E., 
all except John F. and W. Scott residing in Arkansas City, Kas. \\. Scott 
resides in this county. The subject of ovir sketch completed a good common 
school education, and at twenty-one entered the Cincinnati Dental College, and 
after two years passed a very creditable examination before the Ohio State 
Board of Dentistrj'. He then located here, and has been very favorably con- 
nected with his professional work here since. He is a member of the K. of 
P., and P. O. of A. Societies. 

AURELIUS C. WARNER, druggi.st, Tiffin, was bom at Congress, Wayne 
Co., Ohio, February 28, 1860, and comes of honorable pioneer stock there. 
His father. Dr. C. J. Warner, stands among the most prominent men of the 
medical profession of that locality as well as of the State, being present mem- 
ber of the board of censors of the medical department of the University of 
Woostor, at Cleveland, Ohio; his mother was Mary Ellen (Pancoast) Wai-ner, 
and both were of Pennsylvanian ancestry. Aurelius C. Warner, the eldest in 
a family of two sons, was reared to medical studies, and completed a regular 
pharmaceutical study at the College of Pharmacy in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 
1883 he came to Tiffin, and, in company with Mr. Winkler, purchased his 
present extensive drug business, which he has successfully conducted since. 
He is an active and progressive business man and citizen, a clever gentleman, 
and altogether eminently fitted to till no small position in the growth of the 
lively, commercial interests of Tiffin. He is a member of the K. of P. 

HENRY J. WELLER, attorney at law. Tiffin, was born in Thompson 
Township, this county, January 21, 1850. His parents, John and Christina 
(Orner) \N'eller, were natives of Pennsylvania, the former of whom settled here 
in 1843, from Snyder County, Penn. ; the latter is a daughter of Joseph and 
Elizabeth Orner, pioneers in this county. The subject of our sketch (the eld- 
••st of a family of five sons and three daughters) obtained a good common 
school education in his native township, and developed such ability that at the 
age of fourteen he received a teacher' s certificate. He, however, completed a 
normal education at Republic, this county, and at seventeen engaged in teach- 
ing, continuing in very reputable connection with the profession for five sue- 



840 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

cessivo terms. In April. 187S, he commenced to read law iu the office of 
Messrs. Noble & Adams, and Juue 2, 1880, was admitied to the bar of the 
State, at Columbus, being the first fi'om the county to receive his license fiom 
the Supreme Court of Ohio under the new law. He continued in the office of 
his worthy preceptors, till in March of the following year, he opened an office 
for himself, and may be found in professional dignity over the Commercial 
Bank. Mr. Weller has always been an ardent aspirant for the highest honors 
in his different professions, and while attaining them in teaching he is (since 
leaving that profession) rapidly gaining the golden proiuises of his present 
calling. June 10, 1885. Mr. Weller associated himself with Hon. John 
McCauley, ex- judge of the Ohio Supreme Court, and now composes the law 
tirm of McCauley & Weller, with office over Commercial Bank, Tiffin, Ohio. 
Our subject married, in Tiffin, December 30, 1884, Miss Julia M. Paynter, a 
lady of estimpble attainments, daughter of Martin S. and Sarah L. (Roller) 
Paynter, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. Mr. Weller haw 
taken gn active part in the development of the social and industrial life of his 
native county. He has been a member of the Seneca County Agricultm-al 
Society for several years; has been its secretary for the past live years, and is 
its present treasvirer; is now a member of the city council of Tiffin, having 
been elected from the Fourth Ward of said city (a Republican ward) by the 
Democrats, by a majority' of thirty-eight votes. He is a F. & A. M. , and is 
Past Gj'and of the I. O. O. F. He speaks German tiuently, and is a popular 
man with the German element in this county A peculiar characteristic of 
Mr. Weller is that while busy in his different professional piu-suits he hiw 
never missed an entry in his diary, which he has continued since his eighteenth 
year, and which contains not only the events of his locality but his personal 
monetary receipts and disbiu'sements. 

H. C. .\ND T. E. WELLS, physicians and surgeons of the New School of 
Medicine, Tiffin, come of pioneer Ohioans and are the only siu'viviug son.s of 
Job and Deborah (Butler) Wells, of English and Welsh descent, respectively. 
Thej' reckon amongst their ancestry, on the father's side, some physicians of re- 
pute. Richard Wells, father of Job Wells, was of Quaker lineage fi-om English 
stock in Virginia; he was a veterinary surgeon by profession, and came to Ohio 
from Virginia in early daj's and settled in Morrow County. His people were 
planters and owned slaves, and some of them figured in the Confederate service 
dui'ing the late civil war, a brother's son serving with j)rominence as sui'geon 
in that army. The family of Richard, however, with the exception of Job, 
settled in the ^Vest, principally in Iowa and Missouri, and he returned from 
Iowa to be buried near the old home in Morrow County. Deborah (Butler) 
Wells, was a daughter of Barrick Butler, a native of Pennsylvania and of 
Welsh descent in that State. They were a literary people and developed some 
prominent teachers. The immediate family of Job and Deborah (Butler) 
Wells was three sous and three dautrhters; of the latter two are married and 
have families in Morrow County. Richard, the third son, died at Tiffin 
October 10, 1882. a student at Heidelberg College. Hem-y Clay Wells, senior 
member of the firm of Wells Bros., at seventeen entered the Union Ai-my 
August 8, 1802, as a member of Company C. Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry, and continued in field service till after the fall of Vicksburg and 
Jackson, Miss., when he received an injury to his back, was taken sick and sent 
to hospital at New Orleans, where, after recuperating, being unfit for field 
duty, he was appointed ward master in the United States Marine and later to 
St. Louis hospitals. Receiving an honorable discharge at the end of the war 
he returned home and completed a course of study at Cardington Academy, 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 841 

from which he and his brother gi'iiduated. He then tiiujjht school and studied 
medicine, gradi;atin<( innu the Homceopatliic Hospital CoUej^e of Cleveland in 
1872. He then located in Tiffin and has been very successful in his' profes- 
sional practice since. He man-ied, in Bellevue. Ohio, Amanda J., elde.st 
dauf^hter of John and Ancreline (Close) Hilbish, pioneers there from Pennsyl- 
vania. This union has l)een blessed with one son and one dauj^hter: .John 
Hilliish and Mabel Grace. Thomas Elwood Wells (junior partner of tlie firm 
of AVells Bros, i after j^raduatinj;; from Cardington. taught school and sub.se- 
(juently embarked in the drug husiness with Dr. L. L. Benson, an eclectic 
school j)hysiciau. with whom he read medicine for nearly two years. He, 
however. becamt> convinced of the greater advantages of the practice of the 
homoeopathic, and sold his interest in the drug business, and after a thorough 
course of study (of three years) gi-aduated fi'om Pulti College of ]SIedicine and 
Surgery at Cincinnati in January, 1S77. He locateil in the practice at Mount 
Vernon. Ohio, where he remained until 1SS4. when he joined his biother at 
Tiffin, this county. Dr. T. E. Wells is a prominent member of the I.' O. O. 
F. . a verv genial gentleman and of prepossessing appearance. 

BEKNARD AVELTER. cigar manufaetm-er, Titlin. born in Echternach, in 
the Grand Duchy of Luxemhiu-g. March Id. 1828. is a sou of Henry and Eliza- 
beth Schoraer Welter. In ISril he came to America and located where his 
Iwother Valentine had preceded him in 184'.l. Here he carried on the cigar 
manufacturing and tobacconist lousiness. He married, in 1S(')1, Agni's Riley, 
who bore him two daught<>rs: Annie (deceased), and Elizabeth. Mrs. ^\'elter 
died in Se])tember. 1S(>4, and in 18(58 Mr. "Welter manied Mary Kerch, daugh- 
ter of Nicholas Kerch, a native of Greivelding. Luxemliurg, and to this union 
were born nine children ; Jlary. Henry. Lucinda. Bernard. Florence, Blanche, 
Elsie and Pearl living: and Henry the eldest son (deceased). Mr. Welter and 
family are comnuuiicants of St. Joseph's congregation of the Roman Catholic 
Church. He is a member of the Bniderbund. 

FRED L. WENNER was born in Tiffin, Ohio, January 8. 18()4, second son 
of Henry S. and Siirah A. W(>nuer, both of whom were mitives of eastei'u Penn- 
sylvania, and of German descent. At the age of seven he entered the public 
schools of the city. and. with the exci'ptioii of three intervals, ho remained in 
them for twelve years, graduating fi-<jm the high school on the ITth of June, 
1888. Early in life he evinced an aj)tness for rapid composition, and during 
his first year in the High School he edited a small amateur pafier called the 
Hiyli Sfhotil Rt'iitirti'r. and the rest of the foiu' years acted as cori'espondent 
for several ))a])ers. Jun<' 21. four days after graduating, he accepted a place as 
reporter on the Tiffin Ihiili/ t/rrrtltl. and in the following October became local 
editor of the same. In November he resigned his position, owing to failing 
eyesight, and Vjcgan teaching school in sub-district No. 1. Seneca Township, 
teaching a successful term of five months, and boarding at Eden Lease's. At 
the age of thirteen he had met with an accident, which destroyed the sight of 
his left eye. and caused him considerable trouble. He now entered the homeo- 
pathic hospital at .Vnu Arbor. Midi., where several operations were perfoiTued, 
which ))artially restored the sight and gi'eatly reliev<>d him. April 'J8, 1884, 
he again became local editor of th(> />(//// Hi'rahi. and remained in that posi- 
tion until October 'I'l. of the same year, when he resigned to accejit a similar 
one on the Tiffin Tribunv. which he holds at the pre.sent time. He was united in 
marriage, January 18. 188r>,with Ammy D. Myers, a teacher in the Bloom^•ille 
public schools, and the eldest daughter of Rev. S. P. and Ui-silla Myers, of 
that place, her father being a minister of the Reformed Church. 



842 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

THOMAS JEFFERSON WEST, M. D., Tiffin, comes of hardy pioneer 
descent in this county and State. His parents, Thomas and Margaret (Donnell) 
West (the former of English pioneer ancestry in New York State, and the 
latter of Scotch Irish ancestry, of Pennsylvania), were married here, and reared 
five sons and one daughter. Thomas West came to this county in 1820, and 
located land in Eden Township in 1822. The subject of our sketch received 
a liberal literary training in the Academy at Republic, and taught school. 
On the breaking out of the late war of the Rebellion, he enlisted in Company 
C, Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and did active and honorable service for over 
three years, and upon the expiration of term of service of his regi ment, he was hon- 
orably discharged. He was wounded in the battles of Antietam and Gettys- 
burg. After the war, Mr. West taught school and engaged in the study of 
medicine. In 186G-67 he attended Charity Hospital Medical College of Cleve- 
land, from which he graduated. He located in the practice of his profession at 
Melmore, this county, where he remained in creditable professional work till the 
spring of 1884, when he came to Tiffin. The Doctor is a member of the State, 
Northwestern and County Medical Societies, and has contributed in no small 
degree to the advancement of his profession in this locality. He was married in 
1871, to Mary Horner, a native of Darlington, England, who bore him two sons 
and one daughter: Nettie May, and Freddie and Eddie (twins). Mrs. West passed 
from life in 1881 , in full communion with the Presbyterian Church, and is buried 
in Rock Creek Cemeterj'. Oui- subject was mamed on second occasion to Mrs.E. 
Steele, daughter of R. C. Steele, of Eden Township, this county, and bj^ her he 
has one son — Robert Karl. Mrs. West is a worthy member of the Presbyte- 
rian Church, to which the Doctor is a liberal contributor and respectful attend- 
ant of. He is a worthy member of the Masonic order, in which he has attained 
the degree of K. T. in De Molay Commandeiy. He is also a member of the 
I. O. O. F. and of Isaac Rule Post. G. A. R.. and of the Pioneers' Society of 
Eden Township. 

R. H. WHITLOCK {See Mcmnfuvtnriuij Infcicsfs in History of Tiffin, 
page 530). 

GEORGE W. WILLIARD, D. D.. president of Heidelberg College, Tiffin, 
Ohio, was l)orn in Birrkettsville, Frederick Co., Md. , June 10. 1818. and is the 
fourth son and fifth child in the family of five sons and two daughters of John 
and Mary (Shaffer) AVilliard, natives of Frederick County, Md. Elias ^\'illiard, 
father of John A\'illiard and a native of Germany, reared a large family in 
Maryland. John ShafFer, father of the mother of our subject, also a native of 
Germany, reared his family in Marj'land. The subject of our sketch received 
a good rudimentary education in the common schools, and at sixteen went 
to the high school at York. Penn. , and after its removal to Mercersbiu-g (where 
it was merged in Marshall College) he pursued and completed a thorough liter- 
ary and classical training in that institution, gi-aduating at the age of twenty- 
one. He then pursued a theological course of study with his ahiia mcder. and 
after about a year entered the ministry of the Reformed Church, and was ordained 
at Jefferson (in his native county) at twenty-two years of age. He continued 
in charge there for over four years, when he removed to Huntingdon. Penn.. 
where he had charge of an academy in connection with his pastoral work. He 
afterward removed to Winchester, Va., and after laboring there three years he 
came to Columbus, Ohio, in the spring of lSr)0, where he can'ied on church 
work for about five years, diu'ing which time he took charge of the Western 
Missionanj (1858), which paper he conducted for thirteen years thereafter. 
Diu-ing his stay in Columbus, he translated from the original Latin and pub- 
lished the Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberj,' Catechism 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 843 

(the confessional book of the Eeformed Church) into the English lanrjuage. 
In 1855 he removed to Dayton, Ohio, where he edited and published the West- 
ern Missiouari/. in connection with his pastoral work, till his call to the presi- 
dency of Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio, in ISfJO. During the first foui' 
years of liis residence in Dayton he had charge of the First lleformed Church 
there, and subsequently served congregations in the vicinity of Dayton. In 
1866 he accepted his present incumbency from the Board of Trustees of Heidel- 
berg College, and has also performed ministerial work in a variety of forms. 
Dr. Williard married, in Mercersburg, Penn. , in 1842, Louisa Catharine Lit- 
tle, fourth daughter in the family of two sons and five daughters of Dr. P. M'. 
Little, a prominent physician of that place, a native of Maryland and of Ger- 
man ancestry. To this union four sons and one daughter were born, of whom 
three sons survive: John Newton and Dr. George P., of Tiffin, and the Eev. 
E. R. Williard, of Germantown, Ohio. In September, 1808, Mrs. Williard 
departed this life, and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, at Dayton, beside her 
son and daughter, Cephas L., who died at the age of twenty-six, and Mary 
Louisa, who died at the age of six months. In 1866 our subject was married 
again; on this occasion in Xenia, Ohio, to Emma Jane Hivling, a lady of esti- 
mable attainments, and a daughter of Col. John Hivling, banker, of Xenia, 
and a prominent pioneer of Greene County. Dr. Williard while busy with his 
professional work has always taken a prominent part in the various benevolent 
enterprises of the day, and has contributed liberally thereto. He is the author 
of several books and a regular contributor to the ])eriodicals of the Reformed 
Church. He is apparently as active as ever in his professional work and has the 
gratification of seeing many of his students occupying important positions in the 
various professions of life. 

GEORGE PARKER WILLIARD, M. D., was bom in Huntington, Penn. , 
July 1. 1845, son of Rev. G. W. Williard, D.D. (president of Heidelberg 
College) and Louisa C. Williard, daughter of Dr. P. W. Little, of Mercers- 
Inirg, Franklin Co. , Penn. The subject of this sketch received a liberal liter- 
ary training in the schools of Dayton, Ohio, and at the age of eighteen years 
began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. John Davis, of Dayton. He 
attended his first and second collegiate courses, at the Ohio Medical College in 
Cincinnati, and completed his professional studies at the Jefferson Medical 
College of Philadelphia, Penn.. graduating from this honored institution 
March 1), 1867. In the following June he came to Seneca County, Ohio, 
locating at Fort Seneca, and caiTied on an active jiractice till 1874, when he 
went to California and located at San Buena Ventura, Ventura County, enter- 
ing into jiartnership with Dr. Cephas L. Bard, a prominent physician of that place. 
He returned to Tiffin, this county, in 1876, and soon afterward entered into i)art- 
nership with the late Dr. A. B. Hovey, with whom he remained two years. 
Retiring from that partnership, he established himself independently, and has 
carried on an active jiractice ever since. He has been {)rominently nominated, 
and has served as examining surgeon for many life insiurance corporations: is a 
member of the Ohio State Medical Society, and of the Seneca County Medical 
Society. He has always given a cordial support to all measures calculated to 
elevate the character and standing of his chosen profession, and is ever ready 
and willing to lend his assistance in matters pertaining to the social and indus- 
trial development of Tiffin. During th(> war. and uj)on the organization of the 
One Humked and Thirty-first Ohio National Guards, he enlisted as a ju-ivate 
in Company A, of that regiment, and was shortly afterward promoted tL> the 
position of hospital steward. During its term of service, and while the regi- 
ment was stationed at Baltimore. Md. . gan-i.soniug Forts Marshall and Federal 



844 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 

Hill, he was appointed post-steward of Fort Federal Hill Hospital. Although 
lirokeu in health from close confinement at the hospital, and the arduons duties 
of his position, he remained in the service until the term of his enlistment had 
expired, and he was honorably discharged with his regiment. In February. 
1881, he was married to Miss Electa A. Stout, of Dayton, Ohio, a lady of esti- 
mable attainments, cultured and refined and of high Christian character. She 
is a daughter of Elias Stout. Esq,, of Davton, a merchant and native Ohioan. 

FREDERICK WOLF, dealer in boots and shoes. Tiffin, was born in Ep- 
pingen, Baden. April 14, 1S34, son of Ludwig and Catharine (Heiser) Wolf, 
the former of whom died in that country in IS-it"). and the latter in Tiffin, in Oc 
tober, 185fi; the names of their children are as follows: Frederick: Elizabeth, 
widow of Christian Bloom, of Mexico: Christina, widow of Joseph Schoert- 
schinger, and Jacob (deceasedy. The subject of oiu- sketch learned shoe-mak- 
ing in his native city, and at nineteen came to this country, locating in Tiffin 
June 8, 1853. and in 1862 embarked in business with which he has been suc- 
cessful}y connected since. He was married in Tiffin, in 1857, to Catharine 
Baker, born in Detwiler, Rhenish Bavaria, November 18, 1835, and who 
came to this country in 1853. To this union foiu- sons and one daughter were 
born: Henry, a merchant: Frederick, a harness-maker; Caroline: Loiiis Lud- 
wig, a grocer, and William Dietrich. Mr. ^^ olf is a member of the Sanger- 
bund and Bruderbund societies. He and his family are members of the Ger- 
man Lutheran Chiu'ch. Jacob Wolf learned his trade here and united with 
Frederick in Inisiness, continuing with him until his death, August 8. 1884: 
he left five children. 

CHARLES J. TINGLING, merchant. Tiffin, was Iwrn in Baltimore, 
Md, , October 26, 1847. and descends from a line of mercantile people on 
both sides of his parentage. He is the fifth child and second son of Joshua 
and Margaret (Skriver) Yingliug. The foi-mer a prominent business man and 
banker of W^estminster. Md. . and son of the late Jacob Tingling, a tanue)- 
and merchant of Westminster; and the latter a daughter of Hon. Isaar 
Shriver, banker of Westminster and of pioneer fan^ily of the State. The 
subject of our sketch completed a liberal education in the high schools of 
Westminster, and at seventeen entered the First National Bank of that place 
us teller, in which cajjacity he served with credit for about foui- years, when he 
was compelled by ill health to withdraw fi-om the biisiness and to travel 
through the West, principally in Iowa. Returning, he embarked in the dry 
goods merchandising with his father, January, 1869, firm being known as J, 
Tingling iSj Son. In September. 1872. h(> retired from that firm and came to 
Tiffin and engaged in mainifacturing ladies' shoes, which he abandoned just 
two years later and then purchased his present extensive diy goods business. 
Mi\ Tingling was married, in Taneytown. Md. . in October. 1875. to Miss 
Mary E. Rudisel. only siu'viving child of the late Tobias Rudisel. merchant of 
that place. To our subject and wife have been born two sons: Tobias Rudisel 
and Charles Shriver. Mr. Tingling has, since locating here, established an 
excellent reputation as a business man and citizen. He has cordially sup- 
ported all measures tending to the progressive development of this locality. 
He and his wife are estimable members of the Methodist Protestant Church, 
of which he has been for many years a meml)er, and of which he has served as 
superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and secretary of the l)oard of stewards. 
He is a K. T. and a member of the R. A. and K. of P. societies. Jlr. Tingling 
comes fi'om a line of slaveholders, but upon the event of the late war. his peo- 
ple renounced theii- principles and remained steadfast with the Union tenets 
for which they had always maintained strong ]>refoi-ence. 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 845 

JOHX FKEDEKICK ZELLEK. coal mt'ichaiit. Tiffin, was bora at Canal 
Fulton. Stark Co., Ohio. May 4, 1S42. His parents, John and Doretha 
(Jacobs) Zellt'r. were natives of Germany, the former born in ^\'ei(len, in the 
kinj^dom of A\"iirtember{i;. and the latter in Kaiser Lantern, in the kingdom of 
Bavaria. They came to America in 1834 and settled in Stark County where 
John Zeller cairiod on contracting and building for many years, rearing a 
family of one son (John Frederick) and two daughters. The subject of this 
sketch was reared to building with his fathei'. November 1 2, 1 SO 1 , when nineteen 
years of age, he enlisted his services in defense of the Union, in Company K, 
Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and veteranized in Jackson County, Ala. , 
in 1S()4, serving in all three y(>ars and eight months, receiving an honoral)le dis- 
charge at Camj) Chase, Ohio. July 2. 1 S( l"). He served in the battles of Fort Donel- 
son, Shiloh, Siege of Corinth. Chickasaw Bayou. Arkansas Post, Jackson, Miss.. 
Vicksbiu-g, Lookout Mountain, Taylor's Ridge and Missionary Ridge, and was 
in the engagements at Lovejoy, Atlanta, Marietta. Kenesaw Mountain, Pumpkin 
Vine Creek and Sugar Creek (lap; was with Sherman in his march to the sea. 
February 20, 1805, he was captiu'ed by Gen. Hampton's cavalrj- at Cheraw. S. 
C. and spent fom* days in Libby jmson, after which he was paroled. Oui- 
subject marched and traveled by rail and water over 1 !.()( '(> miles and after his 
captui'e, as just related, he was marched over 500 miles barefooted and half 
naked over rough and often fi'ozen ground. After the war he spent several 
years in the drug business in his native place and in 1873 embarked in the coal 
Imsiuess, in Norwalk, Ohio, which he retired fi'oni there, and opened up in 
Tiffin, in 1878. Mi-. Zeller was married in Canal Fulton. Ohio, in 1807. to 
Margaret Jane Porter, a lady of estimable attainments, daughter of Alexander 
and Nancy (Stotler) Porter, the former a native of Beaver County, Penn., the 
latter of Wayne County. Ohio, and by this union there are three sons living: 
Clarence Porter. William Newton and John Logan; two deceased. Carl 
Frederick and James Gartield. Mr. Zeller is an active member of the F. & 
A. M. and I. O. O. F., has served his ward in th(> city councils. Politically 
he is a stanch Republican and has been an active worker for his jiarty. 

L. W. ZIMj\rER, bookseller and stationer. Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, this 
county. November 25, 1850; son of Jacob and Caroline (Von Blon) Zimmer, 
the former a native of AVindesheim, Prussia, and the latter of "Waldmohr, in 
Rhenish Bavaria. They were man-ied in Tiffin, and reared two sons and a daugh- 
ter: L. W.. Caroline Louisa and Jacol). latter a clerk with L. W. Mr. Zim- 
mer was reared to bookbinding, and followed the drvig business for a few years. 
In ISSO he joined Mr. Emich in the book and stationery business, from which 
he retired in 1SS3. and estalilished his present business. He was \inited in 
mairiage, in 1881. with Emma, daughter of John and Susan (Gross) Laiix, 
uativi>s of Ba\aria. He and his wife are members of the Second Reformed 
Church. Mr. Zimmer is a member of the U. A. O. D. and Tiu-nverein Societies. 

JOHN BURGERT ZINT. of the Jii-m of Zint & Kreader. plumbers and 
gas titters. Tiffin, was born in Paris, Stark Co.. Ohio, July 31. 1842; son of 
Joseph and Julia Ann (Burgert) Zint. the former a native of Germany and the 
latter of Pennsylvanian German ancestiy. Tlie subject of our sketch was 
reared in Adi'ian. Ohio, and in ISC) I came to Tiffin and began the trade of 
harness-making. August 12. 18()2, he enlisted in Company I. One Hundred 
and First Ohio Volunteer Infantiy, and did honorable service till the (>nd of 
the war; was honorably discharged as ili'ummer fr(jm the Eighth Veteran Re- 
serve Corps, to which he had been transferred. Returning to Tiffin. Ohio, he 
eugag(>d in the wooleu-mills. where he spent fifteen years, the last eight of 
which he was engineer. Fi>on the dissolution of that comjjany. in 1881. he 

47 



846 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

embarked in his present industry, ilr. Zint was mamed in Tiffin, Ohio, to 
Ellen Lowe, by whom he has two daughters: Laura Bell and Myrtle May. He 
and his wife are members of the M. P. Church. He is a member of the I. C). 
O. F.. and of Leander Stem Post No. 31.. G. A. K. 



EDEN TOWNSHIP. 



BAKER FAMILY. Among the well known pioneer families of Seneca 
County, and of Eden Township, was the Baker family of four brothers: Frank- 
lin, Thomas, John and Richard, and four sisters : Mary Baker. Sophia Stearns. 
Lucretia Arnold, and Ann Knapp. They were the children of Judge Samuel 
Baker, a native of Branford, Conn., and a descendant in the fourth generation 
of Thomas Baker, who settled at Milford, Conn., in 1639, whence in 1650 he 
removed to East Hampton, L. I. , which town he represented in the Colonial 
Assemblies of New York and Connecticut. Dtiring the invasion of New York 
by Burgoyne, Samuel Baker, then a boy of thirteen, was captured by Indians, 
taken to Bui-goyne" s camp and sold to a British officer. He was released by 
the sun'ender of Burgoyne' s army, and afterward enlisted in Col. Marinus 
Willett's regiment and served until the close of the war. He was one of the 
first settlers in Steuben County; was for many years first judge, and one of 
the most prominent citizens of that county. Fi-aoklin and Thomas Baker came 
to Eden Township in ]8'22. Franklin entered the farm knovm as the Fmsted 
farm on the Kilboiu'ne road, where he resided until his death in 1831. Thomas 
entered the farm adjoining, and there lived until his death in 1863. Samuel 
Baker and Mrs. C. Y. Brundage. of Eden Township, and Mi's. Albert Ewer 
of Tiffin are children of Thomas Baker. His widow. Sarah B. Baker came to 
Seneca County with her father. Col. Boyd, in 1821, and since 1863 has resided 
in Tiffin. John Baker came soon after his brothers and settled upon the farm 
on Rock Creek upon which he died in 1876. Mary Baker, with her husl)and. 
Joseph Baker, settled in Scipio Township in 1822. Mr. and Mi's. Stearns set 
tied on Rock Creek in 1828. Ten years aftenvard Mr. Stearns died, and his 
widow married the late AVilliam Fleet, and soon afterward died. John B. and 
George W. Stearns, two of the largest farmers of Scipio Township, are the 
sons of Mr. and Mrs. Stearns. Mi's. ELnapp and Mrs. Arnold removed to Gar- 
den Grove, Iowa, where they now live. Richard Baker, the youngest of the 
four brothers, came to Seneca County in 1835. and pirrchasing several small 
farms made the fine farm of 400 acres upon which he resided until 1871, and 
which is now owned by his son. Grattan H. Baker. In 1836 he was married to 
Fanny Wheeler, daughter of Grattan H. M'heeler. who was a member of Con- 
gress, and for many years a State Senator from Steuben County. N. Y. , and 
grand-daughter of Captain Silas Wheeler, who, in April, 1775. enlisted in Capt. 
Thayer's company of Rhode Island Volunteers: was at Bunker Hill: \Vith 
Arnold in his ten-ible march through the forests of Maine and Canada, to 
attack Quebec; was captm-ed in the unsuccessful attack on Quebec, in which 
Montgomery was killed and Arnold woimded. and kept a prisoner and in irons 
until August, 1776, when he was exchanged. He again entered the army: 
was again captiu-ed and taken to Ireland, whence he escaped to France through 
the aid of Henry Grattan, the Irish orator and patriot, after whom he named 
his only son. In 1871 Richard Baker removed to the farm adjoining Melraore, 



EDEN TOWNSHIP. 847 

on which he now resides with his wife, whom ho brout:fht to what was then 
little more than a wilderness almost iifty years ago. Time and fortune have 
dealt kindly witli them both. A\'ith six sons and twenty gi-andchildren, into 
their family, death has never come. Notwithstanding (be weight of seventy- 
sevtMi years. ;\Ir. Eaker is still erect, vigorous, strong, self-reliant, but kind and 
tender-hearted. For years his class in the IMethodist Sunday-school (of which 
church he and his wife have been members for more than foiiy years) has been 
the infant class into which no child was too small to enter, and fi-om which no 
child was ever willing to go. Of the six sons of Richard and Fanny 
Baker, Silas is a farmer in Dickinson County, Kas. ; Frank, a lawyer in 
Chicago; Job, a farmer in "Wyandot County; Grattan H., a farmer, and 
the owner of the old homstead: Rali)h. a fanner at Garden Grove, Iowa, 
and Kiehard AV. , still at home. Richard Baker brought to his farm, in 
1S;57, thirty jiure Spanish merino sheep, the first lirought into Seneca County, 
and probably the first in northern Ohio, and has been one of the most success- 
ful wool growers, as well as one of the liest grain farmeis in the county. 

JOHN W. BARKICK. farmer, P. O. .^lorris. was born January, lSi7, in 
Frederick County, Md., son of George and Margaret (Cramer) Barrick, also 
natives of Maryland. George Barrick died in Maryland, and in 1840 his 
widow came to Ohio and settled in Eden Township, this county, where she 
died in IS'iS. Their children were six in number: William. Catharine (Mrs. 
Dean), Margaret (deceased), John W.. Maiy C. (widow of Mr. Shriner) and 
All)oi-t. Our subject was united in marriage, in 1S39. with Catharine S. Dev- 
ilbiss, by whom ho has seven cliildi-en: George M'.. mairied to Elizabeth 
Ogden; Simon F., married the first time to Martha Burnsido (by whom he 
had one child, Howard: and the second time to Ella Kemp, by whom he has 
one daughter, Bertha); Margaret, wife of A. Cox: Virginia R. : Alice A. ; Marj- 
C. ; and Walter, man-ied to Sarah Kemp. Mrs. Barrick died in 18S1. 0»u' 
subject, in 1840, moved on the farm where he has since lived, and which was 
partly improved. He has been very siiccessful; has served as assessor, assist- 
tant assessor, and as school director. He is a member of the Reformed ChiU'ch 
of Tiffin. 

JAMES H. BRINKERHOFF. farmer, P. O. Melmore. was born 3Iarch IT, 
ISIU. in Gettysburg, Adams Co., Perin. ; son of Hez<>kiah and Jane (Kerr) Brin- 
kerhofT, natives of Pennsylvani;i. Hezekiah Briiikerhoff came to Ohio in 1834, 
and settled in Seneca Townshij), this county, where he purchased land, made 
a home for his famOy. and there remained until his death in 1847. Of his ten 
children six are now living: Alexander W,, Sarah J., Margaret M. , John N., 
George F. and James H. Oiu- subject, who received his education in his na- 
tive State, taught school after coming to Ohio. He was roared on a faiTQ, and 
has follow(>d agricultural pursuits as an occup;ition. Mr. Brinkerhoff was 
twice married; first, in 1843, to Esther McGeehan, who bore him one child; 
Robert A., married to Flora Stewart (have two children). Oiu- subject was 
married on second occasion, October 23, 185'J, to Sarah A. Marquis, and to 
this iinion wore born two children: Nelson M. , maiTiinl to Mary F. Bums, 
and Elizabeth, wife of G. A. Bassett. Mi\ Brinkerhoff is one of Eden Town- 
ship's thorough-going farmers and good business men. Politically, he is a 
Republican. 

JOHN L. CROSS, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born July 17. 1812. in Berke- 
ley County, Va. ; son of John (a farmer) and Deborah (Comegys) Cross, na 
tives of Maryland, and who came to Ohio in 1828, settling in Eden Township, 
this county; their family. Maria, Benjamin C John L. , Deborah A. and 
Cornelius, accompanying them. Of this family only John L. and Deborah A.. 



848 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

(Mrs. Boroff) sui-vive. Here John Cross entered a piece of animproved land, 
and began the life of a pioneer. Oiu' subject has lived in this coiinty since ho 
was sixteen years old. He was mairied. in 183'J. to Eliza, daughter of Henry 
and Sarah Boroff. of Yu'ginia, and who was one of four ehildien to come with 
their widowed mother to this county, their father having died in Virginia. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Cross have been born seven childi-en: Mary E. (wife of A. 
^\"oolpert), Henry C. (maiTied to Marj' R. Geary^, Hamilton J. (married to 
Susan Kinser). Newton (man-ied to Ida Geary), Lewis C, Beujamiu F. and 
Eliza J. (The three last named are deceased.) Our subject owns a farm of 
11(2 acres in this countv, and eighty acres in Wvandot County. Ohio. 

WILLIAM R. DE TRAY, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born Jime 1(), 1811, 
iu the village of Johnson, R. I., a son of Anthony and Amy (Mathewson) 
De Tray, the latter a native of Rhode Island. Anthony De Tray, born in 
Connecticut, emigrated to New York State in 1S21. where he remained until 
1822. when he came to Ohio and settled in Crawford Cotuity. near Melmor(>, 
and there spent the remainder of his days. His family consisted of two sons 
and two daughters: Amy, widow of Philip Pei'dew: Jackson, who died in 
Michigan; Nancy, formerly the wife of R. Weeks, now Mi's. Bartlett. and 
William R. Our subject was manied, December 28. 18-S6, to Mary S,, daugh- 
ter of Robert Weeks, and bj' this union were born six ehikb'eu : Mary E. . now 
Mrs. Ebersole (the only one surviving, has one child named Minniej, and 
Annie. Anthony W.. Charles, Alice and Willie, all deceased. Anthony W. had 
two childi-eu: William W. and Josephine. Mi'. De Tray came to this county 
and settled in Eden Township, where he still resides, having a farm of 160 acres 
of land, with tine improvements, located on the Melmore Road. He is a 
thorough -going and successful farmer, and a highly respected citizen. The 
family are members of the ilethodist Episcopal Church of Tiffin and Rock 
Creek. 

JOHN L. DOWNS, farmer, P, O. Melmore. was born August 22. 1812, in 
Ross County, Ohio: son of John and Caroline (Holden) Downs, the former a 
native of Virginia, the latter of Kentuekj'. John Downs, Sr. . came to Seneca 
County in 182 1 . and with his brother entered 4S() acres of land, which he aft«»r- 
ward took himself. In 182;! he came again, and let the job of clearing ten 
acres and putting up a cabin. The following year he brought his family and 
began pioneer life. There were fourteen children in his family, four of whom 
are living: Catharine (Mrs. P. Minich), Eliza M. (ilrs. J. Corbett). Lemuel, 
a neighboring farmer, and John L. Our subject was married, in 1845, to 
Margaret A. \\'heatou, Viorn in Brown County. Ohio, daughter of Jehosaphat 
AVheaton. and who bore him ten children: Jam(>s (deceased), Frances A., Or- 
ville. Caroline (deceased wife of C. H. Funk, had one child — Nettie M. ), 
Sarah J., Lehre, Katie. Dora, Ida M. and Mertie (latter died iu infancy). Mr. 
Downs ofcujiies the land which his father entered, now a well-improved fann 
of 200 acres. Having been a successful farmer, he is now enjoying the finiits 
of his lal)or. His ih'st vote was cast for Martin Van Buren for President. 

WILLIAM FERGUSON, farmer, P. O. Rockaway, a native of Penn.syl- 
vania. was born May 6, 1817; son of Thomas and Jane (Marshall) Ferguson, 
also natives of Pennsylvania, and who were the parents of twelve children (all 
of whom grew to matiu'ity and had families), nine surviving. Our subject, the 
second born, is the only one of the family now living in Ohio, the others reside 
in Virginia, Pennsylvania. Illinois and Missoiui. William Ferguson received 
his education iu his native State. There he was married, in l843. to Martha 
C. Tittle, by which union there were six children (two now living): an infant 
(deceased, not named); Marshall Beatty. educated at Heidelberg College and 



EDEN TOWNSHir. 849 

fjvaduated from Wooster University, and was one year at Princeton Theological 
Seminary of New Jersey, and died soon after, March •], 1877; J. T., di(>d July 
'2f), 1850: and J. A., died June 7. ISO'i: Thomas Calvin received his education 
in Heidelberg College, and was maiTied to Gusta Philips (have foui' children; 
Nellie May, Martha Louise, (iraceand Kate); and \\'illiam Wilson, who received 
his education at Hi'i<lelberg College, and graduated at Iron City College, Pitts- 
burgh, Penn.. and inamed Tilly Outhwait. William Ferguson came to Seneca 
County in 1X45. and lirst lived on Silver Creek, afteiward purchasing tlii! fanii 
of forty acres on which he now resides, and to which he h;is added thirty 
acres from the old Clark farm and sixty acres from Mr. Breininger"s farm. 
^Ir. Ferguson has been fully alive to the advantages of his childi-en, giving 
them good education. His grandfather, William Marshall, was held prisoner 
l)v the Indians in this countv at an earlv dav. 

DR. W. D. FLEET, farmer. P. O".. Tiffin, was born January 8. 1849, in 
Eden Township, this county, son of William and Eliza Ann (Ogden) Fleet, 
natives of New York State. William Fleet, who began in the world a ])oor 
boy, came to Ohio in 188(1 and settled in Eden Township, where he worked by 
the month for u time: afterward he went to Indiana, where he entered land 
near Waterloo: while there, on one occasion, he was lost in the woods and re- 
mained with a tribe of friendly Indians until morning when they put him on 
thi' right track for Fort Wayne; he was twice man-ied, on first occasion to 
Sophia Sterns, by whom there is one child living, Mrs. Sophia Nolan; he was 
again married, this time to Eliza .Vun, daughter of Amos Ogden, and she bore 
him five children: Dr. WilliainD. : Frank, married to G. H. Baker: Abram K. , 
married to Hattie Wood; Lucy M. . maiTied to Newton Ward: and Grettie L. 
William Fleet. Sr. . had about l.nOO acres of land in Eden Township, this 
county, which was divided among his family at his death, which occurred June 
20, 1880. He extensively engaged in stock-raising, was a successful farmer, 
and gave his children the advantage of a good education. Our subject was 
married, February 15, 1870. to Laura, daughter of James Dunlai>, of ^Vyan- 
dot County. Ohio, by whom he has three chikfren living: William, Nellie M. 
and Eliza. Dr. W. D. Fleet and his brother Abraham occujiy the old home 
farm in Eden Township. 

SAMUEL HERIN. farmer. P. O.. Melmore. was born August 21. IS] 2, in 
Columbia County. Penn.. son of James and Mary (Smith) Herin. He is a 
grandson of Richard Smith, a native of England (who was sold to pay his 
jmssage to America) and John Herin. who came from Ireland, and both of 
whom were early settlers in the United States. James Herin (father of siibject) 
was united in man'iage in Bucks County. Penn., and had a family of ton chil- 
ilren, of whom four are now living: Joseph, Hannah. David and Samuel. The 
subject of this sketch came to Ohio in 1828, with his parents, and settled near 
Tiffin, this county, where his father entered eighty acro>s of land, making some 
improvements. He bought 100 acres of land on which he lived and wlioro he 
died in 18;5;l His widow, W'ho survived him five years, resided in Risdon (now 
Fostoria). Oiu- subject was man-ied. in 1885. to Tabitha A., daughter of 
A;u-on Umsted. and they were blessed with four childi'en: Mary E. (deceased); 
Ann C. (deceased): Caroline D. . wife of Philip Garrick (have seven children); 
Jennie L. . wife of Alfred P. Cook (have one child). Mr. Herin was elected 
justice of the peace in 1845. which position he retained nine years; he served 
three terms as coroner in the early history of the county; was county treasurer 
from 1850 to 1808. Previously he had bought the farm on which he now lives, 
and on which he settled at the expiration of his term as county treasurer. Mr. 
Herin. who is a genial, kindly old gentlemen, lost his wife in 1881 and has 



850 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

since made liis: home with his son-in-law Mr. Cook. He sold the laud on which 
the county infirmary was erected. His famUy were members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church; he himself is not a member of any sect. Politically he is a 
Democrat. 

EDEN LEASE, farmer, P. O., Melmore, was born October 29, 1818, in 
Frederick County, Md. , son of Heniy and Barbara (Jacobs) Lease, also natives of 
Maryland, where they lived and died. Of their seven children, six came to 
Ohio: Otho (deceased). Joseph (deceased), Jacob, Eden, Heni-y and Maiy 
(latter now Mrs. Walsh). The subject of oui- sketch early came to Ohio, ar- 
riving in this county May 17, 1885, where he went to work at his trade (car- 
pentering), which he carried on in connection with running a saw-mill for some 
years. He was elected sheriff of the county in the fall of 184(3, and was re- 
elected, serving in all four years. After this he commenced agriculture, pur- 
chasing a farm of Dr. Coon, which he afterward sold, then bought the property 
on which ho now resides. Mr. Lease was united in marriage, October 12, 1S43, 
with Mary, daughter of John Keller, of Clinton Township, this county, and by 
this luiion there were born eight childi-en: John D. ; Jesse (deceased in infancy); 
Lewis C. ; Ami (deceased in infancy): Clinton D. ; Almeda E., wife of James B. 
Gibbs, of Eden Township, this county; Maiy A., wife of Milton McComic: and 
Clementine B. Mr. Lease is now occupying a pleasant farm which is well-im- 
proved. He has filled the office of justice of the peace three years, and also 
served as infirmarv director for six vears. 

WILDMAN LOOMIS. farmer," P. O. Tiffin, a descendant of one of the 
pioneers of this county, was born March 24, 1819, in Fremont. Sanduskj' Co., 
Ohio, son of Keuel and Anna (Lyon) Loomis. who had three sons: Samuel C, 
Rudolphos L. and Wiklman (the latter being the only siu-vivor). Reuel 
Loomis, a native of Massachusetts, came thence to Michigan, arriving in De- 
troit in 1811. where he was taken prisoner by the British and kejit in confine- 
ment for six months after Hull" s siuTender ; he then settled in Fremont, San- 
dusky Co.. Ohio, in 1814, where he remained until 1822, when he came to 
Eden Township, this county, and here lived on Section 16, untU his death in 
1852, his widow following in 1857. He was a tanner and currier by trade, and 
also made shoes for his neighbors in an early day. Our subject was educated 
in Seneca County. He was married, in October, 1839, to Miss Catharine, next 
to the youngest in the family of nine children of George Myers. This union 
was blessed with five children: George, manied to Susan Beery: Elizabeth 
(deceased); Lucy, wife of Matthias Wagely (died leaving foui' childi'en); Maiy 
(deceased while young), and Omar, married to Alice AVoolf (have one child). 
All the family reside in this county. INIiv Loomis enlisted during the late war 
of the Rebellion, in 1804, serving 100 days as a member of Company B, One 
Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment, under Col. Lee and Capt. Benj. M. Gip- 
son. Mrs. Loomis took charge of the farm diuing his absence. Our subject 
lives on his father" sold farm, and on which the first schoolhouse (a log cabin, 
with slab desks and b;mches) in the township was built. He is one of the lead- 
ing farmers aud has served many vears, at different times as constable. 

ROBERT M. C. MARTIN'(deceased) was horn September 18. 1822. in 
Perry County. Ohio; son of Samuel and iLary Martin, natives of Pennsylvania, 
and who came to Seneca 'County in 1827. Samuel Martin first bought a tract of 
land in Scipio Township, which ho traded for land on Section 19, Eden Town- 
ship, holding the same until his death, though he purchased other property at 
different time-s. Of his children, eight in number, five now survive; Absalom. 
Samuol, Natha", Nancy and Hannah. Hugh, one of the sons, and who be- 
came a noted lawyer, read law uuder Gen. Gib.so:i. opened practice in Iowa, 



EDEN TOWNSHIP. 851 

and W!is killed by a rolling houldor at Colorado. Oiu- subject, the eldest son, 
received a fair education, and was reared a farmer. He was married, October 
12. 1848, to Miss Barl>ara. dau<rhter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Wrouff) 
Kagy. and by this union there were thirteen ehildi-en, ten now living: Mary 
E.. Samuel S., Hannah J. (llrs. Clinton Lease), Eliza E., Isaac R. (married 
to Hattie Hovorstock), John V., Hugh Mc, Charles E.. Francis A. and Anna C. 
Robert M. C. Martin was a successful farmer, having acquired several large 
farms, together with everything that denotes prosjjerity. He was apjjointed 
county recorder to fill an unexpired term, and then was elected and subsequent 
ly re-elected to .this office. He was present at the last reunion of the Kagy 
family, where there were over 100 members of the family gathered. He died 
April 4. 1879. leaving his property to his widow during her life time, ami at 
her demise, to his childi-en. Mrs. Martin and some of her childi-en occup}- the 
homestead. She is a pleasant lady, striving to make home comfortable for her 
family. 

DANIEL PRICE, farmer, P. O. Melmore,was born March 24, 1835, in Eden 
Township this county; son of Jacob and Esther (Heisbaum) Price, natives of 
Virginia, who came to Ohio in 1828. and settled on Section 20, in Eden 
Township, where Jacob Price's father-in-law entered land the same year, and 
where he liegan as a pioneer, having to cut the bushes to enable him to turn 
his team. Jacob Price's children were eleven in number, four living: Isaac. 
Daniel, Joseph and Esther, wife of Abraham Saul, residing in Indiana; all 
educated in Eden Township, this county. Our subject was married, in 18")'.). 
to Delila, daughter of Thornton Cross, and to this union was born one child. 
G. C. Price. The mother of this child died April 4, 1864, and Mr. Price then 
married, in 1867, Martha, daughter of Henry Berry, by which union there 
were fom- children : Pearl (deceased). Harvy, Robert M. and Dallas J. (latter 
deceased). Daniel Price' s parents are deceased, and he now occupies the old 
home farm, comprising 160 acres, well-improved and watered by streams. Mr. 
Price's family are members of the United Brethren Church. 

LOREXZO ROGERS, farmer. P. O. Melmore, was born April 29. 1819. 
in Lake County. Ohio, son of Barnabas and Polly (Rider) Rogers, natives of 
Vermont and Connecticut res[)ectively, and who were parents of three children: 
Lorenzo. Orange and Martha, latter now widow of A. Lee, residing in Michigan. 
Barnabas Rogers, a tanner and currier by trade, when a young man came to 
Ohio on foot, carrying a kit of tools, making shoes as he joiu-neyed. He 
entered land December 24, 1824, and erected the first cabin on his place, in the 
township, where he engaged in cutting timber, farming, and part of the time 
working at his trade, establishing also a tannery, which he canned on for sev- 
eral years. He was a member of the Baptist Church. He died in 1879; his 
wife died in 1874. Our sul)ject received his early education in Eden Town- 
ship. Ho was twice man-ied. the first time to Susan Babcock, by whom he had 
two children, both now living: Luther, married to Mai-y Sailor, and Eliza, 
mnrried to John Nichols. His second man-iage was with Mrs. Lucinda Sho- 
maker. and by this union there is one child living, Mattie M. Our subject, 
who has been one of the prominent farmers of the township, and is a well-to- 
do citizen, not being in the best of health, has rented his farm and now occu- 
pies a pleasant home of twenty acres on Section 27. He has served his town- 
ship as trustee. Politicallv he is a Republican. 

SAMUEL SAUL, farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born September 2"), 1801. in 
Northi iipton County, Penn., son of Leonard and Eve (Hubrecht) Saul, who 
were the parents of ten children. Leonard Saul, a native of Germany, came to 
America and to Mahoning County, Penn., when but six years old. with his 



852 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

parents, who had a family of live sons and two daxighters. four living — three 
of whom are residents of Ohio: John. Man,' (Mrs. Raider, a widow in Frank- 
lin County), and Samuel. Leonard Said came to Ohio in 1815 and settled in 
Franklin County, purchasing land, where he lived the remainder of his days. 
Our subject has been twice man'ied. first in Fairfield County, Ohio, to Miss 
Ann Spitler. and by this union had seven childi-en: Edward (deceased), was 
married to Lovina Kagy; Rachael. wife of David Fowley; Abraham, niamed 
to Hester Price; Eliza (deceased wife of William Martin); Regina. wife of 
Michael Bair; Ann, wife of Thomas Singer; Elizabeth, wife of W. Souther- 
land. This wife dying. Mr. Saul was subsequently maiTied to ili\s. Catharine 
(Slimmer) Coleman, a widow, by whom he had three childi-en: Jesse, married 
to Sarah Kirshner (have one son, L. H. ). and occupies the farm north of the 
homestead: Martha, wife of Davied Geis; Mary, a maiden lady keeping hoiiae 
for her father (who is partially blind), her mother having died in 1877. Foiu 
of Mr. Saul's children reside in this county. Oui- subject came to this county 
in 1S2S, began pioneer life, enteiing eighty acres of land, and built a house 
where he still resides. He was a leading farmer in his earlier days. Was 
elected county commissioner, seiwing six vears. 

JOHN SEITZ. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born March 12, 1829. in Bloom 
Township, this county; son of Lewis and Barbara (Kagj-) Seitz. natives of 
Fah'field County, Ohio, and Virginia, respectively, and grandson of Lewis 
Seitz, Sr. , and great-grandson of John Seitz. who with his young wife came 
to York County, Penn., from Prussian Germany in 17(57. He reared a family 
of nine childi'en — three sons. Lewis, John and Andi'ew, and six daughters: 
Catherine, Anna Mary (married Zeller, and Stabler), and the four youngest 
girls came to Fairfield County. Ohio, and were married to Keller, to Einsel. 
to Leib and to Swartz. respectively. John lived and died in York County, 
Penn. . after rearing a family of fourteen ehildi'en : Andrew moved to ilaiy- 
land. Lewis Seitz, Sr. . left York County, Penn.. in 1789. and moved to Rock- 
ingham County, Va. , where he remained twelve years, and there had ten chil- 
dren. In 18(tl he moved to Fau-field County (one of its fii'st settlers). Here 
four more children were born; foiu'teen of the family gi-ew to manhood and 
womanhood and reared families, seven sons and seven daughters, all of whom 
lived to be over sixty years of age, and of whom two now survive: Lewis 
(father of o\\r subject) and Rebecca (]\Irs. Friesner. of Illinois). Lewis Seitz. 
Jr., came to Seneca County in 1825. locating on lands his father had entered, 
and here began as his father had done before him as a jiioneer. and like his 
father he was a minister of the Old School Baptist Church, and labored among 
the people for many years. Lewis Seitz. now eighty-thi'ee years old, was 
twice married, his children by his first wife numbering foiu'teen: (Catharine. 
Lydia. Elizabeth, John. Marv',Anna. Daniel, Barbara, Hannah, Abraham, Lewis, 
Aaron, Lavina and Jonas, eight of whom are living (Daniel and Jonas died in 
infancy). Om- subject was reared on a farm, educated at the common schools 
and Seneca County Academy, then under Prof. T. \\'. Harvey. He was mar- 
ried. April 9, 1N51. to Miss Celia. daughter of David Hite. a pioneer of Marion 
County. Ohio, and by hw he has had seven children, five now li^^ng: Milford K. , 
Omar B. (married to Susie Richardson). Marshal. May (wife of R. ^\". Thorn- 
burg), Nettie, Orin and Jay. The three oldest sons are in Texas, engaged in 
sheep rearing. Our subject was elected justice of the ])eace of Bloom Township 
in 1802, which office he held till 18(55, when he removed to Eden Town.ship, 
where he purchased a farm which is now finely cultivated and improved. He was 
elected a member of the State Legislatiu-e of Ohio in 1869. where he served four 
vears. aft(>r which, in the fall of 187;l he was elected to the Senate from the 



I 



EDEN TOWNSHIP. 853 

Thirty-flrst District of Ohio, which [W-sitioii lie hold two years; was ro cloctoil 
in IS (7. and after sorving four years roturnod to his farm. ]Mr. Soitz. dnrin<; 
his second term in the Oliio Senate introduced a lull which became and is now 
law: to make it a felony to bribe or intimidate a voter at any general election, 
or during th(^ canvass of any candidate for "nomination" or election, and 
makes a guilty candidate ineligible to hold the office, though elected. This 
statute is now known throughout the State as "the Seitz election law." Of 
the legislative r(>cord of Mr. Seitz it is said of him in the biographical sketches 
of the General Assembly of Ohio (H/M) and other State officials: "He has 
made a brave member of the Senate; brave because it requires courage of the 
highest order for a representative of the p(>ople to feai'lessly fight the schemes 
of a powerful and active lobby, whit^h is doing more legislation than the Lpgis- 
lature. Mr. Seitz has l)een severe in his ;idvocacy of retrenchment in public 
expenditiu-es, and has justly earned the title of -"the watch dog of the treas- 
ury.'" In 1S80 he was a candidate for Congi-ess on the Greenback labor 
ticket, and in 1881 candidate for governor, on same ticket. He is a leading 
politician, and in 1882 was before the people as candidate for Congi-ess, mak- 
ing no canvass. In 1888 he was candidate for State Treasm-er. and in 1884 
was cjindidate (Greenback labor ticket) as elector at large. 

JOHN TITTLE, farmer, P. O. Melmore. was born November 20, 1820. in 
Westmoreland County, Penn.. son of Jonathan and Susan (Beaty) Tittle, also 
natives of Pennsylvania. Jonathan Tittle came to Ohio in 1840, and settled 
on Honey Creek, Eden Township, this county, where he bovight a farm of 
Thomas West, of which a few acres were cleared, now one of the most valua- 
ble farms in Eden Township, with line improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan 
Tittle had six sons and three daughters when they came to this county, and 
were parents in all of eleven children: Martha C. (wife of William Ferguson), 
John, Sarah, two infants (deceased). Ralph W. (manied to Agnes Spittle). 
Benjamin B. (man'ied to Rachael Finch). Jonathan. Allen (married to Amanda 
Johnson), William W. (married to Emily Johnson), Samuel W. (man-ied to 
Hattio Beals). Our subject was united in mamage. in June, 1857, with Lina, 
daughter of John and Nancy (Weidner) Chamb(>rland. Mr. and ]Mi-s. Tittle 
have no chiklren of their own, but liave an adopted daughter, Lottie. Our 
subject now owns the old home farm on which his parents lived, and is a 
thrifty, neat fanner living at his ease, enjoying the fruits of his labor. He has 
served as township trustee. 

JOSEPH WALTER, P. O, Tiffin, a well-to-do farmer of Eden Township, 
was born September 4, 1832, in Northumberland County, Penn., only child of 
David and Nancy (Huntsicker) Walter, who came to Ohio in the fall of 1851. 
purchasing a farm and settling in Richland County. David \\' alter di(>d in 
Mansfield. Ohio, in 18(i4; his widow now makes her home with her son. Our 
subject received his education in his native State. He was a fanner in his 
earlier days, but later entered the dnig business at Mansfield, in which he con- 
tinuetl for ten years. He was man'ied, in 1855, to Susan, daughter of Joel 
Keller, of Pennsylvania, and who came to Ohio in an early day, settling near 
Mansfield. Of their children, eight in number, four are now living: Anna E. : 
David K. : Amos J., married to So])hia Ker.schner (have one child. Grace), and 
Albert C. Mr. Walter came to this county in the spring of 1880. and jnir 
chased, of Samuel J. Seed, the farm of 157 acres, with fine improvements, 
located on the Mohawk road, where he now resides. He is proprietor i)i the 
hack lines of Tiffin, 



854 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



HOPEWELL, TOWNSHIP. 

THOMAS BALTZELL, farmer, Tiffin, was bom July 22, 1815. in Fred- 
erick Couaty, Md. , son of Charles and Elizabeth ( Creidler) Baltzell, natives 
of Maryland and of German descent. Charles Baltzell died in 3Iarylaad. and 
in 1837 his widow came to Ohio, bringing her only son, Thomas, with her; 
she died in 1857. Thomas Baltzell was a successful farmer, but in 1881 he 
retired fi-om his farm, moved to Tiffin and bought a house on Clay Street, 
where he now resides. He was married, in June, 1844, to Caroline Souders, 
the fifth born in the family of six children of David Souders, natives of Fred- 
erick County. Md. To Blr. and Mrs. Baltzell were born ten children: Charles 
D., married to Mallie Butler: Heniy C. , mari'ied to Kate Pennington (have 
four children: CaiTie, Hemy, Willie T. and Bessie); Malinda E., wife of C. 
Shuemaker (have following childi-en: Viola, Leora, CaiToll, Calvin); Emma, 
widow of T. A. Kaup (has one child, Hallie D. ); Nettie; John T. ; Flora C. ; 
Clara B., married to J. C. Rover (have one child. Helen); Ida B. , and Jesse 
M. One sou enlisted in the late war of the Rebellion when but twenty years 
of age and served until the close of that struggle. They are all members of 
the Presbyterian Chiu-ch. 

JACOB A. BOXER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born May 2, 1809, in 
Frederick County. Md. He has no remembrance of his father, who died when 
our subject was verj' yoimg. His mother subsequentl}' married John Julian. 
Our subject came to Ohio in 182G and located near Tiffin, where his step-father 
bought forty acres of land and spent the remainder of his life. The Indians, 
who were then quite numerous, would often visit the family in tliose early days. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Julian were born seven children: Samuel, Margaret, John, 
Sarah A., William, Joseph and Victoria, All of this family are now deceased 
but Victoria and John. The subject of this sketch was married, in September, 
1831, to Elizabeth, daughter of George Slosser, one of the pioneers. In 1844 
Mr. Boner and wife came into the woods of Hopewell Township, settling where 
they now live, and when there was but one log schoolhouse in the township. 
They have six children living: Agnes, wife of Joseph Staub; William, married 
to Rachael Cook; Ann, wife of Mathias Ulman; Joseph, man-ied to Mary 
Kuhn; Catherine A. ; Jacob A. ; all residing in this township but Ann. who 
lives in Indiana. Mr. Boner has been an eye witness to the growth and 
impi'ovement of Seneca County. He was justice of the peace for three years 
in Hopewell Township, and has been a leading farmer. His wife, who is now 
seventy-seven years old and who has been married fifty-four years, is a lively 
old lady, with a retentive memory, and remarkably quick in her actions con- 
sidering her age. The family, one of the oldest in the county, are members of 
the Catholic Church. 

JOHN BRITT, retired farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born June 24, 1811, in 
County Longford. Ireland, son of Patrick and Alice (McCormic) Britt. who 
with their six ehildi-en came to America in 1830, and settled in Pennsylvania, 
where they remained twenty years. The names of the childi-en are John, Mary 
J., Annie (deceased), Timothy. William (deceased), Cathai'ine (deceased). Our 
subject was married, in Huntingdon County, Penn, to Miss Mary Nolen. by 
whom h? had the following children: Frank P. (he was a soldier in the late war 



HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP. 865 

of the Rebellion, amemhor of tlio One Hiiiulrcd and Twonty-thiid Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry, romaininj; tmtil the war closed). Ann (Mrs." Leonard Beucox). 
Elizabeth. Alice, John. Ella (Mrs. F. Flack), Clara. Esther A. (deceased wife 
of S. W. Rohrer) and JNIaggie. In 1848 the subject of oiu- sketch came to 
Ohio and scuttled in Hopewell Township, this county, where be lived and reared 
bis family, and became a very successful farmer. He removed to Tiffin in 
1883. but still retains his farm. He lost his wife by death May 11», 1884. 
^Ii\ Britt was elected justice of the peace of Hopewell Township, but resigned 
in favor of U. P. Coonrod. He filled the office of treasurer of the school 
funds and volunteer funds, of Hopewell Township, for eight years; was director 
of the infirmary six years. Ho is a memlier of the Roman Catholic Church. 

CH-\.RLES'M. comer, physician. Bascom, was born June VS. 1S4U, in 
New Albany. Franklin Co.. Ohio, s(m of the late John Comer, one of the lead- 
ing farmers of Franklin County. He was educated in his native county, ami 
there spent the early part of his life. In 187U. and while engaged in the diiig 
business, he began the study of medicine under Dr. Smith, of Franklin County. 
He afterward took two terms (six months each) of lectures at Columbus Medi- 
cal College under Dr. Hamilton, and graduated in the class of 1882. His 
father died at New Albany, April 14, 1ST8, and Charles M., being the only 
child, inherited his lands and personal effects. The Doctor was married, in 
September, 1872, to Sarah J., the fifth bocn in the family of seven children of 
Aden Mullen, of Delaware County, Ohio. This union has been blessinl with 
three childi-en: Melissa, John and Charles N. December 9, 1882, the Doctor 
came to this co^inty and began the practice of medicine at Bascom, where he 
still follows his profession. 

HENRY M. CREEGER. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, is a son of Henry and Cath- 
arine (McDonald) Creeger, natives of Frederick County, Md., and who, with 
their three children, came to Tiffin, Ohio, in ]82(>, and the following spring 
bought a piece of land on Fulton Cre(>k, in Hopewell Township, on which 
there was a small cabin raised by Michaid Shaull, and which was located on the 
site of an Indian wigwam; but the timber was yet uncut, aiid there were no 
roads, and Mr. Creeger, with the assistance of his sons, cut the ^rst load to 
Tiffin. This pioneer couple had ten childi-en, seven born after their an-ival in 
Ohio: John H. . Catharine, James, Laurence, Mary, David, Margaret, Sabina, 
Delila and Henry M. Our subject was educated in Hopewell Township, this 
county, attending the log schoolhouse with its puncheon floors and paper 
windows; helped to cut the first road, and also assisted in building the first 
bridge across the river, and operated the first saw-mill in the township. There 
were Indian mounds on his farm, on which trees grew that measured three feet 
through, and out of these mounds Mi-. Cre(>ger excavated a skeleton. Mr. 
Creeger now occupies the old homestead on wliich he has built a fine, large, 
brick residence, and opened a large stone quarry and a limekiln on the creek 
wher'j thousands of bushels of lime are made, and thousands of jiorches of 
stone are taken yearly. The first church he attended was the German Reformed 
at Tiffin, Rev. Daniel Cron officiating. Our subject was twice marrie(i, the 
first time to Ruth A. Culbortson, who bore him four children, three now living: 
Melissa, Orrow J. and Chipeway L. Daniel is deceased. Mr. Creeger was 
married, on second occasion, March 21, 1S(U, to Christena Biddle, by whom 
ho has th> following childi'en: Josephena, James, Catharine. Oliver, Bertha, 
Minnie, Ross and Ida. Mr. Croeger is one of the leading farmers in the 
county, and has the finest residence in the town.ship. He has served as .school 
director for years. 



856 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

LAURENCE CREEGEK. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was bom July -l-l. 1S20. 
in Frederick County. Md. , and came to Tiffin, Ohio, with his parents, Henry 
and Catharine ( Mcl)c)nald ) Creeger. Jidy B. IH'IC). and there remained until the 
following spring, when his father bought a piece of land on A\'olf C'reek, Hope- 
well Township, and began life in real pioneer style with a family of small 
children around him. Our subject, the fifth born, soon began to labor. His 
parents had ten children in all: John (deceased), James (deceased), Catharine 
(deceased), Mary L., Laurence, David (deceased), Henry M.. Margaret, Sabina, 
and Delila (latter deceased). Our subject early became interested in educa- 
tional matters and fitted himself to be a teacher: then taught school for twenty 
years. He was twice man'ied. the first time. October >i, 1842, to Susan Mus 
setter, who bore him three children: Samuel Levi (deceased), Ciitharine, wife 
of r. Kipke. and Mary E. , wife of Calvin Smith. The mother of these chil- 
dren died August 4. 1848. Mi\ Creeger was manied on second occasion, Sep- 
tember 20, 1840, to Belinda Chenoworth, by whom he had the following 
children: Christopher (married to Minnie Osborn), Minerva A. (deceased), Henry 
M.. Alice (deceased), Adelia, Lam-ence (deceased), Emma A. (deceased), Min- 
nie I. (deceased), Hiram D. and Adam, twins (both deceased), Mintie B. 
(married to J. M. Ruse) and John Henry. Mr. Creeger is one of the elder 
children of the county, havjng seen the rise and progress of Hoi)ewell Town- 
ship, and remembers well the first deer killed In' his father on the W'entz farm, 
now in the coi-poration of Tiffin, and many another afterward. He has been a 
peaceful, law-abiding citizen, and is now reaping the reward of his labor, having 
been a successful farmer. Mr. Creeger has been a follower of Christ for over 
fifty years and intends to hold out to the end of his life. 

L. D. CREEGER, farmer. P. 0. Tiffin, was born August 22, 1848, in 
Hopewell Township, this county, son of John H. and Mary (Young) Creeger, 
of Stark County, Ohio, and grandson of Henry and Catharine (McDonald) 
Creeger, who came to Tiffin, Ohio, in 182(), settling in the following spring in 
Hopewell Township, near Wolf Creek, where they entered laud, l>eiug among 
the first permanent settlers, and here they lived, overcoming all the difficulties 
of a pioneer's life, and reaied their family. At th^t time there were no roads, 
only Indian trails. Our subject's parents were mamed, December 11, 1834, 
and had a family of four childi-en, three now living: Ann Elizabeth. Ann 
Relx'cca and Lorenzo D. Ann Lucinda is deceased. Soon after marriage 
John H. Creeger moved on a farm bought of his father, and there lived and 
laboi-ed the balance of his years. He died May 2(j, 1872, and his widow 
August 28, 1881. Our subject lived in Hopewell Township on a part of his 
father's land, to which he has added by subsequent purchase, and has made 
fine improvements. He oy>tained the timber from the woods, and l)uilt his 
barn. 40x80 feet, in six weeks; has also erected a fine large brick residence. 
He was married, Jime 0, 1871, to Elizabeth Shaferley. by whom he has three 
children: Charles R. , "William F. and Russel E. IVIrs. Creeger died September 
17, 1881. Mr. Creeger is an enterprising man, engaged in farming and sell- 
ing .'igricultural implements. 

ELIAS W. CRUM, farmer, P. O. Tiffin,was born in Daujihiu County, Penn., 
April 28, 184fi, second son in the family of eight children of Frederick and Sus- 
anna (Reeme) Crum, natives of Dauphin ('ounty. Penn., and who moved to this 
county in 1857, settling on the farm Elias W. now occupies. Oiu' subject was 
reared to manhood on the farm and educated in the common schools. In 1871 
he took charge of the homestead, containing lf)0 acres, which he jnu-chasod in 
1880. January 31, 1871, he was married to Miss Frances A. C. Lambright. 
born in Frederick Conntv, Md., November 23, 1841, daughter of Henry and 



FIOrEWELL TOWNSHIP. 857 

Cathariiu' Lauibright. also natives of that county ; the former liorn Deceinbi-r 
1:5. ISdl, the hitter June 30, 1804, and who eanie to this comity in the fall of 
l.Sr)(), settling near Fort Seneca, where they resided till the following year, 
when they moved to Clinton Township, this county, and i)iu-chased I'JO acres 
of land, eighty acres being in Hopewell Towushiij, Since the death of Mrs. 
Lambright. May 1. ISTti, Mr. Lamln-ight has lived with his children, who in 
all lunnbered nine: Susan E., Philip Ci. J.. M.nry J., Henry V.. Elijah D., 
Catharine M., Hamilton K.. Frances A. C. and Charles C. To our subject 
and wife have l)een born the following childien: Minnie Idella, Mary Oleta 
and Herbert L. Mr. Cruni has always successfully followed farm"ing. He is 
a m(>mber of the Bethel Methodist Ciuu-ch. and Mrs. Crum of the first 
Reformed Church, of Titfiu. The fai'iu now owned l)y Mr. Crum was entered 
by John Itosenberger. wlio sold it to Andrew Dorcas, who foiu- years later sold 
it to Frederick Criiui. 

WILLIAM CUPP. retired farmer. Tiffin, was born :\ray 7., ISOS, in 
Augusta County. Va.. son of Valentine and Mary (Fall) Cupp, of German 
descent. Valentine (!upp was twice mairied, and liad nine children, of whom 
six siu'vive. two David and William being residents of Ohio. Our sul)ject 
was lu'ought to Fairfield Comity. Ohio. l)y his parents in I SOS, his father caiTv- 
ing him in front of him on his horse most of the way. They settled in Walnut 
Township, Fairlield Co. , Ohio, where the father purchased a farm, on which 
he i)assed the remainder of his life. Our sul)ject was educated in Fairfield 
County and was there united in marriage with Miss Catharine Fall (a second 
cousin), by whom he had three children; Mai-y A., now the widow of Joel Kel- 
ler (has two children); Elizabeth C. , wife of William Orme (have four chil- 
dren I, and (ieorge M'.. married to Lucy Fisher; they reside in TitHn and have 
one child living. Mr. Cupp Iwught a tine farm in this county, and moved hero 
in IStiri. Retiring from same in 1S77. he came to Tiffin, where he now lives, 
having bought a fine i)roperty oji Market Street. He has been a successful 
farmer, and is a line gentleman. He is a memljer of the first Reformed 
Chiirch, of Tiffin. Col. Valentine Cu))p. of the First Ohio Volunteer Cavaby, 
a brother of oiu' subject, was killed , it the battle of Chickamauga in Septem- 
ber, isr,:!. 

WILLI.\M X. DUXN. of Hopewell Township, was born in Sullivan 
County, X. Y.. February 1. ]Sl,"j. In 1834 he. in com|)any with his parents, 
removed to Wayne County, remaining thereuntil thi> year 1S41. at which time 
he removed to Hopewell Township and cleared otT the site of his present home- 
stead, containing 120 acres. In |S4'2. after having cleared a small space and 
erecti'd a logcabin. lSx'2(t feet, he married Sophia M'. Clark, of Xew York. 
They resided here eight years, when Mr. Dunn erected a large building and 
moved his family into it, where they resided until it was destroyed by tire, 
together with eight other buildings, which calamity occun-ed Ajiril 1:!. 1S7"J. 
The family consists of six children- all sons — an only daughter dying in 
infancy. Of these sons Arlington manned Mary L. Oster; Devt)lson married 
Mahala E. Miller, and William ({. married Alice M. Smoyer, all residents of 
the townshi]). The farm contains '2(10 acres of land, a fine residence (which is 
occupied by D. C. Diuui, a son of Mr. Diuin; and n barn. 40xS2 feet. Tint 
family now reside in a fine brick house in Tiffin. Xo. 28 Water Street, over- 
looking the Sandusky River. Mr. Dunn has be(>n a hard worker, and is now 
enjoving the fruit of his industrv. 

ARLINGTON DFNN. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born February C, I SI'., 
in Hopewell Townshi]), this coimty, son of AVilliam N. and Soi)hia ^^ . Dunn, 
natives of Ni>w York State, and who came to Ohio in 1S42. settling on the •>ld 



858 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

homestead. Our subject's grandfather. James Dunn, fame to the county in an 
early day, and bought 401) acre.s of land. His sons came here afterward. To 
William N. Dunn and wife were born seven children: Elnora (died in infan- 
cy), Ai'lington. Devolson, William G., Deroy C. . Norman and John A. They 
were all educated in the county schools. Our subject was married. Auguf-t 12. 
1873, to Mary L. Oster, the second in the family of seven children of Jacob 
and Catharine (Seewald) Oster. the former a native of Nassau, the latter of 
Sipperfelt, Germany, and who came to America in 1844. To Mi-, and Mrs. 
Dunn were born three chikb'on: Cora Sophia. Clara May and William Arling- 
ton. Ml'. Dunn enlisted in the army during the ci^^l war, and served in the 
Twenty-fourth Corps in the Army of Western Virginia two j^ears.ten months and 
six days to the close of the war, being then twenty years old. He is now erect- 
ing a fine brick residence in the most modern style, having a fine location on 
Wolf Creek. He is a member of the G. A. R. 

DEROY C: DUNN, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born October IC. 1852, in 
Hopewell Township, this county, son of William N. and Sophia W. ( Clark) Dunn, 
natives of New York State. Our subject was united in marriage. January 16, 
1877, with Savilla. daughter of Frederick and Susan Crum. of Clinton Town- 
ship, this county, and to this union has been born one child. 'Sh-. Dunn and 
family occupy the old home farm belonging to his father, and which is finely 
improved. 

MICHAEL FREDERETZE. farmer. P. O. Baseom, was born in October. 
1814, in Alsace, France, son of Matthew and Barbara Frederetze. parents of four 
children, and who came to America in 1828. and, after residing five years in 
Pennsylvania, settled in Seneca County, Ohio, in 1832. and here purchased a 
farm on which Mr. Frederetze lived for many years. He died, in 1851. at the 
home of his son. Michael. Our subject was married, in 1851, to Christine Ruse, 
and to this union were born six children: Frederick, married to Sarah Hoot: 
Joseph: Andy: Hemy: Theresa and Ann. Michael Frederetze has lived fifty- 
two years on his present farm which he has improved; he has been an ej'e-wit- 
ness to the gi'owth and improvement of this county. Some of his children 
live with him and help to manage the farm which is located near Baseom. 

SOLOMON GLICK.fanner, P. O. Tiffin. was born October 2, 1811. in Lehigh 
County, Penn.. son of Daniel and Sally A. (Stiuinger) Glick, who lived and 
died in that State: they were the parents of nine children, of whom three are 
now living: Charles. Lucy A. (Mrs. Hartman). Euphemia (^Mrs.Leitehenwalter). 
In 1847 our subject moved fi'om Pennsylvania to Illinois, where he remained 
until 1855, when he came to Ohio and settled in Eden Township, this county, 
and there lived until 1 858 when he removed to Hopewell Township, where he 
still resides, owning a farm of 151) acres with fine improvements. He was mar- 
ried, in 1835. to Salome Litzenburger, by whom he had nine childi'en, six now 
living: Lucy A. : Willoughby H. . married to Henrietta Miller; Adam S., mar- 
ried to Ellen C. Ish: Levi T. . married to Nora Lichtner: Benjamin F. , an 
enterprising young farmer, married to Emma Conrad (have two chUcU'en — Ger- 
tie E. and Frankie Blaine): and Lewis N. . married to Nancy B. Feasel. Henry. 
Theron and an infant are deceased. 

HIRAM HART, farmer.. P. O. Tiffin, was born in 1804. in Oneida Coimty. 
N. Y. , son of Ozias and Polly (Pry;u-) Hart, natives of Connecticut and Ver- 
mont respectively. Ozias Hart went to New York when young, and there 
married, and in 1827 he moved to Ohio, and entered land in Hopewell Town- 
ship, this county. His children were Martha (deceased wife of Mr. A. Mal- 
let); OiTin; Orlow and Hiram. Our subject helped his father jnit up the cabin 
which they afterward lived in. and to clear the farm (comprising 145 acres) 



HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP. 859 

which is now amonjr tho best in the township. Hiram Hart afterward l)oii<'ht 
a piece of hind for himself near Tiflhi, for which he paid ^tj per acre (the 
(Tovernment hinds were $1.25 per acre), and which is now one of the finest 
farms here. He was a good wt«kman. an expert ax-man. and a hunter who 
killed many a deer and other wild game. He was mairied, January 28, 1<S41. 
to Rehecca, daughter of Nathan Cadwallader, an old settler of this countv, 
and who reared a largo family. To Mr. and Mrs. Hart were born live children: 
Francis M. : JEary E.. wife of J. RooiJ. died, leaving one child: On-in. manied 
to Emma Hedge (have four children): Emma, wife of N: Cadwallader (have 
three chilren); and Delia, wife of Philip Snyder (have one child living). (_)ur 
subject and family were among the pioneers of the county, as well as his wife's 
father. Mr. and Mrs. Hart are now enjoying the fruits of their labor, having 
lived to see the growth and improvements of the county. They are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

HENRY HOSTLER, farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born July ',). IS 10. in Lan- 
caster County. Penn.. son of Henry and Catharine (Dinger) Hostler, also 
natives of Pennsylvania. Hemy Hostler, Sr. , came with his family to Ohio in 
IS81. and entered a fann in Hopewell Township, this county, when there were 
but few inhabitants in the township or county. They came here with one 
horse, and a wagon in which they slept at night most of tlie way, and had but 
little save health and willing hands. They made a clearing. Iniilt a cabin, and be- 
gan to work in earnest on the site where the beautiful dwelling of our subject 
now stands. On their way to this township they stopped at the then village of 
Sandusky, except the father, who came ahead and entered his land, then 
returned for his family. His children all attained maturity, and now the liv- 
ing occupy good positions in life, while their parents sleep, free fi'om care and 
toil. Of their children (four sons and two daughters) the following survive: 
Henry: Sarah, widow of J. Martin; Catharine (wife of Rev. J. Powell, of San- 
dusky County) and Henry. Our subject, the only one who resides in this 
county, was educated here. He married. January 2(1. l,S4(i. Miss Fannie, the 
eldest in the family of twelve children of John Baughman, of Liberty Townshiji. 
this county, and who still occupies the old home farm, the property never hav- 
ing changed hands. Mi\ and Mrs. Hostler have been blessed with nine chil- 
dren: George W., married to Mary Pro])ps; Rebecca E. . wife of Isaac Mer- 
chant: Moses L.. maiTied to Margaret ShauU: Silas J.: Dennis S. and David 
M. (twins); Stephen: A. D. : and Ira J., married to Harriet Bencoff. Mr. 
Hostler is one of tho leading farmers of his township, and among its verj' suc- 
cessful men. He is a member of the Fnited Brethren Church. 

JACOB HUNDERLACH. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in September. 1^2;". 
in Rhenish Bavaria, son of Adam and Anna (Jlott) Hunderlach. who were the 
parents of three children; Andy, a resident of Germany: Mary (Mrs. Miller), 
who died in Tiffin, Ohio, and Jacob. Mary and Jacob were the only members 
of the family who ever came to America. The mother died while Jacob was 
young, and his father married again. Our subject received his education in 
Germany and came to America in ISaO, first locating in Indiana, but later in 
Ohio, where he followed the trade of a butcher, at Tiffin, Ohio, for twenty five 
years. He was niarrietl. March S. l,Sr)4. to Frederica. daughter of Frederick 
Sander, and to this union were liorn ten children, nine now living: Ida. 
widow of George Hammon: .\nn: Flora A., wife of John Pennington, and who 
removed to Douglas County, Kas. : Rosa (deceased): Rosa (second), wife of 
Charles Miller, of Tiffin: Neddie J. : Minnie: Charles H. : Albert and Ralph. 
In 1S7S Mr. Hunderlach moved on his highly improved fann located near thi' 
railroad. He and his familv are members of the German Lutheran Church. 



860 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

inCHAEL KELLER, f.armer, P. O. Tiffin, was honi in County Kerry. 
Ireland, September 2!), 1S18: son of Thomas and Margaret (Keeffe) Keller, 
natives of Counties KeiTy and Limerick, respectively. The father died early 
in 1820, and the mother the following yeali leaving six children, of whom 
Michael is the youngest, and was reared by his aunt, ]Mrs. Ellen Carter. In 
May, 1843, the subject of this sketch landed in New York City after a voyage 
of thirty-eight days, and proceeded to Fayette County, Ky. ; in 1846 he spent 
eight months in Seneca County. Ohio, then revisited Kentucky, and January 
1, 1850, returned to this county and purchased seventy-tive acres of laud near 
Bascom, where he resided until 1858. November 4. 1850. Mr. Keller wa> 
married to Margaret Kinnej-, Ijorn in Hopewell Township, this county. June 
8, 1831, daughter of Bartholomew and Mary (McBride) Kinney. In 1852 he 
went to California and spent tkree and a half years in pursuit of gold, during 
which time Mj-s. Keller had charge of the farm. He made the round trij> by 
water. In 1858 Mr. Keller sold his property near Bascom and bought a farm 
of 198f acres near Tiffin, where he now resides. In 1875 he erected a large 
two-stoiy brick house at a cost of §7,000. He owns one of the best farms in 
the coiinty, finely improved, and has eonstnicted over six miles of under drain- 
age on the land. Of the ten children born to Mi-, and IVIrs. Keller, eight 
are living: Frank F., John E.. Joseph P.. James M. . Eugene A.. Lewis A.. 
Irvine B. and Ellen C. Mary E.. the eldest, and Leo F. are deceased. Mr. 
Keller and family are members of the English Catholic Church, of Tiffin. He 
is one of the substantial farmei-s of the township; starting with but small 
means he has acquu-ed. through industry, a comfortable competence. 

GEORGE KEPPEL. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Westmorelan.l 
County, Penn. , March 4. 1810. His parents. Henry and Anna C. (Stamatz) 
Keppel, were natives of Northamjiton and Westmoreland Counties, Penn., re- 
spectively. They removed to Knox County, Ohio, in 1822, and resided there 
until 1839, in which year they came to this county. Henry Keppel died in 
1S42 at the age of seventy-four years. He served one year in the war with 
the Indians in Pennsylvania. 'Mrs. Kep])el died in 1860. aged seventy-foiu'. 
Our subject i.s the eldest son and third child in a family of whom sis are now 
living. He was reared on the farm, and educated in the common schools, and. 
l)eing the eldest son, the management of the farm fell largely upon him. In 
the fall of 1838 he bought the homestead, containing 160 acres, aU of which 
was woodland. He moved upon it the next year, and has since lived here. 
He has cleared most of it. made fine improvements, and has laid four miles of 
tile for di-aining. In 1875 he erected a brick residence, two stories high, at 
an expense of $3,000. He is now engaged with his son in agricidture and in 
rearing good grades of stock He also owns a farm of 1(H) acres, two and a 
half miles west of the homestead. November \0, 1843. Mr. Keppel was unit- 
ed in man-iage with Mary E. Rosenberger, born in Jefferson County, AV. Ya., 
March 19, 1822, daughter of Henry and Jane Rosenberger, early settlers in 
this county. Five childi-en were born to this union, four of whom are living: 
Anna C. , wife of Daniel L. Crum: Jane E., wife of John Lautzenhiser; Hem-y 
D., mari'ied to Mary M. Miller; and Han-iet L., wife of Nelson A. Miller. An 
infant is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Keppel are members of the First English 
Lutheran Chiu-ch of Tiffin. Mr. Keppel is an enterprising, public-spirited 
citizen, and has done much in advancing the public improvements of his town- 
ship and county. He gave .1500 toward the erection of the church in Tiffin, 
of which he is a member and an earnest supporter. 

JERRY R. KING, farmer, P. O. Tffin, was born March 15. 1847, in 
Hopewell Township, this county; son of Jeremiah and Hannah King, natives 



HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP. 861 

of Irelaiul. the former of whom came to .iVmerica in an early day; the latter 
accomiianied her sister and two brothers to this country- and s.>ttled in Buffalo. 
hut after a time came to Ohio, where sh«> was in the coiu-se of time married to 
Jeremiah King^. and to this union were born eijrht ehililren. all now liviuff- 
John. Philip. Jeremiah It.. Elizabeth. Stei)hen. James. Marv and Ljuvrence 
Jeremiah Kinjr died October lU. ISr>t). and in :\lay. 1S.S4. his widow was mar- 
ried to Charles Bnkman. They occupy a lar^e l)rick residence on a part of 
the original farm, which is well improved. Oiu- suliject was man-ied June 28. 
1S,S2. to Mary A., one of the six children born to Richard Johnson, of Chica'- 
g(i. 111. Mr. King is living lieside his mother. 

PHILIP KIN(t (deceased) was born in County Ken-v. Ireland. A. D. I.SIM), 
and was a son of Timothy King, of the same county. " Our snibject came to 
America in 188(5. and for a few years was engaged on the public works of Penn 
sylvania. constructing pikes, etc. H(> subse(|Uently came to Ohio and was 
employed about three years supeiintending work "in the construction of the 
Miami Canal, and in 1840 he came to this cotnity. where he purchased 120 
acres of land of Samuel Waggoni-r. began a farmer's life and here n>mained the 
balance of his days. He was mairied soon afti>r coming to this country t(j Miss 
Ellen Sullivan, and by this union there were three children: a son. timothy, 
who died in his infancy; Mary L. (a bright intelligent ladv. a .student at the 
convent of Cleveland, where she was taken ill. returned home and died in 18r>6. 
aged eighteen years), and J. F. Kmg. the present sole survivor. They also 
adopted a child. Philip B., who was highly educated, studied law, was 
admitted to the bar and subsequently became one of the al)le lawyers of Califor- 
nia, where he died. Philip King was a man of influence and highly esteemed 
by all who knew him. He was a hearty, robust man. but after aii illness of 
but live weeks duration died February io, 1871). His widow followed him to 
her rest the same year, leaving her only surviving son to occupy the old home 
farm where he now resides. This son. J. -F.. was educated in the common 
schools of Ho])ewell Township, and afterward attended St. Mary's Seminary, 
near Cincinnati. He was married, in September. 1 S~H. to Maiyl daughter of 
John Keane. and to this union were born live chihb-en: Philip. Mamie L.. John 
F.. Eleanor and Catharine L. J. F. King is a large, well-proportioned man. 
a good farmer, and meml)er of the Catholic Chtu'ch. 

BARTHOLOMEW KINNEY (deceased), one of the early settlors of Hope- 
well Townshij). this county, was born in County Cork. Ireland, a son of 
Bartholomew and Margaret Kinney. He came to America when a young man. 
and settled in Chester Ccmnty. Peini.. where he married, in 1827or"l828. Mary 
McBri<le. born in Ireland in 180!). daughter of Bernard and Nancy McBride', 
who immigrated to the United States about 1824. settling in Chester County. 
Penn. In 1880 Mr. Kinney moved with his family, and located in the southern 
part of Hopewell Townshi]). this county, where he bought eighty acres of wood- 
land, on which he resided until his death, which occm-red July 1 (i. 1 88 1 . He was 
crossing the Sandusky River at Tirtin. where, by some accident, he was drowned. 
He left a widow and two children: Edward, born in Chester County. Penn.. 
October 2!t, 1829. and died September IT. 1852. and Margaret, born" June 8. 
1831. now the wife of M. Keller. Mrs. Kinney remained a widow for four 
years, a part of which time she spun flax to maintain herself and family. The 
house she lived in was a rude log-cabin, and often she had to sujipoi-t the door 
with the furniture to jm'vent the wolves entering. In 188") she man-ied John 
King, with w-hom she liv<>d until her death. March 27. 1852. 

BENJAMIM F. KNEPPER. farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born December 4. 
1H88. in Franklin Cimnty. Penn.. son of Peter and Eliza fWagoman) Knepper 

48 



862 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

natives of Penusylvaiiia. former of whom was twice married, having by his 
first wife (Elizabeth Geeseman) three children, two now living: Sarah and 
Levi: by his second wife foui- childi-en: Cyrus. Benjamin F.. Elizabeth and 
Amanda. Peter Knepper lived and died in Pennsylvania, where his widow 
still resides. Oiu- subject received his early education in his native State. He 
was married. February (i, 1862. to Mary Ellen, daughter of William and Cath- 
arine Reeme, liy whom he has ten children: Minnie V.. Cyrus D.. Eva G.. 
Arietta S., Emma S. . Benjamin D. , William I.. Russell M. Clara C. and 
Katie E. The daughters are now engaged in school. ^Mi-. Knepper came to 
Ohio in 1850. and bought the farm of Aaron Ruse, on which he has since made 
many improvements and erected a tine, large brick residence. 

DENNIS MALOY, farmer. Bascom. was born August 25. 1825. in Hunt- 
ingdon County. Penn. . son of Patrick, a contractor, and Esther (Kagen) Maloy. 
natives of Ireland, and who immigrated to Canada in 1S25. thence went direct 
to Philadelphia, Penn.. where they remained but a short time, however. moving 
to Lancaster, Penn.. and thence to Huntingdon County. Penn.. where they 
remained the balance of their days. Their chihli'en. live in numl)er. are all 
living; Mary, wife of F. McCormic. residing at Hollidaysburg. Penn.: Thomas, 
residing at same place (was a soldier in the late civil war): Bedelia. wife of D. 
D. Wood, in Tyi'one. Penn.: Catharine (deceased wife of O. Manning, of 
Hollidaysburg. Penn.): and Dennis. Our subject was educated in his native 
State, and came with an uncle to Ohio in 184() and commenced business in 
Tiffin. He soon came to Hopewell Township, where he began farming. He 
was maiTied, in 1848, to Margaret E.. daughter of John Anderson, and by 
this union there are six children: Esther, wife of Andrew Hoover: John T. . 
married to Maiy J. Kuhn: Anson A., married to Kate Wade: Loretta C wife 
of David Haverstick: Margaret A., wife of J. W. Wilson: and Timothy A. 
Mi\ Maloy has been townshij) clerk, and has held the office of justice of the 
peace for eight years; he was also county siu'veyor for several years. He 
resides in Bascom and is one of the leading citizens of the township. He is 
a member of the Roman Catholic Church. 

JOHN MAULE (deceased), one of the old pioneers of this county, was born 
in Pennsylvania, October 21, 1793. and was next to the eldest of four children 
born to Lewis and Edith (Thomas) Maule. also Pennsylvanians. He grew uj) 
on the farm till sixteen years of age, when he commenced learning the black- 
smith trade, an occupation he followed ior twenty-five years. In 1820 he 
went to Frederick County. Md. . where he pursued his trade till the spring of 
1830, at which time he came West and pin-chased 212 acres of laud in the east 
line of Hopewell Township, this coiuity. The following year he built a shop 
on the State road, one mile and a half north of Tiffin, where he continued at 
his trade till 1838. Retiu-ning that year to his farm he resumed agriculture, 
which he followed till his death. May 24. 1827. Mr. Maule was united in 
marriage with Miss Elizabeth Derr, born in Frederick County. Md.. Septem- 
ber 14, 1804. daughter of Thomas and Ann Barbara (Stouer) DeiT. This 
union was blessed with six children, of whom L. T. . born in Frederick County, 
Md., February IV), 1829: William W.. born in this county. December 11.1831; 
and Lydia M. , also born in this county, March 18, 1833, are living; the de- 
ceased being Anna E. , born in Frederick Count}', Md. . March 23. 1830. mar- 
ried to Adam Rejip; Charles L., liorn January U, 1835 (died near Goldsboro, 
N. C, during the late civil war); John E., born May 18. 1839. died August 25. 
of same j'ear. Mi-. Maule was one of the pioneers of this section and cleared 
up a part of a large farm. He was an enterprising citizen, aiding in advanc- 
ing ever}' improvement within his power. He departed this life October 31. 



HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP. 863 

1Sr)(). iit the ag(> of sovcnty-tbivc. Ho was rcai-cd a Quaker, but at his death 
was a incmhor of the Methodist Protestant Chuich. In his political views he 
was a stanch Rej)ul)lican. Mi's. Maule, now in her ei<^hty-tirst year, has for 
more than forty years been a member of the MethocUst"Prt)testant Church. 
Since the death of Mr. Maule the farm, comprising 192 acres well-improved 
land, has been conducted In- L. T. . th(> eldest son. who is engaged in farming 
and rearing live-stock. 

W. W. MILLER, merchant. Bascom. was born November S. 1841. in 
Adams Township, this county, sou of Simon and Hannah (A\ax| Miller, 
the former a native of Daujihin County, the latter of Peiry County. Penn. 
Of tlieir four children, our subject is the only one surviving. He received his 
education in Seneca County, and has followed farming most of his time. He 
was twice married, the first time to Soj)hia Jamison, who died in July, 1870. 
leaving one child. Simon J. Mi'. Miller was married on second occasion, 
in April, 1871, to Mary L.. daughter of David and Sophia (Delongi Creeger. 
early settlers of the county, ancl who were parents of two children. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Miller were born two childi-en: JIartha J. and Bertha M. Our sub- 
ject embarked in merchandizing, has a general stock of groceries and drv 
goods at Bascom. where he does a lucrative trade: he is postmaster at Bascom 
and a inemb(>r of the United Brethren Church. During the late civil war Mr. 
Miller enlisted (in iSHl) in Company I. One Hnu(b-ed and Sixty-fourth Regi- 
ment Ohio ^'olunteer Infantry, and served UH) days. 

JOSEPH OGLE (deceased) was born, in 1781. in Fredericktown. Md.. sou 
of Thomas Ogle and grandson of Josejih Ogle, of English parentage, and 
who was one of the old ship-masters. sj)enditig most of his time on the waters; 
his son, Joseph, became enamored of a Scotch gii'l, and the father, lieing 
deteiTnined he should not marry her. enticed him on Iward his vessel and started 
on a voyage to England, but Joseph jumped from the ship and swam ashore. 
He subsetpiently came to Maryland where he livi'd. reared his familv and died. 
Our sul)ject had but little means when he started on his career in life. He 
was married to Miss Elizabeth Valentine. He came to Ohio in 1S24 and set- 
tled in Hopewell Township, where he made a small clearing and Viegan pio- 
neer life. The Indians were numerous at that time, and he had also to defend 
himself against wild beasts. . On one occasion his daughter, while milking the 
cows, was attacked by wolves, and he had to lly to hi>r rescue. To "Mr. and 
Mrs. Ogle were born ten chikh'en: Maria (Mrs. L. D. Shawn). Margaret. 
Elizabeth (deceased). Thomas. George (deceased). John (dec("asedi. Joshua 
(deceased). Aaron (deceased), Benjamin F. (a soldier in the late war. a mem- 
ber of Company A, Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was a])poiiited first lien- 
tenant and afterward captain of the comjiany. participated in llie battle of 
Antietam and then came home: he now resides at Great Bend. Kas. ). and 
Joseph, the youngest. Margaret and Joseph are occupying the old homestead, 
having a grand fann of the best bottom land in the county. Mr. Ogle, the 
subject of our sketch, died Januarj' 4, 1864. and his widow occupied the farm 
June 15, 1870. There were but three families in Tiflin when om- subject came 
to this countv. He had served as school directoi'. 

JOHN G. OSTIEN. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Prussia. Febniary 
17. 1801. son of Jacob and Catharine (Moltre) Ostien. also natives of that 
country, and who were the parents of seven children, all of whom, except 
John (t., died in Germany. Frank, one of the sons, served two years in the 
army of Napoleon I. Our subject was brought up on a farm and educated in 
the common schools of the Roman Catholic Chmch. He followed the trade 
of blacksmith in his native land until 1888. when he immigrated tf> America. 



864 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 

arriving iu New York after a voyage of nine weeks. He located in ^\'ayne 
County. Ohio, piirsniug his trade there till IS-tO, when he removed to Tiffin 
and the following year to a farm of eighty acres in Loudon Township, this 
county, which he had entered in 1834. He cleared this land and resided on it 
till 1867, when he retiu-ned to Tiffin and lived in the city till ISTi. at which 
time he purchased his present farm of KK) acres. In Jlarch, IS'iO. Mr. Ostieu 
was man-ied to Agnes, daughter of Francis Stein, and Ijy her he had ten chil- 
dren, seven of whom lived to matiu-ity: Catharine, ISIary (deceased). George 
(deceased), William. John (killed at second battle of Bull Run), Jacob (a sol- 
dier for three years iu the late war of the Rebellion), and Elizabeth. Mrs. 
Ostien depai-ted this life June 1 1, IH'A, and in September. 1S54. Mr. Ostien 
was married to Mrs. Rebecca Groff. widow qf Jacob Ciroff (ln-_whom she had 
three sons and live daughters), and who died September 17. 18(9. Mr. Ostien 
is now living retired, on his farm. In religious views he is a Roman Catholic. 
In ])olitics he is a Republican, formerly a Democrat. 

MRS. MARY REDFOX. hotel keeper. Bascom. was born in 1883 in Ger- 
many, and in 184(5 came to America, settling in Bascom. this county, where 
her parents kept the hotel now conducted by herself. She was twice married, 
her last husband, Speltz Redfox, dying at Bascom. Mi-s. Redfox has seven 
chikb-en: Elizabeth, wife of George" Wilson (have live children: Flora. Eddie, 
Ralph, Mary E. and Lena, latter married to John Kepkins); Rosa (wife of 
Frank Bettinger). Mary. Catharine, Frederick. Louisa and Cora. This family 
are among the early settlers of Hojiewell Township, where they all reside at 
|)resent. 

MILTON D. RICKETTS. farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born November 10. 
1836, in Hopewell Townshij). this county, son of William L. and Elizabeth 
(Docherty) Ricketts. natives of Pennsylvania, ^\'illiam L. Ricketts, a son of 
Rezin Ricketts. was born in 1791, and in 180C» came with las ])arents to Fair- 
field County. Ohio, where they began as pioneers. Rezin Ricketts was among 
the early settlers of Ohio, and AMlliam Ricketts was one of the tirst settlers of 
Hopewell Townshi]), moving in 1828: the latter began life in the woods, where 
there was no road open between him and Tiffin. He was twice married, and 
had the following children: Rezin Ricketts, Washington (deceased), Turza 
(Mrs. Jacob Einoc). Cinderella (deceased wife of J. Adelsberger). Matilda 
(wife of Joseph Culbertson). Catharine (deceased). Mary (wife of James Van 
vleet) and Milton D. Our subjec^ was educated in the schools of this county. 
He was united in marriage, in 1870, with Annie, the second born in the family 
of eight children of John Shaferly. He is now occupying the well-improved 
lands" entered by his fathi>r. and which are located on the Findlay and Tiffin 
State road on Section 80. Hopewell Township. 

BENONI ROHRER. farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born January 10, 1816, in 
Berkeley County, Va., son of Henry and Margaret (Hadrick) Rohrer. natives 
of Bedford and Lancaster Counties, Penn.. res]:)eetively. Henry Rohrer 
removed to Virginia in an early day and there died. Of his eight children 
.seven are now living: Elizabeth. Benoni. Daniel. Margaret. JohnH.. Jlaria 
and Martin. Isaac died in Maryland. Benoni Rohrer, the sul)ject of this 
sketch, was educated in Virginia. He was united in mairiage with Rebecca, 
daughter of Jose])h and Esther (Seeman) Loose, and this union was blessed 
with two children, both living: Silas W.. man-ied to Esther A. Britt. daughter of 
one of the early pioneers of this county, and who died, leaving one son — Wal- 
ter; and Amanda A., married to Solomon Britt (have four chikii-en: Silas. 
Earl. Mary R. and an infant). Mi-. Rohrer has been one of the leading 
citizens of the township, having tilled most of its offices of trust. He has been 



HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP. 865 

successful as a citizpii and as a farmor. From time to time lip has niadt* 
improvements on his farm, until now it is one of the most beautiful in the 
township. He huilt a brick residence in 187'.) (from the upper part of which a 
grand view of the surrounding country is to be had), and here he and his ven- 
erable wife enjoy the fruits of their successful labors. 

SILAS \V. ■rOHRER. former, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Berkeley County, 
Va., April 8, lS4r), eldest son of Benoni and Rebecca (Loose) Rohrer. Our 
subject came to this county with his parents when very young, an<l was reared 
to manhood on the homestead farm. He obtained such an education as the 
common .schools of the neighliorhood afforded, and has always followed agri 
cultiu-al pursuits. Febi-uary IS. 1871), he was married to "Miss Esther A. 
Britt, daughter of John and Mary Britt, early settlers here. Mrs. Rohrer was 
born in Hoijcwell Township, this county, in ISufi, and departed this life 
Xoveml)er IB, 1881, leawng one son — Walter, born March 27, 1880. Mr. 
Rohrer has devoted himself to agriculture, and has been successful. He gives 
considerable attention to rearing stock, and keeps a good grade (;f all kinds. 
He disj)lays an interest in all enterprises of a public charact»>r that are intended 
to benefit or eiu-ich the community or county. He was chosen trustee of the 
township, and is now an efficient member of that body. His political affilia- 
tions are with the Democratic ])arty. 

HENRY ROSENBERGER. This pioneer and early settler, of Hopewell 
Township, was born in Shenandoah County, Va. , June 28, 1 7US, and is a son 
of Anthony and Barbara Rosenberger. He came to Seneca County with his 
wife and three children December 20, 1828, and settled on 170 acres of land 
that he had entered the preceding year, located on Section I, of Hopewell 
Township, and Section 0. of Clinton Township. Here he soon erected a 
round-log house 18x20 in size, into which he moved. It is related by him that 
on his arrival with his family his possessions amounted to one horse, a 
wagon, a small quantity of pork and 2") cents in money. For the first year 
and a half tliey had but (jne barrel of floui', part of which was spoilt at that. 
The family subsisted prineii)ally on game meat, which was abundant (deer 
especially, of which he killed many). Corn bread was the great "' stand by." 
His 170 acres of land he cleared up, and in course of time a hewed-log house 
took the place of the first, and upward of thirty years ago a fi-ame house was 
built by him, wliich is now occupied i)V his son, Jacob, on this farm. The 
Seneca Indians were his near neighbors, with whom he was always on friendly 
terms, they sometimes stopping over night with him; one of their "trails" 
passed through his land. Before leaving Virginia Mr. Rosenberger was a 
member of the (Jerman Reformed Church, and after coming here he joined thf 
United Brethren, but upward of thirty years ago he became a member of 
the Methodist Church, still retaining his connection with that society, of which 
he is steward. He largely aided in erecting the Rosenbei-ger Methodist Pro- 
testant Church that is located on his old farm. In politics he was formerly a 
Whig, later a .stanch Republican, and dimng the Rebellion he was active in 
encouraging enlistment and assisting the Union cause. He was married twice, 
first. April 5, 1818, to Miss Jane Shoul, who bore him the following named 
children: James, William. Mary E., Hairiett, Oeorge N. , Anthony D., 
Margaret Ann, Jolin B. , Martha J., Jacol) and Eliza. This wife dying, Mr. 
Rosenberger married, in I87f), Maria Smith, and by this union there are twti 
children: Lona May and Henry Ellsworth. In 187'i Mr. Rosenberger sold 
H80 acres, left his farm and moved to Tiffin, where he has since lived in 
retirement, and although eighty-seven years of age, has, until the past year, 
been vigorous and healthy. He is one of the \ory few pioneers still living, and 
enjoys the respect of all who know him. 



866 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

JACKSON SAGER, farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born August 27, 1828, in 
Washington County, Md. . son of Jacob and Maiy (Newcomb) Sager. also 
natives of Maryland. Oui' subject came to Ohio in 18")0 and settled in Clinton 
Township, where he remained for fifteen years; he then moved to Hopewell 
Township. His father came to Ohio in 1865 and remained with our subject 
until his death; his wife died in ilarylaud. They were the parents of ten 
children, eight now living: Daniel, Benjamin, Jackson, Jacob, Emanuel, Lena 
(wife of David Miller), Matilda (wife of J. Wolf), and Catharine; Samuel and 
Sarah are deceased. Our subject was married, in April, 1857, to Sarah, 
daughter of David Shaw, and by this iinion there were born six children: 
Emma G. (wife of J. Shiley). Flemmon (married to Xettie Crayley), Matilda 
A., George, Charles, Minnie V. In 1869 ]\Ii'. Jackson Sager moved on the 
farm where he now lives, located in the northwestern ])ortiou of the township. 
Mrs. Sager is fifth born in the family of eleven chikli'en of David and Jane 
(Blue) Shaw, who with five childi-eu came to Ohio in 1829, settling in Clinton 
Township, this county, where Mr. Shaw lived the remainder of his days. 

GEORGE W. SHOEMAKER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born' in Lib- 
erty Township, son of Emanuel and Elizabeth (Starky) Shoemaker, natives 
of Virginia. Emanuel Shoemaker was born in 1807, his parents being early 
settlers of Fairfield County, Ohio, where they moved when he was but a babe. 
He, Emanuel, came to this coimty in 1845 and located in Liberty Township, 
afterward moving to Hopewell Township. To him and his wife were Ijoru ten 
children: Matilda, wife of James Hudson; George AV. ; Absolem. married to 
-Vnuis McConnel; Sarah, wife of J. Grosscup; John; Jacob, married to Ellen 
Games; Rebecca, wife of E. Leidey; Ellen; Alice, and Jane. Emanuel Shoe- 
maker, now seventy-eight years old, resides with his son, George W. Oui- 
subject was married November :{(), ]St)5, to Sophia, daughter of William and 
Clarissa (\^'enne^) Smoyer. residents of the townshi]), and b}' this union there 
were ten children : Nettie L. , Harry AV.. Herbert AV., Cora (deceased), John 
W., Kate (deceased), Iva A., James R.. Olive A. and Homer. Mis. Shoe- 
maker is one of following named children born to her parents: Emeline, 
Caroline, Sophia, Madison and Alice. The mother is stiU living. Mr. Shoe- 
maker, with the assistance of his worthy wifi'. has acquired a valuable faim on 
which he resides, in Hopewell Township. 

PETER SHULTZ, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born March 7, 1821, in Bel- 
gium, son of Henrj' and Mary (Mulliton) Shultz, who had a family of five 
chUdren, three of whom are living in America: Henry, Catherine (Mrs. Peter 
Lucius) and Peter. Our svibject immigrated to America in 1843, and came 
direct to Tiffin. Ohio, where he worked at his trade (shoe-making) until 1846, 
when ho enlisted and served through the IMexican war. He then retiu'nod to 
Seneca County, where he remained until 1849, in which year, the gold fever 
raging in California, Mr. Shultz crossed the plains, and after endiu-ing much 
suffering reached the land of gold, where he labored until 1859, and then 
came back to Seneca County and bought the farm on which he now lives. Mr. 
Shultz was married, in 1859, to Jane, daughter of Martin Jlann, and by her 
he has the following children: Henry, August, John, Martin, Peter, Nicho- 
las, Charles, Jacol), Joseph and Jane, and one deceased in infancy. Mr. 
Shultz is a pleasant farmer, well fixed in life, and has a jolly set of boys, all 
working on the home farm. Mr. Shultz states that he has made shoes for the 
Wvandot Indians, who were here when he first came to Ohio. 

'JOHN SLOSSER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born October 10, 1811, in 
Jetfei'son County, now in West Virginia, sou of Geoi-ge and Ann Mary (Pan- 
ther) Slosser, natives of AA'ashington County. !Md. . ;md Germany, respectively. 



HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP. 867 

unci who crossed the Ohio River at Wellshnrw October \0, 1830. eomiiif^ direct 
by team to this county, locating east of Tiffin for over fifteen months. 
February 2. 1S32, they removed to Hopewell Townshi|). this county, where 
Mr. Slosser had entered KU) acres of unimproved land, the roads not yet being 
cut through, and had built a cabin the previous fall, which he chinked and 
daubed in January. iL-. and Mrs. (leorge Slosser w(>re members of the (xerman 
Reformed aiid Tunker Chiu-ches: they had nine children when they aiTived 
here, two married at that time: Peter and Elizabeth, wife of JIi-. Boner: 
John;Susaiiuali. married to Isaac Miller (she died in September. 1SN4, leaving 
six children): Hemy; Mary A., married to Robert McCorniick (have one child): 
George; Catharine, who was twice married, first to Wesley Freeze (by whom 
she had two chihb-en), and at his decease to Rev. Souder; and Daniel. Our 
subject has been twice married, the first time May 1.*). 1845, to Emeline A. 
^Voolf, by whom there are no living chikb-en. His second mairiage May 28, 
18(J7, was with Louisa, fourth in the family of six chihb-en of Samuel H. 
Woolf, a resident of Virginia, and who was an early settler of Muskingum 
County, Ohii>. By this union there are two childivn: Vernon W. and Daisy 
E. John Slosser rec(>ived a meager education in his native State. He has 
been a successful farmer; has held the otHces of township clerk and was justice 
of the peace for tw(>lve years. He now occupies the old homestead farm. His 
father thought much of his family, and at the age of seventy-one said he wanted 
to see all his chilib'en before he died, saddled his horse and started on the 
journey and had visited the second, when he was taken sick at the house of his 
daughter. Maiy. and died there in 1848. His wifi^ had jireceded him three 
vears before. 

SAMUEL SMITH, farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born November 8, l.S(F), in 
Kent Coitnty. Del. His parents, Benjamin and Raehael (Thistlewood) Smith, 
came to Ohio and settled in Fairfield County, where the former rented land 
and where they reared a large family of children; the father afterward Ixjught 
land in Madison County where he spent th(» balance of his days; their children 
w^ere nine in uuml)er, six of them now li^^ng. Our subject, one of the j)ioneers 
of this county, came here in June, 1880, and soon after entered land near 
Tiffin, where he still lives. He was twice married; on first occasion. NovemVier 
25, 1882, to Elizabeth Sice, who bore him the following children: Calvin, 
Raehael. Christena. Martin. Harriet. Maryann (deceased), Samuel. Sidney 
(deceased), Martha. Delila. John ^\'.. Benjamin F. and Elizabeth. Mr. Smith 
was married, on second occasion. October 17. 1N72. to Mary Stoltz. Our sub 
ject, who has done his share toward clearing and imj)roving this county, hjis 
divided his projierty among his chikb'en. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcojial Church. 

JOSEPH G. STAUB. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born November IS, 1825, 
in Adams County, Penn. , son of Philip and Margaret (Kuhn) Staub, also 
natives of Pennsylvania. Philip Staub came to Ohio in 1838. and pm-chaswl 
land near the old Fort Seneca, built one of the first cabins in the township, 
and was a resident here when the Indians were removed. He helped establish 
schools and churches, and aided in the general improvement of the county. 
He was a soldier in thi>warof 1812 and assiste<l in sinking three English ships in 
Chesapeake Bay. His children, who had but limited school advantages, have 
been successful in life and those living are among the leading fanners in the 
coirnty. Their names are as follows: Elizabeth (Mrs. Hayes) deceased. 
Annie (Mrs. Handley Tracy), Joseph G. , Malinda. Agatha. Mary J. (Mrs. 
Sonders), John P. and James. Our subject was maiTied, in 1853, to Lucy 
Strausbauirh, who bore him seven childi-en: Loviiia (ilrs. Flman). Henrv. 



868 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Clara, William and Emma living; and two deceased, Ella and Nora. Mr. 
Staub lost rtliis wife August lit, 1870, and subsequentty married, October 80. 
1871, Miss Agnes, daughter of Jacob Boner, an old settler and pioneer, and to 
this union were born two children: Francis May and Sylvester. Mi\ Staub has 
just built a handsome brick residence on his farm in this township. 

WASHINGTON WADE, farmer, P. O. Bascom. was born May 2(5, 1.S2U, 
in Loudon Township, this county, son of Abner and Temperance (Gordeu) 
Wade, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. Abner Wade came to 
this county in 182(5, entered KiO acres of land and began pioneer life. He cut 
a road fi'om what is now Tiffin, the entire country being then a wilderness. 
He was a blacksmith and worked at his trade previous to coming to Ohio; also 
did a good deal of work for the Indians after coming here. His childj-en .were 
as follows: Benjamin, Nathan (deceased), Washington, Abner, Hannah (Mrs. 
D. Coner), Rebecca (Mi-s. Dr. Rosendale), Matilda (Mrs. L. Coner), Emily 
(Mrs. H. Chance), James (deceased) and Harriet (deceased). Abner Wade 
cleared his land, formed a home and there lived the balance of his days. He 
was a prominent man of his township and served as one of the first justices of 
the peace. He died December 1, 1853, his widow July 24, 1870. Our subject 
was married, in 1852. to Catharine Richards, and by this union there have been 
born six children: William, married to Elizabeth Hoverstick; Harriet, wife of 
H. Eissler; Oscar, mairied to Violet Dillen; Catharine, wife of A. Maloy; 
Lewis, man'ied to Catharine Hoverstick; and Washington at home. In 1852, 
Mr. Wade went across the plains to California in search of gold, and there re- 
mained two years; thence returned to Ohio, and three years ago he came to 
Hopewell Township, where he now owns 1 70 acres of land. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 



WILLIAM ASH, farmer, P. O. Amsden, born in Bedford, Penn.. April 
14, 1830, is a son of George and Tishey (Reed) Ash, natives of Pennsylvania, 
of Pennsylvania-Dutch origin and who settled in this county in 1833. George 
Ash, the father of our subject, who has been a farmer all his life, resides in 
Jackson Township, this county, and is now eighty-six years old. M'illiam Ash 
is the fourth in a family of six children. He received his education in the 
pioneer schoolhouse in Seneca County, Ohio, and has followed farming all his 
life, being now owner of 600 acres of well-improved land; and for the last 
fifteen years has been largely interested in the shipping of live stock east, in 
company with his son, who is still engaged in the business. He manned, in 
1852, Rebecca Trumbo, a daughter of Enoch Tiiimbo. This union was blessed 
with three children, two now living: Ellen (wife of A. Mowery) and Charles. 
Mr. Ash has held the office of justice of the peace for twenty-eight years; he i.s 
a stockholder in the National Bank of Fostoria, and is one of its directors. 
In politics he is a Republican. 

JOHN BIGHAM, farmer, P. O. Fostoria, born in Knox County. Ohio. 
March 5, 1833, is a son of John and Eliza (Lewis) Bigham, natives of 
Maryland, the former of Scotch and the latter of Genuan descent. He came 
with his parents to Eden Township, this county, in July, 1834, and remained 
imtil 1855, then went to Washtenaw County, Mich. He mairied. September 4. 
1855, in Jackson, Mich., Miss Jane Clark, a native of New York, but for 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 869 



many _vea^^ a resideut o{ Michitran. Aftor their marriaj^c the young couj)le 
remained in Michigan about one year, and moving to Ohio in IS")*! they settled 
on a farm in Crawford County, where they remained until 1804, and then came 
to this county, remaining only a short time, when the_v piu-chased another farm 
in Crawford County, and after staying there about six years, finally located 
permanently, in the fall of ISTd. on the farm where they now reside," in Jack- 
sou Township, this county. They are the parents of three childi-en, all born 
in Crawford County, Ohio; Mary Eliza, born July 25, 1857; Robert, born 
October 29. 1858; and Martha Jane, born June 2;i 18()!). Mi-. Bigham is the 
owner of 18(1 acres of well-improved land, with tine orchard, good buildings, 
and other improvements, making it one of the most comfortable residences in 
Jackson Township. He is a practical fanner, has been successful in life, and 
by industry and economy has acquired a competence. 

DAVID BOYD, farmer, P. O. Longley, Wood County, born in Pennsylva- 
nia February 22, 1822, is a son of Hugh and Margaret (Rogers) Boyd, of Ger- 
man descent, and who settled in this county in 1844. Our subject married, in 
1844. Rosana Weiser, which union has been blessed with two childi-en: Jacob 
H. C. and Hugh W. A., both farmers. David Boyd was a pioneer black- 
smith, and has worked at that trade for over fifty years. He has been success- 
ful in life, owning at one time l^tiO acres of land in Jackson Township, this 
countv. This land he has divided among his children. 

HUGH W. A. BOYD, farmer. P. O. Fostoria, born February 27, 1845, 
in Jackson Township, this county, is a son of David Boyd, a pioneer black- 
smith of Jackson Township. Our subject received his education in the com- 
mon schools of Jackson Townshi]}, was reared on a farm, and has been 
engaged in agricultiu-e all his life. He married, in 1869, Margaret Longley, a 
daughter of John Longley, and to this union were born Cora A., Ella R., Kit- 
tie M. . Anna M. and PeiTy O. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd ar(> membei-s of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican. He has held 
the oifice of school director, and for fifteen years has held continuously one of 
the following ofi&ces: trustee, township clerk, assessor and justice of the 
peace. He enlisted in 18(53 in Company C, Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantrv', served six months, then re-enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and 
Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry (1(10 days men), then re-enlisted in Com 
pan}' G, One Hun<h-ed and Eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served 
till the close of the war; he was a non-commissioned officer. Mr. Boyd is a 
member of the G. A. R. As a farmer he has been successful, and is the 
owner of a good farm on which he has a fine residence. 

DANIEL COCHARD, farmer, P. O. Longley, Wood County, was born in 
Dolphin County, Penn. , February 2(), 1832. and is a son of Jacob and Rebecca 
(Heller) Cochard, natives of Pennsylvania, being Pennsylvania-Dutch. Jacob 
Cochard, who was a carpenter, reared two children, Daniel being the eldest. 
Our subject received a common school education in Pennsylvania and learned 
farming, which he has made the main occupation of his life. He has a fine 
farm of 415 acres of land where he now resides. He married, in 1857. Mary 
Ann Shaffer, daughter of I'hilij) Shaffer, a Pennsylvania-Dutch farmer. This 
union has been blessed with thirteen children, ten of whom (u-e now living. 
Mr. and Mrs. Cochard are members of the Evangelical Church, of which Mr. 
Cochard has been treasurer and trustee. In politics he is a Democrat. He 
has been school director for sixteen years in the school district where he now 
lives. 

JOHN CRAUN, fanner, P. O. Kansas, bom in Franklin County, Ohio, 
May 12, 1825, is third in the family of eleven children of Abraham and 



870 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Rosana (Miller) Craun, natives of New Jersey, of CTerman descent. Al)rabam 
Craun was a farmer, and came with his family to Seneca County, Ohio, iu 
1835. He entered land, and passed the remaininf; portion of his life here. 
His wife died in 187S, aged seventy-six years, and he died in 1888, at the 
advanced age of eighty-seven years. Abraham's father was iu the Revolu- 
tionary war. He died in Franklin County, Ohio. Mrs. Craun" s father lived 
to the age of one hundi-ed and fifteen years, and died in Franklin County, 
Ohio. John Craun was reared on a farm, received a common school edu- 
cation, and chose agriculture as an occupation. He has resided in Seneca 
County since 1835. He began working by the month, to get a start in life, 
and, unaided, has made his own way in the world. He maiTied, in lS3f>, 
Nancy Kiusey. a daiighter of Joseph and Maria (Kiser) Kiusey. of Pennsyl- 
vania-Dutch exti'action, and this union has been blessed with eight ehildien: 
Samuel, a farmer and married: Jeremiah: Andi'ew, deceased, was a farmer, he 
left a family: Cornelius, a carpenter, in Kansas. Ohio, and married; Abraham, 
dealer in farming imjilements: Martha J., wife of Peter Stainbrook; Joseph, 
.still residing with his parents; and Peter, a farmer and married. Mr. and 
Mrs. Craun are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has 
been a class leader for many years: has also been Sabbath-school superintend- 
ent. Mr. Criiun enlisted in 1804, in Company C, One Hundi-ed and Twenty- 
second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years, and was mustered out at the 
close of the war. In politics he is a Repul)lican. 

PETER EATON, farmer, P. O. Fostoria, born in Chenango County. N. 
Y., November 15, 1812. is a son of William and Ann (Strieker) Eaton, the 
foiiner a farmer, of Scotch descent, and the latter of German. William 
Eaton reared a family of twelve children. Peter and his twin brother who 
resides in Cuyahoga, Ohio, being the sixth l)irth in the family: both grew to 
manhood and followed farming iu Jackson T(.)wnship, this county. The sub- 
ject of our sketch received a limited education in the old log schoolhouse, and 
has been engaged in farming all his life. In 1840 he entered land in Jackson 
Township, this county. He has been twice married, first in 1834, to Miss 
Loiiisa Tony, who died without issue in 1835. In 1839 Mi'. Eaton married 
for his second wife. Rebecca, daughter ot Reuben and Elanore (Benschotter) 
Brooks, of German descent, and by her he has five children; Flavilla. 
wife of J. W. Deacon, and Reuben E., a farmer in Jackson Township, are in 
this countv. In politics Mr. Eaton is a Democrat. 

REUBEN E. EATON, farmer, P. O. Fostoria, is a native of Jackson 
Township. Seneca Co. , Ohio. Peter Eaton, the father of oiu' subject, had five 
children, Reuben E. being the only son. Our sulijeet was reared on a farm, 
attended the common school, and has been engajjed iu agriculture all his life. 
He is the owner of a fine farm of seventy-five acres, where he now resides, 
near Fostoria. He married, in 1873, Martha Johnson, daughter of Henry F. 
Johnson, and liy this union there are two children: Leona E. and Margaret A. 
Politicallv Mr. Eaton is a Democrat. 

JOHN FEASEL, farmer, P. O. Fostoria, born in Fairfield County, Ohio, 
February 12. 1828. is a son of George and Jane (Anderson) Feasel, natives of 
Pennsylvania, the former of Dutch, and the latter of Irish descent. George 
Feasel was a farmer all his life, and an early settler in Seneca County, Ohio. 
He reared a family of eleven childi'eu, John being third. Our subject received 
his education in the common schools, has been engaged iu fanning all his life, 
and is now the owner of a well-improved farm. He was mai-ried. in 18(')(), to 
Rebecca Stahl. daughter of Henry Stahl, and their chikb-eu are Clara Alize, 
Charlie Elswurth. Millie Franklin. Ester Ann, John Lerov and Irvin Larue. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 871 

Mr. Foasol has served twelve years as justice of the peace, three years asstihuol 
director, and eleven years as townshii) treasiu'er; was land appraiser iu Jack- 
son Townsliip in ISSO, the last time the land was appraised in the State; was 
also supervisor of roads. 

JONAS FOSTER, fai-mer and breeder of fine stock, P. O. Fostoria, was 
born in Perry County, Ohio, November 4, 1820, son of Christian and Maiy 
(Groves) Foster, the former of German, and the latter of English e.\traction. 
Christian Foster followed farming all his life. He reared ten children. Jonas 
lieing fourth. Our subject was reared on a fai-m. receiving a common school 
education in Jackson Township, this county, and at the age of fifteen years 
he began learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed for sixteen years, 
but farming has been his main Inisiness. He has been a resident of this 
county since he was three j'ears old. His father gave him forty acres of wild 
land; and he is now the owner of 200 acres of well-improved land. He mar- 
ried, September 4. 1S4'J, Elizabeth Stahl, daughter of Michael Stahl. and to 
this union ten childi'en have been born, six of whom are now living: \V. H. S. 
(an attorney in Fostoria, Ohio), O. L., Louisa E., Maria E., Ida I. and 
Charles \V. The family are members of the Lutheran Chiurh. Mr. Foster 
cidisted, in 18<)1. in the Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving his 
Time: then enlisted in the Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was a 
lieutenant, and afterward was promoted captain. He was wounded at Mission 
Kidge. and in ]S()4 he resigned. In politics he is a Repul)lican. 

JACOB HEISERJIAN, farmer. P. O. Fostoria, born in Seneca County. 
Ohio, July IT), 1S4T. is a son of Jacol) and Savillia (Peters) Heiserman, natives 
i«f Germany, who came to America in 1833, settling in Seneca County, Ohio. 
on a farm iu the woods. Oiu- subject is the second child in a family of six 
children. He was reared on a farm, received a common school education and 
lias followed fanning all his life; he now owns 192 acres of well improved 
land. Mr. Heiserman maiTied, in 1870, Esther, a daughter of Hi'ury Stahl, 
a wealthy and intluential farmer in Jackson Township, this county. The chil 
dren born of this union are Henry M.. Jacob F., Esther E., Laura E., Ida 
A.. Charles M. . George ^\'. and Emma Amanda. The family are all members 
of the Lutheran Chnrcli. ilr. Heiserman is a Democrat iu politics: has filled 
the office of school director. 

GEORGE F. HULL, farmer and dealer in agricultural implements, P. O. 
Fostoria. was born in Venice Township, Seneca Co.. Ohio, November IU, 
1840. fourth child in the family of ten children of ■Michael and Barbara 
(Free) Hull, former a wealthy farmer, now residing in V(>nice Township, this 
county. The sul>ject of our sketch was reared on a farm, received his school- 
ing in this county, and was engaged exclusivelj' in farming until 187fi, since 
which date he has been dealing in agricultm-al implements in connection with 
farming. He married, in 1803, Martha E.. daughter of James Hanna, and 
to this union have been born the following children: Ella, wife of J. W. Yost; 
Eugena D.. deceased: Jena J. ; Mollie C. ; Zilpha .\. ; Myrtle I. ; Maud Haniui; 
Cleoia M. and Ada B. iMr. and Mrs. Hull are members of the German Bap- 
list (or Dunkard) Church. In politics he is a Republican. 

lliX M. J-\MES()N, farmer, P. O. Longley, ANood County, was born in 
Hancock (bounty, Ohio, August 0. 184.3, and is the son of Ira and Rebecca 
(Poison) Jameson, who were of Irish and Scotch extraction. Ira Jameson, 
th(> father of our subject, and who was a farmer, moved to Hancock County. 
Ohio, over fifty years ago; his family consisted of ten chikli-en, seven of whom 
grew to matm-ity, Ii-a M. being the youngest. The subject of this sketch was 
reare<l on a farm, and his education was obtained in the common schools 



872 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

in Hancock County, and in the higli school at Findlaj'. He followed fanning- 
till he was twenty-six years old. when he received a license to preach. He has 
been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since he was thirteen years 
old; joined the conference when twenty-eight years old, and was ordained 
deacon when thirty years of age, and elder when thirty -two. He accepted a 
regular appointment and was moved from place to place in regular Methodist 
itinerancy, remaining from one to two years in a place as suited the order of 
the chiu-ch authorities. In 1879 he retired to farm life on account of ill health. 
He is the owner of forty acres of land where he now resides. In 1870 IVL-. 
Jameson married Cirena Miller, and two children, both now deceased, were 
born to them. 

HENRY F. JOHNSON, farmer, born in New York March 11, 1810. is a 
son of Archibald (a farmer) and Amy Johnson, both of Scotch descent. Archi- 
bald Johnson was the father of Hve children, Hemy F. being the eldest. Our 
subject was reared on a farm, received a common school education, and fol- 
lowed agriculture all his life, till 1875. when he retii-ed fi-om active farm life, 
though still residing on his farm; his wife is still living. They were manied 
in 182S. and came to this county in IS.")!, settling where they now reside, and 
reared a large and respectable family. They have deeded their farm to their 
youngest daughter, with whom thev now reside. 

HON. GIDEON JONES (deceased), was born March 10, 1810, in Gallia 
County, Ohio; son of James and Perscilla (Blagg) Jones, of Welsh descent, 
former a farmer and an early settler in Gallia County, Ohio, a prominent citi- 
zen ; he held the office of sheriff of that county. Hon. Gideon Jones was the 
<'ldest of a large family of children. His father moved, with his family, to 
Wood County, Ohio, when that county was a dense wilderness, settling not far 
from the line between Seneca and Wood Counties, near the farm where Gideon 
afterward lived for many years. The subject of our sketch married, in 1841, 
Eliza H. , daughter of Phineus and Sarah (Way) Davidson, of Welsh and Ger- 
man descent, natives of Pennsylvania, and the children born of this union, now 
living, are Laura F.. wife of M. F. Stockwell; Mary A., wife of E. R. Lew 
man : Orleno. wife of Uriah Sours : Olive, wife of Sylvester Henderson ; Emma, 
wife of Henry Strouse: Plato, at home, faiming; Pliny, a farmer; Ella, wife 
of P. Hatfield; Hattie, wife of W. W. Kinniman, and Jessie. Hon. Gideon 
Jones was a member of the Ohio State Legislature during the years 1860 and 
1861. He departed this life in 1888. and this sketch of his life was obtained 
from his widow, who survives him; she is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

WILLIAM KASSING. farmer. P. O. Fostoria. was born in Prussia, June 
15, 1836; a son of John F. and Mary (Sekman) Kassing. who came to America 
in 1855. and settled in New York, where they remained three years, then 
moved to Seneca County. Ohio. Our subject, the youngest in a family of five 
children, was reared on a farm, received a common school education, and has 
made farming his occupation. He is owner of a farm of seventy-seven and a 
half acres of land, and his wife owns a farm of seventy-three and a half acres. 
He married, in 1858. in Jackson Township, this county, Elizabeth Brumm, 
born in 1838, a daughter of Peter and Maria M. (Brumm) Brumm, foi-mer of 
whom was a successful fai-mer. To Mr. and Mrs. Kassing have been born 
eleven children : Margaret Elizabeth. Louisa Ellen, AVilliam Charles (deceased), 
Augusta Amelia (deceased). AVilliam. John Peter, Mary Anna, Clara Ellen, 
Emma Laura. Charles Hi»nry (deceased) and Ada. now (1885) aged six years. 
The family are all members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Kassing is a Demo 
crat in politics. He has been school director. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 873 

B. L. LONG, fiirmor, P. O. Kiiiisus, is a uativo of Ohiu. lioiii Soptember 
12. 1823; sun of Daniel ami Marfran>t (Brill) Lon<(. natives of P<>nnsylvaiiia. 
of German descent. Daniel Long worked forty years of bis life at hlacksmitli 
uif^i he was a soldier in tlie war of 1812, and came to this county in 1884; he 
entered land where his son B. L. now resides, and was a prominent man; he 
was born in 17711. and died in 1871. jVIi-s. Margaret Long was born in 1783. 
and died in 1 8r)3. They reared a large family of children, of whom B. L. , oiu- 
subject, is tenth. Samuel, the eldest, who was born in 1801, is a minister of 
the United Brethren Church. The subject of this sketch is the owner of a tine 
farm of 172 acres of land. He married, in 1850, Mary Johnson, tlaughter of 
Henry F. Johnson, and this union has been blessed with three children: Ma 
lissa, wife of Levi Boyd: Margaret C, wife of Ary Stahl. and Daniel F.. a 
farmer, and married. Mr. and Mrs. Long are members of the United Brethren 
C'hiirch. of which he has been a class leader, steward and trustee. 

EZRA MILLEB, farmer, P. O. Longley. Wood County, was born in 
Jackson Township, this county, October 15, 1845; a sou of Isaac and Susannah 
<Slosser) Miller, the former a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and the latter 
a native of Virginia; they were of Irish and German extraction. Isaac Mil- 
ler, who was a farmer, came to this county in an early day. (His father, Abra- 
ham Miller, was a pioneer farmer of Jackson Township, this county. ) Ezra 
Miller, the suljject of this sketch, the sixth in a family of twelve children, ten 
of whom grew to maturity, was reared on a farm, and received his education 
in the common schools in Jackson Township, this comity. He has followed 
farming all his life with the exception of the time he spent in the army diu-ing 
the late war; he enlisted, in 18P)8. in Company C, Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry, for six months; then enlisted for 100 days in the One Hundred 
and Sixty -fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and then re-enlisted for one year in 
(Company D. Fifty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving till the close of the 
war in 181)5. In I8()8 Mi'. Miller married Ann Kiley. a lady of English ex- 
traction, daughter of Thomas Kiley. and this union has I)een blessed with one 
child — Wallace. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the ilethodist Episcopal 
('hurch. He is a Republican in ]>olitics. 

CONRAD MYERS was born in Mahoning Couniy. Ohio. He was a son of 
Conrad and Barbara (Robb) Myers, who, emigrating from ilarylaud, settled in 
eastern Ohio, in 1 7'.)fJ. Here the subject of this sketch grew to manliood. He 
received but nineteen days' schooling in a subscription school. In 1828 he was 
married to Miss Leah Ranch, of Cohimbiana County, Ohio. In the fall of 
1835 he biought his family to Hancock County and settled in the woods on a 
t.iact of land near Fiistoria. This land he had purchased fi-om the government 
five years i)revious. In the fall of 1845 the family removed to Jackson Town- 
ship, in Seneca County, on a farm where he remained the rest of his life. 
Ml-.' Myers was the father of nine chikken- live .sons and four daughters. The 
sons and two of the daughters are still living ( 1885). Three of the sons are 
engaged in agricnltiu'al ]nirsuits: one is a minister in the Refonned Church, 
and one is a profe.ssional teacher. The mother of these childi-en dying, the 
fathei- was in time married to Miss Keziah Fear, of Shelbyville. 111. Mr. 
Myers was of (Jerman jjarentage. He followed farming all his life. He was 
much devt)ted to the interests of the Reformed Chiu-cli. of which he was an 
active member for neiU'ly sixty years. He was one of the jirominent men in 
all jjublic affairs antl enterprises in his neigborhood. He always took a dee]) 
interest in the welfare of the young people. esi)ecially those who were left 
withotit jiarental guidance. He was one of the pioneei-s of this county, and 
died August 11, J885, aged nearly seventy-eight yeai-s. 



I 



874 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Y. D. NEWCOMB. farmer, P. O. Fostoria. bom in Loudon Township. 
Seneca Co., Ohio, May 11. 1840, is a son of Myron and Sarah (Lantz) New 
comb, natives of Ohio, of English extraction. Myron Newcomb was a wealthy 
farmer and pioneer of Seneca County; he reared a family of seven children. 
Our subject, who is third in the family, was reared on a farm, and received a 
common school education. He has been engaged in farming all his life, anil 
is now owner of eighty-two acres of well-improved land on which he resides. 
He married, in 11^73, Laiira E.. daughter of David Coe. a native; of Wood 
County, Ohio, of English descent. Tliey have two children: Elsworth M. and 
Schuyler D. ^Sfr. and Mrs. Newcomb are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in which he has held the offices of trustee and clerk. Mi'. Newcoml) 
is a member, in good standing, of the Masonic fraternity. He has filled the 
offices of constable and trustee of Jackson Township, this county. Politically 
lie is a Repu))lican. 

MONTGOMERY NOBLE, farmer, P. O. , Fostoria. was born in Luzerne 
County, Penn. , February 4, 1823, son of William and Kebecca (Little) Noble. 
His father, William Noble, born in Connecticut, was early left an orphan and 
thrown upon his own resoui'ces. In early life he was a millwright but 
later on became a farmer. He came with his wife and nine children to Jack- 
son Township, this county, in 1835, settled on a farm of eighty acres, cleared 
sixty acres, and died here in 18(13. aged eighty-one years. He and his wife 
were members and liberal supporters of the Methodist Episcopal Chiuch. In 
j)olitics he was first a Democrat, afterward became a Republican and east his 
vote for Lincoln. His wife, the mother of our subject, was a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and of Irish descent, she died in this county in 1874, aged seventy- 
four or seventy-five years; she was the mother of nine children, six of whom 
are now living: A\'arren P, : Montgomery; Mary, wife of Thornton Histe, of 
Loudon Township, this county: William: Harrison and John. Montgomery 
Noble passed his early days on his father" s farm, and received such ediication 
as could be, obtained in the common schools of that neighborhood; at the age 
of twenty-two years he left home to begin farming on his own account: in 1847 
he located in Adrian, and in ]8o2 he bought his first piece of land, fifteen 
acres in Big Spring Township, this county. In the spring of 18r)() he removed 
to Tiffin, and served as deputy clerk. In I860 he bought IOC acres of his 
present farm (which now consists of 180 acres of well-improved land) in Jack- 
son Township, this county: here he has resided and caiTied on farming and 
stock-raising. In 1850 he man'ied Margaret Spielman, of Big S})ring Town- 
ship, this county, born in Maryland, daughter of David Spielman. an early 
settler of Clinton Township, this county. This union has been lilessed with 
two children, one of whom is now living — Homer. Mrs. Noble dying in 1853. 
Mr. Noble afterward married. February 15, 1855. Ann M. Mills, and this 
union was blessed with four children, of which three are now living: Ella, wife 
of Wesley Bankhust: Belle, wife of Allen Delmeil. an editor in Wheeling. Ya.. 
and Charles. In 1802 Mr. Noble entered the army: he was commissioned 
ca])tain of Company K, One Huntb'ed and First Regiment, Ohio Yolunteer 
Infantry; he ])articipated in the battles of Perryville and Stone River, and in 
1863 resigned and ret lu'ned home. Politically Mr. Noble is a Democrat: he 
has filled the office of justice of the peace three years; township assessor, one 
vear; school director, twelve vears: township clerk and township trustee. 

MADISON PENNELL. farmer, P. O.. Longley. Wood County, was born 
near Bridgewater, in Beaver County, Penn., July 12, 1812, son of James and 
Elenore (Innman) Pennell. natives of Pennsylvania, of French, Dutch and 
Welsh extraction. In earlv life James Pennell was a chair and cabinet-maker. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 875 

in later life lie followed farming. His family consisted of thirteen children, 
seven of whom were boys, Madison being the eldest. Both of Madison's 
grandfathi'i's were in the Revolutionary war. Our subject recei veil his school- 
ing in the log schoolhouse in his native county; he studied hard, improving 
his leisure hours, and taught school for several years. He married. Deceralier 
2N. KSiU, Elizabeth Porter, daughter of Richard Porter, and of Irish descent. 
Their children now living are Thomas, a merchant in Kansas: Nancy, wife of 
Sampson Switzer. a lieutenant in the late war; Jam(>s G. B.. now a farmer. was 
orderly sergeant in the late war. Mr. and Mrs. Pennell are members of the 
United Brethren Church; he was a class leader for eight years. Politically 
Mr. Pennell is a Republican and has held the offices of justice of the peace for 
nine yeiirs, township clerk, and assessor of Jackson Townshij), and is highly 
respected bv his fellow townsmen. 

NOAH KINEBOLD. farmer. P. O.. Long'ley, Wood County, was born on 
Section 1(). Jackson Township, Seneca Co.. Ohio, May 15, 1851, the eldest son 
of Jacob Rinebold. a wealthy farmer. Noah Rinebold received a common 
school education, and was engaged exclusively in farming until liSS2, sine(> 
which time he has also bi>en dealing in farm implements. He married. March 
7. IS7"2, Anna Craun. a daughter of Isaac Craun, and of (ierman extraction. 
To this union have been l)orn the following children: A. A.. Daisy A.. Bertha 
L. and Martha Mav. In politics Mr. Rinebold is a Democrat. 

JOSEPH SCHUPP. farmer. P. O. Fostoria, was born in Jackson Township. 
Seneca Co.. Ohio. September 19. liS47. sou of Jacob and Catharine (Yenney) 
Schupi>, the former a native of Germany, the latter of Carroll County. Ohio. 
Mrs. Schujip's parents were born in Germany. Jacob Schup^j was a farmer, 
and entered land when he came to this county, where ho died in 1S83. He was 
the father of six children, live of whom grew to raatiu'ity. Joseph being the 
third. Oiu' subject was reared on a farm, and has followed agriculture all 
his life: is the owner of a fine farm in Jackson Township, this county. He 
married, in 1S7I. ^\'. G. Eaton, daught(>r of Peter Eaton, an early settler of 
Jackson Township, this county. Two children were born of this union: Yin 
cent Peter and Lillian G. ^Sfr. Schup]) is a Democrat in jiolitics. He holds 
the office of school director. His father's family are members of the German 
Reformed Church. 

CHRISTIAN STAHL. farmer, P, O. Fostoria, born in Jackson Township. 
Seneca Co.. Ohi<x March UK 1845, is son of William and Rebecca (Fosteri Stahl. 
natives of Ohio and of German descent. William Stahl followed farming all 
his life, and was auumg the early settlers of Seneca County, Ohio. Christian 
Stahl is the third in a family of twelve children. He was reared on a 
farm, educated in Seneca County, attended the Heidelberg Colleg{>, and has 
taught school for twenty winters: has also taught several other terms. He is 
unmarried, and is the owner of a farm of eighty acres of land on which he has 
latelv Iniilt a new brick house. He has filled the office of assessor, 

HENRY STAHL, farmer, P. O. Fostoria, born in Peiry County, Ohio. 
January 2, 1821, is a son of William and Elizabeth (Boyer) Stahl, natives of 
Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Henry was the youngest in a large 
family of children. He was reared on a farm, and has resided in this county 
since INIiC). and is the owner of 7(l() acres of land. He married, in iNii'.i, 
Elizabeth Rinebold. a daughter of John and Catharine (W'ininger) Rinebold, 
of German descent. Mr. Stahl is the father of five chiklren: Rebecca. 
Lucinda. Lvdia. Ei)hraini and Esther. 

JACOB" STAINBROOK. farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Fostoria. is a na 
tive of Ohio, born August 27. 188(1, son of Abraham and Sarah (Weller) 



87G BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Stainbrook. natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, and of German descent, 
former of whom, a farmer, was twice married, Jacob being fifth child by the 
tu'st wife, who had eleven children. The subject of this sketch was reared on 
a farm, and was educated in the district schools. He worked at farming for a 
time, and in 1853 crossed the jilains in a company of forty people; they 
crossed north of the foot range. Eight years later he returned to Seneca 
County, Ohio, and bought a farm. He married, in 1804. Miss Fanny Swingle, 
daughter of George Swingle, and a native of Ohio, of German descent. The 
children born to this union are Eli Grant. William Oscar and Emma I. Mr. 
and Mrs. Stainbrook are members of the Lutheran Church, of which he is an 
elder. In politics he is a Republican. 

WILLIAM H. STEWARD, farmer. P. O. Fostoria. horn in Crawford 
County, Penn. . June '2. 1844. is son of Samiiel and Mary (Renner) Steward, 
natives of Pennsylvania, who were the parents of seven children. William H. 
being their second child. Samuel Steward is a wealthy retired farmer. Will- 
iam H. was reared on a farm, and has been engaged in agriculture all his life. 
He is owner of 1 10 acres of well-improved land, where he now resides. In 
1882 he met with a misfortune, having his large barn and all of its contents, 
together with four valuable horses and 100 bushels of wheat, destroyed by fire. 
He married, in 1800. Sarah S.. daughter of Joseph and Catharine (Seizeloft) 
Haggenuan, natives of Pennsylvania, and the children by this union are Glen- 
dure, Nora, Hattie. Alice, Ida, Alverti and Charles. The family are members 
of the Reformed Church. Mr. Steward enlisted, in 1802. in the One Hundred 
and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and received injuries at the battle of Pern,- 
villf\ from which he has never fully recovered. In politics ^Lv. Steward is a 
Republican. He has held the oiiice of trustee. 

ENOCH TRUMBO, retired farmer. P. O. Fostoria, was born in Pennsyl- 
vania. November 23, 1804. a son of John and Rebecca (Dye) Trumlro, who 
were Pennsylvania-Dutch. The male memViers of the Trumbo family are gen 
erally large men. John Trumbo. who was a farmer, came to Ohio in 1810, 
and settled in Tuscarawas County. He raised a family of ten children, Enoch 
being his second child. The subject of this sketch received his education in 
the common schools, and learned the stone cutter's trade when young, a trade 
he worked at for seven years, then entered land in Seneca County in 1831. 
He was a pioneer of Jackson Townshij), this county, where he still resides. 
Mr. Tiiimbo has filled most of the offices in his townshij), and has served Sen- 
eca County as one of its county commissioners. As a farmer he was success- 
ful, owning at one time 400 acres of valuable land, and still ownmg a good 
farm. He married, in 1834. Eleanore Robertson, a daughter of Robert Rob- 
ertson: her parents were natives of Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. Trumbo were 
born six children; Rebecca. Daniel ^^'ebster (deceased). Maria (deceased). Mar- 
cus, Pliny and Etty. all married. Mr. Trumbo attended the first election held 
in Jackson Township, this countv. 

PLINY TRUMBO, farmer, "P. O. Fostoria. born in Jackson Township. 
Seneca Co., Ohio, May 17, 1845, is a son of Enoch Trumbo, a pioneer of 
Jackson Township, this county, and who is still living here. Pliny Tnimbo 
was reared on a farm, receiving a common school education. He has followed 
farming all his life, and is now the owner of a well-improved farm, where h(i 
resides. He enlisted in 1802 in Company E. Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry; was in several engagements, was wounded at the battle of Stone 
River, taken prisoner and eonfiued in Libby Prison a short time. He received 
his discharge fi'om the service in lSt)5, and in 1S(')7 married Lydia Neder- 
houser, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Kinslev) Nederhouser, the former of 



LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 877 

(iermaii ami the latter of English desw^iit. To Mr. and Mrs. Trnmlw wt-ro 
l)oru three cliildren. The family are all members of the Methodist Church. 
Mr. Tnimbo is a nieinlier of the (J. A. R. He has tilled the offices of trustee, 
assessor and clerk of Jackson Township, this coiintv. 

BENJAMIN WYANT. farmer, P. O., Amsden, born in Jackson Township. 
Seneca Co. , Ohio. November*), 18-")8, is a son of Isaac and J. C. (McDugle) 
Myaut; the fomier a native of Pennsylvania, of CJerman descent, and the latter 
a native of Virginia, of Scotch descent. Isaac Wyant was a pioneer farmer of 
Jackson Townshi]). this county, cominii; to the township in 1888. where he 
spent the remaining I)oi-tion of his life. The subject of this sketch, the eldest 
in a family of three childi'en. was reared on a farm, received a Cijmmon school 
education; and has followed agriculture all his life, being now own(>r of a fine 
farm. He married, in 1871), Sarah Lybarger. daughter of \\'illiam C. and 
Elizabeth (Ash) Lybargt'r. natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. Tin* 
children of our subject and wife are William. Charles and Elizabeth. Mr. 
W'yant and family are members of the Methodist Chiu'ch. In politics he is ,i 
Rei)ublican. 

J.\Cf)B YOCHUM. fanner, P. O., Fostoria. liorn in Germany, December 
]'■'>. 1880. is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (\ns(>r) Yochum. who came from 
(T(^rmanv to America in 1815. and settled in Jackson Township, this county. 
Jacol) Yochiun. Sr. , was a caViinet-maker, but followed farming most of the 
time after coming to America; he died in \H7)7\. The subj(H't of our sketch, the 
eldest in a family of four children, was reared on a farm. (>ducated in the com- 
mon schools, and has followed farming all his life. He is the owner of 240 
acres of laud in Jackson Township, this county, where he now resides. In 
18(50 he maiTied Sarah Sowders, a native of Germany, and their childi'oa are 
Hem-y, Jacob. Edward. Walter, Peter,Mary, George, William and Laura Anna. 
The family are members of the Lutheran CJhuirh. in which Mr. Yochum has been 
deacon and trustee for many years, also su|)erinte!ulent of the Sal)bath -school. 
He has held the office of school director. Politicallv he is a Democrat. 



LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 

DR. JAMES A. ANDREWS (decea,«!edl, was Iwrn in Philadelpliia. Peini., 
son of John and Elizabeth (Abercrombie) Andrews, of English descent, the 
former of whom was cashier of the old United States Bank, in Philadelphia, 
for many years. Dr. Andrews came to the farm now (X'cu]>ieil by liis widow in 
1887, having man-ied, April 12, of the same year. Miss Emy Ri)zell, who was 
ooru near Trenton. N. J., daughter of John and Jane (Twigley) Rt)zell. who 
came, in 1886. to Liberty Township, this county, where they died. Mr. Twig- 
ley was a gallant Revolutionary soldier. . Dr. Antli-ews served under Gen. 
Morgan (who was his cousin) diu'ing the Mexican war. He was the father of 
the following named chikben: John H.. in Mackinaw City, Mich.: Margaret, 
wife of Henry Park, in Pelltown. Mich.: Calander. wif(> of David D. Fisher, 
near Bloomville. Ohio, and (Jeorge \\ . . in Liberty Township, this county. Dr. 
Antb-ews was a Mast^^r Mason : a man of rare talent and abilitv. He died in 
18()(). 

EDMUND R. ASH. farmer, P. O. Kansas, was born in Liberty Townshii>. 
Seneca Co., Ohio, Noven)l)er il, 184 + ; son of Ujjton and Barbaia \. (Bower) 

49 



878 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Ash, both of whom are still living, the latter born April 22, 1823, son of Mose> 
and Martha (Robinson) Bower, who were among the earliest settlers of Liberty 
Township, this county. Upton Ash was born June 8, 1822, in Bedford Coun- 
ty, Penn. , son of George and Tishey (Reed) Ash, who came to Liberty Town- 
ship, this county, in 1833. The subject of this sketch married, in 1S67, 
Emeline Elder, who was born in Bedford County, Penn., November 13. 1843. 
daughter of Achor and Eliza (Cessna) Elder, the former of whom died in Ma- 
honing County, Ohio, in 1855; Mrs. Elder, who is a daughter of William and 
Nancy (Barnes) Cessna, is still living, in her sixty-seventh year. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Ash were born the following children: Curtis A., Lewis, Harvey J.. 
Willoughby R. and Elsie J. In August, 1802, Mr. Ash enlisted in Company 
K, One Hundred and First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after ten 
months' service was discharged on account of disability. He subsequently 
served in the 100 days" service, as corporal, in Company E, One Hundred and 
Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards, and in January, 18(35, he en- 
listed in Company E. One Hundred and Eighty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer 
Infantiy, and was discharged September 18, 1865. Mr. Ash is engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising, and is one of the most enterprising young 
men of Liberty Township. 

JACOB ASH, farmer, P. O. Kansas, was born. October 13. 1836, in the 
house in which he now live.s. His parents. Jacob and Sarah (Willerson) Ash, 
natives of Bedford County, Md. , former of whom was a son of Abraham Ash. 
came to Liberty Township, this county, in 1832, and here died. They were 
parents of six children: John (deceased, leaving a family in Liberty Town- 
ship): Edmund (deceased, leaving a family in Liberty Township ) ; Abraham, in 
Fostoria; Harriett, wife of Benjamin Lewman, in Liberty: Wesley (deceased) 
and Jacob. Oui- subject was a member of Company E, One Hundred and 
Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was a lifer, serving at 
Washington, D. C. August 3, 1856. he married Lettia A. Brown, born in 
Seneca C)ounty, Ohio, March 11, 1838, daughter of George and Julia (Scott) 
Brown, natives of Maryland, and among the early settlers of Seneca County. 
Ohio. To this union were born the following children: Julia A. (deceased wifi' 
of Thomas Terrell; she left two childi'en); Sarah, wife of Lewis Peifer. in San- 
dusky County, Ohio; Lilly, wife of Jacob Schubert, in Big Spring Townshii): 
Clarissa (deceased); Charley; John; Beda (deceased); Daisy and Lola L. 

AMANDUS BETTS, ra'ib-oad contractor, P. O. Bettsville, was born July 
9, 1843, son of Daniel Betts. He received such an education as could be 
seciu'ed in the common schools, and August 22, 1862, enlisted in Company D. 
One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving in 
the Eastern army and discharging his duties faithfully until June 19, 1865, 
when he was discharged with the rank of sergeant. February 13, 1870, he 
was married to Mrs. Phoebe (Rosenberger) Halter, who was boi-n in Lilierty 
Township, this county. January 15, 1844, daughter of Nicholas Rosenberger. 
By her first husband IVIrs. Betts has one son — Milo — now residing in Liberty 
Township, this county; by her second marriage she has one daughter — Lottie 
— born July 14, 1871. Mr. Betts for several years was engaged in farming, 
and dealt largely in grain. He is the owner of one of the most beautiful 
farms and picnic grounds in Branch County. Mich. In 1876 he commenced 
contracting with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for supplying all kinds 
of lumber and ties, since when he has done a very large business; has also 
large contracts with the Lake Shore, O. C. and Pittsburgh. Fort \\'ayne <S: 
Chicago Railroads. Mr. Betts is a member of the K. of H. and of the chapter, 
a member of the G. A. R. and the I. O. O. F., of Bettsville; also a member 



LIBERTV TOWNSHIP. 87fl 

of thp K. of P.. Lodge No. 147, and the F. & A. M.. Lodgi- No. JiSCi. at 
Fremont, Ohio. He is prominent in lodge matters, having tilled the highest 
positions in the snbordinate loilges.and been representative to the (Irand Lodge, 

MICHAEL BETTS, farmer, P. O. Bettsville, was born in Center County. 
Penn., January -i. ISOU; son of John and Barbara (Boyer) Betts, who moved 
to ^\'ayne County, Ohio, in 1821. and to Liberty Township, this county, 
iu 18;J'2, locating on Section 8, where the father of our subject caused to be 
laid out the twenty-one original lots of Bettsville in IS^iS. John Betts was 
the father of six children: John (deceased), Michael. Mary (Mrs. Daniel Mar- 
tin), Harah (deceased wife of Abraham Boiough), Daniel, in Jiettsvillo, Oiiio, and 
David, in Fremont, Ohio. Michael Betts was married, Ajiril "JO. ISHO. to 
Catharine Bish, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April Hi, 1821. and 
is the daughter of Henry and Mary (Zirkle) Bish, natives of Virginia, but 
early and prominent settlers in Fairlield County, Ohio. To our subject and 
wife have been born live childi-en: L-ena D., Heui-y A.. Isaiah F., Salome Jl 
(deceased), and Mary C. Mr. Betts followed the mill-vvright trade for about 
thirty years in varioiTs States. H(> was active in townshij) affaii-s, and tooli a 
leading interest in securing the Pennsylvania Railroad through Bettsville, and 
iu the various enterprises for the good of the peoj)le he has always been among 
the foremost. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church. 

JACOB O. BOWLLTS, merchant and postmaster, Kansas, was born in San- 
dusky County, Ohio, December 22, 1887, son of Daviil and Nancy (Holloway) 
Bowlus, natives of Frederick County, Md. , who settled near Fremont, Ohio, 
in 1822, where they died at an advanced age. They were the parents of six 
children: Rohanna (wife of Daniel Shook, residing near Fremont, Ohio); 
Margaret (deceased wife of Greeuliury Biu'dette; she left a family near Fort 
Clinton, Ohio), Rebecca (deceased), H. A. (a merchant in Melrose, Ohio). 
Louisa (wife of James Hiett, a merchant in Fremont, Ohio), and Jacob O. 
Our subj(>ct was engaged in fai'ming until 180"), when he embarked in mer 
chandising in Kansas, Ohio, where he has since remained. For a time he was 
in partnershij) with his brother, but has been sole proprietor of the larg(^ an<l 
commodious store now occupied by him since 187'.l. Mr. Bowlus was married. 
in 18(il, to Miss Sarah E. Deemer. No children have been born to this union, 
but Mr. and Mrs. Bowlus have an adopted daughter — Mamie E. Mr. Bowlus 
is a member of the encampment, Kansas Lodge I. O. O. F., also of the K. of 
P. of Kansas, No. 188. He was appointed postmaster of Kansas, Ohio, in 
1872. He is a man of prominence, and is held in the highest esteem by the 
people of the communitv in which he lives. 

PETER CRAUN. farmer. P. O. Kansas, was born December 2'.t. 182S. in 
Franklin County. Ohio, .son of Abraham and Rosanna (Miller) Craun: the 
former, born March 2-1, 17'.M), died May 25, 1888, was a son of John Craun, a 
native of Holland; the latter, born December 25, 179'.l, and died February 12. 
187n, was a daughter of Jacob Miller, a native of Virginia. Their children 
were Jacob; Raehael, wife of Henry Murphy, in Indiana; John, in Jackson 
Township, this county; Abigail; Peter; Catyan (deceased); Elizabeth, wife of 
John Finkenbinder; Rebecca, wife of William Flack; Adaline; Martha: Sarah 
A. ; James A. and Isaac. The Crauns came to Jackson Townshi]). this 
county, about 1884. Peter Craun (>nlisted in November. 1802. in Company F. 
Forty-ninth Regiment Ohio "Volunteer Infantry, serving until July 28. 1868. 
when he was discluirged on account of expiration of his term of enlistment. 
Mr. Craun is one of the energetic and enterprising fanners of Liberty Townshij". 

HIRAINI CROMER, Esq., farmer and justice of the peace. P. O. Cromer" s. 
was born in Libeity Township, this county, April 2t), 1844, son of Ezra and 



880 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES; 

Siiriih (C^ranii) Crouicr. aatives of Marylaiul. but who were among the early 
settlers of this county, where the former died in I SSI in his sixty-eighth year; 
the latter, u daughter of John and Deborah (Lee) Crauu, is still living. Mr. 
Cromer was married. April 4, 18()T. to Rebecca Omwake. who was born in 
Franklin County. Penn., March 31. 1846. daughter of Jacob and Annie (Beck) 
Omwake. who came to this county in 1S48. many of whose family died 
of cholera in 1S55. To Mi', and Mi's. Cromer were born four children: Alton 
E. . Annie E.. Mary B. and Hiram F. In the spring of 18S8 Mr. Cromer 
was i>lected justice of the jieace. He is doing a large business, and his de- 
cisions are universally respected. He sei-ved two terms as trustee and twelve 
consecutive years as a member of the school board. secTiring by his untiring 
energy, an extension of the school year. He is a member of the K. of H. , at 
Fort Seneca. He is vei-y active in the cause of temperance: is a member of 
the Methodist Protestant Church, and has been a rej)resentative to the annual 
conference. Mr. Cromer served in Comjiany H. On(> Hundred and Sixt}- 
fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, doing duty at Washington. D. C. In politics 
he is a Repul)li<^an. 

J. H. DAVIDSON, merchant and notary. Bettsville. was l)orn in Ottawa 
County. Ohio. September 1. 1843. son of Htigh and Salina (Poole) Davidson 
(both now deceased), early settlers in Ohio, and who had seven children, two 
of whom died without issue: Laura, married to Stejihen Cowell (liy whom she had 
one child. Alice), her second man'iage was with James ^IcNutt (by whom she 
had a family), she died in Lucas Cotuity, Ohio; Mary. maiTied to John Fish 
(she died in Wisconsin leaving a family); those now living are Sarah, wife of 
Charles Lutz, in Tiffin. Ohio; J. H. and William, iu Rice County, Kas. The 
subject of this sketch started out in life with but a meager education, and with 
nothinar but a willingness to do and a strong determination to succeed. He 
learned the trade of milling, which he followed several years, then engaged in 
farming and merchandising at Fort Seneca, where he held the office of justice 
of the ])eace for six years. In Septemlier. 1S81. he came to Bettsville, en- 
gaged in merchandising, and the following March received his notarial com- 
mission. He enlisted. Augttst 2'2, 18(52, in Company D. One Htmdied and 
Twenty-third Regiment Ohio Volunte<^r Infantry, serving until June '2'.), ISd."). 
At the battle of Rude's Hill he was severely woiuided iu the thigh, and with 
eight others was taken pris(jner upon the field and confined in Libby [)rison. 
only he and one comrade escaping death at that place. He was married, Fel)- 
ruary ;>, 18(17, to Emma Ablwtt. a native of Seneca County. Ohi<i. and daugh- 
ter of Henry and Eliza (Lott) .ibliott. who were among the early and ])rominent 
settlers of this county. By this union there have been born three children- 
Maud and Mabel, twins, who died early in life, and Henry, who is still living. 
Mr. Davidson was a good soldier, and is an energetic and enter|irising l)usiness 
man: 

SOLOMON GARDNER, carriage manufacturer. P. O. Kansas, was born 
in Sandusky County. Ohio. December 31. 18''i7. son of Horace and Elizabeth 
(Cary) Oardner. Horace Gardner was born in Connecticut. October (>. 17*.til. 
and came to Sandusky County. Ohio, in 1832. where ho entered a large tract of 
land and became prominent among the people of the time: he died November 
25, 1S78. Elizabeth Gardner w'as born August 3, 1833. in Richland County, 
Ohio, died September 9, 1877, she was a daughter of \\ illiam and ^Margaret 
(Baker) Cary. Both ])arents of our subject were twice mairied and had chil- 
ib'on by each union. Of their eight children four died young. Those living 
are Solomon; Reuben, in Freeport. Ohio; Rosetta. wife of John Bovey. and 
Emma E,, wife of John D. Fiandt. Itoth residing near Rising Sun. Ohio. 



LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 881 

Soldinoii Gardner camo to Kansas. Ohio, in lSS'2. and ciigaged in the manu- 
facturp of wagons and buggies, and in general repairing. He recently l>egau 
the manufaeture of knives. ,\pril lit, ISTU, he manied Sarah Graves, who 
was l)orn June l;{. 1S()4. daughter of William and Rebecca fLittles) Graves, 
and by this union there sire two chilcb'en: Horace and Alljert. 

JOHN r. GASSMAN (deceased), son of Philip and Elizabeth (Hummel) 
Gassman, was born in Eppingen, province of Baden, (lermany, December 24. 
1812, and came to America in 1S8S and to Liberty Township, this county, in 
1SI54. He married, in 1S3(). Margaret A. Zimmer. who was born in Beinhoim. 
Hessen Darmstadt. Germany. December 2, ISl'J, daughter of Gerhart and 
Catharine E. (Fink) Zimmer. who came to America in 1S82. and the same 
year settle<l in this county, where they died — the former in 1S7">. aged ninety- 
six years, and the latter in 1S74. aged eighty-two years. Mrs. Gassman is 
the mother of foui-teen children, five of whom are deceased. Those living are 
George, in San Francisco. Cal. : Mary, widow of Jacoi) Bi'uder, in Hancock 
County, Ohio; Elizabeth, wife of John Beck; Amanda, wife of George Beck, 
and John are in Pleasant Township, this county: Sophia. Tillie, Franklin and 
Emma are living at home. Jlr. Gassman was a carpenter and woi'ked at that 
trade for several years. He was a F. & A. M. , a member of the lodge at Tiffin, 
and of the Reformed Chivrch. a highly esteemed citizen. His death occiured 
April 28. ISdH. His wddow and her family are living on their farm of I '15 acres, 
engaged in agriculture, and they rank high among the tMiter|)rising farmers of 
Liberty Township. 

JAilES L. HOSLER. grantlson of Hemy Hosier and son of Moses F. and 
Amanda (Lynch) Hosier, was born in Liberty Township October 10. lcSr)7: edu- 
cated in the schools of the district and at Heidelberg College, he taught school 
for two terms (lS7o-76); was appointed agent of the Lake Erie & Western and 
Northwestern Ohio at Burgoon. Ohio, which position he held about five yt^irs. 
when he was transferred to the Bettsville office, where he was employed until 
July. ISiSH. when he with others, mentioned at page 827. purchastnl the office 
of the <)])1ic and founded the Eiiffrjirisi-. ^L■. Hosier was mairied December 
24. 1S7S, to Miss EmmaC daughter of Solomon Warner, of Sandusky County. 
Our subject was elected village clerk in April, 1SS8, and re-elected in April. 
1885. Was also elected a justice of the peace in April, 1885. for Liberty 
Township. 

JACOB HUNKER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born near Sulz, in the king 
dom of A\'urtemburg. December 10, 1842, son of Jacob and Catharine (Smith) 
Hunker, who came to America in 1858, landing in New York, and the same 
year locating in Clinton Township, Seneca Co., Ohio. The father of our sub- 
ject, now ( 18S5) in his eighty-first year, a son of Martin Hunker, lost his wife 
in 1854; she was a daughter of Martin Smith, and the mother of the follow- 
ing children: Martin, in Clinton Township; ^Slathias. in Hojiewell Township; 
Jacob, our subject; Mary, wife of Christian Snyder, of Lil)erty Township, all 
in this county; and Frederick, in Buffalo County. Neb. The father's second 
marriage was with Mary Schantz,who is still living, and by her he has had one 
child. Annie, now the wife of Frederick Fhixenhair, of Liberty Township, this 
county. Owing to the limited means of his parents om- subject received but 
meager advantages in early life. He was man'ied, Octol)er 5, ISCiU. to Rosa 
Smith, who was born in Seneca County, Ohio. September 21, 1850, daughter of 
George and Rosina (Dunninger) Smith, natives of Wiu-teml)Urg, and who set- 
tled in this county almut 1845; they are still living and are the parents of 
John, in Bloom Townshi}); Rosa, ili-s. Hunker, in Liberty Townshij); Mel- 
choir, in Pleasant Township, and Andy, in Clinton Township, all in this 



882 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

county. To Mr. and Mrs. Hunker have been born the following children: 
John F., William F., David M. , Oliver E. and Ollie M. (twins), and George I. 
Mr. Hunker is farming 220 acres of land, and is one of the most industrious 
iind enterprising men in Liberty Township. He and his family are members 
of the Lutheran Church. 

GEORGE KING (formerly Koeuig), farmer, P. O. Bascom, was born on 
the ^'iver Rhine, in the province of Baden, Germany, July 14, 1808, son of 
Michael and Julia A. (Haas) King, who with a family of four children came to 
.America in 1817, settling in Frederick County. Md. The children were all 
sold to service to pay for their passage across the ocean. George, being the 
youngest, was sold for twelve years. The other members of the family wore 
Barbara, widow of Christly Schwoverlaud, in Ashland County, Ohio; Christian, 
deceased, leaving a family in Richland County, Ohio; and Michael, deceased, 
leaving a family in Noble County, Ind. In 1859 oiu- subject removed to 
his present farm, coming from Richland County, Ohio. He was married. Jan- 
uary 10. 1838, to Catharine Lambright. who was born in Lancaster, Ohio, 
January 4, 1814, daughter of John and Annie C. (Smith) Lambright, natives 
of Frederick County, Md., who settled in Richland County, Ohio, in 1812, 
the former a son of Henry Lambright, and the latter a daughter of John and 
Ann M. Smith, natives of Germany. To this union were born eleven childi-en : 
six died young: John died, leaving a family in Jackson Township, this county; 
Henry, in Jackson Township, this county: liOiiisa. married to William Ander- 
son, by whom she had one son (her second marriage was with John Corigan, 
of Ba-scom. this county); Susan, wife of Milton M. Grove, in Hillsdale 
County, Mich. ; and Rachael. wife of Joseph Babcock, by whom she has three 
children: Charles B., Gertrude and James. Mr. King, who is one of the lead- 
ing farmers in the county, has accumulated a fortune by his own energies. He 
and his wife are members of the Lutheran Chiu'ch. 

DANIEL MARTIN, retired farmer. P. O. Bettsville, was born in Freder- 
ick County. Md. . October 19, 1814, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Martin, natives 
of Maryland, of German descent, who removed early in 1816 to New York 
State, where our subject learned the miller's trade, which he followed in New 
York State and Pennsylvania until 1887. In 1838 he and his brother, Peter, 
liuilt the lirst hoxise in Bettsville. The same year he embarked in general 
merchandise, in which he continued several years, and then engaged in agri- 
culture; for several years, however, he has led a retired life. Mr. Martin was 
married, in May. l84(), to Mary Belts, daughter of John Belts, and by this 
union he has one son. John A., who served in the late war of the Rebellion, 
and is now engaged in buying and shipping horses. Mr. Martin at one time 
owned all that part of Bettsville west of Emma Street. He has been active 
in the various enterprises of the village, and is a most affable and pleasant 
gentleman. 

J. W. MONTGOMERY, teacher. P. O. Cromer's, was born near Fort Sen- 
eca, Ohio. October 28, 18.'')r). son of ^^'illiam and Marian A. E. (Hoke) Mont- 
gomery, both of whom are still living, the former born near Tiffin in 1827, a 
son of William M(jntgomer_y. one of the first settlers of this county. The 
mother of our sxibject was born in 183(). in Franklin County, Penn., daughter 
of John Hoke. J. ^^'. Montgomery received a college education. He began 
life as a teacher before reaching his sixteenth year. He is now devoting 
his leisure hours to the study of medicine, which profession he expects to enter 
in the future. He was married, April 3. 1881, to Kate Murray, who was born 
in Liberty To^iiship. this county. July 12, 18(53. daughter of J. B. and Sarah 
(Greene) Mun-ay. l)(>th living, the former born near Massillon. Ohio, to Jacob 



LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 883 

■and Catbiirino Miuray (the latter still living, and nearly one hundred years 
old); the latter was born in Virginia, to Valentine and Helah (KobertHon) 
Greene. Mr. Montgomery has one child — Fay — born May 8, 1884. 

JOHN PUFFENBERGEll. farraei^ and stock-breeder, P. O. Tiffin, was 
born in Frederick County, Va.. May 'li, !S2;l, son of George and Catharine 
(Null) PufFenberger. who were the lirst settlers in Liberty T(jwnship, this 
county, coming in 1825. They entc^red land in Section 28. enduring the trials 
and hardships of pioneer life, and were always ready to render assistance to 
other new settlers. George Puffenberger died in ISoO, aged about sixty-three 
years; he was a son of Christian Puffenberger, who was a servant to some of 
the nobilitj' of Holland. Mrs. Catharine Puffenberger, a daughter of Jacob 
and Lucy (Ohler) Null, natives of Virginia, died in 1877, aged eighty-three 
years; she was the mother of nine chiklren: Joseph, in Liberty Township, this 
ct)unty; Adam, in Jackson Township, this county; Lucy, in Eaton County, 
Mich. ; Henry, in Johnson County, JIo. ; Catharine, wife of David Shaull, in 
Eaton County. Mich. ; George and Jacob, in Eaton County, Mich. ; Rosanna, 
wife of Jacol) Shomaker, in Johnson County, Mo. , and John. Our subject, 
at the age of thirteen, began teaming, and was away fi-om home most of his 
time. At the age of eighteen he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he assisted 
in boat building for a time. He then went to Kentucky and Tennessee. He 
worked at the carpenter trade in nine different States, and for two years worked 
at bridge building on the Lake Shore Railroad. He was maiTied, Novemlier 
2, 1854. to Margaret J. Shaull, who was born in Virginia March 8, 1828, 
daughter of Bartholomew and Rebecca (Blue) Shaull, of Frederick County. 
Va. , the latter born August 8, 1709, died in her sixty-sixth year; she was a 
daughter of John and Hanniih (O'nan) Blue, who were among the early set- 
tlers of Pleasant Township, this county. Bartholomew Shaull, born August 
U), 17U7. died in his seventy-eighth year; was a son of John and Elizabeth 
(Benner) Shaull, who were among the earliest settlers of Pleasant Township, 
this county. The childi-en of our subject were Henry B. , Rebecca C. (wife of 
Solomon Srodes. in Pleasant Township, this county), Alice (wife of John 
Anderson), H. V. J. and S. A. D. (twins. H. V. J. died September 4, 1885, at 
the age of twenty-five years), J. S. and Jessie B. l^Ir. Puffenberger is engaged 
in general farming and stock-raising. He is proprietor of the Porcheron horse 
■"Young Silver Mane." The members of Mr. Puffenberger' s family are well 
educated, and are rapidly rising to a degree of prominence as artists and 
inventors. The familv is highly esteemed by the community in which they 
live. 

ANDREW RINGLE. farmer. P. O. Bettsville, was Vrorn in Westmoreland 
County. Penu.. October 11, 1S17, sou of Abram and Elizabeth (Cole) Ringle, 
who settled in Stark County, Ohio, about 1832. Abram Ringle died about 
1836, aged sixty-five years; his widow died in Gratiot County, Mich., in 1870, 
aged seventy-eight years. They were the parents of nine children, only two 
of whom are now living: Al)ram, who resides in Gratiot C'ounty, Mich., and 
Andrew. The subject of this sketch settled on his present farm in 1840. He 
was m;irried, in SeptiMuber, 1844, to Hannah Reeder, a native of Stark County, 
Ohio, who died April 1(). 1884, aged sixty-five years. She was a daughter of 
Thomas and Elizabeth (Hewett) Reeder, and the mother of ten children, eight 
of whom died young. Those now living are William and Mrs. Eliza Sech- 
man, both living at home. William was married, December 15, 18(54, to 
Lucinda Cook, a native of Liberty Township, this county, and a daughter of 
William and Sarah (Fry) Cook, of Wood County. By this marriage there were 
nine childnm. seven of whom are now living: Mahala, Irvin, Andrew, Jessie, 



884 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Ida E. . Dayion and Hannah, ilr. Kiugle started out in life with but a few 
dollars, hut by faithful effort he has accumulated a property of '2.80 acres of 
choice land, after having endured all the trials and hardships of pioneer life, 
clearing over 200 acres of the wilderness and swamp of Liberty Township. 

NICHOLAS ROSENBERGER. P. O. Bettsville. was borii near Charles- 
town, Va., January 12, 1814, son of Frederick and Catharine (Shaull) Ros- 
cuberger, former a son of Frederick and (Hopewell) Rosenberger, latter a 
daughter of Michael and Rosanna (Seidner) Shaull, early settlers of Liberty 
Townshij). The parents of our subject came to this county in 182(), and in 
the spring of 1S27 to Liberty Township, where they built the third house in 
the township. In this house was assembled the first meeting for divine wor- 
ship held in the township. They entered 240 acres of land in Section 4, 
where in 1820 oiu- subject's father built the fu'st saw-mill in Liberty Township, 
and in 18'U added the first grist-mill in the township, and the same year he 
assisted in building, on the line between Sections 7 and S, the first schoolhouse 
in the township. Our subject's educational advantages were poor, and he was 
unable to write until after his twenty-first year, but by close application he 
soon afterward acquired the rudiments of a common school education, and 
became one of the most prominent of the early ofi^cials of Liberty Townshij). 
He held the office of constable eleven years, also the offices of assessor and 
land appraiser, and was first lieutenant of the early militia company of the 
township. He was married, in 1886. to Jane A. Belts, who was l)orn in Cha- 
tauqua County, N. Y. , November 22. 1820, daughter of Nathan and Phrebe 
(Caulkin) Betts, who located in Liberty Township, this countj% in 1834. Mr. 
and Mrs. Rosenberger have five children: Marietta (deceased wife of N. 
Lyberger, leaving family), Clarissa (deceased), Phcebe E. (wife of A. Betts). 
Avilda and Edgar (deceased). 

(jEftRGE SAUL (deceased), was born in Lancaster County, Penn., and 
settled near Tiffin, Ohio, in 1823. In 182') he married Mary McCime, born 
in Northampton County, Penn.. Septemljer 19. 1807, daughter of ^^'illiam and 
Sarah (Johnson) McCuue, the former a son of John and Sarah McCune, the 
latter a daughter of John and Jerusha (Kitchen) Johnson. In 1831 Mi-. Saul 
moved to the farm in Liberty Township, Seneca Co. , Ohio, whei'e his widow 
now resides. He died April 6, 1850. aged fifty-six years. He was the father 
of nine children, five of whom died without issue; James died leaving a family 
in Hem-y County, Ohio: and there are now living: William. Phcebe, wife of 
Jacob Beard, in Hemy County, Ohio, and George, born March 7, 1845, and 
who enlisted in Company E, Forty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 
March 2. 1864, and served fifteen months. May 27, 18()4, he was severely 
wounded at Dallas, Ga. , which disabled him from further duty. He was mar- 
ried December 23. 1873, to Mary E. Zies, a native of Pleasant Townshi]). 
this county, born April 8, 1853, daughter of William and Eva (Latherman) 
Zies, (the former a son of Martin and Chi'istina (Stroub) Zies, and the latter a 
daughter of John and Eva (Gough) Latherman. George has two childi-eu : 
Viola B. and Milo E. He is a member of the G. A. R. . at Tiffin. Ohio. 

SILAS J. STACKHOUSE, a retu-ed fai-mer residing near Bettsville, was 
born in Columbia County. Penn., October 6, 1806, son of Benjamin and Sarah 
(Jackson) Stackhouse. His paternal ancestors settled in Pennsylvania at or 
near the present site of Philadelphia about the year 1682. His maternal 
ancestors in the Jackson line, viz. : Robert Jackson with his wife. Agnes, were 
among the first settlers at North Hempstead, L. I., in 1643. Oiu' subject's 
great-grandfather. Joseph Jackson, was born on Long Island February D. 
1710, and with his wife. Aunie. removed to Rockaway, N. J., about 1731. Tt> 



LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 885 

thfui wwt' lioru rk'ven cbililreii. ime of whom. Diinifl. was thf {^raudfathor of 
our suhjeet. This Daniel removed with his familj' to Columbia County, J'eun. . 
and raised a family of eij^ht children, of whom Sarah was one. She married 
Benjamin Stackhouse ah-mt the year 1808. and died in ISC)-"), at the aye of 
ei<rhty-three years. 

(iciiualof^y of .lacksou family; I. Uobeil Jarkson ami wife, Agni'S, settled on Lonj; 
Island, at North Hcmpste.ad. iiri64;^; died about 16^4. II. Col. .lohn .lack-son (son oV 
Robert), birth not known; died in 173.">. III. .lanie.'i .lark.son (son of .lohn) and wife, 
Kebecea (Ilallctl) .lackson, his birlh not given; died in 17;i"). IV. Joseph Jackson (son 
of Janiesl. Iiorii on l,onir Island February !), 1710; removed to Rockawa}', N. J., in 17:51 or 
1732; died in 1769. V. I);iniel Jaekson (son of Joseph), married Jemimah Benjamin, 
born about 17.54. VI. Sarah (Jaek.scui) 8tackhou.se (daugiiter of Daniel), married lienja- 
min Stackhouse; she was born about 1782; died Ifti.i. VII. Silas J. Stackhouse (son of 
Sarah .lackson) married Sarah Lookhart; he was born October G, 1806. 

To Benjamin and Sarah (Jackson) Stackhouse were born eleven children, 
our subject. Silas J., bein<; the second, and besides whom there are .still livinj^ 
Mrs. Hannah Kearney, of Morrow County. Ohio, and Sarah, now Mrs. A\ illiam 
Blair, of Knox County. Ohio. December 20. 1S2'.». Mr. Stackhouse mtirried 
Sarah B. . daitgliter of Roliert and Flora (Leio;h) Lockhart. She was born in 
Northumberland County. Penn.. February 1, ISOy. and died January 28, 1.S59. 
Of this tinioii ten children were born, fotu' of whom died in infancy in Pennsyl 
vania. In 1851 Silas J., with his wife and six chikben, removed to Seneca 
County, Ohio, and in 1S57 settled on the farm in Liberty Township, where he 
now resides with his son. in the seventy-ninth year of his age. He had two 
sons in the late war: Joseph G. M. , who served three months in the Fotirteenth 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry and again enlisted in the fall of ISftl, in the Third 
Ohio Volunteer Cavidry. and was transferred to Gen. Nelson's stiiff. He died 
near Corinth. Miss.. Juno 20. 18(12. William L. enlisted at the same time in 
the Third Ohio "S'olunteer Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He 
now resides in Jackson County. Kans. His other children, still living, are Benja- 
min, on the homestead: Ann B. . wife of W. C. Boor, of Wood ("ounty, Ohio: 
Lockhart, of Sandusky County. Ohio, and A. Judson, in Fostoria. Ohio. Mr. 
Stackhouse is a member of the Baptist Chiu-ch. in polities a Republican and is 
a highly esteemed citizen. 

BRADFORD STRUBLE. farmer and justice of the peace, P. O. Kansas, 
was born in TrmnlaiU County. Ohio. June 2fi, 1832, son of John and Lyditi 
(Bradford) Struble; the former ii native of New Jersey, was a son of George 
Stnible. who served in the war of 1812. John Struble came to Trumbull 
County. Ohio, in 1812; removed to Stark County in 1837. and to Hancock 
County in 1N46. He was a local ])reacher in the X'nited Brethren Church: 
also agent for the American Sabbath school Union and was most highly 
respected by the people who knew him. He died November 7, 1872, ageil 
seventy-two years. His widow is still living. She was born in what is now 
the city of Cleveland, June 10. 1811. daughter of James Bradford, who was a 
native of Miissaehusetts ami a member of the lirst stu-veying party to the 
"Western Reserve." He was a son of Joshua, he of Willitim. of Cantt-rbtiry. 
Conn., he of Lieut. James, he of Thomas, of Norwich. Conn., he of IMaj. 
William Bradford, a native of Austertield. England, who was a passenger on 
the ••Mayflower." iuid in lli21 became governor of the Plymouth colony, 
succeeding John Carver, filling the office for twelve successive years. He 
man-ied. for his second wife, Mrs. Alice Southworth, of the nobility of his 
native countrv-. and from this union the family in this countiy sprang. The 
grandmother of Mr. Stnible was lilizabeth Frazee. wife of James Bradford. 
She was born in Pennsvlvania in 17s8. came to Trumbull County. Ohio, in 



886 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

1800. She was a daughter of Jonathan Frazee, a native of New Jersey, who 
at the age of nineteen years enlisted in the ' ' Dunmore war. ' ' He was a son 
of Stephen, he of Gen. Frazee, of France. Mr. Stnible married, June 29, 
ISrtS, Susan Kemble, who died January 9, 18f)4, leaving three children: 
Flora M. , wife of Arthiu- Hudson, near Dishler, Ohio; Susan I., wife of 
Thomas Leedy, in Fostoria, Ohio, and Emma (now deceased). His second 
marriage was May 10, 1804, with Mary J. Clifford, who was born in Lancaster, 
Ohio, March 1, 1844, daughter of Thomas and Keziah (Darsi) Clifford, and 
the children born of this union were Charles B. (deceased); Nellie and Lillie 
(twins, the former the wife of J. C. Long; the latter the wife of J. W. Kies, 
of Sandusky County, Ohio); Z. D. ; Arthur; I. J.; Minnie; Bertha (deceased); 
Dor and Duff (twins, deceased), and Clifford. In the spring of 1876, Mr. 
Struble removed to Seneca County, and in the spring of 1882 was elected jus- 
tice of the peace, and re-elected in 1885. He is a member of Sandusky 
Annual Conference, and for more than twenty years traveled as an itinerant 
United Brethren minister. 

BARNEY ZIMMERMAN, farmer, P. O. Fort Seneca, was born in Wash- 
ington County, Md. , November 1"), 1804, son of David and Sarah (Swope) 
Zimmerman, the latter of whom died in Martinsburg, Va., in 1812. She was 
the mother of three childi'en: Elizabeth, deceased wife of William Baugher 
(she left a family in Seneca County, Ohio); Sarah, deceased wife of George 
W. Sager (she left a family near Oluey, 111.), and Barney, the subject of this 
sketch. David Zimmerman had foui- children by his second marriage: Jane 
E., wife of John Kuipe. of Hainesville, W. Va. ; Susan, deceased wife of 
William Wegley (she left a family in Berkeley County, W. Va.); John W'. 
(deceased, leaving a family in Berkeley County, W. Va.); and Mary, wife of 
Joseph F. Poole, living near Harper's Feny, Va. Barney Zimmerman located 
on his present farm in May, 1886, and endured all the hardships and trials of 
pioneer life, assisting in the construction of the early churches, school build- 
ings, roads, bridges, etc. He served six years as county commissioner, also 
six years as county infirmary director, and has filled various township offices; 
has always taken an active part in public affairs and in the advancement and 
welfare of the people of the county. He has been a member of the Reformed 
Church nearly sixty years, and is one of its pillars. He was married, Decem 
ber 2, 1827, to Miss Sarah Sager, who was born in Washington County, Md. , 
March 7, 1810, daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Fifogle) Sager. and by her 
he has had six children: Jacob, in Pleasant Township, this county; David 
(deceased, leaving a family in Williams County, Ohio), Solomon, in De Kalb 
County, Mich.; Margaret, whose first marriage was with David B. Rosenberger 
(deceased), her second marriage being with David Sherrick, residing in 
Pleasant Township, this county; John B. , residing on the homestead; and 
Sophia, wife of Levi Repp, in Allen County, Ind. Mr. Zimmerman is a public 
spirited, enterprising man, and much esteemed by the citizens of his county. 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 887 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 

GEOKGE D. ACKER, farmer, P.O., Fostoria.wiis horn in Cnar'ioii County. 
Ponn., February 6. 1884, son of Goorgp and Cathorino (Delp) Acker, of Ger- 
man descent, ami who settled in Washington Township. Hancock Co., Ohio, 
in April, 1853. They were parents of ten children, of whom nine grew to 
maturity: Mary, wife of Enoch Farmer: Susan, wife of Audi-idge Cathon: 
George D.; Christian K. ; Andrew I.; William J. : Warren A.; Thomas G., 
SevillaE., wife of Jacob Eckert. and Ellen J., wife of Robert Hooton. Our 
subject remained in his native county until eleven years of age, then moved 
with his parents to Mahoning County, Ohio, where they resided eight years. 
George D. Acker received a common school education, and in \S^)H located in 
Fostoria. serving a throe years' apprenticeship at the shoe- maker's trade with 
J. Q. Albert, after which he worked as journeyman up to 1802. During the 
late war of the Rebellion he enlisted, August IS, 1802, in Company I^ One 
Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantiy, serving as a private up to 
April 0, 1803, when he was promoted to second lieutenant, and January 0. 
1805, was promoted to tir.st lieutenant. June 15, 1803. he was wounded, taken 
prisoner at Winchester, Va., and confined in Libby Prison eleven months; from 
there he was transferred successively to Danville, Va.. Macon and Savannah, 
Ga., Charleston and Columbia. S. C., escaping fi'om the last named point 
November 3, 1804. He reported to the Union Army at Dalton, Ga., whence he 
was sent to Gen. Steedman, at Chattanooga, Tenn. , and ordc^red to the officers' 
hospital on Lookout Mountain. January- 20, 1805, he reported in pi>rson to 
Secretary Stanton, at W^ashington, D. C. , by whom he was given thirt}- days 
to report to his regiment. After rejoining bis regiment he was sent before a 
board of medical examiners, who ordered his discharge on account of disaliility 
March 10, 1805. He immediately returned to Fostoria, this county, and was 
apjiointed street commissioner for one year. After this he engaged as clerk 
till 18 < 4, when he was elected .sheriff of Seneca County and re-elected in 1870, 
serving two terms; in 1871t Mr. Acker located on the farm he now occupies in 
Loudon Township. He was man-ied. May 3, -1857, to Julia A., daughter of 
Washington and Mary Henry, of Fostoria, Ohio, and by her he has had three 
children: Elmer W., Frank (deceased) and Ada (deceased). Mr. Acker is n 
F. & A. M. . and a member of the G. A. R. He was a member of Fostoria 
city council in 1800. Politically he is a Democrat. 

THOMAS D. ADAMS, merchant. Fostoria, was born in Washington Town- 
ship, Hancock Co., Ohio, February 27, 1848, son of Jonathan and Margery 
(Dillon) .Vdams, the former a native of Jefferson County. Ohio, and the latter 
of Virginia. Jonathan Adams was a pioneer of Washington Township, Han 
cock County, first entering and clearing a tract of eighty acres of land, and hi- 
afterward purchased the farm he now occupies, most of which he also improved. 
Ho had a family of five children, of whom two sur\'ive: Emma (Mrs. W. W. 
Earnest) and Thomas D. Our subject was reared and educated in his native 
county and lived on the home farm until 1874. In 1875 he located in Fos- 
toria and embarked in dry goods business in partnershi|) with Alpheus Weaver, 
which existed up to March, 1885, when the firm dissolved and Mr. Adams 
etitcred the boot and shoe trade, having one of the finest stores in northern 



888 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Ohio, where he carries a stuck of gooils miequaled in the State. Mr. Adams 
was married. November U. 187N. to Minnie, daughter of Andrew Bueher, of 
Fostoria. and l)y her he has one child — Verda L. Mrs. Adams is a member of 
the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Adams is a stockholder in the First National 
Bank of Fostoria. and was elected one of its directors in Januaiy. 1S84. Pulit- 
ically he is a Democrat. 

JOHN Q. ALBERT, shoe-maker. Fostoria. was born in Lancaster County. 
Penn. . March '), 1S27. son of Daniel B. and Ann M. (Free) All)ert. natives of 
Pennsylvania and of German descent, who settled in Perry Township, \\'ood 
Co., Ohio, in ISHT. where his father, who was a farmer by occupation, entered 
eighty acres of land in the then xmbroken wilderness, which he cleared and iui 
proved, and where he resided up to 1878, when he moved to Fostoria and hen- 
died the following spring in his eighty-fourth year. The family of Daniel 
B. Albert consisted of five childi-eu: John Q.. Mary A. (Mrs. John Addlespar- 
ger), Elizabeth (Mrs. Ephraim Hughes), Sophia (]Mrs. Philip Kepple) and 
Henry F.. who resides on the old homestead. Our subject came to Fostoria 
when si.xteen years of age. and served an appreuticeshiji of two years at the 
shoe-maker's trade. and at the age of nineteen embarked in business for himself, 
which he has carried on to the present time (thirty-nine years). He was mar- 
ried, in April, 18411. to Catherine, daughter of George and Sarah Histe, of Fos- 
toria. by whom he has nine chikb'en living: Florence (Mrs. C. Stockwell). Ida 
(Mrs. George Boly), Fatama (Mrs. J. Starns), Alice, Stephen D.. John, How- 
ard, James and Moixis P. Mr. Mbert served three years in the late war of the 
Rebellion, enlisting in Company I. One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Vol- 
unteer Infantry in 1S61. and was honorably discharged at the close of the war 
in 18(i5. He was in the battles of Winchester. Berryville. Hunter's Raid, also 
New Market and Piedmont, W. Va., in all twenty-two battles and sku-mishes; 
was taken prisoner at Winchester and sent to Belle Isle, remaining thirty 
days, when he was paroled and exchanged: was again taken prisoner at Beny- 
ville and sent to Salisbury, N. C. . where he remained six months and was pa- 
roled at the close of the war. Mr. Albert is a F. & A. M. In politics he is a 
Democrat. 

JOHN ANDES, carriage manufactiirei-. Fostoria. was born in Bavaria, 
Germany, August 14, 1830, son of Peter W. and Margaret (Henry) Andes. 
He was reared in his native land until sixteen years of age, when he came U> 
America and located in Tiffin. Oliio. where he learned the general blacksmith 
trade and remained four years. He then took a trip through the West, retiu'u- 
ing to this county in 18fi(^ and locating in Fostoria. where he worked as 
journeyman for five years and in IS'lo he embarked in l)usiness for himself, 
which he has conducted successfully to the j)resent time. He was married, 
May (). 1S6'2, to Philibema. daughter of John and Philibenia (Game) Rice, of 
Loudon Township, this county, and by her he has foiu- children; Matilda 
(Mrs. Willis Howell). Charles. Nettie and John W. IN'L-.^aud Mrs. Andes are 
members of the German Reformed Church. Mr. Andes is one of the leading 
and public spirited citizens of Fostoria. and has done much to aid the improve- 
ment of the city. In 1878 he built the '" Andes Block." three stories high. 
dimensions ()f)xl()(), the ground floor containing three large stores with base- 
ments, and the u])per part four large commodious offices, while in the rear is a 
large opera house, one of the finest in this section of the State, having a seat- 
ing capacity for 800 people, with opera folding chairs, stage '24x1)4 feet, and 
full sets of scenery. Mr. Andes is a member of the I. O. O. F. He has held 
the office of township trustees seven years in succession: in ])olitics he is a 
Democrat. 



LOUDON TOWNSHIl". 883 

JOHN' W. AKNOLD, fiiniKU-, P. O. Fustoria. was l)orii in riiila<l<.li)bia, 
I'ciiii., Mairli 'JU, ISIN. sou of Levi and Hannah ( \\ri<^ht) Aruold, natives of 
New Jersey. Levi Arnold, a carpenter by trade (an occupation he folhnvcd 
for many yeai-s in Phihulel])hia and New York), moved, in 1881, with his fami 
ly to Goshen Townahij), Columbiana (now Mahoning) Co., Ohio, and en}^a<;ed 
in farming there until his death. Our subject was ivared in Philadelphia, and 
there received a limited education in the schools of his day. Septcinl)er 1, 
l.S4'J, he was united in marriage with Hannah S. . daughter of Daniel and 
Klizal)eth (Stratton) Dole, of (xoshen, Ohio, and by this union there were seven 
,rhihlr(!n. of whom live survive: Lewis D., Martha (Mrs. .James M. Elwell(. 
Charlotte (Mrs. Volney Doe), Elizabeth (Mrs. lOmery Finch) and .John L. 
.Vftcr his marriage Mr. Arnold engaged in farming in Mahoning County until 
ISt")!, when he moved to this county and settled in Loudon Townshij) on the 
farm he now occu])ies, about half of which was already cleared anil about half 
he cleared himself, erecting then-on his pres<Mit buildings. He has served his 
township as trustee two terms and as justice of the peace twenty -one consecu- 
tive years. Politically lie has been a Republican since the organization of the 
jiarty. 

ABRAHAM .VSH. retired. Fostoria. was born in Bedford County. Penn., 
•June 14. IN24. son of Jacob and Sarah (Kountz) .\sh, natives of Maryland and 
who came to Ohio in 1S.51. settling in Liberty Township, this countv. entering 
'■'t'20 acres of land fi'om the Government, a ])art of which they ch-ared and 
improved and there resided until theii' death. They were foiu' weeks making 
the joiuMiey with a three-horsi" team fi'om Bedford County. Their family con- 
sisted of six children: .lolm. deceased: Ivlmund. deceased; Wesley, deceased; 
-Vbrahain: Harriet, Mrs. Benjamin Lewmau, and Jacob, the latter residing on 
the old homestead. Jacob Ash. Sr. , died in |.S."):{ at the age of sixty-three 
years. He left each of his four sons, then living, eighty acres of land an<l his 
daughter money in jnoportion. Our subject whs reared in Liberty Townshi|) 
from seven years of age and received a limited education in the district schools. 
He was )irincipally engaged in f.u'ming up to ISTi^, at which time he embarked 
in mercantile trade in Kansas, in which he was interested for ten years, when 
he retu-ed from business. He laid out and had surveyed the present village of 
Kansas, in the intere.st of his brother Jacob. Mr. Ash was instrumental in 
getting a |K>stoflice establisheil at Ivansas. and was the first postmaster of the 
l)lace. holding that jiosition for eight years. He sen-ed as justice of the peace 
of Liberty Townshij) three years. During the late war of the [{cbellion he 
served as ca[)tain of Company E. One Hundred and Sixty fourth Oliio National 
Guards, foiu- months, and n-ceived an honoral)le discharge. He was twice 
married, tirst to Miss Barbara Flack, daughter of .Vdam and Mary Flack, who 
settled in Liberty Township in 18'2(). His second man-iage was with Mrs. 
Caroline Young, widow of Samuel Young and daughter of John Stumbaugh, 
formerly of Hancock County. Ohio. Mr. ;inil ^Irs. Ash are memb<>rs of the 
United Brethren Church. In politics he is a Republican. 

GODFREY BILJ'^S, farmei-. P. O. Fostoria. was born in Wurtemberg, 
(iermany. March -l. 1S2'.», son of I''rederick and Dora (Heckell Biles, who 
immigrated to America in 1.S8I and located in Columbiana County. Ohio. His 
father died in Stark ("ounty. Ohio, and his mother in this county. Our sul) 
ject lived in Stark County until fourteen years <jf age, when he wi-nt to Tiffin. 
Ohio, where he worked by the day and month for fifteen months. From 1^44 
to 1847 lie served an a])j>renticeshiii at the carpenter's trade, after which hn 
worked as a journeyman in different sections of the county u]) to 18r)(». Fi-b- 
ruar\ 1^. IS.")S. hi. was married to Man'E., daughter of .fohn and Esther 



890 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

(Spangler) Betts, uatives of Pennsylvania and pioneers of Jackson Township, 
Sandusky Co. , Ohio, and by this union there were seven children, of whom 
five survive: John F. , George K., Charles W., Frederick A. and Lula G. In 
1861 Mr. Biles engaged in farming in Green Creek Township, Sandusky Co. , 
Ohio, where he remained until 1805, when he moved to Loudon Township, 
this county, to the farm he now occupies. He cleared a portion of his farm 
and made many improvements, erecting his present tiue brick residence in 
1875. He and his wife are members of the United Brethi-en Church. Politi- 
cally he is a Republican. 

AUGUST E. BLESSING, dealer in furniture, Fostoria, was born in the 
province of Wurtemberg, Germany, August 17, 1854; son of Michael and 
Margaret (Frosch) Blessing. He was educated iu his native land, and at the 
age of fourteen, immigrated to America, locating in Cleveland, Ohio, where 
he served an apprenticeship of three years at cabinet-making, finishing in the 
establishment of Hardt & Malone. In 1873 he went to Medina, Ohio, where 
he worked at his trade up to 1880, when he located in Fostoria in the furniture 
business, and has occupied his present elegant quarters, in the "Foster Block, " 
since March, 1883. He occupies two floors and liasement, which are filled 
with the largest stock and latest designs in furniture to be found in the city. 
Mr. Blessing maiTied, October 8, 1879, Sarah C. , daughter of James H. and 
Jane (Hervey) Green, of Medina, Ohio, and by her he has one child, Jennie 
M. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F., K. of P.. and R, A. Mr. Blessing is one of the live 
enterprising young business men of the city. Politically he is a Republican. 
JOHN A. BRADNER. attorney and justice of the peace, Fostoria, was 
born at Niagara Falls, N. Y. , August 13, 1833, son of William and Laura 
(Everinghaui) Bradner, natives of New York, and who settled in Perry Town- 
ship, Wood Co.. Ohio, in 1S49. Our subject was reared at Niagara Falls, 
where he was educated in the common schools and Lewistou Academy. When 
sixteen years of age he came with his parents to Ohio, and was manager of his 
father's store at Mill Grove, Wood County, for six years, when he purchased 
the business, which he earned on for two years. In 1859 he went to Fremont, 
Ohio, and acted as manager of a warehouse for about four years. In March, 
1863, he located in Fostoria where he has since resided, and the same year 
embarked in the hardware and stove trade in which he was interested xvp to 
1 872, when he was biu-ned out. He has been also largely engaged as a con- 
tractor, having improved most of the principal streets of Fostoria, doing 
$16,000 worth of work in that line in 1883. He also built nineteen miles of 
the "Nickel Plate" Railroad; thirty-five miles of the Toledo, Cincinnati & St. 
Louis Railroad and several miles of the Lake Erie & ^Wstern Railroad. He 
is also extensively interested in the limekiln and quarry business. Mi-. Bradner 
was married, January 8. 1854, to Catharine, daughter of Samuel and Sarah 
Phillips, of JeiTy City, Ohio, by whom he has following childi'en: Catherine 
(wife of Samuel Lynn). Rosa (wife of Brice M. Stout), Martin. Mary, Frank, 
Hariy and John R. Mr. Bradner is now serving his sixth successive term as 
justice of the peace of Fostoria. and was once defeated by a small majority 
for county commissioner. He is a F. & A. ]M. , and a member of the I. O. 
O. F. In politics he is a Republican. 

ALEXANDER BROWN, attorney, Fostoria, was born in Perry County, 
Ohio, ]\Iay '27, 1832, son of Matthew and Mary (Queen) Brown, natives of 
Virginia and pioneers of Perry County, Ohio, and who removed to Plain 
Township, Wood Co., Ohio, in 1863. there residing until their death: the 
mother dying in 1865. aged seventy-six, and the father in fall of 1884 in his 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 891 

niuoty-iiintb _vi>!ir. Our siibject, who was reared ami cilupatod in Perry County, 
studied law with William Spencer, Esej.. of Somerset. Ohio, was admitted to 
the bar at Perrysburir. Wood County, August III, IStU, and began to practice 
his profession the same year. He was elected prosecuting attorney of ^\'ood 
County, two terms. In LS72 he located in Fostoria. this county, where he has 
had a successful pi-actice to the present time, and since bST'.t has been associ- 
ated with Charles L. Guernsey. ]\Ir. Brown was married, in June, 1853, to 
Mary A., daughter of David \V. and Jane (Higgins) Pugh. of Somerset, Pen-y 
Co., Ohio, and by this union he has had ten children: Minnie (wife of 
Charles L. Guernsey). Ida (wife of J. C. Hagrel). Anna (wife of Lyman Fox). 
John (deceased). Jennie, Mabel, May, Chloe. Jessie and Carl. Mr. and Mrs. 
Brown are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has served Fostoria as 
member of the council one term, and as city solicitor three years and six 
months. Politically he is a Republican. 

WILLIAM T. BKOWN, contractor, plasterer and stone mason. Fostoria. 
was Dorn in Belmont County, Ohio, November 28, 1829: son of "William and 
Octavia (Kendle) Brovvu, natives of Culpeper County, Va. , and who settled in 
Big Lick Township. Hancock Co.. Ohio, in lS;-i4. William Brown, who was 
a blacksmith l)y trade, worked at that occupation in Hancock County until his 
death; he died in 187.S, at the age of seventy-seven years. Our subject was 
re.'Q'ed and educated and learneil his trade in Hancock County, and there lived 
(with the exce])tion of three years when he resided in Allegan. Mich.), till 
1S07, when he located in Fostoria. this county, where he has since resided. 
He was the contractor in building the Andes Oi)era House and the Central Hotel, 
and has erected many other Ijuildings in Fostoria. He was married. Septem- 
ber 4, lSr)2, to Ruth A., daughter of John and Elizabeth (Albert) Hallowell. 
of Big Lick Township, Hancock Co. . Ohio, and by her he has live children 
living: Wealtha J.. Irene. Theodosia, J. S. and Orlo E. Octavia K. and 
Elizabeth A. (twins), eldest daughters of our subject and wife, were born May 
1"), lSr>4, and both died of diiJitheria: Elizabeth .V.. died Feliruary '.^, bS()8: 
Octavia K.. died April 20. 18(58. Mrs. Brown and daughters are members of 
the Methodist Episco])al Church. Politicallv. ^Ii-. Brown is a Be])ublican. 

BAETHOLOMEA\' L. CAPLES. retired. Fostoria, was born in Tuscara- 
was County, Ohio, November 21, 1812: son of Robert F. and Charlotte L. 
Caples, who settled in Jackson Township, this county, in 1832. They were 
the parents of eleven chiUh-en. of whom eight are now living: Bartholomew 
L.. Robert C, Philip D.. Charlotte L.. Henry L.. Luther W., Elizabeth S. 
and John F. Our subject, who received a liberal education in the schools of 
his day, when five years of age moved with his parents to Wayne County. 
Ohio, where he resided fill they removed to Seu"ca County, Ohio. Shortly 
after his people came to this county Bartholomew L. went to what is now Ash- 
land County, where he engaged as a clerk in the mercantile business, and in 
1835 located Jit Findlay, Ohio, where he eml>arked in mercantile trade on his 
own account. Thi-nce he moved to Fremont. Ohio, where he carried on mer- 
chandising with his brother, R. C. Caples, with whom he remained until 1847, 
when they dissolved partnership. He then returned to Jackson Townshiji. this 
county. In 1847, as brigadier general of the militia district, with headquar- 
ters at Fremont, he raised a company which subse(|Uently did sei-^-ice in the 
Mexican wal'. Mr. Caples was mairied. at Fremont, Ohio, March 4. 1841, to 
Catherine A., daughter of Isaac and Martlia Norton, nf Sandusky County, 
Ohio, and by this union had three childri'n: Martha A.. Charlotte E. and Har- 
riet A. Mr. Cajiles has served on the board of school directors for twelve 
years, was marshal two years, street commissioner two years, justice of the 



892 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

peace thnw years, nad as mayor of Fostoria two years. He is a memlier of 
the Methodist Episcoj)al Church. In polities he is a Republican. Is a Mas- 
ter Mason, ami has served his lodge as secretaiy for al)out a quarter of a ceu- 

tlU'V. 

ROBERT C. CAPLES. physician. Fostoria. was born in New Philadel- 
phia, Tuscarawas Co.. Ohio, July 81. 1815: son of Robert F. and Char- 
lotte L. (LafFer) Caples. who settled in Seneca County. Ohio, in 1S32, locat- 
ing in the southwest corner of Jackson Township; the former a native of Bal- 
timore County, Md. . the latter of Greensburg. Westmoreland Co. , Penn. Our 
subject was reared in Wayne County, Ohio, until seventeen years of age. when 
he came with his parents to this county, his early education being received in 
the schools of his day. In 1 S8S he began the study of medicine at Risdon, 
in the office of Dr. Marcus Dana, with whom he remained three years. In 
1842-48 he attended a course of lectures at Geneva Medical College, of Gen 
eva, N. Y. . graduating therefi'om in 1848. and in the summer of the same 
year began the practice of medicine in Risdon (now Fostoria). where he has 
been in active ])ractice to the present time. He practiced alone up to IS'ifi. 
when Dr. R. W. Hale became associated with him, forming the partnership 
that exists at the present time. Drs. A. M. Blackman, A. L. Longfellow 
and George L. Hoege have been associated with him at periods between 
1800 and 1864. since which time the Arm has been Hale & Caples. Dr. 
Cajiles has been twice married, first in 1887 to Ann. daughter of Adam 
and Elizabeth Wilson, of Geneva. N. Y. . who bore him two children: 
Francis (deceased) and Emma, Mrs. Dr. G. L. Hoege (deceased). His present 
wife was Mary E. Barl)er. a native of Medina County, Ohio, to whom he was 
married April 4, 1871. By this union there are two children: Ralph C. 
and B\Ton E. Dr. Caples is now the oldest practising physician residing 
in Fostoria. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
with which he has been identified upward of fifty years, and of which he 
has been steward about the same length of time. He has served in many 
of the city offices, one term as mayor, several terms as councilman, and has 
been a member of the board of education for twenty-three consecutive years, 
and for fifteen years was its president. He was postmaster of Risdon ^^nd('r 
the administration of President Van Buren. The Doctor is a member of the 
Northwestern Medical Society. He is a F. & A. M. : politically, a stanch Re 
]iublican. 

PHILIP D. CAPLES. retired. Fostoria. was born in Tuscarawas County, 
Ohio, March •"). 1816. son of Robert F. and Charlotte L. Caples, natives of Mary 
land and Pennsylvania, respectively, and who about 18111 moved to Wayne 
County. Ohio, and there lived till 1882. when they settled in Jackson Town- 
ship, this county. Robert F. Caples died in 1884 and Philip D. was left with 
his father's family to provide for. Our suljject received but a limited educa 
tion. and was engaged in farming for several years. He was married, in De 
cember. 1880. to Sarah, daixghter of Major Case and Mary Brown, and liy this 
union were six children of whom four are now living: Mary A. . Lucy E. . Frank 
and Fred. This wife dying September 28. 1877. Mr. Caples man-ied. Septem 
ber 18, 1878. Mrs. Harriet J. Lewis, widow of (reorge Lewis and daughter of 
David and Mary Ritchart, of Seneca County, Ohio. In 18,")8 Mr. Caples came. 
to Fostoria and engaged as clerk with Foster & Son. with whom he continued 
aboiit twelve years, at which time the old firm merged in Foster. Olmsted Sc 
C'o. , Mr. Caples becoming one of the partners ; this partnershi]) existing up 
to 1868. Mr. Cai)les then eml)arked in thi' queensware and grocer}' business, 
which he continued up to 1880. when he retired from !)usiness. He has been 



LOUDON TOWiNSllIl". 893 

a sacC(>ssful business man and has accumulated a tine ^)I•upel•ty. He served as 
a in(>mber of the town council for six years. He and bis ^vife are members of 
the Methodist Episcojtal Church. 

FRANK CAPLES, book-kee])er. Fostoria. was Ixirn in Fostoria. this conn- 
ty. October IT. l.sr)4; son of Philij) D.. and Sarah (Brownl Cajjles. Frank 
C'aples was reared in Fostoria and educated in the Ohio W'esleyau I'nivei-sity 
at Delaware. Ohio, and at the Eastman Business (^jllei^e, Poughkeepsie. N. Y. 
In I NT;! he engaged as a clerk in the store of Foster & Co. , which positit)n he re- 
tained for live years. In ISTS Mi-. Caples embarked in the grocery trade, with 
Rawson Crocker as partner, and with him he was associated in l)usiness up to 
ISSO. when they sold their stock of merchandise to P. D. Caples. In ISSl 
Frank Ca])les (>ntered the dry goods store of Col. L. J. Hissoug as book-keej)er 
and clerk, which positions he now (occupies. He was united in marriage. May 
2(1, IST"). with Josie. daughter of Benjamin and Eliza (Cnim) Leonard, of 
Fostoria, Ohio, and by her h(> has one child Harry L. INIi'. Caples is a F. 
it A. M. . a member of the K. of P. and K. of H. Politically he is a Repub- 
lican. 

JAMES C;HRIST0PH0RY, pastor of St. Patrick's Church. P. O. Bascom, 
was born in Luxemburg. Germany, in ISIS, son of Michael and Mary (Bonefas) 
Christophory. He was reared and educated in Luxemburg, and studied theol- 
ogy and philosophy at Cleveland, Ohio, where he was ordained to the priest- 
hood. His first charge was St. ilichael's Church, at Ntnih Ridge. Defiance 
('o. . Ohio, where he remained from ISTS to ISS], when he was transferred to 
his present charge of St. Patrick's Church, in Loudon Township, which was 
establislied in !N()1. 

AMBROSE C-ORY. farmer, Fostoria. was lioru in Suscjuehanna County. 
Peini.. May '2\). IS'J."): son of Samuel P. and Serviah (Foster) Corj', former of 
whom died in 184(5. and the latter in 18S2. In 1S82 our subject came to Peny 
Township. Wood Co., Ohio, with his parents, was reared ou a fanu and 
leceived a common school education. February 14. lSr)4. he w.as united in 
maniage with Amanda, daughter of Thomas and Catherine' Kelly, of AVash- 
iugton Township, Hancock County, by whom he has three chihb-en : Howard. 
Katie S. and Thomas H. After his marriage Mr. Cory continued to live in 
Perrv To\vuship till the fall of ISfH. when he moved to Fostoria. where ho 
now resides. He is ownei- of a tine farm of eighty acres in Wood County, Ohio, 
as well as eighteen acres of land in Fostoria on which he resides, and which is 
one of the best improved i)laeos in the city. He is a worthy citizen, universally 
respected. His maternal grandfather. Asa Foster, was a soldier in the Revo- 
lutionary war. 

DANIEL CRAMER. ri>tired farmer, P. O. Fostoria, was born in Yoik 
County, Penn.. August '22. ISIS; son of John and Catherine (Slotei Cramei-. 
who settled in Loudon Townshij). this county, in 1S8.S. and jmrchased lliO 
acres of land, most of which they desuvd and improved and where they lived; 
here the father died, in IS."),"), in his sixty-fifth year: and the mother in ISM, 
in her sixty second year. The family of John and Catheiine Cramer, consisted 
of ten children: Daiiiel, Henry, John, Mary (deceased). Mainiel, .\dam. Mill 
iam, Sophia (Mrs. Peter Wickerham), Siu-ah fMi-s. Augustus Elliott) and Levi 
(deceased). Our suliject was reared in his native county, ainl there rt<ceivpd a 
limited common school education. He came with his parents to this county 
in 1S3S. and was actively engaged in farming up to ISOT.whenhe retired, and 
now resides with his brother ^Villiam on the old homestead. He is the only 
member of the famih who has adhered to the (terman Lutheran Church, of 



894 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

which his parents were life-long members. Politically he has ever been a 
Democrat. 

ADAM CEAMER. sexton of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fostoria, 
was born in York County, Penn.. April ^50. 1827. son of John and Catherine 
(Slote) Cramer, who settled in Loudon Township, this county, in 1838. Our 
subject was reared in Loudon Township from eleven years of age. and received 
a limited education in the schools of his times. On reaching tnatiu-ity, he 
began to work as a journeyman carpenter, which trade he followed up to the 
breaking out of the late war of the Rebellion. In July. 1801. he enlisted in 
Company B, Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunte'er Infantry, and was mustered into the 
service in August following. He veteranized in same company and regiment 
Januaiy 1. 186-t: was in the battles of Chancellorsville. Gettysburg. Missionary 
Ridge, siege of Atlanta, siege of Savannah, and in many other engagements, 
and lost a leg at Averysboro. N. C March 1(). 18(55. and received an honora- 
V)le discharge at Columbus. Ohio. AiTgust IH. 18tjr>. In August. 1870, he was 
appointed postmaster of Fostoria. which position he held ten years. Since the 
spring of 1883 he has been sexton of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Fos- 
toria. October 23. 1 803, Mr. Cramer was maiTied to Chi'istiana Klinger. of 
Clyde, and by her he has had five children, of whom three siu-vive: Ida (Mrs. 
H. J. Cochran). Jasper and George M. Mr. and Mrs. Cramer are active mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcoxial Chiu'ch. He is a member of the G. A. R. 
Politicallv he is a Republican. 

ROSWELL CROCKER, retired. Fostoria. was born in Washington 
County. N. Y., May 25, bSOfi. son of John and Lucy (Bartletti Crocker, whu 
came to this county in 1823. settling in Seneca Township, where they cleared 
and improved a farm of 180 acres, on which the motlier died. Our subject's 
father afterward came to Fostoria. where he resided until his death. John 
and Lucy Crocker had two children: Laiu-a. wife of C. AV. Foster, and Ros- 
well. The subject of our sketch settled in what is now Fostoria in 1832; built 
a saw-mill, the first in the place and in the western part of the county. After 
conducting this mill for seven years he went to Big Spring Township, this 
county, where he remained for two years, and built a saw-mill and a gi'ist-mill. 
He then retiu-ned here, bringing his mill machinery with him. and conducted a 
grist-mill for several years. He has been largely interested in real estate, has 
platted several additions to the town of Fostoria. and is now residing in what 
is said to be the first fi-ame house built in Fostoria. Mr. Crocker was married, 
in the fall of 1836. to Sarah A., daughter of William and Anna (Giles) 
Cooper, of Pickaway Coimty, Ohio, by whom he had two ehildi-en: Allen 
(deceased), and Rawson, a merchant of Fostoria. Mi". Crocker is a rep]-(^- 
sentative and leading citizen of Fostoria. and has always contributed liberally 
of his means toward the growth and development of the place. Politically hr 
is a Republican. 

RAWSON CROCKER, merchant. Fostoria. was born in Fostoria. this 
county. August 30, 1841, son of Roswell and Sarah A. (Cooper) Crocker. He 
was reared in Fostoria. where he received his early education. In 18()1 he 
attended the Ohio Wesleyan Fniversity at Delaware, Ohio. In 1805 he 
attended the Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie. N. Y. , gi-aduating 
therefrom the same year. In 1 857 he entered the store of Foster. Olmsted & 
Co., where (with the exception of the time he was at school) he served in the 
capacity of clerk up to 1867, when he was admitted as a partner of the tu-m. which 
partnership existed for six years. Mr. Crocker then served them as book- 
keeper for two years, and in 1875 embarked in the real estate business, in 



LOUDON TOWNSIIIP. 895 

which ho inigaged till August 27. 1877. when with Frank Caples ht' pui-chased 
the grocery and queensware stock of P. D. C'aples. which enterprise existed 
under the lirm name of Crocker & Caples till May 3, 1S7'J. when the stock was 
sold to P. D. Caples. who conducted the business up to ISSO, in which year 
he sold the building and stock of merchandise to oiu' subject, who has contin 
ued the concern successfully to the present time. Mr. Crocker was manird, 
April 2. 1807, to Lucy E. . daughter of Philij) D. and Sarah (Brown) Caples, 
of Fostoria. Bythis union there were seven chikhen: John R.. Charles P., 
Harry (deceased). Ross E. , Emma (deceased). Nellie (deceased) and Fred. 
Mr. Crocker is a leading merchant of Fostoria. He is a F. & A. M. , and a 
luember of thel. O. O. F. He has served one term as a member of the 
council. In politics he is a Repul)lican. 

EDWARD J. CUNNINGHAM, manufacturer. Fostoria. was born in 
Berkeley County. Ya. . November 4. 1881. sou of Levi and Alcinda Cunningham. 
At tlie age of tifteen he entered a grist-mill to serve an apprenticeship at the mill- 
er's trade, remaining until twenty-one years of age. In 18r)2he came to TitKn. 
Ohio, where he woi-ked at his trade for his brother, J. W. Cunningham, until 
July. 18")4, when he went to Cambridge. Ind. , and followed his trade there 
one year. He then returned to Tiffin. Ohio, and with his brother. J. W., 
built what is now kno\vn as the Shoemaker Grist-mill, which they conducted 
three years. In IS")!) our subject, for the benetit of his health, took a three 
months' trip throiigh the South and West. On his retiu'n to Tiffin he and his 
brother leased the Keller Mills, which they conducted but a short time when 
they were burned out. our subject losing nearly all ho had. In 18')() he was 
idontilied with his brother in Inxilding the Clifton Mill, at Tiffin, which they 
ojiorated three years, when Edward J. sold out to his brother, came to Fosto 
ria. and built the Union Mill (now known as the Livingston Roller-mill) which 
he caiTied on for several years, and then sold to AVilliam Grapes. In l8fK>, 
with the Hon. Charles Foster. Mr. Cunningham repurchased the mill, which 
they conducted for fottr years. In 1871 Mr. Cunningham became, and is still, 
identified with the Fostoria Stave and Ban-el Works. In 1874, with Mr. Fos- 
ter as a partner, he purchased the Fostoria Spoke Works, which they operated 
until March -"i. 1882. when they were burned out. They immediately rebuilt 
their factory, which is now operated under the name of the Fostoria Spoke and 
Bending Works. Mr. Cunningham was married. April Itj, I860, to Ann E., 
(hutghter of Levi and Elizabeth Keller, of this county, by whom he has five 
children: Clara, Minnie, Cora, Ralph and Earl. (Dur subject is a Repub- 
lican in politics; has served two years as a member of the Fostoria council. 

JOEL P. DeA\'OLFE. publisher Fostoria Rcrific. Fostoria. was born in 
Butler County. Penn. , July 8, 1853; son of Erasmus and Catharine (Christley) 
DeWolfe. When thirteen years of age he entered the office of the (ihiti .Sfafr 
Journal . at Columbus. Ohio, with which he was connected up to lS7f). when 
he located in Fostoria, this county, and with O. J. DeWolfe. Esq.. piu'chiLsed 
the Foxtoria Review, which was established in 18()], and this partnei-ship 
existed up to January, 1883, when oiu' subject became sole projirietor. and he 
has conducted it with marked success uj) to the present time. Mr. DeWolfe 
was maiTied. in 1872. to Clara, daughter of William and Marietta (Bowman) 
Mungen. of Findlay, Ohio, by whom he had two childi'en: William and Kittie. 
Mr. DeWolfe is a stanch supporter of the princijiles of the Republican partv. 
He is a F. & A. M. and a memlier of the I. O. O. F. 

THOMAS DILLON, farmer. P. O. Fostoria. was born near Wheeling, 
Va.. July (. 1818; son of Thomas and Polly (Adams) Dillon, who came to 



8i)t5 BIOGRAPUICAL SKETCHES: 

this count} in LSrS") and settled in Loxidon Townsliip on the farm (now owned 
by Georjre Dillon), on which they lived and died. Their chilib-eu were nine 
in numlier. Our subject, who wa.s seventeen years of age when he came to 
Ohio, manied. December (), 1842. Rhoda. daughter of John and Violetta 
(Ch'.rk) Adams, natives of Ohio and pioneer.s of Loudon Townshij), this county, 
aii<l by this union there were ten childi'en: Geoi'ge A\'. : Mary, deceased: 
Josephine, jVIi's. William Beach; Ellen; Violetta, Mrs. Oscar Wade; John Q. ; 
Thomas, deceased: Alpheus: Tempy, and Earl E. After his maiTiage Mi-. 
Dillon lived on a rented farm for three years. He then purchased the farm 
he now occupies, most of which he has cleared, and on which he has made all 
the improvements in building, etc. His farm comprises lOS acres of land, 
over 1(10 of which are under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Dillon is a prom- 
inent farmer and citizen of Loudon. Politicalh" he is a stanch Democrat. 

GEORGE DILLON, farmer. P. O. Fostoria. was born near A\"heeling, 
Va., June (5, 1S20: son of Thomas and Mary (Adams| Dillon, who settled in 
Loxidon Township, this county, in 1835, purchasing 200 acres of land, which 
is now owned and occupied by oiu- subject. They had a family of nine chil- 
dren: Margery, widow of Jonathan Adams (deceased); Jacob (deceased); 
John (deceased): Martha, wife of Martin Adams: Jane, wife of James CaiTel: 
Thomas: George: Mary, wife of Charles Runnels: and Robert (deceased). 
Thomas Dillon (the father) died in 188(5. The old homestead came into the 
possession of our subject in 1860. He has since added to this property until 
now his far7u com])rises 825 acres, of which lUO are improved, well drained 
and under a high state of cultivation. jVir. Dillon has l)eeu twice married, his 
first wife, Margery, was a daughter of Thomas and Nancy Adams, of Loudon 
Townshij). and by her he had six children: Thomas; George W. ; Jane, wife 
of Alonzo Marietta: Annetta, wife of George M'oleder: Eli; Robert (de- 
ceased). His present wife, Melinda, daughter of Abraham and Sophia Shouj), 
of Hancock County, has borne to him live children: Edwin A.. Alpheus. 
Agues, Rosa and Cora. Mr. Dillon, one of the leading and pushing farmers 
of the townshij). has held the office of trustee two terms, and has served in 
minor offices. Politically he is a Democrat. 

A. E. EBERSOLE. veterinary surgeon, Fostoria, was born in Loudon 
Townshij), this county, June 18, 1848; son of Peter and Elizabeth (Fisher) 
Ebersole. His |)aternal grandfather, Peter Ebersole, a native of Lancaster 
County, Penn,, settled in Loudon Townshij). this county, in 1881. clearing 
and imj)roving a farm on which he lived until death; he died in 1857, at the 
age of seventy-one years. Four of his chikli-en siu'vive him: John P., Eliza- 
beth (Mrs. William Green), Peter and Manassa. Peter, the father of our sub- 
ject, a farmer and stock-dealer by occuj)ation, resided in Loudon Townshij). 
this county, from 1881 to 188l). when he moved to Sedalia. Mo., where he 
now resides. His children were eight in number: Isaiah. Milton (killed at 
Kenesaw Mountain in 18<H), Austin. Alvin E.. Amanda (Mrs. Mjirion D. Ham 
mond). Neri. John (dt»ceased) and Marilla (deceased). Our subject was 
reared in Loudon Townshij), this county, and educated in its common schools 
and at Rejiublic Academy. In 1865 he entered the drag store of Hershiser & 
Myers, in Fostoria. as clerk, in which capacity he served until 1868, when he 
embarked in the business for himself at Bowling Green, Ohio, where he 
remained uj) to 1874. He then opened the first stone quarry in Fostoria, con- 
tinuing in the stone business two years, when he engaged in milling, which he 
followed uj) to 1880. He then took a course of instruction at the Ontario 
Veterinary College at Toronto, Canada, and in 1881 began the practice of his 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 897 

pioi'cs.sion in Fostoria. where he has since done a successful business. Mr. 
Ebersole was maiTied, October 20, KSfU). to Clara J., daughter of Monis P. 
and Jane M. (Seiirles) Sldnner. of Fostoria. By this union there are four 
cliildren: Frank, Mary, Myra and Earl. ^Ir. and Mrs. Ebersole are memliers 
of the Methodist Episeojjal Church. He is assistant chief of the Fo.storia Fire 
Department and president of the Hook and Ladder Comjiany. In jiolitics he 
is a Democrat. 

JOHN P. EBERSOLE. boot and shoe merchant, Fostoria. was born in 
Hancock County. Ohio, March 9, ISfiO, son of Neri and Sisson (Hemming) 
Ebersole. His paternal grandfather, John P. Ebersole, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, settled in Big Lick Township in 1831, and his paternal great grand- 
father. Peter Ebersole, settled here at the same time. His maternal grand- 
father, (xeorge \V. Hemming, a native of Pennsylvania, was among the ]no- 
ueers of Loudon Township. Our subject w'as reared in Hancock County. Ohio. 
:'.ud was educated in the common and select schools. He moved with his par- 
ents to Fostoria in 187f), and in 1878 entered the store of Foster, Snyder & 
Co., serving as clerk up to the winter of 1883. February 15, 1883, he em- 
barked in the boot and shoe business. He cai'ries a large stock of the finest 
goods, and by strict attention to the wants of his patrons has built up an ex- 
tensive trade. He is one of the jirominent and enterprising joung business 
men of the city. Politically he is a Ile]mblican. 

J. JACOB EISSLER. carriage manufactm-er. Fostoria, was born in 'W'ur- 
temb(>rg, Germany, October 3, 1838. son of John and Bosina (Ganger) Eiss- 
ler. He was reared and educated in his native land, and there served an 
a[)j)renticeship of four years with his father at the general blacksmithing trade. 
In ISC)") he immigrated to America, and located in St. Louis, Mo., where he 
worked at his trade one year. In 18()f) he settled in Fostoria. Ohio, and em- 
l)ark(>d in business in compan}' with John G. Rothackcr. This partnership 
existed twelve years, and then Mr. Eissler piu'chased Mr. Rothacker's interest 
in the business, which he has since successfully conducted alone. Our subject was 
married. September 19. 18(57, to Caroline L. . daughter of Charles and Eliza 
(Griehban) Bobsien. of Fostoria, Ohio, and by her he has the follow ing name^l 
children: Charles H. . Minnie F. , Louise M., Maiy R., Frederick G.. Frank 
J. and John L. ^Ir. and Mrs. Eissler are members of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church. He is a representative citizen of Fostoria. Politically he 
is a Democrat. 

ANDREW EMERINE. banker. Fostoria, was born near Wurtemburg, 
Germany, December 3, 1830, son of George and Laura (Hine) Emerine, who 
immigi'ated to America in 1835, and settled in Liberty Township, this county. 
Here his father cleared and improved a farm, on which he resided lifteeu years; 
then went to Sandusky, Ohio, where he cleared another farm, and in 18')] 
located in Washington Township. Hancock Co.. Ohio, where he lived until his 
death; he (?ied at the age of ninety-three years. George Emerine was twice 
maiTii'd. By his first wife there were three children: Michael. Joseph and 
Andrew: and by his second union were seven children, six of whom are now 
living: George, John, Nicholas, Catherine, Lawrence and Thony. Oiu- sub- 
ject was reared in Seneca County. Ohio, where he served an apprenticeship at 
the saddler's trade. He embarked in the saddle and harness business for him- 
self in Fostoria in 1849, which he followed up to 1877, after which he en- 
gaged in farming and brokerage till 1SS3, when he was elected president of 
the First National Bank of Fostoria, which position he now holds. He hius 
been twice married: first. October 3, 1800, to Sarah, daughter of Samuel 



898 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Bare, of Fostoria. by whom he had two childi-en: Alonzo. cashior of the First 
National Bank; and Amanda, wife of Levi Wooster. ]\Ir. Emeiine was mar- 
ried, on second occasion, November 25, ]8n;5, to Amy, daughter of Frank 
Noble, of Ontario, by whom he has five children: Sarah, Lucy, Cora, Andrew 
and Amy. Mr. and Mrs. Emerine are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Politically he is a Democrat. 

FRANK ENCiSTROM, contractor, Fostoria, was born in Sweden August 
'M, 184S, son of John and Helena (Freburg) Engstrom. He was reared and 
educated in his native land, and came to America in ISTO. In 1871 he located 
in Fostoria and engraved as a contractor, Imildinw and grading twentr miles of 
the Mansfield. Coldwater & Lake Michigan liailroad. He then built fourteen 
miles of the Baltipiore & Ohio line in company with Samuel Good, after 
which he took a contract for building a portion of the " Nickel Plate " Road in 
company with J. A. Brander, with whom he was also associated in grading and 
improving the streets of Fostoria. In 1882 he purchased the property known 
as the Fostoria House, which he is rebuilding and improving for the xmi'pose 
of opening a first-class hotel, one promising to be a valuable addition to the 
business interests of Fostoria. INIr. Engstrom was maii'ied. May 4, ]8T<), to 
Maiy, daughter of Dr, G. A. and Mary ( Angeny) Hudson, of Bucyrus. Ohio, 
by whom he has one child. Earl. Mi-, and Mrs. Engstrom are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an enterprising and worthy citizen of 
Fostoria. and is investing his means toward the improvement and development 
of the place. Politicallv he is a Republican. 

PHILIP FAULHABER (deceased) was horn in Canton, Ohio, July 5, 
1830, son of Louis and Louisa (Munsinger) Faulhaber, natives of Germany, 
and who came to Seneca County, Ohio, in 1838. Louis Faulhaber died 
in 1839, and Philip moved with his mother to Tiffin, Ohio, and was ihere 
reared and educated. About 1S51 he located in Fostoria and embarked in the 
clothing business. Octolier 21, 1855, he was united in marriage with Sydua 
J., daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Loroh) Kelley, pioneers of Washing- 
ton Township, Hancock Co. , Ohio, and later of Fostoria. The issue of this 
union was three children: Alice (deceased), John L. and Kittie !M. At the 
breaking out of the late war of the Rebellion in iStjl, !Mi-. Faulhaber sold his 
business, and in October of that year he raised Company B, Fifty-seventh Regi- 
ment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he went out as captain, and was 
killed at Chickasaw Bayou, near Vicksburg, Miss., December 28, 18fi2. Mr. 
Faiilhaber was a member of the German Reformed Chvu'ch, a worthy citizen, 
esteemed by all who knew him. He was a member of the I. O, O. F. 
Politically he was a Democrat. 

ELI FEBLES, clergyman and teacher, Fostoria. was born in Pennsyl- 
vania September U, 1831, son of Frederick and Christiana (Kempher) Febles, 
who settled in Perry Township, M'ood Co., Ohio, in 1839, where they resided six 
years and then removed to Jackson Townshiji, this coiuity, where they remained 
Tuitil their death, the mother dying in 1S()3 and the father in 187('). They 
endiu'ed many of the hardships and trials of pioneer life, and had a family of 
twelve children, seven of whom survive: Eli, George, Sophia, Frances, Ann, 
Sarah alid Louisa. Frederick Febles had served as township trustee of Jack- 
son Town.ship for' several terms, and was respected by all who knew him. Eli 
Febles was reared on a farm, received a good English education, and was for a 
time a student of Heidelberg College and of the Delaware University. He 
was a teacher in the common schools of Seneca County for many years, and 
taught one term in Texas, and for seven or eight rears in Kansas. In 1850 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 899 

^[i-. Fobles was licensed to preach by Presiding Elder M'esley J. ^\'ells. of the 
Fiiidlay District Central Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Chiu'ch, 
and was ordained a deacon by Bishop Jlorris at the conference held at Findlay, 
Ohio, in 1S()'.(. He has served as clerk and trustee of Jackson Township, this 
county, and in 1800 was one of tlie land apjiraisers. Mr. Febles was married. 
December 8(\ 18IV2, to Sarah J., daughter of Peter Singer, of Near Loclq^ort. 
N. Y. The issue of this union was two children: Libbie E.. l)orn July 2. 
181)1, and Cora B., born October IT, \Xf\C). Mr. Febles removed to Garnett, 
Kas. , in 1872, where ho resident until 1NS8, when he retvu-ned to his old home in 
Ohio, and now resides in Fostoria. 

BURTIS W. FINCH, farmer, P. O. Fostoria, was bom in Scipio Town- 
ship, this county. March 16, 184(5, son of Bellana and Frances (Bolte) Finch, 
the former a native of New York, and the latter of Germany. His paternal 
grandfiither. James Finch, a native of New York, settled in Scipio Township 
in 18;34, and afterward removed to Hancock County, where he died: his family 
consisted of six chikb'en: Albert (deceased), Bellana (deceased^, Jonathan. 
Sarah A.. Arad and Jasou (deceased). The maternal grandfather of oiu- suli- 
ject was Harman Bolte. a native of Germany, and a pioneer of Thompson 
Township, this county. Bellana Finch, father of om' subject, was nineteen 
yeai's of age when he came to this county, and June 9, 1844, he married Fran- 
ces Bolte, by whom he had three children: Bernard T. (deceased). Biuiis W. 
and Emory T. Bellana Finch lived until ISSS in Scipio Township, thence 
removed to Washington Township. Hancock County, where he resided until his 
death; he died August 81. iSTiJ. in his tifty-ninth year. -His widow 
died May 27. 1879. at the age of hfty-four. The subject of this sketch received 
a limited education in the schools of liejuiblic and A\'ashington Township. 
March lo, 1S70, he manned Mary C, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Dip- 
pelhoffer) Coleman, and by this union there are thi-ee childi-en: Annie C, Net- 
tie M. and Mollie C. After his mairiage Mr. Finch engaged in farming in 
Hancock County. In 1873 he located eighty acres in "Washington Township 
(a part of the old homestead left him by his father), where he resided until the 
spring of 1880. He then moved to Loudon Township, this county, on the 
farm he now owns and occupies, comprising 120 acres of land. KX) of which 
are under a high state of cultivation. Since coming into possession of this 
property Mr. Finch has made many improvements in his buildings, and has 
now one of the finest farms in the township. During his residence in Wash- 
ington Township he served two terms as ti'ustee. Politically he is a stanch 
Democrat. 

GEORGE FLECHTNER, butcher, Fostoria, was born in Bavaria, Ger 
many, August 1, 1850, son of John P. and Hannah (Knopf) Flechtner, who 
came to America in 1878. and located in Fostoria, Ohio. Their childi-eu were 
live in nimiber: August, George. Jacob, Pauline and Emma {'Mrs. Fred Miller). 
Our subject was reared and educated in Germany, where he learned the trade 
he now ft)llows. He came to America in 1872, and located in Fostoria, this 
county, where he worked in the market of George Hoyar and others for two 
and one-half years. In 187.3 he embarked in business for himself, and has 
carried on same successfully to the present time. His brother Jacob has been 
associated with him since August 1, 1879. The subject of this sketch was 
united in marriage, November 28, 1879. with Margaret, daughter of John and 
Rosina (Eissler) Reber, of Fostoria. The issue of this union is two children: 
Edward and Frederick. Mr. and Mrs. Flechtner are members of the Genuan 
Lutheran Church. Politically he is a stanch Democrat. 



900 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

CHARLES W. FOSTER, deceased, was born iu North Braintree, Worces- 
ter Co., Mass., November 21, 1800, and at the age of eighteen year> 
removed with his parents, William and Elizabeth (Nichols) Foster, to Monroe 
County, N. Y. In 1820 our subject came to Seneca County. Ohio, where he 
remained a short time. June 7, 1827, he married Laura, daughtei- of John 
and Lucy (Bartlett) Crocker, who settled in Seneca Township, this county, in 
1823. After his mamage Mr. Foster was engaged in business in Seneca Town- 
shij) for two years. He then removed to Hopewell Township, where he had 
l()0 acres of land, which he sold in a few years, and, with the proceeds, in 
1882, he and his father-in-law (who had more means) embarked in mercantile 
business in a cabin where the "'Foster Block" now stands (then known as 
Rome), under the firm name of Crocker & Foster. This partnership existed 
for ten years, when Mr. Foster became sole proj)rietor, and continued alone up 
to 1848, when his son Charles became associated with him, under the firm name 
of Charles W. Foster & Son, and iu 1856 Mr. Olmsted was admitted, and the 
style changed to the present one of Foster. Olmsted & Co. A\'hen the firm 
of Crocker & Foster started in business, their combined capital did not exceed 
$2,000, but at the time of Mr. Foster's death the business of the house in 
their various lines of trade exceeded $1,000,000 annually. Mr. Foster had six 
children, of whom three gi-ew to maturity: Charles, John W. (deceased) and 
Emily (deceased). Mr. Foster was a man of character, and his method of 
doing l)usiness won him thousands of fi'iends. The house of Foster & Co. 
contributed largely to every enterprise that tended to build up the town and 
county. Mr. Foster served his township as justice of the peace for several 
years. He was postmaster under the administration of President Polk. In 
])olitics he was a stanch Rejniblican. He died April 2(), 188;-!. in his eighty- 
third year. 

EX-GOV. CHARLES FOSTER. Fostoria. son of Charles W. and Laura 
(Crocker) Foster, was born at his grandfather' s house, on the old Crocker jjlace. 
in Seneca Township, this county, April 12, 1828. After a course of educational 
training at the common schools and the academy at Norwalk. Ohio, he early in 
life engaged in mercantile piu'suits, becoming associated with his father in 
business at Fostoria;, in 1848. As a member of the firm of Foster & Co.. 
who made banking a special department of their business, he became promi 
nently identified with the financial interests of Fostoria and surrounding coun 
try; and the banking house of Foster & Co. has since enjoyed a widespread and 
enviable reputation. Mr. Foster never held any public office until he was elect- 
ed in 1870 a i-epiesentative from Ohio in the Forty-second Congress, receiv- 
ing 13,274 votes, against 12,408 votes for Edward F. Dickinson, Democrat: 
was re-elected to the Forty-third Congress in 1872, receiving 14,097 votes, 
against 14,271 votes for R. R. Sloane, Liberal Republican; was re-elected in 
1874 to the Forty-fourth Congress, receiving 13,778 votes, against 13,010 
votes for George E. Seney, Democrat, and 289 votes for Mead, Temperance 
candidate; and was re-elected in 1876 to the Forty-fifth Congress, receiving 
17.324 votes, against 17,053 votes for Hudson, Democrat. He was again noni 
inated in 1878, but, the district having been changed and made so overwhelm - 
ingly Democratic, he sustained a defeat. In 1879 Mr. Foster was nominated 
by the Republicans and elected governor of the State, being re-elected in 1 88 1 . 
He served both terms with such marked ability and discretion as to win the esteem 
of all political parties. In 1854 the subject of our sketch was married to An 
nie, daughter of Judge Olmstead, of Fremont, Ohio, and to this union wer(> 
born two daughters: Jessie and Annie. 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 901 

ANTHONY FOX. <l.>oc;isf.]. lute of the Ihm of Fox & Co., coal iuul wood 
dealers. Fostoria. was horn in C'olumbiana County, Ohio, October lU, J<S2(). 
son of Tobias and Mary (Henry) Fox. |)ioneers of Columbiana County, and 
later of Richland County. Ohio. Our subject was reared in Columbiana and 
B(>aver Counties. Penn.. until twelve years of age. when he removed, with his 
parents, to Richland County. Ohio. His educational advantages W(>re limited, 
comprising but three months" attendance at the schools of his day. "SVhen 
twenty-four years of age he settled in Washington Township, Hancock Co. , 
Ohio, on eighty acres of land, which he cleared and improved, afterward add- 
ing IfiO acres, therein' enlarging his farm to 2-tO acres. Here ho resided until 
IfSSO. when h<> removed to Fostoria, and embarked in his late business. Mr. 
Fox was married, in March. INfjO, to Elizabeth J., daughter of Paul and Cath 
arine ilckis) Shreffler. of Ashland County, Ohio, by whom he had seven chil- 
dren, tive now living: Eveline (wife of Alonzo Emerine), Ida, Alvin E. , Eliza 
beth A. and Mary E. Mr. Fox was a member of the German Reformed Chui'ch. 
Diu-ing his residence in ^^'ashington Township, Hancock County, Mr. Fox 
served as justice of the peace twenty-seven years in succession. In politics he 
was always a stanch Democrat. He died August 29, 1885, aged lifty-eight 
years, ten months and ten days. His widow is a member of the Methodist 
Ejiiscopal Church. 

JAMES B. FOX. marshal. Fostoria. was born in Eden Township, this 
county. January 27, 1840: son of Charles C. and Caroline B. (Boyd) Fox, the 
form(>r a native of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania. Charles C. Fox 
was a farmer by occupation, and a pioneer of Eden Township. He afterward 
resided in Bloom and Scipio Townships, this county, and. in 1865, removed to 
Wyandot County, where he resided until his death; he died in 1880, at the 
age of seventy-eight years. His children were Almira (IMrs. Charles Gouldj. 
Jane (Mrs. M'an-en Green). Mary (Mrs. R. M. Reynolds), Henrietta (Mrs. 
William Blair). James D. and Thomas. Our subject was reared and educated 
in Republic, this county. He was in the late war of the Rebellion, enlisting 
August 11. 18()2. in Company H, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, participating in the battles of PeiTyville and Stone River: was wounded, 
in the leg January 1. ]8n'^, and was in hospital one year thereafter. He was 
next transferred to the Veteran Reserve C'orps, and was honorably discharged 
at Trenton. N. J., July (>, 18(55. He then located in Fostoria. this county, 
and engaged as salesman for the Fostoria Foundry, a position he held eight 
years. In 1874 he was elected marshal, holding the office foiu' years: was 
again elected in 1884. being the present incumbent. December 2H. 1872, he 
maiTied Osee, daughter of C'lark and Elizabeth (Leonard) Bradford, of Loudon 
Township, this county, and by her he has two children: Clark and James B. 
Mr. Fox is a F. & A. M. , and a member of the G. A. R. Politically he is a 
Republican. 

ABRAHAM FRUTH. clothier. Fostoria, was born in Bavaria, Germany. 
Novemlier 8. 1848; son of Jacob and Civilla (Shardon) Fruth, Avho came to 
jlmerica in 1854, and in 1850 settled in Loudon To\vTiship. this comity, where 
Jacob Fruth cleared a farm of 124 acres, on which he r(>sided until his death; 
he died, in 1872, in his .sixty-second year. Their childi-en, live in number, 
were Civilla, wife of Conrad Herbert; Susannah, wife of David Peter; Abra- 
ham: John and Augustus, all born in Germany, except Augustus. Oxu- sub- 
ject was reared in Loudon Township, this county, ft'om eight years of age, was 
educiited in the common schools, and remained on the old homestead until 
twenty-three years of age. He was married, August 22, 1871, to Charlotte, 
daughter of Abraham and Mary (Vesper) Peter, of Fostoi'ia. After his maiTiage 



902 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

he purchased eighty acres of land of his father, and engaged in farming till 
1870, when he came to Fostoria. Here he sei-ved as clerk in a grocery store 
for four years. In the fall of 1880, in company with Abraham Peter, he em- 
barked in the business in which he is now engaged; this fii'm existed up to 
Feliruary, 188'), when Mr. Fruth piu'chased Mr. Peter's interest, and is now 
conducting the business alone, carrying a full line of clothing, hats, caps and 
gents' furnishing goods, and has a large and growing trade. ]Mr. and Mrs. 
Fnith are members of the United Lutheran Church. He is a F. & A. M. ; 
politically he is a Democrat. 

FREDERICK FRUTH, liquor dealer, Fostoria, was l)orn in Bavaria, 
Germany, in 1824; son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Peter) Frnth. who came to 
Seneca County, Ohio, in 1888, and settled in Loudon Township, where they 
cleared and improved a fai-m of 160 acres, on which they lived and died. They 
reared a family of six childi-en: Margaret CMrs. E. Yischer). Jacob, Elizabeth 
(Mrs. A. Reinbold), Frederick, Abraham and Matthias. Oui- subject was 
reared and educated in Loudon Township, this county, from nine years of age. 
He followed farming up to 1852, in which year he went to California, where 
he engaged in mining for a time. He then embarked in business for himself, 
as a manuf actiu'er of and dealer in wines, in El Dorado County, Cal. , where he 
resided till 1874, when he returned to Fostoria, Ohio, and established his 
present business. Mr. Fruth married, January 14, 1879, Martha, daughter of 
Philip Heck, by whom he has three children: William F., George W. and 
Nellie J. Mr. Fruth is one of the substantial citizens of Fostoria. In politics 
he is a Democrat. 

FREDERICK M. FRUTH, farmer, P. O. Fostoria. was born in Loudon 
Township, this county. July 17, 1848; son of Jacob and Sarah (Stevens) Fruth, 
the former a native of Germany, the latter of Pennsylvania. His paternal 
grandfather. Jacob Fruth, a native of Germany, and his maternal grandfather. 
Benjamin Stevens, a native of Washington County, Penn. , both settled in 
Loudon Township, this county,in 1832. Benjamin Stevens,a prominent man in 
the township, was one of the first trustees elected, and held the office of justice 
of the peace, and many other official positions. Jacob Fruth. father of our 
subject, was a resident of Loudon Township fi'om 1832 until his death; he died 
December 1-j, 1861, at the age of forty-six. He. Jacob Fruth. had a family 
of six childi-en: Frederick M., Herchel, Mary (Mrs. David Price), David, Al- 
bert and Elmer. Our subject, who has always resided in Loudon Township, 
was educated in the common schools. December 12, 1872, he married Ange- 
lina, daughter of Nathan and Angeline (McMann) Hatfield, of Cincinnati, Ohio, 
and by her he has one child — Gracie. Mr. Fruth now owns and occupies the 
old homestead purchased by his father in 1852. He is a pushing and enter- 
prising young farmer. In politics he is a Republican. 

JOHN GOOD, farmer, P. O. Bascom. was born in Richland Coimty, Ohio, 
October 22, 1833: son of John and Margaret (Lambright) Good (former a 
native of Ohio, the latter of Maryland) who came to this coimly in 1834, and 
settled in Loudon Township on the farm now owned by Samuel Good, and 
there our subject's father died, in 1872, at the age of sixty-five years: his 
widow survives him at the age of seventy-two. Then* family consisted of 
eleven childi-en: Isaac (deceased), Catherine (Mrs. Joshua Dewey), John, 
Michael, an infant daughter (deceased), Solomon, Noah. Eli, Samuel, Andrew, 
Peggy A. (Mrs. Peter Pauker). Our subject, who was reared on the old home- 
stead, when twenty-three years of age purchased eighty acres of the faiiu he 
now occupies. November 14, 1857, he married Ellen, daughter of Heniy and 
Margaret (Sprout) Johnson, pioneers of Jackson Township, this county, and 



I 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 903 

hy hpr liP lias four chiklron: Henry, Eli. Melissa A. (Mi-s. Charles Kritzlor) 
and Alice E. Mr. Good is the owner of a fine farm of ISO acres, IfiO of which 
are improved (140 cleared by himself). He and his wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is a Kcpuljlican. 

M.^RTIN V. GREEN, door, sash and blind manufacturer, Fostoria, was 
born in Scipio Township, this county, February 21, 1884. son of John C. and 
AI)igail (Seely) Green, natives of New York State, and who were among the 
pioneers of this county. Their children were six in number, fo ir of whom 
are now living: Wan-en. Thomas S. , John G. and Martin V. Our subject was 
reared on a farm, and educated in the schools of his day. He was married, 
July 5, 1857, to Margaret E., daughter of George and Elizabeth (Small) Swi- 
gart, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Scipio Township, this county, in 
1844. In Novemlier, IStil, 'Mi: Green settled in Fostoria. where he has since 
resided. In ISd',) ho embarked in his present business with Thomas J. Livers, 
who afterward sold his interest to John A. Bunnell, who in turn sokl out to 
Lewis Gearhert and Thojnas S. Green. In 1873 John F. Heilman, !Mi'. 
Green's brother-in-law. became associated with him under the firm name of 
Green & Heilman, which partnership has existed to the present time. They 
are manufacturers of doors, sash and blinds, moldings, plain and Gothic 
window frames, etc. Their factoiy and office are located on South Street. 
Ml'. Green is one of the live and enterprising business men of Fostoria. He 
has served one term as a member of the town council. Politically he is a 
Democrat. 

JOHN G. GREEN, stock-dealer, Fostoria. was Iwrn in Scipio Township, 
this county, April 27, 18B7, son of John C. and Abigail J. (Seely) Green, who 
were among the pioneers of Scipio Township, where they lived and died. Our 
subject remained at home with his parents until nineteen years of age. He 
was educated at Republic Academy, taking a four years' course of instructions. 
In the fall of 1852 he came to Fostoria. and engaged in teaming, which he fol- 
l(jwed several yeai's. During the late war of the Rebellion he enlisted in S(>p- 
tember, 18()1. in Company B, Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, participat- 
ing in the battles of Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Shiloh and in manj' other 
engagements, and was honorably discharged in the fall of 1863. He immedi- 
ately veteranized, and re-enlisted in same company and regiment: was trans- 
ferred from Virginia to theWestern anny under Gen. Hooker, and was in the en- 
gagements at Bridgeport. Mission Ridge. Buzzard" s Roost and Big Shanty, where 
the regiment was reduced to fifty-five men. He was in the Atlanta campaign 
under Sherman, and was honoral>ly discharged at close of the war in July, 
1805. He then retiu-ned to Fostoria, and in ]8(U) engaged in the stock busi- 
ness, which he has followed ever since. He was married, November 25, ISGl, 
to Ellen M. . daughter of George H. Sheldon, a pioneer of Scipio Township, 
and a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church. INIr. and Mrs. Green 
have five children: Frank E.. Nellie. Ollie. Josie and Francis. Mr. Green is 
a public spu-ited citizen. In politics he is a Republican. 

CHARLES A. GRIBBLE. photographer, Fostoria, was born in Stark 
County. Ohio. April <>. 1801, son of Hemy Gribble, a native of Germany, a 
shoe-maker by trade, and whose parents were among the pioneers of Tuscara- 
was County. Ohio. Our subject was reared and educated in Massillon. Ohio. 
In 1878 he entered the photograph gallery of F. B. Zay. of Findlay. Ohio, 
where he served an api)renticeship of two and a half years. He afterward 
was employed in the galleries of George Donaldson and O. P. Frees, of Tiffin, 
and June 1. 1884. came to Fostoria and embarked in business f(3r himself, and 
has liad a successful trade. Though Mr. Gribble has had but seven years' 



904 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

(•x[)('ii(nc(' ill his business, he is a photographer and artist uot oiily ill name but 
in education, and thoroughly understands the rules of art and chiaro-oscuro und 
the a])pHcation of art principles in lighting and posing his subjects, wherein 
lie the true merits of a photographic portrait. Mr. Gribble is an active mem- 
ber of the K. of P. Politically he is a Republican. 

JOSEPH CT^\'YNN. superintendent of the Fostoria Gas Light Company, 
was born in llahway, N. J., September iJO. liS54, son of John and Jane (Fer- 
ris) Gwynn, natives of Loudon. England, and who came to Seneca Count)', 
Ohio, in 18()2, locating at TiflSn, where they resided until theu- death. John 
Gwynn, an attorney by profession, reared a family of nine children. Our 
subject was reared in Tiffin, firom eight years of age. and educated in the high 
schools and commercial college; in the year 1S7S he located in Fostoria and 
took charge of the Fostoria Gas Works for A. L. McKaig & Co., of Pitts- 
burgh, Penu., acting as superintendent of same until June 1, 1881, at whicfe 
time he made an engagement with the Ohio Central Railroad to take charge of 
the water works of their road, in which capacity he acted as superintendent 
until Januaiy 1, 1884, at which date he purchased an interest in the Fostoria 
Gas Light Comjjany, and again located in Fostoria. taking his former position 
as superintendent and director. Mr. Gwynn married. January 21, 1885, Lou, 
daughter of I. N. and Harriet Mickey, of Fostoria. 

ROBERT W. HALE, physician. Fostoria, was born in Jefferson County, 
Ohio, September 2('>. 18;it5, son of James and Mary (Hale) Hale (the foimer a 
native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Baltimore. Md. ), who settled in Wash- 
ington Townshijj, Hancock County, in 18>ir). Our subject was reared in Han- 
cock County, and educated in the common schools; began the study of 
medicine with Dr. R. C.Caples, in Fostoria, in 1852; attended one course of lec- 
tiu'es (1855-56) at the Western Reserve Medical College in Cleveland, Ohio; 
and graduated from the National Medical College, AV'ashington, D. C in 1858. 
He began the practice of medicine in Fostoria with Dr. R. C. Caples in 185(), 
with whom he has been connected to the ])resent time. He was acting assist- 
ant siu'geon in the United States Army from Ajjril. 1862, up to September of 
the same year; from May to Septemljer, 1804. he was surgeon of the One 
Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio National Guards. He also served in the capac 
ity of brigade stu'geon of Gen. John C. Lee" s brigade. Dr. Hale was married, 
September 15, 1858, to Louisa Conoway, daughter of John and Charlotte (Ca- 
ples) Conoway. of Fostoria, and by her has had four childi-en: Cora (deceased), 
John C. , Mabel and Rol)ert W. , Jr. The Doctor and his wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a F. & A. M. , and a member of the G. 
A. R. Politicallv he is a Republican. 

JOHN C. HARTLEY, farmer. P. O. Fostoria. was born in Washington 
County, Peun. , April 25, 1828. son of Benjamin and Catherine (Rake) Hart- 
ley, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Washington County, 
Penn.. and who settled in this county in 1831, where the father of om- subject 
entered 1(30 acres of land, which he cleared and imjiroved, and here resided 
until his death; he died August 8, 1882, in his eighty-eighth year. Benjamin 
Hartley^ was man-ied three times, first to Sarah Middleton. and by this union 
ho had one daughter, Han-iet (deceased). By his second wife {nee Cather- 
ine Rake) he had the following childr(>n: Eliza, Mrs. David Bosler; Simon 
L: Sarah A., IMi-s. Robert Mullerl (deceased); Susannah, Mi's. Eli Huff; John 
C. ; Mary; Elizabeth. Mrs. John W. Griffith; Catherine. Mi-s. John Rainey; 
and Benjamin (deceased). By his third wife inee Eliza Fox) he had eleven chil- 
dren, of whom four survive: Rebecca (Mrs. John Greenbrier), Hannah, Elias 
and Sylvester. Our snl)ject. who was reared in Loudon Townshij) from three 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 005 

vein's of au;e, was educatfil in the common schools and Hoidollioi'i^ College, of 
Tiffiu. Ho has always engaged in farming. He was married, September 1 I, 
ISofi. to Susannah D. . daughter of Aaron and Mary (Devilhiss) Cover, who 
were among the early settlers of Loudon Township. By this union there were 
ten children; Aaron B. (deceased). James Casper, Thomas B.. Charles W.. 
AdaC, Eliza J.. Mary p]lizabeth, John AV.. Martha Emily and Arvie D. 
Jfrs. Hartley died September 8, 1884, at the age of forty-live years, four 
months and foiir days. Mr. Hartley has filled several of the minoi' offices of 
his townshi]). Politicallv he is a Democrat. 

P. W. HATHAWAY" of the firm of Hatliaway. Campbell & Co., proprie- 
tors of planing-mill. and sash. door and blind maimfactiu-(>rs. Fostoria. was born, 
in Bristol County, Mass.-JIay it. 182'2, son of Philip and Did;iniia Hathaway, who 
setthnl in Sandusky County; Ohio, in lS;5-t. clearing and imi)roving a farm ou 
which they lived and died. In 18r)'2 onr subject settled in Montgomery Town- 
ship. Wood Co., Ohio, where he cleai'ed and improved a farm, on which he 
resided up to 1S7>), wh(>n he located in Fostoria, and embarked in mercantile 
business, which he conducted for several years, one year of this time in JeiTy 
City. Wood Co. . Ohio. In 1 877 he formed a jaartnership with George W. 
Campbell. Jerry Nestlerode and W. H. H. M'illiams in his present business, the 
firm name being Hathaway. Campbell & Co. Nestlerode and \\'illiams after- 
ward sold th(nr interests, and in 18S'2 James H. Campbell was admitted to the 
timi. the tirm name continuing the same, and they are doing an extensive busi- 
ness. Mr. Hathaway was twice mamed. first, in 1844. to Rhoda J., daughter 
of Eljenezer and Margaret Gould, of Sandusky County, Ohio, by whom he 
liad seven children: Josephine. Philiji. MoiTice, Fanny (deceased), Margaret, 
Ella and Clara. He was marri(>d, on second occasion, in 1877, to Catherine 
Bernard, of Fostoria, Mr, Hathaway is a member of the Disciple and his wife 
of the Methodist Ejiiscopal Church. Mi-. Hathaway, dttring the late war of the 
Bebellion. enlisted, in IS()4,inthe lOddays" service, and was commissioned captain 
of Company K, One Hundred and Forty-fomth Ohio National Guards, and after 
serving his time rec(>ived an honorable <lischarge. He is a member of the G. 
A. K. He is now serving his seccmd tenii as councilman of Fostoria. Polit- 
ically he is a Eepublican. 

CIL\BLES H.W'S. ilruggist. Fostoria. was born in Fostoria. this county. 
March 'id. 1 8-"") 1, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Mickey) Hays. His paternal 
grandfather, Hemy Hays, a native of Pennsylvania, was a pioneer of Perry 
Townshij). Wood Co.. Ohio, where he settled in 1834 and died April 10, 1887. 
His maternal giandfather, Jeremiah Mickey, a native of Pennsylvania, came to 
what is now Fostoria in i8;{2. Tlie father of onr sul)ject located in Fostoria 
in an early day and engaged in fjirming: he taught school for many years and 
was also engaged in the hotel business; he was married. Noveml)er 'J'.t, 184V>, 
and died February 27. 18')!), in his forty-seventh year, his children were live 
in numl)er, of whom two are now living: Charles iind Frederick. Our subject, 
who was reared and educated in Fostoria. at the age of nineteen went to Cleve- 
land and entered the drug establishment of Strong. Cobb & Co. . with whom 
he remained up to 1874. He then returned to Fo.storia and served as book- 
keejter for AV. H. Grajjes & Co. for three years. In 1878 he and his uncle, 
David Hays, purchased the (b'Ug business of Charles Park, which they con- 
ducted up to 1884, when our subject became sole proprietor, and has since done 
a successful business. Mr. Hays, by his uniform courtesy, has made hosts of 
friends and customers. In politics he is a Republican. 

FRANK HAYS, jiublisher of the T)i-mocf(if. Fostoria. was born in Fostoria, 
this county. April 2t. 185:}, son of Marshall and JIurgaret (Musser) Hays, 



906 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

natives of Pennsylvania and among the pioneers of Fostoria. Our subject was 
reared in his native town and educated in its common schools and at the Nor- 
mal school at Republic. In 1ST3, 1874 and 1S75 he was engaged in the lumber 
interests; during the year 1875 he embarked in the newspaper business, and in 
the fall of that year began the publication of the Fostoi-ia Deniocraf with K. C. 
Meyer, with whom he was associated foiu- years, then purchased his partner's 
interest and has since condvicted the enterprise himself, his paper being one of 
the liveliest and newsiest sheets published in this section of the State. Mr. 
Hays was foreman for several years in the fb-e dejjartment of Fostoria, with 
which he was connected ten years. 

JOHN F. HEILMAN, sash and lilind mauufactiu-er. Fostoria. was born 
in York County. Penn.. November 1, 1817; son of Philip and Catherine (Klat- 
felter) Heilman. He was reared on a farm in his native State, where he re- 
ceived a common school education. He was man-ied, Febiiiary 16, 1843, to 
Cynthia E., daughter of George and Elizabeth (Small) Swigaii, natives of 
Pennsylvania, who settled in Scipio Township, this county, in 1844. The issue 
of this union was live children: George E. , Thomas C Nellie B.. John W. 
(deceased) and Lola M. (deceased). Shortly after his man-iage Mr. Heilman 
came to this county and settled in Bloom Township, where he farmed up ti > 
lSC)5,when he was elected auditor of this county, an office he held two si;ccessiv<' 
terms. In 1873 he located in Fostoria and formed a partner.ship with M. V. 
Green in the door, sash and blind business, in which he has been engaged to 
the present time. jNIr. Heilman is one of the representative citizens and busi- 
ness men of Fostoria. In politics he is a Democrat, ili-s. Heilman is a mem • 
ber of the Presbyterian Church. 

JOHN HEILMAN. farmer and stock-dealer, P. O. , Fostoria, was born in 
Bavaria, Germany, in June. 1842. son of AVilliam and Margaret iFruth) Heil- 
man, who immigi-ated to America in 1848. settling in Loudon Township, this 
county, where they resided until their death. Our subject was reared in Lou 
don Township from live years of age, and received a limited education in the 
common schools. At twenty years of age he purchased the farm where he now 
resides, and on which he has made many improvements, erecting all his pres 
ent buildings. He was united in marriage. March 23, 1862, with Margaret, 
daughter of George and Margaret (Shobachi Fruth, who settled in Louduu 
Township, this county, in 1833. By this union there are six children living; 
^^'illiam, Lillie, Mary, Sarah. George and Curtis. Mr. and Mrs. Heilman are 
attendants of the Lutheran Church. He has served his township three years 
as justice of the peace. He is a F. & A. M. : politicallv a Republican. 

ADAM HELFRICK, farmer, P. O. Fostoria, was born in Hessen- 
Darmstadt. Germany. Januaiy 22, 1826. son of Jacob and Catherine 
(Smith) Helfi-ick. who immigrated to America in 1835, and located in Carroll 
County, Ohio, where they resided three years. In 183U they came to this 
county and settled on Section 18. in Loudon Township, clearing and improv- 
ing the faitn now owned by our subject. The father died in Fostoria in 186S. 
at the age of seventy-two, and the mother in 1847, aged forty foui' years. 
They reared a family of four children: Adam. Margaret (^Ii's. John Peter i. 
Catherine (Mrs. AVilliam H. Hamplel and Elizabeth (Mrs. Michael Miller, de 
ceased). Oiu' subject was reared in Loudon Township fi\>m thirteen years uf 
age. He remained with his parents until his marriage. September 21, 18r)2. 
with Charlotte, daughter of Abraham and Barbara (Shobach) Peter, early 
settlers of Lotidon Township. After his maiTiage, JL\ Helfrick settled on the 
farm on which he has since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Helfi-ick have two chil 
dren: Catherine (wife of George Mertel) and Albert. Our subject and wife are 
< 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 007 

iiiembers of the Luthornn Church. He is a respected farmer and citizen of 
Loudon Townsliip. Politically ho is a Democrat. 

C. A. HENllY, ph_ysician, Fostoria, was born in Perry Township. Mood 
Co., Ohio, January 5, 1844, sou of Hosea and Nancy (Smith) Henry. His 
])aternal grandfather, Benai Henry, a native of New H-anipshire, a farmer l)y 
occupation, was a pioneer of Perry Township. Wood Co., Ohio, where h(> 
lived and died. His maternal irraudfather. Charles Smith, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, a veteran in the war of ISl'J. and one of the lirst settlers of 
Montgomery Township. A\'ood County, where he cleared and improved a farm 
on which he lived and died: his widow died in February. 1885, in her ninety- 
seventh year. Hosea Heniy, the father of our subject, was a pioneer of Periy 
Townshiji. where he cleared and improved a farm of lUy acres, on which he 
lived until he died, in 18S;{. at the age of seventy-six years. Hosea and 
Nancy Henry had sis children: Orrin: Charles A. ; Thomas, who resides on the 
old homestead: Lorinda. wife of James Lusk (deceased); Pen-y; and Alice, 
wife of Dr. David Frnith. Three of the sons were in the army during the 
civil war: Orrin. Thomas and C. A. Oiu- subject was reared on the old home- 
stead and received his early education in the common schools. He eidisted in 
1864. in Company E, One Hundred and Forty- fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; 
served six months when ht> was honorably discharged. In 1805 he began read- 
ing. medicine in the office of Dr. C. R. Rosendule. of Mill Grove. Ohio, with 
whom he remained three years. He attended a coiu-se of lectures in Cincin- 
nati, in the winter of l80C)-(37, and graduated there in 1870. In 1871 he 
located in Fostoria. this county, and began the practice of medicine with Dr. 
A. C. Williams, with whom he was associated ten years. He then formed a 
])ai'tnership with Di'. Park L. Myers, with whom he is still associated. Di'. 
Henry, one of the leading physicians of Fostoria. is thoroughly wedded to his 
j)rofession, and, by strict attention to business and uniform courlesy to all, he 
has made many friends and has Iniilt up an extensive practice. He was uiar- 
rieil. January 6, 1871), to Harriet M. . daughter of Benjamin and Hannah 
(Kinneman) Crone, of Ashland, Ohio, by whom he has one child, Charles A. 
The Doctor is a member of the Masonic fi'aternity. Politically he is a stanch 
Republican, and is now serving his second term as member of the Fostoria 
council. 

COL. LYMAN J. HISSONG. dry goods merchant, Fostoria, was born in 
Richland Coimty, Ohio. .Vpril 1, 1S8'J, son of John and Rachael (Spade) His- 
song, natives of Pennsylvania and pioneers of Richland County. Our subject, 
who was reared and educated in his native county, at the age of twenty, lo- 
cated in Hancock County. Ohio, and engaged in farming and as clerk in a store 
for two years. He next moved to Na])oleon. Henry Co.. Ohio, where he 
clerked in a dry goods store until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. 
Then, October 21, 18(il, he enlisted in Company I, Sixty-eighth Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry, was appointed orderly sergeant, serving with the regiment two 
years, participating in the battles of Fort Donelson, Corinth, luka and others. 
In the spring of ISCiH he was commissioned captain of the Fifth H(>avv Artil 
lery. in Gen. T. H. J. Wood's Division. After the surrender of VickslMirg 
and Jackson. !Miss. , he was taken on the staff of !Maj. Gen. Osterhaus. as 
])rovost-marshal for the northern district of Mississippi, with headquarters at 
Jackson. In the massacre at Milliken's Bend. La., Jun(> 7, 18('>8, Col. His- 
song was severely wounded by a bullej shot in the thigh, a trophy which he 
still carries. For meritorious service in this battle his fi-iends in Richland 
County presented him with a silk banner which went with him through the 
war and is still in his possession. After this he was promoted to major and 



908 IJIOGRArUlCAL SKETCHES: 

soon to lieutenant-colonol. by Secretary Stanton, and commanded the ]>ost at 
Vicksbm-g. Miss. , for over a year. After the troops were mustered oiit he was 
retained on general court-marshal duty at Vicksburg about four months. 
About the close of the war he was commissioned full ct)lonel, by brevet, by 
Anth-ew Johnson for meritorious services rendered at the battle of Milliken's 
Bend. He left the service in June. ISOH. Col. Hissong was engaged in mer- 
cantilt' business in Hancock County, and at Napoleon. Ohio, for eight years 
thereafter. In 1875 he hjcated in Fostoria, this county, and embarked in the 
di"y goods business, here, which he has continued suceessfxiUy to the present 
time. He owns a fine store at North Baltimore, and also at Ottawa. Ohio. 
where he is doing an extensive business. He was married, in March, 1808, to 
Jennie, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Heller) Carr. of Hancock County, 
Ohio, and by her he has one child. Harry. ]\Ir. Hissong is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R. He is a charter member of the First National 
Bank of Fostoria. ' Politically he is a Republican. 

WILLIAM T. HISTE, ex-county commissioner. Fostoria, was born in 
Columbiana County. Ohio, September 20, 1S2B, and came here with his parents, 
George and Sarah (Sawlaw) Histe, who settled in Fostoria, Ohio, in 1844. 
His father, a brick-maker and wheelwright by trade, for several years after 
coming here worked at cabinet-making, after which he manufactured brick for 
upward of twenty-five years; he died November '">, 18S1. in his eighty-lifth 
year; his widow survives him at the age of eighty-three. They had a family 
of eight children; Maria, wife of George Millei'; ^\'illiam T. ; Matilda, wife of 
Joseph England: Cordelia, wife of Daniel Weaver: Catharine, wife of J. Q. 
Alliert: F. Marion; Sarali A., wife of Theodore Brown, and Benjamin F. 
Our subject was reared and educated in his native county. He was married, 
May 15, 1851, to Maiy. daughter of William and Rebecca (Lytle) Noble, of 
Jackson Township, this county, by whom he has two childi-en : Isabel, wife of 
Jeremiah Blosser, and Cecelia, wife of Cassius C. Beedle. In IS51 Mr. Histe 
i>mbarked in the manufactiu'e of brick which he cairied on at intervals, up tu 
18fi5. when he engaged in farming in Jackson Township, living there until the 
spring of 1871, when he retiu'ned to Fostoria and resumed the manufacture of 
brick which he continued for three years. Then for a year (1874), he was in 
the fiu'niture business. In the fall of 1878 he was elected to the oiSce of 
county commissioner, re-elected in 1881. his term expiring December 1. 1884. 
In politics he is a stanch Democrat. 

EDWARD B. HOWELL, proprietor of Central Hotel. Fostoria. was 
born in Susquehanna County, Penn., November 24, 1828; sou of Samuel and 
Laura (Robinson) Howell, natives of New York and who settled in Fostoria, 
Ohio, in 1845. Samuel Howell, a tanner by trade, conducted a tannery in 
that ))art of Fostoria known as Risdon. for five years, when he retired from 
business. He was succeeded by his sons Edward B. and Royal R. , who cai' 
ried on the business for several years. Samuel Howell died in 1871 at the age 
of seventy eight years, and his wife in 1852 at the age of fifty-six. Their 
children, eight in number, were as follows; Caroline (deceased). Charles 
(deceased), Mary (Mrs. John T. Ford, of Chillicothe, Mo.). Edward B.. Mar 
cus W. (a resident of California), William (also residing in California), Royal 
R. and Eliza (deceased). Our subject located in Fo.storia in 1847. and with 
his brother Royal R. conducted a tannery for two years. In 1853 he piu-- 
chased a saw-mill in Caroline, this county, which he operated for a year and a 
half, when he moved to Findlay. Ohio, where he resided for eighteen years 
(nine years of this time he was in thi^ employ of what is now known as the 
Indiana, Bloomingtou iV; Western Railroad Company). In 1874 he returned to 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 909 

Fostoria, where he has live,l (with tiw exception of two vears sp(>nt in Tiffin) 
ever since. In ISS-J he euil)aik..d in the hotel l>nsiness."in which he ha.s been 
successfully ..nKajred to the present time; his hotel, known as the ■' Central " 
having the i-epntation of h.-infr the best ll.T)!) per day house in this section of 
the htate. Ah- Howell was married, November 25. f,S4<). to Charit\-, .laughter 
of Jacob and C harlotte Kinnaman, of Fostoria. this county, and bv her he has 
three children: Corwin B., Willis P. and Nellie M. Mr. and Mrs " Howell -ire 
members of the Congrefrational Church. He is a member of the I O O F 
rolitically he is a Republican. 

^y-^^V""^,?- ,?-?^^'^^^- '^*'"*'"*- ^^o^t«ria. was born in Caroline, this 
county, May IS. IS,),,, son of Edward and Charity (Kinnaman) Howell He 
was reared and educated in Findlay, Ohio. In 1S74 he began the study of 
.leiitistry m the olhce of ,7. A. Stockton, of Lima, and in ISTo went to Tiffin 
and entered the dental oifice of Dr. P. ,J. Kinnan.an. He received a certificate 
from the Ohio State Board of Dental Examiners in 1S78. In 1877 he began 
the practice of his profession, and in lS7(t foj'med a copartnership with .J F 
O Bnen. with whom he was associated up to February. 188,") Dr Howell 
was united in marriage. May 25. 1882. with Matilda {^.. "daughter of -John and 
Phihbena (Reise) Andes, of Fostoria. Ohio. Dr. Howell has built ui. a crood 
practice. Politically he is a Republican. " 

JUNIUS y JONES, attorney, Fostoria, was l,orn in Gallia County. Ohio 
January 2.i 1823, *)n of James and Priscella (Blagg) Jones, natives" of Yir- 
7ooo "? l^'*'"*^'''"^ "^f P«'"7 Township. Wood Co.. Ohio, where they settled in 
1S.^_, clearing and improving a farm on which they lived and died They 
reared a family of nine ehikb-en: Gideon (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased) 
*.mily (deceased), Huldah (deceased). Simpson, Virginia (wife of Joseph 
Eckels). Junius V.. WiUiam H. and Seneca (deceased). Our subject was 
reared in Peny Township fi-om ten years of age. and was educated in the 
select school of Fostoria under the instruction of M'aiTen P. Noble In 184() 
he settled in Fostoria, this county, where he has since resided In 1858 he 
was elected justice of the peace, which office he held for five consecutive terms 
of three years each, and dm-ing this time he began the study of law was 
admitted to the bar in 18(58. and to practice in the United States Courts \pril 
Kr 'jV H*' ^^"^ ""«i"'«'^^- i" 1847. to Maria, daughter of Michael Musser 
of Wood County, Ohio, and the issue of this union was seven children- Edwin 
Charles. Will. Harry, Pai-ley, Clara and Bert. He and his wife are member.s 
" ,0-0'^^''*'''"^'''* Episcopal Chiu-ch, m-. Jones was electe.l mayor of Fostoria 
in 18/8. ser\nug one term of two years, and has Hlled various other offices of 
trust. Politically he is a Re])ublicaii. 

THOMAS KELLEY. retired farmer. Fostoria. was born in Huntingdon 
County. Peiin.. April C). ISOO. son of Charles and Jemima (Crownover) Kellev 
who settled on a farm four miles fiom Wooster. Ohio, in 181 I. Our subject. 
fr<)m ehn-en years of age was reared in M'ooster. and was there educated In 
18.^1 h,. located m A\'ashington Township. Hancock County (had the honor of 
naming the township), and entered 1(50 acres of land, which he cleare.l and 
miproved. and where he lived up to 18.5(i. when h.. sold his fann and moved to 
l?remont. Ohio, residing there until 18^(1, when he came to Fostoria He was 
twice maiTied, first in July, 1828, to Catherine, daughter of .John Lora of 
Uayne County. Ohio, by whom he had seven children: John (deceased) 
Amanda (wife of Ambrose Corey), Svdna I. (wife of Philip Faulhaber) 
Sarah (wife of Tha.ld.-us Balli, Minerva (wife of Christian Gei-man), Charles 
'I'ce , *''"^- -^^'■- I^ell''.'^' was manied on second occasion in Fremont. Ohio in 
I8()2. to Mrs. Emily G. Boren. widow of Levi E. Boren and .lau<rhter of 



51 



910 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

James and Hettie ( Culbertson ) Prebles. ill'. Kelley is a prominent citizen of 
Fostoria. In politics he has always been a stanch Democrat, casting his fir?-t 
vote for Antb'ew Jackson. 

MARTIN KINGSEED, retired merchant. Fostoria, was born in Bavaria. 
Germany, November 19, 1817: son of Anton and Margaret (Rauth) Kingseed, 
the former born in Dreyson, palatinate of Bavaria, Jiine 26, ll'M; the latter 
in Boerstadt. July 28, 17'JO; they were man-ied. January 20, 1810, and settled 
in Boerstadt, where Auton Kingseed followed the trade of cabinet-maker. In 
1832 they immigrated to America, locating in Hamburg, Berks Co.. Penn. . 
and in 1832 they moved to Pine Grove. Schitylkill Co.. Penn., and engaged in 
farming. In 1834 they sold out and came by wagon to Ohio, locating in 
Seneca Township, this county, where Anton Kingseed purchased ninety -six 
acres of land, which he cleared and improved, and which he still resides on at 
the age of eighty-nine years. Anton and Margaret Kingseed were the parents 
of ten children, seven of whom sui'vive: Martin. Peter, Christian, Margaret. 
Elizabeth, Sophia and Anthony. Anton Kingseed was twice man-ied : on sec- 
ond occasion, in 1847, to Catherine Bauer, of Seneca Township, this county, 
and by her he had three children : Joseph. Emilia and Catherine. Emilia is 
matron of the homestead and Anthony has charge of the farm. Martin, the 
subject of this sketch, was seventeen years of age when he came to this county. 
Being endowed liy nature with a strong healthy body and iron will he made 
himself useful at home until twenty-five years of age. Aft* the death of his 
mother he worked six years in a saw-mill on the river, and January 2, 1847. 
he was nearly killed by a log rolling on him, and May 6 following he was 
found under another log, which accident laid him up for some time, and the 
effects of which he feels to this day. He then assisted in surveying the railroad 
fiom Bellefontaine to Union City for nine months. He was married. Septem- 
ber 17, 1850. to Elmira E., daughter of Michael and Anastatia (Arnold) Noel, 
of Wyandot County. Ohio, and to this union were born eight children: Lewis 
A. (deceased), Charles E.. Frank D., Zenobia M.. Mary C William A., Ella 
N. and Anna M. After his marriage Mr. Kingseed located in Tiffin. Ohio, 
and clerked in the hardware store of John G. Gross six years; then traded his 
property in Tiffin to Mi'. Gross for a stock of hardware in Fostoria. this county, 
and removed there in October. 1855, where he was actively engaged in busi- 
ness up to August 1, 1884, when he retired, his son, Frank D. , being his suc- 
cessor. ]Mi\ Kingseed is universally esteemed by all who know him. Polit- 
ically he is a Democrat. 

FRED KINNAMAN. of the firm of W. M. Kinnaman. art and fancy 
goods store. Fostoria, was born in Columbiana County. Ohio, September 3. 
1833; son of Jacob and Marj- (Whitmore) Kinnaman (the former a native of 
Connecticut, the latter of New Jersey), who settled in A\'ood County. Ohio, in 
the fall of 1833. locating in Perry Township, where they piu'chased a tract of 
1,800 acres of land and cleared and improved a fiu-m on which Jacob Kinna- 
man resided until 1S5U, in which year he moved to Mill Grove, and there died 
in 18()3. at the age of eighty-nine years. He reared a family of twelve chil- 
dren, of whom live siu'vive: Jackson P. and Perry I., physicians of Tiffin, 
Ohio; Fred: Charity. Mi-s. E. B. Howell: and Mary. ;Mis. Christian Myers, of 
California. Our subject was reared and educated in Ashland Coiuity. Ohio, 
and lived there up to 1801. He then moved to Mill Grove, and in 1863 located 
in Findlay. Ohio, where he lived until 1879; since 1871 he has been engaged 
in his present business. He was man-ied. October 14, 1852, to Kate Hettinger, 
of Bellville. Richland Co.. Ohio., by whom he has three children: C. Frank. 
Wilber M. and Hany R. Mr. Kinnaman is a member of the I. O. O. F. In 
politics he is a Republican. 



LOUDON TOWNalUP. 911 

DA\If:L KISER. retired farmer. P. O. Fostoria. was liorii in Stark 
County, Ohio. April '_>(», 1,S2'2: son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Grove) Riser, 
who came to Seneca County in 1S:!4 and settled in Loudon Townsliij). where 
the father entered Kid acres of land from the Goveriiuient. which, with the 
assistance of his sons, he cleared and improved. The country at that time 
was a wilderness, and they had to hew a road through the woods for thirteen 
miles to get on their land. Jacob Riser died in 1859. at the age of seventy- 
two yeiirs. and his wife in 185 (, at the age of seventv-one. They had a familv 
of eleven children. Our subject was reared in London Township, this county, 
from ten years of age. and received a limited education in the schools of his 
day. He remained at home with his parents until twenty years of ace, 
when he starte<l out for himself. April 20, 1843. he maiVied Nancv A.i 
daughter of James and Agnes (Bunting) Scott, of Loudon Township^ tliis 
county, and by her he had nine children: Andiew J.. Lorenzo. Loquiner, 
Leander, Alfi-ed. L-a. Sarah J. (Mrs. Josei)h Van Fossen). Libbie and Elmer" 
Of these Andrew J. and Lorenzo served in the late war, the former in the One 
Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantrv for eighteen months, and 
the latter in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Ohio" ^'olunteer Infantry, serv- 
ing eleven months, both being honorably discharged at close of the war. 
After his marriage Mr. Riser rented a farm for three years, and in 1846 pur- 
chased eighty acres of laud on Sections 18 and U). which he cleared and 
improved, and on which he resided up to 18 r8. when he removed to Fostoria, 
where he lived two years. In 18(5 he pm-chased the farm of seventeen acres 
he now occujiies. and where he has resided ever since. He was a member of 
the Fnited Brethren Chm-ch for forty-two years, but in the spring of 1883 
united with the Protestant Methodist Church, of which he is now one of the 
trustees. Politically he has been a member of the Republican party since its 
organization. 

SAilUEL RISER, farmer, P. O. Fostoria. was born in Stark County 
Ohio. June 25). 1828: son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Cxrove) Riser, natives of 
Pennsylvania, parents of eleven childi-en. and who came to this county in 
1884. settling in Loudon Township on the farm now occupied bv oiu- subject, 
which they cleared and improved, and on whicli thev resided until their death.' 
Samuel Riser, the subject of this sketch, has resided on the old home- 
stead since six years of age. June 20, 1850. he manied Julia A., daugh- 
ter of Isaac and Eleanor DeWitt. pioneers of Big S])ring Township, and by 
this union there were four children: Emily (deceased), Alvin, Lou E. and 
Charles. Mi-. Riser has made many improvements on the old homestead since 
it came into his possession: has cleared forty acres of the 178 acres which 
comprises his farm (140 of which are under a" high state of cultivation): in 
18<'.l he built a fine brick residenceon the property, and has also erected commo- 
dious outbuildings. He has held the office of 'township tnistee for several 
terms, besides other minor offices. Politically he is a Republican. 

HENRY W. RONRLE, contractor, Fostoria, was born in Lehigh County, 
Peun. December 7, 1834. son of Hemy and Hannah ( S wander ) Ronkle. In 
1838 his parents settled in Fairfield County, Ohio, where they remained up to 
1871. when they located in Lucas County. Ohio. Oiu- subject came to Seneca 
County in 1845. and lived with his grandfather. John Swander, near Tiffin. 
Ohio, until twenty-three years of age. M.-u-ch 14. 18(57. he man-ied Emily 
daughter of Baker and Ann Hale, of Hancock Countv. Ohio, and the issue "of 
this union was one child -Nettie. Mr. Ronkle learned the trade of bricklayer 
when a young man. which he has followed up to the present time. He located 
in Fostoria in 1851», and since 1800 has been actively engaged as a building 



912 BIOGKAPUICAL SKETCHES; 

contractor, many of the prominent buildings of Fostona h"y"g >f '^>' ^^^'t;"^! 
bv him. the plans for the same being also his work. From IS ,tj to ISSU ^U: 
Konkle was interested in the fiirnitm-e business. He is an act.w member of 
the Eeformed Chiu'ch. He is a member of Fostona Lodge No. .Wo. L O. U. 
F Mr Konkle has served as member of the city council two years. He was 
in' the late war of the Kebellion. having enlisted in April ]S(il. in Company 
H Twenty-lii-st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged 

' FRED KOSS, manufacturer, Fostoria, was born m Grubenhagen 
Grand Duchy of JHecklenburg. Germany, November 4, 184*5. son of John and 
Marv (Hennig) Koss. Our subject was reared and educated in his native land, 
whe^e he served an apprenticeship of thi-ee years at the carpenter's trade. In 
INOy he immigrated to Amwica. settling in Fostoria. Ohio, where he ^yorked at 
his trade up to 1S80, when he became associated with Jacob Mergenthaler in 
the planing-mill, and manufactm-ing of sash, doors, blmds, etc.. in which he 
is engaged at the present time. jVIi'. Koss was united m marriage. October 18, 
1871 with Mary, daughter of Louis and Mary (Goodyear. Karg, of Findlay 
Ohio' and by her he has three childi-en: Charles. John and Augusta. j\Ii-. and 
Mrs." Koss are members of the German Lutheran Church. He is a member of 
the Royal Ai-cauum: politically a Democrat. • r.i,-i- Ar 

CHARLES W LYTLE. farmer. P. O. Fostona, was born in Chiii, 31on- 
roe Co N Y November 8, lS-27. son of Daniel and Betsey (Foster) Lytle, 
the former a native of Rhode Island, and the latter of Massachusetts. He was 
reared and educated in his native county, and in 1854 located m Fostoria, 
Ohio, and entered the store of C. Foster & Co.. where he served in the capac^ 
itv of clerk up to 18(38. since which time he has Vieen engaged in farming and 
various other business enterprises. He was united in marriage in April 18o < 
with Frances M., daughter of Frederick and Christine (Kempher) Febles of 
Jackson Township, this comity, by whom he has thi-ee children: Jennie M. 
Frederick D. and Emma A. Mi: Lytle. one of the substantial fai;mers and 
citizens of Loudon Township, is a member <.f the I. O. O. I. Politically ho 

is a Republican. . .,,,,. , t- t • , 

EDWARD MARKS, ice dealer and propnetor of bottling works, tostona 
was born in Big Spring Township, this county, in February. 18..1: son of 
Nicholas and Theresa (Kehl) Marks, natives of Germany, who settled m Big 
Sprinc^ Township in 1849. where Nicholas Marks, a farmer by occupation, 
cleared and improved the farm on which he still resides. Their children were 
seven in number: Nicholas. Edward, Elizabeth (IMrs. John A\ alker), Anna 
(Mrs Joseph Hackenrader). Thomas, Michael and Aggie. Oui- subject was 
reared on the old homestead, educated in the common schools, and remained 
with his parents until twenty-one years of age. He learned the plasterer s 
trade in Tiffin. Ohio, which he followed three years and a half. In 18'- ^^ 
came to Fostoria and entered the store of Nye & Cooper as clerk The same 
vear he bought Mr. Cooper' s interest in the business, which was then conducted 
under the tirm name of Nve & Marks for several years, after which he engaged 
in the li(,uor business. In 1881 Mi: Marks became interested in a large 
bottlincr establishment of this city, of which he is now sole propnetor. and he 
has also for several years been engaged in the ice trade, having put up over 
4,000 tons this season. Mi-. Marks was man-ied. in 18 <4, to Josephine, daugh- 
ter of Peter Dumond. of Adrian. Ohio, and by her he has one child -^Rossie. 
Mr Marks is one of the enterijrising and public spirited citizens of FostorKi. 
He is a Democrat in politics. He and his wife are members of the Cathohc 

JiCOB MERGENTHALER, manufactmer. Fostoria, was born in Loudo,, 
Township, this county, November 30, 1838; son of Gottfried Mergenthaler. a 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 913 

native of Gormauy. a farmer liy occupation, and who was a pioneer of London 
Tc>wuship, this county, where he cleared and improved a farm, on which he 
lived and died. Our subject, who was reared in his native township, when 
nineteen years of age, left home and served an ap]>renticeship of fom- years at 
the carpenter's trade, which occupation he followed up to ISSl, when, with J. 
S. Bowers, he engaged in the planing, door, sash and blind manufacturing 
Imsiness. In 1SS2 Fred Koss bought the interest of Mr. Bowers, and since 
that time the business lias been conducted under firm name of Mergentlialer <fc 
Koss, who by strict attention to business have built up a large and extensive 
traile. Mr. Mergenthaler was married, in the fall of 1861, to Mary Karl, of 
Fostoria. l>y whom he has four children: Ada, "William, Rollin and Ola. Mr. 
and Mrs. Mergenthaler are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He 
is one of the representative business men of Fostoria. In politics he is a 
Democrat. 

MELCHER MERGENTHALER, caniage manufacturer. Fostoria, was 
born in Loudon Township, this county. July lU. 1841. His father. Gottfried 
Mergenthaler. a native of Germany, settled in Loudon Township, this coiuity, 
in 1 S34, and here Melcher whs reared and educated. Our subject, at the age 
of eighteen, came to Fostoria. where he served an apjirenticeship at wagon- 
making for three years with George Gekr, Esq. He then worked as joui-neyman 
till 1865. when he embarked in business foi' himself , in which he has success- 
fully engaged to the present time. Oiu- subject was iinited in marriage, July 
19. 1868, with Catherine, daughter of Henry Bucher, of Loudon Township', 
this county, and by her he has three chiklren: Andi-ew. assistant cashier in 
the First National Bank: Charles and Rella. Mi-, and 'Mra. Mergenthaler are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a Democrat. 

JAMES L. ;MICKEY. farmer and stock-dealer. Fostoria, was born in what 
is now Ashland County. Ohio, November 10. 1881: son of Jeremiah and Sarah 
(Loman) Mickey, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of ]Maryland. 
His paternal grandfather, Daniel Mickey, was a native of Pennsylvania and a 
pioneer of Ashland County. Ohio, and his maternal grandfather, Richard Lo- 
man, formerly of Maryland, was a pioneer of PeiTy Township, Wood Co. , Ohio, 
where he lived and died. The parents of om- subject settled in what is now 
Fostoria, Ohio, in 1832. His father who engaged in mercantile business, dur- 
ing the cholera excitement of 1834. went with bis family to Richland County, 
but soon returned, and in 1835 embarked in the hotel business, his hotel being 
the fii-st in what was then known as Risdon. He conducted the hotel until 
1841. when he was killed in a ditch by a bank caving on him. His family con- 
sisted of six chiklren: Elizalieth (Mj-s. Thomas Hays), James L., Sarah (de- 
ceased). Isaac N. , William (deceased) and Richard (deceased). Our subject 
was reared and received a common school education in Fostoria. He succeeded 
to the hotel business of his father, which he conducted lap to 1856, when he 
engaged in the lightning rod industry, following it foirr years. In April. 1861. 
he was appointed postmaster of Fostoria. wliich ])osition he held up to October, 
1870. He then purchased a farm in Loudon Townshij), this county, and en- 
gaged in stock busine.ss. In 1873 he erected one-third of the brick building 
known as the Mickey Block, his division comprising two stores, three stories 
high, each '22x75 feet. ^Ir. ^[ickey was married, in 18'')2. to Mary, daughter 
of David H. Edgar, of Dunkirk, Ohio. The issue of this union was live chil- 
dren: Harry, Claude, Newton, Charles and Don. Mr. Mickey is now holding 
the office of township treasurer, which he has filled for several terms. He is a 
F. & A. M. Politically he is a Republican. 

JAMES C. MILLHIME. retired. Fostoria, was bom in York County, 
Penn. , Jime 30, 1823; son of John J. and Mary (Stever) MiUhime. He was 



914 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

reared and educated in bis uative county, and served an apprenticeship of two 
years at the miller's trade in Adams County, Penn. ; in tbe winter of 1847-48 
he located in Fostoria, Ohio, and in 1848 purchased a farm of eighty acres in 
Jackson Township, this county. He was a miller in Carbaugh's mill, at Fos- 
toria, in 18 IS. and later in the mill of Roswell Crocker; was afterward em- 
ployed for several years as collector for Foster & Son. He then embarked in 
mercantile business on his own account, in which he continued up to 1803. In 
1869 he was elected to the office of clerk of Seneca County, a position he held 
for two consecutive terms. In 1876 he erected the Keystone Block, the build- 
ing being 22x'-K) feet, and two stories high. In 1842 Mr. llillhime was married 
to Maiy, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Bair) Throne, of Hanover. Penn., by 
whom he hud five children: Edwin (died of fever at Camp Nevins diu'ing the late 
war of the Rebellion): Lueinda (deceased): Emma, wife of Christian Kistner; 
Mary, wife of Samuel Drenniug. and James B. Mr. Millhime has been assessor 
of Fostoria for several terms. He is one of the public spirited citizens of the 
place, always alive to its interests. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and 
of the K. of H. Politically he is a Democrat. 

JOHN P. MUENCH, grocer, Fostoria, born in Baden, Germany, Novem- 
l)er 6, 1858, sou of Jacob and Rosa (Muench) Muench, was reared and 
educated in his native land. His father died in 18')7, and in the summer of 
the same year our subject, with his mother, three sisters and a brother, immi- 
grated to America and located in Fremont. Ohio, where he served an ap- 
prenticeship of three years at the painter's trade. .He then moved to Toledo, 
where he worked at his trade one year, after which he went to Coldwater. Mich. , 
and there worked at his trade three months. In the fall of 1874 he located in 
Fostoria, this county, and followed his trade ten years. April 1, 1884, Mr. 
Muench embarked in the grocery business in which he has been successfully 
engaged to the present time. He has been twice married. His first wife, to 
whom he v^'as married August 29, 1876, was Catherine, daughter of Nicholas and 
Margaret Walters, of Fostoria, and who bore him one child — William. Our sub- 
ject was man-ied on second occasion, November 2-''). 188(1, to Rosa, daughter of 
John and Theresa (Mainzer) Gnieser. of Sandusky County, Ohio. Mr. and 
Mrs. Muench are members of the German Lutheran Church. Politically he is 
a Democrat. 

DANIEL W. MUSSER, liveryman, Fostoria, was born in Ravenna, Port- 
age Co,, Ohio, April 13, 1831, son of Jacob and Syndonia (Gan-ison) Musser. 
Jacob Musser, a pioneer blacksmith of Ravenna, settled in West Millgrove, 
Wood Co.. Ohio, in 18.")."), and died there in 1870. Our subject settled in Fos- 
toria in 18")8, and embarked in the livery business in which he has continued 
up to the present tim? and is the oldest established liveryman in the plac(>. In 
1861 he was united in marriage with Savannah, daughter of George and Mary 
Buchtel. of Fostoria. this county, and by her he has three children: Ida AI. , 
James W. and Hattie D. Mr. Musser is one of the jjrominent citizens of Fos 
toria and is widely known. He pays strict attention to his business interests, 
and is courteous and obliging to al! who may favor him with their patronage. 
Politically he is a Republican. 

PARK L. MYERS, physician, Fostoria, was born in Fostoria, this county. 
May 28, 18()(l son of Jacob J. and Rachel A. (Harsh) Myers, the former a 
native of Allegheny Coiiuty. Penn. . and the latter of Carroll County. Ohio. 
His paternal grandfather, John Myers, was a native of Germany and a pio- 
neer farmer of Allegheny County. Penn. His maternal gi-andfather. John 
Harsh.' wa? a pioneer of CaiToU Coimty, Ohio, and later of Seneca County. 
Ohio. The father of our subject, who was a wagon maknr by trade, settled in 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 915 

Fostoiiii about 184S. where ho worked as a joiirnoyman for several years: then 
embarked in business for himself, continuing in the same till his death in 1875. 
His family consisted of live children: Eva (Mrs. Dr. F. J. Schaufelberger), 
Bruce M.. Ralph (deceased). Park L. and Lulu. Our subject was reared in 
Fostoria, this county, where he received his early education. He began the 
study of medicine in the office of \\'illiams & Henry, in Fostoria, in 1875, 
and in 1S7() entered the medical department of the Wooster I'niversity, of 
Cleveland, Ohio, where he took one coui'se of lectui'es. In 1S7S he entered 
the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, gi-aduating therefi-om in 187i). He 
afterward took. a course in 187'.)-S(), and in July, 1881), began the i)raetice of 
medicine in Fostoria. In 1881 he formed a partnership with Dr. C. A. Henry, 
with whom he is associated at present. Dr. Myers is a member of the K. of 
P. In politics he is a Republican. 

CHRISTOPHER C. NESTLERODE, teacher and farmer, Fostoria, was 
born in Bald Eagle Valley, Centre Co. ,Penn., March 17, 1824, son of Israel and 
Susannah '(Forrey) Nestlerode, who were natives of Lancastei' County, Penn. 
The Nestlerode family originally came fi'om Poland, and were Polish-Riissian 
aristocrats, hut in the famous Polish insurrection a part of the family joined the 
insurgents under Kosciuko, a few of whom afterward fled to America to escape a 
rebel's death. Those who remained loyal to the Russian government were re- 
warded with official jiositions. Count Nestlerode, a cousin of the grandfather of 
our subject, represented Russia at Washington dm-ing Jackson's administration, 
and was prim(> minister of that country until he was nearly ninety years old. John 
and Christian, great -gi'andfather and grandfather of our suliject, were in the 
Federal service during the Revolutionary war. and served with distinction. 
Israel Nestlerode. father of our subject. Avas the tenth of twenty-six children, 
and was born December 2, 1795. His youth was s]5ent in lumbering, rafting, 
fishing and farming. May l22. 1823. hemaiTi(>d Susannah Forrey, born Febru- 
ary 15, 1801. daughter of Jacob and Susan (Lightner) Forrey, and gi'anddaugh- 
ter of John Forrey, a native of France. Israel Nestlerode and wife came to Perry 
Township, "Wood Co., Ohio, in 1882, purchased eighty acres of land there, and 
entered 110 acres in Jackson Township, Seneca County, comprising a farm of 
250 acres, which, with about 3'.tO acres more, was siu'rounded by a swale run. 
This tract of land the Indians named "the Island. " and which after Mr. Nestlerode 
settled on it, they called " Nestlerode' s Island," which name it bears to this day. 
Mr. Nestlerode, the first actual settler of Perrj' Township, lived there until 1850, 
when he reuKjved to Fostoria. wh(>re he died September 5, 1879, in his eighty- 
fourth year; his widow di(>d December 10, 1883, in her eighty-third year. 
Their children were Christopher C. , Margaret (deceased), Sarah (wife of Dan- 
iel Rhoad), Israel W. , Jeremiah and Lafayette Marion (deceased). Our sub- 
ject was reared in Perry Township fi'om seven years of age, and was educated 
for the most part in the backwoods. He attended Norwalk Seminary one term 
and Rejmblic Academy sevi>n tenus. When seventeen years of age he began 
♦■e;iching in the common schools of Ohio. He taught five winters, working for his 
father each year during the farming season. He taught three years in the 
Tiffin Uni )n Schools, and two years in the State of .\rkansas. He organized 
the first union school west of the Mississippi, at Tipton, Iowa. Ho superin- 
tended the Tipton Fnion School five years; held the first teacher's institute 
ever held in Iowa. He hold teachers' institutes in all the leading cities and 
towns of eastern and southern Iowa. He was chosen by the Iowa State 
Teachers' Association to represent that body at the State Board of Education, 
which held it fir.st se.ssion in Des Moines, Iowa, during the winter of 1858-59. 
.\t that session the present world-renowned free school laws of Iowa were passed. 



91(3 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Mr. Nestlerode was invited to a seat in that body, and was made an honoraiy 
member. He rendered much valuable service to the board, and no act was 
passed that was not first closely examined and carefully revised by him. He 
for three years edited the Iowa Instructor, the first free school journal pub- 
lished in the State. He sent a copy to each school board and prominent edu- 
cator in the State. He waged a merciless warfare against the " school-kill- 
ers," both in the Instructor and in the school rooms, and other places where 
he had the time and opportunity to address the hardy and intelligent pioneers 
of Iowa. He spared neither effort nor money in enforcing the school laws he 
had so anxiously assisted in making, and which provides the means for every 
child, rich or poor, colored or white, to receive an education free as the air he 
breathes. In 1802 Mr. Nestlerode was called fi-om his labors in Iowa (the 
greatest sacrifice of his life) to the home of his boyhood to minister unto his 
parents in their afflictions and fast failing health, and to bear the burdens that 
had become too heavy for them, which resulted in prolonging their lives nearly 
twenty years. The school board of Fostoria, Ohio, in the same year of his 
return, elected Mr. Nestlerode to take charge of their school. He undertook 
the work in connection with his home duties. He found the school merely a 
district school, and while in that shape incapable of successful development, 
but nothing daunted he set about educating the people of Fostoria for a change 
in their school system, and never ceased his effort until the Union School Law of 
Ohio for cities and towns was adopted, under which he organized a union 
school that has grown to be one of the foremost in the State. He was married, 
January '), 1871, to Mary A., daughter of Hon. Morris P. and Mary (Gor- 
such) Skinner, of Fostoria, by whom he has one child — Mary Elizalieth. Mr. 
Nestlerode has held the office of mayor of Fostoria, secretary of the board of 
education, and numerous other offices. In politics he is a stanch advocate of 
prohibition. 

JEREMIAH NESTLERODE, druggist and dealer in real estate, Fosto- 
ria, was born in Perry Township, Wood Co., Ohio, Jiine 26, 1834, son of 
Israel and Susannah (FoiTey) Nestlerode. who settled there in 1832. Our sub- 
ject was reared in his native township, and there received a common school 
education. He remained at home until his twenty-first year, when he engaged 
in farming for himself in AVood County, Ohio, which he continued up to 
twenty-eight years of age. In 1862 he located in Fostoria, this county, and 
entered general mercantile business, in which he remained fourteen years. In 
1866 he opened a branch store, which he conducted for eight years in Jerry 
City (which was named in his honor). Wood County, Ohio. In 1874 he 
embarked for second time in the dry goods business in Fostoria, this county, 
which he followed for one year, and in 1875 was a contractor for county and 
railroad work. In 1877-78 Mr. Nestlerode was connected with the sash and 
blind manufacturing business under the firm name first of Bower & Co. . then 
Hathaway, Campbell & Co. In 1879 he engaged in the clothing business, and 
the same year bought a stock of di-y goods and carried on that business for two 
years. He was engaged in the livery business from 1880 to 1884. In 1881 
Mr. Nestlerode embarked in the drug business, in which he is still interested, 
and has for many years also been engaged in the real estate business, being 
the first in Fostoria to make that line a specialty. He was married, January 
23, 1857, to Ann E., daughter of Grafton and Rebecca Bernard, of Tiffin, 
Ohio. In politics Mr. Nestlerode has been a stanch Republican since the 
organization of the party. 

LEVI NIEBEL. retired farmer. P. O. Fostoria. was born in Union 
County. Penn. . October 8. 1816, son of Henry and Mary (L'ely) Niebel, who 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 917 

settcd in whiit is now A^'y<uldot County in 1SI]4. Our subject rcinainod with 
his puivnts until twouty-oiie yeiirs of tin;o. January 1, 1S:{!S, he was unitcil in 
marriage with Elizal)oth, dauglitcr of John Hitter, of Piclcaway County, Ohio, 
and by her he had two childrou, Elijah anil John, the latter deceased. Janu 
ary 1, 1S4"2, Mr. Niebel married his second wife, Hannah, daughter of Henry 
Bisli, of Fairliold County, Ohio, and by her had one child, Hemy B. Our 
subject located in Bloom Township, this county, in an early day, and cleared 
a farm of 100 acres, on which he resided up to 1854, when he settled in Lou- 
don Township, and cleared a part of the farm now occupied by his son Elijah ; 
he also cleared another farm in the northern part of this township. He and 
his wife are members of the Evangelical Association. He has served as trus- 
tee of Loudon Township one term. Politically he is a Republican. 

ELIJAH NIEBEL, farmer, P. O. Fostoria, was born in Berwick, this 
county, January 10, ISHl), son of Levi and Elizabeth (Hitter) Niebel, pioneers 
of Seneca County. Our subject was reared in Bloom and Loudon Townships 
and received a limited education in the common schools. He removed fi'om 
Bloom to Loudon Township with his father in 1855, where, with the exception 
of six years, during which he resided in Fostoria, he has lived on the farm he 
now owns and occupies. He was in the late war of the Rebellion. enlisting Octo- 
ber '2U, 18()I. in Company D, Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was in the 
battle of Shiloli, siege of Vicksbiu'g, two engagements at Jackson, Miss., and was 
taken prisoner near Rijiley, Miss., Januaiy 11, 1804, and sent to Anderson- 
ville, where he remained until the middle of September of that year, when he 
was transferred to Florence, S. C. : was paroled at Goldsboro, N. C, in March, 
1805, and honorably discharged June lU, 18(55, after nearly four years' ser- 
vice. October 3, 1805, Mr. Niebel was married to Emily, daughter of David 
and Hannah ( Kiser) Young, pioneers of Loudon Township, this county. They 
had six children, foiu' of whom survive: Minnie, Clara, Delia and Arthur C. 
ilr. Niebel, wife and daughter are members of the United Bretlu-eu Church. 
He is a member of the G. A. R. He takes great interest in education. Polit- 
ically he is a Republican. He is a prominent farmer and enterprising citizen; 
owner of a tine farm of 155 acres, 115 of which are under cultivation and 
thoroughly drjiined. 

JOHN NOBLE, stave manufacturer. Fostoria, was born in Nottingham- 
shire, England. May 28, 1833, son of Francis and Pethia Noble. He was 
reared on a farm in Canada, whither his people had emigi'ated in 1836, settling 
in Brant County. When eighteen years of age, John Noble went to Paris, 
Canada, to learn the cooper's trade, and in 1857 come to Sandusky County, 
Ohio, locating in Clyde, where he remained luitil 1858, when he came to Fos- 
toria. In 18<)4 he formed a partnership with John W . Griffith in the cooper 
business, which existed eight years. In IJSTl. together with his former 
partner, E. J. Cunningham, and Charles Foster, a company was establislied, 
known as the Fostoria Stave and Ban-el Company (of which he is the pres- 
ent manager), which has conducted a successful business. Mr. Noble has been 
twice married, on the first occasion, in November, 1858, to Miss Ann Leech, 
who died April 3, 18(')1. His second marriage, July 13, 18()3. was with Mrs. 
Mary E. Warner, widow of George W. Warner, and daughter of William and 
Mary Simons, early settlers of Seneca County. Ohio. The issue of this union 
was five children: Nellie M., Ada M. , Sarah A.. John W. and Lelia B. (the 
latter two deceased). Mr. Xol)le served in the late war of the Rebellion, en- 
listing in May, 1802, in the Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served 
three months in West Virginia. In 18'>2 he joined the independent company 
of the Ohio National Guards, of which he was suljseijuently elected lieutenant. 



918 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

and to which he belonged until 1864. when he entered the 100 days' service. 
He is now sen'ing his sixth year as member of the town council. He and his 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

JOHN H. NORRIS. physician. Fostoria. was born in PeiTV Township. 
Wood Co., Ohio. May 13. 1855, son of Hon. John and Rebecca C. (Cuthbert 
son) Norris, who were among the pioneers of that township. Our subject's 
father, who was a prominent citizen of Wood County, and served once fi-om 
there as representative to the State Legislature, has been a resident of Fos- 
toria since 1880. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the nor- 
mal school at Republic. In 187-1 he began the study of medicine in the oiJice 
of Dr. J. C. Lincoln, of Bowling Green, Ohio, with whom he remained three 
years; graduated fi'om the medical dejiartment of the Wooster University, 
Clevelaud, Ohio. February 27, 1877, and began the jsractice of medicine at 
Bowling Green, in March of the same year, and there remained two and a half 
years. March 1. 1880. he received a post-graduate degree from Belle^^^e 
Hospital Medical College. New York, and in 1881 he located at Fostoria. where 
he has been in active practice ever since. Dr. Norris was married. September 
'20, 1882, to Anna B.. daughter of Robert Middaugh, of Canton. Ohio. Polit 
ically the Doctor is a Republican. He is an active member of the Masonic 
fraternity. 

JOHN F. O'BRIEN. denti.st. Fostoria. was born in Loudon Township. 
this county. July 4. 1855. .son of Thomas and Margaret (McCarty) O'Brien. 
natives of Ireland, who settled in Loudon Township, this county, in May. 1851. 
clearing and improving a farm on which they resided up to 1870. when they 
removed to Fostoria. Here Thomas O'Brien engaged in railroad contracting, 
and Ijuilt aud graded a part of the Ohio Central. Baltimore & Ohio, and New 
York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroads; he died in May, 1878. at the age of 
sixty-nine years. Of his twelve children, nine attained maturity: James, Ellen 
(Mrs. George Emerine, deceased), Mary (Mrs. Alvin Starns), Patrick W.. Mar- 
garet (wife of Rev. Thomas Parker), Kate (Mrs..O. Y. Wood), Thomas and Ter- 
rence (twins), and John F. Our subject was reared in Loudon Township, and 
educated in the Union Schools of Fostoria. In 187fl he began the study of 
dentistry in the office of Dr. T. K. Williams, of Fostoria. with whom he re- 
mained fifteen mouths, when Dr. Williams died and he then conducted the busi- 
ness thereafter for one year. In 1878 he entered the Ohio Dental College, at 
Cincinnati, and in 1879 received a dijiloma fi'om the State Board of Dental Ex- 
aminers, and in April of the same year, began the practice of dentistry with 
W. P. Howell, with whom he has been associated to the present time. From 
a carefiil and thorough study of dentistry Dr. O'Brien has attained a thorough 
knowledge of his profession and bears the reputation of being a skillful and 
superior operator. 

EPHRAIM J. PADGHAM. bookkeeper. Fostoria. was born in Tenterden, 
county of Kent. England, June 10, 1828. son of John and Mary A. Padgham. 
He was reared and educated in his native land and there man-ied, December 
25, 1850, Susannah, daughter of William and Sophia Boorman. by whom he 
ha<l four childi'en. one of whom siu'vives, Elizabeth Jane. This wife died in 
185(5 and oiir subject was again married in 1857, this time to Mrs. Eliza John- 
son, widow of Samuel Johnson and daughter of Michael and Caroline Longer- 
necker. of this county, by whom he has two childi'en: Silas S. and Zoa D. 
Mr. Padgham came to America in 1853 and located in Fostoria. Ohio, where 
he clerked in the grain warehouse of Foster & Co. and was associated with the 
firm for several years. He was the first agent for the United States Express 
Company at this place, and also the first ticket and freight agent for the Fremont 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 919 

& Indiana Railroad, whicli position lie filled for nearly twenty year.s. This rail- 
road changed its name four times while he was agent, jlif. Padgham was 
then ajipointed agent for the Columbus & Toledo Railroad and served two 
years. He then formed a partnership with John P. Warner and conducted a 
grist-mill for two years. He then engaged as book-keeper for the Fostoria 
spoke and bending factory, a position he now occupies. He is a member of 
the Methodi.st Episcopal Church. He is a Rei)ublican in i)olitics. and at pres- 
ent is ser\-ing his third term as member of the city council. 

ABRAHAM PETER (deceased) was born in Bindersheim, Palatinate 
Frankenthal. Kingdom of Bavaria. Germany. February '). 1821, son of Abra- 
ham and Barl)ara (Shobach) Peter, who came to America in 1840 and settled 
in Loudt>n Township, this county. Our subject was reared and .educated in 
Germany and came with his parents to this country when nineteen years of 
age. December 24, 1848. he married Maiy A., daughter of John and Eliza- 
beth (Smilsmer) Vesper, who settled in Loudon Township in 1S4(\ and by this 
union there were thirteen chikken, of whom nine survive: Elizabeth (Mis. 
John Romig). Margar<>t (Mis. Henry Reis), Mary (iMrs. Andrew Herbert). 
Louisa (Mrs. Ephraim Stahl). Charlotte (Mrs. Abrahani Fnith), John A., 
Jacob, Philip and Sarah. After his man-iage Mi-. Peter engaged in agi-icult- 
lu-e on a rented farm for five years. In 1848 he pvu-chased a fi'iie farm "of ]7r> 
acres on Sections 10 and 21. on which he made many improvements, residing 
there most of the^time until 1883, when he retired from fanning and moved to 
Fostoria. In 1852 he went to California and again in 1854, and while there 
engaged in stock buying and mining. He made these trijis there overland, 
returning by water. He died in Fostoria May 7, 1883, at the age of sixty-two 
years. Though he started in life a poor boy, by industiy, frugality and 
economy he accumulated a fine property. Mr. Peter was widely"known in 
Fostoria and surrounding country as an upright, honest citizen." He was a 
respected and worthy member of the Masonic fi-aternity. In politics he was a 
Democrat. 

JOHN PETER, farmer, P. O. Fostoria, was born in Bi.varia, Germany, 
May 18, 183(t. son of Abraham and Barbara (Shobach) Peter, who came to 
America in 184(1 and settled in Loudon Township, this county, on eighty acres 
of land now owned by E. Kinney, former of whom died in Big Spring Town- 
ship in 1871. in his eighty-first year, latter in 1840, eleven weeks after her 
arrival in this countiy. They had a family of nine children : Philip; Abraham, 
deceased: Catherine. :Mrs. Nicholas Findel; :\Iargaret. deceased; :Maria. Mrs! 
Jacob Heiserman: Ci villa, deceased: Barbara, Mrs. Abraham Rineliold; John; 
Charlotte, Mrs. Adam Helfrick. Our subject was reared in Loudon Township, 
this county, and lived at home with his father until he was twenty-three years 
old. He then rented the old homestead for seven years; in 1800 he moved to 
Henry County, Ohio, where he remained four years; retiu-nod to Loudon 
Township in 1805 and purchased the old homestead, living here four years, 
and in ISOO purchased the farm of 150 acres he now occujues, fifty-five acres 
of which he has cleared himself, making all the improvements in" buildings. 
April 7, 1854, :Mr. Peter nianied Margaret, daughter of Jacoli Helfrick,"of 
Loudon Township, and by this union has four children: John J.. Mary I. 
(Mrs. Warren Seeverl. Enim.i C. (Mrs. Adam Weasner) and Philip W. Mr. 
Peter and family are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically he is a 
Democrat. 

JOHN J. PETER, farmer, P. O. Fostoria. was Iwrn in Loudon Township, 
this county, July 13, 1855, son of John and Margan>t (Helfi-ickl Peter. He 
was reared and educated in Loudon Township. June U. Is81. he was married 



920 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

to Ella K.. daiighter of Solomon and Elizabeth (Alsbaugh) Ruse, of Hopewell 
Township, this county, and by her he has two children: Otto M. and Charles 
A. Since his maiTiage Mr. Peter has been engaged in agricnlturo on the farm 
he now occupies. He is a member of the Lutheran Chui'ch, and his wife of 
the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Mr. Peter, who is one of the promi- 
nent young farmers of the township, is now serving his second term as town- 
ship assessor. Politically he is a Democrat. 

JOHN A. PETER, clerk, Fostoria. was born in Loudon Township, this 
county, Februarj' 15. 1854. son of Abraham and Mary A. (Vesper) Peter. 
His paternal grandfather. Abraham Peter, a native of Gennany and a soldier 
under Napoleon I, came to America in 1840 and settled in Loudon Township, 
this county, where he resided until his death. His maternal grandfather. 
John Vesper, also a native of Germany, was among the pioneers of Loudon 
Township. Om- subject was reared and educated in his native township. In 
1877 he located in Fostoria and engaged as clerk in the clothing store of John 
Wagner, with whom he remained thi-ee years. In 188(1 he entered the employ 
of Peter & Fruth in the same capacity, remaining w'ith the firm and its suc- 
cessor; A. Fruth, to the present time. He was man-ied, August 22, 1878, to 
Lucy, daughter of Nathan and Lavina (Carbaugh) Wade, of Loudon Township, 
and by her he has one child, Mary Luema. The paternal grandfather of Mis. 
Peter was Abner AVade. who settled in Loudon Township in 1882. and was one 
of the organizers of the township and one of its first officials. Her maternal 
grandfather was Samuel Carbaugh. also a pioneer of Loudon Township. Mr. 
Peter is a member of the German Reformed Church. In politics he is a Dem- 
ocrat. 

PHILIP PETER, clerk, Fostoria. was born in Loudon Township, this 
county. April 16. 18*)3. son of Abraham and Mary A. (Vesper) Peter. Our 
subject, who was reared and educated in his native township, located in Fos- 
toria in 1879. and entered the employ of Foster. Snyder & Co.. serving in the 
capacity of clerk for two years. In 1881 he engaged with Weaver & Adams 
as clerk, with whom he remained until the spring of ]885. when he engaged 
in the same capacity with A. Weaver, successor to Weaver & Adams, with 
whom he is at present. December 1. 1882, Mr. Peter was united in man-iage 
with Anna, daughter of George and Ellen (O'Brien) Emerine. of Fo.storia. 
this county, and to this union has been born one child- Lulu M. Mr. Peter 
is one of the worthy and representative citizens of Fostoria. Politically he is a 
Democrat. 

DAVID PETER, farmer. P. O. Fostoria, was born in Loudon Township, thim 
(County, March 27, 1842, son of John J. and Elizabeth (Halm) Peter, natives 
of Rhinebiern, Germany, and who came to this county in 1838, settling in 
Loudon Township, and entering eighty acres of land fi'om the Government, 
which they cleared and improved. The father died in 1878, at the age of 
sixty-eight years. The mother survives him at the age of seventy-six. They 
had a family of nine children, of whom five siu-vive: Henry, David. Elizabeth. 
Philebena (Mrs. ileleher Fruth) and Mary (Mrs. John Fruth). Our subject 
was reared in Loudon Township, receiving a limited education in the common 
school. May 25, 1SG3. he married Susannah, daughter of Jacob and Civilla 
(Schraden) Fruth. of Loudon Township, this county, by whom he has four 
childi-en living: John W., Louisa J.. Margaret E. and David A. In August. 
IStjf). Mr. Peter settled in Henry County, Ohit), where he engaged in farming, 
lumbering and teaming up to the fall of 1872, when he returned to Loudon 
Township, piu'chasing the farm he now occupies, a part of which he has cleared 
and whereon he has made many improvements in Ijuildings, etc. He is one of 



LOUDON TOWNSHU'. 921 

the prumiu.-nt fanners of Loudon Township; hiis hclil tl„. nffl,.,. ,f f i ■ 

trustee three terms. I„ politics he is a Re, mi.lioL ' "^ ^"'"''^'>' 

NICHOLAS POKTZ, hardware merchant, Fostoriu. was born in .Jucl-son 
lownshi,.. this county. March I. I83U. son of John in,l tr-,LTi ^ '"^ "^"" 
I'ortz. natives of Pru-ssia. who located in J^l^^T^^'^'^^i^'^''''' 

UlmstedA. Co.. which partnership existed up to ISCT when he reH,.«,l ft 
the firm and embarked in tlie hardware business «4th iLn Ch.HoFoSe^ 

tS ''tr ^r -'-^t/^^PP'--" uild^rlhetr 

Lewis and Mary (Youngker, Adams, of" FiiKUa^ Ohio mta'^Z^ 

M-. S is5- ^V'T '^'^1^";""^' grocer. Fostoria. was born in Ireland 
Limerick li-ern'/ l""? ""^^ ^^""-" (Madigan) Quiim, natives of Co n v 
1 / '"'"^' '""^ '^^" «""«' t« this county in 1851 settlin.r in T ffl , 
where the father, a l)lacksmith bv trade, which he f.^llmv. v'l flu 7 
onjraRed m business until his death- he died hf lS-.<) tV "'^^> ■\?''^ •>'«'-"•«' 
•l.t ye.. Of their family of ;i;.:^lnd,lr-'f::;r ^tn:^,," ,=^^: 



^3::; ,nX dec:;^xv=\ f i2 ^ltS:Lf^^:ftri "'^ 

sKling in Michigan. Our subject was reared mSi^'c^S^f^ ^S'yea^; 

whiVl 1 1 •■ , , '• ^"'"^f? "» apprenticeship of three years after 

which he engaged in brulye-building for two seasons. He then -1, S-d fo ■ 
severa years in different branches of business and conducted a .akel in 
r.ftm for several years more. He located in Fostoria. this coin vn 87 
and embarke.1 in the grocery and I >akery business on his owii c .;„ t in 

s'l/V'rrf Lr^S:f.s^^ --i»^i|£^^^ 

to Eaton County, Midi., where he now resides. Mi- and aTs Ch le^ L 
Reynolds had five children, of whom three are now livinJ Gener-.l E f-^c,^.; 
and McClellan. (Mrs. Charles L. Reynold., previous tocher nai;'^^f;;iS ho 



922 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

father of our subject, was the wife of Eli Weaver, one of the pioneers of 
Loudon Township, this connty. and by him had five children, three now liv- 
ing: George. Rachel (wife of Allen Stevens) and Alpheus. ) Our subject was 
reared on his father's farm in Loudon Township, this county, and received a 
common school education. At the age of eighteen he began teaching school, 
which occupation he followed for seven years. He then commenced the study of 
medicine with Dr. C. L. Cass and took one course of lectures at the Physio 
]\Iedical College of Cincinnati. Ohio. In 1880 he embarked in the drug busi- 
ness in Fostoria. this county, in company with Jerry Xestlerode. the partner- 
ship existing at the present time. He was married, July 4, 1877. to Emma 
E.. daughter of James K. and liachel Williams, of Fostoria, and by her he 
has two childieu living: Nellie and Grace. Mr. and !Mrs. Reynolds are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Protestant Church. Politically he is a Democrat. 

JACOB RINEBOLD. farmer. P. O. Fostoria. was bom in Pen-y County. 
Ohio, October 28, 1821, son of John and Catherine (Winingerl Rinebold, the 
former, a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter (still living), a native of Ger- 
many. They came from Richland County to Seneca County. Ohio, in 1884, 
and settled in Loudon Township, entering IfiO acres of land (now occupied by 
Abraham Rinel)old), which they cleared and improved, and where the father 
died; mother still living. They reared a family of four children: Elizabeth, 
wife of Henry Stahl; -Jacob: Aliraham: and Rebecca, wife of John Shontz. 
Our subject's great-grandfather had two sons. Heni'v and Matthias, who came 
from Germany to America and fought in the Revolutionary war, in 177(), 
under Gen. Washington. Our subject was reared in Loudon Township, from 
thirteen years of age and received a limited education in the school.s of his 
day. He was man-ied, in December, 1850, to Mary A., daughter of John and 
Elizabeth (Good) Lambright, of Jackson Township, this county, by whom he 
has had nine childi'en. seven now living: Noah: Elizabeth, wife of Newton 
Stearns; Susannah, wife of Cyris Yost: Henry: Mahala. wife of David Smith: 
Rachel, wife of Philip Wirangh. and Jacob, ili-. Rinebold is one of the sub- 
stantial citizens and farmers of Seneca County, where he has clearetl and im- 
proved a part of a farm on Section 10, Jackson Township. He is a member 
of the Lutheran Church, his wife of the German Reformed Chiirch. Politi- 
callv Ml-. Rinebold is a Democrat. 

ABRAHAM RINEBOLD, farmer. P. O. Fostoria. was born in Perry 
County, Ohio. October 18. 1822. son of John and Catherine (Wininger) Rinebold. 
the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Germany. His paternal 
grandfather. ^latthias Rinebold. a native of Pennsylvania, and his maternal 
grandfather. Adam Wininger. a native of Germany, were pioneer citizens of 
Perry County. Ohio, where they lived and died. The parents of our subject 
came to Seneca County, Ohio, in March, 1S84, settling in Loudon Township, 
on the farm now owned by him. The father died in 1854, at the age of fifty- 
six years, the mother, who still survives, is eighty- four j-ears old. They were 
parents of foiir children: Elizabeth, wife of Heiuy Stahl; Jacob: Abraham: 
Rebecca, wife of John Shouts. Oiu- subject received a limited education in the 
tlistrict schools, ^^"ith the exception of ten years, during which he was a resident 
of Jackson Township, he has lived on the homestead since 1S84. and with his 
Itrother, Jacob, assisted his father in clearing 100 acres of the old homestead, 
which he came in possession of in 1851); he has since purchased land adjoining, 
and his farm now comprises 481 acres of land, 2r)0 of which is under cultiva 
tion. He has made many improvements on his property, erecting his present 
Inick residence in 1871, and in 1875 erected a new frame dwelling, and, also, 
in 1883. another fi-.ame dwelling. Mr. Rinebold has been twice mamed. Bv 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 923 

his first wife. Elizalx'tli, daughter of Jacob ami Aniui E. (Peter) Fruth. of tliis 
township, lie had two childi-cii: Kclioeca and John. By his prt'si-nt wife, Bar 
luira, lUmghter of A!)raham and Barliara (Sholiach) Peter, of Loudon Townshi]), 
this county, he has eight cluldreu : Catherine, wife of (leorgo Yochum ; Levi. Syvillia 
E. . wife of Frederick Kosen; Abraliani; Mary L. : Anna E. : Ephraini and Henry 
(latter deceased). Mr. and Mrs. llinebold antl all the family are members of 
the Lutheran Church. He is a prominent farmer and public spirited citizen. 
In politics he and all the sons and sons-in-law are Democrats. 

JOHN RINEBOLD. farmer, P. O. , Fostoria, was born in Jackson Town- 
ship, this county, October 10, IH,")!), son of Abraham and Ann Elizabetli 
(Fruth) Rinebold. His paternal gi'andfather. John llinebold, settled 
in Loudon Township, this county, in 1S;$1, and his maternal grandfath(>r. 
a native of Germany, settled in same township in 1882. Oiu' subject 
was reared in Jackson and Loudon Townships and was educated in the 
common schools. March 21. 1S72, he married Anna ^M. , daughter of George 
and Margaret (Niner) Kisling, of Jackson Townshij), this county, and by her 
he had one child — George A. After his marriage Mi'. Rinebold engaged in 
farming on the Rinebold homestead, in Loudon Tov^nship, living there until 
liSSl, when he piu'chased the farm whereon he now resides. He and his wife 
are members of the Lutheran Oiurch. He is one of the representative \oung 
farmers of the township. Politicallv he is a Democrat. 

JOHN F. RITCHART. painter. Fostoria. was born in Westmoreland 
County, Penn.. July i, 1S2(). son of David and Mary (Johnson) Ritchart. who 
settled in Loudon Township, this county, in 1S47, and here lived and died. 
They had six children who grew to manhood and womanhood: John F., James 
(deceased), A\'illiam H.. Han'iet (Mrs. P. D. Caplesj), Catherine (Mrs. \A'ash- 
ington Wade) and David (latter deceased). Our subject remained in Pennsyl- 
vania until fourteen years of age. when he removed to Wayne County, Ohio, 
with his parents. He is a natiu'al Ijorn mechanic, and during his minority 
learned cabinet-making, which h? followed for several years. He settled in 
Fostoria. this county, in 1854. since which time he has been engaged exten- 
sively in caiTiage and house painting. December 2?>. IS-tT, he married Eliza, 
daughter of Kinzie and Catherine (Kimniel) Cox, of Wayne County. Ohio, and 
by her he has had three children: Emma (deceased). Ella (Mrs. W. D. Robbins) 
and Minnie. Mr. and Mrs. Ritchart are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, with which they have been connected upward of thirty years and of 
which he is one of the trustees. He has served as mayor of Fostoria two terms, 
eighteen years as a member of the council, member of the school board eight 
een years in succession, and as cemetery trustee for twenty-five years. Politi- 
callv he is a Republican. 

WILLIAM H. RITCHART. farmer. P. O. Fostoria. was born in Somer- 
set County. Penn., March 2(5. 1S2(. son of David and Mary (Johnson) Ritch- 
•irt. who settled in Wayne County. Ohio, about 18-53, and came to this countv 
in 18-t7, locating in Loudon Townshii). where they resided until their death. 
Their childi'on were seven in number: John F.. James F. (deceased). Han-iet 
(Mrs. P. D. Caples), William H., Eliza (deceased), Catherine (Mrs. M'ashing- 
ton Wade) and David (deceased). Our subject was reared in Wayne County 
fi'om six years of age. and from the age of fifteen to twenty-one drove stage on 
the route from Wooster to Cleveland. He spent the summer of 1848 in this 
county, when he returned to \\ ayue County, continuing the occupation of 
driving stage till 1850, when he went overland to California, engaged in min- 
ing and in various other lines of business up to l'S54. when he took passage on 
the steamer "Wiatield Scott'" for home; was wrecked when two davs out from 



924 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

San Francisco, and was on the island of Anacape for seven days. He arrived 
home safely, however: again went to California overland. returning by water the 
same year. In the spring of 1855 he settled in Loudon Township. this county, 
where he remained for four years on the farm now owned and occupied liy 
Patrick Duffy. He then moved to Fostoria and engaged in teaming; was also 
interested in the lightning-rod business with J. L. Mickey. During the late 
war of the Rebellion Mr. Ritchart enlisted. December 1. ISBl. in Company 
D, Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry: was on detached duty, and had 
charge of the horses of the regiment. He was honorably discharged on 
account of disability at Memphis, Tenn. , March 20. 1863. He then returned 
to Fostoria and was appointed street commissioner by the city council, a posi- 
tion he held for two years. In 1867 he purchased the farm he now occupies. 
He was married, July 4. 1858 to Martha A., eldest daughter of John and 
Nancy (Musser) Fritcher. of Wood County. Ohio, and by this union has two 
children, John and Eugene R. Mr. Ritchart is a leading farmer and citizen 
of Loudon Township. In politics he is a Democrat. 

AARON K. RUSE, retired farmer, Fostoria. was born in Franklin County. 
Ohio. July 10, 1834, son of Jonathan and Margaret (Kalb) Ruse, natives of 
Virginia and Maryland, respectively, and pioneers of Franklin County. Our 
subject was reared in his native county, where he received a limited education 
in the schools of his day. He came to Seneca Coiinty. Ohio, in 1860. settling 
in Loudon Township, where he cleared 240 acres of land, on which he resided 
up to the fall of 1884, when he removed to Fostoria. Mr. Ruse has been 
twice married, first, on July 17. 1860. to Lavarna, daughter of John and 
Rebecca (Pyles) Halbert. of Franklin County. Ohio, and by her he had three 
children: Albert W.. Laura E. and an infant son deceased. November2. 1872, he 
married his present wife Mary Matilda, daughter of Daniel R. and Anna M. 
(Simmons) Hemy, of Loudon Township, this county, and by this union there 
are three childi-en: Charles "W.. William K. and Aaron E. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ruse are members of the Protestant Methodist Church. In jiolitics he is a 
Republican. 

CORIDON R. SACKETT. farmer. Fostoria. was born in Massachusetts 
August 19, 1824, son of Ezra and Laiu'a Sackett, former of Scotch origin. 
The subject of oxn sketch was reared on a farm and received a limited education 
in the schools of his day. He was maiTied, April 21 . 1859. to Camelia M. , daugh- 
ter of John ^^^ and Maria Vrooman, (jf Oswego, N. Y. , by whom he had three 
childi'en, two of them now living: Emerson R. and Bertha E. In 18f)6 they lo- 
cated in Jackson Township, this county, and there remained until the fall of 1 875. 
when they removed to Fostoria. wher(> they now reside. Mi-, and Mrs. Sackett are 
active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Sackett is owner of a fine 
farm of 1 10 acres in Jackson Township, and is a worthy citizen. Mi's. Sackett' s 
grandfather was a soldier in the Revoliitionaiy war: her father. John \V. Vroo- 
man, was born in New York State, in 1 79it. came to Seneca County. Ohio, in 1 832. 
and located in Liberty Township, where he settled on 160 acres of land. He 
was the first merchant at Bettsville. where he was in business for several years. 
He afterward moved to Fostoria. where he kept a general store. He died Jan 
uarv 28. 1873. 

FREDERICK J. SCHAUFELBERGER. physician. Fostoria, was boiii 
in Freedom, Beaver Co., Penn. , April 28. 1850: son of Jacob and Margaretha 
(Fritcher) Schaufelberger, natives of Weingarten. Grand Duchy of Baden. 
Germany, and who settled in Hancock County. Ohio, in 1852, where the for- 
mer engaged at his trade (wagon-making) and farming in Washington Town- 
ship, up to 1882, when he retired from business and located in Fostoria, where 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 925 

he now resides. Jacob Scbanfelberger's ohiklren were as follows: Louisa, 
Mary, Catborine (deceased), Frederick J., John W. (an attorney in Tiffin)! 
Amelia, Charles, Henry, Cnrtis and Frank. Our subject was reared in Han- 
cock County. Ohio, and was educated in the common schools and Heidelberg 
College. In 1881 he began the study of medicine in the office of Henry & 
Myers, of Fostoria, and graduated fi-om the Jefferson Medical College of Phil- 
adelphia in 1884. He immediately commenced practice in Fostoria" where ho 
has been engaged in the pm-suit of his ])rofession up to the pr(>sent time. 
Prior to his commencing the study of medicine he was a prominent drugo-ist 
in Fo.storia. having been associated in business with James Fritcher fi-om 1l78 
to 18S2. He was married. October '.), 1877, to Eva J., daughter of Jacob J. 
and Rachel A. (Harsh) Myers, of Fostoria. They have one child, Frederick J. 
Dr. Schaufelberger is a member of the lodge of F. & A. M. at Fostoria, of 
which he was Master in 187!) and 1880. He was elected a member of the 
board of education of Fostoria, Ohio, April 6, 1885, of which body he is clerk. 
Politically he is a Republican. 

GEORGE SCHRECK, liquor dealer, Fostoria. was born in Bavaria. Ger- 
many, Feljrnary 20, 18:50; only child of Henry and Margaret (Smith) Schreek. 
During his infancy his fath(>r died, and his mother subsequently married Will- 
iam Heilman. and with our subject came to Seneca County, Ohio, in 1848. and 
settled in Loudon Township, clearing a farm on which they lived till the death 
of Mr. and Mrs. Heilman. They had three children: Jacob, Philebene (Mrs. 




which he cleared and improved, and where he resided up to 187-"), when he 
located in Fostoria. and has caiTied on his present business since that time. 
He was twice married, first, September 21, 1852, to Catherine, daughter of 
John Herrick, of Detiance Comity, Ohio, and by her he has six childi-en, all 
now living: John, Andrew. Curtis, Mary, Charles and Henry. He was mar- 
ried, on second occasion, February 4, 1875, to Mary, daughter of Nicholas 
Le(^kuer, of Tiffin, Ohio, and l>y her he has four childi-en: Lula, George, Ross 
and Michael. Mr. Schreck is a member of the United Lutheran Church, Mrs. 
Schreck of the Catholic Church. Politically he is a Democrat. 

AMOS SHELLER. fanner, P. O. Fostoria, was born in Washington 
Township, Hancock Co., Ohio, December 29, 1850; son of Samuel and EHza- 
beth (Hartman) Sheller. His paternal grandfather. Henry Sheller. a native 
of P(>nnsylvania, settled in Loudon Township, this county, in 1832, on 
the farm now owned by H. Stuckey, which he cleared and" improved, and 
where he resided until his death. He (Heniy Sheller) had seven children: 
John (deceased). Eliza. Samuel. Sar.-di. Angeline, Fanny and Henrj'. Of 
these Samuel, father of our subject, after matmity, settled on an eighty acre 
tract of land in Washington Township (where his father had entered land from 
the Government) and lived there until l8f>8. when he removed to Loudon 
Township, this county; in 1876 he settled in Gratiot County, Mich., where he 
now resides. His children were eleven in number, and of them eight survive: 
William H., Amos. Mary, Jacob,_ Fanny, Noble, Chauncey and"lmo. Our 
subject was married, April 2. 18 n. to *Emma J., daughter of Nathan and 
Lovina (CJarbaugh) Wade, of Loudon Township, artd by her he has one child, 
Harry E. Mr. Sheller settled in Gratiot County, Mich., in 1877. and there 
remained four years. In 1881 he retui-ned to this township, and has since 
been actively engaged in farming. Politically he is a Rejmblican. 



82 



926 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

CHRISTIAN SIEGCHEIST, farmer, P. O. Fostoria, was burn iii Wur 
temberg. Ciermariy. February 21. 1816: son of Ludwig and Christiana (Ger- 
lach) Siegchrist. His father died in Germany, and his mother afterward mar- 
ried Christian Seheong and immigrated to America in 1847, locating in Tiffin. 
Ohio, but afterward moved to Loudon Township, where she died in 1851. at 
the age of fifty-eiglit years. Our subject came to America and located at 
Marion, Ohio, where he remained for a year and a half. In the autumn of 
1841 he moved to Tiffin, where he worked at the carpenter's trade up to 184(); 
then he embarked in the brewery business, in which he continued up to 1860. 
when he was burned out. He then engaged in farming in Loudon Township, 
this county, on the farm where he has since resided, and on which he has 
made many improvements, erecting his present elegant brick residence in 187D. 
ilr. Siegchrist was twice married, on lirst occasion. March 19, 1842. to Chris- 
tiana Souder, who bore him four children: Christiana E., wife of Louis Sou- 
der: Henry C. : Daniel: Maria A., wife of Fred Raber. Our subject was 
man'ied, on second occasion. November 11, 1855, to Agnes Boiler, also a native 
of "Wurtemberg, Germany, and by this union there are two childi-en: Christian 
M. and Louis. Mr. and JIi-s. Siegchrist are members of the Lutheran Church. 
In politics he is a Democrat. 

JOHN SIGNS, farmer. P. O. Bascom, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, 
September 1 0. 1 S 1 8. son of George and Catherine (Worst) Signs, natives of 
Pennsylvania and pioneers of Wayne County. Our subject was reared and 
educated in his native county. He was ignited in marriage. November 18. 
1842. with Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Barnhart) Ecker. 
of Wayne County. Ohio, and by her he had two children: Abraham and 
Almira. ( .'i.lmira married Eli Good, and at her death left twin sons : John E. 
and Eli E., the former of whom, reared by our snbjeet.now resides with him. ) 
Mr. Signs came to this county in the spring of 18415 and settled in Loudon 
Township, on the farm he now occupies. comj)rising 120 acres of land, ninety 
of which he has cleared, and on which he has made all improvements. Mrs. 
Signs died June 19. 1884. at the age of sixty-six years, four months and 
nineteen days. Her death was a sad blow to Mi\ Signs, who feels her loss 
keenly, as they hail lived together for almost forty-two years. Mr. Signs is a 
prominent citizen and farmer; in politics he is a Republican. 

PETER SIMONIS, proprietor of " Chen-y Hotel, " Fostoria, was born in 
Big Spring Township, this county, in 1<S40: son of Adam and Kathrina (EfFert) 
Simonis, natives of Germany, and who were among the pioneers of Big Spring 
Township. Our subject was reared on a farm. November 29, 18fi4, when in 
his eighteenth year, he enlisted in the late war of the Rebellion, in Company B, 
Forty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and received an honorable discharge July 
13, 1865. He then returned to Seneca County and embarked in the brewery 
business at New Riegel.in which he was interested a year and a half. He after- 
ward engaged in farming and in various other enterprises at New Riegel. In 
b872 Mr. Simonis removed to Tiffin. Ohio, and embarked in the liquor busi- 
ness, which he followed there up to 1878, when he located in Fostoria and 
became proprietor of the ' "American House ' ' for two and a half years. He 
then retired from business for six months, after which he became proprietor of 
the ''Lake Erie Depot Restaurant," which he conducted five months, then 
took charge of the ' ' Fostoria Hoitse, " ' which he kept for a year and a half. 
In November. 1884. he removed to the corner of Main and Centre Streets, 
where he has since conducted the " Cherry Hotel." He was married. July 26, 
1866, to Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Marche, of New Riegel, by whom he 
has had eight children, seven now living: Emma, Mollie. Joseph, Ida. Jennie, 



tOUDON TOWNSHIP. 921 

Bel];i ami Tillic. ^fr. ami Mrs. Simonis are momliors of tho Catholic Church. 
Politically be is a Democrat. 

MORRIS P. SKINNER (deceased) was horn in Frankliu County, Pcnii., 
July 11, ISl 1 ; sou of Enoch and Elizabeth O\'ilsou) Skinner. When he was 
but five years of age his father died, and when he was eleven years old he was 
thrown on his own resomces. He learned the tanner's trade at Loudon ville. 
Penn.. and came to Seneca County, Ohio, in 1832, settling in what is now the 
limits of Fostoria. and eml)arked in the tanner's business, which he conducted 
for several years. He th(>n engaged iu farming and teaming, and cleared and 
improved a tract of forty acres (the homestead, which is a part of the lot, is now 
occupied liy his widow). Mr. Skinner was twice married: by his tirst wife, 
Mary, daughter of John and Margaret Gorsuch. he had three children: \\'il- 
sou. Elizabeth (Mrs. Charles Olmsted) aud Mary A.. (Mrs. C. C. Nestlerode). 
His second marriage was with Jane M. Searles. who was born March 20, 1S21, 
and is said to have been the first white child born in Eden Township, this 
county; her parents, John and Jane (Duncan) Searles. settling there in 1S2(>. 
To this union were born live children: Clara J. (Mrs. A. E. Ebersole). Louesa 
M. (Mrs. A. C. McClean). William M.. Frank J. (d.'ceased) and Orlo D. (de- 
ceased). Mr. Skinner was a self-made man. and l>y indu.-itry and frugality 
amassed a tine property. He was representative of this county to the Legis- 
lature in lsr)U: held the office of county commissioner two terms, and was 
justice of the peace for several years. In- politics he was always a stanch 
Democrat. He died April IT, 1870, in his sixty-fifth year. JVIi's. Skinner has 
l>een a worthy meml)er of the Methtxlist Episcojial Church for fortyseven 
years. 

A. JUDSON STACKHOUSE. attorney in Fostoria. was Iwrn in Colum- 
bia County. Penn.. September 28. lSr)(); son of Silas J. and Sarah B. 
(Lockhart) Stackhouse, natives of Pennsylvania. His father, a farmer by oc- 
cupation, located in Pleasant Township. Sen(>ca Co.. Ohio, in IN.")!, and re- 
moved to Lilierty Township in lSr)7, where he now resides in his seventv-ninth 
year. He had six children who grew to maturity, viz.: Milliara L.. who 
served in the Third Ohio Volunteer Cavahy from the fall of 1 8(1 1 to the close 
of the war, aud now resides in Jackson County. Kans. : Benjamin, on the 
homestead: Ann B.. wife of AVilliam C. Boor, of Wood County. Oliio: Jose))h 
(t. M. . who served three months at the commencement of the late war in the 
Fourteenth Ohio A'olnnteer Infantry, and again iu the Third Ohio Volunteer 
Cavalry from the fall of 18(ii until his death, near Corinth. Miss.. June 20, 
IS(>2: Lockhart. of Sandusky County. Ohio, and .\. Judson. The paternal 
grandparents of our subject were Benjamin and Sarah (Jackson i Stackhouse. 

The foiiner was a lineal descendant of Stackhouse, who settled on or 

near the piesent site of Philadeljjhia about 1I>S2. Tlie latter was a descendant of 
Robert Jackson, who settled on Long Island in l(j-18. His maternal gi-and- 
parents. liobert and Flora (Leigh) Loclchart, were- natives of the conntv 
Arnuigh. Ireland, aud of Scotch parentage. They immigi-ated to America in 
1801, and settled in Northuml)erland County. Penn. Our subject was reared 
in Seneca County. Ohio, receiving his early education in the common schools. 
He remained at home on the farm until twenty-one years of age. then entered 
Heidellierg College, at Tiffin, attending four terms: in the intervals between 
terms he taught school, teaching d\u-ing the winters of 187"2-78 to 187(V77, 
inclusivt>. Iu 1875 he took a short course at the normal school, then located 
at Fostoria. and in Feljruary, 1877, entered the University of M'ooster. Ohio, 
where he graduated in 1881. In August of that year he commenced reading 
law in the office of N. L. Brewer, of Tiffin, taught school in Melmore the fof! 



92« BIOGIIAI'IHCAL SKETCIIKS: 

lowiug winter of 1881 -82. and was ailmitted to the bar November (i, 1888; 
and in Juiinary, 1884. located in Fostoria, where he ha.s since been engaj^ed 
in the practice* of his profession. He is a member of the Prpsb\i;erian Church. 
In politics he is a Kepiiblican. 

SAMUEL STEWARD, retired farmer. Fostoria. was born April HI. 1S15. 
in Northanipton County. Penn. : sou of A\illiam and Catherine Steward, former 
of Scotch lineage. Our subject was reared on a farm in his native State, and 
edneated in the cominou schools. He was man-ied, in April. 1889. to Mar}- 
>I. . daut^hter of Henry and Rachel Renner. of Crawford County, Penn. , and 
the issue of this union was eight children: Catherine A.. Man' E.. William 
H., Sarah, Amanda. Luther M.. Samuel O. and Charles O. (latter deceased). 
Mr. Steward settled in Crawford County. Peini. . iu 1887. remaining there un- 
til 1848, when he moved to Peny Township, Wood Co., Ohio, and there re- 
sided until the fall of 1878. when he came to Fostoria. Ohio, where he now 
lives. He is an active member of the Reformed Church. Mr. Steward is 
owner of 240 acres of land in Wood County. Ohio, all of which he has acquired 
himself, and he is among the representative citizens of Fostoria. 

FRANCIS R. STEWART, hardware merchant. Fostoria, was born in 
Lycoming County. Penn., December 19. 1885: son of Thomas D. and Fanny 
(Riddell) Stewart, who settled in Clinton Township, this county, in 1838. His 
father entered t>ighty acres of land, and purchased eighty acres additional at 
? 1 per acre, which he cleared and improved, and where he resided till the 
spring of 1854.^ when he removed to Perry Township. Wood Co., Ohio, and 
there remained until his death, which occurred in ISIarch, 1875. in his seventy- 
lirst year. He had nine chikh-en who gj-ew to maturity; ^lary. wife of Abra- 
ham Hyter. residing atBradner; Rose, wife of G. W. Caldwell, of Penysbm-g; 
Francis R.: Andi-ew D.. a resident of Toledo: James M.. a physician at Oak 
'Harbor; John T.. of Jackson. Mich. : Charles H. ; William D.. a physician of 
Pemberville. and Charen E. Our siibject was reared iu Clinton Township, this 
county, until eighteen years of age, and was educated at Republic Academy 
and Heidelberg College. In 1858 he located in Fostoria. where he taught 
school until the brc^aking out of the late war of the Rebellion. He enlisted in 
Company H. Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. August 15. 18()1, and Sep- 
tember 1. same vear. he w-as promoted to sergeant, and in May. 1868, to first 
serceant; February 28. 1804, he veteranized in same company antl_ regiment, 
and March 10. 18(')4. was promoted to second lieutenant; August 1(. 1864, he 
was promoted to first lieutenant for meritorious service at the battle of Picket" s 
Mill; at the battle of Nashville he had charge of Companies K and E; in De 
cember. 1864, he was promoted to captain. He participated in all the engage- 
ments in which his regiment took ])art, was wounded at the liattle of Stone 
River, and twice during the .\tlanta campaign. He was houoralily discharged 
from the service, Deceml)er 81. 18()5. at Columbus. Ohio. In 1866 he em- 
barked in the hardw:u-e lousiness, in Fostoria. with John A. Bradner. with 
whom he was connected about a year. He then became asstjciated with his 
brotlier John T. for five years, after which he conducted the business alone up 
to the fall of 1888. when C. L. Powell became associated in business with him 
mider the firm name of Powell & Stewart. Mr. Stewart was married. October 
8. 1866, to Roxana. daughter of John C. and Artemesia (Mason) De Witt, who 
were among the pioneers of this county, where they settled in 1885. The issue 
of this union was five children: Frank D., Lee R.. Homer Y., Jesse C. and 
Victor W. Mr. and Mi-s. Stewart and their eldest son are members of the 
Presbyterian Church, in which he has been an elder for many y(>ars. He is a 
F. iSf A. M.. and a member of the G. A. R. Post at Fostoria. serving as com- 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. |»20 

mander of tlu> latter at the present timp. Mr. Stewart has Ix-en mayor of 
Fostoria one term, and trustee and member of the e.\ecutive committee of Fcs- 
toria Academy since its ort^anization. Politically he is a llepublican. 

ISAAC STULTZ. farmer, P. O. Fostoria. was i)oru in Frederick County, 
Md., Auf^ust 29, 1800; son of James and Polly (Wilson) Stultz. He was 
reared and educated in his native county, and there served a four years* ap- 
prenticeship to the tanner's trade. In 1S34 lie came to Ohio and "located in 
Tiffin, where he followed his trade and farming up to 184^), when he moved to 
Loudon Townshiji, and iu 18(58 to the farm he now owns and occupies. He 
was married, April 12. 1887. to Martha, daughter of Samuel and Elizal)eth 
(MiUer) Daly, of Tiffin, formerly of Pennsylvania, and who came to Tiffin, 
this county, in 1822. By this union there were nine chikken, six of whom 
are now living: Mary, Sylvia (Mrs. Fred Werner), Ella (Mi-s. John Dillon). 
Jami>s, Emma (J\L-s. Calvin Frederick) and Isaac. Mi-. Stultz ha.s held the 
ofHce of township trustee eight terms. In politics ho has always lieen a Re- 
publican till last presidential election. 

GEORGE H. THOMPSON, of the iirm of Wude & 'J^hompson. proprietors 
of the "Hays House." Fostoria. was born in Laona, Chautauqua Co., X. Y., 
April 14. 185(5; son of William and Mary A. (Lawton) Thompson. He was 
reared and educated in his native county, and is a graduate of Biyant & Strat- 
ton's Commercial College, of Buffalo. N. Y. December :((). 187S, hti located 
in Toledo, Ohio, where he served in the capacity of clerk and book-keeper of 
the "Island House" for five years. February 2o, 1884. he located at Fostoria. 
this coimty, where he served as clerk of the ' ' Hays House ' ' for Wade & 
Reeves until September 12 of the same year, when he' purchased Mr. Reeves' 
interest in the hotel, which has since been conducted in the uam(> of Wade& 
Thompson. Mr. Thompson was maiTied, September 24, 1884, to Emma S. 
Malk-ion. of Topstiekl. Maine, while visiting her sister, Mrs. B. O. Hall, of 
Toledo, Ohio. The "HaysHovise" is the only first-class hotel in Fostoria, 
and is one of the most popular in northwestern Ohio. Mr. Thom|)son. who is 
the resident jiartner. thoroughly undi>rstands his business, is widely known 
among the traveling fraternity, and spares no expense to make his o-uests 
feel at home. 

JOHN P. WARNER, luoprietor of the Livingston Roller-mills, Fostoria. 
was born in Wayne County, Ohio, June P.), 18.")4; son of Ezra B. and Cath 
erine (Ewing) Warner. He was reared and educated in Arcadia, Hancock 
Co., Ohio, where he learned the miller's trade in his father's mill. At the 
age of eighteen years he came to Fostoria, this county, where he engaged as 
head miller with E. J. Cunningham & Co., with whom hi* ivmained seven 
years. He then leased the mill for three years, and iu 1S81 bought the mill 
with E. J. Padgham. wliitTh i)artnership lasted twenty months, when he 
bought Padgham's interest, since which time (1882) he has been sole proprie- 
tor. This mill was built in 18(12, and in July, ISt}:!. Mr. Warner put in all 
the latest improvements in machinery, eleven set of rollers. Livingston process, 
etc. The mill is run by eightj--horse power engines, and has a capacity of IflU 
barrels per day. Our subject was married. May 18. 187(), to Ella A. Johnson, 
of Fostoria, by whom he has one child — Lida E. Mr. Warner is one of the 
enterprising business men of Fostoria. Hi> and his wife ai-e members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in the Salibath-school of which he has always 
taken an active interest, and has b(!en teacher <jf the Bible class for several 
years. He is a member of the K. of H. Politically he is a Republican. 

ALPHEUS WEAVER, dry goods merchant, Fostoria, was born in Loudon 
Township, this county, July 22, 1843, son of Eli and Mai-v (Dillon) Weaver. 



<I30 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

who settled in Loudon Township in 1838, where Eli Weaver bought a farm of 
120 acres, a part of which he cleared and improved, and on which he resided 
until his death (his widow afterward mari'ied C. L. Reynolds, of Fostoria, and 
is now residing in Eaton County, Mich.). They had five childi-en, of whom 
three survive: George, Rachel, wife of Allen Stevens, and Alpheus. Oiu- sub- 
ject was reared in Loudon Township, where he received a common school edu- 
cation. At the age of eighteen years, in August, 1801, he enlisted in Com- 
|)any H, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; veteranized in 1863, in same 
company and regiment; was in the battles of Shiloh. Liberty Gap, Chicka- 
niauca. Rocky Face, Resaca and Dallas. At the latter place he was wounded 
in the right hand, which disabled him from service, and he was transferred to 
liospital duty, in which capacity he served one year. He was honorably dis- 
charged in Novemlser, 1865. In 1866 he embarked in mercantile busines.-; at 
McComb, Hancock Co., Ohio, in which he continued about seven months. He 
then clerked in a diy goods store, in Fostoria, for seven years, and in the 
spring of 1875, with T. D. Adams, Esq., embarked in the diy goods business 
at Fostoria. which partnership existed up to March, 1885, when INIr. Adams 
sold his interest to our subject, who is now sole f)ropriotor and doing a success- 
ful business. Mr. Weaver was married, in November, 1867, to Rachel D., 
daughter of Robert and Rhoda (Hendrickson) Patterson, of TifiSn, Ohio, and 
by her he has f our chikh-en : DurantD.. Wylie W., Alpheus J. aud OUin T. 
IVIi-. and I\Irs. ^Veavor are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He 
is a member of the K. of H. Politically he is a Democrat. 

BENJAMIN WELLS, retired, Fostoria, was born in Carroll County, Ohio. 
November 28, 1825, son of David and Sarah (White) Wells, who settled in 
Perry Township, Wood Co., Ohio, in 1836, where they lived and died. In 
1842 our subject located in Fostoria, this coimty, and served an apprentice- 
ship of three and a half years at the blacksmith's trade with Joel Hale, Jr. 
He then opened a shop for himself, which he carried on for eighteen years, 
. when he embarked in the livery business, which he followed for twenty years, 
when he retired. Mr. Wells was united in marriage, in Jvily, 1850, with Eliza 
A. , daughter of Samuel E. and jSIary (Fry) Van Dyke, of Hancock County, 
Ohio, and by this union had two childi-en: Albert and Samuel E. Mr. Wells 
is one of the prominent citizens of Fostoria. Politically he is a Republican. 
FREDERICK WERNER, tailor, Fostoria, was born in Kcenigslutter, 
Dukedom of Brunswick, Germany, June 23, 1836, son of Henry and Caroline 
( Miller) Werner. He was reared and educated in his native country, and there 
sei-ved a four years' apprenticeship at his trade. When fourteen years of age, 
his father died, and at the age of eighteen he, with his mother, immigrated to 
America and located at Norwalk. Ohio, whore he remained two years; he then 
removed to Washington, Mo. (During this time he worked two years at his 
trade as a journeyman, and the balance of the time was in business for him- 
self). In 18()0 he located in Fostoria, this county, where he worked at his trade 
up to April 19, 1861, when he enlisted in Company H. Twenty-first Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry, being the first man enrolled fi-om this place. After serving three 
months, he "was honorably discharged. August 12, then re-enlisted, August 
15, same year, in Company H, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infautiy, for three 
years; was in the battles of Green River, Shiloh. Corinth, Perry ville and 
"stone River, was wounded in right thigh and knee at Stone River, and was 
honorably discharged on account of disability, August 12, 18(53. He then re- 
turned to Fostoria, where he worked at tailoring as a journeyman till the 
spring of 1870, when he embarked in business on his own account, in which 
he has continued to the present time. Mr. ^^'orner 7narri(>d, September 4, 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 931 

1866, Sylvia, daughter of Isaac and Martha (Daley) Stultz, of Loudon Town- 
ship, this county, and by her has five children: William W., Frederick, Elsie, 
Charles and Maud. Mr. Werner is a F. <*i; A. M.. and a member of the 
G. A. E. Politically he is a llepubliean. 

JOHN AVHEALAN, Tiffin, was born in Loudon Townsliijx this county, 
AprU 26, 1840, son of John and Mary B. (Swalley) \\'healan, the former a 
native of Ii-elaud and the latter of Pennsylvania, and who settled in Loudon 
Township in 1833, clearing and improving a farm on which John Whealan, 
Sr. , still resides at the ago of eighty-four, being one of the oldest resilient 
pioneers of the township, and one of the mo.st respected and public spirited 
citizens. He gave the land for the site of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and 
liberally of his means toward the erection of the edifice, and also donated the 
laud for the Catholic Cemetery. To John and ^lary B. A\'h(>alan were born 
sis children: Margaret (wife of Levi Hook), Patrick, 'William. John, Sarah 
(wife of John Keefe) and Thomas F. (present sheriff of this county). Our sub- 
ject was reared in Loiidou Township, and was educated in the common schools 
and Heidelberg College. He served in the late war of the Rebellion, eidist- 
ing August 22, 1862, in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio 
"Volunteer Infantry: was in the battle of Winchester, Va., under Gen. Mil- 
roy, June 13, 1863. In December, 1863, he was accidentally shot in the knee 
by a member of his own company; amputation became necessary, and he was 
honorably discharged on account of disability in May. ISfU. He is a memVier 
of the Catholic Chiu-ch. Politically he is a Democrat. 

JOHN E. WILKISON. banker." Fostoria. was born in Perrysbiu-g, Ohio, 
September 12. 1842. son of David and Caroline M. (Forbes) AVilkison, natives 
of New York. David Wilkison was a mariner, sailing the lakes from 1812 to 
1852, and was a popular steamboat captain of his day. In 1817 he was in 
command of the " Black Snake"; in 1818 he was in command of the schooner 
"Pilot," and later commanded the schooners "Mary Jane," "President," 
"Superior," "Genevieve" and "Eagle." From 1835 to 1845 he was com- 
mander of the steamer "Commodore Perry," after which he took command 
of the steamer " Superior," which he ran until the close of navigation in 1852, 
when he retired to his farm near Perrysburg. David Wilkison was born in 
WaiTcu County, N. Y., February 23, 18()0, and settled in the Maiunee Valley in 
1815; marrif^l. November 27, 1827, Caroline M. . daughter of John Forbes, of 
Port Lawrence, Ohio, and settled in Perrysburg in 1828. He reared a famDy 
of five children: William D., a resident of Toledo; Emeline H. , wife of 
Isaac P. Thompson, residing in Perrj'sburg; Sarah H., wife of H. H. Dodge, 
of Perrysburg: John E. ; Caroline M. , wife of E. W. Murray, of Bowling 
Green. Capt. AN'ilkison died in Periysbm-g Sejitember 8, 1873. Our subject 
was reared and educated in his native to^m. In 1857 he went on the lake as 
clerk and wheelman of the proj)eller "Ogonto" for one year. In 1858-5'J he 
sailed the propeller " Orontes " as wheelman and watchman, and in I860 
held the same position on the propeller " Eclipse." In AprU, 1861, at 
the first call of President Lincoln for troops, he enlisted in the tlrree months' 
service, and was honorably discharged in August, 1861, after which he served 
as clerk in the auditor's and treasurer's office of Wood Coimty, Ohio, up to 
1863. March 1. 1863, Mr. Wilkison located in Fostoria, this county, where 
ho took the position of book-keeper in the store of Foster, Olmsted A: Co. , 
acting in that ca))acity up to 1871. In 1867 the banking house of Foster & 
Co. was formed, and ^[r. Wilkison has had charge of the sami^ up to the pres- 
ent time, being admitted as partner in 1871. He was married, October 29, 
1863, to Caroline A., daughter of George A. and Augusta (Peck) Powers, 



932 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

of Perrysburg, Ohio, former formerly from New York State, latter formerly 
from Coanecticut. Eight childi-en blessed this union, of whom four survive: 
Mary A., Lncy P., John E., Jr. and Fi-ed F. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkison are 
members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has been a ruling elder sinc« 
1870, and superintendent of the Sabbath-school since 18f)4. He is a promi- 
nent member of the G. A. R. ; has been a member of the board of education 
and treasurer of the same for live yeai's. Politically he is a stanch Republican. 

AMOS S. WILLIAMS, physician, Fostoria, was born in Fairfield County, 
Ohio, December I'J. 1823, son of George and Elsie (Swaysie) Williams, pio- 
neers of that county. His maternal grandfather, David Swaysie. a native of 
Maryland, was a pioneer of Elm Flats, Fairfield County, and one of the first 
judges of the circuit court of that county. Our subject was reared in Fairfield 
and Perry Counties, and received his early education in the common schools. 
In 1844 he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. William Swaysie, 
of New Salem, Ohio. He entered the Western Reserve College, Cleveland, Ohio, 
in 1849, graduating therefrom in 1851, and in the spring of that year located in 
West Independence, Hancock Co. , Ohio, where he was in active practice up to 
the fall of 1807, when he located in Fostoria, where he has practiced his pro- 
fession to the present time. The Doctor was married, in June, 1 853. to Sarah 
R. McGowan, of Somerset, Perry Co. , Ohio, and by this union has had nine 
children, of whom but two survive: Liunseus G, and John H. (the former is a 
graduate of the medical department of Wooster University, Cleveland, Ohio, of 
the class of 1874-75, and has been engaged in the practice of medicine with 
our subject since 1877). Dr. Williams is a member of the State, County, 
Northwestern and American Medical Associations. Politically he is a Repub- 
lican. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

LINN^US G. WILLIAMS, physician, Fostoria. was born in AVest In- 
dependence, Hancock Co., Ohio, October 23, 1855, son of Amos S. and Sarah 
R. (McGowan) Williams. He received his early education in West Indepen- 
dence and Fostoria high schools; entered the medical department of Wooster 
University, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1873, gi'aduating therefrom in the class of 
1874-75. He afterward attended a special course of three years at the Miami 
Medical College, of Cincinnati, under the tutelage of Prof, E. Williams, ocu- 
list and aurist, receiving his diploma in 1880, and immediately began the 
practice of his profession in Fostoria, where he is now located. Dr. Linnaeus 
G. Williams makes a specialty of eye and ear diseases. He was united in mar- 
riage, December 16, 1880, with Nellie B., daughter of John F. and Elizabeth 
(Swigart) Heilman, of Fostoria. He is a member of the State. County and 
Northwestern Societies. Politically he is a Republican. 

ANDREW J. WILSON, grocer, Fostoria, was born in Fostoria, thi.s 
county, August 27, 1851, son of John and Eliza (Bucher) Wilson, the former a 
native of New York, and the latter of Pennsylvania; they came to Seneca 
County, Ohio, in 1843, and Mi: Wilson operated a saw-mill up to 1882: both 
are residents of Fostoria at the present time. They reared a family of nine 
children: Charles W. (deceased), Robert C. (deceased), Andrew J., Sylvester 
(deceased), Horace G. (deceased), William H., Lora, Myra and Mollie. Our 
subject, who was reared and educated in Fostoria. at the age of eighteen began 
to work at the plasterer' s trade, which occupation he followed for six years, 
prior to which he had worked in a grocery and bakery six years. In 1877 he 
embarked in the grocery business in company with his brother, Robert C. , the 
partnership existing thi-ee years. In 1880 he purchased his brother's interest 
and has since conducted the business successfully being now one of the leading 
grocers in Fostoria. He moved into his present quarters in April, 1885, and 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 933 

has oue of the neatest and most complete stores of the kind in the city. Mr. 
Wilson was married, January 11, 1880, to Belle, datighter of Isaac Stumbaugh, 
of Wood County. Ohio, by whom he has two children: Harry L. and Lou. Polit- 
ically he is a Republican. 

LEVI WOOSTER, clerk. Fostoria, was bom in West Independence, 
Hancock Co.. Ohio. October 12, 1S55, son of Matthias and Catherine (Bower) 
Wooster. His father, who was born in Wurtemberg. Germany, April 17, 
1809, immigrated to America in 1833, and located in Allegheny County, 
Pemi., where he worked at the shoe-maker's trade up to 1838, whenhe removed 
to Stark County. Ohio, auil there remained for seven j'ears; in 1845 he located 
in Big Lick Township, Hancock Co., Ohio, and in 1855 settled in We.st Inde- 
pendence, where he resided until his death; he died May 24, 1884, in his sev- 
enty-sixth year. His wife, also a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, died July 
8, 1875, in her sixty-second year. They had ten children, of whom six sur- 
vive: Catherine, wife of Hemy Ernest; Mary, wife of Peny Woaks; Eliza, 
wife of William Lawhead; George; Margaret, wife of Augxist Ruch; and Levi. 
Our subject was reared and educated in West Independence, Ohio, and at the 
age of sixteen came to Fostoria and entered tjie employ of A. Scharf, with 
whom he remained for several years. In the spring of 1875 he entered the 
employ of \^'eaver & Adams, with whom he remained until the firm dissolved 
in the spring of 1885, when he engaged as clerk in the boot and shoe store of 
T. D. Adams, which position he still occupies. Mr. Wooster was man-ied, 
October 28, 1879, to Amanda, daughter of Andi'ew and Sarah (Bai'e) Emcrine, 
of Fostoria. this county, and l)y this union there is one child, Laila. Mr. and 
Mrs. Wooster are members of the Methodist Episcopal Chiu-ch. In politics he 
is a Democrat. 

GEORGE E. YARGER, sample and billiard parlor, Fostoria, was born in 
Thompson Township, this county, November 3, 1851, son of Benevel and Het- 
tie (Campbell) Yarger, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of German descent, 
the latter of Scotch parentage, Benevel Yarger, a tailor by occupation, located 
at Flat Rock, this county, in 1851, and there worked at his trade until 1861, 
when he removed to Carey, Ohio, and in 18G6 to Wanatah, Laporte Co., Ind., 
where he now resides. Of a family of twelve children oirr subject is the only 
one residing in this coimty. He was educated in the common schools, and 
Bryant &i Stratton's Business College at Chicago. He left home when seven- 
teen years of age. and after a varied life, in which he engaged in several busi- 
ness ventiues in different sections of the county, he located in Fostoria in June, 
1881. Mr. Yarger was man-ied, July 17, 1881, to Ellen, daughter of Henry 
and Anna Maraches, of Big Spring Township, this county. Her parents, 
natives of Germany, settled in Big Spring Township in 1832. Mrs. Yarger is 
a member of the Catholic Chiu'ch. In October, 1882, Mr. Yarger embarked in 
his present business. He is an affable, agi-i>eable gentleman, and his genial, 
pleasant manner has won liim hosts of friends. Politically he is a Democrat. 



934 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. 

FRANCIS ABBOTT, farmer. P. O. Old Fort, is a nativo of Oneida Co.. 
N. Y., born in 1810, son of Moses and Sarali P. (Snow) Abbott (both de- 
ceased), natives of Massachusetts, of English descent, and who moved first to 
New York State and thence to Ohio, in 1818. settling in Huron Count v: foiu- 
years later they came to Cliutou Township, this county, jJurchased land at the 
Government sales and cleared and improved same ; they reared a family of six 
childi'en: Theodocia. Larenzo, Jonathan, Eliza, Henry and Francis. Our 
subject was married in Clinton Township, this county, to Miss Lydia M. In- 
graham, a native of that township, daughter of Agreen and Lydia Ingraham 
(both now deceased), early settlers in this county, and who had a family of 
six children of whom only two now survive, ^ir. and Mrs. Abbott are the 
parents of six children, four living: Abram L., Avu-enia M. . Francis E. and 
Ida A. ; Florence A. and Emma E. are deceased. Mr. Abbott began at the 
bottom round of the ladder of wealth, having but small means. He has im- 
proved many Inroad acres of land, and by industrv and economy has accumu- 
lated, and now owns nearly 600 acres of the best lands the State affords. He 
was an old time ^Vhig; is now a stanch Republican. 

A. L. ABBOTT, farmer, P. O. Fort Seneca, was born in Pleasant Town- 
ship, this county. February 11, 1847, son of Francis and Lydia M. (Ingra- 
ham) Abbott. He was reared a farmer and still follows agricultural pursuits. 
He was married. May 31, 1870. to Miss Galena Titus, of Pleasant Township, 
this county, where she was born in Januaiy, 1847, daughter of R. R. and 
Elvira S. (Clark) Titus. To the union of our subject and wife were born four 
children: Harvey F. (deceased), Clark L., Flora (deceased) and Elvira. IMr. 
Abbott has served his township in some of its offices, filling the position of 
clerk three years and justice of the peace three years. He gives his influence 
with the Republican party. 

MOSES ABBOTT (deceased) was born in Pleasant Township, this county, 
December 1. 1887, and reared in the village of Fort Seneca. He enlisted in 
the late civil war, August 12. 18(>1, and, at the organization of Company D, 
Forty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was commissioned second 
lieutenant, in which capacity he served until he was honorably discharged, in 
October, 1808. He re-enlisted. August 29, 1864, and was appointed captain 
of Company C, One Hundi-ed and Eightieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infan- 
try, in which he served until the close of the war. He then retui'ned home 
and opened up a dry goods and general variety store in Fort Seneca, Ohio, 
which he conducted until 18')9. after which time he grave his attention to gen- 
eral farming, occupying the old home farm. Mr. Abbott served eight years in 
the capacity of township clerk. He served as land appraiser in 18S0. He 
was maiTied, December 8, 1870, to Miss Emma J. Beck, a resident of 
Pleasant Township, where she was born. August 29. 1S50. daughter of Gahort 
and Sarah (Remby) Beck, who came from Pennsylvania to this county in an 
early day. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott were the parents of one son and one daugh- 
ter: Charles M. and Pearl E. Oui' subject's parents, Lorenzo and Jeunette 
(Sherwood) Abbott, were natives of Massachusetts and New Jersey, respect- 
ively, and came with their jxirentsito this county about 1821 or 1822. where 



i'LF.ASANT TOWNSHIl'. 935 

they WHre maiTied in 1825; they had a family of nino childrou. Lorenzi) 
Abbott, Sr., follow(>(l farming in early life; from 1836 to 1871 he engaged in 
merchandising at Fort Seneca. He served six years as county commissioner, 
twenty-five years as townslup treasurer, eighteen years as justice of the peace. 
Politically he was a Whig and a Rejiubliean. He died September 19, 187(5. 
aged seventy-foiu' years, and his widow March 1"), IS77, aged sixty-seven 
years. Moses Abbott, the subject of this sketch, died, Mny 1-"), 1885, aged 
forty- seven years live moutlis and foiu't(>en days. 

DAVID B. ANDERS, farmer. P. O. Green Spring, was born September 
20, 1881), in Bloom Township, this county, son of AVilliam H. and Sarah A. 
(King) Anders, natives of Virginia and Maryland, respectively, and who were 
among the first settlers in this county, where Mrs. Anders died in 1858. The 
father now resides in La Crosse Coiiuty, Wis. They wereth*?! parents of three 
sons: Thomas J., an attorney in Washington Ten'itory; David B., and Igna- 
tns, who was woimded and <lied in the late war. David B. also sen-ed about 
three yt'^rs in Company H. One Hundred and First Regiment Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry: was struck liy a minii> l)all in the hip in the battle at Murfreesl)oro 
in 18(>2. He returned home June 2(1, 1S()5. Oiu- subject was married, August 
20, 18(>2, to Miss Phoebe A. Clark, a native resident of this township, and 
daughter of Pinckney and Edatha (Hubbard) Clark, former born in Tompkins 
Clounty, N. Y., April 22, 1807, and the latter Iwrn November 18, 1802, in 
U'indham County, same State, of English descent; they were maiTied in 
Lehigh Connty. N. Y. , September 25, 1 S:'2, and were the parents of three children : 
Mary E., David H. and Phwbe A. Mr. and Mj-s. Clark came to Pleasant 
Township, this connty, in 1884, where they still reside with the subject of this 
sketch. To Mr. and Mrs. Anders were boi'ix two sons: Charles I. and Thomas 
O. Mr. and Mrs. Anders have now over 20l) acres of land, which they have 
improved in various ways. They are both faithful members of the TJ. B. 
Church. Politically IVIr. Anders is a Republican. 

JOHN G. BONNELL. farmer, P. O. Watson, is a native of Lycoming 
County, Penn. . born April l(t, 188-1, son of William and Anna M. (Buyter) 
Bonnell, with whom he came to this county in 188S. He was married in March, 
1857. to Miss Catharine E. Gittinger, a resident of Adams Township, this 
county, born in Frederick County, Md. , daughter of Daniel and Jane (Dud- 
row) Gittingei'. who came from j\Iaiyland to the State of Ohio in an early day 
and settled in this count)-. Both are now deceased. To our subject and wife 
were born ftmr children: Aima A.. Margaret J., George R. and Frederick 
(latter deceased). Mi-. Bonnell follow-ed the carpenter's trade for several 
years, but since 1850 has been engaged in general agricultm-e. He purchased 
and improved 1 1(> acres of good land in Pleasant Township, on which he now 
resitles. For about three years diu'ing the late war of the Rebellion he was a 
meinl)er of Comjiany I, One Hundred and First Regiment Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry. He has served his township in office of trustee for two years. In pol- 
itics he is a stanch Repul)lican. 

JAMES P. BONNELL, farmer. P. O. Watson, a son of William and 
Anna ^I. (Buyter) Bonnell, was born in Pleasant Township, this county, 
November 10. 1844. He was reared on the farm, and has ahvays followed 
!igricultiu-al piii-.suits. He was married, November 2(5, 1 8(5S, to Elnora Egbert, 
a resident of Pleasant Township, born in Adams Township August 80, 184(5. a 
daughter of John D. and Ary A. (Griffin) Egbert, early settlers of this county, 
and who still resiilc in Pheasant Township. To our subj(>ct and wife have been 
born live children: William E., Arnetta M. . John A., James G. and Richard 
L all living but James G. In 1882 Mr. Bonnell purchased land in Pleasant 



1*36 DIOGRAPIUCAL SKETCHES: 

Township, this coiuity, on which he now resides. He served during the late 
war of the Rebellion as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Sixty- 
fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, putting in full term of service with 
the regiment. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Chiu'ch. Politically he is a solid Republican. 

ALFRED S. BONXELL. farmer, P. O. Watson, a son of William and 
Anna M. (Buyter) Bonuell, was born in Pleasant Township, this county, Jan- 
uary 1 3, 1 847. He was reared a farmer, an occupation he still follows. He 
was united in marriage, May B, 181)9, with Miss Emma Noixis. of Scipio Town- 
ship, this county, where she was born December 11. 1852. daughter of Lt)tt 
and Lurana (Todd) Norris, who, in a very early day, emigrated from Marjland 
to this county, where they reared a large family, of whom MJrs. Bonjiell is the 
youngest. To Mr. and Mrs. Bonnell were born foui- childi-en: Estella E. (de- 
ceased), Nellie M., Charles A and Bertha B. (latter deceased). ^Mi's. Bonnell 
is a member of the Methodist Church. Mi\ Bonnell is a stanch Reijublican in 
politics. His parents, natives of Lycoming County and Philadelphia. Penn., 
respectively, were married in Lycoming County, Penn. . thence came to Ohio 
and settled in Pleasant Towushixi, this county, in May. 1838, and here reared 
their family of eight childi-en: Catherine A., John G. . Mary E., Jacob T. ,Mai- 
garet J. , Richard W. . James P. and Alfred S. , all living but Mary E. and 
Richard W. The father died April 15, 1885, the mother still resides on the 
homestead farm with her daughter and son-in-law, Margaret J. and Daniel 
Collow, who were married December 27, 1863, and aj-e the parents of two 
daughters: Maggie E. and Minnie A. 

IVnCHAEL BOROUGH, farmer, P. O. Fort Seneca, was born in Sandusky 
County, Ohio, in 1836. son of Abraham and Sarah (BettsI Borough, natives of 
Pennsylvania, and who immigi-ated to Ohio in a veiy early day with theur par- 
ents, who settled first in Wayne County. Ohio, whence the two families came to 
Sandusky County and later to this county. Oiu- subject's parents were mar- 
ried in Wayne County, Ohio, and in 1830 came to Sandusky County, where 
they reared a family of ten children: John. Samuel, Michael, Levi, Henry, 
Sarah, Mary, Amanda, Tillie and Daniel, all living but Levi and Sarah. The 
mother died in 1883. the father now resides in Fostoria, this county. Our sub- 
ject has followed farming all through life. He was married, December 5, 1861 , 
to Miss Mary A. Oswald, of Sandusky County, Ohio, where she was born in 
1840, daughter of Henry and Christena ( Workley) Oswald (both now deceased), 
natives of Germany, and who came to America while quite young, settling in 
New York State, where they grew up and were married, and about 1830 came 
to Sandusky County, Ohio, via overland I'oute, and camping out and living in 
their wagons until they erected a log-cabin. Here their family of five ehildi'en 
were born: Catharine (deceased), Christena (deceased), Henry, Mary A. and 
Caroline. Mi'. Borough moved to this county and settled in Pleasant Town- 
ship in 1868. To our subject and wife were born three children: William H., 
Jennie M. and Lola B. The family were formerly members of the United 
Brethren Chiu'ch but are now Methodists. Mr. Borough being ofllcially con- 
nected with same. He has served in some of the township offices of trust. 

JOSEPH R. DROWN, farmer, P. O. ^Vatson. was born in Erie County, 
Penn., son of Solomon and Fannie (Dennis) Drown, natives of New Hampshire 
and Maine, resj)ectively, and who wore married in New York State, whence 
they emigrated to Adams Township, this county, in January, 1837; here they 
reared their family of ten children: Dennis, Charlotta, DewitC. James B., 
Rebecca, Mary A.. Lucy J.. Joseph R., Henry H. and Elvira, all living but 
Mary A. and Charlotta. The father died in October. 1857, the mother August 



I'LKASANT TOVVNSHir. 0?>7 

'22, \HHO. Our subject was maiTiod, Fobruarv 1^ IS(i4, to Mary •). Ijuwitsox. 
of Pleasant Towiishiji, this couuty. daughter of Jacol) and Susan (Gittinger) 
Bowersox, natives of and married in Frederick County, !Md. . and who moved 
to Pleasant Township in I88S: they weri> the parents of six children: Margaret. 
John C, Mary J.. William H.. Clara and Edith. The lirst wife of .^Ii-. Bow- 
ersox, Susan, died February 18, 1 S ( i : he and his second wife reside in Pleasant 
Township; he has been an active politician (Re]iublican); is an elder and deacon 
in th(> Reformed Church, and his tirst wife was also a jirominent member of 
same. To our subject and wife have been born one son and two daughters: 
Charles C, born May IK, INdB; Zua B., born June 23, 1808; and Mary Al- 
berta, born May I'i, IST'.t. Mr. Drown taught school in his earlier life. He 
serv(>d a short time in the late war of the Eebellion as a member of Company 
H, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He 
inherited sixty-tliree acres of laud from his father's estate, to which he has 
added until now he has 21') acres. He has served in some of the township 
offices. Politically he is a Republican. 

LORENZO A.DUMOXD, farjner, P.O. Old Fort, was born in Pleasant Town- 
ship, this county, in 1884; son of Isaac I. and Sophia (Dukes) Dumond, na- 
tives of New York and Delaware States, respectively, and who came with their 
parents to this county in 182(t. were married in Pleasant Townshij) in 1828, 
and reared a family of five childi-en: C.itharine. Anna, Washington. Andi-ew 
and Lorenzo A. All reside in Iowa but Catharine (deceased) and Lorenzo A. 
Isaac I. Dumond and wife were prominent members of the Baptist Church for 
nearly fifty years; were very fiiendly to the Indians, and often favored by 
them: he was a strong abolitionist and leading citizen; they assisted to clear up 
many acres of land in this county, and now rest in the churchyard in sight of 
the old home; he died in 1880, bis widow in 1881. Om- subject was married, 
December 2, IS."),"), to !Miss Clemenzey Mclntire, a resident of Pleasant Town- 
ship, born in Wayne Coiinty, Ohio, September 17. 1832, daughter of Smith 
and Catharine (Larkins) Mclntire. early settlors in this county. To the union 
of our subject antl wife have been born two daughters and one son: Anna 
J., wife of James Bastian (hav(> two children: Emmet and Earl): Catharine 
S. . wife of Jacob Hade (have two chiklren: Charles and Blanche), and Andi'ew 
V. L. A. Dumond owns the old homestead. He has taken to raise a little 
gii'l by the nfime of Bertha Valaudingham. daughter of Clement L. Valanding- 
Iiam, nephew of Hon. Clement L. and Jane (Heminger) Valaudingham, born 
in Green Spring, Seneca Co. . Ohio. jNIrs. Dumond is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Chiu-eh. 

JOHN D. EGBERT, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Franklin Ct)unty. 
Ohio. October 1, 18M); son of Uriah and Susannah (Williams) Egbert, natives 
of N(>w Jersey and Maryland, res|)ectively. married in Fairfield County, Ohio. 
Jidy Ck 1815. and who removed to Franklin County. Ohio, where they remained 
a few years, coming in 1822 to Pleasant Townsliip. this coimty. They had 
thirteen children: M.u'v. Jeremiah W., John D. , Sarah, Thomas V\'., Eliza. 
Nancy (deceased), Jacob (deceased). Jesse S. , Susan, Andrew J., Persilla and 
Uriah (latter deceased). The mother died May 13, 1875, the father October 
11, 1870. Our subject was married. October 20, 1840, to Miss Ary Ann 
Griffin, of Adams Township, this county, born in Berkeley County, Va.. Oc- 
tober 18. 1824. daughter of Edward D. and jMary (Blue) Griffin, natives of 
Virginia, and who were man'ied in Berkeley County, that State, where ^Irs. 
(rriflin died. July 8. 1820. Mr. Griffin then came with his daughter (.\ry Ann) 
to this county in 1881, settling in Adams Township, where he was married, in 
1851, to Mrs. Colena (Titus) Church, and to this union was Iwrn one child- - 



938 IJIOGRAPHICAL SKETi'IiES: 

Mary E. , now the wife of William Drinkwator. of Adams Township, this conn- 
ty. Mr. Griffin died September 27. INTO, and his widow some time later. T<1 
OTir subject and wife were born nine children, of whom Edward G. . Marj' E.. 
Susannah M. . Clara M. . Frances A.. Duglas A. and Hatt: ' I., are living, and 
Uriah and Jesse are deceased. Mrs. Egbert is a member of the ^lethodist 
Chiu'ch. Mr. Egbert is a Democrat in politics. He has imiiroved 7uany acreK 
of land. His brother. Jeremiah W.. was married. April -'lO. 1S4I). t« Miss 
Lncy A. Rule, and they had eight ehildi'en : Norman D. . Newton V. . Sarah 
J.. Andorah. Marv E. . John A.. Isaac R. and Lillie: all living but Sar.ih. 

CHARLES FLUMERFELT. farmer. P. O. Old Fort, son of Daniel V. 
and Melinda (Littler) Flnmerfelt. was born in Pleasant Township, this county, 
January '28, iSoO. and has always resided upon the home farm, of which he is 
now the owner. He has never marrie(l. Mr. Flnmerfelt has made many 
valuable improvements upon his farm, which consists of 1 47 acres. He has 
served his township in some of its offices: is an ardent and prominent advocat-e 
of the prineij)les of the Democratic party. He was a candidate in 1 8^8 for the 
nomination of representative from this county. Although h<> resides in a Re- 
jniblican township he has several times carried quite a majority t)f idl the votes 
cast. He attended lectiu-es in 1880 and 1882 in the Ohio State University at 
Columbus. Ohio. Mr. Flnmerfelt takes gi-eat interest in the general improve- 
ment of agricultiire in all its branches. 

PHILIP H. FRY. retired farmer. P. O. Bettsville. isa nativeof Westfall. 
Prussia, born August 2U. ISO."), a sou of Heniy and Anna (Haar) Fry. natives 
of same place, where they remained until their death, latter dying in 1818, 
former in 1840. Our subject is the third in a family of live children — four boys 
and one girl — of whom only two smvive: Philip H. and George, who resides 
in Sandusky County. Ohio. At the age of fourteen our subject was liouud 
out as an aj)prentice to learn the carpenter trade, and during the four years he 
was thus engaged he attended night school each winter, by which means he 
acquired most of his education.. He completed his course of study during his 
service in the regular army, which he joined at the age of twenty-three years 
serving four years. In l888 he emigrated to America, arriving in Baltimore 
June 3, remaining a few months, and from thei'e he )>ressed forward and 
an-ived in Tiffin. Ohio. April li of the following year, and during his stay 
there he helped hew out the timbers for the tirst court house in Seneca County. 
He built the tirst house he ever erected in America himself in Fostoi'ia. 
Ohio; was engaged in building chiwches. houses, bridges, etc.. in Seneca and 
Sandusky CJounties up to the time of his marriage, which event was solemnized 
April ir>. 1838. the bride being Miss Elizabeth King. .She was born in Perry 
County. Ohio. January 20. 1817. a daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Moyer) 
Iving. the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Pennsylvania, and wh<i 
were married in Perry County, Ohio, in ISKl. whence they moved to Sandusky 
County, remaining there until the death of Jlr. King, which occun'ed April 7. 
1848: his widow remained on the old home some y(>ars. but for several years 
)n'evious to her death lived with her chiltb'en. She departed this life in Seneca 
Cotmty. Ohio, at our subject's residence. January 22. 1881. Mr. and Mrs. 
King were the parents of eight childi-en. six living: Elizabeth (oiir subject's 
wfe), Philip. John. George C Lusindy( wife of Thomas Durban), and Cath- 
arine (wife of R. S. Leese). The year Mr. and Mi's. Fry were married they 
settled on the farm they now live on. and there reared a family of four chil- 
dren: Orvin J., born April 11. 18B'.t: Francis J.. l)orn October 14. 1840; 
Sarah J., born May 17. 1848. wife of Michel Smith, and Henry P.. born 
March 27. 1840. Mr. Fry followed his trade until l8r)4. when he engaged in 



I'LEASANT TOWNSIlir. 939 

farming and cheese -makin<r until about 1870. since when he has been livincr a 
retired life. He owns o'iO acres of well-improved land. He and his wife "ai-e 
consistent members of the Eeforraed Church, he joining while in the old coun- 
try in 1822. and his wife in 1884. He has held out for the Democratic naiiv 
all his life. ' 

WILLIAM H. GROVE, farmer. P. O. Greeu Spring, a native of Frederick 
Comity. Md. was born June 23. 1S;{2. and came to Pleasant Township, this 
county, in 1S;{,"). A\ith his parents. Stephen and Christiana (Sheels) Grove, of 
German and Scotch descent respectively, and who -were born and married in 
Frederick County. Md. After their removal to Ohio they gave their time to clear- 
ing and improving land and to agricultural pursuits, thev were th<> jiarents of 
ten childi-en. of whom five sm-vive: William H.. James M.. Stejjhen H.. 
-imanda A. and Martha J. Stephen Grove died in 1870. and his widow in 1877 
■Om- subject was reared on a farm, and in 1 850 purchased land in Adams Town- 
ship, this county, where he lived for a few years. l)ut tinallv returned to Pleas- 
saut Township. wher<> he still resides, and now owns 1 0(1 acres of well-improved 
land, the result of his own industry and economy. He was married. January 
l(t. 18(54. to Miss Martha Cunningham, of Saiiduskv County. Ohio, born in 
that county, daughter of Hugh and Sarah (Stephenson) Cuuningham, natives 
(jf Ireland and early settlers of Sanduskj- County, where they still reside. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Grove were born eight children: "Emma. Sarah. ^Minnie. Mary 
and Hugh living, and Laura. Edwin and Martha deceased. Mr. Grove has 
served in some of the public offices of Adams and Pheasant Townsliips. 

STEPHEN GROVE, farmer. P. (). Green Spring, a son of Stephen and 
Christiana (Sheels) (xrove. was l)orn in Pleasant Township, this county. March 
/. 1841. He was united in marriage, in October. 187it. with Miss Martha 
Hemminger. a resident of Pl(>asaut Township and a native of the county. Her 
parents. Lewis and Caroline Hemminger still reside in Pleasant Township, 
this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Grove was born. November 17. iS8(). one son.' 
Fr.'derick H. Om- subject has now KlO acres of land, mostly well-improved, 
and under a good state of cultivation. He is an industrious "and entenirising 
citizen. Politically he is a stanch Republican. 

JOHN A. HOOVER, farmer. P. O. Fort Seneca, was Ijoru in Pleasant 
Township, this county. September KJ. 183<.l: son of Joseph and Catherine 
(Gulmire) Hoover. He U-arned and for a few years followed the carpenter's 
trade. He enlisted in d(.feiise of his country, in "the late war of the Rebellion 
in Company K. One HuiKb-(>d and First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
serving al)out three years: was wounded in the breast by a shell at the Battle 
of Stone River; was at one time a prisoner of war. but was soon after recap- 
tured. After his discharge he returned home and worked at his trade foi- a 
short time, and after operating a sash and door factory in Kosciusko County. 
Ind.. for a year and a half, returned to this county and purchased, and. for 
about twelve years, operated a saw-mill near Bettsville. He sulise.iuentlv 
sold this mill and. in ISS2. purchas(>d the fanu in Pleasant Township, thi's 
county, which he now occupies. Our subject was married. May 12, 1870, 
to Jliss Fanny Palmer, of Liberty Township, this county, where she was borii 
Fel)r!iary 22. 1851. daughter of Benjamin and Lovina "(Walsh) Palmer, who 
came from .Maryland and settled in Pleasant Township, this county, in an early 
day. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoover were l)orn five chikhcn: LauraE.. Ella L.". 
Frank ^\".. .John A. and Fannie E. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover are members of tlie 
United Brethren Chm-ch. Politically he is a Republican. 

SAm-EL V. HI'MES. farmer. "P. O. Green Spring, a native of Cham- 
juiign County. Ohio, was liorii February 22. 1821: son of AN'illiam and Chris- 



940 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

tina (Plaiik) Hiunes. natives of Virginia, who came to Ohio about 1812 and 
settled in Champaign County, where William Humes died. They were ])arents 
of two sons: A\'illiam and Samuel "S". The widow of ^^'illiam Humes subse- 
quently moved to Pickaway County. Ohio, and there married William Moutgom- 
erj', a native of Ireland, and the same year (1824) the entire family removed 
to Clinton Township, this count}', where Mr. Montgomery kept hotel for about 
ten years, and in 1834 came to Pleasant Township, where Mr. Montgomery 
died shortly after. He was the father of three childi'en: William, Isabelle 
and Meltin M. His widow died in 1873. Our subject had but limited educa- 
tional advantages, giving most of his time to clearing land and working the 
home farm. He was mamed. January 5, 1843. to Miss Catharine Dumond. a 
native resident of Pleasant Township, this county, born May 26. 1824, daugh- 
ter of Isaac I. and Sophia (Dukes) Dumond. natives of New York and Dela 
ware, respectively, and who came to Pleasant Township, this county, about 
1821: their five childi-en. all born in Pleasant Township, ai-e Catharine, Anna. 
Washington, Andi-ew and Lorenzo. The father and mother passed to their 
final resting place several years since. To the union of our subject and wife 
were born four sons and two daughters: Isaac W., Augusta A.. Andrew Y.. 
Clara S., Amos L. and Orphus G., all married except Oi-phus G. . and there 
are ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Mrs. Hiimes died March 17. 
1873. She was a memVier of the Baptist Chxu-ch. About 1848 Mr. Humes 
puichased his farm which he cleared, and added to until now he has 117 acres. 
He is a member of the Baptist ChiU'ch. He has served in many of the town- 
ship offices, such as trustee, justice of the peace, etc. He was a Eepublican 
in politics prior to the late war. since when he has been a Democrat. 

ORSON JOPP, farmer, P. O. Green Spring, was born March 20, 1855, 
in Pleasant Township, this county: son of Luther S. and Emeline (Maddison) 
Jopp (both now deceased), who were the parents of two childi-en: Orson and 
Lellie. Our subject's grandfather. Daniel H. Jopp, a native of Winsted, 
Conn., born in 1791, immigi'ated to Ohio at the early age of thirteen yeai-s. 
remained in Cleveland for a few years, and then removed to Tompkins County, 
N. Y.. where he was married, in December, 1811, to Mary Dumond, who was 
l)orn in that county, September 11, 1793, where also nine of their children 
were Isorn. In 1831 they immigrate'l to Ohio and settled in Pleasant Town- 
ship, this county, where two other children were born: the childi-en are all now 
living liut three. Daniel H. Jopp was a fui-rier in early life, for a number of 
years followed blacksmithiiig. and after coming here built a saw-mill and a 
carding mill, which he operated for several years, and also assisted in the gov- 
ernment siu'vey of the Western Reserve; he died in 1849 and his widow in 
]87fi. Our subject, who now occupies his father's old homestead, was mar- 
ried, September 1 4, 1 870, to Miss Florence Myers, a native of Pleasant Town- 
ship, this county, born March 18, 1857, daughter of John aud Eunice (Walker) 
Myers, residents of Pleasant Township. To our subject and wife have been 
born two childi-en: Blanche and Mabel. In politics he is a Republican. 

PHILIP KING, farmer. P. O. Old Fort, was born in Jackson Township, 
Pen-y Co.. Ohio. March 20, 1819, son of Jacol) and Catharine (Meyer) 
King, the former born in 1792 in Virginia, the latter in 1797 in Pennsylvania; 
they were married in Pei-iy County. Ohio, in 1816. and settled in Sandusky 
County in 1832, where Jacob King died in 1848; his widow died in Pleasant 
Township, this county. They had a family of eight children, six of whom 
are now living: Elizabeth, Philip, John. George. Lucinda and Catharine; 
Margaret and Sarah are deceased. Om- subject's father had nine brothers 
and sisters, of whom none survive: their father, John Kinor. came from Ger- 



PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. 941 

many in 178U, and settled in Vircrinia, but died in Perry County Ohio in 
182.). Om- subject was married. September 24, 184:{, to Miss Angeline Sheets 
a resident of Pleasant Township, this county, born in Frederick (.'ounty Md ' 
July n. 182(5. daughter of Greenberry and Marsella (Sheets) Sheets, natives of 
-Maryland, who came to this county in 18:^1. and who had five children- 4n 
gehne. Edwin (deceased). Charles, Elizabeth (deceased) and Thomas Mr 
Sheets was born January 22, 1811. and died April 1. 18r)4: Jlrs Sheets wa.s 
born ,n 1N()8. and died J,u>e 4. 1877, Mrs. King's grandfather was Charle.s 
Sheets. Ihe subject of this sketch is the father of fom- children- Marsella 
born April 2:1 1848; George E.. born September 10, 18r)l; Almira R born 
November K., 185(i; and Jacob G.. born April 29, ]8r,8: all in this county ex- 
cept Mansella. who resides in Hemy County. Mrs. King dit>d July ;") f885- 
she was a member of the Reformed Churcii. Mi-. King is a Greeiiba'cker in' 
|>ohtics. and has served in several of the township offices of trust. He is a 
member of the Reformed Church. 

^ GEORGE P. KING, farmer. P. O. Green Spring, a native of Sandusky 
Cwmty. Ohio, born September 10. 18r)l, is a son of Philip and An<reline 
(She.>ts) King, who now reside in Pleasant Townshij), this county, whero om- 
subject was reared, and in 1880 purchased the land upon which he"now resides 
and IS improving in various ways. He was mamed. in December 18(>4 to 
Flora Keenan, of Sandusky County, Ohio, born April 24, 18r)4 in Lucas 
County. Ohio, daughter of Peter and Nancy (McCullough) Keenan,' natives of 
Fairfield County, Ohio, and who removed with their parents, in an early day 
to Sanduskj- County, where they were married in 184(i. moving same year to 
Carey, ^^■yaudot Co.. Ohio, and thence, in 18r)l. to Lucas'' Coimtv Ohio 
where Mr. Keenan died in 1859 and his widow in ISm. Mi-, and Mrs" Keenan 
were parents of six chihb-en. of whom Thomas M.. Flora and Jam.-s are liv- 
ing, and Millie, Mary and William are deceased. To Mi-, and Mi-s Kin"- were 
liorn thi-ee chikken: Ralph P., Dollie, and an infant son (deceased)." IVli- 
King IS a live, energetic citizen.and an ardent advocate of the princiiiles of the 
Democratic party. 

SARAH KIN(7. P. O. Fort Seneca, is a native of Loudon County Va 
born Februan- 18. 1809. daughter of John and Elizabeth (Sands) Robertson.' 
who were man-ied in Virginia and were the parents of seven children. Mi- 
Robertson was a native of Scotland, but immigrated to America with his par- 
ents in a very early day. and settled in Virginia, where he died: his widow 
was a native of Virginia, but removed after the death of her husband to this 
county in about 1840. bringing her children, of whom only thi-ee now survive- 
Tamar. Helah and Sarah. Mrs. Robertson departed this life several years 
since. Our subject has l)een twice married, first in 1841. to Nelson Yeakey, of 
Pleasant To\vnship, this county, formerly a resident of Virginia, and "who 
<lied in 1848, leaving no offspring. His widow was then man-ied on second 
occasion, m 18.")!. to David B. Kitig._a Penn.sylvanian. who had come to this 
county in 1814. aiul whcj died in 187 c had no chikb-en by this maiTiage. but 
yyas the father of two children by a previous man-iage. Mrs. King is'still in 
possession of a large farm in Liberty Township, this comity, her .share of her 
parent's homestead, which is now ()j)erated by Edwin Chopim. who was reared 
in the King family, having been bound _to ilr. King while his first wife still 
lived, ill-. Chopan was man-ied in 18(5 < to Anna Bm-ket, and has three chil- 
dren: ChartesH.. Edwin C. and Myrtle. He served some time in the late 
war of the Rebellion, and was held a prisoner of war for some time. Mr. 
King was a Methodist: Mrs. King is a faithful member of the Reformed Church! 



s 



942 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

JOHN H. LOOSE, farmer, P. O. Tiffiu, a native of Lauciister County, 
Penn. , was born April 10, 1837; son of John and Sarah (Mise) Loose, also 
natives of Lancaster County, where they were married; thence they came to 
Ohio in 1839; first settling in Fairfield County, and from there moved to this 
county in 1841; they had seven children: Israel, Sarah (deceased), John H., 
Daniel, Sophia. Eli and William (the latter deceased). The father died Octo- 
ber <), 187"), aged sixty-eight years; the mother, now seventy-four years old, 
resides with John H. John Loose, the father of oiu' subject, was the or- 
ganizer of the fii'st Evangelical Church in Tiflin. he was a local preaelier in the 
same, and a piOar in that society until death. Om- subject was married Feb- 
ruary 12, 1860, to Miss Julia A. Biuy, of Fairfield County, Ohio, a native of 
same, born May 1, 1842, a daughter of John and Hannah (Zirels) Bury, na- 
tives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively, and who were married in 
Fairfield County, Ohio, where IVli-. Bm-y still resides, and where Mrs. Bui'v 
died; they were parents of eight ehildi'en: Sarah A. (deceased), Catharine 
(deceased), Benjamin, Julia A. , Elizabeth. Caroline, John H. (deceased) and 
Joseph. To oiu' subject and wife were born thirteen children; William H.. 
Amanda A., Alma C Emma S., Eli E. . John W.. Nathaniel E. . Lina A. . 
Charles B. , Ida V., Clinton G. and Clayton H. (twins), and Jennie D. . all 
now living but Alma C. jMr. Loose and his family are members of the Evan- 
gelical Church, of which he is an official member. He was township trustee 
for a number of years; is an active worker in the Republican ranks. 

JOHN K. McKEEN, fanner, P. O. Green Spring, is a native of Nova 
Scotia, born in 1832, sou of D.avid and Jane (McKinsey) McKeen, who moved 
with theii' family to Clinton County, Iowa, in 1845, and there died in 1853. 
They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom nine sur^■ive. John K. 
McKeeu enlisted in the late war at the lii'st call and served four years, nine 
months and seven days in Company B, First Regiment Iowa Cava'ry. After 
his retiu'n home he resumed his trade (blacksmithing) which he continued 
in Iowa until 1871, then came to Ohio and settled in Pleasant Township, 
this county, where he purchased and improved land; has given some attention 
to farming, and also worked at his trade until within the last year or two. Mr. 
McKeen was man-ied in Clinton County, Iowa, in 1867, to Miss Mary E. 
Shutts, of Sandusky County, Ohio, a native of what was then Tompkins County. 
N. Y. , born in 1832, and who came to Ohio in 1847. Her parents were Samuel 
S. and Hannah (Letts) Shutts, natives of New Jersey, born in 1797 and 180(1. 
respectively, married in Tompkins County, N. Y. . in 1825, and were the par- 
ents of seven children. j\Ii'. Shutts died November 20. 1881, aged eighty- 
four. Hannah Shutts, his wife, died August 29, 1856, aged fifty-six. Our 
subject and wife have two ehildi'en; Emma F. , born Januaiy 6, 1869, and 
William S. , born December 31, 1870. 

GEORGE E. JkHLLER, farmer, P. O. Old Fort, was born in Pickaway 
County, Ohio. September 17, 1822. son of Tobias and Mary (Young) Miller, 
natives of Pennsylvania, and who were married in Lycoming County, Penn. . 
thence came to Ohio in 1817. settling fii'st in Pickaway County, and in 1825 
removed to Pleasant Township, this county. They were the parents of eleven 
children, of whom foxu' survive, only one. George E., li\'ing in this county; 
the mother dying in 1829, Tobias Miller married again, and in 1864 his 
second wife died, and at the age of ninety-seven, in the year 1879. he departed 
this life. Our subject was manied, January 13, 1852, to Maria E. Melntu-e. 
of Pleasant Township, this county, a native of Massachusetts, born September 
1, 1832, daughter of Lester and Emily (Shattuck) Mclntire, who came to this 
county in a very early day, and who were the parents of nine children, of 



PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. 943 

Whom livo survive. To the union of George E. Miller and ssUv have Ixmm, 
born two cb.kln.n: hnnna now the wife of Edward Jac.kman. of Pleasan 
Township. th.s county and Minnie L. Mr. Miller (with the exception of si! 
yeai;s spent at carpenternifr) has been a farmer all his life. His brother' 
i;;. P f P ' ;'^''V^\^'""'^P'\- ^^<'« "le only white man who saw Parker stabhe,! 
"> ^J:l'l\ ^"'■«- "t.t';^!'^ ^ Corners, now called F<;rt Seneca. 

C mton Township tins county. January 6. 182(3. eldest son of ^\illiam and 
Chnstianna (Plank Montgomery, ^\•illiam Montgomerv. father of o,u- sul. 
.lect. w^s a native of Ireland, where he was first married and had a familv of 
fa e children with whom he came to America and settled in Cireleville Ohio 
where h.s wife died. Aft.-r his second nianiage. in IS'i;], he came to tWs 

wSL M';:'t ''"'^ '^'^■J^-V- '-- to him: William. Isabelle ^ ^^ItS^ 
M ilham Montgomery. Sr.. die.l here January 27, 1830. His widow subs,, 
quently maiTied Cxeorge Hollinger, by whom she had one son-Napoleon B ' 
now residing in Lucas Comity. Iowa. Mrs. Hollinger died at the residence of 
her son ANilham in Pleasant Township, this county, December 24. 1873 O 
subject has had o work for himself since quite a small boy. When old enou.^h 
he operated the home farm which he conducted for several years and now owns 
He was married. January ... hSr-CJ. to Marian Hoke, a "resident of Libertv 
Township, this county, and a native of Franldin County. Penn., daughter Jf 
John and Margaret Byers) Hoke, who immigrated to this count.; about \Ls 
and who had_a famil.v of hve sons and three daughters, ^hs. Hoke died Feb"- 
ruary 8 bV, .^ and Mr. Hoke September 2(5, 1874. To the union of our sub- 
ject and wife have been born four sons and one daughter: John ^\- James M 
Cxeorge H. . Leroy N. and Anna E. ili-. Montgomery is a Democrat in poli'tic: 
and has sei-ved m some of the township offices 

. /OHN MOORE, farmer. P. O. Green Spring, was born October 1. 1803 
in Lehigh County, Penn.. son of Henry and Susanna (Reser) Moore who 
were born and ma.Tie.l in that county. They had live sons and one daughter 
oiily four of whom are now living: David and Benjamin, residing in BeHevue' 
Ohio; Jacob 11. Erie County. Ohio, and John. The mother died^n her nat v; 
county, aged hf yeight. Henry Moore was a hatter by trade, but followed 
farming the latter part of his life. He died here, ag^d eightv-three ^H^ars 
Om- subject came to Ohio in 183(3. settling on Section 1. Pleasant Township' 
this county where he still resides. He has improved a large farm, and ha: 
now over 3()() acres of land. Mr. Moore was married. Oct..ber •'.. 18->8 to 
Miss Eliza Kopp. of Union County. Penn.. born Mav 2(1. 1810 i,, L.-hicr], 
County Penn daughter of George and Elizabeth (Shoemakc-r) Kopp 
.ISO natives of Lehigh County, where they were married. They had ten 
c i.ldren^_ ^b-. Kopp died in this township, aged eighty-five, and his wife 
in El le County, aged seventy. To our subject and wife were born ten chil 
dren: Susanna, mamed to James W. Rhineberger, in 1855, resides in Huron 
County. Ohio: Heniy went to Colusa County, Cal., in 1854, where he std 
hves (was maiTied, in 18(3(3, to Adaline Anders): Elizabeth, marrie.l to R ' H 

,?'T8fi4 l^v""' ■"■'p/" ^^"l'" ^"""ty- ^■''}:- «<-«-ah. married to Ephraim Parker: 
m 1804 lives m Pleasant Township, this county; George, married to Lizzie 
Myers in 18o9. went to Faribault County. Minn, in 18i]c,, where he stills 
Jacob (died in infancy); Maria, mairied to J. A. Kittle in 180(3, lives in Vi<ro 
Couny, Ind.; Julia A., marrie.l to B. F. Bretz, in 18(58, lives in Sandusky 
County. Ohio: Amanda married to E. B. Norris, in 1874. lost her husban.l in 
1880. and now lives with her parents in this county; Frank. maiTied to Nettie 
iVlyers. m 18 < a, lives on the home farm in this county. Mr. Moore is -i m.-m 



944 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

l)er of the German Reformed and his wife of the Lutheran Church. In i)olitics 
he is a Repiiblican. 

JOHN MYERS, farmer, P. O. Green Spring, was born in Lancaster 
County, Penn.. in 1S21. His parents. Hemy and Margaret (Bostick) Myers, 
were natives of and married in Lancaster County. Penn.. whence they removed 
to Cayuga Coimty, N. Y.. then to Erie County, same State, and in 1S3() came 
to SandiTsky- County. Ohio, where Hem-y Myers died in 1S4U. and his widow still 
resides. Tliey were' parents of nine chikb-en: Jacob, Henry (deceased). Emanuel. 
Mary. John. Elizabeth, Benjamin, Adaline (deceased) and David. Our subject 
was married, hi 1842, to Miss Eunice A. AValker. of Sandusky-, Ohio, and whose 
parents (now deceased) came with her from Vermont to Sandusky County, Ohio, 
in an early day. They had a family of nine chikb-en: Mary A. (deceased). Wel- 
come. Faiiny. Eunice. AVilliam (deceased). Washington. Eliza. Harriet and Maria, 
Ml-, and Mrs. Myers have reared a family of seven chikb-en; Amanda. Lydia 
(deceased). Almyra. Jane, Winfield. Emina and Florence, all of whom are 
married, and there are thirteen living grandehikh-en. Mi-. Myers came to 
Pleasant Township, this county, in 1859. piu-chased land, which he has im- 
proved, and has devoted his time to general agriculture. He has always 
been identified with the Republican party, and has served his share in the 
township offices of Sandusky and Seneca Counties. 

EPHRAIiNI PARKER, "farmer, P. O. Green Spring, is a native of Sussex 
County, N. J., born January 3, 1826, son of Hem-y and Charlotte (Ros) Parker, 
who came to this county in'iS'il). and settled in Pleasant Townshjp where Mrs. 
Parker still resides, her husband having departed this life in 1847. They were 
the parents of ten ehildi-en; Thomas, Ephraim. ilary B. (deceased), Elizabeth. 
John, Lucy E. (deceased), Nancy J.. Melissa. Henry.and Maiy (deceased). Our 
subjoct has been thrice man-ied; on first occasion in bS-K), to Caroline Ellis, of 
Pleasant Township, this county, by whom he had one child— Granvil -who 
died in infancy, the mother dying soon after. Mi-. Parker's second marriage 
was with Jane Cunningham, by whom he had six childi-en: Sarah A.. Yira and 
Mira (twins). Lucy, Mary and Lizzie, all living but Mary. The mother of this 
family died in 1858. and our subject then man-ied. in 18tU, Sarah Moore, a 
native of Pleasant Township, this county, and daughter of John and Eliza 
(Kopp) Moore, early settlers of this township, wliere they still reside. To this 
union five chikb-en were born: Addie. Elmer. Flora. Lam-a, and Rose S. (deceased). 
Mr. and Mrs. Parker are members of the Baptist Chm-ch. Our subject, wh.. 
was reared a farmer, has always followed agricultiu-al pui-suits. He ha> 
improved many acres of land and is now the owner of over 150 acres. He has 
serve.l in most of the township offices: constable, assessor, and is at present 
justice of the peace. He has always been an ardent advocate of the jirinciples 
of the Republican party. 

JACOB PXTLTZ, fiirmer. P. O. Fort Seneca, is a native of Jefferson Coun- 
ty. Ya,. born February 7, 1811. eldest son of George and Mary (Shoull) Pultz. 
n'iitives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively, and who went with their 
parents to Jefferson County. Ya.". in a very early day. and were there reared 
and finally married; their s"ix children, of whom only Jacob and one brother 
David (w'ho resides in Wood County. Ohio)— now survive, were born there. 
The father and mother ilied in their native county. Jacob Pultz came to Sen- 
eca County. Ohio, in about 183(5, but did not pui-chase land here until 1842. 
He has since cleared and improved many acres, and had at one time accumu- 
lated as much as 500 acres of land, the "most of which has been distributed 
among his children. He has. however, 170 acres in Pleasant Township. He 
has served in several of the township offices. Mr. Pultz was married, m 1833. 



PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. y45 

to Miss llhoda Roberts, of Berkeley County, Va. . where she was horn Ootober 
14. 1814, danghtor of Boyd and Lydia (Cniuiiiii,rbani) Roberts, iiative.s of Ire- 
land and parents of tiv(> ohildr<>ii. all now deceased. Our subject is the father 
of six childi-(>u: William, Mary. Francis, Elizabeth, Marfraret (deceased) and 
^ irf,'inia. His daughter Virginia, with whom he now resides, is the wife of 
George Shoiill, of Pleasant Township, by whom she has one son — Chester. 
Mrs. Pultz died September 80, 1S<.S; she was reared a Quaker, but after her 
marriage became a member of the Methodist Ejjiscopal Church, of which she 
was a faithful member until death. Mr. Pultz was reared in the faith of the 
Lutheran Church, but became a stanch Methodist after he came to this county. 
He was a Democrat in politics prior to the late war of the Rebellion, but is 
now a stanch Rej.ul)lican and Abolitionist. 

REUBEN SELLERS, farmer, P. O. Green Spring, was born in Pleasant 
Townshij). this county, November '20, ISoH. He was marrit>d, October ,"), 1877, 
til Miss Adaline Brenneman, a resident of Pleasant Township, but a native of 
Ashland County. Ohio, born November 14, 1JS58, daughter of Jacob E, and 
Anson (Ulrich) Brenneman, who removed fi-om Ashland County to Pleasant 
Township, this county, in an early day and still reside here. To" the union of 
om' subject and wife have been born three chikb-en: Esla May, Bertha and 
Orvil. Reuben Sellers, our subject, is the son of Frederick. Jr., and Hannah 
(Sheidler) Sellers, both now living; tlie former born' in Germany, December 
'-'('), 1817, and the latter in Stark County, Ohio, May 11, 18l(); they were mar- 
ried in Stark County December 22. 18"48, and have reared a family of nine 
chikben: Jacob H.. David F.. Elizabeth C. Frederick A., Reuben. George 
W.. Anna R., Jessie N. and Andrew M.. all now living but Jacob H. Fred 
erick Sellers.. Jr. (subject's father) is a son of Frederick, Sr., and Charlotte 
Sellers (latter deceased) who were the parents of a large family of children, 
live of whom are still living: two were born in Germany and came with theii- 
])arents to America in 18 lit. and seven were born here. Frederick Sellers. 
Sr., still resides in Pleasant Township. He first located in Maryland, thence 
moved to Stark County, Ohio, and fi-om there to Pleasant Townshij), this 
county, in 18:]:l The subject of this sketch, who has followed farmino- all 
thi-ough life, ])urchased his farm in Pleasant Townshij) in 1888, and is'now 
operating in all 240 acres. He and his wife are members of the German Bap- 
tist Church. 

ALFRED L. SHAFER. farmer, P. O. Watson, was born in Clinton Town 
ship, this county, October 30, 1840; son of Joseph and Susan (Kain) Shafer, 
the former of whom, of German descent, was born in Virginia, the latter in 
Pennsvlvania. of Irish lineage. They were maiTi(<d in Greene County. I'enn.. 
and came to this county about \S:Wi. settling in Clinton Townshij), where thev 
reared their family of two sons and two daughters: ^laiy J., Eliza A.. Alfred 
L. and John A., all residing in this county l)ut John A., "who lives in Pulaski 
(.'Ounty, Ind. The father of this family died in January, 1849, the mother 
in March, 1881. Our subject attended Heidelberg College for several terms, 
and until (juite recently has given considerable of his time to .school teaching. 
In 18()'J he j)urchased land in Pleasant Townshij). this county, to which h(> ha.- 
since added, and has now 148 acres. Mr. Shafer has served his township in 
several of its oflices; was trustee for two years and justice of the j)eace for six 
years. He was married. April i I. 18()r), to Miss l{achael A. McMeen. a native 
of Pleasant Townshij). this county, born July 7. 1S42. daughter of William S. 
and Sophia (Stewart) ilcMeen. natives of Peinisylvania, and who were married 
in Lycoming County, that State, coming to this county in 188"), They roared 
a large family of children, of whom Mrs, Shafer is the youngest but one. 



946 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Mx. McMeen died March 7. 1808, and his widow now resides with onr subject. 
Mr. and Mrs. Shafer are the parents of four childi'en: Alice L. , Nora \V., 
Nellie S. and Glenn McMeen. 

FRANK M. SHANNON, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Stark County, 
Ohio, October 26. 1S4(5; son of George and Mary (Lautzenheiser) Shannon, 
who settled in this county in 1847. and still reside in Pleasant Township. Oiu* 
subject worked with his father on the home farm until of age, and for a few 
years thereafter. He then rented his father' s farm for several years, and in 
187(3 he purchased forty-one acres of the same, in Pleasant Township, on 
which he now resides. He was mairied, January 27. 1875, to Miss Libbie 
Watson, of Pleasant Township, this county, born March 9, 1848, daughter of 
James S. and Mary (Saltsman Tennis) Watson, who were early settlers in 
Pleasant Township. Her mother. Mary (Saltsman) was the former wife of 
Stephen Tennis, by whom she had one daughter, and by Me. Watson she had 
six chilih'on. Mr. AA atson is deceased; his widow still resides in Pleasant 
Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Shannon were born three children: Bertha. 
Ettie and Zelma. Our subject and wife are members of the Reformed Chiu'ch, 
in which he was deacon in 1878. He is an active man in the ranks of the 
Democratic party. 

GEORGE SHANNON, farmer, P, O, Tiffin, was born in Franklin County. 
Penn. , October 12, 1816, son of George and Barbara ( Longenecker ) Shannon. 
The father of oiu- subject, a native of Ireland, when quite a lad came to 
America with his parents, who settled in Franklin County, Penn., where he 
was reared. There he was married to Mrs. Keiser, also a native of the county 
and of German descent, her parents having emigrated from Germany not 
many years jirior to her birth. ( Mrs. George Shannon, Sr. . was formerly the 
wife of John Keiser. by whom she had three children: John, William and 
Eliza, of whom only the latter siuwives; Mr. Keiser died in the war of 1812. ) 
The parents of our subject had four children: George, Joseph, Catharine and 
Suffrona, all deceased but George. The Shannon family immigrated to Ohio 
in 1832, settling in Stark County, where the mother died in July, 18r>5; the 
father afterward came to this county and died at the residence of his son, 
George, in May, 1S()4. The subject of this sketch was married in Stark 
County, Ohio, January 2, 184(1, to Miss Anna M. Lautzenheiser, a native of 
that county, born October 11, 1821, daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth 
iBucher) Lautzenheiser, formerly of Beaver County, Penn.. who moved to 
Stark County. Ohio, in a vei-y early day, and there both died. They had a 
family of eight children, five now living and three deceased. Our subject 
removed fi-om Stark County to Pleasant Township, this coiinty, in 1847, piu-- 
chasing and improving land, nmch of which he ha-; given to his children, ilr. 
Shannon has been a farmer all his life. He has filled some of the township 
offices. In politics he is a Demoei'at. 

WILLIAM SHANNON, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, son of George and Anna M. 
(Lautzenheiser) Shannon, was born in Stark County, Ohio, August 8, 1843, 
and came with his ])arents to this county in 1847. George and Anna M. Shan- 
non reared a family of eight children: John. William. Mary E.. Frank M. . 
Melissa. Samtiel L. . Lewis E. and Nelson — fill living but John and Melissa. 
Our subject worked on the home farm until twenty- six years of age. He then 
I'ented a farm for nine years, and in 1878 purchased the land on which he now 
resides, and \\hich he has improved in various ways, erecting good liuildings, 
(>tc. He operated a saw-mill in the spring and winter of 1870 and 1871. He 
was man-led. Ajiril (>, 18(V,). to Jli^s Ann R. Switser. a resident of Tiffin, this 
county, a native of Stark County. Ohio, born iu l^M). daughter of Lewis and 



PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. 947 

Julia A. ( Steinbei-f^en) Switser, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, re- 
spectively, and who were married in the latter State, thence removing to Stark 
Ooiinty, Ohio, and in an early day to this connty, where they reared their fam- 
ily. Our subject is the father of six children: Wilson E., Nora M. , Sarah E., 
George A., Idella and Anna B. , all living but Idella. Mr. Shannon is in 
favor of all worthy entoiprises. and is benevolent, industrious and economical. 
Foliticallv he is a Democrat. 

CHARLES D. SHEDENHELM. farmer, P. O. (Jreon Spring, was Iwrn, 
June '22. 18,")."). in Pleasant Township, this county, son of Henry and Mary E. 
(Myers) Shedeuhelm, natives of Maryland and Virginia, respectively, and who 
were married in this county where they reared their family of nine children: 
Catharine E.. Margaret J., Martha E.. Ann R., George J., Marv F., Charles 
D.. ANilliam H. and Eufus E; all living but William H. The father died 
March '22. 1882; the mother now reside.-; in Green Spring. Ohio. Charles D. 
Shedenlielm was married. November 'M), 18S(), to Miss Ida A. May, of Adams 
Township, this county, where she was born in ISOO, daughter of Emory and 
Martha (Tounerl May, now residents of Pleasant Township, this county. Our 
subject and wife are parents of two sons: Richard C. and Lester T. Mi'. 
Shedeuhelm. who has 2(1(1 acres of land, has followed farming all through life. 
Politically he is a Republican. 

GEORGE SHUMAKER, farmer, P. O. Watson, is a native of Westmore- 
land County. Penn. . born in 1822, son of Simon and Marj' Shumakor, who 
were born, reared and maiTied in the above named county and State, and who 
immigrated to Ohio, in 1824. settling in Wayne County. They reared a 
family of eight chiliken: Catharine, John (deceased), William, George, David 
(deceased). Hannah (deceased), Maiy and Elizabeth (latter deceased). Mi-s. 
Simon Shumaker died in W ayne County, in 188(1. and Mr. Shumaker again 
man-ied, but had no other chikhren: he was killed by some falling timber 
while raising a new fi-ame shed, in 1841 : his widow is also deceased. Our 
subject was married in Wayne County, Ohio, December 15, 1842, to Miss 
Sarah A. Fan-ah. a native of that county, born October 13. 1824, and who 
died December 12. 187o. the mother of six children: W'iUiam H. , Julia A., 
Olive M. , George W., Edward W. and John C of whom only two now sur- 
vive: Olive M. and Edward W. 'Mi\ Shumaker afterward maiTied. September 
4. 1878. Miss Mary E. Boyd, of Bloom Township, this county, her native 
])lace, a daughter of James and Eliza Boyd (both now deceased), who came 
from Peiuisylvania to this county in an early day. Our subject came to this 
county in 18;?8, piu'chasing property, where he has improved many acres of 
land and educated his family. He built a fine brick residence in 1870. Mr. 
Shumaker has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over 
forty-two years: his first wife was also a Methodist: his present wife is a 
Presbvterian. Politicallv he is a Republican. 

W'lLLlA^M F. SHUMAN. farm«>r. P. O. Fort Seneca, was bom in Frank- 
lin County. Pena.. in 183U. son of Simon and Mary (Beck) Shuman. who 
came to this county in 1844. and who were the parents of fourteen chihb-en. 
Simon Shuman died in ISSO: his widow is now a resident of Liberty Town- 
ship, this county. Our subject followed farming for several years. He 
served three years in the late civil war, a member of Comi)any K. One Hun- 
dred and First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantrj-. Since his return home he 
has given his attention to farm work and the manufacture of apph^ buttt'r and 
jellies. He was man-ied, in 1807. to Miss Sarah A. Zeis, of Liberty Town- 
ship, this county, a native of same, and daughter of Godfrey and Margaret 
(Sager) Zeis, who stiU reside in Liberty Township, this county. To the union 



948 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

of our subject aud wife have been born three children : Jasper, Louis and 
Bertha. Mi'. Shuman has served his tovpnship in the oifices of assessor, clerk 
and treasui'er; he is associated vfiih the Democratic part v. 

WILLIAM SNEATH, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, is a" native of Frederick 
County. Md. , born in April, 1817; son of Robert and Elizabeth (Barton) 
Sneath, natives of Pennsylvania, the former born May 20, 1778, the latter No- 
vember 3, 1780, and who immigrated to Maryland, where the father died Oc- 
tober 8, 1827; his widow and children removed to Belmont County, Ohio, in 
1828. thence to this county in 1834. Here Mrs. Sneath died, February 14, 
1840. Robert and Elizabeth Sneath were parents of six children: James B. , 
Mary, Isaac, Eliza, William and Alfred G. ; all now deceased but AN'illiam. 
Ovu' subject was seventeen years of age when he came to Clinton Township, 
this county. After operating the home farm for several years he piu'chased 
land in Pleasant Township in 1846, on which he still resides, and was an act- 
ive farmer until late years. He was twice mairied, the lu'st time, in 1845. to 
Miss Martha Vannette, of Clinton Township, this county, who died May 15, 
1848; he then married her sister, Margaret. The sisters were natives of New- 
Jersey, and daughters of Thomas and Isabella (Beard) Vannette (both now 
deceased), who came from New Jersey to this county in 1825. Mr. Sneath 
was the father of two childi'en by his first wife : Martha E. , now the wife of 
Amos Keller, of this county, and Robert, married to Miss Snyder, of Pleasant 
Township, this county (have one child — Nettie L. ), and who now resides on 
and operates the home farm. 

HENRY STONER, farmer, P. O. Fort Seneca, is a native of Franklin 
County, Pean., born Febi-uaiy 3, 1817; son of Joseph and Anna M. (Walt) 
Stoner, the parents of three sons and four daughters, and who came with their 
family to this county in 1847, settling in Pleasant Town.ship. Our subject 
was united in marriage, in 1S54. with Susan R. Young, by whom he had three 
sons and three daughters : Catharine. Celestia, Anna, Lee, L'a and Ora; all 
living but Ora and Lee. The mother di'parted this life in June, 1883. She 
was !i life-long member of the Refoiined Chui'ch. Mi-. Stoner has been sue 
cessful in life, and by industry and economy is now owner of 200 acres of land, 
the greater part of which he has improved. He is a faithfid advocate of the 
principles of the Republican party; has been a life-long member of the Re- 
formed Church. 

RASSELUS R. TITUS, farmer, P. O. Old Fort, a native of Litchfield 
County Conn., was born July 21, 1819, the yotingest son of Cmlis and Lu- 
cinda (Wilerman) Titus, natives of Connecticut, and who immigi-ated with 
their family, in 1820. to Genesee County, N. Y. , and in 1833 came to Adams 
Township, this county, where Ciu-tis Titus died in 1835, and his widow- in 1840. 
They were the parents of three sons and two daughters: Calena, A\'ileman. 
Miles M. , Rasselus R. and Huldah, of whom only RasselusR. and Huldah sur- 
vive. Curtis Titus was a sea-faring man, but retiring from that vocation went 
to New York State, and there began farming. He was a Democrat in politics. 
He occupied a high position in the order of F. & A. M. ; was generall}- given 
the title of "captain," having bestowed considerable time to drilling the regular 
militia in New York. Oar subject gave his time in early life to general job 
work in this county; thence moved to Michigan, and in 1838 to Chicago, 111., 
w-here he entered Government employ, and assisted in moving the Indians to 
Council Bluffs, Iowa. He returned to this county the following year (1 S3'.)). 
and here he worked by the day and month for several months. In 1840 he piu- 
chased land in Indiana, which he sold one year later, and purchased a farm 
in Pleasant Township, this county, where he still resides. He has accumulated 



PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. 949 

property, und now has aoiirly 1.000 acres of th(> best land tho State affords. He 
WHS elected iu IM.")',* upon State e({Ualization board, a member of Legislature 
(from 18<)1 to 1S()5), and has always taken an active part in polities with the 
Democratic party. Mr. Titus was married, April 21, 1844, to Miss Elvira S. 
Clark, a resident of Pleasant Township, this county, and a native of Huron 
County. Ohio, where she was born May 81. 1820, daughter of Town and 
Philothe (Case) Clark, natives of New York State, and who were married in 
18 1() in Hiu'on (/ounty, Ohio, whither their parents had emigi'ated in about 
1812; from there they came, iu 1885, to Pleasant Township, this county, where 
they died, Mr. Clark in 1 840, aged fifty-live, and his widow in 1880, aged 
eighty years. They were the parents of two sons and three daughters, of 
whom three .sm-vive: Elvira S., Emeliuo E. and Lucinda S. The deceased are 
Calvin and Elisha P. ]\Ir. Clark was once nominated for the office of legis- 
lator. He was energetic and industrious and considered for that eai'ly day a 
very wealthy man, owning something over 800 acres of land. To Mr. and Mi's. 
Titus have been born four- daughters : Augusta P. , wife of J. F. Fry, of Pleas- 
ant Township (have two childi'en: Rasselus li. and Delene); Cah'ua M. , wife 
of Lora A. Abl)ott, of Pleasant Township (have two children: Clark and Elvira); 
Flora A., wife of Oliver S. Watson, of Pleasant Township (have one son — Paul 
T.), and Lettie L. . wife of Robert H. ^^'atson, also of Pleasant Township 
(have three childi'en: Ralph T.. Helen L. and Hortense). 

BENJAiVnN F. TOMB, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Pleasant Town- 
ship, this county, April 21, 1844. His father, Benjamin Tomb, was twice 
married, first to Ann Blackwell, by whom he had three childi-en: Sarah J., 
Jacob and ]\Iary. His second marriage w;as with Ann Leonard, by whom he 
had seven children: Massey, Rebecca, Thomas B. , Benjamin F., Emma C 
George ^\'. antl Hany, all living but Massey. Both wives were natives of and 
married in Lycoming County, Penu. . where the first died. Our subject's 
parents immigrated to Pleasant Township in 1842, and here the father died 
February 17, 1885, at the age of eighty-nine years, nine months and sixteen 
days. His widow resides in Tiffin, Ohio. Oiu' subject was married, April 19. 
1805, to Miss Florinda L. Benham, of Tiffin, Ohio, where she was born August 
5, 1845, daughter of F. Don and Charlotte (Piatt) Benham, natives of Con- 
necticut, and who were married at Prospect, Conn., April 0, 1828; immi- 
grated to Ohio in 1888, and located tir'st in Seipio Township, this county, and 
two years later came to Tiffin where i\li'. Benham filled the office of express 
agent in connection with tho C. S. & C. R. R. for many years. They were 
the parents of eight ehildion: Edward F., OvanderJ. . George C Daniel AV., 
Amelia C. , Florinda L., William W. and Robert B., all living but Amelia C. 
The mother was born January 9, 1808, and died January 25, LS77; the father 
was born December 1, 180i. and died February 10, 1882. He was a carpen- 
ter in his early life, prior to coming to this county. Mr. and Jlrs. Tomb have 
had live childi-en: Fred (deceased), Maiy, Frank (deceased), Leonard B. 
and Hiirry \V. Our subject sei-ved sixteen months during the late civil war as 
a member of Company I, Eighty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
and Com])any H, One Hnndi'ed and Sixty-foui"th Raiment Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry. Politicallv he is a Re|)ublican. 

ELISHA T. DMSTED. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Pleasant Town- 
ship, this county, November 21, lS4f), son of Ephraim C. , and Isabel (Van- 
netto) Um.sted, former l);)rn January 14, IS 17, in Frederick County, Md., hit 
ter born February 14, 181(1, in Warren County, N. J., and who were manied, 
January 1, 184(5, in Clinton Township, this county, where their jjarents had 
settled in a very earlv day. the Vannettes in 1825 and the Fmsteds in 1828. 



950 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Epbraim C. and Isabel Ilmsted were the parents of five childi-en: Elishn T. ; 
Siimantha E., deceased; Emma A., wife of Rev. George Dillman. of Fostoria 
(have one child. Theodore); Lafayette C. ; Tabitha E. Om- subject was mar- 
ried, September 2'2, 1874, to Anna E. Michaels, a resident of Clinton Town- 
ship, this county, born in Liberty Township, same county, August 6, 1847. 
daughter of John and Eliza (Abbott) Michaels (both now deceased), natives of 
Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, respectively, and who were married in this 
county: they were the parents of ten childi'en, of whom only foiu- siu-vive. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Umsted has been born one daughter. Gertrude ]\I. Qui- subject 
and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Ghm-ch of Tiffin. Mr. 
Umsted taught school for several years during his single life; has also followed 
farming for some years. He began in the saw-milling business in 1875, in 
which he still continues. He and his wife own 200 acres of land. Mr. 
Umsted is an active and ardent advocate of the principles of the Republican 
party. 

JESSE B. WAGNER, farmer, P. O. Fort Seneca, a native of Franklin 
County, Penn. , was born March '20, 1829, son of George and Margaret (Car- 
penter) Wagner, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and who were mar- 
ried in Franklin County, Penn. . where they remained until 1 840 : then came to this 
county. George Wagner formerly followed the plastering trade and also 
engaged in farming, but lived a retired life after coming to this county, where 
he died in May, ISriG. aged seventy-four; his widow died in April, 1877, aged 
eighty-eight years. They were the parents of nine children: Eliza (deceased). 
Joannah, Josephine (deceased), Alfred. Edmund, Levi (deceased), Malvina. 
Jesse B. and Almu-a. Edmund and Levi came to this county in 1843. where 
the former still resides. Our subject came to this coiinty in the spring of 1848 
and followed the plastering trade for several years. In 1852 he emigrated to 
California, and was three months and a half crossing the plains. He returned 
to this county in 1850), purchased the farm upon which he still resides, and to 
which he has added from time to time, till now he has 320 acres, which he has 
improved in many ways. He was married in TiHin, this county, by the Rev. 
Reuben Good, November 14, 1858, to Miss Nancy J. Gillmor, a resident of San- 
dusky Co., Ohio, born September 22, 1838, a daughter of Thomas and Mai-garet 
(Fraiy) Gillmor, the former a native of New York, the latter of Sandusky 
County, Ohio, and who were married in the latter county in 1N37. and were the 
parents of five children : Nancy J. , Phineas, James, Dolorus and Lilly. Mrs. 
Gillmor died May 5, 1871, and Mr. Gillmor August 15, 1876. He was an elder 
in the Presbyterian Church. To our subject and wife were born one son and 
one daughter, Orton D. and Pet (Retta). the former a graduate of the Ohio 
\Vesleyan University. Delaware, Ohio; Pet also attended the same for four 
years. The family are all meml^ers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
which Mr. Wagner is an official. 

OLIVER S. WATSON, farmer, P. O. Watson, son of James S. and Jlary 
Watson, was born in Pleasant Township, this county, November 11, 1843, 
and remained upon the home farm principally until about 1875. During this 
time, however, he attended the Western Reserve Normal School at Milan, 
Ohio, about two years (fi-om 18(55 to 1807), also was a few terms at Heidellserg 
College. He tatight school (in winter seasons) for nine years. Our subject 
was man-ied, December 22, 1875, to Flora A. Titus, of Pleasant Township, 
where she was lioru Se])temlier 30, 1852. daughter of R. R. and Elvira S. Titus. 
To this union was born, November 3, 1883, one child- -Paul Titus. Mr. Wat- 
son piu'chased the heirs' interest in the home farm in 1875. added to the same 
in 1S77. and again in 1879, having now 103^ acres. He follows general agri- 



PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. 951 

cultm-o, and is making quite a specialty of graded stock ^horses, cattle and 
hogs. He is an active man in the ranks of the Democratic party, and has 
served his township in the office of justice of the peace for nine years. He is 
a member of th(> Reformed Church. 

GEORGE W". \\ATSON. farmer. P. O. Watson, was l)orn in Pleasant 
Townshij), this county. October 1 i. IN")0. son of James S. and Mary (Salts- 
man) Watson, who I'arly settled in Pleasant Township, and who were the ])arents 
of six childi-en; Robert, Oliver S. , Rosannah. iLary. George ^\'. and Marietta, 
all now living but Robert. The father of this family died Seplemlier '.I, ISfi'.t. 
(Mrs. James 8. Watson was the former wife of Stephen Tennis, by whom she 
was the mothiu- of one daughter — Margaret — whoso father died September 4, 
1S34. ) Mrs. Watson resides with her son. George W., who now occupies the 
homestead farm. He. George W., was married. November 23. 1880, to Melissa 
Martin, of Pleasant Township, this county, a native of Liberty Township, this 
county, born May 1(1. 1S4S. the daughter of David and Rachel (Pope) Martin, 
natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers in this county, and who were mar- 
ried in Liberty Township, and rearetl a family of ten ehildi-eu: Ann S.. 
Melissa, Benjamin W.. William F., Rufns M., Jacob H., Lidora. Melkiah E.. 
Hester E. and Marsella .4.. Mr. Martin died Febiiiary 'JU. 1S72: the widow 
now resides in Old Fort, this county. To our subject and wife has been born 
one daughter — Grace, born August 1, 188L Mr. and Mrs. Watson are mem- 
bers of the Reformed Church. Politically he is a Democrat. 

THOMAS W. WATSON, farmer. P. "O. Tiffin, is a native of Lycoming 
County. Penn.. born August 11. 181SI, son of William and Jane (McMeen) 
Watson, natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania respectively, of Scotch-Irish 
descent, and who were married in Lycoming Cotinty. Penn., March 17. ISOH. 
William Watson, who followed distilling as a business in his earlier life, lived 
in Lycoming County. Penn.. until 1S8('). when he moved lo Seneca County. 
Ohio, piu'chased a farm, and from that time gave his attention to clearing and 
improving land and to general agricultural pursuits. He was a prominent F. 
& A. M. : a Presbyterian in religious belief. Of his family of ten children 
John, William, James. Oliver, Sharon. MaiT. Thomas W.. David. Stephen 
and Elizabeth, only Thomas W. survives. The father, who was born in 
Ireland June 1 '2. 1772. died February 17. 18r)(i, and the mother born in Penn- 
sylvania. October 8, 1784. died February 23. 184(j. Oiu- subject had good 
school jirivileges in his native county, and taught school in Pleasant Township, 
this county, for several years in the old log-cabin schoolhouses. with gi'eased 
paper for windows, slabs for seats and puncheon floors. He was thrown on 
his own resources at the age of eighteen, completed his education in Jlilan 
Seminaiy. in Erie County. Ohio, where he gi-aduated in 1841. He then spent 
one year engaged in merchandising in Republic, this countj\ and about two 
years in Tiffin, reading law with Richard Williams, and in 184.") he embarked 
in farming (on rented property), which he continiied until 1852. when lie jnu'- 
chased the farm on which he now resides; begiiming with 1()0 acres, he has 
now over 400 acres. He was married, Januaiy 13. 1S47. to Miss Sarah J. 
Tomb, of Pleasant Township, this, county, a native of Lycoming County. 
Penn., born August 0. 182."). daughter of Benjamin and Ann (Blackwell) 
Tomb, the former a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent, the latter born 
and educated in England, and who were mamed in Lycoming County, Penn. 
They were the parents of three children: Sar.ih .1., Jacob (deceased) and Marj- 
A. ^frs. Tomb died in 1S3."), and SL-. Tomb subsequently married Ann Leon- 
ard, of Chester County. Penn., and in 1S42 immigrated to Ohio and settled in 
this county. By this second marriage he had seven children. To the union 



952 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

of otu- subject and wife have been boru live cliilcli'en. three of whom are uow 
living: Robert, who resides ou and operates the home farm, married to Lettie 
L. . daughter of E. R. Titus, (by whom he has three children: Ralph Titus, 
Holene and Hortense): Anna, wife of 0. H. Baldwin, of TifHn: Bessie, wife of 
William Skinner, of Fostoria, Ohio. Our subject served this county six years 
as commissioner and has tilled some of the township offices. He and his wife 
and children are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Watson has 
always taken an active pai't in politics, and is an ardent advocate of Democratic 
principles. 

FREDERICK WELTIN. farmer, P. O. C4reen Spring, was born near Coa 
stanz. Baden, Germany, in 1S8(, son of Ph-min and Ursula (Honsel) Weltiu, 
who were parents of two childi-en: Frederick and Oliva, latter now the wife of 
Matthias Grieser. residing in Defiance County, Ohio. Pirmin Weltin came to 
America in 1854, settling in Seneca County. Ohio, where oiu- subject (then 
almost eighteen years of age) purchased land, to which he has since added, 
now owning HO acres, which he has improved and where he has erected barns 
and other out-buildings, and is about to build a fine residence. Our subject's 
mother died in LS62. and his father makes his home with him. Frederick 
Weltin was married, in IStU, to Miss Mary Spies, of Sandusky County, Ohio, 
by whom he had four children: John, Anna, Caroline and Elizabeth. ]\Ii-s. 
Weltin died in 1872. and Mr. Weltin was again married in 1873, this time to 
, Susanna Miller, also of Sandusky County, Ohio, by whom he has five children: 
Mary, George, Susanna, Charles and Ottila. !Mr. and Mrs. Weltiu have been 
life-long members of the Catholic Church. He is an active member of the 
Democratic party, and has given considerable attention to township affairs. 

JOHN P. YOUNG, farmer, P, O. Green Spring, son of Charles and 
Mai-y C. (Spangler) Young (deceased), is a native of Frederick County, Md., 
born December 31, 1846. He was married, April 7, 1874, to Catherine Lease, 
of Scipio Township, this county, who died September 2(5, same year. Mr, 
Young married, on second occasion, April 11, 1875, Ellen P. Huffman, of 
Green Spring. (,)hio, a native of Ashland County. Ohio, by whom he has three 
chilJj'en: Loretta M. , born May (5, 187('); Gracie E. , born September 28, 1880. 
and Nora A,, born April 14, 1884. Mr. Young has been a farmer all through 
life, and has a farm nearly all improved. He is an active, energetic and in- 
dustrious citizen. Politically he is a Democrat. 

JACOB ZIMMERMAN. "farmer, P. O. Fort Seneca, a native of Frederick 
County, Md., was born in 182U, son of Barney and Sarah (Sager) Zimmerman, 
who came from Maryland to this county in 183(), and who still reside in Lib- 
erty Township, this county. They are the parents of six childi-en; Jacob, 
David, Solomon, Margaret. John and Sophia, all living but David. Our sul>- 
ject was maiTied, March 20, 1851, to Miss Catharine Repp, of Pleasant Town- 
ship, this coiuity, who bore him three children: Hiram, Sarah and Jennie. 
Mrs. Zimmerman dying in October. 1860. oiu' subject married. June 20. 1868. 
Mrs. Mary A. Cookerly, of Tiffin, this county. Mr. Zimmerman began busi- 
ness with $100; followed farming for seven years, and saw-milling for seven 
years. He made his first purchase of land in 1854, and has uow over 200 
acres. He has served his township as trustee, and is at present a member of 
the county board of directors of the agricultural society, He is an active 
Democrat. 



RKED TOWNSHIP. 953 



KEBD TOWNSHIP. 

AZARL\H BAKEK (deceased) was born in Steuben County. X. Y. . April 
12, liSH); son of William and Eunice (Conger) Baker, the ancestry of the 
latter coniini^ from the nortli of Ireland. They were ]iarents of seven chil- 
dren; Eliza, wife of Rev. John G. Gulick, of Elmira. X. Y. ; Fanny, widow 
of Don A. Turncliff.'iu Herkimer County, N. Y. ; Azariah: Frank, a banker 
in San Francisco, (.'al. : Thomas (deceased); Aaron (deceased, leavinj; family 
in Missouri), and Mary, wife of Hon. Angus Cameron, United States senator 
from AVisconsin. William Baker, father of our subject, was of English 
descent, his ancestors being among the Pilgrims who landed at Plymoutli 
Rock; he was a son of Judge Samuel and Elizabeth (Daniels) Baker, and 
entered 1.000 acres of the canal lands in Reed Townshij). this county, receiv- 
ing the jiatents fi'om Gov. ?>Ic Arthur in 1H31. which he gave to his three sons, 
and of tliese Azariah Baker located on his portion in the fall of 1S40, coming 
rid canal from Mount Morris to Buffalo, thence \>y lake to Sandusky. Ohio. 
He was maiTied. Octolier !•. 1840. to Harriet Kennedy, l)orn June "J-"). 1S"J0, 
daughter of .John and Flora ((iaylordl Kennedy, the latter a daughter of 
C'apt. Enos and Love (Blakesley) (Taylord, Connecticut ])eople and of Puritan 
stock. John Kennedy became a captain in the war of 1<S 12 at an early age; 
he was a son of Henry and Annie (Blair) Kennedy, of Scotch origin, the for- 
mer an early member of Congress and a colonel in the Revolutionary war. 
John Kennedy was tlie father of four chihb'en: Mrs. Baker; Edward, in 
."Mitchell County. K.is. ; Louisa, wife of Oscar Eaton, residing near Oswego, 
Oreg.. and Sarah. Jlrs. (Xewcomb) Dobbins, of Bradbury, Greg. To Mr. anil 
Mrs. Azariah Baker were born eight children: Gertrude, wife of Oliver Will- 
iam, of Xorwalk. Oliio: Sarah, wife (jf Charles P. Welibei-. of Sacramento, 
C'al. : Eliza, wife of Alexandt'r Hodge, of Fulttm County, Ohio: William 
(deceased); John K. : Hugh and Annie L. residing on the old homestead. 
These childrcm were educated in various colleges of the coimtiy. The subject 
of this sketch was a prominent agi'iculturist and stock-breeder: tluring the late 
civil war he served as quartermaster. One Hundi'ed and Sixty-fom-th Regiment 
Ohio Xational Guards. He died April 8. 1872. His widow is an intelligent 
and refined lady, ami since her husband* s demise has managed the large estate 
with tact, skill and energv. The familv are 7nembers of the Episcopal Church. 

JAMES BEARD, farmer. P. O. West Lodi, was born June IS, 1S4(), in 
Reed Township, this county; son of Michael and Mary B. iBowerman) Beard, 
the former a luitive of Maryland, boin March 24, 181(): died March -i}, 1SS2. 
The uKjther of Michjiel Beard located in this county very early in its history, 
l)eing then a widow with a large family dependent upon her, but with wonder- 
ful business tact and endurance she made a home for her family and caused to 
be laid out on her farm the town of Lodi. Michael Beard, at an early day. 
was one of the most pnmiinent men in the county, both in lousiness and public 
affairs. He held thi" oftice of county commissioner two terms. The subject of 
this sketch was married to Amanda Allen, a native of Pennsylvania, daughter 
of Irvin anil Maria (Martz) .\llen (both deceased), and by her has four chil 
<lren: Samuel. Macey. Harry and Lottie. Mr. Beard moved to his pre.sent 
home in ISTT). wlwre he has since been engJiged in genera! faiiiiing ;iiii! stock 
raising. 



954 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

JAMES BOLIN, merchant, apiarist and farmer. West Lodi, is a native of 
Thompson Township, this coimty, whither his father had moved in 1831, hav- 
ing entered 100 acres of land in the fall of 183(1, and which is, in part, still 
in the family. George Bolin, the father, was born in Culpeper County, Va. , 
and after living in Pennsylvania, Columbiana and Wayne Counties, Ohio, and 
residing long in this county, died in 188(1, aged nearly ninety-one years. He 
was man'ied to Mary, a daughter of J(jhn Pierce, of Pennsylvania, and of 
English descent: by her he hadlen childi-en, tliree of whom died in infancy. 
Those living are Elisha. now a resident of "Wabash County, Ind, , who taught 
the first school in old District No. 7, Thompson Township, this county; Elijah, 
residing in ^^' abash County, Ind, : Mary, wife of George Everhart, residing 
in Thompson Township, this county: Enoch, residing in Adams Township, 
this county; Elizalieth, wife of Daniel M'are, of St. Joseph County, Mich.: 
James, residing at West Lodi. Reed Township, this county, and John, resid- 
ing on the old homestead. Our subject received the advantages of the com- 
mon schools and a three years" eoni'se at the Academy of Republic, this 
coianty; subsequently he worked at the caqienter" s trade, taught school and 
farmed luitil he engaged in general merchandising in 18()3, which he con- 
tinued successfully in connection with his extensive apiaiy. He was man-ied, 
June 2, 1867, to Lucinda Tompkins, a native of Thompson Township, this 
county, where she was born July 4, 184(), daughter of Isaac and Christina 
(Scothorn) Tompkins, and by this union has had three childi'en: one, 
died in infancy, Adell and ^Vren. Mr. Bolin is actively interested in educa- 
tional and religious matters and also in the affairs of the county, being for 
several years Thompson Townshi]>'s clerk. In political views he is in favor of 
prohibitorv laws. 

VALENTINE BRIGLE. farmer. P. O. Attica, was born in Seneca County, 
November 11, 183(j. sou of Valentine and Mary (Fike) Brigle, natives of Ba- 
varia, who came early in life to America, and were among the first settlers of 
this county; they had two childi'en: Mrs. Maiy Hawblits, of Bloom Township, 
this county, and 'Valentine. The father died May 23, 1875, in his seventy- 
sixth year; the mother, who is still living, is in her eighty-first year. Our sub- 
ject was married, Ajnil 14, 187('). to Modest Albaugh, born in Crawford CoTin- 
ty, Ohio, March 18, 184(), daughter of David and Rebecca (Keeran) Albaugh. 
David Albaugh, who is still living, was Ixun in Jefferson Cotmty. Ohio. June 
2, 1812; son of George and Catharine (Springer) Albaugh, natives of Mary- 
land. Rebecca, wife of David Albaugh, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, 
in January, 1S13. daughter of Reuben and Nancy (McMullen) Keeran, the 
former a native of Ireland, the latter of Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Albaugh 
were parents of seven children: Catharine, wife of TMlliam Smith, of Reed 
Township, this county; Nancy, wife of Lewis Messnerd, of Eden Township, 
this county: Mrs. Hannah Suiter, of Reed Townshiis. this couuty; Amos, in 
Crawford County, Ohio: Modest: Sarah, wife of John ^Miller, of Crawford 
County, Ohio, and Eli, in Venice Townshij), To Mr. and Mi-s. Brigle were 
born three chilcb'en: Elnora and Nettie died in infancy, and Isabelle. Our 
subject is an enterprising, energetic, thorough-going man. He is engaged in 
general farming. 

ANTHONY BURNICK. farmer. P. O. Frank, was born in Reed Town- 
ship, this county. February 24. ISaO; son of Clemens and Feronia (Binder) 
Biu-nick. who were parents of six childi-en: Catharine, residing in Thompson 
Township, this coiinty; Feronia. wife of Richard Goodman, of Toledo. Ohio: 
Ursula (deceased); Mary, wife of .\lexander Featherly. in Lima. Ohio; John 
(deceased): and Anthony. Clemens Biu'uick. n native of France, died in 1857. 



REEO TOWNSHIP. 95.J 

His widdw. a nativt' of Switzorliind, suIiscqiH-ntly iniirriod, in 1 Still. Adam 
Landall, who was l)orii in Bavaria. Germany, in ISl^o. and camo to America in 
IS,")!, settling in New York, and to tliis union were born three children: John. 
.\nnie and Frank. Mrs. Lanchdl departed this life in IJSG'J. a<jed forty-two 
years. Anthony Bnruick. since obtaininj^ his education in the district schools, 
has sjjeut the most of his time on the farm, and operating a saw-mill. The 
family are members of the Catholic Church. 

WILLIAM A. CAKPENTEK. farmer. P. O. Attica, was born in Venice 
Township, this county. November 15, 1854; son of Charles D. and Emeline 
(Michener) Ciirpenter: the former, a son of Daniel Carpenter, was born in 
]^->i. and died in ISliS: the latter died in June. 187:5. aged forty-three years. 
Their children were Jonathan A., residing in Venice Townshij). this county: 
William A., Mary J., wife of Joseph King, in Cincinnati. Ohio. In earlv 
life our subject worked upon a farm and attended the country schools. In 
1872 he engaged in mercantile busiue.ss in N*w A\'ashington. Ohio, where he 
continued until 1877. when he came to his present home, where he is engaged 
in general farming and in raising improved stock. He is a member of No. 
441. Cranberry Lodge. I. O. O. F., at New Washington. Mr. Carpenter was 
married, December 'J7, 1870. to ]Mary M. Cory, born in Crawford County. Ohio. 
December 14. 185f). daughter of A. F. A. and Hannah (Carson) Cory, natives 
of Crawford County; the former died in March. 186<). aged forty-five, the lat- 
ter in May. 18()4. aged thirty-three years. Their children were Elizabeth A. : 
Eliza A., w-ife of Lewis Livensparger. residing in this township; Sarah A., 
wife of V. A. Michener. residing in Venice Township, this county: Maria, 
wife of E. M. KaufFman. in Attica, this county, and Cant, who died aged four- 
teen years. To ^h\ and Mi's. Carpenter were born Ray C. and Frank L. 
Mr. Carpenter is one of the most enterprising, intelligent and jileasant young 
farmers in Keed Township. 

SQUIRE REUBEN I. CARY. farmer. P. O. Omar, born May 4. 18(1,-). 
in Albany County. N. Y'.. came to Reed Townshij). this county, in 18;i;-i. He 
lived in Cayuga County. N. Y.. four years, then came to Ohio, settling on a new- 
farm in the southwest i)art of Reed Township, where he lived nineteen vears. 
then moved to his present farm. He is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Vincent) 
Cary, natives of New York, where they died; the former, a son of Joseph 
Cary, was born in 17(51, and died, aged sixty-live years; the latter, a daughter 
of Levi and Sarah (Hoxey) Vincent, was born in 1773, and died in 1854. 
Joseph Cary, by a i)revious marriage, had the following children: Elizabeth. 
John and Josejih. and by his second union were born Sarah. Hannah. Levi. 
Samuel. Reuben I.. .Martin. Jonas P.. Leonard and Sally A. Oiu' suljjeet was 
niarri(>d. July 4. IN'iU. to Susan, daughter of Samuel Cary. and who died 
December 20, 1852. in her forty-ninth year. She bore him six children: 
Charles, in Labette County. Kas. ; Sail}' A., wife of George W. Gardner, in 
Hillsdale County. Mich.: !Mary J., deceased: Hannah, wife of William Mc- 
Pherson. in Macoupin County. 111.: John, in Kent County. Mich., and an 
infant deceased. S(juire Cary' s second marriage, November 19, 1854. was with 
Agnes McKibbin. born February 27. 1823, daughter of James and Rachael 
(McCord) McKibbin. By this marriage there are five childi-en: James ^I.. 
.loseph v., Jessie B. (wife of Charles Hatton. in Barry County. !Mich. ). Jennie 
aii<l Minnie. Our subject was elected justice of the peace in 1.S37, and sc^rved 
twenty-one consecutive years, and has served altogether in that office either 
thirty or thirty-one years, and during this long period has never had a decision 
reversed (jr a new trial granted. He is a man of sujjerior judg7uent and nat 
lual ability. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he 
holds the offices of steward, class leader and trustee. 



956 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

SAMUEL AND HANNAH CASSETY. farmers, P. O. Omar, were born 
June 20, 1805, and April 0. 1819, respectively, in Steuben County. N. Y., and 
are the only surviving children of Edward and Susanna (McFarland) Cassety. 
who wera man-ied October (J, 1801. and had the following children: Sally (wife 
of I. H. Bennett). Mary. Samuel and John (twins). Edward. Eliza. Electa 
(wife of John M. Sanford), Nancy (wife of Joshua Calvin), Han-iet, Jane (wife 
of Jonathan Crockett). Hannah and Franklin. The sons of Franklin are the 
only ones bearing the family name. Susanna (McFarland) Cassety was born 
February 17, 1783, died November 21. 1869. The Cassety family was the 
third to settle in Reed Township, coming here in the spring of 1825, and enter- 
ing eighty acres of land, which is now a part of the present fai-m of 355 acres. 

JAMES FORD, farmer, P. O. Omar, was born in Tuscarawas Coiinty. 
Ohio, September 18. 1829, and removed to Hiu'on County. Ohio, in 1841 with 
his parents, Uriah and Elizabeth (Dulin) Ford, the latter of whom, a native of 
Virginia, born in 1805 died in 1M55. was a daughter of Collin Dulin. who was 
a son of Collin Dulin. Sr. . both of whom were in the Revolutionaiy war. 
Uriah Ford was born in ISOO in Delaware, and died in liS76, a son of Alexander 
and Martha (Robinson^ Ford, the former of whom a native of Germany, came 
to the United States at ten years of age and was sold to pay his passage across 
the Atlantic (he was in the Revolutionary war); the latter came fi'om Scotland 
and died in 1842. aged eighty-seven years. Uriah Ford's children were Collin, 
residing in Cincinnati, Ohio, manager of the jEtna Life Insurance Company: 
James; Zachariah. deceased; William, residing in Alabama: Harrison, 
deceased; Isaac, deceased, was a member of Third Ohio Cavalry during the late 
war of the Rebellion; Mary J., wife of a Mr. Craven, residing near Bismarck. 
Dak. ; John, in northern Kansas, and Loantha, deceased. Oui' siibject received 
his education in the country school, worked at the carpenter's trade and taught 
school until 1870, when he tiu-ned his attention to farming. He was married, 
February 8, 1855, to Mary, a twin daughter of John and Sarah (Weaver) 
Michener. of Tuscarawas County. Ohio, but natives of Washington County. 
Penn. . and who came to this county in 1 835. To this union were born the 
following children: Sarah, wife of Edson Bishop, of Reed Township, this 
county, and J. W.. in Williams County. Ohio. Mrs. Ford died June 6. 1802. 
in her thirty-first year: her sister then became Mr. Ford's wife, October 4. 
1863. her birth occurring January 9. 1836. and to this union was born one 
child, Frank. During the late war of the Rebellion Mr. Ford enlisted in 
Company C. One Hundred and Sixty -fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infan- 
try, and did duty at Washington. D. C. He is a member of Harmony Grange, 
also of Attica Lodge No. 367, F. & A. M. 

JOHN FREE (deceased) was born near Bath, in what is now West Vir- 
ginia. September 1. 1S19. and came to Bloom Township, this county, in thi^ 
spring of 1822, with his parents. George and Elizabeth (Ellenberger) Free, 
the former horn September 26. 1 785. died ^lay 28, 1848 ; the latter, who was 
born August 31.1 796, and died December 23. 1867. was a daiighter of John 
Ellenberger. who came from Germanv and served in the war of the Revolution. 
The subject of this sketch was married. April 18. 1844. to Eliza Wolf, who was 
born November 20. 1822. in Fairfield County. Ohio, and in the spring of 1823 
came to this county with her parents who settled near Tiffin. Her father, 
Henry Wolf, a son of Jacob Wolf, was born in 1 787 and was suffocated in a 
well in the year 1825: her mother Susannah (Heistand ner Bretz) Wolf, a 
daughter of Philiji and Elizabeth (Boetner) Bretz. died in 1872 in her seventy- 
ninth year. Hemyand Susannah Wolf had but two children: Eliza (Mrs. Free), 
and Samuel, who died in Bloom Township, this county. To the union of Mr. and 



REED TOWNSHIP. 957 

Mrs. Free were born the following children: Amy, died in childhood: Martha, 
wife of B. F. Moore, of Scipio Townshiji, this county; Mrs. Levi Keller'; 
Octiivia. wife of Homy Cook, of Keed Towiishiij. this county; Howard S. and 
Or(>sta E. at liome. Mr. Free who was a hiijhly esteemed citizen, prominent 
as an ai^riculturist and stock-raiser, died in 18 <4. 

HO^VAED S. FREE, farmer and sheep -breeder. P. O. Attica, was born 
July 21, IStiU, in Keed Townshii). this county, son of John and Eliza (Wolf) 
Free. He was mairied, December 11. l<SS4."to Cora Neikirk. horn in Venice 
Townshij). this county, August 24. 18(1;!. daughter of D. J. Neikirk. Mr. 
Free takes great iiitere.st in breeding and selling tine sheep. His Hock is com- 
posed of seventytive head of tliorough bred merinos of the most popular 
strains, and from some of the best blooded sheep in the State. His breeding 
points are; size, constitution, length of staple, a compact and tine fleece. 
.Mr. Free, though a young man. is very succ^essful in his line, and aims to be- 
come one of the most extensive sheep-breeders in this county. 

SOLOMON GAJVIBEE. farmer. P. O. Omar, was born" June 18, 1SU2, in 
Berks County, Penn. , and came fi-om Seneca County, N. Y. , to his present 
home in 1S33. Here he bought H.K acres of land at $10 per acre, assisted in 
opening roads of the vicinity, also in the construction of the early bridges, 
churches and schools. He has held various township offices; was elected 
county commissioner in the fall of 1873, serving'six yeiirs. He is engaged in 
general farming and raising improved stock. Mi-, ciambee is a son "of John 
(who died in 1885, aged about seventy-six years) and Elizabeth (Leibroch) 
(lambee (the latter came from Germany aild died about 1828, aged sixty-one 
years). His parents had a family of twelve chikb-en: Jacob, John and Will- 
iam died leaving families in New York; Elizabeth (deceased) was unmarried: 
Daniel, Benjamin. Gideon and Samuel died, leaving families: Catharine (de 
ceased w^ife of Jesse Abbott) left family in New York: Solomon: Joseph died, 
leaving family in New York: and Molly, widow of Jacob Seibold. is still living 
in New York State. Our subject was married, in 182."). to Ann Newkirk idi" 
ceased), daughter of John Newkirk, and by her he had live children: Samuel. 
Jacob. James A., Franldiu and Benjamin (last named being the only one now 
li\nng). :Mi-. Gambee"s second mairiage was with Mary A., daughter of Seth 
Head, of Steuben County, N. Y'.. and the tirst white gi'rl that moved into Reed 
Townshij). this county. By this imion were born eleven children: an infant 
(deceased): Seth R. ; S. F., residing near Adrian, Mich.: J. W.. at Attica Sta- 
tion, Ohio: Safronia,wifeof A\illiam Payne, residing in Green Spring, this coun- 
ty: Vanrensaler W. : George M'. (deceased); Ellen L.. wife of John^R. Jewett: 
Jesse A. (deceased): Harn L. in Attica. Ohio; AlvinO.. married December 2,"). 
1870, to Caroline 'N^'illiams. born in Reed Townshiii. this county. .Vugiist 1 I. 
ISoS. daughter of .Vnthony and Frederica Eiizabt'th (Walters) \\illiams. have 
three chilib-en: Etta A.. l)orn June 30, 187S; Cora E,, born March 22, 1880, 
and Bertha M., l)orn January 8, 1883. The following sons served in the late 
war of the Rebellion: James A., in the Second Indiana Cavalry: Benjamin, 
in the Fifth Missom-i Cavalry: Solomon F., in the Third Ohio Cavalry, and 
Seth R.. who was a member of the One Himtb-ed and Twenty-third Rei'iment 
Ohio Volunteer Infantiy, was wounded at Winchester, "V'a.. and taken jji-isoner 
and died February 2, 1805, of starvation in Salisbury [jrison. Mrs. Gambee 
died June 2il, bS/8, aged sixty-one years. AlvinO. Gambee is a memlier of 
the Lutheran Church. Solomon (iambee was a charter meml)er of Venice 
Lodge, I. O. O. F. 

J. A\'. GAMBEE, merchant, !'. O. Siam, was born in Reed January ">, 
1.S43, son of Solomon and Mary A. Gambee. He remained at home until he 



958 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

was thirty-one years of age. He was married. March 3, 1874. to Patience A. 
Bernard who was born in Moni-oe County, Iowa. October 31, Ihy*. daughter 
of Edwin and Clara H. (Rockwell) Bernard, the former born m Frederick 
County Md., October 9. I-SIS. the latter in Yates County, N. Y.. January- 4. 
1830 Their ehildi-en were Francis. Edgar, Ella A., Patience A. and Addie 
B Mr Bernard was twice married, on second occasion to Margaret McKilsben. 
who bore him one son. Edwin S. To Mr. and Mrs. Gambee were born the 
following named children: Ella A.. Edwin S.. Clinton W.. Jesse^H. and Bes- 
sie B. IVIr. Gambee is engaged in general merchandising. He served as 
township assessor four terms. i i •, i 

HENRY HATHAWAY, farmer. P. O. Omar, was the second child 
born in Scipio Township, this county, his liirth occurring April 'liK 
18*^8 and is a son of Zephaniah and Lucina (Smith) Hathaway. Zeph 
aniali Hathaway was born in Freetown. Mass.. March 24 1802. His 
mother's maideii name was Chase. His father, Zephaniah Hathaway, died 
when he was si.^ weeks old. When he was a young man he came to Cayuga 
County N. Y. : there he learned the blacksmith trade with his eldest 
brother He came to Ohio in company with Josiah Smith's family in May 
1825 with his blacksmith tools and «300 in money, with which he entered J4n 
acres of land in Scipio Township. Seneca County. He built a log shop on his 
land and worked at his trade, keeping •' bachelor's hall." about two years. 
July 4 1827 he was man-ied to Lucina. who was the daughter of Josiah 
Smith, "and was born in Seneca County. N. Y.. September 12, 1802. To this 
union were born seven children viz.: Hemy, John (deceased), Isaac (in Ber- 
rien County. Mich.). Mary (in Toledo) Jane (wife of William ^^ ilhams. in 
Berrien County, Mich.). Harrison (an M. D.. in Toledo) and George AV (in 
Pocahontas County, Iowa). In a year or two he entered 240 acres ui Reed 
Township, and bought eighty acres. In 1853 he sold his land m fecipio an_,l 
moved on his farm in Reed. October 2, 1855. his wife died, and August 1 .. 
1S:)(^) he was married to Caroline E. Wheeler, a native of the State of .New 
York By this man-iage he had live children: Emma (wife of ^\ ilber Lee. at 
Attica Station, Ohio), Martha (deceased). Florence (at Attica Station Ohio) 
John W. (at Attica, Ohio), and Linna (deceased). Soon after his last 
marriao-e Zephaniah Hathaway invested in land in Michigan, and at the 
time of his death he owned about l.SOO acres in Berrien County, that 
State May (3 1881. he was again bereft of his wiie, and September ](» of 
the same year he died. Our subject was reared on the farm, and re- 
ceived his education in the district school. In 1852 he went to Califor- 
nia, and in 1854 he purchased his present home. He was married. De 
cember 8, 1859. to Mrs. Eliza (Weed) Blodgett. who died December l!). 
1873 His second marriage, June 22. 1875, was with Ar\illa Dwire born 
September Ifi, 1845. daughter of Isaac Dwire. one of the early settlers of 
Reed Township, this county, and to this tmion were born Henry D., Mary and 
Ralph Mr. Hathaway has held the offices of treastirer and trustee of Reed 
Township each several" terms. He is an enterprising, successful farmer and 
stock-breeder. He has a small herd of short-horn cattle, the head of the herd 
beincr • • Pedio " ' and ' • Kitty Phyllis D. ' " registered in Vol. XX\ II. American 
Herd Book. He is a member of Attica Lodge, F. & A. M., also of Harmony 
Grange. Mr. Hathaway is a member of the Universalist Chiu-ch. Mrs. Hath- 
away "of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Omar. _ 

AN'ESLEY HATTON, farmer. P. O. West Lodi. was born m Stark Cotmty. 
Ohio September 27. 1827. son of Wesley and Mary (Forsj^h) Hatton. The 
former, a native of Mar\land. a son of Aquilla Halton, a native of Eng- 



REED TO-WNSHII'. 959 

liuul, came to Stark County, Oliio. in IMl. and ilied December 27), lH'y-',. 
in liis sixty-lifth year: the latter, a native of Ireland, dieil in 1840 in her Ufty 
eiirhtb year. They were parents of seven children; two died in infancy, and 
Mary J., wife of Levi Kanaf,^-. died in Will Cotintv. 111., leaving a famih. 
Those living are Ann (wife of David Myers, of Iowa"). Robert (a merchant "of 
Delta. Ohio). John (in Cass County. Mo.), and Wesley. Our subject resided 
on the old homestead until 18-")'.). when he came to his"present beautiful home. 
October 20, 1852, he was married to Miss Margaret Brice, who was born Marcli 
T), 1835, in "\\'ashington County, Penn., and came to Ohio in 1.S8U. locatin.^ 
in Wayne County with her parents. Samuel and Harriet (Irvin) Brice. who had 
a family of five childi-en: AVilliam (in Barry County. :Mich. ). Rev. John (died 
at Van Wert County, leaving a family). Elizabeth (wife of David Irvin. resid- 
ing in Holden. Mo.). David H. (residing in Barry County. Mich.), and Mrs. 
Margaret Hatton. To oiu- stibject and wife were "born the following children: 
Malvin (living near Delta. Ohio). Charles L. (residing in Barrv County, Mich. ). 
Harry A. (residing in Adams Township, this county). Lillv (wife of Cleorge A. 
Weed). Cora B. (wife of Harry E. Rising, of Bany Coun"ty. Mich.), and^Ro-ss 
C. Mr. Hatton served as townshij) clerk eight consecutive years, and also 
held thi> office of treasiu'er. He is a member of the Lodge of" F. & A. M. at 
Attica: is also a charter member of Harmony Grange. Dm-ing the late war of 
the Rebellion he was sergeant of Company "g. One Hundred and Sixty-foiu-th 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, doing duty at Washington. D. C. The fa"mily are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are highly esteemed citizens. 
DAVID HENDEL. farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Siaui, was born iuAsch, 
Austria. May 26. lS;i8. son_of John C. and Eva C. (Geier) Hendel. former of 
whom died in Austria in 18(3. aged seventy-eight, the latter died in 1878 ageil 
seventy-eight. Mr. Hendel learned the weaver's trade in his native land anil 
came to America in bS54, and to this county in 1855. He began life a poor 
man and worked at daily labor for a number of years. He was married, in 
Attica, this county, September 30, 1858. to Elizabeth Haujitli, who was born 
in the Canton of Aargau. Switzerland. August 24. 1839. daughter of Jacob and 
Annie (Vogelsang) Hauptli : her father died in his native land when she was aged 
four years, and her mother, who is living in Mansfield. Ohio, aged sixty-seven 
years, came with her family to America in 1848. settling in Richland Comity, 
Ohio, then moved to Attica, this county, in 1854, living there for some years! 
then moved to \\yandot County, and from there to Mansiield: her parents 
were John and Verena (Myers) Vogelsang, the former drcnvned in the river 
Reus, Switzerland, in 1851; the latter came to America and died in Attica. this 
county, in 1870, aged seventy-nine years. To Mr. and Mrs. Hendel were born 
eleven children, three of whom died" voung: Eva C. born Seiitember 1), 1 8(54 
died March 20, 1X0(5; David, born May 11. 180S, died April 1, 187N. and Ver- 
ena. born February IS. 1872. died March 7. 1872. The living children are 
Christian E.. born May 25, 1850; Anna M.. born April 22, 1802? wife of John 
Jacob Schwab, of Venice Township; John R.. born June 25, 18()0; Leonore 
Adella, born April 8. 18/0; George W., born April 5. 1874: Johannette A., 
born July 15, 1870; Gustaf A., born April 1. 187{», and Laura J., born Jaii- 
nary 14. 1881. After marriage Mr. Hendel lived twelve years in Richmond 
Township. Huron Co.. Ohio, tlien came to his present home, where he has a 
nicely improved farm of 100 acres. He is a member of the Lutheran Chiirch. 
in which he lias held the offices of deacon and trustee. 

CONRAD HENSINGER. farmer. P. O. West Lodi, was born in Adams 
Township, this county. June lit. 1837; son of John and Catharine* (Garnian) 
Hensinger, natives of Lehigh County, Penn. , but early settlers of this county. 



960 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

the form<>r a sou of John Hensinger. the latter a daughter of Conrad and 
Magdolene (Weaver) Garman. They were parents of ten childi-en: Harris, 
residing in Allen County. Ind. : Mary A., wife of Abraham Garman. in Taze- 
well County, m. : Flora, wife of Solomon Neikirk. of Mason County. 111. : 
John, in Adams Township, this county: Owen, near Auburn Junction. Ind., 
Conrad, in Reed Township, this county; Moses, near Sedalia. Mo.: Benjamin; 
Rosalfo (deceased) and Catharine, wife of Richard Cooley. residing in Scipio 
Township, this county. Our subject, when a young man. learned the carpen- 
ter's trade. <at which he worked several years; then engaged in farming. removing, 
in ]8H;-5, to his present model farm, all of which he has ac(juired principally by 
his own exertions. He was married. November 24. 1 S")!). to Christina Close, 
born August 14, LS^U, in Union County. Penu. , daughter of Ephraim and 
Christina Close, early settlers of this county, and l)y this union has had ten 
childi'en: Alice F.. wife of Adam Breidweisser. of Wcipio Township, this coun- 
ty; Milton J. (deceased at three years of agei: Elizabeth C. : "\\'illiam A.: 
John E. ; Daniel F. : Clara J. ; George and Samuel (deceased) and Edward G. 
Mr. Hensinger is one of the township trustees: a Repulilican in politics; a 
member of the Reformed Church, in which he is an elder, and from which he 
has been sent as a delegate to the meetings of the classes and svnod. 

HIRAM HIFPLER. farmer and i>ostmaster at ^A'est Lodi. a native of 
Koenigheim. Baden. Germany, was horn June l."j. 1S49; a son of Francis J. and 
Mary A. (Blesch) Hippler, the former of whom, a son of Anthony and Magdalene 
(Berthold) Hipi)ler. died in Germany: the latter, a daughter of Jacob and Mary 
(Zimmerman) Blesch. is still living. They were parents of live children: 
Timothy, in Lodi. Ohio: Rosina, wife of Oswold Dispisch. residing in Ger- 
many; Jacobin, residing in Huron County, Ohio: Hiram: and Chai'les, who was 
killed in the Lodi Mills. Our subject was educated in the common and gov- 
ernment schools of his native land. He embarked for America. January 1 . 
1867, landing same month, then came West and located near Lodi. Ohio, where 
he worked at daily labor for several years. He was married. December 10, 
l(S71. to Malinda Fender, born in Thompson Townshi)). this county. December 
25. 1849, daughter of George Fender, a native of Wurtemberg. Germany. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hippler have two children living: Victor E. and Olin E. In 
1872 oiu' subject ])iu'chased a fann of eighty acres in R(>ed Townshij). this 
county, to which he added by subsequent ])iu-chase. but later retired fi'om act- 
ive agriciiltTU'al j)ursuits. He is P. G. of the I. O. O. F. 

T. J. JAMES, operator and freight agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- 
road. P. O. Siam. was born in Licking County. Ohio. Januaiy 27. 1851. son of J. 
S. and Margaret (Evans) James, natives of South Males, who came to America 
about 1840. Their childi'en are John. r("sidingnear Marengo. Iowa: Marj'.wife 
of David Bean, in Granville. Ohio: T. J. ; Ellen: Lizzie, wife of Knox Wright. 
residing near I'tica. Ohio: Virgin, in Bairdstown: Frank, in Newark. Ohio: 
Sarah, and Elmer, a prominent agriculturist of Licking County. Ohio. The 
snljject of this sketch in early life taught school in Ohio and Illinois. He re- 
mained with his father until 1874, when he liegan learning his present busi- 
ness, since which time he has been located at various points in Indiana and 
Ohio. He was united in mairiage. December 23. 1882. ^\^th Russia Fryer. 
l>orn August 20. 1860, in Nolile County. Ind., daughter of Dr. Frank Fryer, 
a native of Pennsvlvania. and b\- this union there is one child — Frank — born 
August 30. 1884. ■ 

JOHN R. JE\VETT. merchant. Omar, was born at Melmore. this county. 
November lit. 1844, son of Rev. John R. and Jidia (Richards) Jewett. who 
came from Connecticut to Ohio in 1835. and to this count v in 1844. Rev. 



IIEED TOWNSHIP. 961 

Joliii R. Jewett was a sou of John 11. Jewett, who was born in Boston, Lin- 
cohishiro, Enf^land, May 21, 1788, and whose father, Edward Jewett. was a 
•ifunsmith. All the crew of the vessel " Boston " were barbarously murdered 
by the Indians at Nootka Sound March TI. 1808, except John K. " Jewett aud 
John Thompson. John R. was coun)elled, by the chief of the tribe l)y whom 
he was captiu-ed, to marry a squaw. l)y whom he had one son, and froiii whom 
he escaped after ihree years. Oiu- subject enlisted at Sandusky City. June 22, 
ISfi;!, in the First Regiment, Company M. Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery, 
uniler Col. C. J. Hawley, in the Western anny; served valiantly, and was dis- 
charged July '17k 1805. He completed a commercial course at Berea, Ohio, 
and was subsecpiently engaged in farming, but was compelled to give it up on 
account of his health, which had been undermined whilst serving his country. 
In 1883 he engaged in merchandising at Omar, since which time he had been 
acting as jjostmaster (now apjiointed), and was elected for three successive 
years township clerk of Reed Township. He was elected justice of the peace 
in 1881, but after serving one year resigned. Mr. Jewett was mamed. April 
'•{, 18(0. to Ellen L. Gambee, by whom he has one child. Nellie, born Ajjril 
2, 1871. He is a member of Rice A. Cregelow Post O. A. R., at Attica; also 
of Attica Lodge No. 307, F. & A. M. 

LE^ I KELLER, farmer and stock-breeder, P. 0. Attica, was born in 
Tiffin, Ohio, October 3, 1843, sou of Levi and Elizabeth (Cnpp) Keller; the 
foiTuer, who is still living, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, September 20, 
1 800, son of John Keller, who Ijuilt the "old Keller Mill " near Tiffin, said to 
be the first in the coimty; the latter, a native of Virginia, moved with her par- 
ents to Fairfield County. Ohio, at a very early date, and died in Seneca County, 
Ohio, in 1875, aged sixty-nine years. Levi Keller, th(> father of our .subject, 
was a noted blacksmith in early times, accumulated a moderate fortune at his 
trade, and subsecpieiitly engaged in farming. He served as sheriff two terms; 
was justice of the peace, and held various township offices. His children were 
seven in number: Mahala and Valentine, who died young; Mary, wife of 
George W. Cunningham, of Tiffin. Ohio; Catharine, wife of GeorgeW. Scott, 
residing near Tiffin. Ohio; John, in Tiffin. Ohio; Ann E., wife of E. J. Cun- 
ningham, of Fostoria. Ohio; and Levi. Our subject enlisted August 20, 1802. 
in Company D, One Huntbed and Twenty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, and during the first year of his service he suffered from typhoid fever 
and measles. He was with his r(>giment at the time of the rebel raid into 
Pennsylvania, where nearly all of the One Hundred and Twenty-third were 
captiu-ed. In the battle of the Opequan he was wounded in the thigh. He 
subsequently rejoined his command in the James River countiy; was discharged 
June 27, 1805, and has since engaged in farming. He came to his present 
beautiful home of lUO acres in 1875, where he has successfully engaged in 
Merino sheep breeding, having one of the largest and most desirable flocks in 
northern Ohio, composed of some of the finest animals, descendants from the 
famous Clark & Biu'well flocks of Vermont. His flock is registered in Vermont 
Sheep Register. Volume III. Mr. Keller is an independent, intelligent stock- 
breeder and a scientific farmer. He was married. January 23. 1873. to Eu- 
phrasia Free, born in Scipio Township, this county. May U, 184!), daughter of 
John Free (deceased). The family are members of the U. B. Church. Mr. 
Keller is a member of the G. A. R. at Attica. Ohio. 

HENRY H. LAPHAM. farmer. P.O. Attica, was born near Moravia. Seneca 
Co.. N. Y., June 4. 1818; son of Joseph and Lovinia (Howland) Lapham. natives 
of Bristol County. Mass., and who moved to New Y'ork State early in 1800. and 
later to Seneca C-junty. Ohio, arriving in Scipio Township, May 20, 182<5. 



062 BIOGRAPFUCAL SKETCHES: 

Joseph Lapham. grandfather of our subject, came from England. Henry H. 
Lapham. who at nine years of age began life as a woodsman, has cleared about 
175 acres of land, and has assisted in cutting out the lirst roads in the county. 
January 1, 1840. he was maiTied to Maiy Hall, who was born at Tyrone. Sen- 
eca Co., N. Y. . May 1. 1821, daughter of Rev. Henry F. and Susan (Sellon) 
Hall, the former of whom, a native of New Jersey, died March 5, 1858. aged 
sixty-nine years; the latter, who died March ^i. 1871. aged seventy-eight years, 
was a native of Vermont, a daiigrhter of Samiiel Sellon. a native of England and 
cousin to Queen Anne. Mr. and Mr.-;. Lapham" s children are Ruth H. . wife 
of Isaac Sutton, residing in ^\'illiamson Coiinty, Tex. ; Emma R. . wife of 
Alfred Mattison. of Vermilion. Ohio: and Acca E. H. . wife of Levi W. Horton. 
of Republic, Ohio. Mr. Lapham is active in all public enterprises conducive 
to the welfare of the ]3eople. and is a most accomodating and affable gentleman. 

A. J. MITTO\^'ER, farmer. P. 0. West Lodi, was born September 28. 
18;-)0, near the east line of Scipio Township, this county; son of John and 
Elizabeth (Spaugler) Mittower; the former, born near Fredericktown. Md. , 
January 31. 17US. wasa son of Andrew and Susan Mittower. who moved to 
Cumberland Cminty, Penu. . thence to Yates County, N. Y.. where John (the 
father of oiu' subject) was married, July -i, 1828. John and Elizabeth Mit- 
tower had five children: Rachael, deceased wife of Lenader Ransbui'g. left 
family in Scipio Township, this county; Catharine died, aged seventeen years: 
Susan, wife of J. Dunn, residing in Scipio Township, this county; A. J., and 
Sarah, wife of J. D. Neikirk. residing near Attica. Ohio. The father of our 
subject came to this county in June. 1824. entered TiO acres of land, to 
Avhich he added by subsequent purchases and here endured all the trials and 
hardships of ])ioneer life, clearing itp nearly 200 acres. He was in early life 
captain of a militia company, and after coming here became a leading man in 
the county; he died April 7, 1874; his widow is still living and makes her 
home with her son A. J. Our subject received a meager common school edu-' 
cation, remaining with his father on the farm. He was married. December 
27, ISfiO, to Malinda Clay, born in Scipio Township, this county, May 24, 1844, 
daughter of John and Ellen (Hetter) Clay, who came fi'om Pennsylvania to 
eastern Ohio at an early date, and quite early to this county ; the result of this 
man'iage was seven children: Clara (deceased at twelve years); Edward A.: an 
infant (deceased): A. G. : Delia: Elmer: and Blanche. Mr. Mittower came 
to his present home in 1857. subsequently piu'chased the other heirs" interest 
in the i)roi)erty and now has a tine and highly cultivated farm of 120 acres. 
He is highly respected by th(^ people of his neighborhood; has held some of 
the principal offices of his township, although against his wishes, being a man 
of a retiring disposition: the family are members of the Lutheran Chm-ch, in 
which he is one of the deacons. 

SAMUEL MITTOWER. retired farmer. P. O. 'West Lodi. was born in 
Northumberland County, Penn. , Sejitember 13. 1818. son of Andrew and Sarah 
(Anderson) Mittower. parents of following: Elizabeth, wife of Henry Palmer, 
residing in Huron. Dak.: Samuel: Annie, wife of William Bishoj); Margaret, 
wife of Moses I5isho]> (both residing in this township): Levi and George, 
deceased in early life. Andrew Mittower moved from Yates County. N. Y. . 
to Reed Township, this county, September, 1888; entered 1(50 acres of land in 
iSection 7, to which he added, and there endured the hardships and trials of 
pioneer life; he was a pi'ominent man. assisting in building the early schools 
and church buildings and was zealous in the jiromotion of the welfare of the 
peoj)le. Our subject renuiined with liis father until th(> hitter's death. April 
5. bSl8. and was mai'ried. Febru:uv 17. 18|5. to Sarah Brouo;. born in Penn- 



REED TOWNSHIP. 963 

sylvaniii August 13. LS'i'i, diiuglitcr of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fiurvor) Brong, 
whose eliiklren vfove Cathariuo and Elizabeth, died young; Mary, married 
to Henry Histler (lioth deceased, leaving a son Henry in Michigan); Jacob, in 
Steuben County. Ind. ; Sarah; Paul, in Scipio Township, this county; Barbara, 
wife of N. \Vair, residing in Reed Township, this county: Aaron, residing 
near Lincoln. Neb. ; Annie, wife of Mr. Ackerinan, residing in Kepul)lic. Ohio: 
Susan, deceased wife of Edward Staler (left family near Adrian, Mich.): 
Rosa, wife of George Whiteman, and Lydia. wife of Tillman Hausneck, resid- 
ing near Topeka. Kans. Mi\ Brong settled in Scij)io in IS:^."). where he died. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Mittower were born Andrew, a railroad engineer at 
Heading, Penu. : Reuben, living in Republic. Ohio, and Jacob and Elizabeth, 
who died early in life. Reuben was born November 2;"). 1847; was man'ied 
September 25, 1878. to Emmii Breyman. born in Pennsylvania September l*,t, 
l'^">4, daughter of Zachariah and Sarah (Kline) Breyman. and by this union is 
one child. Nellie, born March 1. 1878. Mrs. Samuel Mittower died Decem- 
lier to, 1873. Our subject is a meml)er of Hildreth Lodge, F. & A. M. , also 
of Lodi Lotlge, I. O. O. F. He is a Republican in politics. 

MRS. MARY NOCtLE, farmer, P. O. Attica, was born in Michelback, 
Ol^eramt Gerbron, Germany, jMay 1. 1S2U. daughter of George and Christine 
(Plotner) Haehter. who were parents of tive children: John, who died in South 
Bend, Ind.. leaving a family; George, who served in the late civil war and is 
now a resident of Missouri; Mary; Leonard, killed by a falling tree, when 
twenty-one years of age. while at work in the woods in Venice Township, this 
oiiunty. and Catharine, wife of Jacob Sherman, in Attica Township, this 
county. Our subject was married June IT), 1852. to Leonard Nogle. born 
Novemlier 20. 1822. in Oberamt Merckenheim. Germany, and the same year 
(1S22) they came to America and settled in Venice Township, this county. 
The fu-st twelve years 5Ir. Nogle worked in the Attica Asheiy; he then ])ur- 
chased a quarter section of land where his family now reside, but was stricken 
down by death March 3, 1871, before the farm was unencumbered. He was a 
lil)eral, kind-hearted man, highly respected by his neighbors. Mrs. Nogle, who 
is a lady of more than ordinary energy and tact, assumed the responsibilities 
of her husband after his death, and now has her home fi-ee from debt and is a 
])n.)sperous farnuu'. Her children were fourteen in number, four of whomdied 
young. The living ari> John, in Crawford County. Ohio: Mary, wife of EmiJ 
Pfau. in Cleveland. Ohio: Elizabeth, wife of Emery Vogel, in Crawford 
County. Ohio; George, at home; Coni'ad and Leonard, in Crawford County, 
Ohio: Ellen, wife of John Easterborn, residing near South Bend, Ind, : Rosa; 
A\'illiam, and Joseph. Her gi-audson, Charles Nogle, lives with her and assists 
in the farming and stock-raising. 

GEORGE W. NYE, farmer, P. O. Omar, was born in Genesee County, 
N. Y. , April lU, 182(, son of Samuel and Polly (Ford) Nye. the former of 

whom, a sou of Jonathan and (nee Curtis) Nye, was horn in Vermont. 

The family moved to this county in June. 1833. The children of Samuel and 
Polly Nye were Orlantha. deceased; Aurilla, widow of \\'illiam J. Hall, of 
Reed Township, this county; George \\'.\ Levi, who died leaving a family in 
Clyde, Ohio, and Byron, residing in Bloom Township, this county. In I'arly 
life our subject remained on the farm and attended the common schools. In 
1852 he crossed the plains with ox teams to California, where he remained 
seven yeai*s, meeting with considerable success. He then turned his attention 
to farming, and by his own efforts acquired a farm of 3(50 acres. He was 
maiTied. Noveml)er (i, 1859, to Phoebe Tabor, who was born in Cayuga County, 
N. Y.. January'.). IS41. daughter of Record and Nancy (Alvord) Tabor, the 



964 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

fonner a native of Genesee County. N. Y. , son of Lodowick and Esther (Crip- 
pin ) Tabor, the latter born in Cortland County, N. Y. , daughter of Lyman and 
Esther (Seeley) Alvord. The children of Record and Xaney Tabor were 
Esther, deceased; George, deceased; Phoebe: M'illiam; Frederick: Jenett, in 
Reed Township, this county; Susan, wife of Wilber Dieter, residing in Dun- 
dee, Monroe Co. , Mich.; Ada; and Eliza, deceased. Record Tabor was twice 
mari'ied, his first wife Iseing Phebe Robison, by whom he had one child, a son. 
Alanson. To Mr. and Mrs. Nye have been born the following childivn: 
George A., G. G., Myiia (wife of John K. Baker, of Reed Township, this 
county), Carrie, Jay (who died in his foiulh year), Lizzie (who died in in- 
fancy), Philip, Jesse and Morton. Mr. Nye is a member of Harmony Grange. 

ISAAC RAYMOND, farmer and stock-breeder, P. O. Attica, wasborn July 
6, 1826, in Reed Township. Seneca County, Ohio, and is a son of George and 
Hannah (Reed) Raymond. He was married. July 4, 185,"), to Frances Couch, 
born October 17, 1886, in Niles, Cayiiga Co., N. Y., daughter of J. L. and 
Celestia (Wood) Couch; the former a son of Joel and Phebe (LaDow) Couch; 
the latter a daughter of Asel and Alathea (Pool) Wood. To our subject and 
wife were born James A., Eva C. and Jesse William. The family are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Chui'ch. Om- subject is engaged in farming 
and breeding blooded stock. He has held offices of trust in the township; is 
a member of Venice Lodge, I. O. O: F. , in which he has jJassed all the chairs. 

J. A. RAYMOND, proprietor of saw-mill, P. O. Siam, was born in Reed 
Township, February 4, 1857, son of Isaac and Frances Raymond, and was 
educated in the common schools. In 1880 he took an interest in the himber 
mills of A. L. Soiu'wine & Co.. where he has since been engaged and is also 
the head of the firm of Raymond & Williams. The firm do a large business, 
having a capacity of aboTit 6,0(10 feet per day, with the most improved machin- 
ery. Ml-. Raymond was married, November 9, 1881, to Ella Wise, daughter 
of Solomon Wise, one of the early settlers of Reed Town.shi25, this county, and 
to this union has been born one child — Roily R., born April 2, 1884. Mr. 
Raymond is a member of Venice Lodge, I. O. O. F. . at Attica, Ohio. He is 
one of the most influential and enterprising voung men of Reed Township. 

JACOB RAYMOND, farmer, P. O. Omar, is a son of George Raymond, 
who, with Seth Read, were the fii'st two families to settle in Reed Township, 
this county, arriving in the fall of 1823. instead of 1825 as stated in other his 
tories. George Raymond was born March 9, 1780, son of Daniel Raymond, 
who was a descendant of William Raymond, one of three brothers, Richard, 
William and John, who came from England and settled in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 
1630. The mother of our subject was Hannah, sister of Seth Read, born Sep- 
tember 19, 1785, died February 22, 1856. To George and Hannah Raymond 
were born the following children: Mahala, born December 17, 1804. died in 
infancy; William, born April 27. 1807, died April 28. 1883. leaving famih' in 
Adams Township, this county; Hamet, born December 19. 1S()9, died October 
2, 1831 (she was the wife of Jolin Wilkinson, and left a family in Reed Town- 
ship, this county); Sally, born August 4, 1811. died April 5. 1.S74 (she mar- 
ried A\ illiam W'itler. who died in Iowa, when she became th(> tliird wife of Sol- 
omon Cogswell, of Cleveland, Ohio); Lydia, born October 29, 1813, now the 
widow of Isaac German, and residing in Fostoria, Ohio; Hannah, born March 
19. 1816, died January 20. 1850 (she was the second wife of Solomon Cogswell); 
Jefferson, born April 15, 1819, died January 20, 1876, leaving family in Knox 
County, 111.; Lucy, born August 31, 1821. widow of Milton LaSelle. imw the 
wife of Ml'. Timothy Colby (resides near Alma City, Minn.): Richmond, born 
September 18. 1823. died May 1, 1831; Abram, Isaac and Jacob, triplets, born 



REED TOWNSHIP. 965 

•July (i. 1S'J(>. the formor of whom died Fehruury I'V 1870, leaving family in 
Reed Towusbij). The subject of this skett'h was married, February 20, IS'jC), 
to Mary R. Bemiitt. born in Steuben County. X. Y.. June 28, 182S, daughter 
of Abram S. and Prudence (Miller) Bennitt. the former a son of Daniel and 
Sally (Sayrei Ei-nnitt. the latter a daughter of Amos and ^lary (Jaynes) Miller. 
Their chikbeu are three in number; Abram 13., born February 1, 1857, mar- 
ried to Emma Post; Lucy A., born April 3. 18(50, mamed to L. Covert, and 
George C born December 19, 1800, all residents of Reod Township, this 
county. Jacob Raymond was a soldier in defense of his country, doing mili- 
tary duty in the defenses around Washington. D. C. He owns and resides 
upon the farm his father enter(Hl when first coming into the country. 

HENRY READ, farmer. P. O. Omar, was l)orn iu Steuben County, N. Y.. 
May 81. 1820; son of Elijah Rend, born December 10, 17U2. and who was a 
sergeant under Capt. Clelland in Gen. Wadsworth"s command. Elijah Read 
was one of the first settlers of Reed Township, and s(>rved as justice of the 
peace uine jears; he received his patent for lan<l fi-om John Q. Adams, and 
was prominent among the early people of the township; he was manned. March 
20, 1810, to Sally W. Brundige, who was born August 19, 1800; both were 
from Steuben County, N. Y. : their childi-en were James B. , born February 5, 
1818, died A|>ril 17, 1803: William and Hemy (twins), born May 81,1820, 
William died Februarv 19, 18r)(); Susan M., born Septeml)er 27. 1827. died 
Jan. 12. 1850. and George B., born October 20, 1880, died Jidy 22, 1842. Our 
suliject was married. August 12, 18-lr7, to Nancy Jliu'ray, of Faii-lield County, 
Ohio, daughter of J(jhn and Mary (Conwi-ll) Mui'ray. By her he had thi-ee 
children: Mary, born January 2. 1849. wife of \Villiam Ricker, of Huron 
County, Ohio; Clara, born February 13, 1851 ; and A\ illiam H. , born November 
1, 1857, man-ied to Alice Fifer. Mr. Read is a member of Harmony Grange 
No. 481. 

JOHN ROSPERT, fai-mer and notary public, P. O. Frank, was born Oc 
tober 21. 1841. in Berus, Rhenish Prussia; son of George and Catharine 
(Haas) Rospert. His father, who is still living, was born April I, 1815, in 
the same jJace. a son of Nicholas and Susanna (Seles) Rospert, the former of 
whom was a son of Peter Rospert. 0\u- subject's mother, a daughter of I'eter 
and Catharine (Glassner) Haas, died in her thirty-fourth year. The family 
came to .America, landing in New Orleans in 1851, and thence made their w.ny 
I'/a-river to Cincinnati, Ohio, ^^'ithin thirty days after their arrival in this 
country, in which they were entire strangers, our subject lost by death his 
mother, two brothers and his only sister. His father subsequently married 
Mrs. Elizabeth Fisher (nei; Heitz) by whom he had seven chilfb-en. six of whom 
are deceased; Catharine, who is married to Jacob Kuhn, is still alive. Our 
subj(>ct came with his f;ither to Seneca County, Ohio, in 1852. He was edu- 
cated in the ])arochial schools, at St. Mary's Institute, near Dayton, and at the 
seminary in Thompson Township, this county. At sixteen years of age he be- 
gan teaching, in which profession he continued in the district and parochial 
schools until 1871. when he timied his attention to farming and the business 
of notary; has held the office of justice of the peace. He was married. May 2. 
1805. to Catharine Wagner, born in Lorain County, Ohio, September 28. 1843. 
daughter of Matthias and Mary A. (Webber) Wagner, early settl(>rs of Lorain 
County, Ohio, ))arents of twelve children, seven of whom are now living: Nich- 
olas, in Elyria. Ohio; Peter and John, at Avon. Ohio; Joseph, in San Fran- 
cisco, Cal. ; J. P.. in this township; Catharine; and Emma, widow of Matthias 
Hendges. a soldier who died in the late war. The father of this family died 
in 1857. in his fifty-fourth year. To j\L'. and Mi's. Rospert were born Mary 



966 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Louisa, Pius, Oranna M. . Cornelius C, Adelhaid. Mary J.. Leo A. and Coletta. 
Mr. Eospert is a farmer of influence and prominence. He and liis family are 
members of the Catholic Chm-ch. 

ANDREW SANFORD, farmer. P.O. Omar, was horn in Bergen County. N. 
J. . December 11,1 SIO. The Sanfords' ancestry in this country sprang from one 
of seven brothers who came fi'om England. Our subject's father, John Sanford, 
a son of John Sanford, who was in the Revolution, was a soldier in the war 
of 1812, and his mother was Sarah Miller, daughter of Capt. Andi-ew Miller, 
whose company, while he was commanding it, in the Revolutionary war, was 
attacked by the Indians, and all killed except himself. The Sanford family 
moved to New York State in 1815, where the parents died. In the fall of 
1830 our subject came to this county, entering what is now his present home, 
receiving his patent fi-om Gov. McAi-thur. His elder brother, John, settled in 
Seneca County in 1827. Audi-ew Sanford was married, January 1-1. 1886, to 
Eliza A. Shriner, who was born in Fayette, Seneca Co. , N. Y. , September 28. 
1815, daughter of John and Eliza (Hicks) Shriner, who moved to Seneca Coun- 
ty in July, 1884, former a son of John and -Johaunah (Low) Shriner. To Mi\ 
and Mrs. Sanford were born John and Benjamin F. , residents of Reed Town- 
ship, this county; Eliza, wife of Robert R. Wilkinson, in Antrim Co., Mich., 
Andrew (deceased); David, who was a lawyer, and died in 1888, leaving his 
family in Attica ; Hannah J. (deceased) ; Sarah, wife of Silas Anway, in Antrim 
County, Mich., and Anson, a telegraph operator at Corning. Ohio. The sons. 
John, Benjamin F. and David, served in the civil war. The family are mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church. Mr. Sanford has held various township offices; in 
politics he is a Republican. 

SAMUEL SHADE, farmer, P. O. Omar, was born March 3, 1837, in Ven- 
ice Township, this county, where his father, Samuel Shade, had purchased 
800 acres of timber land in 1834, coming from Columbiana County, Ohio, 
where his father. Christian Shade, settled in 1812 from Berks Co\inty. Penn. 
The father of our subject was born May_ 14, 1800, and died at Tiffin, this 
county, in 1872. He held important township offices, and was a man of prom 
incnee at an early time. His widow, Catharine Shade, who suj-vives him, was 
liorn in Pennsjdvania November 25, 17'<)8, daughter of Frederick Carrick, a 
Revolutionary soldier under Gen. Washington, and who died in his one hun- 
dredth year. Their childi-en were fourteen in number: an infant, Daniel, 
George, Margaret, and Mai-y died early in life; Fn^derick, in Venice Town- 
ship; Sarah, wife of John Bordnor. in Williams County, Ohio; Parmelia, wife 
of John Hains, in Crawford County. Ohio; Catharine, wife of George Deis- 
ler, of Venice Township; Simon, in Crawford Coimty. Ohio; Emeline, wife 
of Conrad Deislei-, of Venice Township; Samuel; William, in Venice, and 
Amanda, wife of Daniel Bordner. of Crawford County. Ohio. In 18(i8 the 
subject of our sketch moved to Tiffin, where he became a member of the mill- 
ing firm of Hayward & Shaile, and in 1 883 he came to his jiresent lieautif ul 
home. He was married, March 3, 1864, to Eliza, born in Venice Township, 
thi.s county, March 8. 1840. daughter of Samuel and Catharine (Frederick) 
Woollet, early settlers. To this iinion have been born two children : Albert and 
Oliver S. Thev are members of the Reformed Church. 

M. D. SHETTERLY, farmer. P. O. West Lodi, was born December 23, 
1830, in Varick, Seneca Co., N. Y., son of Andrew and Annie (Steltz) Shet- 
terly. The father of our subject, a son of Michael Shetterly. served in the 
war of 1812. and was a prominent official in his native county. Ho came to 
this county about 1847, pm-chascd 300 acres of land near the center of Reed 
To^^■nshil), and in the spring of 1850 moved his family and settled near Lodi, 



REED TOWNSHIP. 967 

where he died in the sprino; of 187-"), aged eitrhty years, one month and six- 
teen days; his -widow, a daughter of John Steltz, followed him in the fall of 
1S78, in her seventy-seventh year. Their childr(>n were ten in number: George, 
who died, leaving a faniily in Lodi, Ohio; John, who died, leaving a family in 
South Bend, Ind. : Jane, deceased wife of Benjamin Kediior (left two childnMi: 
Mrs. Nancy Markham. of New Salem. Ohio, and Mrs. Elizabeth AVilkins, of 
Denver, Colo.): Letitia. deceased wif(> of David Dunn, family reside near 
Wichita. Kans. : .\ndre\v E.. deceased, uimiarried; M. D.. oui- subject: 
Adelia. widow of Horace Robinson, in Republic, Ohio; Haniet. unmarried, 
in Republic, Ohio: William H., in Republic. Ohio: and J. K.. an engineer, 
also in Republic, Ohio. Oiu- subject remained with his father until twenty - 
three years of age, when he settled on his present farm. He was mar- 
ried, April 5, ISoo. to Elizabeth Auble, also a native of Seneca County, 
N. Y., born December 11, 1835. daughter of AVilliam and Maiy E. (Fish- 
er) Auble, who were among the early settlers of Seneca County, and by 
this union were born seven chiliL'en: Florence N. (wife of Isaac Bilger, 
of Reed Townshij). this county), Lvman L. (died, aged four veai's), Ellen 
A., Horace R., Pattie J., Andiew N." and Bertha Hayes. Mr. Slietterly takes 
an active interest in the improvement of stock and farm products. He has 
held various offices of trust in the township, although not seeking the honoi's. 
He is a member of Hildreth Lodge, F. & A. il. , at Repiiblic, this county; 
was a member of the I. O. O. F., at Lodi, Ohio. He is active in the advance- 
ment of educational and religious matters. He and his family are memViers 
of the Christian Union Church, in which he is an elder. In politics he is a 
Republican. 

SAMUEL SPENCER, farmer. P. O. Omar, was born in Venice Township, 
this county, December 24, 18-12, son of Huckens and Nancy (Bigham) Spencer, 
early settlers of this county: former of whom was born in Vermont in ISOS. 
and died in 1S58; latter, a native of Cork, Ireland, when nine years of age 
came to America in 1818 with l^er parents, John and Elizabeth Bigham. and 
died in 18")4. On account of his parents' early demise our subject lived and 
worked on the farm with an elder brother until the war of the Rebellion, when 
he enlisted. September lo, 18(M, in Company H, Fourteenth Regiment Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry. He received his discharge September 15, 18()4. but 
served three years and three months. He fought at the battles of Shiloh. Per- 
rj-^'ille and Chickamauga. where he was severely wounded by a sis-])ound can- 
non ball, but forgetting himself, and with his life-blood fast flowing and with 
fjiiliiig breath he cheered his comrades on to victory. By pluck and medical 
skill his life was saved, and he afterward did duty in the hospital at Nashville. 
Tena. After his return home he worked at daily labor and upon a rented farm 
until 1872, when he purchased his present beautiful and well-kept farm of 110 
acres, where he lives in the enjoyment of looking after his fine stock. 'Mr. 
Spencer was married. March 17. 187(\ to Elvira Reed, born April 211, 1848, 
near Stoubenville, Ohio. d;iughter of James Reed. Their childi'en were 
Charles S.. Frank W.. Des.sa (deceased when about two years of age), Jennie 
R.' ;ind Harley. Mr. Sj)pncer is a member of Attica Lodge. No. 'M'u, F. & 
A. M. . a Republican in politics, and a member of the Baptist Church. 

DANIEL SUITER, farmer. P. O. Attica, was born near Leavittsville. 
Carroll Co., Ohio. January 18, 183(). son of Jacob and Sarah (Myers) Suiter, 
natives of Pennsylvania; the former, born in 1803. moved with his father. 
Philip Suiter, to Tuscarawas County. Ohio, in 1800 (this Philip Suiter laid out 
the town of New Cumberland, in Tuscarawas County. Ohio), and died Janu- 
ary 20. lS7''i: latter born in ISO!), moved to Tuscarawas County. Ohio, in 



968 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

1816 with her grauclparents (John and Yaut), and died in 1872. 

Jacob and Sarah (Myers) Sniter had nine ehiklren; John, in Montgomery 
County. 111.; Henry, in Kansas; Matilda, wife of Benjamin Perch, in Chris- 
tian County, 111.; Daniel; Elizabeth, deceased: Mai'tha, wife of James Ben- 
nett, in Montgomery County, 111. ; Amanda, wife of Coni'ad Perch, in CaiToll 
County, Ohio; David, in CaiToU County. Ohio; JNIargaret, wife of James 
McAfee, in Montgomerj- County. 111. Our subject followed farming and 
teaching until the war of the Rebellion, when he enlisted December 20, 1801, 
in Company K, Eightieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was promoted to 
be quartermaster-sergeant; was with his command through all theu' hard 
fought battles, dischai'giug his duties as a soldier and an officer with credit to 
himself and honor to his country. After nearly foiu' years of service he was 
discharged at Little Rock. Ai'k. , and returned to agricultural piu'suits. He 
was married, April 24, 1804, to Hannah Albangh, born in Crawford County, 
January 2(1, 1841, daughter of David and Rebecca (Keran) Albaugh, both of 
whom are still living. By this marriage there were seven children: Nancy 
M., Sarah L. , A^'illiam A., Rollin J., John H., Emma M. and Lloyd W. Mr. 
Suiter moved to Crawford County in 18<)6, and to Seneca County in March, 
1872. Here, in December, 1880, he sustained a heavj' loss in the destruction 
of his home by fire, but by energy and perseverance he has overcome all obsta- 
cles, and is now enjoving the comforts of pleasant siuTouudings. 

ALONZO THATCHER, farmer, P. O. Attica, was born near Toledo, 
Ohio. January 14. 1846; son of Thomas and Tracy (Stephenson) Thatcher, 
both of whom died of cholera, the- former in 18r)2, the latter in 18r)4. They 
had two children: Thomas, now residinuf in Toledo, Ohio, and Alonzo. Ml. 
Thatcher came to Seneca County early in life, being taken charge of by 
friends, on account of the early demise of his parents. He received a district 
school education, and worked at farm labor. He was married, October 81, 
1871, to Martha Cooley, who was born in Reed Township, Seneca Co., Ohio, 
September 13, 185(J. Her father. Alvin Cooley. born December 21. ISOo, was 
twice married, first, February 3. 1832, to Rebecca Bugbee, who was born Oc- 
tober 2(t, 1815, and died April '2'i. 1841, the mother of four children: Eliza 
beth (deceased wife of Tallerand Martin, of Nebraska), Amanda, wife of Frank 
Kelley. residing in Missouri; Elmira; and Rebecca (deceased). Mr. Cooley 
maiTied on second occasion, December 29. 1841, Sarah Wan-en, born Novem- 
ber 11, 1821, who bore him the following children: Mary J., wife of Henrj' 
Myers, of Scipio Township, this county; Amarett, wife of J. N. Elliott, of 
Reed Township, this county; Hosea and Everett, who reside in Republic, 
Ohio; and Martha, Mrs. Thatcher. 'Mi: and Mi's. Thatcher have two childi-en: 
Emily G. aud Vern A. 

JACOB AVINDNAGLE, miller, P. O. West Lodi. is a native of Erie 
County, N. Y. ; born May 2-'). 1839; son of John and Annie (Ritter) Windna- 
gle, the former of whom died January 4, 1884, aged eighty-seven years; the 
latter, who is still living, is a daughter of Simeon and Annie Ritter, also 
natives of Pennsylvania. John and Annie Windnagle had eleven children: 
Eliza, wife of Jacob Fatty, a farmer in Erie County, N. Y. ; Susan, wife of 
Levi Zook, foreman in a large warehouse in Buffalo, N. Y. ; Frederick, a me- 
chanic in Niagara County, N. Y. ; Simeon (deceased, leaving family in Erie 
County, where he had engaged in farming); John, farming near Detroit, 
Mich. ; Henry, in same neighborhood; Sarah (deceased wife of Jacob Shettler, 
of Erie County, N. Y.): Catharine, widow of David Blocker, in Erie County, 
N. Y.: Jacob; Franklin, a carriage manufacturer at Boekport, N. Y.; and 
Fannie, married and living in Buffalo. N. Y. Our subject received a limited 



SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. 969 

education, remaining with his father until eighteen years of age, when he be- 
gan learning the blacksmith trade, at which he worked about ten years in New 
York, thence came to this county, where he was engaged in saw nulling for a 
time, then for three years was in mercantile business. In 1877 he owned the 
Lodi Mills, which ho disposed of to Kern & Son in 1S7!). since which time ho 
has been the miller, a trade he hvirned here. Mr. AVindnagle was commis- 
sioned justice of the peace by Gov. Noyes April 14. 1S78, and by (tov. Hayes 
May 'i."). ]S7(). He was mari'ied May 22, 1S(')4, to Catharine Breyman. a na- 
tive of Weavers! own. B(>rks (,"o. , Penn. , and a daughter of John C. and Cath- 
arine (.\uniaii) Breyman; and by her has had two children: Frank A. and 
Clara S. (latter died aged eleven months). Mi'. AVindnagle is a member of 
Hildreth Lodge F. <V- A. M. . at Republic. Ohio. 

T. A. YITNDT. justice of the peace and farmer. P. O. West Lodi. was 
born March 7, 1K4<). in Lancaster County, Penn. : son of Chambers and Eliza 
(Horting) Yundt. also natives of Lancaster County, where the former, who 
was a son of (i(>(>rge Y^undt. and a farm(>r and hotel keeper by occujiation. died 
.\pril K). ISSO, aged lifty-tive years, fom- months and twelve days: Mrs. Eliza 
Yundt. who is sixtv-two years of age (living with her son, T. A.) is a daugh- 
ter of George, and Molly (Ali)right) Horting. the latter of whom was Ijorn in 
1 79U. and is still living. To Chambers and Eliza Y'undt were born ten chil- 
dren: William, who died leaving a family in Lodi. Ohio; Archibald (deceased); 
T. A.; Louisa (deceased wife of George Sprecher. left eight chikb'en living in 
Lancaster County. Penn.): Bently (deceased): Maria (deceased): Maggie (de- 
ceased); Wellington, residing in Tiflfin. Ohio; Martha (deceased) and Mary 
(deceased). Our snbjtu't. who received the advantages of a common scliool 
education, rcnjained ujion the farm and taught school until eighteen yeai's of 
age. whtMi he came to this county, settling in Lodi. where he clerked for three 
years for 'M. Beard, then ptu-chased the business of his employer, which he 
continued for fifteen years, when he retired from mercantile life. In the 
spring of 1870 Mr. Y'undt was elected to the office of justice of the peace, in 
which he served three years: in the s]»ring of IN.S2 he was reelected to this 
office, of which he is the present incumbent. He held a notary commission 
three years: was appointed postmaster in June. 1SS2. He takes an active 
])art in the advancement of farming and educational interests. Mr. Y'lindt 
was married June fi. I<S()'.», to Jemima, daughter of M. Beard, and who was 
born August 11, 1S48. in the hotel whe)-e they now reside, and which was 
built at an early date l>y hei- father, who was an important man in the history 
of the village. They have had four children : Maud, who died aged eight 
yeai-s; Perry; Mark; and Harry Blain. Mr. Y'undt is a member of Xo. 49:^, 
Lodi Lodge, I. O. O. F. . of which he has been secretary, and is at present 
N. G. He is an .active politician and prohibitionist. 



SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. 

JOHN ALBRIGHT, farmer. !'. O. Re])ublic, was born in Lancaster 
Cotinty, Penn., October 20, ]HH7). and the following spring his parents removed 
to Seneca County, Ohio, locating in Adams Township, where our subject grew 
to maturity and received the benefits of a common school educati<jii. Charles 
Albright, father of our subject, a carpenter by trade, was boi'n in Pennsyl- 
vania, in ISIO. and Molly (Smith) Albright, our subject's mother, wa-^ born in 



'J70 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

1808, died in 1877; they were parents of foiu- cliildi-en: John, Jacob, David 
(deceased) and Isaac. John Albright removed to liis present farm in 1802, 
and in 1875 erected his fine residence. He is a self-made man; considered one 
of the substantial as well as practical farmers of Scipio Township. He has 
always dealt more or less extensively in stock; is also a prominent apiarist. 
He has served the people of his township as trustee, and is an active member 
of the Democratic party. He is a F. & A. M. Our subject maiTied, Decem- 
ber 1, 1863, Miss Mary HndtUe. born in Lykens Tuwnshij), Crawford Co., 
Ohio, Jtdy 22, ]83t'), daughter of Benjamin and Annie (Seitz) Huddle, the 
former of Shenandoah County, Va. . and the latter, of Fairfield County. Ohio; 
were parents of ten sous and eight daughters: Rebecca. Xoah (deceased). 
Lydia, Daniel. Benjamin, Samuel (deceased). Lewis. Abraham (deceased). 
Rachael (deceased), Mary, Ann. Catharine. John. Peter, Elizabeth, an infant 
(deceased). Jacob and Lovina (latter deceased). Fourteen of the.se children 
grew to matiu'ity and maiTied. The union of oui- subject and wife has been 
blessed with four children: Freeman, Orsina (deceased). TJpton and Orren. 

NORMAN BENHAM. farmer. P. O. Republic, was born in Prospect. 
Conn., September 7. 1818, son of Daniel and Clarissa (Chittenden) Benham, 
who came to the farm now occupied by our subject, in 1834, where the}" died. 
Daniel Benham, a son of Shadi'ach and Elizabeth Benham, died in his eighty- 
fovu'th year. Clarissa Benham, a daughter of Asel C. and Annie (Lewis) 
Chittenden, died in her eigbty-lifth year; they were parents of live children: 
Franklin B. (deceased, leaving a family): James (deceased, leaving a family in 
Clyde, Ohio); Edwin (deceased, leaving one daughter): Norman and Marsha 
A. (latter deceased). At twenty yeai's of age, ooi- subject began the cai-pen- 
ter" s trade, at wliich he worked fifteen years, then turned his attention to gen- 
eral farming and now has 110 acres. He was married, in 1842. to Ann Smith, 
born near Berne, Switzerland. Septemlier .'). 1,S23, daughter of Jacob and 
Catharine (Myers) Smith, who came to America in 1!S27, locating following 
year in Sandusky, where former can'ied on shoe-making, subseijuently settling 
in Venice Township, this county, where he carried on farming, and where he 
died. To oiu- subject and wife have been born foiu' childi-en: George (de- 
ceased) ; Catharine, wife of Jacob Crosley in Republic, this county : Frances, 
wife of V. A. Rohn, also in Republic, and Daniel J. 

M. BREYMAN. dentist. Republic, was Isorn in Berks Coimty. Penn.. De- 
cember 15, 1821; son of John C. Breyman. at onetime a merchant and recorder 
of Union County. Penn.. who died in 1801. aged sixty-seven years; his widow. 
Catharine (Oman) Breyman. of Pennsylvania, died in 1879. aged eighty-four 
years; they had ten childi-en: Sarah Ann. Zacharius. Sabrina. Malon. Henry, 
Catharine. John, Allen, Annetta and an infant (latter deceased). At the age of 
eighteen years our subject commenced working at the wagon-making trade, an 
occupation he followed about ten years, working part of the time in a machine 
shop and at ship-building. He commenced the study of dentistry in 1856, 
and is a graduate of the \\'isconsin Dental College. He has been engaged in 
business in Repul)lic. Ohio, since November, 1804, and is the only dentist in 
that town. In August. 1S(')2. Mr. Breyman enlisted in Company D, One Hun- 
dred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Yolunteer Infantry. Under Capt. Crotzer. he 
was transfeiTed to Company A, Thirty-tifth Regiment and detailed to assist the 
siu'geon, and April 27, 181)3, he received his discharge on account of chronic 
bronchitis. Mr. Breyman is an active memlier of the G. A. R. post, at Re- 
))ublic, Ohio. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Pres- 
iijiierian Chiu'ch. Mi-. Breyman entered upon life a poor boy. and is a self- 
made man. He married, June 17, 1845. Elizabeth C. Tate, of Pennsylvania. 



I 



SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. 971 

born October 20. 1S"2(I. and eight chilcb'eu have beeu born of this union: Jane 
E., wife of F. Warner: Annie C. (deceased); Elizabeth A., wife of J. K. 
Wiremaii; William C. married to Duskie Smith: John A., married to Ettie 
Carrell: Alice A. and Alford A. (twins), (former wife of E. Sonrwine). and 
Malin E. (deceased). 

PAUL BRONG, farmer and stock-raiser. P. (). Rejiublic. was bora in Sen- 
eca County. N. Y.. Novemljer 1. 1S24: son of Jaeol) and Elizal)eth (Farwer) 
Broiig, Peun.. wht) were the parents of twelve cliildren: Cathcrina (deceased). 
Maiy (deceased). Jacolj, Sarah (deceased). Paul, .laron. Barbara. Annie, Kosa, 
Susan (deceased). Lydia and Elizabeth (latter deceased). Our subject remained 
with his parents on the home farm and received the advantages of a common 
school education, entering his career iu life as a farmer, an occupation he has 
since followed. He came to this county in 1S85. and located iu Scipio Town- 
ship, where he has since resided. In connection with his farming interests. 
Mr. Broug has been extensively engaged in growing stock. His tirst fai'in con- 
sisted of forty-live acres for which he ran in debt, and he now owns 2 K? acres of 
choice farm land. When twenty years of age. he became a member of the 
(xerman Reformed Church. Politically he is a Reinililican. Mr. Broug was 
maiTied. June 27, IHbO. to Miss ilary Ann Stabler, who was born in Lehigh 
C\)uuty, Penn. , May 22. 1S2<). da\ighter of Hemy and Susan (Hover) Staliler. 
natives of Pennsylvania. To oiu- subject and wife have been born six children: 
Abbie R. (deceased). Heui-y J. (deceased). Sarah Elizabeth (deceased). Susan 
(deceased). Daniel Edgar, and Samuel Charles, residing at home ou the old 
homestead of 218 acres, as a farmer and stock-raiser. 

DANIEL EDGAR BROXO. who is assistant district attorney at Lockport, 
N. y. . was l)orn June U. 1857. in Scipio Township, Seneca Co.. Ohio. He left 
common school March 4. 1873: was a student in Republic Normal School from 
October 1, 1873, two years; was a student and teacher iit same school fiom 
October 1, 1875, two years more; delivered centennial oration at Republic. 
Ohio. July 4, 1876; began reading law at home May 1, 1877. and taught 
school in Adams Township, this county, winter of 1877-78. He read law sum 
mer of 1878. at Lockport. Niagara County. N. Y. . and entered the law d(>part- 
ment of tlie univel-sity of Michigan at Ann .\rbor. October 1, 1878, continuing 
two years; was office law student at Lockport. Aju-il 1. 18SU. to January 1. 
1881. and was then admitted to the bar in New York: graduated at .\nn Arbor. 
March 23, 188(1. and was ;tdmitted to the bar in Michigan. He ])racticed law at 
Lockport, from Jaiuiaiy 1. 1880. to date; was appointed a.ssistant district 
attorney of Niagara County. January 1. 1884, for the term of three years. 
Daniel Edgar Brong was maiTied September 27. 1882, to Mary Eunice Parker, 
of Lockport, and to this union was liorn, September 23, 1884, one son— Parker 
Paid. 

D.ANIEL BROWN (deceased) was born in Westchester County, N. Y.. 
December 28. 17U9. and died March 2'), 1N72. He was reared on a farm arid 
entered uj)on his career in life as a farmer, coming to Scipio Townshi]i, this 
county, in about 183'). locating on the farm now owned by William Baker. He 
became a prominent politician aud was elected liy the Democratic party to a 
seat in the Legislature. Certain measures l)eing agitated which did uot meet 
his views, he eventually became a Republican. He held the office of coroner 
in the county, and numerous townshij) offices, such as ju-stice of the peace, etc. 
He was a Knight Templar. Mr. Brown was a self-educated man and although 
of firm convictions, was easily influenced for right. He was married. June 3. 1 8;j8. 
to Mi's. Sally (Chace) Smith, who survives him. She was born in Tomjikins 
County, N, Y. . October 19. 1813. and was first man-ied. iu 1S32. to Joseph N. 



972 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Smith, who died within the year. She was the mother of cue daughter. Jo.sie, 
horn September IS. ls;!4, who was married June 4. 1S.")(), to W. J. Crissel, who 
died in 1 809. leaving to her care two chiklreu : Dan B. and Fred B. . both farmer.s 
in Scipio Township, this cotinty. !Mrs. Crissell sub.sequenth" married. October 
12, 1870, James H. Knapp, who was born in Putnam County, N. Y. , July 1'2. 
1842. ]Mi\ Knapp has always followed the occupation of a farmer, except two 
years, during which time he was engaged in mercantile business in Iowa. 
During the war he was in the 100 days' service in Company I, One Huntlred 
and Forty-fifth Ohio National Guards. He came to Seneca County in 1869. 
and has held numerous township offices of trust: is the present secretary of the 
Farmers' Mutual Relief Association of Seneca County, which was organized in 
1860, incorporated in 1878. Mr. Knapp is an extensive breeder of high grade 
stock. Politically he is a Republican. 

MORGAN BUGBEE (deceased) was born in Scipio Township, this county, 
January 16, 1840, son of Philo and Celia (True) Bugbee. natives of New York, 
fonuer born in Atiburn, May 14, 1815, died December 27, 1870: latter born in 
Bath. March 8. ISIS, is still living and is the mother of five childi-en: Morgan 
Eliza, bornMarch4, 1841. wife of J. Dittman: Mariah. born April 11. 1S42. 
died August 13, 1S67: Elva, l>orn January 1, 1851, wife of G. M. Pancost. of 
Washington, D. C. ; Merritt. born October 16. 1855. and Morgan. Morgan 
Bugbee entered upon his career in life as a farmer, and eventually !)ecame one 
of the best fanners of Scipio Township, this county. He made a specialty of 
breeding Merino sheep and Poland-China hogs. He resided two years in 
Indiana, and while there became an Odd Fellow. Mr. Bugbee was highly 
esteemed by the community in which he lived; he was a consistent member of 
the Universalist Chiu'ch for some years previous to his death: he died, August 
10, 1884. He was married, April i). 18()8. to Miss Mary A\'oodi'uff. who was 
born in Ann Arbor. Mich.. June 12, 1842: she was a daughter of John and 
Sally (Clark) Woodruff, who were natives of New York, former born October 
19, "1798, died June 25. 1S52: latter born March 8. 179S, died April 17. 
1880: they were early settlers in INIichigan: the former was a school teacher, 
and a prominent politician of the Whigjiarty: they were the parents of thirteen 
children: Emma, John B. (deceased), Matilda (deceased), Peter, Caroline. 
Charles H. , Timothy (deceased). Thomas. James C. , Samuel, Martha. Jane 
and Maiy: Jane married Orlando Green, of Attica. Ohio. May 11. 1862: he 
<lied September 17. 1S7S: one child lilessed this union. Donna ^X.. horn April 
6. 1875. 

JAMES E. CARPENTER, farmer, P. O. Republic, was born in Clinton 
Township, this county. July 19, 1853. son of Adam and Phfebe (Strow) Car- 
j)enter, former a natiNe of Harrison Coiinty, Ohio, latter of Bloom Towushi[>. 
this county; they were the parents of two children: ^Mlliam and James E. Our 
subject received a common and normal school education and entered upon his 
career in life as a school teacher. He has, however, made farming the princi 
[)al occupation of his life and has been a resident of Scipio Township since 
1880. He makes no specialties, other than growing the usual crojis and rais- 
ing stock. Politically he is a stanch Republican. Mi'. Carj)enter was mar- 
ried, February 19, 1S7S. to Miss Sarah Myers, who was born in Venice Town- 
ship, this county, June 4. 1849. and by this union there are two childi'en: 
one died in infancy, and Roxie Rebecca, born December 26. 1883. Mrs. Car- 
penter is a daughter of Henry and Rel)ecca (Free) Myers, early settlers of this 
county, former deceased: they were the parents of seven children: Mar)' J. 
(deceased wife of A. B. Brant). George AV. (deceased). Andrew J., Sarah, 
Thomas J., Martha E. and William T. 



SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. 973 

HIUA:\r CI-LVFFEE, fiirmer. P. O. Bloomvilk., was l)orn iii Co.irtluml 
County, N. Y., October 80. LSI 2; son of Nathan and Poll v (Eaton) Chaflo,.. 
of Massac-busotts. fonncr a miller liv trade: they are the parents of live chil 
(ben: Polly. AVealthy, Ahi<rail, Axi.- and Hiram. "Our subject, who has always 
been a farmer, came to this county in March, INCn. and located on the farm 
on which he still resides. He has been township trustee; was formerly a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F. and was a Granger. Politically he is a Republican. 
-Mr. Chaffee married, April 20, 1838, Miss Maria 'Wilkerson. who was born in 
Cayuga County, N. Y., March 14, 1810. To this union have been born two 
children: Cornelius and George. Cornelius contracted disease in the army, 
from which he died, and George died at Danville. Ky. Cornelius married 
Sarah Salisbury, who died November 8. IST4, aged thirty years and eleven 
mouths; their .son. Lewis, married Ella Smith, born in Cayiiga County. N. Y., 
November 10, I SHO (they have one son. Harry, born March 21. 1883). Mi-.s! 
Chaffee, wife of oiu- sul)ject. is a daughter of "Cornelius and Elizabeth (Leigh- 
land | AVilkerson, of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively, of whose 
children thi-ee are now living: Charles. Eliza Cunningham and iL-s. Chaffee. 
Oiu- subject and wife celebrated their golden wedding in 1883. 

JAMES B. CLAEK, farmer, P. O. Pepublic. was born in Pleasant Town- 
>hip, this county, in 1853; son of William Clark, of Pleasant Township, this 
coimty. Our subject received a common school education and taught school 
several terms. He entered ujion his ciireer in life as a farmer, and as such 
liids fair to l)ecoine one of the re])res(>ntative agriculturists of the township. 
He was united in marriage. March 15. 1883. with Miss Ida llhoads. who was 
liorn in ISu'J. in Scipio Township, this county, daughter of Squire Joseph 
llhoads. now of Eden Township, this county". 'Sh: Clark came to Scipio 
Townshiji in 188:5 and located on the farm settled by his grandparents in an 
"•arly day. 

JOHN L. COLE, attorney, Republic, was born in Clinton Township, Sen- 
eca County. Ohio. February 14. 1840. a son of Nathan Cole, of Bri.stol County, 
Mass.. a carpenter and farmer who came to this county in 183(). and died in 
18 iT). aged eighty-nine years. Nathan Cole's first wife.' Polly French, left two 
daughters: Fanny (dec(>ased) and Polly (wife of Benjamin Dean, of Massachu- 
setts). Nathan Cole's second wife. Abigal S. Sawyer, a daughter of Rev. 
Sawyer, was mother of six children : Nathan. Hiram. Henry. Simon, Sally and 
.\bigal (the two latter are deceased); and his thu-d wife, Maria (Walker) Long- 
coy, had two daughters by Mr. Longcoy: Charlotte, deceased wife of D. 
Decker, and Polly, deceased. By Mi-. Cole she has two chikken: Elsie, wife 
(jf Charles C. Fox. ami John L.. the subject of this sketch; she is still living. 
The Cole family are of English descent, and their ancestors were among the 
early settlers of Massachusetts. The subject of this sketch entered upoTi his 
coiuse in life as a teacher in the common schools, and later became i)rincii)al of 
the pul)lic school of Republic. Ohio, a position he held for tive years, spend- 
ing a portion of thetiiiK^ in the .study of law. and aftenvard reading with Hon. 
(■(>orge E. Seney. He was admittetl to the bar in the fall of 18G2, and entered 
upon thi' ])ractice of his profession at Republic, and has since engaged in gen- 
eral law and real estate business. He owns a farm near Republi'c!, whicli is 
operated under his management. Mr. Cole has served as townshij) clerk eleven 
years, memljer of the school board eighteen years, and has held other minor 
towiisliip oflices. In jwlitics he is a Republican. Mr. Cole married. October 
It. 18/C>. Maria Platte, of Scijno Township, this county, a giaduate of Seneca 
(bounty Academy, and for three years ])rinci))al of Republic schmils. a daugh 
ter of Joel and Amanda (Norton) Platte, early settlers of this county and iv 



res- 



974 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

idents of Republic: she was born December S, 1S41. and is mother of two 
children: Ettie L., born Jamiarv o, IS 79. and Heath K.. born September 16. 
1880. 

ORANGE COOLEY. farmer. P. O. Republic, was born near Northampton. 
Mass.. July 19. 1811. son of Alvin and Elizabeth (Frazier) Cooley. natives of 
Massachusetts, who were man'ied October 10. 179<), and were the parents of 
the following named children: Betsey, Polly, Emily. Alvin and Orange. Alvin 
Cooley, Sr. , died January 29, 1827, and his widow a few years later. Our 
subject, the only siu'vivor of the family, was nearly nineteen years of age 
when he came with his parents to Seneca County, Ohio. He had but a few dol- 
lars at that time, but lay habits of industiy and economy has accumulated a 
large property. In 1S;!0 he purchased eighty acres of land from Joseph Cha- 
zey, who had entered it in 182(5, and has made all the improvements, having 
also placed it under a high state of cultivation. ]\Ii\ Cooley was married. 
November 20. 1834. to JVIary Pettys. born in New York. April 30. 1819, and 
who died Januaiy 15. 18/9, the mother of nine children: Hannah M. (deceased). 
Cyntha J. , Sereno S. , Edward, Elizabeth, Richard. Eliza. Viola and Charles. 
j\Ir. Cooley. who has always led an honorable life, enjoys the respect of the 
entire community. He joined the Presbyterian Church December 10, 1837. 
and has since served as trustee or elder in same most of the time. He assisted 
in building the first church in the township, and all those since erected but 
one. Politically he was originally a Whig, but in later years has been a Repub- 
lican. 

OBEDIAH CUIVDIINGS, farmer. P. O. Republic, was born in Scipio 
Township, this coimty, June 20. 1837. sou of Mathias and Phojbe (Booth) 
Cummings, natives of New England, who came to this county in about 1830; 
they were parents of two childr-en: Obediah and ]Mary (wife of J. A. Smith). 
Mathias and Phcebe Cummings had both been previously married. Our sub- 
ject received the advantages of ii common school education, and in early life 
learned the carpenter's trade. Imt has made farming the principal occupation of 
his life. He is an active member of the Masonic fiaternity. In politics he is 
a stanch Republican. He was married. December 29. 1859. to Sarah Garhart. 
who was born in Crawford County. Ohio. August 23. 18-11. and by this union 
are four children: Clinton. Cora. Mattie and M>Ttie, latter deceased. 

SYLVESTER CUNNINGHAM (deceased)" was born in Cortland County. 
N. Y., January 10, 1815, and came to this county in 1857, where he followed 
the occupation of a farmer, although a mason by trade. He was manned, 
September 3, 183(5, to Eliza AVilkerson, who siu'vives him. She was born in 
Cayiiga County, N. Y. , March 29. 1813. and is the mother of three children: 
Charles M. , in Osborne County, Kans. . manned to Jean Vernon, ilarch 1 5. 1 80(5. 
(have one son. Vernon E., born Januaiy 27. 1808): Helen J., wife of E. F. 
Beard, of Monroe County, Mich. : Elizabeth, liorn April 7. 18-14. married 
December 23. 1809, to Sidney J. Anway (son of John Anway), who was born 
February 15, 1841 (they have one son, Frank L.. born March 11. 1875). 
The .subject of this sketch was a man highly respected in the community. His 
death occurred May 30. 1883, and his loss was much felt by all who knew him. 
He was very active in pulslic affairs, serving his township at one time as trustee. 
He was a member of the ^Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically a ^N'hig. 
afterward a Republican. He belonged to Hildreth Lodge No. 105. F. & A. 
M. . Republic, Ohio. 

S. S. DENTLER, farmer and merchant. P. O. Republic, was born near 
Gettysburg. Adams Co.. Penn.. March 23, 1834, son of George and Lena 
/Stover) Dentler, residents of Franklin County, Penn., and who are the par- 



SCIPIO TOWNSHir, 



<uts of twelve chiklivu: Samuel S.. Lnciuda. John. Andrew J.. Joseph, Ciith- 
anne. Louisa. Mehmla, George. James. Ann and Rebecca. Comma- to this 
county m 18.)+. our subject left it in Itsr.C. but returned in kS(i(» and'en-a",.,! 
ni farmnig. in connection with which occupation h(> has been a member i7f 'the 

' 'ri7 *"t" '/f ? ''"i"*'-''. '^ ^'^'"^^"'' "' "'"'^ ' ^'•••- ^^'- D''»ll'''- is an active member 
of the 1. O. O. t.. m which ord<-r h." is tivasurer. Foliticallv he mav be 
termed Hide]>endent. vutintj for men au.l principles, rather than Vartv Our 
subject was married. Jum- T.. ISfil. to Mrs. Jane Porter (a widow With two 
children), dauirhter of T. P. Koberts. 

■ • '^'^\?^JY^\ ^''"""" '""''^ >u''">^ter. P. O. Kepublic. was born in Alexan- 
dria. D. C July •_>(), IblC. son of John and Mary (Kinsell) Duffv former 
sni.erintendent of the United States Arsenal, at Pittsburgh, to which place he 
was sent in 181 < with a division of men for the protection of th(< fi-ontier and 
where he and his wife died of yellow fever in IMS. H.' was a native of Ire 
land, his wife of Germany. B(>ing left an orphan at a very early a^e oiu- 
subject was provided for l)y charitable people, and in ]S2(i was brouxrht to 
\\ ayne County. Ohio, by John Ewaldt. where he remained until 188'^ In 
18;{() he ])urchased ^(l(» acres of land near Cardiiigton. Ohio, of which he was 
deprived, with all the improvements, after much litigation, by an alien's claim 
In 18-).) he settled near Attica. Ohio, and in 18(57 came to his present location 
where he piu-chased 182 acres of land. At eighteen years of acre he bec^an 
preaching in the Meth.xlist Ej.iscoi^al Church, and in 1844 becam"e a memt.er 
of the Pr.)testaut Methodist Church. He did regular itinerant work for more 
tlian tbirty years and l)ecame a most successful and plain minister He is 
active in educational and religious matters and in all the various enterprises 
f.jr the promotion of the welfare of the i>eople of the couutv. He se/ved one 

IV'^t;"" J"''*"''' "^ *'''' '"'"'■" "'"' ''■"'' '"^ •""''* !"''«''• '"^'^liiKlilv resi)ected citizen 
Mr. Dutty was twie(> married, on first occasion. September 24, 188'.t. in Lima 
Ohio, to Mary Wamsley. a Virginian, and daughter of Thomas M'anisley Bv 
this union were two children: Sarah E. (deceased wife of Philiii Prou'se- she 
left a family in Bloomville. this countyi. and Silas A. (died at seven veai-s of 
agcK Mrs. Duffy died March ;!. 1842. and Mr. Duffy then married. Novem- 
ber 1,), 1842. SaraL A. Tilton. born in .Alonmouth County. X. J.. November 
12. 1822, daughter of John and Sarah (Letts) Tilton. who' settled in Lickin.^ 
County, Ohio, in lS:r_'. where they died. By this union there were live chih 
dien: Leoiiidas. in Sci].io Township, this county; John H.. in Logan County 
Ohio; Jennie. wif<> of William Scott, in Madison County. Ohio; AVillie (deceas«>^l") 
and Sylvester on the homestead. ' 

M'. S. EASTMAN, farmer. P. O. Republic, was born (jii the farm wiiere 
he now resides, m Scipio Township. November 11. 1885, son of John W East- 
man, who w^is l)orn in Middletown. Orange Co., N. Y., November 2C. ITUT- 
he served as a substitute for his father in the Brilish senice during the war of 
1812. whih' residing hi Canada, but eventually escaped into New York and 
later became lirst lieutenant in the '■ Yates RiHe Battalion: "• he came to 
Seneca County. Ohio, in 1S81. and. in January, of the year followincr ,nu-. 
chased eighty acres of huid entered by Nathan Dix (in" Scipio Township) 
removing his family to the same November 12, 1883; in early days his ,)olit.i- 
cal views were Democratic, but later Republican; he took an "active part in all 
public affairs and accumulated a large property, owning over 400 acres of land 
at the time of his death, which occurred May 80. 1872; his wife. Cynthia 
Sjioouer, was born in Greene County, N. Y.. March (i. 1.S07. and .lied Decern' 
lier (). LS"),"); they were jiareiits of three children: Daniel W.. decea^-d: Marv 
E.. wife of Samuel B. Ink. of Tiffin: and William S. Our subject graduated 



976 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

from Hillsdedf College. Michigan, in the class of 18^4. and assisted in the 
elocutionary department while at college. In connection with his fanning 
interests he makes wool -gi'owing a specialty, being a memljer of the "•Wool 
Grower's Association" of Seneca County. Politically he is a Republican; 
religiously, a Free Baptist. November 30, 1804, Mr. Eastman was married 
to Miss Mary A. Russell, of Sanduskj- (bounty. Ohio, born April 7, 1S43. 
diiughter of Judge ^\'illiam S. Russell, of Fremont. Ohio. To this union were 
liorn Libbie and J. Russell. 

P. J. EBERSOLE, farmer, P. O. Bloomvill.>. was born June 28, 188(i. in 
Big Lick Township. Hancock County. Ohio, where he received a common 
school education: a son of John P. and Susanna (Green) Ebersole. of Pennsyl- 
vania, who came to Hancock County, Ohio, about 188;"): both are living, each 
at the age of eighty years. John P. Ebersole was a farmer and carpenter in 
early days, also for many years a preacher in the German Baptist Chiu'ch. He 
was father of seven children: Neri, Oscar, Sarah. Simpson. Peter J.. Susan 
and HaiTiet, all now living. The subject of this sketch came to this covinty in 
1sr>S. iuid to his present residence in 1880. He is a member of the German 
Baptist Church: in politics he is a Republican. Mr. Ebersole marri(>d, 
March 4, ISoS. Miss Susan Roop. who was born in Richland (now Ashland) 
County, Ohio. December ;i, b83il, and to this union were born three children: 
John D. , deceased; Laura, deceased; and Adella, now the wife of Clarenci' 
Saukey. Mrs. Ebersole is a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Hoffman) 
Roo]). natives of Carroll Coiinty, Md, , and who came to this county about 
1S40. David Roois was a faiTner and a minister of the German Baptist 
Church, having preached in this coimty about forty years; at the time of his 
death, which occiUTed May 4. 1880, he was about sixty-two years of age: he 
was quite a ])romineut man and took an active part in all pulilic matters. Mrs. 
Elizabeth Roop died in August, 1880, at the age of sixty- five years: she was 
the mother of five children: Susan; Elizabeth, wife of William Coler; Josiah, 
a physician of Blue Springs, Nel). : William H., deceased: and Ezra D. 

E. F. GRAY, farmer and stock-dealer, P. O. Republic, was born in Scii)io 
Township, this county. September 25, 1845, son of Samuel B. and Jane 
(Striker) Gray, of Steuben County, N. Y. , and who settled in Scipio Township, 
this county, in 1834, where they died, former January 21, ISSO. in the sixty- 
ninth year of his age (he was a son of Levi and Triphenia (Baker) (irayl. 
latter in 1850, aged about thu'ty-five years (she was a daughter of Jeremiah. 
Baker, a sailor). Samuel B. and Jane Gray were parents of seven children: 
Elizabeth and Mary, were deci'ased in infancy: ]\Iarcus L.. who died in Lex 
ington. Ky.. was a member of Company K. Forty- fifth Regiment O. L. G. C. : 
Charles, a member of the same regiment, was wounded in a skirmi.sh and died 
in the Richmond Hospital prison: E. F. ; Jennie, wife of James Merchant, 
residing near Tiffin. Ohio; Mary, wife of Daniel Smith, in Adams Townshi]i, 
this county. Our subject was married. December 25, 187'J, to Hattie L. 
Smith, a native of Scipio Townshi]). this county, and daughter of David Smith, 
and to this union were born following children: Gertrude. Iwrn December 12. 
1880. and Frank, born May 22. 1S82. Mr. Gray is W. M. of Hildreth Lodge 
F. it A. ^I. . at Republic. He has 21 5.^ acres of finely improved land, being a 
])art of nearly 1.000 acres which were entered by his gi-andfather. then inherited 
i)y his father, who was one of the greatest surveyors of his time. Mr. (iray 
was a member of Company K. Ofie Hnndi-ed and Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio 
National CTuards. and is a charter member of the G. A. R. at Re])ublic. 

JOEL HALL, farmer. P. O. Rockaway. was born on the farm where he 
still resides. November 10, 1827, son of Henrv Hall, a nativiM^f Pennsvlvania, 



SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. 977 

who eauie to this county in the spring of IS27. and entered the laud where he 
l)assed the remainder of his life, dying September S, 18S1, aged eighty-two 
years, ten m(jnths and nineteen days; he was a blacksmith, gunsmith ami 
sicldc-maker l)y trade, a very energetic man (there still remains on the home- 
stead a portion of a wheel worked l)y ox-power, which he used in turning a 
grindstone and for Ijoring gun baiTels). Henry Hall made guns out of bais 
of iron; he made guns for the Indians and they camped on the farm and 
hunted; and he once walked to I'ittsVnu-gh. Penn.. for a single tool used in 
making sickles;- he was a consistent member of the English Lutheran Chnrch; 
in politics was a Democrat: his wife. Hannah (Swander), also a native of Penn- 
sylvania, died June 12. ISIiS. aged sixty-three ye.irs and live mouths: she was 
a member of a church. Ill-, and Mi-s. Henry Hall were the parents of three 
children: Christine. Joel and Absalom. Having been reared a farmer, the 
subject of this memoir has always followed that occupation. He was married. 
March 10. ISCd. to Miss Catharine Beck, who w-as born in Fairtield County. 
Oliio. December I. ISHl. and by this union are six children, five of whom are 
!iow living: Hannah. Daniel. AS'illiam. Maryan and Anilrew. 

JOSEPH HILSIXGER. farmer. P. O. Republic, was born upon the farm 
where he now resides. January '10, 1S41, son of Joseph and Mary (Rary) Hil- 
singer, the former of whom, a native of Badoti. Germany, and who came to 
America alone in 1S25, was born in 1802, died September 5, 1878; latter was 
born in 18(10. died in 187"), the mother of three children: Harrison, in Barry 
Connty. Mich. : Sarah, wife uf David Critz, in AV'ayne County, Ind. , and Jo- 
seph: she was a native of Lehigh County, Penn., but came with her husliand, 
a jeweler by trade, to Scipio Town.ship, this county, in 188r): here they toiled 
hard for thi' clearing up and improvement of the townshiji. Oiu' subject was 
jnanied. March 2, ISC);"*, to Catharine Smith, born in Scipio Township, this 
<'ounty. November 22, 1889, daughter of David and Susan (Neikirk) Smith, of 
Scipio Township. The chikU'en born to this union are David, Nora, Calvin, 
Lottie A. (deceased) and Clara. 'Sir. Hilsinger has 182 acres of choice land, to 
which he devotes his attention. He was elected to fill the office of township 
trustee in the spring of 188,"). OiU' suliject and wife are members of the Re- 
formed Church. 

FRANK A. HORTON. farmer, P. O. Republic, was born in Tompkins 
County, N. Y. , October 22, 184-1, son of James and Elizabeth (Smith) Horton, 
natives of New York, now residing in Hedgestown, this county, and who have 
been in the county since 18ri4: they are the jiarents of eight childi'en: Sarah. 
Fanny. Clai'a. Elizabeth. Matilda, Levi, William and Frank A, Oiu" subject 
entered upon his career in life as a farmer, purchasing the farm where he now 
lives, in 18fiU. He was married, October 22. 187(1. to Miss Marion Chitten- 
den, who was born in Scipio Township, this county, in June, 184W. She died 
Jiine 12. 1S88. leaving foiu- children : Eddie, Annie. Dewey and Nettie. Mi'. 
Horton was formerly a member of the (Jrange and G. T. He is a consistent 
member of the Methodist E])isco])al Church. In j)olities he is a Re])ublican. 

CHARLES JONES (deceased), a son of Erastus and Grace (Perry) Jones, 
natives of New Y'ork, was born in Cayuga County. N. Y., in April, 1.S27, an<l 
was less than one year old when his parents came to Scipio Township, this 
connty. Here he grew to maturity, received a common school education, and 
followeil the occupation of farmer, being also a pi'ominent stock-dealer. He 
was united in marriage. Api'il 'i, 18(10, with Sarah Samsel, born in Lehigh 
County, Penn,, February 2:-i, 184-''), daughter of Jacob and Mary (Litzen 
Ijerger) Samsel, the former of whom, a native of Pennsylvania, came to this 
county in 18."(), was a shoe-maker by trade, but in later life followed farming; 



078 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

the latter was born in Lehigh County. Penn. . February 10. 1S"22: they wore 
the parents of fourteen chilch'en: ^Mlloughby. William and !Marv (are 
deceased). Sarah and Kate (livingl. Jacob (deceased), Peter F., Henry S. and 
Alford (are living), Eliza. Lydia. Emma. Elwood U. and an infant are 
deceased. Mr. Samsel died November 6, 1877. To Mi-, and Mrs. Jones were 
torn five childi-en: Frederick C, Erastus P.. Chauncy A.. Warren P. and 
Gri-ace M. Politically Mr. Jones was a Democrat. He died Ai;gust I'.l, 1S7S. 
at the age of fifty years, throe months and twenty -eight days. Since the 
death of our subject the management of the farm has been successfully con- 
ducted by his widow, who possesses rare business qualities. 

STEPHEN LAPH.-VM, justice of the peace. Roiiublic, was born in Cayuga 
County, N. Y.. October "JO. 18'21. His early life was pas.sed upon a farm, 
and his educational advantages were limited. In \HH^) his parents came to 
this county, locating in Scipio Township. Stephen remained upon the home- 
stead farm until he arrived at maturity, and entered upon his career in life as 
a farmer, an occupation he followed till 18^)0. when he disposed of his farm 
and has since engaged in different enterj)rises. He served as mayor of Roj>ul>- 
lic for six years, and has held other minor offices. He was commissioned jus- 
tice of the peace in 187() and has filled that olfico with great satisfaction. 
Politically ho is a Republican. Mr. Laphi>m served 1(H) days in Company K, 
Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, diu'iug the Rebellion, He has boon an 
active member of the I. O. O. F. since IS-'iT). He nian'ied. March '2'-\, 18+8, 
Lucinda M. Hall, of Tyrone County. N. Y. , born August 7, 1828: she is 
mother of seven children: Ernest L. , in New Mexico: Ella, now Mrs. J. B. 
Dickey, of Kansas; Emma, now Mrs. Charles Da}', of Kansas: Eva, now Mrs. 
H. B. Miller, of Kansas; Ida and Elmor Elsworth (deceased), and Irving F., 
in Minnesota. Humphrey Lapham. the father of our subject, a native of 
Massachussetts. died in 18f)8: he was active in the development of Scipio 
Township, this comity; he was three times married: his first wife. Eliza Allen, 
bore him four childi-en: Stephen. Robert A., John P. nnd Elizabeth, all now 
living; his second wife. Esther Allen, bore him six children: Humphrey, 
George, Jonathan. Amisa, Ann and Thomas H, . all deceased (three died in 
the army); his third wife. Emily White, is still living, the mother of foiu- chil- 
dren: Egbert (deceased in the army). Elwood, Glenn and Frank, Six of 
Humphrey Lapham" s children were in the army during tho civil war — one was 
killed, and tluee died while in the sei'\'ice. 

WILLIAM W. LAPHA^M. farmer, P. O. Republic, was born February 
1 1, 1828, on tho farm which is still his home. His father, Joseph Laiiham, a 
native of Massachusetts, was for many years a sailor, and it is stated that, on 
one occasion, he was a member of a crew of thirteen that cast lots to see who 
should be sacrificed to provide food for the balance; he came to Seneca County, 
Ohio, in 182(1 there being at that time but one house between his farm and 
Tiffin, and his land grants wore signed by J. Q. Adams and Andi-ew Jackson; 
he was married to Lovina Howland. and by her had ten children: Eliza 
(deceased). Ruth (deceased). Noah. Phoebe (deceased). Henry, Slocomb, Mary 
.\nn, Humphrey (deceased), ^Villiam A\'. and Joseph (latter deceased). The 
father died in 1871. aged eighty-five years, and tho mother in 1878. aged 
eighty-four. Tho subject of this sketch, who is considered one of the represen- 
tative farmers of the township, was reared to agricultui-e. -\pril 9, iSol, he 
was man-ied to ^Vliss Jane Patrick, born in Dutchess County, N. Y. , January 
18, 1881, daughter of Alonzo and Lydia (Phillips) Patrick, also natives of 
New York. Alonzo Patrick, a shoe-maker and harness manufacturer by trade, 
came to this county in July. 1848, and subsequently folhnvod farming: his 



SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. 979 

death occurred in December, 1803, when he was sixty-foui' years of age, his 
widow died in 1870, aged sixty-one years. Th(>y were the parents of five 
children: Jane A., Samuel L. , Gretta (deceased wife of H. Kent), Job S., 
Lui-a \. (wife of A. Sillco.x). To Mr. and Mrs. William W. Lapliam have been 
bora throe childi'en: lola and Samuel (l)Oth deceased), and Phoeba, bora Feb- 
ruary 8, 1854, married March 1 I. IST^, to Erwin A. Ogden. formerly clerk in 
Toledo, now a farmer. 

JAMES LAUGHREY (deceased) was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, 
February 8, 1813; son of William and Jane (Postage) Laughrey. of Pennsyl- 
vania, the former born August 9, 1782, died December 10, 1fS47; the latter 
died September 18, 1857, aged seventy-eight years; they had six children: 
John, Charles, Andi'ew, James, Nancy and Ellen. Our subject came to this 
county with his parents, who had piu'chased laud in Scipio Township in 1820, 
but did not remove to the same till 1824. Here he grew to maturity and 
engaged with more or less activity in the gro\vth and development of the town- 
ship. Mr. Laughrey was mairied, A])ril 17, 1859, to Mrs. Laiu'a (Dantz) 
McChesuey, who wa> born in Vermont, May 2-1, 1814, daughter of John and 
Esther (Hubbard) Dantz. Her tirst man-iage was in about 1833 with Aj-don 
Weller, who died in about 1845, leaving to her care two children: Columbus 
and Julia, the latter of whom, married to Isaac Fuller, at her death left thi'ee 
children: Mina, Lollie and Julia, who have since been adopted by oiu' subject. 
Mrs. Laughrey' s second husband, Thomas McChesney, lived but a few years. 
Mr. Laughrey, the subject of this sketch, died July 2, 1885. He was for 
twenty years a F. & A. M. In [)olitics he was a Democrat. 

HENRY MANSFIELD, merclumt. Republic, was born in Bollevue, Ohio, 
September (), 1850, son of Christian and Frances (Bauman) Mansfield, former 
of whom, a native of Bavaria, Germany, born January 19, 18(\8, and a tan- 
ner by trade, came to America and located first at Bellevue, Ohio, moving to 
this county about 1852, where he followed his trade till 1872, when he retii'ed 
fi'om active life. Mrs. Frances Mansfield, a native of Switzerland, came to 
.\merica when a child; she is the mother of six children: Heiu-y, Louise, 
Chi'istian, Francis, Manda (deceased) and an infant (deceased). At the age 
of fifteen oiu- subject became a clerk in a store, and in April, 1872, entered 
into business at Republic. Ohio, and six years later he met with a loss by fire. 
His goods, however, being insured for two-thirds their value, he reopened 
soon after, his stock consisting chiefly of diy goods, clothing, boots, shoes, etc. 
The firm now stands as H. Mansfield & Bro. JL'. Mansfield is also eneajred 
<piite extensively in the grain business with E. S. Chittenden. He is the pres- 
ent treasurer of Republic; also of his township. Mr. Mansfield married, Jan- 
uary 12, 1870, Miss Isabell Kimmel. who was born at Sanduskj', Ohio, June 
19, 1857, a daughter of Henry and Eva (Rocena) Kimmel, of Bellevue, Ohio. 
In politics our subject is a Democrat. 

HENRY MILEY (deceased) was born in Eden Township, Seneca Co., 
Ohio. August 30, 1831, son of John and Magdalene (Beever) Miley, natives of 
Virginia, and early settlers of this county. The subject of this sketch re- 
ceived a good education, and taught school several terms, but eventually 
turned his attention to farming. He came to Scipio Township, this county. 
March 29, 1858, and became a prominent farmer. For several yeare prior to 
his djath Mr. Miley was a consistent member of the Free- Will Baptist Cbiu-ch. 
He m'lrriod, October 22, 1857, Laura A. Jennings, who was born in Hopewell 
Township, this county. May 7, 1830. She bore him four children: Alice 
Idell, wife of J. Burgdofer; Jennie Bell, wife of H. McCartney; Joett, 
(deceased), and Nettie Pearl. Mr. Miley died June 12, 1883. Mrs. Miley'a 



080 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

fatbci'. Jacob S. Jpnnings. was a native of New Jersey, coming to Ohio while 
a child, and grew to matiu-ity in "Warren County. Ohio. He came to this 
comity at an early date and entered laud: also entered a farm of lOO acres in 
Henry Coiinty, Ohio, for each of his sons. He died February 21. 1857. aged 
sixty-four years. His wife. Osee Blackford, was born in WaiTen County. Ohio, 
in 1799. and died August 3. 1870. Their union was blessed with thirteen chil- 
di'en: John M. , George N. , Milton, Ethen A. (deceased). .Jackson. Justin. 
Barklev. Martha and Marv (twins). Sarah. Laura A., Cvnthia and Susan. 

RICHAKD T. PORTER, farmer and mason. P. O. Republic, was born 
January 22. 1811, in Schuylkill County. Penn. . son of .James and Elizabeth 
(Rooks) Porter, natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania, respectively, and who 
were the parents of fourteen children: Ann. Sally. Samuel. Lewis. Richard, 
Rachel, Owen, Elizabeth, John, Martha. James, Margaret. Rebecca and Ben- 
jamin R. When three years of age oui- subject was taken by his parents to 
Cayuga County, N. Y, , where he grew to maturity and resided until 1S42, 
in which year he came to this county, and, having previously learned the trade 
of mason, followed that occupation until 1883 in connection with farming, to 
which latter he is now giving his entire attention. 'Mr. Porter was married, 
Sejatember 1, 1842, to Miss Eliza A. Andi-ews, who was born in Ireland in 
18(10. She dying .Januaiy 7, 1868, oiu' subject then maiTied. December 2<), 
1872, Miss Miranda Smith, born in Reed Townshiji, this county. January N, 
1841. and b}' her he has had two children: Rachel E. and Emma J. (latter 
deceased). Mrs, Porter is a daughter of Daniel W. and Louisa (Paine) 
Smith, former of whom, a farmer by occupation, came to this county in 1827, 
remaining here until his death, which occiuTed in 185.3; latter, a native of 
Vermont, was brought to Sherman Township. Huron Co., Ohio, in 1813. and 
died in 1848. They were the parents of six chikben: Ii-a, Caroline, Miranda, 
Mary, Daniel and David. By Mr. Smith's first wife. Sally Thayer, he had 
one son— -William. The subject of this sketch has satisfactorily filled the office 
of township trustee. He has for many years lieen an active F. & A. M. 

LEWIS RANSBrRG. farmer, P. 'O. Republic, was bom in Frederick 
County, Md, , June 5. 182(i; son of Christian and Catharine M. (Sprengle) 
Ransbiu-g. who came to this county in the fall of 1831, settling in Clinton 
Township: they afterward moved to Indiana in about 1856, where Christian 
Ransburg died in 18(34 in his seventy-ninth year (he was a son of Jacob Rans- 
biirg. a native of Maryland, of Gennan descent), and Catharine M. Ransbiu'g 
died in 187(1, in her seventy-ninth j'ear (she was a daughter of Jacob and Mai- 
garet (Keifer) Sprengle, natives of Maiyland, of German descent). Christian 
and Catharine M. Ransbnrg were parents of ten childi-en: George (died leav- 
ing family in Steuben County. Ind.), Susanna H. (deceased wife of Cornelius 
Shank: she left a family in Pleasant Township), Rebecca B. (wife of Daniel 
Warner, in Hemy County, Ohio), David (died leaving family in Branch Coun 
ty, Mich.), Catharine (deceased wife of Franklin Si)angle: she left a family in 
Steuben County. Ind.). Leander and Ann E.(wife of George AA'amer), both in 
Steuben County, Ind.. Caroline M. (deceased wife of Simon Beck, in Steuben 
County. Ohio). Lewis (our subject). Rachel M. (wife of Jacob Shuman. in De 
Kalb County, Ind.). Our subject was manied October 21. 1850, to Catharine 
M. Hoxter, born in Yates County. N. Y., August 1, 1831. died October 12. 
18S4, daughter of Sabert anil ^lariette (Baker) Hoxter. who came to thi> 
county in 1844. where they died, the former March 10. 18(55. in his fifty-sev- 
enth year, son of AVilliam and Catharine (Basom) Hoxter; latter in 1S.")8. in 
her forty-ninth year, daughter of William Baker. Sabert and Marietle Hox- 
ter were parents of two children, the younger being William D., a very prom- 



SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. 981 

input citizen and ex-legislator of Forest Grove, Washington Co.. Oreg. To 
^our subject and wife have been born the following children: Olive E. , Ijorn 
Janiiarv 13, 1855, and Burton D.. born January '28, 1800. Our subject has a 
finely improved farm of 24S acres. 

JOHN WESLEY RINE. farmer, P. (). Republic, was !)orn in Franklin 
County, Ohio, July 28, IS'26. and was brought to Seneca County in 188(). The 
father of our sul)ject, Jacob Rine, was born in Franklin County, Penn. , April 
17. ITiXi: died in .Vpril. 1S47. Soon after coming to Seneca County, he (Ja- 
cob Rine) lost his buildings and household goods by fii'e: a few years later he 
owned 2-K^ acres in Hopewell Township, this county, a part of which he sold, 
and then engaged in mercantile business in Fostoria, and, after making several 
changes in his place of residence, he returned to this county and gave his at 
tention to his trade (carpentering); he was an active man in public affairs, 
serving several years as jvistice of the peace and constable. Jacol) Rine was 
thrice married, only his first wife, Elizabeth (Drake) bearing him children as 
follows: Margaret (deceased), John A\'esley, Elizabeth (deceased), ^lary, 
Fletcher, Nathan and Alvin, all of whom attained maturity and married. Our 
subject received a limited education, and at the age of eighteen }i'ars entered 
on his career in life as a day laborer, but eventually learned the cooper's trade. 
In 1S(5] he piu'chased a farm in Retni Township, this county, which he sold 
eleven years later and l)ought the farm where he now lives, and has since 
erected a substantial residence, and made other improvements. He was mar- 
ried, March 4, 1S52. to Rachael Sherman, born in Cayuga County, N. Y. , April 
15. 1834, daughter of Zephaniah and Margaret (Longstreet) Shei-man, also 
natives of New Y'ork and who settled in this county in 1884, but are now resid- 
ing in Clinton County, Mich. : their children are Isaac. Sam. Cyntha. Edwin 
and Rachael. Mr. and Mrs. Rine have had two childivn: Mary Jane (de- 
ceased) and Alvin J., manned to Marv Feighner (have two children, Pearlie 
M. and Bertha C. ) 

J. T. ROBINSON, farmer, P. O. Rockaway. was born at Titfin, Ohio. De- 
cember n, 1844; son of Jo.seph and Catharine (Gilmore) Robinson, natives of 
Ireland, Joseph Robinson came to America when a child, and became an 
early settler of this county: was a wagon-maker by trade; his death occurred 
in 18()(), that of his widow in 1801; they had two childi-en: John and J. T. 
Our subj<>ct received a common school education, and entered upon his career 
in life as a laborer. He came to Scipio Township, this county, in 18n8; pur 
chased a fann in 1872. and has since (>ngaged in general agricidture and deal 
ing in stock. Diu-ing the war he was in the IttO days" service in Company K. 
One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Robinson was 
married, October 4, 1871. to Mary H. AVat-son, of Bloom Township, this coun- 
ty, born September 4, 1844, and by this union are four children: Hany W., 
born July 29. 1872; Charles G., born September 21, 1875: Rush, born August 
19. 1877: and Alice M. , born Ajiril 25. 1881. ^Mi-s. Robin.son is a daughter of 
Isaac and Allie (Doan) Wat.son. natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Bloom 
Township in 1830, former of whom died April 8, 1878; latter died June (i, IS-'id; 
they were the parents of foiu- children: Hugh D.. ^lary H.. Orjiliia and Will- 
iam (latter two deceased). Mr. Watson's second wife (Elizabeth MoCaiidish) 
is still living; she lx)i'e him three children: Emma, wife of F. A. Chattield; 
Alli(> A. (deceased). Charles S. (deceased). Our suliject is an energetic. I'nter- 
prising man. Politically he is a stanch Republican. 

MRS. SALLY' H. ROGERS. P. O. Republic, was born in Cayuga County. 
N. Y., September 11, ISKi. daughter of Robert ami Sally (Keller) Shaw, who 
came to the farm on which our s'.ibject now lives, in In^m. and here died. 



982 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

the former August 4, 1864, in his seventy -ninth year (he was the son of Rich- 
ard, a Revolutionary soldier, and Mary (IMcDoll) Shaw, latter a daughter of 
Robert McDoll). Sally (Keller) Shaw, a native of Pennsylvania, of German 
descent, died April 2S, 1808, in her eighty-second year; she was a daughter of 
Joseph and Mary (Andi-e) Keller (the former of whom was captured by the 
Indians at eight years of age, and with whom he lived until his ^seventeenth 
year). O. P. Rogers, husband of oiu- subject, was born in Cayuga County, 
N. Y. , August 25, ISIT), and died January 2G, ISSl; he was a son of Andi'ew 
and Phoebe Rogers. Mr. Rogers became a resident of this county in 1839. 
where he was an active, enterprising and highly esteemed citizen. To Mr. 
and Mi's. O. P. Rogers were born James P.. residing in Republic, this county; 
Hulbert S. ; Olden W.. in Republic, and Nathan B., in Albion, Ind. 

Z. E. RUTAN. teacher, Republic, was born in Champaign County, Ohio. 
March 4, 1851, son of Abner and Emily (Gray) Rutan, the former born March 
0, 1817, died March fi, 18f)5. Abner Rutan' s first wife, Irena Little, boi'n 
March 20, 1814, bore him two children : Milton H. and Enos K. ; his second 
wife, also born March 20, 1814, died July ;^1, 1883, and was the mother of 
two children: Zerora E. and Ai'naldus, the latter born October 14, 1852. Our 
subject remained upon a farm XTutil he arrived at the age of matiu'ity; then for 
a year attended the Bellefontaine schools, and entered upon his career in life 
as a teacher. He became ju-iucipal of the Huntsville schools in 1875, and two 
years later he removed to Shreve. where he was principal of schools for two 
years; he then became principal of the Greenwich schools for one year; thence 
moved to Republic, where he has held a like position for thi'ee years. Mi: 
Rutan is an active member of Republic Lodge, I. O. O. F. , Xo. 40, N. TJ. No. 
22, of Greenwich, and K. of H. No. 125. at Slu-eve. He is a consistent mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Ru- 
tan married. August 12, 1877, Laura Cheever, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, daughter 
of Rev. AV. M. Cheever, and born August 17, 1852; she is a graduate of the 
Bellefontaine schools. It is believed there is but one family of Rutans in 
America, and thev trace their ancestry back to KUO. and are of French descent. 

J. ELAVOOD* SCOTT, constable" city marshal and butcher. Republic, 
Ohio, was born in Scipio Township, this county. May 2, 1848, a son of John 
Scott, a native of Vu-ginia, who came to this county at an early day and was 
prominent among the early settlers of Scipio Township, this county ; he died De- 
cember 2. 1881, aged sixty-five years; his widow, Mr.s. Abbie Jane (Bugbee) Scott, 
of New York, was born in 1822 and is still living, the mother of five chil- 
di'en: Helen M.. Adelbert. Marion, J. Elwood and Bell; the latter two are 
the only ones now living. At the age of foui'teen years the subject of this 
sketch entered the employ of Erastus Jones, and for two years was on the road 
with him buying and selling stock. The following five years he was engaged 
in farming, then went to Clyde to learn the butcher trade, which has been his 
principal occupation since. Mr. Scott is the present city marshal of Republic, 
Ohio, and has been constable about twelve years; has also been a member of 
the town council. He is an active member of the I. O. O. F. . of which order 
he is at present N. G. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Scott married. 
December 22, 1874, Louise Mansfield, who was born in Jiine, 1854, in Scipio 
Township, this county a daughter of Christian and Frances (Bauman) Mans- 
field. 

DANIEL SHAWBERRY. farmer. P. O. Republic, was born in Scipio 
Township, this county, September 2S. 1842, son of H. H. and Catharini> M. 
(Bocholds) ShawbeiTy, who came from Munster. Prussia, in 1832, settling in 
this countv in 1833; latter born December 22. 179U. still living, daughter of 



SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. 983 

Herman H. . iuid Ann C. (HoltzgrefFe) Bochokls. latter of whom was a daughter of 
Stephen and Margaret (HoltzgrpfFi>) Holtzgivffe. JIi-s. C. M. Shawberrv is the 
eldest, and the only one living, of nine children: her father. l)orn in ]lCt',), died 
in 1857; her mother, born in 1774. died in 1835; H. H. ShawheiTy, horn in 
February. 17011. died November 2, 18^8, son of Stephen and Ann AI. (Schrer) 
ShawlieiTV. He was the fiither of nine ohildreii. three of whom died young: 
Herman died leaving family in Wood County. Ohio; Catharine, wife of Joseph 
Kistler. iti Adams Township: Eliza: Louisa, wife of Edwin Everett, in 
.\dams Townslrij): Henry, died, leaving a daughter, Adelia A., in Yaudalia, 
111.: and Daniel. Our subject was married. December 18, 1800, to Anna C. 
(Tuver, born August 10, 18+7. in Pleasant Township, this county, daughter of 
Jacob and Miirgai'et (Dallman) (4uver. latter of whom was born in Alsace, 
France, July 7. lSl."i. died June 10. 1S7(). daughter of George and Christine 
(Brineyl Dallman. who came to America in 182f), and to this county in 1888. 
Jacob and Margaret Guver were parents of tive chikb'en: Caroline, wife of 
Henry H. Miller, in Scipio Township, Ohio: Susan, wife. of Francis S. Moore. 
in Crawford County. Ohio: Daniel, in Scipio Township, tliis county: Jacob, in 
.Vdams Township, this county, and Anna C. To our subject and wife were 
liorn following children: William F,, born August 24, ISOS; Delia A., born 
July 10. 1870; Nora M.. born June '28, 1878: Charles H.. born October 7, 
lvS7(). and Roily B.. born March 25, 1881, Mr. Shawben-y is one of the enter- 
l)rising and energetic farmers of Scipio Townshij), having 2r)7 acres of well- 
improved land, the greater part of which he has acquired bv his own efforts. 

GEORGE STEARNS, retired farmer. P. O. Republic was born in Steuben 
County. N. Y. . July 12. 182{). son of George and Sophia (Baker) Stearns, 
former of whom, born in Vermont, April 21, 17U4. settled in New York in 
|sH>, wlierc ho married January It, 1S22; he came to this county in the fall of 
1N2W, and here became possessor of 500 acres of land; died here August 28, 
1831. Sophia (Baker) Stearns was a native of Steal)en County, N. Y. , born 
.May 20. 1707, daughter of Samuel and (n/'e Daniels) Baker, natives of 
Connecticut. Get>rge and Sophia (Baker) Stearns were parents of foyr 
cliildren: John B. , born May 0, 1824 (now in Dakota); George; Daniel, born 
.\pril 12. 1S2S. and Alfred, born September 0, 1880. both merchants and 
bankers in Decatur County. Iowa. The mother subsequently married \\'illiam 
Fleet, by whom she had one daughter -Sophia, now Mrs. Charli"s Nolan, in 
Le Loup. Kans. At twenty years of age oiu' subject came to his present home, 
then heavily timbered, which by diligence he has made one of the finest 
farms in the county, and to which lie has added until he now has 805 acres of 
choice land, ujion which he is living a retired life. Mr. Stearns was married. 
August 12. 1840. to Arvilla King, born in this county, Febnuiry 0. 1881, 
daughter of Obediah and Phiebe (B(5oth) King, natives of Connecticut, but 
early settlers in this county; their children were Mercy (deceased by her first 
husband, Lucius Pierce (deceased), she had one child, and by her second hus- 
liand. Lewis Munday, sJie had a family now in Steuben County, Ind ); Ursula 
(deceased); Aj'villa and Julia .V,, Mrs, Frank Horton, in Scipio To\\nship, this 
ciiuiity. Mrs. Stearns" mother's second maiTiage was with Matthias Cum- 
iiiings. by whom she had two childi'en: Obediah and Mary E., wife of John 
Sraitli. both of Scijiio Township. To our subject and wife were born two 
.-■uns: Frank E., Iniru !May 18, 1851. and C, S., born June 15, 1858, both en- 
gaged in banking and merchamlising at Garden Grove, Iowa, 

ARCHIBALD STEWART (deceased) was born in Lycoming Cimnty, 
Penn,, June 2, 1707. He located in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1828. and 
September 8. of tlie year following, came to this coimty, entering a farm in 



984 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Seipio Township, where he resided till the time of his death, which oc- 
curred November 30, 1884. He was a mau of strong social habits, a 
stanch AVhig and Republi;'an. and for many years was class-leader in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was a member for nearly tifty-tive 
years. He was twice married; first, in 1820, to Miss Martha Johnson, who was 
l)orn August C>, 1 796, died December 30, 1854, and by her had ten childi-en : 
Mary S. , Nancy, Sophia A., Martha (deceased), James W., William (deceased). 
Margaret (deceased), Rachael A. (deceased). Charles J. and Robert M. His 
second maiTiage occurred in ISS.j, with Wealthy Farr, who died twenty years 
later without issue, 

JAMES W. STEWART, son of Archibald Stewart, was born August 21. 
1820. in Seipio Township. Seneca Co., Ohio. He taught school in his 
younger days, but farming and stock-growing has l)een his principal occupa- 
tion. He served 100 days in Company K. One Hundred and Sisty-fom-th 
Ohio National Guards, dui'ing the war of the Rebellion. He is a Republican 
in i^olitics; a member of the I. O. O. F. He was man'ied. May 30. 1854, 
to Miss Nancy Troxel, of Bloom Township, this county. l)orn March 8, 1834, 
and l)y this union is one child: Cora, born December 18, 1858, married Octo 
ber 13, 1878, to C. A, Dimm, by whom she has one child, James Stewart, 
born in October, 1883. Mrs. James W. Stewart is a daughter of Ht>niT and 
Eliza (Walbum) Troscl. natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively, (both 
deceased). They came to this county in 1834. and were the parents of thir- 
teen childi-en: Nancy, David. Maiy, Isaac (deceased). Peter (deceased), Eliza, 
Susan, Elizabeth, William (deceased), Rebecca, Charles, Andrew (deceased) 
and George (deceased), 

HON. EDSON T. STICKNEY. farmer, P. O. Reiniblic. was born in 
Mou-a, Franklin Co,. N. Y., August 31, 1811. He entered upon his career in 
life as a school teacher; came to Seneca Coiuity. Ohio, in 183(). and clerked in 
a store for fom* years. In 183".t he was elected justice of the peace, and served 
as such for twelve years, was also ap])ointed postmaster in 1S3'.). and tilled 
that office sixteen years. In 184'.) he was elected to the constitutional conven- 
tion which framed the present constitution of the State, served four years as 
State house commissioner. He removed to his present farm in 1851, and in 
1867 he was elected to the House of Representatives, serving fom- years. He 
has also served two years in the Senate. He filled the office of county treas- 
\u-er for two years, and was director of the Ohio penitentiary foiu' years, under 
appointment of Gov. Charles Foster. Mr. Stickney is a charter member of 
Republic Lodge. I. O. O. F., and is also an active member of the order of F. 
& A. M. He married, October 17. 1838, Miss Emma Roberts, who was born 
in Seipio Township. Cayuga Co.. N. Y., December 4. 1811). She is a daugh- 
ter of Timothy P. and Rhoda (Chadwick) Roberts, the former liorn in Berk- 
shire County. Mass.. June 11, 1784, died January 28, 18()8: the latter born 
February 12. 1792, died March 31. 1872; they were man-ied. January 18. 
1800, and became the parents of seven children: Ansel C, , Nelson, Nelson 
(second), Charles, Eli, Emma and Jane (only the two latter sur^nve). Mi-. 
Roberts was a wheelwright by trade. He came to this county in 1823, and 
entered land and removed here with his family in 1825. Mrs. Stickney is the 
mother of four children: Hubert Edson (decea.sed); Emma Celira: Antoine E. 
(deceased), and an infant (deceased), Emma Celira married W. A. Mills and bore 
him a son, Biu-t S. : by her second husband, Alexander Stewart, she has one 
son, Thayer. The subjectof our sketch is a son (^f Charles Stickney. a farmer. 
a native of Vermont. Charles Stickney' s wife, Betsy (Pierce) Stickney, 
was a native of Salem, Mass, She was the mother of twelve chiklren: 



sciino To\v.N8iiii'. 085 

(!biirlos B.. EdsoriT. . S;u-('i)ta. Maryette (deceased). Hcuiy (ilwi-asi'd), Ira S. . 
Hannah ((loceiiscd). Lvdia and Laui'H Ann (twins), Oirin M. (docoased), Israi'l 
(deceased), and Royal S. (deceased). The Stickiiey family are of English 
descent and trace their ancestry to M'illiam Stickney, of England. 

L. F. STR.VI'SBAI'CtH, jeweler, Reiniblic. was born in Adams County, 
Penn., April 2."). IS.")"!, son of Solomon and Mary (AVerley) Stransbangh. of 
Maryland (form(>r a blacksmith by trade), now residents of Adams C'ouuty, 
Penn., ]>arents of nine childivn: Susan, David, John. Annie, James, Lizzie 
and Katie (twins), Henry and Lee F. Our subject learned his trade at Balti- 
more. Md. . caini' to this county in ISSO. and four years later engaged in busi- 
ness at Republic, wliere by clo.se attention he has l)een veiy siiecessful. Mr. 
Stransl>augh married. .May 1"). 1SS8, Miss Frances Bessler, of Tiffin, Ohio, 
born May "20, bSt*);). and this union has been blessed with one son. Paul, liom 
November II. 1SS4. Our subject is a well-known bird fancier, and has a 
choice collection of seventeen v,iri(>ties. numbering about fortytive l)irds, 
mcjstly imjH>rted. 

GEORGE TL'BBS. snrvevor and civil engineer. Republic, was Ixirn at 
Elmira. N. Y.. Mav 111. is:«. The father of om- subject. Kelsev Tubljs. 
born in Elmira, N, Y., November 11. l.S(U, died Octoljer 28. isru'die held 
some of the civil offices at an early day. was a son of John Tubbs who ilied 
January 12. IS42. aged si.xty-eight years, and whose father was killed in the 
Indian massacre at Wyoming. Penn. ). The mother of our sul)ject. Sarah (Dean) 
Tubl)s. was born in ^Vestchester County, N, Y,. December 11, 1811. and is 
still living: she is a daughter of Gilbert and Martha (Gedney) Dean, of New 
York, former born April 8(1, 1708, died March 1 1, 184(1; latter born April 15, 
17<)N. died Se])tember 111. I84il. a daughter of .\bsalom Getlney. whose death 
occurred in 1814. and who held a commission under the kingiintil the declara- 
tion of Independence, when he took sides with the colonists. Maiy Kelsey, 
the paternal grandmother of Creorge Tubbs. died in ISoT). aged seventy years. 
Our subject joined, in bS()2. Company I. One Hundred and Forty-fir.st New 
York Volunteer Infantry. as second lieutenant: was])romoted to first lieutenant; 
was wounded at the battle of Resaca. and on his r(>turn to the regiment was 
appointed engineer of the brigade, and after Shernuin's march to the sea. re- 
ceived a captain's commission; was apjwinted chief engineer of the Fourteenth 
Army Corps, serving till the general muster out in that capacity. Mr. Tul)bs 
is a charter member of G. A. R. Post No. 18."). of Re])nblic. He came to 
Seneca County in IN78. and to R«>public in 187'J. Since the war he has given 
his attention to farming and surveying. He has served as mayor two years; is 
one of the leaders of the Democratic party, and was a delegate to the conven- 
tion that nominated Hon. George E. Seney. !Mr. T\ibbs manned. May 2fi. ISIW. 
in Candor. N. Y. . Jliss Jane E. Shaw, born in Scipio Township, this comity, 
November 27. 1X48. and by this nnion are three sons: Joseph Kelsey. Robert 
and Charles E. 

J. B. WILCOX, farmer. P. O. Republic, was born in Tomj)kins County. 
N. Y.. June 14, 1822. By the death of his pari'iits he was thrown on his own 
resources before reaching the age of nine yeiU's, receiving, however, the influ- 
ence of Christian ])eople. Onr snbject came to this county in 1N88 and piu-- 
chased his lirst real estate in 1S47. He was a resident of Repuljlic for si.xteeii 
y(>ars. returning to his farm in 1882. He is a Rejmblican in jiolitics and has 
been a member of the ^lethodist Episco]ial Church, nearly forty years. Ho 
was maiTied. May 27. |S47. to Mary Anway, born August 17, 182<>, first white 
child born in Scipio Township, and by this union are thre'e children: Eliza A., 
John R. and E. Ross. Mrs. Wilcox is a daughter of John Anway. who was 
born in Scipio Townshi]>. Cayuga Co., N. Y., December 2. 17'JS), died Novem- 



98G BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

ber 20. 1883, the eldest son of William Anway, Sr. . who came to Scipio Town- 
ship, this county. January lU, 182:!, with his family. John Anway was mar 
ried. March 29, 1825, by Squire McCollister, to Maiy Foster, who was born 
in the town of Ledyard, Cayuga Co.. N. Y.. this Ijeiug the first marriage in 
the township. She was born February I'J, 180-"). and died in Californi;i. 
February 13, 1885. her remains being interred in the family cemetery, Feb- 
ruary 2(), following. She was tlie mother of seven children: Mary (wife of our 
subject), Loren B., Alfred, Martin (deceased). John E.. Sidney J. and Wesley. 
April 14, 1824, a deed was signed by James Monroe to John Anway for eighty 
acres of land, on which the latter resided till his death. Among the first tax 
receipts is one for 28 cents on personal jiroperty. John Anway was a captain 
of a militia company in early days: he was a member of the Methodist, 
Episcopal Church nearly sixty years: a man highly respected and universall\- 
mourned. 

G. \\'O0DWARD, proprietor of Stave and Banel \\'orks. Republic, was 
born in Bellevue. Ohio, July 31, 1848, son of Abishai and Mary (Amsdenj 
Woodward. Our subject is an active business man, and his enterprise is the most 
extensive in Republic, Ohio. He entered upon his career in life in the lumber 
Imsiness, and later engaged in a machine shop and agricultiu'al works. In 1880 he 
purchased the stave works of McKim Bros., of Bellevue, Ohio, and in 1884 he 
removed the machinery and business to Republic, Ohio, where the full running 
force is sixty men. The works have a capacity for turning out about 1.50M 
barrels per week. Although the factory is in its infancy, the stock and fixtures 
are valued at $13,000. ]\Ir. Woodward is a leading Democrat, a F. & A. M. 
and a member of the National Union. He married, in 1873. Miss Julia Baily. 
of Ionia, Mich. Their union has been blessed with three childi'en: Giu'don. 
Abishai and Mary. 

DANIEL WYANT, carriage-maker and farmer. P. O. Republic, was born 
in Frederick County, Md. , October 3, 1S30. In 1832 his parents moved tx 
Seneca County, Ohio, locating in Scipio Township, and in 1833 built thi- 
house in which our subject now lives, and it is now one of the oldest land- 
marks left in the neighborhood. Mr. Wyant married. May 1. 1853, Catharine 
A. Gooding, who was born in this county August 27, 1S33. and is the mother 
of six chikb'en: Melissa (wife of Freeman Tomjjkins. of West Lodi), Edst>u 
(who died at the age of two years), Sarah (who died when five years of age). 
Thomas E. (residing at home and teaching school), Dora (who died when six- 
teen years of age) and B)Ton(who is also at home). In 1855 Jlr. Wyant com- 
menced the manufacture of guns. He employed two men to assist him for 
several years before the war. This biTsiness was carried on in connection with 
his farming interests, but he finally gave up the manufacture of guns and 
turned his attention to .'•an-iage-making, Iniilding his first carriage in 1857, and 
fi'om a small beginning his factory has steadily increased to its present propor- 
tions, when in full running order working four sets of hands. His reputation 
is widespread, and his goods find market in nearly all parts of the United States. 
He is quite an extensive fai'mer, dealing largely in cattle and horses. He is a 
member of the West Lodi Lodge No. 493. I. O. O. F. , and has been a mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church about thirty-two years. The subject of this 
sketch is a son of Yost Wyant. who died in 1844. and Elizabeth (Helt ucf 
Neikirk) Wyant, of Maryland, who died about 18(58. They were the parents 
of live children: David. Daniel (our subject). Michael R. (of Nebraska), Sam 
u«l (of Flat Rock, Ohio,) and Elizabeth' (now Mrs. P. Stetler. of Flat Rock. 
Ohio). Mrs. Elizabeth Wyant, our subject's mother, by her first husband. 
David Helt, had two childi'eu: Mary (deceased, wife of J. Morris) and Catha- 
rine (wife of George Dill, living in Lucas County). 



SENECA TOWNSHIP. 987 



SENECA TOWNSHIP. 

JOHN ADELSBERGEK (deceased) was born iu Maryland January 17. 
1815, son of Jacob and Barbijra (Adelsberger), natives of the East. Our sub- 
ject when eighteen years of age came to this county with his parents, who sub- 
sequently died near Tiffin, Ohio. He was united in marriage. August iil. 
1S41. with Josephin(> C. Rickets, who departed this life November '2T). \SU't. 
and of the four chikb-en liorn to this uni'>n only one is now living. Mr. 
AdeLsberger married for his second wife Mary A. Albert. Iwrn in Pennsylvania. 
October 5,. 1S28. daughter of Daniel and Mary All)ert, also natives of Penn 
sylvania. and who came to Ohio in 18:U, first settling in Stark County: thenc(> 
mo\ ing to Wood County, where ^Ii-s. Albert died. Mi-. .A.ll3ert subsef[U(^ntly 
went to Fostoria and lived with his son until his death, which occurred MarcJi 
2. 1878. Our subject was engaged in farming, and owned 180 acres of im 
proved land (where his family now residel at the time of his death, Septem- 
per 16, 1878. an affliction which dej)rived his v.'ife of a kind huisband. his chil 
(h"en of a loving father and the township of a good citizen. 

:snCHAEL ARBOGAST. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Virginia. Au- 
gust 1, 1824. a son of Peter and Sophia Arbogast. natives of Virginia, where 
they fu'st settled; thence came to this county in 1820. locating in Hopewell 
Township, wliere they lived and died, the former in 188;-5, an<l the latter in 
1861. Our subject was united in marriage. December 19, 1847, with Jane 
Gedulting. born in Frederick County. Md. , a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth 
Gedulting. Mrs. Arbogast departed this life January 0. 184U, and oxu- subject 
then married, March 11, 18r)2. for his second wife. Jane R. Stoner. born in 
Fri'derick County. Md. , January 18. 182-'">. a daughter of Henry and Sarah 
Stoner. Mr. Ai'bogast is the father of nine children, six now living: Alice M. 
(wife of Jacob Staib). John P.. Anettie A. (wife of Robert Lutz). Lewis H.. 
Charles S. and Rush R. : and three deceased: Henry W., an infant and AVar- 
ren D. June 28, 1882, Mr. Arbogast had the misfortune to lose his second 
wife by death; she was a faithful helpmeet and a loving mother. Our subject, 
who was reared on a farm, has met with fair success through life, and now 
owns 800 acres of land. 

JAJklES M. B.\RE, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in AYyandot County. 
Ohio. June 21). 1882. a son of Abraham and Maiy Bare, the former a native 
of Virginia, the latter of Pennsylvania. They were marriecl in Fairlield 
(,'ounty. Ohio, located in Wyandot County in a very early day. and entered the 
land on which they remained until death, .\braham Bare died in ISfi'.l. his 
wife in 18(')('). Our .subject was twice maiTied: on first occasion. January 1. 
185"), to Eliza J. Pennington. l)orn in Seneca County, Ohio, January 18. 1.S87. 
daughter of Adam and Ann Pennington, and to this union were born six chil- 
dren, five now living: Seymour O.. John E.. Elva M. (wife of William 
Heilmant. Alma A. (wife of John Miller) and James L. Ada C. is deceased. 
Mrs. Bare dying March 28. 187(\ Mr. Bare. Febmarj' 21, 1878, was man-ied 
to Ellen Bercaw, who was born in Seneca County. Ohio, April 0. 1844. a 
daughter of Peter P. and Sarah Bercaw. natives of Pennsylvania, and who 
settled in this county, where they remained until death, ^ir. Bercaw died 
August 8. 1S82, his wife June 1, 187(1. Our subject owns 102 acres of im- 



988 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

proved land, where he and his family reside. Mrs. Bare is a member of the 
United Brethren Church. 

SIMON P. BEinSDEEFEE, merchant, Berwick, was born in Franklin 
County, Peim. . June 12, 1841. His parents. John and Christian Bemisderfer. 
were natives of Franklin County, Penn. , where they were married and remained 
until 1870, at which time they came to Wyandot County, Ohio, and in 
1882 moved to Kansas, where they reside at present. Our subject was 
married. March 7, 1807, to Emma L. Zigler, born in Wyandot County, Ohio, 
December 25. 1847. a daughter of Jacob and Mary Zigler. natives of Adams 
County, Penn., and who in a very early day came to Wyandot County, Ohio, 
where they still reside. The union of Mr. and Mi's. Bemisderfer has been 
blessed with seven children: Annie M. , John J.. Estella C Loring L.. 
Bertha E. . Harvey O. and Lula M. Our subject, who is a miller by trade, 
came to Ohio in 1802. and on August 12. same year, he enlisted in Company 
I, One Hundi-ed and First Eegiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, participated in 
several battles, and was mustered out of service June 12. \HC)~). After retiu'n- 
iug home he served as clerk in a store at McCutchenville, Ohio, for a short 
time: then engaged at farming until 1880. when he sold his farm and moved 
to Berwick, where he has since engaged in mercantile business. July 1. 1881, 
he was commissioned postmaster, which office he still holds. Mr. Bemisderfer 
has met with a fair degree of success in all his business enterprises. 

SILAS W. BEECAW, express agent. Berwick, was born in Pennsylvania. 
May 22, 1837. a son of Peter P. and Sarah Bercaw, who were born and manned 
ip Pennsylvania, and moved to Seneca Comity, Ohio, in 1840, where they 
remained. Peter P. Bercaw died August 3, 1882, his wife having preceded 
him June 1, 1870. Our subject was united in man-iage. April 17, 1800, with 
Nancy J. MiTllholand. boin in AVyandot County, Ohio, SeptemV)er 28. 1842. 
Her parents. Eichard and Margaret ^Nlullholand, former a native of the old 
country, latter of Virginia, first settled in Crawford County (now Wyandot 
County), Ohio; Mr. Mixllholand died October 12. 1848. and his widow April 
1. 187(5. Mr. and Mrs. Bercaw are the parents of six children: Harry P., 
l)oru January 20, 18f)7; George W., born July 24, 1808; Arthui' W., born 
October 22, 1871; Edward H.. born September T). 1875; Ora T., born Febru- 
ary 20, 1879; and Emma J.. l)orn April 21. 1882. 'Mr. Bercaw was reared on 
a farm. In 181)7 he was (>mployed as a ticket and fi-eight agent by the Cin- 
cinnati. Sandusky & Cleveland Eailway Company. The same year he was ap- 
pointed postmaster by the United States (ioverument. ;ind these two positions 
he held for fifteen years. He is now agent for the United States Ex])ress Com- 
pany. Mr. Bercaw owns nice town property, where he and his family reside. 

JOSEPH CONAOHAN. farmer. P. O. Berwick, was born in Adams Coim- 
ty, Penn., June 8. 18118; son of Dennis K. and Magdalene Couaghan, the 
former a native of Ireland, the latter of Pennsylvania; they were united in 
marriage in Adams County. Penn.. where they remained until 1832: then moved 
to Stark County, Ohio, fi-om there coming to this coirnty. where they spent the 
remainder of then- lives. Our subject was united in marriage, in Adams 
County, Penn., Octobers, 1835, with Margaret Eyler, born in Adams County. 
Penn.. February 12, ISl 1. a daughter of John and Mary M. Eyler. who came 
to Ohio and located in Seneca County, where they remained until their death. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Conaghan have been born five children: Ellen M.. Horatio 
D. . Lucy M. . Clara L. and Ida A. Mi'. Conaghan was reared on a farm, and 
now owns 473 acres of good land. He is a member of the Catholic Church, 
and Mrs. Conaghan of the German Liitheran denomination. They are a very 
pleasant couple, highly respected by the comm\inity in which they live. 



SENECA TOWNSHIP. 989 

HORATIO D. CONAOHAX. fanuer. P. O. Borwiok. was horn in Stark 
County. Ohio, Fi-hruary '2'2. lM:il); son of Josej)!! and Margaret Conaghan, 
natives of P(»nnsylvania (wlu-rc^ thoy were marriod), whence they moved to 
Stark County. Ohio, and from tliere to this county, where they still reside. 
Our si>bject was united in maniage, September 14, lS72.with Bertie E. Lease, 
born near Tiffin, this county. July S, 1S42, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth 
Lease, former a native of Maryland, latter of Ohio, and who located in Seneca 
County. Ohio, where they remained until the death of Mrs. Lea.se. Mr. Lease 
was afterward luiited in marriage with Mary L. McCormie. and moved to 
Wyandot County, where this wife died and he still resides. Ml-, and IL's. Con- 
aghan were Ijlessed witli two children: Gei-tie A., born July i5. 1ST>!. and Or- 
landJ., born March IT), IST-J. Mr. Conaghan was raised on a farm and he 
now owns 100 acres of land. He had the misfortiuie to lose his wife Mav "iT), 
1870, while his children were quite voung. 

TIMOTHY CONNOE. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Ii-eland. January 
17, 1818, son of LawTence and Mary Connor, who remained in the old c'oiintry 
until their death. Oiu" subject immigrated to America. July Hi, 1848, going 
tirst to Cotin(H'ticut, where he remained five years engaged in the rolling-mills, 
thence came to this county, where he has since resided. He was united in 
marriage. February K), 1.S57. with Mary Coleman, born in Ireland in 1884. 
daughter of Daniel and JIary Coleman, also natives of the Emerald Isle, where 
the family remained until Mr. Coleman's death. Subsequently his widow and 
children immigrated to America about 1845, and here Mrs. Coleman was again 
married, this time to Michael Twomey, who died IMarch 14, 1875: she still 
survivj's. To Ml', and JL's. Connor were born ten children, six now living: 
Mary F. . Honora E. . Daniel F. , Lawrence J. . Katie A. and Julia A, Our 
subject, a farmer by occupation, owns UJO acres of land with good buildings 
thereon. He and his familv are members of the Catholic Church. 

HENRY DAVIDSON, "farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born in Pickaway County. 
Ohio. October 18. 1818. a son of John and Mary A. Davidson, of Irish de- 
scent. The ceremony which made our subject's parents husband and wife was 
performed in Ireland, and iu 1812 they immigrated to America, and to Penn- 
sylvania, where they remained but a short time, however, then moved to Pick- 
away County. Ohio, and from there to this county, in March, 1 884. and here they 
lived and died. Oiu' subject was united in man-iage. December 7, 1848, with 
Rachel A. Morrison, born in Pennsylvania, October 10, 1828, a daughter of 
.lohn H. and Charlotte Morrison, also natives of Pennsylvania, where they 
were manied. thence moved to Seneca County, Ohio, in 1887. and here re- 
Tiiained the balance of their lives. Mr. Morrison died Nt)vember 17. l.S57.an(l 
his widow August l'>. 1888. To Mr. and Jlrs. Davidson wen- born six chil- 
dren, of whom live are now living: Mary A., wife of Thomas Hedges: Sarah 
C. Ai-thur J.. Henry C. and George AV. ; an infant is deceased. Oui- subject 
came U) Ohio with his parents in March, 1884. and in 1848 settled on his pres- 
ent farm comjirising 10(5 acres improved land. Mr. Davidson was real estat(> 
ai>i)raiser in 1870. He is a member of the I'nited Brethren Church. 

WILLIAM DAVIDSON, farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born in Pickaway 
County. Ohio. Septeml)er 15, 1821. son of John and Mary A. Davidson, of 
Scotch descent, and who were married in Ireland. They imn'igrated to 
.Vmerica in 1S12. bringing one chilil with them. They first lived a short time 
in Pennsylvania, then moved to Pickaway County. Ohio, and from there, in 
1884. to this county, where they remained until death. Our subject was 
united in marriage, in December, IS 18, with Maria Moirison. who was Ix'rn in 
Pennsylvania November 1. 1811). daughter of Alexander and Mary Morrison, 



990 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

natives of Maryland, and who moved to Pennsylvania, and fo-om there to 
Seneca County, Ohio, about 182."), and here lived and died. To oiu- subject 
and wife have been bora nine children, six now living: Mary J., wife of Rev. 
Hiram Shumaker; John A: James; William H. : Margaret A., wife of Austen 
C, Littler; and Ira L. Robert M. C, born Januarv 2, 1851. died August 10, 
1862; Thomas M,, born May 20. IS")'.), died March 4, 1800; and Walter S., 
born October 14, 1853, died July 14, 1883. Our subject, who owns 180 acres 
of land, mostly improved, settled on his present farm in 1843. He and his 
wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church at Tiffin, Ohio. 

JACOB DICE, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, one of the first settlers of the county, 
was born in Franklin County, Penn., February IS, 1809, son of John and 
Esther Dice, natives of the East, who moved to Columbiana Count}-, Ohio, in 
1811, thence to Stark County, where they remained until death. Our subject 
was united in marriage, in Stark County, Ohio, March 14, 1833, with Maria 
Apley, a native of Pennsylvania, and to this union were born thirteen childrou. 
eight of whom are now living: Caroline (wife of John Benson), Ephraim. 
Amanda (wife of Charles Baker), John, Sarah (wife of Adam Weikert), Mary 
(wife of C, H. Sting). Frank and Sibylla, and five deceased : Lucinda, Matilda 
and three infants. Our subject after marriage first lived in Stark County, ami 
from there moved to Seneca Township, this county, settling on the farm, now 
comprising eighty acres of good land, where he has since resided and where his 
wife died March 1'), 1879, She was a member of the German Reformed 
Church, to which our subject also belongs. 

THOMAS DUNN, farmer, P. O. tiffin, was born in the State of Ne^\ 
York May 12, 1825, a son of James and Mehitable Dunn, natives of New 
York, where they remained iintil death. Our subject was united in marriage. 
May 30, 1854, with Ann Lake, born in New York, a daughter of Elijah 
and Dorcas Lake, natives of New York, and who came to ^^'yandot Coimty. 
Ohio, where the former died; the latter is still living. Mr, and Mrs, Duun 
ar(> the parents of eight children, seven of whom are now living: Irena A. 
(wife of Joseph Atteln), Lafayette N,, Elmer E., Flora E, (wife of David W. 
Slone), James E., Elmira L, and Alfi-ed D. Mehitable A, is deceased. Our 
subject owns 120 acres of land, mostly improved, where he and his family live. 
He is becoming quite an old resident of Seneca Township, having settled here 
in 1854 on his present farm, which has undergone many changes since then, 

ROBERT H. DUTROW, P, O, Tiffin, an enterjirismg young farmer and 
descendant of one of the pioneers of Seneca County, was born January 28, 
1851, in Seneca Township, on the farm where he and his familj' now 
reside. His parents, Philip H. and Elizabeth Dutrow, were natives of Mary 
land, where they first settled after their marriage, and resided one year; thence 
moved to Ohio, locating in Seneca Townshiii, this county, about 1832, and here 
they remained until Mrs, Dutrow" s death in 1 88 1 , Mr, Dutrow subsequently cami' 
to Tiffin, Ohio, where he now resides, 0\ir subject was .united in mairiage, 
November 9, 1882, with Florence Holtz, born in Frederick County, Md. , 
November 14, 1859, daughter of Oliver and Louisa Holtz, now residents of 
Maryland. Mi\ and Mrs, Dutrow are the parents of one son — Oliver P, , Iwrn 
May 11, 1884. Our subject resides on the old homestead, allot which his 
father cleared except one small field. He and his wife are members of the 
Second Reformed Church of Tiffin, Ohio. 

DAVID M. FOGHT, farmer, P, O. McCutchenville, Wyandot County, was 
born on his present farm in Seneca Township, Seneca Countj-, March (i, 1 842, a 
son of David and Varonica Foght, who were born in Pennsylvania, manied and 
located in Fairfield County, Ohio, moving fi'om there to this county, about 1828. 



SEXECA TOW.NSHII'. 991 

Iji'iag among its eavly settlors, and here lived aild died. Mr. Foglit die*l in 
1881, his wife in 1874. They were the parents of twelve ehiklrca. of whom 
only live are now living. Onr subject was united in marriage. January 2<l, 
1870, with Rebecca Zeis, born in Seneca County. Ohio. July 'ICt. IS44, a daugh- 
ter of Jacob and Elizabeth Zeis, natives oi Germany. Mi-. Zeis, who was oidy 
four years of age when he came to this county, died in August. 1S7(); his widow. 
who was seventeen years old when she came here, died in 1S7S. Mr. and Mrs. 
Foght have one child. Libbie F.. born April 1. 1S71. Our subject owns 1241 
acres of land, mostly imiu-oved. where he and his family reside. He enlisted 
during the late civil war, in 1804. in Company B. Sixty-fourth Kegiment Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battles of Spring Hill. Franklin and 
Nashville, serving in all about sixteen months. 

HENRY FFNK. P. O. Berwick, an enterprising fanuei-. was Lorn on the 
farm where he and his family now reside in Seneca Townshi]). this county, March 
11), 1S:{7; son of Daniel and Sarah Funk, former born in Fairfield County. Ohio, 
latter u\ Pennsylvania; they tirst settled in Fairlield County, afterwi'.rd moved to 
Seneca County, and here remained until ilr. Funk's death. August I".'. 1879: his 
widow is still living. Our subject was united in marriage, ]March 12. I8f)7. with 
Elmira Shoup, a native of Seneca County, Ohio, born August 1 +. IS4r). daugh- 
ter of Jacob and Margaret Shoup, the former a native of Franklin County. 
Penn. . the latter of Frederick County, Md. , and who came to this county in 
1844. where they have since remained. To 'Sir. and Mrs. Fmdc were born live 
children, of whom Clara, Daniel G. and John L. are now living, the others 
having died in infancy. Our subject enlisteil in the army during the late civil 
war. October 2(i. 18(')1. in Company K. Forty-ninth )?egiment Ohio Vo!uut«'er 
Infantry, and was discharged December ^!1. 18^)0. He is a F. & A. M. 

J. K. FUNK, farmer, P. O. Berwick, was born on the old home faiui 
where he and his family reside, in Seneca Township, this county. July 20. 
1841, son of Daniel and Sarah Funk, the former born in Fairfield County, 
Ohio, the latter in Pennsylvania: after their marriage they settled in Fairfield 
County: thence moved to Seneca Townshiji. this county, where they remained, 
Daniel Funk died August V.h 1879: his widow resides with her son J. K. Onr 
subject was united in man'iage, October 2"). 1S77. with Silva A. Stoner. born 
in Seneca County. Ohio. July 21. 1804. a daughter of (ieorge and Louisa 
Stoner, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Knoxville. Perm. 
After JIi-. and Mi-s. Stoner were married they settled in this county, where 
they remained till 18(50. at which time they moved to Henry County. Ohio, 
where they have since resided. Mr. and Mi"s. Funk ai'e the parents uf four 
children: Oliver M.. Hattie E.. Arthur and Bertha. During the late war of 
the Rebellion ili'. Funk enlisted. October 20. 1801. in Com])any K. Forty- 
ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantn*. participated in several serious e-ngagements. 
was always found at his post, and was mustered out at Texas after serving 
four years, four months and ten days. He is a F. A: A. M. He and his family 
are highlv respected in the communitv in which thev live. 

JOSEPH GILLIG, fanner. P. O". Tiffin was born in Staik County. Ohio, 
in August. 182"). a son of Andrew and Catharine (iillig. natives of Germany, 
and who immigrated to Lancaster County. Penn.. in 181."). where they live<l 
seven yeai-s; thence moved to Stark County, where they remained until 1844. 
and from there to this county, residing here until death. Mrs. Gilligdied s«>-v- 
eral years ago. and Jlr. Gillig in 1809. Our snliject was twice united in mjir- 
riage: the first time, in 18")(l. with Caroline Sanders, who was born in Seneca 
County. Ohio, and departed this life in 1870. Mr. Gillig was manied on sec 
ond occasion, February 1. 1871. to Mary Myre. born in Seneca County. Ohio. 



992 mOGIlAPinOAL SKETCHES: 

July U. lS4'i. a daughter of Johu and Margaret Myre. tlip former now living, 
the lattei' deceased. Mr. Gillig has had seventeen children, nine In- his fir.st 
wife and eight by the last, and of these twelve are still living. Our subject is 
a tanner by trade, bnt has engaged in farming and bee culture most of his 
life. He owns 1(58 acres of land, mostly improved, where he and his family 
reside. He has served as a member of the school board of his townshij). He 
and his family are members of the Catholic Church. 

PETEK HAEFLING. farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born in Germany. Octol^er 
3. 1821, son of Balthasar and Margaret Haefling, also natives of Germany, 
where they were man'ied. and who immigrated to America and to Pennsyl- 
vania in 1883. where they lived until 183VI. then came .to Ohio and located in 
Tiffin, Seneca County, and here remained until death: Mrs. Haefling died in 
1845. Mr. Haefling in 1864. Eliz.ibeth, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth 
iStrausbaiigh. was born in Pennsylvania. November 19, 1829. and on Februai'y 
19, 1852. was united in marriage with the subject of this sketch, and to this 
union were born five childi-en. Mrs. Haefling departed this life. June 3< t. 
18C)4. a communicant of the Catholic Church. Our subject married. Novem- 
ber 29, 1806, for his second wife, Joanna Kedmond, who was born in San- 
dusky, Ohio. July 30. 1834. a daughter of Michael and Bridget Redmond, na- 
tives of Ireland, and who were man'ied in Halifax. N. Y.. where they 
settled until about 1832. when they came to SandiTsky County, Ohio, thence 
moved to Seneca County, in 1835. where they remained during life. Mr. Red- 
mond died in 1849. his widow in 1854. Our subject is the father of ten chil- 
(ken: John M. . Joseph P., William F.. Charles E.. Margaret E. . Louisa H 
and James M. (living) and Heni-y A., George B. and Anna E. (deceased). Mr. 
Haefling. a miller by trade, is now engaged in farming, and owns 130 acres 
improved land whereon he and his family reside. Mr. and Mrs. Haefling and 
family are members of thi^ Catholic Church. He has tilled the office of jus- 
tice of the [leace about nineteen years, and served two terms as inlirmary di- 
rector. He is a self-made man and has met with fair success through life. 

OWEN HAINES. P. O. Berwick, was born in Carroll County, Md.. S(>p- 
tember 15. 1830; son of Job and Ann Haines, born in Carroll County. Md.. 
and Schuylkill County. Penn., respectively, and who moved to Seneca County, 
Ohio, in 1840. where they died, the former in 1845, the latter in 1857. Our 
subject was married. November 10, 1859. to Nancy Terflinger, who was born in 
Seneca Cou\ity, Ohio, November 18, 1835. Her parents were Jacob and Eliz- 
abeth Terflinger. former born in Ohio, latter in Switzerland, and who settled 
in this coiinty. where they remained until death. Mr. and Mrs. Owen Haines 
have had si.x children: Levi C. Esther. Ida M. . Charles, Leroy and Bertha E. 
Our subject was raised on a farm, which he left when eighteen years old to 
learn the trade of stone-mason: when twenty-one years of age he drove cattle 
across the plains to California, where he engaged in mining until 1854, when 
he retTU'ned home, and has since been farming, except for four months when 
he was in the anny: he was a member of Company B, One Hundred and Six- 
ty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry-. He and his brother Levi C. are 
enterprising farmers of this county. Mr. Haines ownis a nice farm where he 
and his family reside. He has been a F. & A. M. since 1854. 

LEVI HAINES, farmer and stock-dealer, P. O. Aih-ian. was born in Car- 
roll County. Md.. August 31. 1838: son of Job and Ann Hain(>s. the former 
born in Carroll County. Md. . the latter in Schuylkill County. Penn.; they 
came to Seneca County. Ohio, in 1840, and here lived and died JIi'. Haines 
September 13. 1845, and his widow May 1, 1857. Oiu- subject was united in 
mai-riace October 2U, 1868. with Mary Zint. born in Stark Count v. Ohio. Jul\- 



SENECA TOWNSHIP. 993 

■J:!, 1848. daughter uf Joseph and Julia Ziat. the former a native of Prance, 
the latter of Pennsylvania, and who moved from Stark County, Ohio, to this 
eounty, where they have remained ever since. Mr. Zint emigrated to Amer- 
ica in IS'28, arriving in New York May 4, same year. , Oiu' subject and wife 
are the parents of three childi-en: HaiTy G. , born July 5), 1809; Idella M., 
horn October 24. 1878; and James A., born October 14, 188(). Mr. Haine.s 
was reared on a farm, then worked at stone cutting at Tiffin. Ohio; from there 
he went to California, where he engaged in mining until ISfil, when he made 
a prospecting tour through ^\'ashington and Idaho Territories, retiu'uiug home 
in 18(34, and has since remained in Seneca Townshij). He owns 240 acres of 
land, and is engaged in farming and stock-dealing. He is a F. & A. M. 

GEORGE A. HARMON, farmer, P. O. McCutchenville, Wyandot County, 
was born Octol)cr 13, 1849, and reared on the homestead farm, where ho still 
resides, and which comprises sixty acres of land in Seneca Township, this 
county. His parents were George and Elizabeth Harmon, the former a native 
of Virginia, born May 9, 18l)7; the latter born in Ross County, Ohio, Januai'y 
I), 1S12: they were manied in Seneca Township, this county. December 2'^, 
1831, where they remained until Mrs. Harmon's death, July 25, ISTy. They 
were parents of fourteen children, thiiteen gi'owing to be men and women, and, 
of these, ten are now living in different parts of the United States. George 
Harmon. Sr. . still resides on the home fann, and it is <|uite interesting to hear 
him narrate the adventures of his boyhooil, when Seueca Township was cov- 
ered with woods which abounded with wild turkeys, deer and hogs, and where 
were yet some Indians. Our subject was united in maniage. September 30, 
1879, with Alice Cooper, born in \Vyandot County, Ohio, December 30, 1850, 
daughter of John and Mary E. Coojier, the former a native of New Jersey, 
the latter of Ohio, and who settled in AVyandot County, where they still re- 
main. To oui- subject and wif(> have been born two children: Alvii G., born 
December 22, 1880, died Januarv 8, 1881, and Goldie F., born January 5, 
1884. 

JOHN HECK, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, is a descendant of one of the old pio- 
neers of Seneca Township, this county. He was born on the farm where he and 
his familj- now reside, November 12, 1837; son of George and Sarah Heck, the 
former born in Perry County, Ohio, October a, 1797; the latter, a native of 
Germany, departed this life in 1839. George Heck was subsequently united 
in marriage with Sarah KaiT, who was born near Gettysbiu'g, Penn., and died 
in 1874; he is still living, and resides on the farm where he has spent sixty- 
three years of his life, Om- subject was maiTied, January 4, 1801, the object 
of his choice being Phcebe Ralston, who was l)orn in pjloom Township, this 
county, April 3. 1842. Her parents, Samuel and Elizabeth Ralston, natives 
of Virginia, came to this county in 1824. Mr. Ralston died January 4, 1808; 
his widow resides in Bloom Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Heck have 
been blessed with five children: Sarah E., Georgiana, Joseph H. , Maud M. 
and -Vlma C. Mr. Heck is one of the enterj)rising farmers of Seneca County. 
He an 1 his wife are consistent members of the United Brethren Church. 

HENRY HEPF, farmer, P. O. New Riegel, was born, July 13, 1813, in 
Bavaria, Germany, where his piu-ents, Michael and Frances Hepf, lived and 
dieil Our subjc^ct immigi'ated to America and came to this county in 1^:10, 
wheio ho has since lived. He has been engaged in farming nearly all his life 
and now owns 135 acres of fine land, where he and his family reside. He was 
married. July 15, 1839, to Elizabeth Copier, also a native of Germany, l>orn 
Febrmry 27. 1817, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Copier, who immigrated 
to America and to Seneca County and here remained until death. To >L-. 



!'04 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

and ]VIi-s. Hepf heave been born twelve children, eleven of whom are now living: 
Heruy, Peter, Magdalena, Joseph, Christena, Margaret, Catharine, Jacob. 
Frank, Helena and Veronica. Elizabeth is deceased. The family are faithful 
members of the C'atholic Church, and are among the fii'st citizens of the town- 
ship. 

HENRY HOUCK, farmer, P. O. McCutchenville, Wyandot County, one 
of the early settlors of Seneca County, Ohio, was born December 29. 1810, a 
son of Michael and Margaret Houck. He was brought up on a farm and 
received a common school education. In 1832 he settled in Seneca County. 
Ohio, and after residing near Tiffin a short time, moved on his present farm. 
He was married. May, i), 1841, to Rachel J., daughter of Frederick W. and 
Catharine Shriver. Mr. and Mrs. Houck are the parents of four children: 
William, Lewis ¥.. Ezi'a M. and Hu'am S. Oiu- subject was reared on a farm 
and has been engaged in agriculture all his life. He owns forty acres of well- 
improved land, where he and his family reside. He and his wife are consistent 
member:-- of the Reformed Church at Tiffin, and are a vei-y highly respected 
couple. 

AMOS KELLER, miller, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Faufield County, Ohio, 
December 2(5, 1881), son of Joseph and Elizabeth Keller, the former born in 
Pennsylvania in 1797, and the latter in Ohio in 1807, They were man-ied in 
Fairiield County, Oliio, in 1829, where they remained until Mrs. Keller's 
death in June, 1841); in 1848 Joseph Keller then mamed Nancy Good, a native 
of Fau'fielil County, Ohio, and in November, 1 849. they moved to this county, 
and here lived until his death, which occurred Januaiy 15, 1855. His widow 
subsequently returned to her native county. Our subject was married, Octo- 
ber 10. 18()7, to Martha E. Sueathe. born in Seneca County, Ohio, September 
1. 184(), daughter of William and Martha Sneathe, the latter deceased. IVIr. 
and Mrs. Keller are the parents of two children: Rufus E., born July 7, 
1868, and Addie F,, born March 30, 1871, Mi-, Keller acquired a college 
education at Tiffin, and at Delaware, Ohio. He then engaged in teaching for 
eight years, but afterward embarked in milling business, and now owns a flour- 
ing, saw and planing-mill, and a small tract of gopd land on which he has 
erected one of the finest residences in northern Ohio. He and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Keller has taken an active part 
in every educational, moral and religious enterprise, which has a tendency to 
elevate his fellow, and especially is he prominent in Sabbath-school and tem- 
perance work. He is one of those self-made men who have risen fixmi com- 
parative poverty and obscurity to position and wealth. 

JOHN M. LAITGHLIN, farmer, P. O. Berwick, was born in Trlxma. Steu- 
ben Co., N. Y., October 10, 1839, son of John and "Shxry \\'. Laughlin, who 
were parents of twelve children, foiir of whom are now li^nng, His father was 
born in Ireland in ISOS, immigi'ated to New York in lS2f), and was married in 
Urbana, about 1830, to Mary W. Hill, who was born in Middlesex, Ontario 
Co., N. Y., in 1818; they then settled in New Y'ork, where they remained iintil 
his death, which occuri'ed September 4, 1857; his widow subsequently moved 
to Wyandot Coixnty, Ohio, where she now resides. Our subject was united in 
marriage, January 4, 1866, with Helen J, Ewing, born in Seneca Township, 
this county. October 8, 1840, daughter of Anderson and Julia A. (Brinkerhoff) 
Ewing. natives of Gettysbiu'g, Penn. , where they were man'ied and first set- 
tled; but in 1840 they came to this comity, and remained until Mrs. Ewing' s 
death, which occiuTed in 1817. Mr. Ewing was married, on second occasion, 
to Lncri'tia Crooks; removed to Wyandot County. Ohio, where he died in 
1875; his widow still resides there on the old home farm. Oiu- subject and 



SENECA TOWNSHIP. 995 

wife arc the parents of five childreu. two now living: IMary A., born January 
13. ISfW, and Edna E.. born July 7, 1ST:1 and three deceased: Albertus E., 
Hattie M. and Emma E. Mr. Laughlin, who in early life engaged in farming 
and teaming, came to Ohio in ISo'.t, and located in Wyandot County, where 
he was married, and afterward moved to this county, where he has since been 
engaged in farming. During the late civil war he enlisted. July 2'.). 1,S(52, in 
t'ompany F. One Hundred and First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, par- 
ticipated in a number of hanl- fought battles, and was mustered out June 12, 
1S()5. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. and Mis. Laughlin are mem- 
))ers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

LORENZ LEY, farmer. P. O. Tiilin, was born in France November 19, 
1 S35, a son of Anthony and Marj' Ley. also natives of France, where they 
lived and died, the former July 29, ISIH), the latter in l.S()4. Our subject 
immigi-ated to America, coming tlirect to Seneca County. Ohio, in 1S47. ami 
after residing here fom- years went to Austialia, where 1h> engaged in mining 
for six years: fi'om there he went to New Zealand, and staid two years: after 
which he returned to his native laud, and remained eleven months; then set sail 
for America again, tinally settling in this county. He was manned, February 
12. 186(5, to Catharine Fry. born in Seneca County, Ohio. April 1, 1836, a 
daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Fiy, natives of France, who immigi-ated to 
Ohio about 1830. where they remained until death. Mi\ Fry departed this 
life in ISfKi, and his widow in IST'.t. Mr. and Mrs. Ley are the jsarents of 
^even children: Charles V.. Joseph A.. Clara E., Mary L., Annie R., The- 
resa H. and Frank L. Our subject, who is one of the well-to-do farmers of 
Seneca County, owns 210 acres of improv(>d land, with splendid buildings 
thereon. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church. 

JOSEPH LONSWAY. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, an old pioneer of this county, 
was born in Thi-ee Rivers. Lower Canada. February 8. 1818, a son of Baptist 
and Theresa Lonsway, also natives of Lower Canada, where they remained 
until their death. Our subject came to the United States in 1830, first to Buf- 
falo. N. Y. , then to Michigan, where he remained until 1839; then he moved 
to Sandusky City, Erie Co.. Ohio, and while at that place he and his 
brother took a contract to build and keep in repair- the railroad from Sandusky 
to Kenton, then called the Mad River &. Lake Erie Railroad. They followed 
their contract for eight years, and on the fnllillment of his contract our subject 
took up his abode in Tiffin, this county, and fi-om there went to farming in 
Wyandot County, remaining there two years, and then returned to Seneca 
County, where he has since resided, ill'. Lonsway was united in marriage the 
tirst time, in 1842, with Sarah A. Julian, born in Maryland, and who departed 
this life in Wyandot County, Ohio, November 29. 1849. Subsequently Mr. 
Lonsway was married. May 25, ]S.")2, to Rebecca Johnson, who was born in 
Maryland in 1S21. and ilied in Seneca County. Ohio, in December. 1857. June 
18, 1860, our subject was married to his third wife. Mar)- R. Allwines, born 
'ra Pennsylvania October 6, 1840. daughter of John and ISIary T. Allwines, 
who, about 1850, came to Ohio, where Mr. Allwines died in 1877; his widow 
still siuvives. To oiu- subject have been born seventeen children, of whom 
thirteen are now living. He was reared on a faiTu, and now owns 120 acres of 
good land where he and his family reside. Thev are members of the Catholic 
(^hiu-ch at Tiffin, Ohio. 

ROBERT McCLELLAN. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Kentucky 
-Vpril 17, 1818, a son of Joseph and Jane McClellan. natives of Pennsylvania, 
who were married in Kentucky, where they remained about tix years, thence 
moved to Seneca County. Ohio, in the fall of 1822, and here lived and died, 



996 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

the former ia 1860, the latter in 1866. Our subject was united in marriage. 
Januan' 28. 1847, with Sarah Einsel. born in Fail-field County. Ohio. De- 
cember 11, 1826. a daughter of John and Elizabeth Einsel, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania and Oliio respectively, and who fii-st located in Fairfield County, thence 
moved to this county about 1883, where they remained until thek death. Mr. 
Einsel died in 1872; his wife in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. McClellan have been 
blessed with seven children, of w^hom six are now li^nng: Walter R., Caroline. 
Alice, Flora, Cora and Elizabeth; an infant is deceased. Mr. McClellan. who 
was reared on a farm, has been very successful, and now owns 177 acres of 
land mostly improved. He has filled the office of county commissioner six 
years, and was trustee of his township for several vears. 

J0NATH.4.N REDFOX, farmer, P. O. Berwick." was born in Seneca Town- 
ship, this county, December 8, 1848. on the farm where he now resides; a son 
of Jacob and Joanna Redfox, natives of Germany, who settled in Seneca 
Township, this county, about 1833. They were parents of eight children: 
Jacob. William, Henry. Jonathan, John, Rosana, Elizabeth and Christena. 
Mrs. Redfox departed this life in 1851. Jacob Redfox siu-vived her until 
1866, when he, too, passed away fi'om earth. Our subject was reared on a 
farm, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits nearly all his life, now 
owning seventy-eight acres of land in a splendid state of cultivation. He was 
married, February lu, 1870. to Eliza, daughter of Jacob and Nancy Von Blon, 
natives of Germany. To Mr. and Mi's. Redfox were born five children, three 
of whom are living: Emanuel, born June 9, 1874; Charles E., born April 15, 
1876. and Andi-ew W., born October 26, 1880. Mrs. Redfox departed this life 
November 6, 1880, leaving her husband, children and a large cu'cle of friends 
to mourn their loss. Oiu- subject served in the late war of the Rebellion six- 
teen months. He is one of the school board of Seneca Township; a member 
of the German Reformed Chiu'ch. 

BENJAlVnN C. REEME, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Dauphin County. 
Penn. , September 12, 1835 ; son of Benjamin and Eliza Reeme, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania, who immigrated to Ohio and settled in this county in 1857. whore they 
remained until Mr. Reeme" s death November 20, 1880. His widow survives 
him. Our subject was united in marriage, November 5. 1863, with Cynthia B. 
Jennings, born in Seneca County, Ohio, August 26, 1838, daughter of Jacob S. 
and Osee Jennings, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter of Warren 
County, Ohio, and who located in this county several years ago. where they 
lived alid died. To our subject and wife were born three children: Harry E.. 
born August 27, 1864; Oliver G., born November 13, 1866. and Charlie C. 
born June 8, 1809. Mi\ Reeme who was reared on a farm, now owns sixty- 
four acres of land mostly improved, whereon he and his family now reside. He 
and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. Reeme 
has met with fair success through life, and his family is highly respected by the 
community in which they live. 

DANIEL REISZ, farmer, P. O. Berwick, was born in Bavaria. Germany, 
November 9, 1829 ; son of Jacob and Mary E. Reisz. who immigrated to America in 
1833, coming by way of New York to Seneca Township.thiscounty.settlingon the 
farm of eighty acres (where our subject and family now reside), where they 
erected a cabin in the woods and here lived the residue of their lives. Our sub- 
ject, who was reared on a farm, still follows agricultural pursuits. He was mar- 
ried November 15, 1860, to Mary A., daughter of Daniel and Sarah Funk, and 
who departed this lift; June 30, 1872. Mr. Reisz remained a widower until 
June 5, 1873, wh^n he mai-ried Susan, daughter of John and Susan Henry, 
and who was born July 30, 1850. To this union have been born four children: 



SENECA TOWNSHIP. 997 

Lucy I., hoi'ii April 8, 1874; Laura U.. born Fobruary I. INTO; Lamantha J.. 
l)i)rn Doccmbcr "J'i. 1S77, ami Charles T, boru Auijfust 2S, 1871*. During the 
late war of the Kobcllion oiu' sul)ject was djafted September '2X, 18(11, into 
("onipany (1. Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; he participated in a Mumb(>r 
of haril fou4>;lit l)atfles and was honorably discharged June Hi, 18<)"). 

INMAN UOLEY, fanner, P. O. McCutcheuville. Wyandot County, was 
boru in Virginia, December 1, 1810, son of Jesse and Lida Roley, natives of 
Virginia, where they remained until the death of the former, in 1812. Mrs. 
Jesse Roley and family subsequently moved to P(>i'ry County, Ohio, thence to 
this county in 1833, and here she died July 31, 1843. Oiu' subject was united in 
marriage. May If), 1841. with Mary, daughter of Shepherd Cowdry, and who 
was born March 7, 1817. and died Feln-uary Hi, 1875. She was a consistent 
meml)er of the United Brethren Church. Jlr. Roley was married on second 
occasion, August '24. 187U. to ^lillie Twiggs, who was born in Maryland. June 
14, 1829. a daughter of Nathaniel Twiggs. Our subject has been engaged in 
farming through life, and now owns 120 acres of good land, where ho and his 
family reside. Jlr. and Mrs. Roley are members of the United Brethren 
Church. He has been a member of the school board. He located on his pres- 
ent farm in 1833, and has seen Seneca Township changed fi-om a wilderness to 
what it is at present. 

CHRISTIAN RUEHLE. farmer. P. O. Adiian.was boru in Seneca County, 
Ohio, February 29, 1848; son of John J. and Catharine Ruehle, the former 
born in Wmiemberg, Germany, and the latter in Seneca County, Ohio. Jolin 
J. Ruehle settled in this county where ho died; his widow sm-vives him. Our 
subject was luiited in marriage. Ft'bruary 12, 1872, with ^lary Gessner. born 
in Seneca County, Ohio, April 22, 1851; her parents, Michael and Eva Gess- 
ner, natives of Germany, immigrated to America, coming to Ohio several 
years ago, where they remained the balance of their day.s. Our subject and 
wife have been blessed with three children: A. J. David, Hattie L. and 
Arthur G. Mr. Riiehle is a blacksmith by trade, but has followed farming 
nearly all his life; he owns foi"ty acres of good land in ^\ yandot County, Ohio, 
also his undivided interest in the home farm, where he and his family reside. 
^Ir. Ruehle is one of the enterprising and respected farmers of the townshi]). 

DANIEL FRIEDERICH RLEHLE. farmer, P. O. Berwick, an enterpris- 
ing old gentleman, was born in Germany, March 31, 1814; son of Tobias and 
Barbara Ruehle, who remained in the old country until their death. Our sul)- 
ject was united in marriage. November 10, 1839, in his native laud with Mar- 
garet M. Ruehle, of same nativity, born May 29, 1815, daughter of Daniel E. 
and Anna M. Ruehle. who lived and died in Germany. Our subject and fam- 
ily came to Ohio in 1848 and located in this county, where they reside at pres- 
ent. Mr. and Mrs. Ruehle have been blessed with twelve children — six boys 
and six girls -of whom sixsuivive: Barbara M. . Frederica C Jacob F.. 
Louisa C. , Daniel E. and Jonas; the deceased are Margar(>t B. . Christian F.. 
Catharine E.. Rosanna R., David and an infant. Our subject worked in a 
vineyard in Germany; has been engaged in farming since he came to this 
country and now owns 120 acres of land, whereon he and his family reside. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ruehle and their childi-en are members of the German Lutheran 
Church. 

J.\MES SANDERS, fanner. P. O. Berwick, was born in Stark County, 
Ohio. April 5. 1829; son of Antlu^ny and Mary A. Sanders, natives of Penn- 
sylvania, where they were married and fii'st settled; thence they came to Ohio, 
locating in Stark County: and from there moved to Seneca County, where 
they remained until their death. Our subject was unitetl in marriage. May 



998 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 

24, ISdo, with Ellen M. M. Conaghan, born in Stark County, Ohio, August 28, 
1830, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Conaghan (whose sketch appears else- 
where). Mr. and Mrs. Sanders are the parents of eight childi-en, of whom 
six survive: Julius J., Cora M. , Arthur A., Ethel L.. Eunice C. and RajTuond 
D. ; the deceased are Jessie M. , born September 23, 1801, and Nellie I., born 
July 4, 1803. Our subject is serving his second term as infirmary director of 
the county and has filled the office of tnistee of his township. He and his 
wife are consistent members of the Catholic Chiu'ch. 

WILLIAM SHELDON, farmer, P, O. McCutchenville, AVyandot County, 
was born in England May 9, 1835, a son of John and Elizabeth Sheldon, 
natives of England, where they remained until their death. Onr suljject was 
united in man-iage, March 25, 1858, with Ellen King, also a native of 
England, born November 25, 1840; her parents died when she was but a child. 
Our subject and wife were married in their native land, and immigi'ated to 
America and to this county in 1801, where they have since resided. This un- 
ion has been blessed with six children: Hemy, born June 21, 1859: Anna M. , 
born December 2, 1800; Hettie E., born September 13, 1802; JohnN., born 
April 11. 1805: George W. P.. born_October 29. 1872. died March 19, 1885; 
and Edith M. , born October 3, 187/. Mr. Sheldon was engaged in farming 
in England, and has followed agricultiu-al pui'suits since coming to Seneca 
Coiuity. 

JACOB ULRICH STAIB, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Wurtemberg, 
Germany, February 13, 1815; a son of Jacob and Elizabeth C. Staib, also 
natives of Germany, who immigrated to America and to Ohio in 1835, locat- 
ing in this county, where they remained until death, the former dying March 
12, 18t)7, aged eighty seven, and the latter October 10, 1880, aged ninety - 
seven years. Oiu- subject came to Ohio in 1833, and was married in this 
county, July 2, 1840, to Sarah C. Houck, born in Germany^ January 11, 1815, 
a daughter of Christian and Magdalene Houck. To Mi', and Mrs. Staib were 
born six children, of whom five are now living: Caroline. Jacob, Thusmelda 
(wife of Valentine Huffman), Catharine (wife of Carl Wittig) and Elizabeth; 
Magdalena is deceased. Our subject owns 117 acres of good land, mostly im- 
proved, all acquired by his own industry. He and his family are members of 
the E\ angelical Church. Mr. Staib had the misfortune to lose his wife 
November 10, 1883. She was kind and faithful to him. and was a loving mother 
to her childi'en. 

GEORGE SWIGART, farmer, P.O. Tiffin, was born in Maryl)ind December 
20, 1825. His parents, Joseph and Susanna Swigart, natives of Maiyland, came 
to Seneca County, Ohio, in June, 1837, fii'st settling in Bloom Township, but 
afterward moving to Eden Township, where Mrs. Swigart died. Joseph Swi- 
gart married a second time, and is now deceased; his widow still survives him. 
Our subject was united in marriage, in August, 1850, with Sarah A. Ralston, 
born in Vu-"inia June 25, 1825, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Ralston, 
natives of Virginia, and who came to this county in March, 1834. Mr. Ralston 
died January 4, 1808; his widow is still living. To our subject and wife was 
Ijorn one child, George M. , now deceased. Mi'. Swigart is a miller by trade, 
an occupation he followed until four years ago, since when he has been 
engaged in farming. He owns 124 acres of improved land, where he and his 
wife reside. He is a F. & A. M. Mrs. Swigart is a consistent member of the 
United Brethren Church. 

CHRISTOPHER TERFLINGER, farmer, P. O. McCutchenville, Wyandot 
County, was born October 5, 1830, on the fai-m where he and his family now 
reside, in Seneca Township, this county. His parents were Jacob and Eliza- 



SENECA TOWNSHIP. 990 

both Tcrflingcr, the former a viativo of Perry CVjuiity. Ohio, the latter of the 
town of Bretzerville. Canton of Basel. Switzerland. They were married in 
Lancaster, Fairtield County, Ohio, and settled in this county, where they re- 
mained until death. Our subject was united in marriage. March 17. 1880. 
with Julia Shober. born in Maryland, July •!. 18-) I. daughter of Frederick and 
Malinda Shober, natives of th(> old country, who immigrated to ilaryland and 
from there to Wyandot County, Ohio, whore they lived until about ISftO, when 
they moved to Adrian, this county, and there remained until 'Mr. Shober' s 
death. His widow still survives him. Oiu- subject was reared on a farm and 
now owns lOO acres of land mostly improved, where he and his wife residt^ 
They are consistent members of the Methodist Church. ]Mr. Terflinger is a 
member of the I. O. O. F. 

LEWIS TERFLINGER. farmer, P. O. Berwick, was born in Fairfield 
County. Ohio. June I-1-. 1824; a son of Christopher and Elizabeth Terflinger. 
natives of Mrgiaia, where they were married and where they settled for a 
number of years ; then moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, and resided twenty 
years on the same farm : fi-om there moved to Wyandot County and dwelt two 
years with their son. Daniel ; fi'om Wyandot Co\inty they came to this county 
in 1830, and lived on the farm where our subject and wife now reside, and here 
the mother died in April, 18t>r). and the father in March. ]8l)*i. Our subject 
was united in maiTiage, April K). 1872. with Margaret Kenner. born in A\'ur- 
temberg, Germany, April 1'2, 182(i. Mr. Terflinger. who was raised on a farm. 
has engaged in agricultural j)ursuits nearly all his life, and has lived fifty-four 
years on his present farm which comprises 120 acres of fine land. He and his 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

THEOBALD ANAGNER (deceased) was born in Germany, March lU. 
1821. His parents. Theobald and Catharine Wagner, immigi-ated to America, 
coming direct to Seneca County, Ohio, about 183;;?, and here remained until 
the death of Theobald Wagner. Sr., which occurred in 1847; his widow siu'- 
vives him. The subject of this sketch was united in maiTiage, December 3. 
1848, with Margaret Diehl. born in Germany, December 20, 1S29, a daughter 
of Abraham and Catharine Diehl, also natives of Gennany, and who immi 
grated to Hancock County. Ohio, al)out 1833, where they remained until 
death, the former dying in 1871, the latter in 1878. To Mr. andJIrs. Wagner 
were born nine childi-en, of whom six are now living: Alphcus, Josephine. 
George F. , John A., Charles T. and Franklin D. The deceased are Maiy. 
Catharine and an infant. Our subject and wife, after they were man-ied, first 
settled in Hancock County, Ohio, and there remained until 1800. when they 
came to Seneca Township, this county, and here resided until his death which 
occurred July 17. 1884. At the time of his death he owned ]'J3 acres 
I if good laud where his widow and family now reside. He was a consistent 
member of the Reformed Church, to which his wndow also belongs. 

JOSEPH C. "^'EHRLE, P. O. Bei-wick, one of the industrious young 
farmers of Seneca County, Ohio, was born in Big Spring Township, this 
county, July T). 1801: a son of George and Elizabeth (Long) Wehrle, formei' 
born in Riegel, Germany, March 4, 1820, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth 
Wehrle. both natives of Germany: latter bom in Bairon, Germany, June 6. 
1^27. daughter of David and Margaret Long, also natives of Germany, the 
former of whom was born in 1791. died in 1857. the latter born May 1. 1801. 
ilied November 22. 18()Pi. George Wehrle and Elizabeth Long were united in 
maiTiage in New Riegel, Seneca Co.. Ohio. .Jurn' 14. 1S47. and were the 
pai'ents of foiu-teen children, of whom seven are now living: Mary, wife of 
/leorge Emerine, born February 1, ISll): Elizabeth, wife of -lacolt Feck, born 



1000 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCllKS: 

September 8, I Sal; Agatha, wife of William Beilhartz, born February fi, 
185S; John J., born April 6, 18i)'J; Joseph C. ; Frank E. , born November 9, 
1803, and George E., born March ;!. 1S7U. Oiu' subject was reared on a farm 
and has followed agricultural piu-suits all his life. He has been a resident of 
Seneca Township for live vears. He is a member of the Catholic Chui'ch. 

ADAM WEIKERT, farmer, P. O. Berwick, is a native of Seneca Town- 
ship, this county, born April 'A, 1830, son of Peter and Susan Weikert, natives 
of Ohio; they were married in AVyandot County, that State, subsequently, in 
1870, locating near Tiffin, Ohio, where they reside at present. Our subject 
was united in marriage, December I, 1870. with Sarah A. Dice, born in Stark 
County, Ohio, July 10, 1843, where her parents Jacob and Maria Dice, nativeB 
of Pennsylvania, were united in marriage, and where they lirst settled; they 
afterward moved to this couuty, where Mrs. Dice died March 10. 1879; her 
liusband survives her. To Mr. and Mrs. Weikert has lieen born one child. 
Charles O. Our subject was reared on a farm and has followed agricultiu-al 
piu'suits the greater portion of his life; he owns eighty acres of land, on which 
there is a beautiful residence where he and his family reside. Mr. ^Veikert, 
during his younger days, engaged in teaching school for a few years. He has 
tilled the offices of assessor and trustee of this township. He and his family 
are members of the Presbyterian Church. 

JOSEPH WEISENBERGER. farmer. P. O. New Eiegcl, was born in 
France, March 17, 1820, son of Matthias and Josephine Weisenberger, who 
immigjated to Seneca Township, this county, in 1833. and here lived and died, 
the former in 1840, the latter in 183(j. Our suliject was united in marriage, 
August 10. 1848, with Elizabeth Younff, also a native of France, and who 
came with her people to this county in 1840, where they lived the residue of 
their lives; Mrs. Weisenberger died July 12, 1878. She was a member of the 
Catholic Church. Mr. Weisenberger on second occasion, November 28, 1882, 
was married to Mary Long, a native of this county, born September 21, 1837, 
a daughter of John F. and Elizabeth Long, natives of Switzerland, who im- 
migrated to this county, in a very early day, and have here remainetl ever since. 
Our subject was the father of sm'en children, of whom four are now living: 
Margaret, wife of Frederick Hoffer; Joseph P. ; Mary, wife of Joseph Plance; 
and Magdalene. Mr. Weisenberger owns 242 acres of improved land where 
he resides. He and his wife and family are faithful members of the Catholic 
Chiu'ch. 

WILLIAM WENNER, farmer. P. O. Tiflin, was born in Lehigh County, 
Peun. , September 5, 1824, son of William and Elizabeth Wemier, natives 
of Pennsylvania, where they remained until their death. Our subject 
was united in marriage, in Pennsylvania. February 7, 1805, with Mary Stopp. 
born in Lehigh Couuty. Penn., March 22. 1840. In 1807 they moved to Sen- 
eca County. Ohio, settling on the farm where they now reside and which con- 
sists of 120 acres of fine land. To this union were born six children, of whom 
only two survive: Ellen S.. born July 27. 1871. and Mary A., born September 
10, 1880. Our subject has been a farmer all his life. He and his wife are 
members of the German Reformed Chiu'ch. and are considered among the best 
people of the countv. 

MARTIN WERLING, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Stark County. 
Ohio, September 28, 1832. son of Nicholas and Susan Werling, natives of 
Belgiivm, where they were man'ied; thence they emigrated to America and to 
Stark County, Ohio, in 1831, and after remaining there five years the}- movent 
to Seneca County and then to Indiana in 1807. where Mr. Werling lost- liis 
wife by death in 1873. he remaining until 1880, when he came to this county 



SENECA TOWNSinr. 1001 

iind iu:ulo bis liomo with his son until I.SSl. when ho. too. died. Our .suhjs"-t 
was united in mania<,'(>. Seplemher 10, I.Sdl.with Mary Lonswav. born in Sen- 
eca County. Ohio, May 14. 1.S43, a daughter of Joseph" and Sarah A. Lonsway. 
the forniei- living, hitter now deceased. To our .subject and wife have been 
born eleven children, ten of whom are now living: Joseph A.. Sarah A.. Emma 
E. , Rosa A. . Susan K. . Lewis S. . Leander M. , George E. . Leo A. and Mary 
M. Emily is deceased. Our subject accjuired the means to make a start iii 
life in the mines of California, and now owns 17:{ acres of land, mostly ini 
proved, where he and his family reside. They are members of the Catholic 
Chiu'ch. 

AARON YAMBEKT. minister, po.stoffice McCutchcMuille.Wyandot County, 
a native of Berks County. Benn.. was born February 14. ISOll. son'of JohnH. and 
Sibylla ((ilick) Yamliert. natives of Beimsylvania. where they married and set- 
tl(>d. and where Mrs. Yamliert died. John H. Yambert subsequently man'ied 
Catharine (Cooney) Yambert. also a native of Beimsylvania. and with his family 
moved to Seneca Township. Seneca Co.. Ohio, in 1881. where he resided 
until his death, which occiured May 24. lSn:i He had four children bv his 
fir.st wife: JohnH.. Aaron. Sarah and Mary: and seven by his second wife: 
John. Daniel. Samuel. Solomon. Lydia. Williani and Susannah. His father 
was a native of Saxony, a physician of prominence, who emigrated to this 
country in the colonial period, and served as an officer in the B evolutionary 
war. Our subject was reared on a farm until eighteen years old. after which 
he worked several years at the carpentei's trade. At the age of twenty years 
he was converted, and at about twenty-one became a memljer of the Evangelical 
Association under Conrad Kring"s administration. In 1882 Mr. YambeT-t, was 
licensed by the conference as an itinerant minister, and commenceil his uiinis- 
terial labors in Lancaster and I'ickaway Counties. Ohio, and continued ;n this 
calling for twenty -seven successive years, during much of which time he experi- 
enced the hardships and iirivations incident to mini.sterial i)ioneer life. After 
traveling a few years in this State, he n>turned to Beimsylvania and traveled 
one year on a cin'uit. called Somer.set. wliich was located partly in Benii.syl- 
vania. Virginia and ;Maryland: then Erie Circuit. Benn. (in what is now Erie, 
("rawford and Warren Counties), and here, on one occasion, rode sixty miles 
through a bold, rough country in one day. and i)reached at his regular appoint- 
ment that night. In 188< he assisted Rev. Jacob Bose in conducting the first 
protracted meeting ever held by the Evangelical Association. The man. at 
whose house the meetings were held, was not a believer, and talked of not let 
ting the meetings goon there mncli longer, when (jne night Mr. Yambert. in a ser 
uion, so graphically described the temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden 
of Eden by the serpent, that it made a deep imi)ression on his mind. This 
man kept a still-house, and the next morning the fir.st thing that m(>t 
his eyes on opening the still-house door was a large serpent coiled in a 
beer hogshead. He was so confounded by the coincidence that he re- 
turned to the hous<>. told what had occuired to those present, ate nothini' 
that day, and the following morning ascended to the meeting room upstairs 
and began praying, finally became fully conyerte<l. and did not return to the 
still house during the meeting. Thence Mr. Yambert was sent to Miami Cir 
cuit. and while there was married. He remained on that circuit two years in 
all. and then returned to Wayne Circuit, thence to Bickaway County. While 
on a circuit in Marion CJouiity. lie went to the Whetstone si'ttlemerit and set- 
tled a disi)nte. concerning lightning rods, between the class leader and ex 
horter rs. some of the members, who. in their superstition regarded any pre- 
cautionary measures as defying the power of (lod. He traveled for "man v 



1002 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

years afterward in the western portion of the State, on different cireuits. On 
one occasion, after preaching in Bettsville in the forenoon, he attempted to 
cross to Mud Creek Prairie, which was in sight, to meet an appointment there. 
He could see the house, and on horseback started to cross direct, but the 
around was wet and the gi-ass as high as his head. His horse got stuck in the 
mud, slipi^ed and fell, throwing Mr. Yambert off and completely covering him 
with mud; in that condition he arrived at his destination and preached just as 
he was. At another time, after starting to go through a dense forest in search 
of a new preaching place, he lost his way. He started ilonday morning be- 
fore breakfast, although requested to take n'freshment, saying ' ' no, old Adam 
mio-ht fast, ' ' expecting to get through by noon : wandeied around in the woods 
and did not lind his way until the ne.xt morning, when he broke his fast for the 
lirst time, and his text afterward was for '• more light. ' " He subsequently 
preached on Michigan Circuit, in Michigan. Ohio. etc. He now owns 161 
acres of good land in this townshij) and 170 in Illinois, and is a local minister 
of the Evangelical Association of which his family are also members. Mi\ 
Yambert was married. February 1(\ 18:i9. to Sarah Huffer. of Pickaway 
County, Ohio, also a native of Pennsylvania, where she was born December 28, 
IHll?, daughter of Isaac and Julia Huffer. who were Ijorn in Pennsylvania, but 
in the course of time moved to Pickaway County. Ohio, and there lived and 
died. To the union of our sul)ject and wife were born thirteen children — 
nine of whom are now living: Caroline (wife of George ^\'. Rosier). Marj' 
(wife of Chancey Boucher), Lavina, Joshua J.. Aaron H. . Sarah C. (wife of 
George Ingman). Susanna (wife of J. ^\'. Boucher). Sibylla J.. Julia M. 
(wife of Rev. Daniel Eleuburger). 

LEANDER ZEIS, farmer and stock-dealer. P. O. Tiffin, one of the well- 
to-do farmers and stock-dealers of Seneca Townshiji. was born in this oouuty. 
December 'I'k lS4r). son of Jacob and Elizabeth M. Zeis. who. in 1828. settled in 
this county, when it was mostly a wilderness, and here remained until their 
death. Jaeol) Zeis was born in Baden. Germany, died August 17, 187(i: and 
Elizabeth M. Zeis was born in Bavaria, Germany, died October 'J, 1878. 
Leander Zeis was reared on a farm, and has followed agricultural pursuits since 
the death of his father. He acijuired a good common school education and 
taught ten terms of school. He was married, February 1, 1872, to Sarah C 
daughter of Jacob and Sarah Martin, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in 
Seneca County. Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Zeis have had two children: Benjamin 
H. , born February 7, 187"), and lea. born December I'). bS88. Our subject 
has a nice farm, consisting of Wi acres, where he and his family reside. He 
tilled the office of justice of the peace two terms in Seneca Township witli 
credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. 

CASPER ZIEGLER. farmer. P. O. Berwick, was born in Bavaria, <ier- 
many. September 1-i, 1829, sou of Paul and Margaret Ziegler. who were 
married in Germany. Our subject came to this country and to Seneca County 
from Bavaria in 184(). and was united in mamage, September 24, 1805, with 
Emma Bartz, also a native of Bavaria, born August 81, 1886, daughter of 
Frank and Elizabeth Bartz. of same nativity, and who immigrated to Seneca 
County, Ohio, in 1840. and here lived and died. Of the ten children born to 
]\rr. and Mrs. Ziegler eight are now living: Christian. Frank, Daniel, Nancy, 
Margaret, Henry. Emma and Grover E. The deceased are John and Eliza- 
beth. Our subject, who was raised on a farm, now owns 80(1 acres of tine land 
with good buildings thereon. He started for himself with nothing, Ijut by in- 
<lustry and perseverance has accumulated a comfortiible competency. He and 
his wife are members of the Geiinan Luthei-an Church. 



THOMPSON TOWNSHIP. 1003 



THOMPSON TOWNSHIP. 

WILLIAM V. BENNEHOFF. farmer, P. O. B(>llovn(^ Hnn.ii County, was 
liorn Auiifust '![). lS4l!. in Lehi<^li County. Peun. His fatluT. Solomon Benne- 
liofT. a nativo of Lehigh County. Penu.. married Ann Rador. and thoy camo to 
Adams Township, this county, in 1S48, wliore Mrs, Bennchotf died in KST)."). 
In 18oS Solomon Bennehoff located in Scipio Township, this county, where he 
remained until his death, which occurred June IT. 1884, in his seventy-eighth 
year. The subject of this sketch, the third in a family of eight children, 
received his education in the schools of the home district, December "2"). ISTl, 
he maiTied Miss Barbara Ellen Royer, a native of Thompson Township, this 
county, and a daughter of Samuel Royer, Mr. and Mrs, Bennehoff have re- 
sided in Thompson Township ever since their marriage. Their children are 
Calvin Arthur, who died at three years of age; Anna M. ; Jennie T. and Jessie 
Irena. Mr. Bennehoff held the position of clerk of Thom))son Township from 
187r) to 1880, discharging his duties faithfully and to the satisfaction of the 
pei)ple. He and his wife are mi>mbers of the Reformed Church. In politics 
he is a Democrat. 

JOHN BOLIX, farmer, P. O. West Lodi, was born August o, 1888, in 
Thompson Township, this county; a son of George and Mary Bolin, He now 
owns the old family homestead, where he was horn and brought up. He mar- 
ried Miss Mary Suavely. Novemlier 30. 181')"). and they have two daughti'rs 
Emma Jane and Elmira. and one son — Enoch. Mrs. Bolin is a member of the 
(lerman Baptist Chiu'ch. Mr. Bolin is a life-long Democrat, and a leading 
and highly res])ected citizen of Thompson Township. 

WILLIAM BORGER. farmer, P. O. Bellevne. Huron County, was born 
October 18. 18'23, in Union County. Penn, His father, John Borger. served 
his country faithfully in the war of 181 '2. after which he married Sarah Boyer, 
They came to Flat Rock, this county, in 1883. and after spending six montlis 
in Sandusky County, settled permanently in Thompson Township, this county; 
the father died in IS.V,). and the mother August 18, 187U, aged eighty-one 
years. Their children are Mrs. Maria Eberhard. Henry. AVilliam, Betse\', 
George, Mrs. Susan ICberhard and Mrs. Lovina A\'right, now living, and three 
now deceased. Our subject, who passed most of his lif(> in Thomjison Town- 
ship, this county, married. April 2."), 1847, Miss Catherine Dewald. who was 
born in Union County, Penn.. March 12. 1819, Mr, and Mrs. Borger have 
lived in Thora))son Townshij) ever since their maiTiage. Their children are 
Mrs. Catherine Jane Buck. William H.. James L., and Reuben Isaac (deceased). 
They own a farm of 12.") acres of well-improved land. They are members of 
the Lutheran Church. Jlr. Borger is a worthy representative of one of the 
most highlv respected pioneer families, 

BENJAMIN F. BUNN. farmer. P, O, Flat Rock, was born November r).lS37. 
in Thom])S()n Township, this county. After taking the common school course 
in the home district, he completed his education at Heidelberg College, Tittin, 
Ohio, He married Miss Mary Matilda Hachenberg December 24, 1808, and they 
have been living ever since their marriage on their pres(>nt farm, a tine plac(> 
of Ui^) acres of well-iniprov(>d land, the old homestead of his parents. To Mr. 
and .^[rs. Biinn have been born thi'ee children: Cora Elmina, who departed 



1004 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

this life July 24, 188H, aged thirteen years, eight months and seven days: 
Jacob Elmer, a bright and promising lad, still at home: and Samuel Warren, 
who died July U, 1SS8, aged two years, six months and five days. Mr. and 
Mrs. Bunn are members of the Reformed Chureh. He is a citizen of public 
spirit, and has rendered valuable service in advancing the educational interests 
of the communitv. 

JOHN BURMAN. farmer, P. O. Bellevue, Hiu'on County, was born 
December 6, ISIS, in New Lancaster, Fairfield Co.. Ohio. His father, John 
Burman, of Pennsylvania, came with his parents to Ohio in a very early 
day; and during the war of 1812 worked at his trade as gunsmith for the Gov- 
ernment at Franklinton, where Columbus now stands; he married Miss 
Catharine Fisher, of Fairfield County, also a native of Pennsylvania, and set- 
tled seven miles north of Findlay, Hancock County, in 1830, and there rernained 
until their death. They were upright jjioueers and left an honored name to 
posterity. Our subject is the third in their family of eleven children. He 
came to Flat Rock, this county, in 1S48. He worked several years at his 
trade as carpenter, after which he established a steam saw-mill, and operated 
it for seven years on the place which he now occupies. He then settled down 
to farming, which has been his occupation ever since, He has actpiired a fine 
farm of 110 acres of well-improved land. He has an excellent water supply 
on his place, which has never been known to fail. April 21. 1844. Mr. Burman 
married Miss Catharine Koiner, daughter of Jacob Korner, and to this union 
were born following named children: Mrs. Melissa Buljer. Alonzo, Mrs. 
Fidelia Smith. Mrs. Adeline Reeves and Mrs. Olive Swindler. Mr. Burman 
is a life-long Democrat. He leads a life of useful industry, and is highly 
respected bv the entire communitv. 

WILLIAM CLEMENS (deceased) was born July 12, 1824, in Union 
County, Pennsylvania. His father, John Clemens, a soldier of the war of 
1812, settled in Huron County, Ohio, near the Seneca County line, in 1831, and 
he and his wife finally moved to Adams Township, this county, where they 
remained until their death. William Clemens married. November 11.1 849, Miss 
Mary Ann Alexander, born March 31. 1S2'.I, in Coshocton Coiinty. Ohio. They 
lived in Huron County until 1S()2 when they settled on the present homestead 
in Thompson Township, this county. Here they acquired a fine farm of 340 
acres of well-improved land in this and Huron Counties. This they obtained 
entirely by their own efforts. Their children are Lyman, Mrs. Clara Lofland, 
Mrs. Lucinda Thompson, Mrs. Rose A. Haywood, Charles. Mi's. Julia Higgins 
and Alice. ]Mr. Clemens was killed in the railroad disaster at Ashtabula. Ohio. 
December 29, 187*'). He was an extensive dealer in stock during the last few 
years of his life. He took an active interest in the educatioTial affairs of the 
country, and held the position of school director in l)oth counties for mam- 
years. Seneca County lost one of its most useful and influential citizens when 
he came to his untiniel}' death. His widow now resides on the family home- 
stead. She is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Chiu'ch. 

HON. JACOB DECKER. P. O. Believe. Huron County, was born Jan- 
uary !<"). ISOl), in Union County, Penn. His parents. John and Julia Ann 
(Royer) Decker moved to Wayne County, Ohio, in the spring of 1816, remaining 
there fourteen years, and finally si^ttled in Thom])son Township, this county, in 
1830. John Decker died January 3. 1854. and his widow June 27, lS7r), in 
the eighty-seventh year of her age. Their children were Jacob, John, 
Samuel. Adam (deceased). David (deceased), Mrs. Elizabeth Heater. Mrs. 
Sarah Bargner (deceased) and ilrs. Catherine Harjistei-. The subject of this 
sketch married, Novemljer 1-") 1S32, Miss Susannah Billman. a native of Wash- 



THOMPSON TOWNSHIP. 1005 

ington County. Penii.. and to this union were I)oin John. David. Amos, Mil- 
ton and M)-s. Earliara Slici'ck. He retired from his former active life in 
1S71. and removed to his present residence in Bellcvue, Sandusky Co., Ohio. 
.He was successful in acquiring an estate of over !)()() acres of "land. Mrs. 
Decker dit>d March 27, 1872, and Mr. Decker afterward manied. May 2:^, 
1.S77, Mrs. Sarah Gardner, born in IH2U in Berks County, Peiiu.. daughter 
of David and Lydia Slanker, who settled in "Wayne County." Ohio, about 1S:!2. 
She maiTi<'d Joseph Gardner, who died F(>bi-uary l-"). ISoO! She has two sons: 
Charles D.. in Boylestown, Ohio, and ^\■iIliam H., near Bellevue. Ohio. Hon. 
Jacob Decker is an earnest Democrat, anil has taken an active part in iniblic 
affairs. He was called to serve his township in nearly all of the township 
oifices. including justice of the ]ieace. He also takes a' deep intei-est in tho 
educational affairs of the community. He held the position of county com- 
missioner two terms, and was twice called upon to represent Seneca Coiintv in 
the Ohio Legislatiu-e in 184U, and tho session following, being the last session 
under the old constitution and the first under the new. He has led an active 
and useful life, and the citizens of Seneca County will long bear in honored 
remembrance the names^of Jacob Decker and his father, the pioneer. John 
D(>cker. 

HON. AMOS DECKER, farmer and ex-legislator. P. O. Bellevue. Huron 
County, was born Novemlier II. 1S;59, in Thom[)son Township, this coimty. 
His fath(>i-. the Hon. Jacol> Deckej-, one of the old pioneers of Ohio, -now 
resides in Bellevue. Ohio. Amos was brought up on his father's farm and 
completed his edijcation under Prof. Aaron Schuyler, at Republic. He twice 
offered his services in defence of his country in "the war of the Rebellion, but 
on account of ]>hysical disability was not accepted. October 2(\ ISfil. he was 
married tt) Miss Lucy Paine, daughter of J. W. Paine, and the children by 
this marriage arc Emma. C!lara E.. Susie. Mai-y A.. Charles A.. ]\rattie V., 
Nelson J.. Myra B. and Byron W. Mi-. Decker kns taken a dee]) interest in 
the public affaii-s of the township and county iu which lij> lives. He was 
elected on the Democratic ticket in 1S79 as repr(>sentative of .Sinieca County 
to the Ohio Legislature, and was re-elected in ISSl. Dm-ing both terms he 
served as member and secretary of the committee on agriculture and on claims. 
He faithfully represented his constituency, and left an honorable record as an 
upright h^gislator. Mi-. Decker has been successful in his chosen avocation, 
and has ac<inired an estate of 300 acres of land in Thom]).son Township. l)esides 
other real estate in Sandusky Coiuity. He has led an ;tctive and useful life, 
and is one of the enter] )nsing and influential citizens of Seneca Countv. 

OTLTON DECKER. farm(>r. P. O. Bellevue. Hm-on County, was l>.)rn 
.\ugust ".^11. 1S4I). ill Thom]>sou Townshiji. this county, a son of Jacob Decker. 
After finishing a common school cotu-se he comjileted his education under 
Prof. Aaron Schuyler, at Republic. In November. 1S(>7, he married Miss 
Elvina Good, and in the spring of the following year they settled where they 
now reside. They have a fine farm of 1 20 acres of wellimjiroved land. Mj-. 
and Mrs. Decker are the ])arents of the following chikb-en: Dora. L-vin J., 
Rollin B.. ^lary A. and Ada. Mr. Decker is a Democrat. He is an enter- 
|irising farmer ami a highly resjiected citizen of Thomj)son Townshij). 

SAMI'EL DECKER, farmer and justice of the ])(>ace, P. O. Flat Rock, 
was born August 20. |SK>. in Tlii>iu])son Townshiji, this county, a son of .\dani 
and Sarah (Roinig) Decker, latter of wlu)m dieil when our subject was l)ut nini> 
days old. He then lived with bis grand] larents, Jesse and Susannah Romig, until 
their death, and witli his uncle and aunt, Jo.shua and Julia A. Romig. until th(f 
death of his uncle in IS72. He now owns the farm on which he has resided 

57 



1006 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

all his life. He married. November 5, 1867, Miss Loviua Noel, a daiighter of 
Nicholas and Catharine Noel, and a granddaughter of the pioneer, John Noel. 
The children born to this union are Hattie C, Mary Lovina, Ida Lillian. 
Seney Allen and Samuel Roscoe. Mr. and Mrs. Decker have been successful 
in life, and have acquired a tine farm of 180 acres of fertile and well improved 
land. !Mi'. Decker is a Democrat, and takes a deep interest in public affairs. 
He has served the township as clerk two terms and as justice of the peace, 
which latter office he holds at present. He discharges his duties faithfully 
and to the satisfaction of the best people of the township. 

JOSEPH DICK, farmer and dealer in agricultui-al implements, P. O. 
Frank, was born in Venice Township, this county. May 81, 1838. His parents. 
Stephen and Magdalena Dick, came from Alsace, Germany (then France), to this 
country in 1 S80. After living twenty-two years in Venice Township, tliis count}', 
and seventeen years in Bloom Township, they finally located in Thompson 
Township in 1872. Stephen Dick died June 1, 1870; his widow still lives 
near Frank's Corners. In early maidiood Joseph Dick went to Heed Town 
ship, where he man-ied, February 10, 18(58. Miss Mary Gerhardtstine, of 
Sherman Township. Huron Co. , Ohio. He worked in the hub factory in Heed- 
town three years; then went on a rented farm for three years, and in 1868 
he purchased his present farm of eighty acres in Thompson Township, this 
county. To Mr. and Mrs. Dick have been born ten children: Joseph H.. 
Annie. Katie, Frances, John S. , Louisa, Rosa, Cornelius, Martha, and Cecelia 
(deceased). Mr. Dick has for the past eight years been engaged in selling 
farm machinery ; first for Dick Bros. , Canton. Ohio, and now for the Johnson 
Harvester Manufacturing Comjiany, Bata^aa, N. Y. He has -good success 
among the people, and handles a first-class line of goods. Mr. Dick and fam- 
ily are members of the Catholic Chmch. He has served the township as trus- 
tee three years. He is an enterprising and successful business man, highly 
respected by the entire communitv- In politics he is a Democrat. 

MICHAEL FAUBLE, farmer, P. O. West Lodi, was born February 
10, 1810, in Westmoreland County, Penn. His parents, Michael and Nancy 
Fauble. came to Stark County, Ohio, in 1812, and, six years thereafter, located 
in Wayne County, where they made then- permanent home; they both now lie 
buried in that county. Oiu- subject was the eighth in their family of eleven 
children. He married Miss Susan Fisher October 2-1. 1881, and they came to 
Thompson Township, this county. October 24, 1833, when the county was almost 
an unbroken wilderness. Here they began developing a home, and by their own 
efforts acqxxiring a fanu property of about 995 acres of well-improved land. 
When they c^ime into the county they had neither farming implements nor stock, 
and only $11 in money. They camped five days under a tree, until they could 
get their house raised. To Mr. and ALs. Fauble have been born twelve chil- 
di'en, of whom eight are now living: Mrs. Nancy ^^'yant. Mi's. Jane Bills. Mrs. 
Susan Hall. Mrs. Martha Hoeltzel, Mrs. Caroline Weiker. Edward, Mrs. Lo- 
^^na Neikirk and Michael. Mr. Fauble is a member of the Evangelical Associ- 
ation. Personally he is of robust appearance, wonderfully well preserved for 
his years. He is of a genial, social disposition and has a large number of 
friends wherever he is known. He is one of the oldest and most highly 
respected citizens of Thompson Township; in politics he is a Democrat. 

JOHN GLASSNER. farmer, P. O. Frank, was born Februarj- 3, 1S18, in 
Prussia, twenty-seven miles east of Metz. His jiarents, John and Margaret 
Glassner, immigrated to America in 1834; latter died in Schenectady. N. Y. , 
of cholera, as did her daughter and two children, and the next spring the 
father of our sul)ject came to Ohio, locating, in November, in Thompson Town- 



Tllu.MrSOX TOWNSHII'. 1007 

shii), this county, iuul here began clearing up Jiis farm. }Ie died in 1808, aged 
eighty-four years; hi' was a devout Catholic and one of the foremost in organ 
izing St. Michael's Church. Three of his children are yet living: \VilHam. 
Mrs. Margaret Huller and John. The subject of this sketch was married U, 
Cathrina Gis, in 184U, and their chikli-en are' Mrs. Margaret Eherenfried. .Jolm. 
Agathe, Mrs. Theresa Hej)|). Anna and Mrs. Rosa Ruffing now living, and four 
deceased. Mrs. Glassner dying in ISSO. Mr. (ilassner married, January '20. 
1882, MissSophia Siebe.a resident of Ludlow. Ky. Mr. (51assner piirchased the 
place where he now resides in 1S.')',». Here he has" 4()(t acres of land in une'bodv, 
one of the finest tracts in Seneca County, all acfjuired by his own industry and 
good managemeut. He and his entire family are members of the Catholic 
Church. He has been very liberal in his donations to the church, and has 
helped to build uj) the society here. He is one of the leading and intluential 
citizens of Seneca County. 

SAMUEL GRIMES (deceased) was born in lT8(i. in Xewfane, Windliam 
County, Vt. In 1810 he married Miss Mary Ai-nold. who was born in 
\ t{)2 in Dummei-ston. Yt. They came to Ohio in May. 1828, making 
the entire trip of TOO miles in a wagon, liringing three children with them'^ 
After residing several months in Thompson Townshi]). this county, they went to 
Green Creek Townshii). Sandusky Co. . Ohi< >. where th(>y remained until J 8*28, w hen 
they settled in Thompson Towushij). this county, on a tract of eighty-two acres, 
on the Sandusky County line ; this tract of land Air. Grimes entered from the Gov- 
ernment. They led the lives of upright pioneers and left an honored name to 
po.sterity. Mrs. Grimes died in December, 1858, and Mr. Grimes in June, 
18()8,aged eighty-two years. Of their children, John (deceaseil) was a well-known 
public citizen of Thompson Township and Bellevue. holding civil and church 
olfices in each place, respectively (was man-ied, December :{|, IS.")], (o Miss 
Mary E. ^'ictor, of Thompson, and died at his residence in Bellevue. February 
21, 1882. leavinga widow and two sons): Mrs, Elizabeth Hardenbnrgh died iii 
Ionia Comity, Mich., in January, 1S42, aged twenty-two years; Catharine and 
Mary reside in Thompson Township, and three died in childhood. Mr. and 
Mrs. Grimes gave their children excellent educational advantages. Misses 
Catharine and Mary Grimes took tender care of their aged parents until their 
death, and now occupy the family homestead. They are consistent members 
of the Episcopal Church, as were their ])arenls. They completed their educa 
tion at the Granville Female Seminary, from which Mary "•raduated 

FREDERICK HARPSTER (deceased) was a natiye"<,f .MilHin County. 
Penn. He was married, in bS2(), to Miss Cynthia Barben, and they came at 
once to Ohio, residing in Wayne County until February, 18:-50, when" they set- 
tled at Flat Rock, Thompson Town.ship, this county. He owned all the land 
now occupied by the town, and cleared up the hiost of it. Of then- chiklreu 
two died in chiklhood, Thomas died at the age of twenty-four years. Josejiii 
died at thirty years of age. and Lewis lives in Thompson Townshi]). this 
county. ]Mrs. Harpster died in 1848, and Mr. Harpster afterward married 
Sarah Holenshead. who died live years after their marriage, leavini'one daugh- 
ter, Susan, wife of Amos Armagast. Mr. Harpster afterward manied .Mr^. 
Amanda Orwig. who still survives him. Sh(> has one daughter, Mj-s. Dillie 
Yandersall. Mr. Harjjster died October 8. 1S74. He was a useful and 
upright pioneer citizen, leaving an honored name to posterity. He was suc- 
cessful in acipiiring a fine farm of about 2r)0 acres. He was a member of the 
Evangelical Church, and helped establish the church here. He was very lib- 
eral in supporting schools and churches and was a man active in ])ul)lic affairs. 



1008 DIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

LEWIS HARPSTER, sou of Frederick Harjister. wlicjse sketch appears 
above, was l)orii April HO, 1827. in Wayne County. Ohio, and obtained liis 
education in the jiioiieei' schools of those eaily days. He married. June 1(i. 
ISyO. Miss Elizabeth Beck, born in Centre County, Penu. , October "2."), 1829, 
and came to Flat Rock, this county, in 1849. Her parents, Daniel and 
Jidiann Beck, resided here until their death, the former dying in 1808. the 
latter in 187-1-. Mi', and Mrs. Harjister have two sons living: George Frank 
lin, born February 12, 18-"),"), a promising employe of the ^\'. <fc L. E. Rail- 
road, and Ervin Lewis, born April 12, 1 8*) 1. now farming for his father. Mr. 
and Mrs. Harpster are members of the Evangelical Church. 

HENRY HOOVER, farmer. P. O. West Lodi, was born January 22, 1818, 
in Lancaster (bounty, Penn. His parents. ^Martin and Elizabeth Hoover, 
resided in Thompson Township, this county, the last few yeai's of their lives, 
having come here in 1850. Henry Hoover came to Thom])son Township in 
the spring of 18-11. and here he Ijought a farm an<l began clearing it. He mar- 
ried, in September. ISIH, Sarah Fox. daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Fox, 
and their children are Henry (deceased). Mrs. ^lartha Myers. Margaret, Nancy 
and two who died in infancy, ^lary and Lidy. Mrs. Hoover died April 20. 
lS()t). She was a model wife and mother, and her loss was deeply felt by her 
family and fri(>nds. Our subject ow-ns a farm of 140 acres, part of which 
l)elonged to the old homestead of the Fox family, and he resides on the homestead 
with his two daughters. He belongs to the German Baptist Chtirch: he i-- 
one of the old pioneers and a respected citizen of Thompson Township. 

SAMUEL HORNER, justice of the peace, P, O, Flat Rock, was born 
September 14, 1828, in Rebersburg. Centre Co., Penn., and came to Thomp- 
son Township, this county, in 183.", with his parents, Joseph and Hannah 
Horner, former of whom, a tailor by trade, carried on the tii-st tailor shoj) 
in this vicinity. Joseph and Hannah Horner both died in the summer of 18.");-!; 
they were among the best known and most highly respected citizens of Flat 
Rock; they were the parents of twelve children, six sons Samuel. Jeremiah, 
Obadiah, Hezekiah. Zachariah and Josiah: and six daughters - Mary. Eliza- 
beth, Rebecca. Saiah, Eliza Ann and Susan. Samuel Horner Ijegan learning 
the tailor's trade under his father's instntction, at the age of twelve years, and 
worked with his father until 1848. He then carried on the business with his 
brother, Jeremiah, until 18(')8. Afterward was engaged for several years in 
selling agricultural implements, and fi'om 18()8 to 1.S78 he c.irried on a gen- 
eral grocery in Flat Rock, Ohio. October I'J, 1N48, he married Miss Eliza 
l)eth Harpster. by whom he has one daughter. Mrs. Susan Reahm, and one 
son. George, both children now living in Tiffin. Ohio. Mr. Horner is a life 
long Democrat, and takes a dee}) interest in ])ublic affairs. He has served his 
townshij) as assessor, clerk and treasurer. al)out live years in each ofHce. He 
has held an ai)i)ointment as notary pulilic about twenty-five years: was elected 
justice of the peace in 1884. which office he still holds. 

ANTHONY KERN, fai-mer, P. O. West Lodi. was born April 1, 18l:{. 
in Union County. Peun. He came to Thompson Township, this count_y. in 
1881. with his parents, Peter and Rachel Kern, and they settled in the wilder- 
ness, where they developed a farm. The subjec^t of this sketch married, 
-Yugust 24. 1884. Miss Sophia Eberhard. and in 1S87 thej- settled on the present 
family homestead. The farm was entirely in the woods, and they began clear- 
ing and im|)roviag it. Of their twelve childi'en nine are now living: Henry, 
Eli, Barbara, Ann. Mi-s. Cath(n'ine Fender, Jac(jb, Mrs. Rachel Y'eager. Mi-s. 
Sophia Bowers and Phillip. Mrs. Kern died June 20, 1872. She was a 
model wife and mother, and her loss was deeply felt by her family and fi'iends. 



THOMPSON TOWNSHIP. 1009 

Mr. Kern now lives on the homestead. He has been industi'iou.s iiiid snccessfiil, 
and owns a tiiu- farm of '200 acn^s of well-improved land, besides an interest 
in the \\'est Lodi Flouriui^mills. He and his family are members of the 
Lutheran Chmch. He has iilhnl the position of trustee thi'ee years. Mr. 
Kern is one of the oldest j>ione(>rs of Thompson Township, Seneca County. 
and is higldy resp(>cted by the entire community. In polities he is a Demo- 
crat. 

GEORGE IvEKN, P. O. Bellevue, Hiu'on County, was born January 

1. 1821. in Beaver Township, Union (now Snyder) County. Penn. His 
parents. Jacob and Elizabeth Kern, came to Thompson Towushi]\ this 
county, in 1SIJ8. making the tri]> with wagons. Of their ten childi'en. seven 
are still living: Yost (in Michigan), Mi-s. Hannah Heater. George. M)-s. Uachel 
Zeiber, Edward. Isaac, and Bennwell (in xSew Bedford. Mich.). Jacob Kern 
died about lNr>2: his widow in IS.")."). They were upright (pioneers, highly 
res])ected by a large circle of acquaintances. The sul)ject of this sketch mar- 
ried. June 11. 1N4:1 Miss Harriet Lewis. Ijorn October 2H. IS22. in Cocotoquu 
Township, Berks Co., Peun. , and who came with her [>ai'ents to AVayue 
County. Ohio, in 182U, and to Thompson Township, this county, in 1S82. 
Her parents. Isaac and Susanna (Honberger) Lewis, had the following chil- 
dren: Harriet, Richard (deceased), 5Irs. Ri>becca Stettler (deceased), Mrs. 
Matilda St(>ttler, Solomon. Mrs. Caroline Clemour and ilrs. Mahala Hamkaui- 
mer. They moved to Bellevue aliout 1ST2. where they jiassed the remainder of 
their lives. iLrs. Lewisdying January 20. I87S. aged seventy -seven years, and Mr. 
Lewis May 12, 1S.S8, aged eighty-two years. Mi-, and ilrs. Kern resided in 
York Township, Sandusky Co. . Ohio, after their marriage, and for the last 
twelve years they have resided in Bellevue. They have accpiired :{20 acres of 
land, also town property in Belle^n^e. Their childi'en are William H. (had 
three children, one living). Mi's. Phebe Jane Heater (has sis chikb'en, all living^, 
and Mrs. Hattie Alice Gardner (wife of William H. Gardner, has one daughter, 
Edith Gertrude. Mr. Kern is one of the oldest and most respected pioneers 
of this locality. Mrs. Kern is a member of the Baptist Church. 

ISAAC KF.RN, farmer, P. O. Bellevue, Hm-on County, was boin January 

2. 182S. in Vuion County, Penn.. and at the age of four yeai-s came to Thomji 
son Township), this county, with his father, Jacob Kern. He led the life of a 
pioneer's son, working on his fathei's fann in the summer and attending the 
district school in the winter. March 20, 1.^4'.), he married Miss Tina Sterner, 
who died August N, 1859, leaving three daughters: Mrs. Amanda Scott (living 
in Rej)ul)lic). Mrs. Sarah Ann Huntsberger (deceased) and Mrs. Ida Jane 
Raiib (in Sandusky County). November 22, 1800, our subject married, for his 
second wife. Miss Leah Stetler. by whom he had nine sons: John W., .\llen D.. 
Ezra A.. Mason H. . Rufus M. ( deceased |. Willis A,, EmmonG. . Eddie A. ami 
Warren S. Mr. Kern has been successful in his chosen avocation, and has 
ac([uired a tine farm of 202 acres of we!l-imj>roved land, including the family 
homestead in Thom])son Township. ' He also owns a faiaii of I'U) acres 
near Peabody, Kans. .and a valuable brick block and other property in Bellevnie, 
Ohio. He is one of the stockholders in the Bellevue Bank. He and his 
worthy wife are members of the German Reformed Church. In ])olitics he is 
a Ro|)ublican. He has given his children excellent educational advantages, 
and thev are taking a high position in business and social circl(»s. 

ANTHONY KRUPP, farmer. P. O. Frank, was Ijorn in Bavaria, Germany. 
A])ril 17, 1S27: son of Charles and Catherine Krupp. who came to .\morica 
in 18:5;!, and proceeded at once to Thompson Townshi)), this county, moving 
into the woods, where they began clearing up a farm, which they liought uf 



1'''10 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Georj^e Sams. Their cliildien were Mrs. Catherine Korb. in Sherman. Huron 
Co., Ohio; Henry, who died in Michigan; Joseph, living in St. Joseph County, 
Ind. ; Mrs. Elizabeth Shandorf. in Ionia County, Mich. ; John, in Sandusky 
City, Ohio; Charles, in Ionia County, Mich. ; Mrs. Margaret Albert, in Alpine 
County. Mich. ; Anthony; and Jacob, who died while attending college in Day- 
ton, Ohio, the eld(^st being seventy-eight years of age, and the youngest fifty- 
eight years. The mother died in l(Sr>8, aged sixty-three years, and the 
father in 18()8. aged seventy-nine years. The subject of this sketch has re- 
mained on the homestead farm since coming to this country. Starting with 
seventy acres of land he now has 337 acres, after having given 219 acres to his 
children; and they have added all the biiildings and improvements which now 
stand on their farm. May 15, 18-49, Mr. Krupp mairied Miss Helena Eisan- 
bise, and their childi'en are Mrs. Josephine Kiefer, Joseph, John, Edward and 
Albert, now living, and six deceased. Mr. Krupp and family are members of 
the Catholic Chm-ch. in the building of which in this community he was fore- 
most, and has been very liberal in its support. Being a strong Union man, he 
donated largely for the suppression of the Rebellion. He is one of the leading 
and influential citizens of Thompson Township. 

DANIEL LININGER. farmer, P. O. Flat Rock, was born August 11, 
188'J, in Berks County, Penn. His parents. John and Anna (Deckert) Lininger, 
■resided there until their death, the father dying June 7, 1873, and the mother 
April 3, bSS"), aged seventy-one years and two days. Daniel Lininger came 
to Thompson Township, this county, in 1S()(). and after living here six months 
located in York Towushij), Sandusky Co., Ohio, two years and a half. He 
married, February 18. 1804, Miss Mary Gilbert, born in Sandusky County, Ohio, 
Januaiy 21. 1844. When she was eleven years of age her parents. Perry and 
Barbara (iilljert.died. and after their death she resided in Seneca Coiinty. Mr. 
and Mrs. Lininger are the parents of the following chilch'en: Creighton. Gertie, 
George R.. Weston D., Lillie B. and Amos Wallace, now living, and John M. 
and James deceased. Our subject and family resided in Thompson Township, 
this county, until 1868, when they moved to St. Joseph County, Mich., coming 
to Sandusky County, Ohio, the following year, and in 1870 located permanently 
in Thompson Township, this county. Here they have acquired a fann of 
eighty acres of well-improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Lininger are memliers of 
the Evangelical Church. He is an enterprising farmer, an upright and re- 
spected citizen of Thompson Township; in politics a Democrat. 

HON. JOHN W. PAINE (deceased) was one of the most distinguished of 
Seneca County's citizens. He was born August lU, 1820, and came to Adams 
Township, this county, about 1830, with his parents, John and Sarah Paine. 
In his early life he followed the profession of teaching, in which he was very 
successful. He man-ied, September 12, 1841, Miss Susan Rule, who died 
September 5. 1858, leaving foiu- children: Mrs. Sarah Hensinger, now in Se- 
dalia. Mo. ; William J. ; Mrs. Lucy Decker; and Mrs. Elvira S. Klose. who died 
in Peabody, Kaiis.. April 14, 1885. Mf. Paine afterward married. August 11, 
185'.), Mrs. Mary Collins, born March 4, 1824. in Pickaway County, Oliio; she 
died November 24, 18f)5, leaving one son — Charles E. March lU, 1808, Mr. 
Paine married Mrs. Ann McHenry, born in Bloom Township, this county, No- 
vember 9, 1837, daughter of Benjamin and Anna Huddle, who were among the 
pioneers of that township (she married John McHenry April 24, 1858; they 
resided in Thompson Township, this county, until his death, December 20, 
1804; by him she had five children: Franklin (deceased), MattieV. , Emma 
Kate (deceased), Hardie E. (deceased) and IMrs. Anna D. Rule). INIr. and 
Mrs. Pain(> have one daughter — Mary K. Paine. Mr. Paine died of pneumonia. 



THOMPSON TOWNSHIP. 1011 

Oc'tolxT 12, 1S82. after ii short illness. He was very active in public affairs; 
served as justice of the jjeace fifteen years in Thompson Township; was chosen 
to the Ohio Legislature in 1854, and re-elected in 1850, serving with al)ility 
and distinction. He was admitted to the bar, and practiced law about twenty- 
five years. Personally Mr. Paine was a man of powerful physique, being six 
feet five inches in height, and well proportioned. He was successful in his 
enterprises, and accpiired a large estate. His memory will long be honored by 
the citizens of Sent>ea County. Jlrs. Paine now resides at the family home- 
stead. She is a consistent member of the Christian Union. 

SAMUEL EOYER (deceased) was born February 23. 1X25, in Stark 
County, Ohio, and was a son of John Royer. He married, November 9, 1848, 
Miss Mary Ann Biinn, who was born in Perry County, Penn., November 2, 
1830; her parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Leiter) Bunn, of Pennsylvania, came to 
Thompson Township, this county, in April, 1833. and here they settled upon an 
entirely new farm, which they cleared up and imjiroved; their children are Mrs. 
Mary A. Koyer, Mrs. Catherine Good. Mrs. B.arbara Hover. Benjamin F. and Judge 
J. F.Bunn. Mr. Bunn died March 30, 1878, aged soventy-six years and one day; 
he was an upright pioneer, and lived an active and useful life; he resided the 
last years of his life iu Belleviie. Sandusky Co., Ohio; he was a carpenter by 
trade but spent his life in this county on the farm. Active injiublic affairs.he 
held the position of ju.stice of the peace ten years, and was successful in acquir- 
ing a large and valuable property. He was a member of the Reformed Church. 
Mrs. Bunn resides in Thompson Township, this county, and is now in her 
seventy-eighth year. She is a member of the Reformed Church. Mr. and 
Mrs. Roy(>r settled on the present family homestead after their marriage. 
They acquired a fin(> estate of 400 acres of well-improved land, all iu Thomp- 
son Township, this county. Their childi-en are Mrs. Barbara Ellen Benuehoff, 
J. C. Royer. :Mrs. Ida L." \Vollenslegel, J. B. Royer, Mrs. Mary S. Friedley, 
Samuel F.. Benjamin B. and Nora T. Mr. Royer died August 22, 1884. He 
was an industrious and successfiil farmer, highly respect(>d by all. He and 
his worthy wife were active members of the Reformed Church, and assisted 
liberally in building the cliurch in Thompson Township. Mi-s. Royer now 
resides at the family homestead. She is a lady of estimable Christian charac- 
ter, esteemed by a large circle of friends. 

JOHN ROYER. Jit., farmer, P. O. Flat Rock, was born March 20. 1831, 
in Thompson Township, this county, a son of the famous pioneer John Royer. 
He is said to be the first child born to a Pennsylvanian settler in Thompson 
Township. He endured the usual lot of a pioneer's son, and attended the 
))rimitive schi,>ols of those early days. He man'ied Miss Barbara Bunn December 
4. 1852, and in 1855 they moved to Erie County, Ohio, there remaining seven 
yeai's, then proceeded to Sandusky County, Ohio, where they resided four years, 
and in March, ISfif), they finally located where they now reside, in Thompson 
Township, this county; here they have acquired a line farm of 140 acres of 
v.ell-iniproved land: their residence stands within ten rods from where wjis lo- 
cated the house in which Joseph Parmenter, in 1820. held the first township 
election of Thompson Township. Jlr. and ^Irs. Royer are parents of Leander 
K., Jlrs. Salome .V. Rubert. ^Irs. Lydia A, ^Vollenslegel (now in Kansas), 
Cerena E.. Jared (deceased), Mary N, . John Douglas, Jacob McClellan (in 
Kansas), Samuel Vallandigham, Emma M. . Isaac W'illiard, Benjamin Franklin 
S. , Solomon I. . Clement L. , Elda E. and Lulu V. Mi-, and Mrs. Royer are 
members of the Re-formed Church. He is a life-long Democrat, and takes a 
deep Intercast in public affairs. He is one of the enterprising and influential 
farmers of Thompson Township, highly respected by all who know him. 



1012 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

GEORGE RUBARD, physician and sm-geon. Flat Rock, was born De- 
cember 2. 1847, in Thompson Township, this county. His parents Edward 
and Eva (Harpster) Rnbard. of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively, 
were married in Thompson Township, this county, and reared a family of six 
sons and on« daughter. Oiu- subject, who is their foiu"th son, took his pre- 
I)aratory medical course under Dr. Sandmeister, of Belleviie, and afterward 
attended lectures in the Cincinnati Eclectic College, graduating in February. 
1871. He at once commenced the practice of his chosen jsrofession in Flat 
Rock, and liy faithful application to his work has built up a large practice. 
Dr. Rubard married for his first wife Miss Mollie O. Mull, in 1870; she died 
June 24, ISSl. leaving tliree children: John Irvin, Blanehie E. and Bertha 
Caroline. February 10. 1883, Dr. Rubard was again married, this time to 
Miss Marv A. Biu'gner, by whom he has one son — HaiTV E. 

CHARLES SANDMEISTER. physician and surgeon, P. O. Bellevue, 
Hiu'on County, was born February 22, 1831, in Hesseu Cassel, Germany. 
His father. John George Sandmeister, was a merchant in the town of Hersfeld, 
where he died in 1853. Qui' subject immigrated to America and to Belle\iie, 
Ohio, in 1851; here he studied medicine imder Dr. Ovei-miller, of Tiffin, fi-om 
1853 to October, 1855. He then moved to Thompson Township, where he be- 
gan the practice of his profession, locating on or near the Kilbourne road. 
He afterward attended lectures and graduated at the Eclectic Medical Institute 
of Cincinnati in 1864. The Doctor married. October 22, 1860, Miss Helena 
Wygant. of Sandusky City, Ohio; her parents died of cholera, in 1852. The 
Doctor and wife remained in Thompson Township until 1873, when he located 
permanently in Belle^•ue. Dr. Sandmeister still takes a deep interest in 
Seneca County as his former home. He has 227 acres of land in Thompson 
Township, and also owns a fine residence and several valuable pieces of prop- 
erty in Bellevue. He has four children: William, Charles, Katie and Emma. 
They are intelligent and enterprising young people and have taken a high 
position in society. In 1877 the Doctor visited Germany and brought his 
mother to America; she died in April, 1882. aged seventy-seven years. Doc- 
tor Sandmeister is of portly build and of a genial, social disposition. He is 
recognized as one of the most skillful and scientific physicians in this pai-t of 
the State. He has built up a large practice both in the city and country, and 
enjoys the closest confidence of the j)eople with whom he associates. 

GEORGE SCHOCK. P. O. Flat Rock, was born March 2. 1812, in Union 
County, Penn. He was married, Februarv 1^ 1835, to Miss Rachael Kornor, 
who was born in the same county, December 25, 1816. Our subject and wife 
started April 13, following then- maiTiage, for Thompson Township, this 
county, reaching here on the 28th. Mr. Schock had previously been out here 
in 1833 and 1834. His parents, George and Margaret (Seibert) Schock. and 
her parents, Andi'ew and Sarah (Hendi-icks) Korner. all came to Thompson 
Township in 1836. and resided here until their death. Our subject located on 
the land now owned by Peter Stetler. He and his brother-in-law, Jacob Kor- 
ner, laid out the most of the town of Flat Rock (formerly called Lewisville) in 
1840. He carried on a diy goods and general store in this place fi-om 1850 to 
1854. To Mr. and Mrs. Schock have been born twelve childi-en, of whom eight 
are now living: Mrs. Elvina Crouse, in Findlay, Ohio; Jacob, in Leona, 
Kans. ; Benjamin Franklin, in Norwalk, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Kendall, in Flat 
Rock. Ohio; Islrs. Caroline Leiter: ]Mi's. Mai'garet Shadel, in Belle^^Ie. Ohio: 
Mrs. Elizabeth Harpster. in Blue Springs. Neb., and Prof . Charles H. Schock, 
in Bloomville. Ohio. Their children, grandchildren and gieat-grandchildren. 
living, now number thirty-six in all. ]Mr. and Mrs. Schock are worthy mem 



THOMI'SON TOWNSHIP. 1013 

I)ois of the Evani,'olic!il associiitiou. la t'iirly life they wore Luthorans. They 
aro now liviaj? a retireil life, honored by their descenilauts and respected l)y 
all who know them. 

FERDINAND SCHOEFFEL, merchant, and postmaster at Frank, was 
born July '2i. 1844, in Alsace. France (now Germany). He received his edu- 
cation in the French and German languages in his native country. In Octo- 
ber, ISG"), he entered the French Army to serve his regular term of seven 
years. He served through the war in Italy against Garibaldi, in 18()7. and in 
the Franco-Prussian war in 1870 and 1871. He was in seven battles, includ- 
ing St. Barbe, St. Briva,Gravelotte. ]Mars-la-Toiu' and others. His term of serv- 
ice ended December 81, 1S71. October '2.'2, of the same year, he married 
Miss Magdalena Reiff. They came to America and to Fremont, Ohio, ^lay 18, 
1.873. Mr. and !Mrs. Schoeffel have four childi-eu: Magdalena, Mary, Joseph 
and Anna. After carrying on a barber shop in Fremont for seven years Mi-. 
Schoeffel pm-chased the store in Frank, Thompson Township, this county, 
January 6, 1880, where he now can'ies on business and has a large and pros- 
perous trade with the surrounding country, being a successful business man, 
highly res{)ect(>d by the comuiunity in which he lives. He is also postmaster 
at Frank. He is a mem!)er of the Catholic Church. 

HON. JOSEPH SHERCK. mayor of Bellevue, Ohio, was born November 
1(1. 1828, in Mifflin County, Penu. His parents. John and Magdalena Sherck, 
came to Thompson Township, Seneca Co., Ohio, October 1. 1834. and re- 
moved to St. Joseph County, Mich., in 18(')8, where Mrs. Sherck died in Feb- 
ruary, 1882. John Sherck. now eighty-five years old, still resides in St. Jo- 
seph County, Mich. The subject of this memoir received his education in 
Thom]->son Township. He married. August I'J, 1851, Miss Barbara A. Decker. 
daughter of Hon. Jacob Decker, and they have two children: Mrs. Mary A. 
Miller and Charles M. Sherck (a clothing merchant in Bellevue. Ohio). In 
18(50 Mr. Sherck purchased his father's homestead at the center of the town 
ship — a farm of 1()() acres of well-improved land, which he still o^nls. In 
1873 he moved to Bellevue and established a large saddle and harness busi- 
ness, from which he retired in 1884. ^Ir. Sherck is a Democrat, and takes a 
deej) interest in public affairs. "While in Thompson Township, this county, 
he served as ju.stice of the peace nii}e years. He was elected mayor of Belle- 
vue in April, 1882, and re-elected in 1884. He has led an active and use- 
ful life, and is honored and respected by all who know him. 

SAMl'EL STEWART (deceased) was born in Lancaster County, Pcnn., No- 
vember 1, 1800. His mother died in Lancaster County, and his father, James 
Stewart, moved to Buffalo Vall(>y. Union County. There om' subject Ix'came 
acqiuiinted with and married, in November, 182t'), Miss Sarah Wilt, who was 
born in that county February ITi, 180U. They came to Seneca County, Ohio, 
in 182'.), locating in Thompson Township in October of that year, where they 
jjui'chased a farm, which they cleared and developed. In 1807 they retired 
fi'om the farm and located in Flat Rock. Here Mr. Stewart died November 2. 
i 870. He' was a successful farmer, and acquii-ed a handsome property. He 
was a Democrat in his early life, but during the war ho becamt< an earnest 
Republican and remained so until his death. He and his wife were memb(>rs, 
from early life, of the Congregational Church. Mr. Stewart was an upright 
|>ioneer of the strictest integrity, highly respected by all who knew him. He 
was tliP father of eleven children, and those who lived to maturity wore Mrs. 
Amanda Weiker. Mary, Martha. David, James (now in Williamson County, 
Tenii. ), Sarah. George. Newton (now in Falls City, Neb.), all deceased except 
David. James and Newton. Mary went to Vicksburg. Miss., as a teacher in 



1014 ' BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Fol)niary. 186."), and died tbiTO in June of the same year. Mrs. Stewart now 
resides in Flat Rock. Ohio. 

DAVID STEWART, railway postal clerk. P. O. I'lat Rock, was born 
April 8. 1837. in Flat Rock, Seneca Co., Ohio, His parents, Samuel and 
Sarah (Wilt) Stewart, natives of Pennsylvania, located on Section 2, Thomp- 
son Township, Seneca Co. , Ohio, in ] 82U. The countrj' was then new. and 
they began the pioneer woi'k of clearing up their farm. They remained on 
this farm until April, 1807. when they moved into Flat Rock, adjoining their 
farm. Of their eleven children three are living: David. James H. (now in 
Davidson County, Tenn. ) and Isaac Newton (now in Falls City, Neb.). 
Samuel Stewart departed this life November 1. 1870, exactly seventy-two 
years of age. His widow survives him; she is now seventy-nine years of age. 
and is living in Flat Rock. The subject of this sketch attended the schools of 
the home district, and completed his education with a short course under 
Prof. Aaron Schuyler, at Reiniblic. Ho mamed. May 18, 1858. Miss Fannie 
Bunn, born in Thompson Township, this county, April 29, 1841. Her par- 
ents, John and Susanna (Peten) Bunn. were married in that township, where 
they resided until 18(')7. when they moved to Three Rivers. Mich., where Mrs. 
Bunn died September '2. 1880; ]\Ir. Bunn still resides there. To this union 
were burn the following children: Ella I\Iay, Mrs. Carrie Belle Schock, Wal- 
ter D. , Arthur J. . Mary Matilda, John Rolland and Susanna B. Mr. and 
Mrs. Stewart have resided in Flat Rock since their marriage. He established 
a general mercantile store in 18r>9, which he caiTied on until February, 1870. 
In February, 1874, he was tendered a position in the United States Mail Serv- 
ice as railway postal clerk, which he accepted, and has steadily risen in the 
service until he now holds the position of head clerk. Oiu- subject and wife 
are consistent members of the Evangelical Church. He is a Royal Arch Mason 
and a member of the K. of H. 

JOHN M. TERWILLIGER. merchant, and postmaster at Flat Rock, Ohio, 
was born November 3. 1881). in Bloomsburg. Columbia Co.. Penn. . where his 
[)arents, Abraham and Hannah Terwilliger. resided until their death. He 
came to Thompson Township, this county, December 25, 1857, and commenced 
learning the wire-maker's trade. In July. ISfil, he enlisted in the Thuiy- 
fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in the campaigns of 
Western Virginia, taking part in the active operations in that part of the field. 
He was captured by the enemy June 10, 18(54, at Buchanan, Va., and was 
held prisoner ten months in Andersonville, Ga. He received an honorable 
discharge from the service in June, 1805. leaving a fine record as a brave and 
faithful soldier, always ready for the discharge of duty. Returning to this 
county he again devoted himself to his trade. March 22. 1860, he mamed 
Miss Sarah Mohn, of Thompson Township, this county, and by this union 
were born Sylvia C, Katie E., Etna M.. Calvin C. and William M. Mr. and 
Mrs. Terwilliger are worthy members of the Evangelical Church. He is an- 
earnest Republican, and takes a deep interest in pul)lic affairs. He is a mem- 
ber in high standing of the I. O. O. F. In September, 1881, Mr. Terwilliger 
was appointed postmaster at Flat Rock, and in August, 1882, he established 
a grocery and provision store, moving the postoffice into the store. 

ALEXANDER TITTLE, farmer, P. O. Bellevue. Huron County, was born 
March 8, 1840, in Snyder County. Penn. His parents, Henrj- and Rebecca 
Tittle, pass(>d their entire lives in that county. Alexander Tittle came to 
Thompson Township, this county, when he was eighteen years of age. He 
enlisted in the Thu'd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavahy, September 10, 1861, 
and served in the .\rmy of the Cumberland, taking part in the campaigns 



i 



THOMPSON TOWNSHIP. 1015 

throiitrhout the '\\'est and Southwest. He was taken prisoner near IMcMinn- 
ville. Tcnn., but was exchanged in about fifteen dfiys. He re-enlisted with his 
roi^iment. serving in all four years, and was discharged August 10, 180"). He 
left an honorable recoi'd as a bravo and faithful soldier, always ready for the 
discharg>> of duty. Returning home he married Miss Almira Zeiber, daughter 
of Jacob and Rachel (Kern) Zeiber. former of whom came from Snyder Coun- 
ty. Penn., to Thomj)son Township, this county, about INI'"), and owniul a farm 
of Ti'iO acres: he died .Tannary '27, ISTt), aged fifty-seven years: his widow now 
resides in Bollevue, Ohiv); they were the parents of the following children: 
Almira. Daniel. ^N'ilson, Mrs. Mary Kageris. and two deceased. Mr. and Mr.s. 
Tittle have thrw son.s: Samuel RLchard. Arthur and Ervin. Mr. Tittle has 
two fine farms of 120 and 280 acres, each, of fertile land. Politically ho is a 
Republican. Hi; and his wife are members of the Refonned Church. 

ISAAC WEIKER. farmer, P. O. Belkmie. Huron County, was born No- 
vember 17. 1842, in Thompson Township, this county. His father. Elias 
Weiker, of Snyder County, Penn.., came to T)hio when he was sixteen years of 
age, and finally setthvl in Thompson Township, this county, in 1833, with his 
parents, George and Susanna Weiker, who passed the last few years of theii' 
lives in Bellevue. Elias Weiker married Miss Maria Heater, daughter of John 
Heater. She had oi<rht chikb-en, five of whom are living; she died about 
18()0, and "Mi: \\'eiker has since married a second time, and now resides in 
Belle^Tio. Isaac Weikei' was reared on the farm on which he now resides. Ho 
man-ied, December 31. 18()3, ]Miss Caroline Fauble. daughter of Michael Fan- 
ble, and born in Thompson Township, this county. Of their nine children seven 
are living: Mrs. Cora Bell Garmen. ]Mrs. Sarah Jane Garinep. \\illiam ^V.. 
Amanda Estella. John P.. James Franklin and Jessie Ann. Mr. and Mrs. 
Weiker have a fine farm of 100 acres of well-improved land. They are mem- 
b(>rs of the Christian Union. Mr. A\'eiker has been trustee two terms. He is 
one of the most enteiprising citizens of Thompson Township, highly respected 
bv the entire commnnitv. In politics he is a Democrat. 

SAMUEL WYANT, teacher, P. O. Flat Rock, was born March 21, 1837. 
in Scipio Township, this county. After attending the district school he com- 
pleted his education under Prof. Aaron Schuyler, at Republic. At the age of 
twenty years he commenced teaching in this county, a profession he has fol- 
lowed during, the winters ever since. About the same time he became engaged 
in selling lightning rods throughout this and adjoining counties: he has con 
tinned this ever since, and in 1877 added the business of selling rubber liucket 
l)umps, manufacturing the pumps himself at Flat Rock, this county. Mr. 
Wyant mairied Miss Susie Koruer May 30. 18fi5. She died February '.). 1871, 
leaving one son (Clandie) and one daughter (Addio, now the wife of Alton 
Heter). June 21, 1870. Mr. Wyant maiTied for his second wife Miss Jennie 
Brown, of Clark County, Ohio, a native of Miami County, Ohio. They hav(> 
one daught'^-, Graeie. Mr. Wyant is a member of the United Brethren 
Church, Mis. Wyant of the Evangelical Church. 



1016 BIOGKArillCAL SKETCHES : 



VENICE TOWNSHIP. 

•JOHN AKMATAGE, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Carrotheis. was boiii 
ill Baltimore. Md.. December 15, ISOfi, sou of Roger and Margaret (Hayes) 
.Irmatage, also natives of Maryland, of English descent, and who were parents 
of fonr cbildi'en, John being next to the eldest. Roger Armatiige was sexton ft)r 
the Society of Friends in Baltimore for many years. Onr subject recei\ed a 
limited education and first entjaged in drivinsr a milk wation and working in a 
daily, an occupation he followed for eleven years. He was an economical lad, 
and in 1S2U he started for the new county, settling in the woods of Venice 
Township. Previous to leaving Baltimore he had the method of tapping 
trei^s for sugar explained to him. and on arriving here, in the sugar season, 
immediately commenced operations and had tapped quite a number of oak 
instead of majile trees before he discovered his mistake, but before the season 
of 18:i() closed ho was a good hand at the business. He tirst entered eighty 
acres which he sold, then bought three eighties, and he has now 2( M) acres where 
he resides, located in Seneca and Crawford Counties. He has made farming 
the principal business of his life, and has l)een remarkalily successful. Mi-. 
Armatago was married, in 183(), to Mary Parlett, of English and Welsh descent, 
and this union was blessed with five children; Mary E., married to H. Royce 
and had three children (the family are all deceased); Rebecca, wife of Elisha 
Roberts, a farmer of Venice Township, this county; John W.. now a prom i 
neut farmer, born in Venice Township, this county, in 1884, married in 1858 
to Elizabeth McClelan (had nine children: Wesley, George. Etta J. (wife of 
John B. McCibben), Thomas (deceased). CJharles, Alvin, Louis, Erwin and 
Bertie); Margaivt, wife of John A. Whitmire: George W. (deceased) was a 
farmer in early life, but later a merchant (he was twice nianued and by tirst 
wife had two children ; Robert, now a hardware merchant in Attica, and Bell, 
and by his second wife, two childi-en: William and Jay). Our subject is a 
Republican in politics. He and his family are members of the Protestant 
ilethodist Chunih. 

ROBERT ARMATAGE, of the firm of Armatage & Wurts, dealers in 
hardware, stoves, tinware, farming imjileminits. spouting, paints, oils, etc.. 
Attica, was born in Venice Township, this county, April 8. 1801, sou of George 
W. and Mary J. (Walker) Armatage, natives of this county, and of German 
descent. His grandfather. John Armatage, now a prominent farmer of Venice 
Township, this county, settled here in 1827. George W. Armatage (subject's 
father) born in 1829, was reared on the farm, received a common school edu 
cation and made farming the lousiness of his life. He died in 1881. Robert, 
the eldest in a family of four children, grew up on the farm, attending the 
Attica school. When eighteen years of age he embarked in business on his 
own account, dealing in agricultural implements. His father l)ought a hard- 
ware store in 1888. and aftiu' his death the stock was purchased by the firm of 
Armatage & \\'urts. who are now cai'rving on the business. 

E. D. BEMENDERFER. senior" member of the firm of Bemenderfer \ 
Co., manufacturers of sash, d )ors and l)linds. inanufactory located on Higli 
and West -Main Streets. Attica, was born in Stark County. Ohio, May 18. 18-12. 
son of Samuel and Chri.stine (Funk) Bemenderfer, natives of Virginia and 



VENICK TOWNSHIP. 1017 

Ohio. i'('S])octivt>ly. and of (icrmaii descent. The fathc'i- of our subjcot. who 
settled in Venice Townslii]). this county, in ISl'J. and who was a successful 
farmer, died in ISM: of his eifijht childn>n, si>ven are now livinix. all residents 
nf Seneca C'ounty exce))t Jacol). wlio is now in New Mexico. The iauiily are 
members of the Lutheran Church. Our subject was reared on the farm, anil 
after ri'ceivin<r a common school education attendcHl the academy at Ke])ublic. 
and in early life tauf^ht school. In ]8(3<) he embarked in the manufacture of 
liandles and rakes, which in 1874 was merged into his present V)usin(>ss. The 
building is two stories high, nearly seventy feet square, and the firm employ 
tift(^en men. and manufacture about 1.000. 000 feet of luml)er annually. Mr. 
Bemenderfer was married, in 1S()7. to Mary Jane, daughter of John KoUer and 
of (lerman descent, by wliom h(> has two children: Esther and Hari-y. Mrs. 
Uemenderfer is a membei- of the Ha]>tist Church. Mr. Bemenderfer is a Pro- 
hil)itionist in ])olitics. and a menil)erof the I. O. O. F. He is now in the town 
council. 

AV. K. BEMENDEBFIOK. farmer. P. (). Attica, was born on the farm 
where he now r(>sides, in Venice Township, this county. April '2. l.sr>1; son of 
Sajnuel Bemt>nderfer. who served in most of the township offices, moved to 
Attica in 1872. and for ten years previous to his death led a retired life: liis 
widow now resides in Attica. Ohio. Our subject, the seventh in a family of 
I'ight children, was edu<'ated in the district schools of his native county and has 
followed farming all his life. He is now owner of eighty acres of well- 
improved land. He was united in marriage, in i87H. with Susan, daughter of 
Jacob and Mary (Murray) Hoke, former of whom, of (Tcrman descent, was a 
miller, farmer, and an early settler of Venice Township, this county. To our 
subject and wife has l)een born one child, EHie May. Mr. Bemenderfer has 
acted as school director of Venice Township. 

HARRY G. BLAINE, jihysician. Attica, was born in Wheeling. W. Xii.. 
November 2^^, lSr)8; son of William I. and Nancy (Voshall) Blaine, the former 
a native of Pennsylvania, of p^nglish descent, the latter of Ohio, of Welsh 
lineage. \\ illiam I. Blaine, who has been a printer and editor nearlv all 
his life, is now eiliting the Atlirn .Iniiniiil. Our subject, the third in a family 
of six children, received his education in the schools of Eostoria. Kepul)lic and 
.Vttica, this coimty, and at the age of sixteen commenced to teach school. 
W hen nineteen years old he entered the office of Dr. J. M. Parker, of Attica: 
in 1880 he attended the Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, and afterwai-d 
the Indiana Medical College at Indianajiolis. from which he graduated in 18S2. 
He is now a member of the l>oard of i-egents of that institution. The Doctor 
commenced the publication at Attica, in 18S4, of the Mi'clical Coiujh'ikI. a 
monthly journal of ])ractical me<licine, having a large circulation. He also 
owns the office of the Allien .loiinidl. of which his father is editor. The 
Doctor commenced the practice of medicine at Reedtown. this county, in 1882. 
and in 1888 came to Attica. He is an honorary member of the Toledo Medi- 
cal College Association, of the Northwestern Ohio Association aiid the Ohio 
State Association. In May. 1885, he was elected demonstrator of practical 
anatomy in the Toledo Medical College, and later he was chosen as ]irofessor 
of diseases of women and children iu the same institution, which position he 
now holds. He is a F. &. A. !M. The Doctor was married, in 1877, to Lucy 
E., daughter of James ShanlTs. a farmer of Hiu'on County, Ohio, and of (lei- 
nian descent. The children born to this union are Ernest (t. ami Earl H. 
((wins). Harrv S. and William Cr. O. 

JOHN B." BLI'M. farmer and stock raiser. P. O. Attica, was born in 
France. July I. 1828: son of Joseph and Magdalena Blum, also French pen- 



1018 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

pie, former of whom was u farmer all through life. They reared a family of 
four children, John B. being the third born. Om- subject was educated in 
France and Germany, and came to America April 4, 1850, first settling in Stark 
County, Ohio, but a year later came to this county where he has since followed 
agriciiltui'al piu'suits. Ho now owns two well-improved farms in Venice Town- 
ship. i\If. Blum was married, in 1857, to Mary yi. , daughter of John and 
Catherine (Seen) Steigmeyer. Her father, a farmer and stock-raiser, was born 
in Switzerland in 1811, there received his education, and in 18:55 came to 
America, settling two mdes west of Attica, this county, on the farm where he 
still resides. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Blum ai'e Susan, wife of William 
Hahl (have foiu' children: Maiy M. , Rosa D. , John S. and Edward), and 
Frank J., who is still at home. IMr. and Mrs. Bhmi are members of the 
Catholic Chiu-ch. In politics he is a Democrat. 

LEWIS BOLLINGER (deceased) a pioneer farmer of Seneca County, 
Ohio, was born in Germany. September 14, 1825. He was reared and edu- 
cated in his native land and came thence to Stark County, Ohio, hi 1842, set- 
tling on a farm where he remained two years. He then came to this county 
and bought thirty acres of land in Venice Township. He was a prudent, indus- 
trious man. and at the time of his death, which oceiuTed June 28, 1.S8(1 owned 
250 acres of well-improved land. He was married in this county, in 185t(. to 
Margaret, daughter of Conrad Plouch, a farmer. Her parents w'ere of Ger- 
man origin. To Mr. and JL's. Bollinger were born the following chikb'en: 
Margaret, wife of George Duerr, a resident of Michigan: Phili]): Catherine, 
wife of Samuel Kemrick; Lewis W., married and farming: Louisa, wife of 
David Zellars; Mary E.,wife of Charles Deisler: and Henry, Daniel, Alexander 
F. and John F. at home. They are members of the German Reformed 
Church. Philip, who is a farmer and stoek-raiscr, was born February 20, 
185:3, on a farm in Venice Township, where he was rearc'd and received a com- 
mon school education, aud-iiere he still resid(>s. He was married, in 1878, to 
Anna Mary P'ink, born in Pennsylvania, of Dutch origin, and by her he has 
three children: Ida, George F. and John F. Lewis Bollinger, the subject of 
this sketch, was a )>rominent Democrat, and dui'ing his life held most of the 
public offices of Venice Township; he was frecjuently chosen l)y his party as a 
delegate to political conventions, and was often a memljer of the grand jurv at 
Tiffin. 

A. B. BRANT, dealer in grain, seed, salt and baled hay, came to Attica at 
the time of the bitilding of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and began dealing in 
lumber and grain, abandoning the former in 1882. He is a native of Cumber- 
land County. Penu., born July 11, 1848; son of Michael and Elizabeth (Bower- 
master) Brant. He received his education in the country schools, and began 
business for himself at seventeen years of age. following farming and stock- 
dealing until embarking in his present business. He came to Ohio in 184^), 
and to this county in 1800. He was married, in May, 1S()(^ to Mary J. Myers, 
who died in 1871, and by her he had one child — Millie. His second mar- 
riage, in March, 1875, was with Loa M. Couch. Mr. Brant is an energetic 
business man, and has held important positions in Reed and Venice Townshi]is. 
He is a member of .Attica Lodge No. :5('>7, F. A: X. M. . also of the chapter at 
Republic, Ohio. 

P, A. BUCHM.VN. retired merchant and farmer, Carrothers. was born in 
Bloom Township, this county, June 18, 1843; son of Adam and Catherine 
(Fike) Buchman, natives of Bavaria, Germany, who immigrated to America, and 
located in Pennsylvania, where they resided three years; came then, in 183:5, 
to this county, and settled on a farm in Bloom Township, whi're Adam Buch- 



VENICE Towxsnii>. 1011) 

man (lied in ISM. Thi-ir family cousistetl of oiirht fbildivu, three sons and 
three daughters attaining matimty. five of whom are now living. Our subject, 
the second born, was reared on the farm, anil followed agricultural jmrsuits 
until 1874, when he came to Carrothers and opened a gen(>ral store, subse- 
quently admitting his brother. Jacob, as partner, to whom he sold his interest 
in ISTo. and wh(; is now conducting the business. Our subji'ct built the lirst dwel 
ling house in. Carrothers. He has been financially successful, and now owns a 
farm of 100 acres in Bloom Township, and property in CaiTothers, where he 
resides. He was married, in ISCyO, to Rosa, daughter of Jacob and Annie 
(Neice) Brillhart, of (yermau descent, and to this union were born the follow- 
ing children: ^S"illiam, Ada, liobert. Dellie. Jacob and Early. ,Mr. and Mrs. 
Buchman are members of the Reformed Church, of which he is deacon, and of 
which he served as a member of the l)uilding committee. Politically he is a 
Democrat. 

JOHN H. CARPENTER, deputy United States_ marshal, Attica, was born 
in Richland Township. Huron Co., Oliio. October '2i. 184>5; son of Araasa A. 
and Catherine (Huffman) Carpenter, the former a farmer, born in Steuben 
County, N. Y. , of Scotch descent, the latter a native of Pennsylvania, of Ger- 
man lineage. Amasa A. Cari^enter came to Seneca County, Ohio, in lS4r). and 
lived on a farm until his death in 18.")."). Our subject, the eldest in a family of 
four chikh'on. was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the Attica 
schools and academy at Re])ublio. He enlisted during the lat(> Rel)ellion. in 
180'J, in Com])any I. One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
and served till the clost; of the war. He was twice taken prisoner, on tirst 
occasion managing to effect his esca[)e; the second time was just before the 
close of the war. and he received his discharge in prison. He participated in 
several battles, and was at ^Vinchester when Geu. Sheridan aiTived and turnful 
defeat into victory. After his retiu'n Mr. Carpenter fai-meil for a titne. He 
was married, in 18()7. to Susan, daughter of John Sutton, and a si.ster of Les- 
ter Sutton, of Attica, by whom h(> has one son Harry E. Mr. and Mrs. Car- 
penter are members of the Methodist Protestant Chtu'ch. Mr. Carpenter came 
to Attica in 1S70. and worked at the carpenter's trade here. He served for a 
time as constable, and for fouileen years as marshal of Attica, and in 18S() 
was a])pointed dej)nty United States mar.shal. In coiuiection with his ofMcial 
duties he also deals in I'eal estate. 

J. W. C.\RS()N. farmer and buyer and shipper of live-stock, P. O. Attica. 
w-as born in Harrison Comity, Ohio, December 'S. 1S18; son of Samuel and 
Elizabeth (Wiloughby) Car,son. natives of Pennsylvania, members of the 
M(>thodist Chiu'ch: the former, who was a farmer, was liorn in 1788. of Irish 
descent, served in the war of IS 12. came to Venice Township, this county. 
A[)ril 1 1. lS8o. and died here in his seventy- ninth year: the latter, of German 
and English lineage, lived to be seventy-one years old. They were parents of 
eleven children, eight of whom are now living. Our subject's grandfather. 
Robert Cai-son. served as a soldier all through the Revolutionary war and early 
came to this county, where he died in LSM'!: his wife died in Mcay. 188(). and 
was the first one buried in the graveyard, neai- what is kniiwn as the Swam]> 
Church. Our subject received a common school education, and for nearly a 
• (uarter of a century has dealt extensively in stock. He is owner of a fine farm 
of eighty acres on which he resides, and some land in Dakota. He was man'ied. 
February 4, 1841, to Mary Ann, daughter of Maurice and Hannah (Davis) 
^Nfoore, the former born in 1707, the latter June '21. 181)0. ami who had a fam- 
ily of thirteen children, twelve attaining maturity and nine still living. Mr. 
Moi)re. a farmer by occupation. was one of the pioneers of Seneca County, com- 



1020 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

ing hero in IS^U. Heclied October 7. 1SS8, bis wife liaviiig preci-dt'd liiiu Feli- 
ruarj' 10, same year. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Carson was blessed with 
twelve children, nine growing to manhood and womanhood, of whom eight are 
now living: Margaret Jane, wife of John H. Gaddis. a farmer of Venice Town- 
ship: Hannah Ann. wife of John L. Retting, a farmer in Huron County, Ohio: 
Sarah M. . wife of John Harter, a farmer in Crawford County, Ohio; S. B. , an 
extensive land agent in Dakota, and also the owner of over 1,00(1 acres of land 
on which the town of Ctirson is located: Eliza A., wife of Henry "Werder, a 
farmer of Van Wert County. Ohio; Mary F., wife of A. M. Friedley, a mer- 
chant in Attica: Ida May. wife of Frank C. Myers, a merchant in Attica, and 
Louetta, wife of Hemy S. Hayes. Mrs. Carson is a member of the United 
Brethren Church. Mr. Carson is a great reader and usually takes fi-om eight 
to ten newspapers. He has served as assessor and townshij) trustee. Politically 
ho is a Republican. 

JAMES L. COUCH, justice of the peace. Attica, was born in Niles Town- 
ship. Cayuga Co., N. Y.'. May -"i. ISIO: son of Joel B. and Phoebe (Ladow) 
Couch, the former a native of Connecticut, of English descent, the latter of 
Saratoga County, N. Y. . of French lineage. They were the parents of twelve 
children, eio-ht of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. James L. . the 
fourth born, was reared on the farm, receiving a common school education, and 
at the age of eighteen learned the wagon-maker's trade, at which he worked 
for many years. He was married, in 1 834. to Celestia. daughtei- of Asahel 
Wood, and the childi-en now living that were born to this union are Frances, 
wife of Isaac Raymond; Joel B. , mai'ried, living in Napoleon. Henry CoTinty. 
Ohio; Mary E., wife of Williard Oreen. and Celestia A., wife of David A.Boyle. 
Mrs. Conch died in IS.'iO, and our subject subsequently married Marj' H. 
Wheeler, a cousin to his first wife, by whom he had thiee children: Addie E. , 
wife of A. B. Low: Loa M. . wife of A. B. Brant; and Nettie W.. wife of Rev. 
J. F. Rice, a minister in charge of the Universalist Church, at Attica. Mr. 
and Mrs. Couch are members of the Universalist Church here. Mi-. Couch 
moved to Huron County, Ohio, in 1837, settling in Bronson Township; in 184S 
he located in Norwich Township. Hm'on County, where he farmed and built a 
saw-mill, which he ran successfully several years; then came to Attica, in 1S7"2. 
He is a Democrat in politics and has tilled several of the township offices of 
Bronson and Norwich Townships in Huron County, and Venice Township in 
this county. He has served as mayor of Attica; three terms as justice of the 
])eace, and also as township and village clerk of Venice and Attica, respeetivelv. 
He is a F. tV" A. M. . and a member of the I. O. O. F. 

CYRUS N. C_RABBS, farmer, P. O. Attica, was born in Seneca County. Ohio. 
October 10, 1857. and is the youngest of the five sons of James Madison and 
Mary N. (Houston) Crabbs. the former a native of Pennsylvania, of Englisli 
descent, the latter born in Ohio, of Revolutionary parentage. James M. Crabbs 
was a carpenter by ti-ade, also had possession of a large farm situated in 
Seneca County. By haid work and exposure to bad weather, he contracted a 
cold which terminated in death; he left five young boys. Oiu' sul)ject was 
reared oji the farm, attended the common schools in Venice Township and 
olitaini'd a collegiate educatiou at Valparaiso. Ind. He chose teaching as his 
profession, went to Mansfield, Ohio, took a regular teacher's course and grad- 
uated in 187U. He has taught in this county every winter, except one, since 
he was nineteen years of age. Mr. Crabbs is a good scholar, an able debater 
and a fine political speaker. He is a Republican in jiolitics and took an active 
part in the campaign <}f 18S4. making several speeches. Oiu' snlijeet hasbeeti 
twice married: on first occasion in 1881. to Ellen, daughter of John Crothers; 



VENICE TOWNSHIP. 1021 

sh(> dying in 1SS2, Mr. Cr.ibbs wa.s again married, this time in 1884, to Miss 
Jennie, (laughter of Peter Keesy, a prominent farm(>r of Huron County, Ohio, 
and of English descent. Mi-s. C'ralihs is a member of the United Brethren 
Church. 

D. J. DECK, physician, Carrothers, was born in Lebanon County, Penn., 
August 22, 18.")."), and is the only son of Jacob and Maria (Wise) Deck, also 
natives of Pennsylvania, and of (Jernian descent. .Jacob Deck, who was twice 
married, has be(>n a farmer all his life. Our subject, who is the youngest of 
six children, obtained his literary education at Palatinate College, Pennsyl- 
vania, whence he graduated in 1878. After traveling in the Western States 
one year he returned to Harrisburg, Penn., studied medicine and was admitted 
to practice in 1877, having graduated from the ITniversity of Pennsylvania, Phila- 
deli>hia. He then came to INlcCutchenville.Ohio. ;uul the same year to Carro- 
thers, where he has since remained in active practice. He was married, in 
1877, to Almira. daughter of Benjamin and Eliza (Miller) Reemo, who were 
of German origin, and to this union have been born thr(>e childi'eu: Keeme, 
Dessie and Elabel. Mrs. Deck is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
In politics Dr. Deck is a Republican. He is a member of the Patriotic Sons 
of America and of the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of the CleiTuan 
Lutlieran Church. 

PROF. RUSSELL B. DRAKE, superintendent of public schools, Attica, 
was born in A\'ood County, Ohio, January 1."), IHW. son of Joseph and Ro- 
sanna (Bowers) Drake, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively, and 
of English descent. His father, a farmer by occupation, was a jiioneer of 
Wood County, Ohit), and obtained land from the Government, President 
Jackson (whom he had i)reviously voted for) signing the deed. Our subject, 
the youngest in a family of seven children, lived on the farm until seventeen 
years of ag(\ when h(> graduated at Fostoria High School and commenced 
teaching school for the piu'pose of obtaining funds to prosecute a thorough 
classical education. He then attended Oberlin College, and while at that in- 
stitution, in 1875, received a favorable offer and accepted the superintendency 
of the public school at Allouez, Mich., where he remained for two years. He 
then went to Central Mine. Mich., where he was superintendent of a school for 
foiu' yeai's. In 1888 the Professor accepted his present i)o.sition. He was 
man'ied, March 28, 1878, in Hancock County, Ohio, to Miss Ruth, daughter 
of J. Redfern. whose parents were natives of England. Her father, a fiirmer, 
was on(> of the early pioneers of Hancock County, Ohio. Mi's. Drake has also 
taught school and was one of Mr. Drake's assistants while in Michigan. Their 
children are as follows: Alba A., Lillie A. and William A. Oiu- subject and 
wife are members of the Methodist Church, in which he is class leader, and 
while in Michigan was licensed to jireach. Mr. Drake is also teacher in and 
assistant supei'intendent of the Sabbath-school. He is a member of the 
I. O. O.F. and A. O. U. M'. societies. 

JACOB EBERSOLE, retired farmer, Attica, was born in Cumlierland 
(bounty, Penn., Septemlier 12, 18tl7, son of .John (a farmer) and Elizabi>th 
(Eberly) Ebersolc, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. Of their 
nine chililren, Jacob, the second born, was reared on a farm, receiving a com- 
mon Bchool education. He has made fanning the business of his life, and has 
resided in Venice Township, this county, since 1884. He settled in the woods 
when he came here, and thinks he has cleared 200 acres of heavily timbered 
land with his own hands, the first being 1t)0 acres, which he obtained from 
the State, and seventy acres which he purchased and lately sold to Isaac, the 
second .son that is living. Since ISliC) Mr. Ebersole has resided in Attica. He 

S8 



1022 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

bought eleven acres of land near the village, when he came here, the most of 
which he has laid out in town lots. He was married, in 1832, to Mary, daughter 
of John Rarisk, and of Pennsylvania-Dutch descent. Their children ai'e as 
follows: Henry, Mary, Elizabeth, Isaac, Amanda. Emma and Andrew. Mrs. 
Eber.sole dying in 1853. our subject was married, on second occasion, to Sophia 
E. Burns, a native of Kentucky, daughter of Michael and Sarah (Barlow) 
Bums, of English descent, the latter born in New York, both of whom lived 
and died in Kentucky. This union has been blessed with one child- -Eva. 
Mrs. Ebersole is a member of the United Brethren Church. Politically Mr. 
Ebersole is a Republican. 

J. B. FALTER, farmer and breeder of tine stock. P. O. Attica, was born 
in Germany December 20. 1826. son of Philip and Christina (Kerner) Falter, 
also natives of Germany, who came thence to Seneca County. Ohio, in 1833. 
Philip Falter, who was a shoe-maker in the old country and a farmer here, was 
twice married, and roared eight childi'on. J. B. being the youngest: the father 
died in 1842. Our subject was reared on the fanu. ol)taiuing his education in 
the log schoolhoiise. He is a good English scholar, and can read, though he 
cannot ^Tite/ the Crennau language. Mr. Falter has been very successful. 
When he started for himself his father gave him SIOO. and to-day he owns 142 
acres of land, well stocked, etc. He was mairied. in 1853, to Margaret Stein- 
metz, born in Alsace. France, in 1832. daughter of Martin and Elizabeth 
(Lang) Steinmetz. also natives of Alsace, and who came to America in 1833, 
and settled on a farm in Seneca County. Ohio. To our subject and wife were 
born th(j following childi-en: Philmenia (wife of John C. Worm). Martha (wife 
of Nathan Worm). John Joseph. Mary Magdalena. Ida, Annie E. . William E. 
and Cornelius, all members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Falter has been 
school director for eleven years. In polities he is a Democrat. 

A. H. FINK, junior member of the fiiTu of Bemenderfer <S; Co.. manu- 
facturers of sash, doors and blinds. Attica, was born in ^Vayne County. Ohio, 
December (5, 1850, son of John R. and Matilda (MOler) Fink, natives of Penn- 
sylvania and of German descent. His father was a cai'penter and a farmer. 
Our subject, the eldest in a family of eight children, was reared on the fann 
and attended district school in Hiu'on County. Ohio. In early life he learned 
the carpenter's trade, at which he worked until he entered his present busi- 
ness. He came to Attica in 1871I. M]-. Fink was married, in 1874. to Martha 
L., daughter of Andi-ew Sheely. of (ierman descent, by whom he has one 
child — Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Fink are memliers of the Methodist Protestant 
Church at Attica. Although Mr. Fink was reared a Democrat, he is a radical 
Republican. He has made what he now possesses by his own exertions. He 
is a man of temperate habits. 

ALFRED FORCE, physician. Attica, was born in the State of New York, 
June 8, 1822, son of Benjamin (a farmer) and Sophia (Caswell) Force, natives 
of New York and Massachusetts, resjiectively. and of English descent. Their 
family consisted of si.\; children, of whom Alfi'ed is the fourth. Our subject 
was reared on the faim. receiving his early education in his native State. He 
was united in marriage, in 1N41. with Lucinda. daughter of Lewis Davison, 
and of English descent, and their children are Alice, wife of S. Tackbury; 
Clarence C. , a physician, and AMntield S. , a medical student in Attica. In 
1852 our suliject came to this county and commenced the study of medicine in 
the office of Dr. Franklin, at Tiffin, subsequently attending the Medical Col- 
lege, Cincinnati, Ohio. He was in active practice till 1804. when he enlisted 
in the One Huntb-ed and Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was 
appointed assistant surgeon of the regiment : most of the time, however, he 



VENICF. TOWNSIlll'. 1023 

filled the position of siirgcou- nifijor. At the close of tlio war he was mustered 
out of service. The Doctor then practiced iu the State of New York until 
188J. when he came to Attica, where he has since followed his profession. 
Dr. Force is a niembi-r of the Uiiiversalist Church. 

A. M. FllIEDLEY, a memlier of the Jirm of Friedley Bros. . dealers in dry 
goods, groceries and queensware, Attica, was born in Venice Township, this 
county, Jamiary 1, IJSo^J, son of J. J. and Barbara (Link) Friedley. latter of whom 
was born in Germany ; her parents came to America when she was only two years 
old, and were among the tii-st .settlers of this county: her father. Jacob Link, cu- 
t.ered 'i-tO acres of- land, part of which is now owned by H. F. Myers, of Attica, 
and part by John Link. Our subject' s graudfather. Ludwiek Friedley. was born 
in Peimsyivaniu. of (ienuan descent, and was a farmer by occu])ation. settling in 
Venice Township, this county, in IN^JS. dying in ISTl. .J. J. FrietUey (sub- 
ject's father) resided here from 1838. Ho was a farmer, and at his death 
owned 2:5(1 acres of well improved land. He died in 18S1. aged lifty-three 
years. A. M. Friedley, the subject of this sketch, was the eldest in a family 
of nine children -seven boys and two gii-ls. He received his education iu this 
county, and followed agricultm-al i)ursuits until 1880. when he embarked in 
his present business. He was man-ied, in 187D, to Mary F. Carson, of Eng- 
lish descent, daugliter of J. W. Carson, and to this union have been born 
Alva J., Ida May, MjTtie Belle and Dessie Edith. Mr. and Mrs. Friedley 
are members of the "United Brethren Church. Politically he is a R('pul)liean. 

JOHN L. FRIEDLEY, of the firm of Friedley Bros". , dealers iu dry goods, 
groceries and (pieensware. Attica, was iiorn in Venice Township, this county, 
January 11), lsr>,"S. son of J. J. and Barbara (Link) Friedley. He was educated 
at the normal school, Valparaiso. Ind.. and resided on tln> farm with his- 
parents iintil twenty-three years of age. He then came to Attica, this county, 
and clerked in the store of S. A. Ringle for two years. He and his brother. 
A. M. Friedley, then bought the stock and continued doing l)usiness in the 
same building. John L. Friedley was married, in IN82. to Jennie, daughter 
of Rev. Peter Tendrick, ;i minister of tlie Reformed Church, and of German 
descent. Mr. and Mrs. FriedleV have but one child. Grace B. They are 
members of the !J[ethodist Protestant Church. Our subject has served three 
yeai's as a member of the town council. In politics he is a Democrat. 

S. C. GATES, a member of the fii-m of Bemenderfer & Co.. manufacturers 
of sash, doors and blinds, Attica, was born July 21, 1840, iu New London, 
Ohio, son of John and Rachel (Earl) Gates, natives of New Y'ork. and of Eng- 
lish descent. Our subject, the second of three childi'en, received his (>duca- 
tion in the common schools of his native State, and followed droving from 
iSr),") (cattle iu summer and horses iu winter, selling in portions of Pennsylva- 
nia, New Jersey, Delaw.'ire and Maryland). untU 18()l. when he enlisted in 
Company C, Sixty-tifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served three years 
and was mustered out as oi-derly-sergeant of his com])any. He participated iu the 
battles fought ;it Pittsburgh Landing and Chattanooga, Temi., and in several 
other engagements. At the close of the war he came to Ohio and settled in 
Hiu'on County, where he remained until 1808, when he removed to Seneca 
County, and in 18(5!) to Attica, where he manufactured cai'riages and wagons, 
and workt'd at the cari^enter's trade until 1874, since when he has successfully 
engaged in his present business. Mr. (rates was maiTied. in 1807, to SaraJi 
Carpenter, of Englisli descent, and by her he has one child. Edith. Mr. and 
Mi-s. Gates are members of the Baptist Clnn-ch at Attica, of which he is trus- 
tee and treasurer. In politics he is a Republican; has served as trustee of the 
townshij). and as a member of the school boanl. 



1024 l!l()(il'>Al'lH(,'AL SlvErniLS: 

SYLVANIS GRIFFITH, retired, Attica, was born in Madisou County, 
N. Y. . Marcli lit. ISOf). son of Doan and Luciuda (Eaton) (Ti-iflith, natives of 
New York and of Welsli descent, and whose family consisted of eleven cbildi'en. 
nine of whom attained maturity, Sylvanns being the next eldest. Doau Grif- 
fith was a weaver by trade, and also engaged in farming. OiU' subject was 
reared on a farm, receiving a common school education in his native State, and 
has followed agricultural piusuits all his life. In 188.") he settled in the woods 
of Huron Coniity, Ohio, antl impi'oved a farm where he lived until he retired 
fi-om active ]RU'suits in 1872, and bought and moved on his property in Attica, 
this county. He has been twice married, fu-st in 1888, to Elizabeth Abell, 
born in Vermont, of English descent, and w'ho died in 188(1. She was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Chtu'ch. Mr. Griffith was manied. on second occasion, 
to Mrs. Electa (Beard) Richard, who had three children; ^^'ilsou, a farmer of 
AVood County. Ohio: George, a fanner, and Emma. Mr. Giiffith was formerly 
a Methodist, but since 1877 has been a member of the United Brethren 
Clmrch at Attica, and was a member of the bnilding committee when the new 
church was erected. ■ His Avife has been an active member of this chiu'ch for 
several years. 

J. Vt. HALL, member of the firm of Hall & Myers, projjrietors of fomidiy 
and machine shops. Attica, was l)orn in Niles Township, Tompkins Co., N. 
Y^, July 11, 1828, and is next youngest of the seven children born to William 
and Mary (Goodwin) Hall, natives of New Jersey and of English descent. 
His father came fi-om New York and settled in Scijiio Township, Seneca Co.. 
Ohio, among the early jiioneers. Om- subject accpiired a common school edu- 
cation, and attended the academy at Republic. He remained on the farm until 
seventeeu years of age; then leai'ued blacksmithing, and after serving an ap- 
prenticeship as machinist also learned the molder' s trade, serving in all foiu-teen 
years, and is master of his vocation. He came to Attica in 1S()G. and em- 
l)arked in his present business. He manufactured for a time the iron beam 
plow which had an extensive sale, but he is now making a speciality of the 
land roller, an invention of his own. JL'. Hall was united in marriage, in 1851. 
with Hannah Ryno.a native of Steul)en (!ounty, N. Y., and of English descent, 
and their childi'en are William H. . a liuuber dealer: ^NaiTen R.. a molder i)v 
trade; Alcaineiia, wife of William Smeltz: George, living at Tittin. Ohio, and 
Elera. Mrs. Hall is a member of the Baptist Chui'ch. Mr. Hall has served as 
trustee of Reed Township, this county. 

GEORGE H. HAMILTON, dealer in groceries, and iusm-auce agent. 
Attica, w\'is born in Venice Townshii), this cotmty. Januaiy 11, 1852, son of 
D. F. and Margaret (Carson) Hamilton, natives of Ohio and of English 
descent. Om- subject, the fourth in a family of ten children, received 
his education in the academy at Republic and Heidelberg College, at Tiifin. 
Ohio. At the age of seventeen years he commenced teaching school, a voca- 
tion he followed until he was twenty-two years old. and in 1878 embarked in 
his ])resent business in Attica. He was united in miirriage, in 1872. with Clara, 
daughter of David S. Jackson, and to this union were born the following chil- 
dren: Ora M.. Stewart F. and Clara Belva. Mr-, and Mrs. Hamilton are 
Tuembers of the Methodist Protestant Church, in which he has served as super- 
intendent of the Sabbath-school for the past seven years. Mr. Hamilton is 
representing the Ohio Mutual Life Insurance Company, and the Washington 
Fire and Marine Insurance Company. In connection with his groceiy busi- 
ness he deals extensively in poultry. 

' JAMES HANNA, retii-ed farmer. P. O. St. Stephen, prominent among 
the (>arly pioneers of Seneca C'ounty, Ohio, was born in Cumberland County, 



VENICE TOWNSIIllV 102;) 

Penn. , January 28, 1804, sou of Hugh ami Elizahetli (Orr) Hanna, natives of 
Ireland. His father, a weas'er by trade, immitrrated to America in 17'.)9 and 
settled in Cnniherland County, Penn. Our subject is the tliird born and the 
only survivor in a family of fonr chikli'en. His (>arly ineans for obtaining' an 
education were limited by his location in a newly settled country. In 1834 ho 
came to this county, catered laud, and although the countiy then abounded 
with wild game, never turned his attention to liunting, but devoted his time 
exclusively to farming. He has been very successful and owns 2 IS) acres of 
land on which h(> resides. He was married, in I82f), to Sarah, daughter of 
Samuel and Ellen (Crooks) McClelland, natives of Pennsylvania and of Scotch 
descent, and to this union were born Hugh K. , residing at Fostoria; Samuel 
McClelland (deceased): ^\ illiam, married and engaged in farming and teach- 
ing school: James, married and farming in Illinois; Sylvanus, man-ied and 
farming in Paulding County, Ohio: Tliomas S. , previously in business at 
Bloomville, this county, is now taking charge of the home farm; John, farm- 
ing in 'NN'ood County, Ohio; INIartha E., wife of George Hull, of Fostoria; 
Sarah, wife of Frank Free, a farmer, and Elizaljeth, wife of Thomas A\"el)- 
stor. Mr. and Mrs. Hanna have together borne the hardships and privations 
of pioneer life, and by industry and j^rudent management of theii- resom-ces 
have accimiulated a handsome competency which will enable tliom to pass the 
residue of then- lives in ease and comfort. They ai'e members of the Presby- 
tei-ian Church, in which Mr. Hanna has been d(>acon for many yeai-s. Ho has 
served his township as school director and assessor. Politically he is a Demo- 
crat. 

WILLIAM HARMAN, dentist, and mayor of Attica, was born in Reading, 
Penn., November 15, 1840; son of Charles and Barbara Harman, natives of 
Pennsylvania, and of German descent, former of whom, a machinist by trade, 
died in 1850 when "William, who was the third in a family of five children, all 
now living, was not fjuite ten years old. Oiu- suliject thiMi clerked in a store 
until 18():{, when he enlisted in Company I. Foriyninth Pennsylvania Volun- 
teer Infantry. He was shot by a sharp.shooter at Cold Harbor, the musk(>t ball 
passing through his right shoulder and lodging in the right lung, where it still 
remains He received an honorable discharge by oi-der of the war department, 
July "Jo, 180'). Retiu ning home he studied dentistry at Selin's Grove, Penn., 
and in 180t) commenced to practice his profession in Indiana, where ho residetl 
for two years; thence moved to Michigan, and here ho remained until 1871, 
when he came to Attica, where he still continues to practice. 'Mi: Harman 
was maiTied, in 1808, to Lucy Graves, a native of Ohio, and of English 
descent. She is a member of the TJniversalist Church at .Vttica. The Doctor 
has supported himself since ten years of age. He ol)taiued his education by 
studying at nights and reading the newspaper.-;, having attended school but 
six weeks in his life. He was elected mayor of Attica in ISSO, which position 
he still (ills. He has taken seven degrees in the order of F. <fc A. M. , and has 
boon through all the chairs, and is Noble Grand of the I, O. O, F. Ho has 
been a member of these societies for foiu-teen yeai-s. Our subject was also 
first commander of the G. A; R. He is a memlier of the State Dental Asso- 
ciation. In politics he is a Republican. 

LEVI HICLIS. farmer, P. O. Attica, was born in Venice Township, this 
county, Octolier (>. 1848. son of John and Sarah (Cummins) Hillis, natives of 
Maryland, and of Irish descent. His father, born in Ireland in 1S()(>. came 
to .Vmcrica and direct to Seneca County, Ohio, settling on a farm in Venice 
Township in 1S40. where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in ISTij. 
He was a sucressful fanni'V, .■md at (lie time of Ms death nwnod I 'Jl^ iicies of 



1026 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

land. Our subjoct, the ninth in a family of eleven ehildi'en, was reared on 
the farm, and he now owns a farm in Venice Township, whereon he resides. 
He was nniti^d in mairiage, in 1S78, with Sophia, daughter of Martin Smeltz, 
of German descent, who has always been a farmer. Politically Mi'. Hillis is a 
Democrat. 

ANDEEW HOEEN, farmer, P. O. Attica, was born in Baden. Germany, 
February 2'.t, 182S, son of Jacob and Susan (Frj^) Hoern. His father, a 
blacksmith, and who came from Germany in 1849, settling in Venice Township, 
this county, had two sons : Andrew, and Jacob, now a farmer in Michigan. Oru- 
subject was educated in Germany, and at the age of fouiieen learned black- 
smithing. Hi' worked at his trade for several years after coming to Venice 
Township. l)ut has made farming the principal business of his life, having met 
with mark(>il success, and is now the owner of 360 acres of fine land in this 
county, 1(')() being in Reed Township, and the remainder, on which he resides, 
in Venice Township. He was man'ied, in ISoo, to Maria Zutavern, born in 
Bloom Township, this county, in 1837, daughter of Henry and Jlaria (Geiger) 
Zutavern. also natives of Germany. Their children are Jacob and Henry 
(man-ied and residing on a farm in Peed Townshiii), and Margaret, Susan, 
Amelia, Gooi-ge. Lucinda, Caroline and Laui'a (at home). The family are 
members of the Reformed Church. Politically Mr. Hoern is a Democrat. 

DAVID HOLMES, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Attica, was liorn in 
Venice Township, this county, in lSi'6, and is the youngest of eight chikb'en. 
He received his education in his native county, and was reared on the farm. 
He learned the blacksmith's trade, but has made agricultiu'o the principal 
occupation of his life. He owns 250 acres of land in Huron Coimty, Ohio, 
and has the controlling interest in the home farm of 226 acres, which 
he manages and on which he resides. Mr. Holmes is a Democrat. He has 
served as school director and trustee of Venice To\\"nphip. He took an active 
interest in the Grange movement, and was Master of a lodge in that order. 
His father, John Holmes, who resides with hiiu, was born October 30, 18U7, in 
Jefferson County, Ohio, son of John and Sarah (Norris) Holmes, natives of 
Pennsylvania, the former of whom served all through the Revolutionary war. 
John Holmes, .Jr., who has been a farmer all his life, was married, in 182'J, in 
Can-oil County, Ohio, to Sabina, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Bunton) 
Hillis, and of Irish descent, and by her he had the following children: Eliza- 
beth, wife of George D. Moore; Sarah, wife of B. F. Slough; Rebecca W., 
wife of L. Palmerter; Amos, a resident of Michigan; John Q. , a resident of 
Putnam County, Ohio; Almeda; Emaline (deceased); and David the subject of 
this sketch. 

J. W. HUFFJIAX, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Attica, was born in 
Columbiana County, Ohio. August 29, 1837, and when two years of age was 
brought to Venice Township, this county, by his parents, Jacob and Catherine 
(Weaver) Hnlfinan. natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. They 
had a family of ten children, all of whom attained maturity, J. W. being the 
ninth born. Jacob Huffman, the father of oiu- subject, who was a farmer, 
tirst settled in Ohio in 182."), and died in Venice Township in 185,"). Our sub- 
ject's brother Adam lost his life in the late war of the Rebellion. J. W., the 
subject of this sketch, was ]-(>ared on the farm and during the winter attended 
the log schoolhouse, i-ecoiving at the age of twenty- one years a teacher's cer- 
tificate. During the late civil war he enlisted, in 18()1. in the Sixty-lifth Ohio 
Volunteer Inf.uitry, and was discharged in 1862 on account of disability. In 
July. 186:-5. ho re enlisted in the Eighty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He 
now own.-; a fiu'in of ISd acres, and has ni:ido agriculture the business of his 



VEN'ICE TOWNSIIII'. 1027 

life. He WHS married, in 1867, to Sarah L. Muore, of English and German 
(loscent. Her father, ^Faurico Moore, obtained land from the Government, 
the deed being signed by Gen. Jaekson. Mi\ and Mrs. Hnffman have tive 
children: Blanche, a teacher; Icedore: Ernest A. W., born August 27, 1871. 
ilied April 28, 1872; Ashley J. and Eoss. "Sir. and Mrs. Huffman and tw^o 
<!ldest children are members of the Baptist Chiu-ch, in which he is deacon. 
Mr. Huffman takes a deep interest in educational matters. 

MICHAEL HULL, retiied farmer, P. O. Attica, was born in Bedford 
County, Penn., September 7, 1807, tenth in the family of fourteen childn>n. 
of Jacob and Elizabeth (Souder) Hull; the former, a farmer, a native of 
Germany, the latter a native of England. Michael Hull was reaj-ed on a 
fiirm, receiving a common school (>ducation in Pennsylvania, and has made 
agi-iculture the business of his life. He was married, in 18<5('), to Barbara, 
daughter of George and Betsey (Forney) Free, natives of Pennsylvania and of 
German descent. This maiTiago has been blessed with ten children — seven 
boys and tkree girls: Elizabeth (deceased wife of Christian Lebold); Joaniut, 
wife of Jacob Besh, brother of S. B. Resh, of Venice Township; Otha H. , 
married and farming in Hem-y County, Ohio; George F., a farmer near 
Fostoria, Ohio; Jacob B. , living on a farm in Fulton County, Ohio; John W. ; 
Silas R. ; William H. ; Amanda, wife of Milo D. Benton; and A. W. Three of 
the sons served in the late war of the Rebellion: Otha H. enlisted at the com- 
mencement of the struggle and served till the close of the war; (ieorge F. 
and Jacob B. were in the 100 days' service. Mr. Hull came to this county in 
1834 and bought 51)0 acres of land on Section 7, in Venice Township, where he 
still resides. He has been i-emarkably successful as a famier and has been 
able to give each of his daughters §2,000 when they were married, and to each of 
his sons eighty acres of land. No stranger has ever been turned from th(>ir 
door empty. Mr. and Mi-s. Hull were members of the Dunkard Society. The 
foiu" sons who own farms in Venice Township are as follows: 

John W. Hull, who was born June lU, 184(3, acquired his education in 
this county an<l has made farming the business of his life. His residence is 
one of the best in the mnghborhood. He was maiTied in Hancock County, 
Ohio, in 18()7, to Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew Zimmerman, of German 
descent, and had six children: Celestia Ann, Joseph A., Ada L. (deceasc^d), 
Altio I. , Alfred H. and Flora Amanda. The family are members of the Eng- 
lish Reformed Chuirh. 

Silas R. Hull, who resides on his farm, adjoining his father's on the west, 
was born May 25, 1847, and rean-d on the farm in Venice Township, and re- 
ceived his education in the common schools of Seneca County. He was mar- 
ried, in 1872, to Anne, daughter of John and Almira (Snyder) Rogers, 
former of whom, of English descent, was one of the early pioneers of this 
county; latter was of Gorman descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Silas R. Hull were 
born five children: Peny G. , Edward E. . Jennie Belle (deceased), David C. 
and Eva AlmLi-a. In politics Mr. Hull is a Republican. 

AViLLiAM H. Hull, whose farm is located north of his father's, was bom 
December 15, 1848, in Venice Township, this county, and was reared on the 
farm, acquiring his education in his native county and in the academy at Re- 
public, and has followed agriculture all his life. He was married, in 1872, to 
Lorenia, daughter of Samuel and Lorenia (Green) Finch, of English descent. 
William H. Hull is the only Democrat in his family. 

A. W. Hull, the youngest of Michael Hull's children, owns the home farm, 
where his parents still reside. He was born October 3, 1858, and was edu- 
cated in Seneca County, Ohio. He was married, in 1879, to Miss M. Lepard, 



1028 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES; 

daughter of Isaac and Sarali ( Woollett) Lepard, of German descent. Mi. 
and Mrs. A. W. Hull are parents of A'za B. , Ida May and Mina Belle. Mrs. 
Hull is a member of the Baptist Chiu'ch in Attica. Mi-. Hull is a staunch 
Republican in politics. 

DAVID S. JACKSON, proprietor of saw-mill. P. O. Attica, was born in 
Brooke County, Va. , April 7, 1819, son of William and Sarah (Steward) Jack 
son, parents of nine children, David S. being the fourth born. His mother 
was a native of Virginia, of English descent: his father, born in Pennsylvania, 
of Irish descent, was a farmer and came to Crawford County, Ohio, in 1825. 
Oiu' subject received a common school education and wisely chose to follow the 
honest occupation of his father. At present he is owner of ninety-two 
acres of well-improved land. In 1884 ]\Ir. Jackson moved to Attica and em- 
barked in the saw-mill business in company with his son-in-law E. D. Work. 
his present partner. Mi-. Jackson was married, in 1840, to Louise M. , 
daughter of Joseph Kennedy, of English descent, and to this union were 
born the following childi-en: Ozro, Sarah E., Margaret J., !Maiy Ann, Ezra 
and Charles. Mrs. Jackson dying in 1853, our subject was again married,this 
time, in 1858, to Mrs. Margaret Aun (Fansler) Hill, a widow, by whom he 
has had iive children: Clara, Julia (deceased), Laura. David and Melvin. Of 
these Julia was married, October 10, 1878, to E. D. Work, who was born in 
Pennsylvania, September 13, 1854, and is the son of John and Mary (Doty) 
Work (the issue of this union was one chUd, Leona). Mrs. Work died Janu- 
ary 23, 1883. ]\Ii-. and Mrs. Jackson are members of the Reformed Church. 
In politics he is a Democrat; he served as township trustee when he resided on 
the farm in Hui'on County, Ohio. 

REV. \Y. ALLEN KEESY, minister of the United Brethren Church. 
Attica, was born in Huron County, Ohio, Jidy 25, 1843; son of John and 
Elizabeth (Gouse) Keesy. (The name Keesy was originally spelled Geesy. ) 
His parents, of German origin, reared a family of ten children in Huron 
County, Ohio, where the father, John Keesy, a farmer, resided for many years 
and died in 1859. Oui- subject enlisted, in 1861, in Company I, Fifty-lifth 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving until 1862, and participated in the follow- 
ing battles and skirmishes: Moorlield, Franklin. Cidpeper, Cross Keys, 
Strasbm-g and Bull Run, in Virginia, and was discharged on account of disa- 
bility; but, in 1864, he again enlisted in his country's defense, serving as a 
non-commissioned officer in the Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with 
which regiment he was j^resent at the battles of Spring Hill, Franklin, and 
two days at Nashville. He was reared on the farm, attending the common 
schools, and, on his return from the army, the Normal School at Milan, Erie 
Co., Ohio; commenced to teach school on his retiuii fi'oni Milan, and 
taught for five terms. He was admitted as a member of the f nited Brethren 
Church in 1864, licensed to exhort in 1867, was admitted to the annual con- 
ference in 1872, and regularly ordained in 1875. He first took charge of the 
Huron Mission, next the Honey Creek Cu'cuit, then the Shelby Station, Rich- 
land Circuit, Chicago Junction (where he remained three years), thence going 
to Fostoi'ia and Clyde. He has served the conference three years as presiding 
elder, two years of that time being spent in Sandusky District. He was sta- 
tioned at Attica in 1883. Rev. W. A. Keesy is an able speaker, convincing 
orator, a diligent worker and faithful student. He has been twice married, 
first, in 1868, to Maggie J., daughter of Rev. S. T. Lane, a minister of the 
United Brethren Church. Of the three children born to this union two are 
now living: Minerva and Mary. Mr. Keesy lost this wife by death in 1873, 
and in 1875 he was mairied to Augusta Charles, by whom he has five children: 
Flora, Oceola. Leona Silvesta, and Edith and Ethel (twins). 



VENICE TOWNSHIP. 1029 

THOMAS KEiVIP, farmer, P. O. Now Washington, Crawford County, was 
born in Washington County, Penn.. October 2, 1818; son of David and Sarah 
(Ward) Kemp, former a native of Virginia, of German descent, latter bom in 
Pennsylvania, and of English lineag(!. His father, David Kemp, who, in an 
early day was a cabinet-maker, came to this county in 1880, settling in the 
woodfci of Venice Townshi]>. Our subject, the sixth in a family of twelve 
children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, was reared on the 
farm and has always followed agricultural piu-suits; ;it present he is owner of 
eighty acres of land on which he resides. He was married, in 1841, to Eliza- 
beth, daughter of Maurice and Hannah (Davis) Moore, and of nine children 
born to this union seven have been school teachers: William, an attorney in 
Indiana; Maurice, a carpenter and teacher, residing in Eerea, Ohio; George, 
a farmer and school teacher, residing in Wisconsin; David J., a merchant of 
Young America, Ind. ; Hannah S. , a school teacher; John L.. a farmer and 
teacher, residing in this county; Fiuley L. ; Emily J. and Frank .Theodore, 
a farmer. Mr. and Jlrs. Kemp are members of the United Brethi'cn Church. 
Politically he is a Republican. 

EDWARD KINNEY, farmer, P. O. Attica, was born in Scipio Township, 
this county, April 3, 1883; son of Patrick and Jane (Swoney) Kinney, natives 
of Ireland, who had a family of six childi'en, five attaining matiu-ity. His 
father came fi'om Ireland to America when a young man, and was married in 
the city of Philadelphia, Pemi. ; came to this county in 1829 and owned a 
farm in Scipio Township where his son, Edward, who was next to the eldest 
child, lived luitil seventeen years of age. In 1852 the subject of this sketch 
started across the plains for California, remaining in the mining regions of 
the Pacific coast for seven years. Dui'ing this time his fath(>r lost his eye- 
sight. and, on receiving the sad news, Edward, who wasadutiful son. immediately 
retui-ned and lived with his father until the latter' s death in 1873. In the 
fall of the same year Edward Kinney was united in marriage with Mary A., 
daughter of Matthew Delaney, of Irish origin, and to this union were born 
two children: Anna Bertha and John F. They are members of the Catholic 
Chiu'ch. Mr. Kinney is owner of 100 acres of well-improved land whereon 
ho resides. In politics he is a Democrat. 

A. W. KNIGHT, ])hysician and surgeon, Attica, was born near Tifiin, this 
county, May 31, I8r)f); son of Thomas and Mary (Powell) Knight, also native 
Ohioans, of English descent, who were the parents of sioveu children, of whom 
A. ^\'. is third. His father, a farmer, and still a resident of this coimty, took 
great interest in educating his children, giving thejn the advantages of the 
best schools. Oiu- subject graduated from Wooster University in 1879. receiv- 
ing the degree of B. S. . and has since had the degree of M. S. confeired upon him 
by that institution. He commenced the study of medicine in the oflice of 
Dr. J. F. E. Fanning, but after remaining there only five months entered 
Miami College, Cincinnati, where he gi'aduated in 1884. He then commenced 
and has since continued practice in Attica, this county. Politically the Doctor 
is a Rei)ul)lican. 

NOAH LAPHAil, rt>tired farmer. P.O. Attica, was among the early pioneers 
of this county, where he has resided since 182(5. He is a native of the State of 
New York, born August 4. 1813; third in the family of ten chikb'on of JoK(>ph 
and Levina (Holland) Lapham, natives of Massachusetts, and of English 
descent. Joseph Lapham came to Scipio Township, this county, in 1820, nb- 
tained laud from the Government, the deed being signed by Gen. Jackson, and 
here resided on the farm. He and his family traveled ria the Erie Canal to 
Buffalo, N. Y. , thence to Sandusky, Ohio, on lake, and from there to Venice 



1030 BIOr.KAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Township by team, and hero lived for a time in a tent. .Josej)h Lapham was 
eighty-five and Levina Lapham eighty-eight years old when they died. Oiu- 
subject acquired his education in his native State. When twenty-thi'ee years 
old he was married to Sarah Chase, a native of Massachusetts, and of English 
descent. Seven children were born to this union, three now living: John M. , 
who served as a soldier in the army during the late war of the Rebellion: Ada- 
laide and Henry T. This wife died in 1875, and in 1876 Mr. Lapham man-ied 
Miss Artie Brown, who lived but three years after. His present wife, Celia, 
daughter of ilussell True, was a native of New York, of English descent, and 
the widow of Philo Bugbee. One of ili\ Lapham's sons, Joseph C. , was a 
member of Company H, One Hundred and First Regiment Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, and was killed at the battle of Resaca, Ga. , May 15, 1S()4. Mr. Lapham 
is a member of the Universalist Church. In politics he is a Republican. He 
has filled the offices of assessor, trustee, school director, etc., of this township. 
He is the owner at present of 1 10 acres of farm land and some town property. 

JACOB FREDERICK LEBOLD, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Attica, 
was born in Germany, April 10, 1820, eldest child of John C. and Christiaana 
(Eichenhofer) Lebold, natives of Germany, who settled on a farm in Tuscara- 
was County, Ohio, in 1S30, and there resided until 184'2. thence moving to 
Section 10, Venice Township, this county, where John C. Li>bold (the father) 
bought 340 acres of land, on a portion of which he still resides: of their family 
of ten childi-en six attained maturity. Om- subject has made farming the 
business of his life, and at present owns a well-improved farm. He was mar- 
ried, in 1855, to Rachel McKibben, daughter of James, Sr. , and Rachel (Me- 
Cord) McKibben, former of whom, a farmer, died in 1861 in this county, 
where he had resided since 1834 (they were natives of Pennsylvania, of Irish 
and Scotch descent). To our subject and wife was born one child — Christianna 
Maria, now the wife of Frederick L. Smeltz. who is engaged in farming in 
Venice Township, this county. Mrs. Leliold taught school eleven terms before 
her marriage. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mi'. Lebold was 
formerly a Whig in politics, and is now a Republican. 

CONRAD LEBOLD, farmer. P. O. Attica, was born in Lawi-ence Town- 
ship, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, April 2, 1839: son of John C. and Christiana 
(Auchenhofer) Lebold, natives of Wmiemberg, Germany, and a brother of 
Jacob F. Lebold. His father, one of the early settlers of this county, still re- 
sides in Venice Township. Our subject was reared on the farm, educated in 
the common schools and has followed agricultural pursuits to the present time. 
He is the owner of 100 acres of land near Attica, on which he resides. He was 
married, in 1855,' to Luciuda. daughter of Jacob Hem-y and Margaret (Geiger) 
Zutavorn. natives of Germany, and among the early settlers of this county. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Lebold were born the following childi'en: Sherman F.. Henry C, 
Alvin B. and Clara Bertha. The family are members of the Lutheran Chiu'ch. 
In politics Mr. Lebold is a Repiiblican. 

JOHN LEBOLD, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Attica, was boi'n in Tus- 
cai'awas County, Ohio. January 30, 1842; son of J. C. Lebold, a pioneer farmer, 
who still resides in Venice Township. Our subject's parents, natives of Ger- 
many, moved to Seneca County when he was a child. He was reared on the 
farm, acquired a common school education, and chose agriculture as his occu- 
pation, at which he has been very successful, being at present the owner of 1 20 
aci'es of well- improved land. At the commencement of the war, in ISIil, Mr. 
Lebold promptly enlisted in Company A, Twenty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry. He was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, taken prisoner, 
but released on account of his wound. He participated in several engage- 



VENICE TOWNSHIP. 1031 

incnts, and after servin<ij for three years was honoraljly discliiirired, returned 
homo and again took up farming. Mr. Lobold was united in man-iage, in 
1809, with Annie, daughter of Jacob Free, by whom he has two children: Earl 
and Iden. llr. Lebold is a member of the G. A. K. Politically he is a 
Republican. 

AVEllY LEONARD, farmer. Attica, one of the early settlers of ^'enicp 
Township who still survive, was born in ^^'ashington County. Peiin., July 80, 
1798. His parents were luitives of Connecticut. The fathei'. Caleb Leonard, 
was a descendant from the Piu'itans that landed on Plymouth Rock, and the 
mother, Sarah (Hale) Leonard, was of English descent. l)eing a daughter of 
Gideon Hale, who served under Gen. AVolfe. when he fell at the taking of 
Quebec from the French. His father died at the ripe age of eighty-seven, in 
Washington County, Peiui., and the mother in her eighty-second year, in Seneca 
County, Ohio. Oiu' subject received his education in the common schools, and 
early learned the blacksmith trade. He was maiTied, in 1820, to Nancy, 
daughter of Samuel Smith, also a native of Washington County, Penu.. being 
of German and Spanish descent, and who died iu 1 872. in Seneca County, 
Ohio. To this uniim were born nine children — seven sons and two daughters: 
Samuel H., Sarahaun, "William F. , Yerdeii W.. Hiram S. , Levi, Avery H. , 
Jonathan and Sarah Augeline. Yerden W. was killed by a falling tree in his 
eleventh year; Sarahann, died in her seventeenth year, and Sarah Angeline. at 
the age of three months. The other sis are still living — two in this county 
and foui- iu Hiu'on Coimty — all having been engaged in fanning a part of their 
lives. Three are still active farmers, and three are ministers of the Gospel. 
Avery Leonard came to Venice Township, this county, with his family, in the 
year 1So4, and settled in the woods, where his children were educated in the 
log-schoolhouse. In politics the father and sons are all Rejiublicans. The suli- 
ject of this memoir iu religion was raised a Presbyterian, and on Christmas 
day, 1828, under a deep conviction of sin, he gave his hand to the Methodist 
Episcopal Chvu'ch as a seeker of the pearl of great price, and in the month of 
Jime, 1824, being in his twenty-sixth year, after seven months of terrible strug- 
gle, he realized that he w-as made a new creature in Christ Jesus. He remained 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Chiuch until the Methodist Protestant 
broke off from the mother church, when he became a member of the Methodist 
Protestant Church. About a year after locating in this township, he and his 
comjianion, with live others, united in forming a I\Iethodist Protestant class in 
the community where they lived, since which time he has changed his church 
relation to that of the I'nited Brethren, where he now holds his memliership. 
Mr. Leonard is now in his eighty-eighth year, enjoying a good old age with 
his son, \V. F. , with whom he makes his home. 

SAMUEL H. LEONARD, farmer, near Attica, was born in Deersville, 
Harrison Co., Ohio. He is a son of Averv' and Nancy (Smith) Leonard. 
In JS;54 ho immigrated to this county with his father. Mr. Leonard owns the 
farm settled by his father, and upon it he now resides. Being the eldest of 
nine children his education was somewhat neglected, his services being required 
in the duties of the farm — his instruction in the schoolroom l)eing given 
principally before the age of nine. Farming has been the calling of his life, 
and he is the owner of r):5(5 acres of land, IfJO acres l)eing in Dakota. October 
2f). 1S,')4. records the event of his man-iage with Mary M. Baily, -who was born 
in London, England, and was the daughter of Benjamin and Ann (Powel) 
Baily. 'Six. Baily was a member of the "Great East India Tea Company." 
After the dissolution of the company he came to this country and settled in 
this township in ISlid whore he spent the greater part of the remainder of his 



1032 BIOGRAl'HICAL SKETCHES: 

life. The ehilcb-eii of ill', aud ^Lr.-i. Leouard are ia the order of theu- respective 
ages: Avery F., who is married and resides near PieiTe, Dak.; Benjamin L., 
married and farming in Crawford County. Ohio; Nancy J., wife of Victor 
Neikirk, farmer of this township: "Walter Lincoln, killed by the falling of a 
hayfork July "22, 1N<S2. and Samuel E. ; also Mary Ida. Minnie E. and Delia 
M., who are with their parents. In polities Mi-. Leonard is a Iiepulslican. 
In ecclesiastical connectiou Mrs. Leouard is a member of the United Brethren. 

"W. F. LEONAPiD, farmer, Attica, was born in Harrison Coimty, Ohio. 
November 10, 1X25. His parents, Avery and Nancy (Smith) Leonard, were 
natives of Washington County, Penn. Our subject came to Venice Township, 
this county, with his parents, when a small boy of nine years, when this coun- 
try was a dense wilderness, where was heard the howl of the wolf, growl of 
the bear, and the ' " yowling ' ' of the wild cat, while before them stood the stiu'dy 
forest tree that woiild yield only to persistent toil. His educatioiud facilities 
were very limited, and lieiug reared on the farm, he has steadily followed agii- 
cultural pursuits, being at present owner of 101 acres of well-improved land. 
He has also devoted much attention to the handling of imported horses, and 
has paid as much as $2,000 for one horse. W. F. Leonard was maiTied, in 
184y, to Margaret Jane Moore, daughter of Maiu-ice Moore, a native of Him- 
terdon, N. J., and Hannah (Davis) Moore, of Wales, the fonnor of whom died 
in 1888, in his eighty-sixth year, and the latter in 1882, in her eighty-third 
year. Mrs. Leonard's parents came to this county and settled on a farm in 
this township in 1884; she is a member of the United Brethren Church, and 
has been for more than forty years. W. F. Leonard, dming the late war of the 
Rebellion, enlisted, in 1803, in Company C, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served for 100 days. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican. 

JOHN LEPARD, P. O. Attica, prominent among the representative farm- 
ers and pioneers of Venice Township, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Feb- 
ruaiy 28, 1828, son of Isaac and Nancy (Huffman) Lepai-d, natives of Virginia, 
of German descent. His father, a farmer, came to this coimty in 1830, and 
settled in the woods of Reed Township, traveling hither by means of a four- horse 
team and an old-fashioned Pennsylvania wagon, in which the family lived until 
a rough log-cabin was erected; there they cleared a farm and lived for many 
years. Isaac and Nancy Lepard reared a family of eight ehildi'en. of whom 
seven are still living. Oiu- subject received his education in Reed Township 
and grew up on the farm. His father dying when he was quite young, the 
support of the family largely devolved on him, and being wonderfully 
attached to his widowed mother aud his sister and brother, he devoted himself 
to their support until ho was tweut3'-seveh years of age. He then commenced 
life on his own account, without a dollar, working first on a farm by the day, 
and as a result of iudustiy, he is now the owner of 160 acres of well-improved 
land which is well-stocked. He was married, in 1805, to Harriet H. daughter 
of Samuel Hoil, and a native of New York, of English descent. To this union 
were born Mary (deceased), Eunice, L-a, Emma, Hattie and Flora. Mrs. 
Lepard is a member of the Baptist Chm'ch. Mr. Lepard has served as school 
director of Venice Township for several yeai's. and has been a resident here for 
fifty five years. 

J. W. LINK, farmer and stock-raiser and proprietor of the Link Saw-mill, 
Attica, a son of Jacob and Maiy Ann (Gering) Link, natives of Germany, was 
born on the American side of the ocean as his parents were coming across from 
Germany. They first settled in Columbiana County. Ohio, in 1833, and in 1838 
came to this county aud entered 210 acres of land, on which they spent the 



VENICE TOWNSIIir. 1033 

reinaining portion of their lives, the father dying in 1841. Onr subject, tlx' 
vonngest of six clnklivn born to this foiij)U>, was reared on the farm and for 
the j)ast thirty-three years has operated the saw -mill in coiniection with his 
fiiruiing interests. He is owner of 300 acres of land, 20(1 lieing in Indiana. 
Ml-. Link was mari'ied.in ISfiO, to Mary Ann, daughter of Ludwick and Kebecca 
(Middleworth) Fried]ey,the former a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch origin, the 
lattej- a native of New Ji'rsey, of English descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Link have 
been born seven childi'en, six of whom are now living: Benjamin F.. a carpen- 
ter; Joseph Jackson, a school teacher; C. M., who also holds a teachei's cer- 
tilicate; Sarah Emily, BiU'bara Ellen and Amanda R(>becca, are attending dis- 
trict schot)l from home. Julia is deceased. Mrs. Link is a member of the 
(ierman Reformed Church. 'Mr. Link has been trustee of Venice Township for 
four years. Politically h<' is a Democrat. 

REV. \V. E. LYON, A. JL, Attica, was born in Napoli, Cattaraugus 
County. N. Y.. April '1. 1S2T. and, being the son of a Baptist minister, his 
early days were spent on a farm, attending the common schools and teach- 
ing in the same. In 185.") he graduated fi'om the collegiate dei>artment of 
Madison Univer.sity at Hamilton. N. Y. In June. 18r)(), he manned Miss 
Sabrina A. Chamberlain, of Grafton. Ohio, and in the following December he 
was ordained jiastor of the Baptist Chiu-ch in Seville. ]\ledina Co.. Ohio. 
Since his ordinati<jn he has b(>en constantly employed in the work of the minis- 
try with e.xcejition of three short intervals between pastorates, having to this 
date lost only two Saliliaths on account of his own health. His jjastorates 
liave been in Nortlna-n Ohio with the excejjtion of one at Gallipolis. C)hio, and 
one at Saginaw. Mich. H(^ has baptized, into the fellowship of the several 
churches he has served, '231 i)ersons, of whom foui' are now actively employed as 
Baptist ministei-s, one is studying with a view to the ministry, and one is 
president of a college. Mr. and Mrs. Lyon are the iiarents of four daughters: 
Mary E., Amie L. . E. Jennie and (irace G. Two of the number are mairied: 
one is teaching; the young(>st is a student in Granville College. Rev. 
\V. E. Lyon's present pastorate commenc(>d November!, 1881. 

GEORGE S. McKEE, merchant and postmaster at Carrothers, was born 
in Crawford County, Ohio, July 2, 1841; son of James and Eliza (Moore) 
McKee, natives of Pennsylvania and of Scotch-Irish descent. James McKee 
was a tanner in early life, but later has been a farmer, and has resided for 
over half a ceutiuy on a farm in Crawford County, Ohio. Oiu- subject, the 
eldest of live children, was educated in his native county. During the late 
war of the Rebellion he enlisted in 18G2, at the age of twenty-one, in Com])any 
E, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving as a non-commis- 
siimod oflic^er, and was honorably ilischarged in June, bSOH. He i)aiiicipated 
in several severely fought liattles, and to use his own VNords "was a very 
lucky boy." being slightly wounded three times, but never disabled. His reg- 
iment missed but one liattle (Mission Ridge) in which the Anuy of the Cum- 
berland took ))art, and by refening to the histoiy of this regiment it will be 
seen that oiu' subject was in many of the most sanguinary struggles of the 
■war. The regiment never retreated but once — at Chickamauga. On returning 
home Ml'. McKee engaged in farming, and teaching school in the winters. 
nntU 18S1, when he sold his farm, jmrcbased property at Carrothers and em- 
barked in his present business. He was mamed, in 1872, to Levina, daugh- 
ter of Michael (a farmer) and Sarah (Helm) Nigh, of German descent. To 
this union six children were born : Lnella, Bertha (deceased), Eva (deceased). 
Uichard (deceased). Sadie and an infant. Mrs. McKee is a member of the 
Methodist Church. In jwlitics Mi\ McKee is a Republican. He took an 



1034 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

active interest in the Grange movement, and served two years as Worthy Msip- 
ter in that organization. 

WILLIAM McPHERSON. retired merchant and farmer, Attica, was born 
in Scotland, February '), 1793. His father, Donald McPherson, was a mer- 
chant in Scotland, and there sjaent his life. William, however, was ambitioas 
to see the world, and when eighteen years old left his native land and settled 
near Halifax, N. S. . where he followed the occupation of a peddler. l)ut. being 
twice robbed of his money and goods, concluded to leave that place, which he 
did in IS IT), coming to Baltimore. Md., where he settled. There he lived witli 
a merchant, and liy industry and economy managed to get a start in the world. 
He was united in marriage with Ann Scarf, of English descent, and they reared 
a family of four sons and two daughters. This wife dying in IS-W. om- .sub- 
ject married, in 1S45. Almeda Thatcher, who is still living. Mr. McPherson 
came to Seneca County, Ohio, in 182S, bought St>0 acres of land, conducted 
a store at Caroline several years, and was veiy successful in business. Though 
he retu'ed from mercantile life in ]Sr)'2, he has since been loaning money and 
attending to his own affairs. 

O. J. McPHEESON, justice of the peace. P. O. Attica, was born in Craw 
ford County, Ohio, in 184(1, and is a son of William and Ann (Scarf) McPher- 
son. He was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the common 
schools and at Republic Academy. He leai-ned the trade of tanner and cui-- 
rier, which he followed for a time, but has been principally engaged in farm- 
ing. He was maiTied, in 18(12, to Margaret J., daughter of Peter Swartz. 
born in Ohio, and of English descent. To this union were l>orn the following 
childi-en: Anna, Allie, Eva, William. Ida, Cora, Nina and Adda. Mi-, and 
Mrs. McPherson are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Oiu' sub- 
ject's father was one of the first movers in organizing a church of this denomi- 
nation in Attica, and has always taken a deep interest in all that jiertahis to 
the same. He (the father) has been a Whig and Republican all his life, but 
O. J. only voted with his father when he felt tlie right man was on the ticket. 
He has served as justice of the peace of Venice Township for seven years. 

A. J. MEYERS, farmer. P. O. Attica, was born in Venice Township, this 
County, July 8, 1845, son of Henry and Rebecca (Free) Meyers, who wen- 
parents of seven childi'en, A. J. being the third born. His father, a pioneer 
of this county, was a successful farmer, and was owner of over 2,(100 acres of 
land at his death, which occuned in 1884. Our subject was reared on the 
farm, educated in his native county, and wisely chose the ocenpation of his 
father as his own. He now possesses the fami on which he resides, comjiris- 
ing 2S0 acres, and 250 acres in Nebraska. He was maiTied, November 2, 
1880, to Mary R., daughter of Henry H. and Parthena (Cole) Bathrick, th.' 
former of Scotch and English descent, the latter of English lineage. Our sub- 
ject' s father. Henry Meyers, "tailor," as he was familiarly known to all, was 
born in the village of Oberendengen. Switzerland, April 2(), 1808. He was 
reared in the faith of the German Reformed Chtu'ch, and took his first communion 
when he was seventeen years old. At the age of twenty-one he left his native 
land and came to America, in company with his elder brother, Jacob, who b(jre 
the expense of his passage to I'hiladelphia, whi-re he r(>sided six years. His 
brother, soon after ari'iving in Philadelphia, became sick and was advised by 
his ])hysiciaus to retxu'n to his former home, as the only means of recovery. 
Hemy, poor and penniless, begged in the streets, with uncovered head, of the 
jDeople of that city, the required amount to pay his brother" s passage back to 
Switzerland, promising to each one who contributed that he would return the 
sum again as soon as he could earn the monev. which he did to each one with 



VENICE TOWNSHir. 1035 

the excoptioii of ono person, who refused to iiccept of it. A\hile liviuji; in Phil- 
adelphia he worked at tailoring for a livelihood, receiving as remuneration 
for his services the suiu of $!.")() per week and his hoard. After working six 
years for one man at the trade in Philadelphia, he left there on the lOth of 
July, 18^5*"). and came l>y canal to Sandusky. Ohio, arriving on the 2'Jth of the 
sjune month, walked to Attica, on the old turnpike, when' he had previously 
purchased wild land. Six years after his arrival in Seneca County he worked 
at his trade in Tiffin, after which he worked live years in the village of Attica, 
using the money thus earned for imju-ovements on his land. He came to this 
country a poor Dutch lad. without a cent in his pocket, a strang(>r in a strange 
land, without a single friend to greet his coming. He set to work with per- 
severence and a true pioneer spirit to amass a competency. Out of his small 
earnings in Philadelphia he saved a suiScient sum to purchase KiO acres of 
land, lying near Attica, where he ever aftei' resided until the time of his death 
in 1884. His acres numbered 2.1(1(1, of which 1.28(t acres were in Nebraska, 
the rest in Ohio, all but 160 acres in this township. In ISH") he brought 
the first $r> in gold seen in Tiffin. Five years after he came to Seneca County. 
July n, 1840, he was married to Miss Rebecca Free, sister of the late John 
Free. By ])atient. honest industry and frugality he breasted the waves of life, 
and succeeded in accumulating a fortime. Providence seemed to smile on his 
every effort, and l)y honest toil his acres broadened until they became a noble 
heritage, and he took rank among the solid men of Seueca County. He was a 
strong-minded man, of correct habits, and an inveterate leader. A man of reten- 
tive memory, his mind was a store-house of useful knowledge: a lover of his- 
tory, he made himself familiar with the (»vents not only of his own, but those 
of other nations. In politics he Avas i)roud to bear the title of a Democrat, 
with the signiticance of its earlier and original simplicity, and was a believer in 
the gi'eat universal faith of the positive laws that govern the universe. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Henry Jleyers were born seven children: Mary J., deceased wife 
of A. B. Brant, a grain merchant: Georgi- AV.. a farmer, who died April 17, 
18(j0; A. J., our subject: Sarah E.. wife of James E. Carpenter: T. J., a farmer 
in this township: \V. T. . a farmer of Hancock County, Ohio: M. Ellen, wife of 
A. .1. Coofmaii. a physician of Tiffin. Ohio. 

M. H. MILLS, physician. Attica, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 
February, 1S4(). the eldest of the four children born to Simeon H. (a miller by 
trade) and Amanda (Muzzy) Mills, natives of New York and of English de- 
scent. Our subject acquired his literary education in the schools of Cleveland, 
Ohio, then attended the Homteopathic College of Cleveland, graduating in 
1872. He was married, in 187.>. to Sylva Bradford, a desc(>ndant of A\'illiam 
Bradford, the tirst governor of Plymouth Colony and governor of Massachusetts. 
and to this union were born two children: Clara and Ethel. Tin- Doctor com- 
menced to practice his chosen profession at Salem. Ohio, and in IS77 he came 
<o Attica, this county, where he has been in active practice since, having won 
for himself many warm friends. He is a member of the State Medical Society. 
In jiolitics he is a Republican. 

MAURICE MOORE (deceas(>d|, one of the early settlers of Venice Town- 
ship, and a fanner by occupation, was born in Hunterdon County, N. J., July 
15, 17W7. His parents were natives of Switzerland, and lived and died in Hun- 
terdon County. N. J. The subject of this memoir was educated in the coumion 
schools, and was brought up a farmer. He was married, in IS HI. in Hunterdcm 
County. N. J., to Hannah Davis, a native of Wales, and to them were born 
thirte(>n chilib'en six girls and seven boys one of whom died in childhood: 
tonr enlisted and served in the late war for the T'nion: two of them served 100 



1036 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

(lays each, one thi'ee years, and one gave his life for his country. Maurice 
Moore settled in Venice Township, this county, with his family, in 183-1, when 
the country was a wild forest, with only the advantages of a new country to 
educate their children in. At the organization of the Methodist Protestant 
Chiu'ch in 1835, Mrs. Moore became one of the original seven members, joined 
by her husband in a few years. They remained members of the same class and 
society until death took them fi'om labor to reward. 

DAVID B. MOORE, farmer, P. O. Attica, was born in Venice Township, 
this county, December 4, 1838, son of Maurice and Hannah (Davis) Moore, 
the former a native of New Jersey, of German descent, the latter a native of 
Wales. His father, Maiu'ice Moore, a farmer by occupation, came to Seneca 
County, Ohio, and settled in Venice Township in 1834. Oiu- subject's parents 
died in 1883. They were members of the Methodist Church, of which the 
father had been class leader; they reared a family of thirteen children, twelve, 
attaining matiu'ity, of whom our subject is the tenth. Maurice Moore owned 
a farm of IGO acres of valuable land. which he sold in IS'JS. He purchased, in 
18(>6, twenty acres of land adjoining the town of Attica (two acres and house 
being inside the corporation), moving there £hat same year, and this property 
he owned till his death. Our subject was reared on the farm, attending the 
district school, and engaged in farming until he was twenty-three years old, 
when he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which company he was a non-commissioned officer. 
He participated in most of the battles in which his regiment engaged and with 
it was captured in 1803. He was a jn'isoner at Belle Isle one month, then 
was exchanged and served until the close of the war in 186."). Since his return 
home he has followed agricultural pursuits and now owns 114 aci'es of well- 
improved land. Mr. Moore was married, in ]80(), to Eliza Ann, daiighter of 
Philip and Hannah (Croninger) Upp, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, re- 
spectively, and of German descent. To this union were born the following chil- 
dren : Florence, Willard V. , Bertha lone, Frank B. , Hannah M. . Mabel B. , 
Bernice Belle and Edna Grace. Mr. Moore is much interested in educational 
matters, and has served his township as school director for several terms. He 
was a member of the townsliip l)oard for several years. He is a member of the 
G. A. R. In politics is a Republican. 

HENRY F. MYERS, farmer. P. O. Attica, was born in Switzerland, April 
10, 1 822, son of Jacob and Fanny ( Werder) Myers, also natives of Switzerland, who 
immigrated to Ohio in 1821). and came to this county in 1831; they wei-e par- 
ents of eight children, of whom Henry F. is second. Oiu' subject's father, a 
wealthy, influential farmer, helped build the first log seboolhouse in Venice 
Township, and there Hemy F. received his education. The subject of this 
sketch was married, in 1848. to Mary Meyers (no relative however): her father's 
name was Jacob Mej'ers; he was a native of Switzerland. Om- sul)ject and 
wife have two children now living; Frank C. and Alice, wife of Hiram Barnes. 
Mr. and Mi-s. Myers are members of the Fniversalist Church. In politics he 
is a Republicsm; has been school director and trustee of the township. 

FRANK C. MYERS, a member of the firm of Myers c^ Keller, dry goods, 
notions and clothing, Attica, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, Jamuiry 28, 
1860, son of Hemy F. Myers, an early settler of Venice Township, this county, 
and prominent farmer and successful business man. Oiu- subject, the third in 
a family of five childi-en, three of whom are deceased, received his education in 
this county, and lived on the fai'm with his parents until eighteen years of age. 
when he engaged as clerk in a dry goods store for four years at Attica. He 
then embarked in his present business. He and his partner speak the Gennan 



VENICE TOWNSHIP. 1037 

and English lauguagos. Mr. Myers was mamecl, in 1881, to Ida M. Carson, 
a native of this county, and daughter of J. AV. Carson, of English de.scent. 
Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the Universalist Chiu'oh at Attica. Polit- 
ically he is a Kepuliliean. 

JOHN PHILLIPS, fanner and stock-raiser, P. O. St. Stephen, was born 
in Germany. March 14, l.S2(); son of Michael and Eaf K. (Sheliide) Phillips, 
who came from Germany to America, and settled on a farm in Huron County, 
Ohio, in 1887, and reared a family of eight chikbvn. of whom John is the 
second. Oui- subject's eilucation was mostl}' obtained in German}', though he 
attended school for a few months after coming here to learn the Encrlish 
language. He remained with his parents on the farm until he attained his 
majority, when his father liought him tifty acres of wild land in Hiu'on Coiuit}'. 
Mr. Phillips, having made farming the vocation of his life, has met with 
marked success, and is now owner of 4(K) acres of well-improved land. He was 
united in marriage, in IS.")!*, with Catherine (Jross, whose jiarents were also 
natives of Germany, and they have live sous and live daughters: John, Lewis, 
Joseph. ^lartin, Mary. Jacob. Fanny, Anna. Ella and Matilda. They ai-e all 
members of the church. In politics i[r. Phillips is a Democrat. 

MARTIN PHILLIPS, m(>rchant. Carrothers. was born in Hiu'ou Coimty, 
Ohio, November 6, 1857; son of John and Catherine (Gross) Phillips, natives 
of Germany. His father, a fanner, came to America when a young man, and 
was married in Huron County, Ohio: his family consist(>d of five sons and five 
daughters. Our subject, the iMghth born, receivcnl his (>ducation in the com- 
mon schools of this county, and followed his fjither's occupation (fanning) until 
187V), when he came to Can'others and embarked in the agricultui'al implement 
business, in which he has since continued. He bought a general store in 1884. 
;ind since then has conducted both businesses. Mr. Phillijts married, in 1883, 
Bertha, daughter of Joseph Meier, and of German descent. Mi-, and Mrs. 
Phillips are members of the Roman Catholic Chxurh. I'olitically he is a 
Democrat. 

S. B. RESH. farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Attica, was born in Franklin 
County. Penn., July 29. 1840; son of Abraham and Julia .\nn (Brumbaugh) 
Resh, of English descent, natives of Franklin Coiuity. Penn.. and Washington 
County, Md., respectively. His father, a fanner by occujiation, and for many 
yeai-s a local minister of the "Chm-ch of God," came to this county in 1847, 
and settled on the farm where S. B. now resides: his family consisted of three 
children: John, who died in Pennsylvania in his fourteenth year; J. H. , who 
is maixied and farming in Heni'y County, Ohio (by profession he is a teacher, 
and he taught school twenty-two terms, five terms in the schools of this coun- 
ty), and S. B. Our subject acqiiired his education in the schools of Venice 
Townshiji. He was married in this county. May 24, 1870, to Catherine A., 
daughter of Jacob (a farmer) and Mary (Sell) Lebold. natives of Germany. 
This union has been blessed with one child Minnie MiiTtle. IL's. Resh is a 
member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Resh has devoted his entire time to 
farming and stock-raising, now owning a fine farm of ir)4 acres, and he is a 
model farmer. Politically he is a Republican. 

JOHN ROGERS, P. O. Attica, a pioneer farmer of Seneca County, was 
l>orn in England, in March, 1819, son of Stephen and Jane (Rogers) Rogers, 
also natives of England. His father, a blacksmith by trade, came to America 
in 1818. and settled eighteen miles south of Baltimore. Md., but in 1887 came 
to Seneca County, Ohio. Our subject, the youngest of a family of nine chil 
ilren, was reared on the farm. There were but few schools in those days in 
this county, and his educational privileges were limited to one month's attend- 
so 



1038 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

ance at the night school. He early became attached to hunting pursuits, and 
frequently staid out all day and night rather than give up the chase. For 
many years he killed fi'om twenty to thirty deer each winter, and other game 
in proportion. He was married, in 1845. in Venice Township, to Almu-a Sny- 
der, a native Ohioan and daughter of Jacob and Mary (Prouse) Snyder, who 
were of Dntch descent. To Mi', and Mrs. Rogers were born following chil- 
dren: William; Mary M., wife of Edward R. Hillis; Anne, wife of Silas R. 
Hull; Levina, wife of Hu-am McGloffin; Mai-y J. , wife of Lafayette Hastier; 
Daniel, married and residing at home; Amos C, at home, and Isabella; 
Mrs. Rogers is a member of the United Brethi-en Church. Mr. Rogers has 
been a very successful farmer, owning at one time 220 acres, and he still owns 
140 acres, on which he now resides. He has been a great wood-chopper in his 
time, and thinks he has cleared, with his own hands, 100 acres of heavily tim- 
bered land in Venice Township. He has served as school director. Politically 
he is a Republican. 

LEONARD SACHS, merchant. P. O. Attica, was born in Germany, Decem- 
ber 25, 1838, son of John and Margaret (Smith) Sachs, also Germans. His 
father, a tailor and a farmer by occupation, spent his life in his native land. 
Our subject, the eldest in a family of five children, received his education in 
Germany. After the death of John Sachs (our subject's father) his widow 
came to America, bringing her family with her, and located in Newark, N. J., 
where oirr subject went to school for a few months and studied the English 
language. He then commenced to work on the Lehigh & Morrow Canal. 
In 1852 the family moved to Crawford County, Ohio, and from 1852 to 1859 
our subject helped to make brick, and made potash, and also worked on the 
farm. In 1859 he came to Caroline, this county, with A. Whitaker, a di'over 
and merchant, and here was employed by him. In 1862 he embarked in his 
present business, keeping a general stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., etc., 
and has met with success. ]\ir. Sachs was married, in 1863, to Caroline, 
daughter of J. C. Lebold. by whom he has thi-ee children: Franklin Otto, 
Menzo Emerson and Emma Lusseta. Mr. and Mrs. Sachs are members of the 
Lutheran Church, in which he has been trustee and treasurer. Politically he 
is a Democrat. 

SEBASTIAN SENN. Attica, a prominent pioneer of this county and a rep- 
resentative farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Switzerland, born January 
20, 1828. His father emigrated from Switzerland to America in 1838, and 
settled on a farm in Seneca County, Ohio. Our subject, the youngest of seven 
childi'en, resided with his parents on the farm until fifteen years of age. He 
then learned the miller' s trade, an occupation he followed in connection with 
farming in Pulaski and CaiToll Counties, Ind. , fi'om 1849 to 1863, since which 
time he has devoted himself to his present business, meeting with marked suc- 
cess. His farm, on which he resides, consists of 165 acres of land, well 
improved and stocked. Mr. Senn was maiTied, in Ohio, in 1852, to Miss 
Louise, daughter of Jacob and Maria (Sickle) Meyers, the fonner a native of 
Switzerland, the latter of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Senn were born, in Indiana, four children. aU living at home: Frank, 
Lizzie, John and Maria. Mr. Senn is a prominent member of the Catholic 
Church in Attica, and was a member of the buOding committee when it was 
erected, and has always given liberally to its support. Politically he is a Dem- 
ocrat. 

JACOB SHERMAN, a native of Germany, was bom January 26, 1819, 
and is the youngest of the nine children born to William and Elizabeth 
(Shaffer) Sherman. He received his education in the common schools, and 



VENICE TOWNSHIP. 1039 

learned the trade of weaver iu his native land. He came to America in 1847. 
and same year settled in Attica, this county. He was manied in America to 
Catherine Hachtle, also a native of Germany, and by this union were born 
four children. Mr. and 3\Irs. Sherman are members of the Lutheran Church, 
of which he has lieen trustee and Sabbath -school superintendent. 

GEOR{4E SHERMAN, harness-maker. Attica, was born in Attica, this 
county. May 4. LSG'J; son of Jacob and C;itherine (Hachtle) Sherman, of Atti- 
ca. Our subject is the third born in a family of four children. He was edu- 
cated in the schools of his native town, and learned harness-making. In IS.SS 
he embarked iu b\isiuess on his own account, and is meeting with success. He 
is a Republican in pcilitics. 

J. M. SILCOX, merchant. Attica, was born in Reed Township, this coun- 
ty, January o, 1884; son of Alonzo and Mary (King) Silcox. natives of New 
York State and of English descent: former of whom w'ho was a farmer, only 
lived to be thirty-five years old. OiU' subject, the second iu a family of three 
childi'eu, attended common school six years, and this constituted all his school- 
ing. He worked on the farm till twelve years old and then was a clerk for 
William Rininger ten years. He afterward moved to Hiu'on County, and had 
a half interest in a store with his (>mploy(>r with whom he continued two and 
one half years, then sold out and i>nibarked in the dry goods business at AVest 
Lodi, Ohio, where he continued for four years. In 1804 he sold this business 
and came to Venice Township and bought a fai'm which ho worked nearly two 
years; then sold it and jjurchased the store of AVilliam Rininger. which ho car- 
ried on alone for one year, when his former partner and old employer liought a 
half interest. Mr. Silcox is riinuing the store and has full chargi' of th(> Inisi- 
noss. He is a lirst-class business man, enjoying the fiillest confidence of his 
partner, and having many warm friends and very few. if any. {>nemies. Mr. 
Silcox was maiTied. in 18r)9, to Zilla. daiighter of Seth Read, a fanuer. and of 
English descent, and to this union have l)een born the following children: 
Belle, wife of O. A. Smith; Ella, now iittending college, and Frank B. , at 
school. Mx. and ili's. Silcox are members of the Universalist Church, of which 
he is treasurer. In politics he is a Republican. He sei-A-ed as a member of tho 
town council several times, has b(>en a member of the school board for foiu-- 
toen years and president of that board for six years. 

MARTIN SMELTZ is a son of Peter Smeltz who came fi'om Germany and 
settled in Pennsylvania when our subject was only seven yeai's old. Peter 
Smeltz afterward moved to Cai-roU County. Ohio, and settled on a farm where 
Martin grew to manhood. He, Martin Smeltz. was among the early settlers of 
this county where he followed the occu]iation of farming. He was married to 
Christiana Lebold and reared a family of eight childi-en. 

MARTIN SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. New Washington, Craw- 
ford County, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. July 22. 1884; son of 
John and Mary (A\'eaver) Smith, natives of Washington County, Penn. , and 
of Dutch descent. His father, who was a farmer by occupation. <'ame to Sen- 
eca Comity, Ohio, in 1838, and settled in Venice Township, where ho sp«>nt 
the remainder of his life, dying in 1882. Our subject, the fifth in a family of 
seven children, acquired his education in the log schoolhouse. He remained 
with his parents on the farm until the breaking out of the war of the Rebel- 
lion, when he enlisted in Company C. Sixty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry. He was in the forty-two battles in which his regiment ]^articipated. 
and at ono time was under fire for ninety days. He was wounded at the bat- 
tle of Stone River, and after a service of three years, one month and thirteen 
days was honorably discharged. The first year after returning home ho 



1040 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

worked at the carpenter's trade, since when he has been farmiiij:^. He now 
owns a fine farm, comprising ninety-three acres of land. !Mr. Smith was mar- 
ried, in 1808, to Fannie, daughter of James and Rel)ecca (Overholser) Kobin- 
son, the former born in Washington County. Penn. , July 8, 180S, the hitter 
in Westmoreland County, Penn., January 7, 181."). They came to Huron 
County, Ohio, in 1838, and reared a family of five children. Mi-s. Smith is a 
member of the United Brethren Church. Politically our subject is a Repub- 
lican. 

SA]\rUEL SPEAKER, farmer and carpenter, P. O. Attica, was born in 
Columbiana County, Ohio, July 30, 1830; son of Samuel and Hannah (Har- 
per) Speaker, the foi'mer born in Pennsylvania of German parents, the latter 
a native of Virginia of Welsh descent. They reared a family of twelve chil- 
dren. Our subject's father, who was a miller, came to Seneca County, Ohio, 
in 1840, and for a time worked at his trade, but eventually pursued farming; 
he was among the first settlers in Venice Township, and died in 180iS; he was 
a Democrat in politics, and sei-ved as justice of the peace of Venice Township. 
Our subject, the fifth Ijorn in the family, was reared on the farm and learned 
the carpenter's trade, which he has followed, together with farming, all through 
life. He was married, in 1851, to Caroline, daughter of John Bait, and of 
Gorman descent, and to this union were born the following childi'en: Martha 
Ellen, wife of Alvin Chen)*; Harriet F. , wife of Simeon Stout, and Jefferson, 
a resident of Caroline. Ohio. Mr. Speaker is a Democrat in politics, and has 
served as trustee of Venice Township. 

I. A. SPENCER, farmer, P. O. Attica, was born in Washington Township, 
Richland Co., Ohio, November 21, 1828, sou of Huckkins and Nancy (Bing- 
ham) Spencer, latter a native of Ireland. Huckkins Spencer, a farmer, of En- 
glish descent, born in Maine, fettled on a farm in this county in 1834. Our 
subject, the eldest of a family of ten childi'en. was reared on the farm, receiv 
ing a limited education in the common schools of Venice Township, and has 
followed agi'icultural piu'suits through life. At the death of his father, who 
was accidentally shot, in 18")!, he was apjwinted administrator of the estate, 
and has since taken care of the family. Mr. Spencer has been very successful 
and now owns a farm comprising 1 1 1 acres of land. He was man'ied first, in 
1852, to Catherine Mechener, by whom he had the following children: Mary 
J., widow of Dr. J. C. Myers; Emma E., wife of Scott N. Bruner, of Chi- 
cago! 111. : Anna and Sherman. Mrs. Spencer died in 1804. She was a mem- 
ber of the Free- Will Baptist Church. The year of his wife's demise Mi\ 
S])encer enlisted in the United States Regulars and served ItK) days as Fourth 
Duty Sergeant, Comjiany C!. Novemljer 25, 1805. he was married to his pres- 
ent wife, Emeline. daughter of Daniel Dunahay, and to this union were born 
Ella and Jennie. Mrs. Spencer is a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church. 
Ml'. Sj)encer is a Republican in politics. He has ])assed all the chairs of the 
I. O. O. F. 

JOHN W. STEIGMEYER. farmer. P. O. Attica, is a son of Frederick 
Steigmeyer, who was born in Switzerland, and there received his schooling. 
Frederick Steigmeyer' s parents were Dominicus and Barbara (Meyer) Steig- 
Tueyer, also natives of Switzerland. Fred. Steigmeyer came to America in 
1831 and settled in Pennsylvania, where his father worked at the carpenter's 
trade for six years. He came to Seneca County. Ohio, in 183(), and in 1837 
returned to Switzerland and there married Elizabeth Senii, returning to Seneca 
County the same year. To this union were born the following chiklren: John 
\\'., Fred H. (a resident of Attica) and Elizabeth (wife of John Buchman, a 
prominent farmer living near Tiffin. Ohio). John W. Steigmeyer, the subject 



VENICE TOWNSHIP. 1041 

of this sketch, was born in Vonice Township, this county, January 4, 1838, 
and was roared on thu farm. ae((niriug his education in the schools of his na- 
tive county. He has proved himself to be a successfid farmer, and now owns 
a fine place consisting of HiO acres of land. He was married, in 18f')8. to 
Mary E., daughter of Henry Seiger, a farmer, and of German descent. They 
have three children: Flora A., Heijry F. and Cecilia. Mi\ Steigmeyer has 
served his township as tnistee. In politics he is a Democrat. 

M. C. STIUNMETZ. farmer and stock-rais(>r. P. O. St. Stephen, was 
l)orn in France Sej)teml>er 2'J, 182'.l, son of Martin and Elizabeth (Baltz) 
Steimuetz, also French people, who immigrated to America in 18:^1 (being si.x 
months making the journey), and settled on a farm in Stark County. Ohio, Init 
moving in 18;{7 on a farm in Venice Township, this county; tin? former, who 
was a shingle-maker in France, after coming to America followed fai'ming. 
Our subject's parents raised a family of nine children, of whom M. C. is the 
sixth born. Our subject was reared and accjuired his education in this county, 
and worked on the farm until nineteen years old. He then learned the car- 
penter and millwTight trades, which he followed ( most of the time in this coun- 
ty), and with more than average success, for eighteen years. Since then he has 
devoted his entire attenticju to ffirming. He has met with mark(>d success, and 
is the owner of two well-improved farms, one comprising seviuity-eight and 
three-quarters acres, and the other (where he resides) \'M') acres. A\ hen he 
started out for himself Mr. Steinmetz worked for §8 a month, and what he has 
accumulated has l)een obtained mostly by his own exertions. Our subject has 
been twice married; tii'st, in 1852, to Maiy E. , daughter of Philip Falter, a 
native of Germany, and who died in 1881. The childi-eu born to this union 
are John C, Philip, Mary, Christena, Celia, Clement, Louise, Anthony, Law- 
rence and Maria. The first five mentit)ned are married, and are useful citi- 
zens. Mr. Steimnetz was married, on second occasion. -Jaunary 1. 1885, to 
Magdalena, daughter of Hem-y and Freniga (Wagner) Wattz. natives of Ger- 
many. Ml', and Mrs. Steinmetz and family are memliers of the Catholic 
Church, of which he has been a trustee for thirty-foiu- y(>ars, and he has also 
been a member of the church council. In politics he is a Democrat. He has 
served as trustee of Venice Township for six years, and as assessor for two 
years. 

CAPT. WILLLAM STEPHENSON, grandfather oi Prof. William tt 
Stephenson, a tc^acher and carpenter, was born in ^\'ashington County, Penn.. 
in 1784; was raised on a farm, and received his education in the common 
schools and subscription schools of M'ashington County. He was a very sue 
cessful teacher, having taught three years in his own house; left the school tn 
raise a company in Belmont County. Ohio, to go to the war of 1812, serving 
all through it. marching with his num across the State from St. Clairsville to 
Lake Erie; took active part through all the campaign at Detroit and Fort 
Stephenson (Croghan),and came back home very much broken in health. Capt. 
Stephenson moved, in 1821, with his family to Crawford County, Ohio, where 
he took an active part in opening up the new country; jiurchased land of the 
Government, and cleared up a very fine farm three miles we.st of Bucyrus, where 
ho died about the year ISiJO. Capt. Stephenson took an active part in chiirch 
and educational matters, and everything for the good of society. He de- 
parted this life verv highly esteemed bv his manv friends and acciuaintances. 

PROF. WILLIAM H. STEPHENSON, farmer and teacher. Attica, was 
born in Venice Township, this county, July \-i. 1842, son of John A. and 
Sarah (Stephenson) Stephenson, natives of Pennsylvania and of Irish descent, 
and who were parents of foiu- children. His father came to this county, am] 



VU2 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: , 

settled ill Venice Townshij) in 1831, obtaining land from the Government. Our 
subject was raised on the farm, receiving his education in his native towTiship 
and at the high school of Bucjtus, Ohio. He has taught twenty-eight tenns 
in this county, mostly in the schools of Venice Township. He favors and is a 
constant attendant of the teachers' institutes, and he himself writes for edu- 
cational joiirnals. He was maiTied, in 18<)f), to Maria, datighter of Francis 
Montgomery, and of Irish descent, and their chiklren are Homer (attending 
the Attica High School), Frank O. , William M. and Cora. Prof. Stephenson 
and wife are members of the INIethodist Protestant Church, and he has been 
Sabbath-school superintendent for many years. Politically he is a Repub- 
hcan. Dining the late civil war he enlisted, in 1804, as a member of Company 
F, Sixty- second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, participating in several engagements 
and served till the close of the war. He was taken prisoner the day Lee sur- 
rendered, and was discharged as a prisoner of war. He is chaplain of Post 
112 of the G. A. R. He took an active interest in the Grange movement, and 
served two years as secretary in that organization. He served two years as 
secretary and one term as Worthy Chief of the Good Templars, and is a I'. & 
A. M. His farm comprises sixty-six acres of well-improved land, located a 
mile and a half soiith of Attica on the Sandusky pike. 

LESTER SUTTON, attorney and banker, Attica, was born in Steuben 
County, N. Y. , July 13, 1830, son of John and Chi-istina (True) Siitton; the 
former, a native of Pennsylvania, was of Dutch descent, the latter, born in 
New York, was of English lineage. John Sutton, a farmer, was twice mar- 
ried, our subject being the eldest child by the second wife. Lester Sutton was 
reared on the farm, remaining with his parents until he was seventeen years 
old, when he commenced teaching school, an occupation he followed until he 
was abuost twenty-three years of age. He then began the study of law at 
TilJin. Ohio, in the office of Col. Leander Stem, and was admitted to the bar 
in 1867. He opened an office at Attica in 1805, and has been in active prac- 
tice here ever since. In 1880 Mr. Sutton started in the banking business, and 
has since divided his time between the bank and his profession. He was 
united in marriage, in 1859, to Emaline Rundell, and to this union were born 
fom- childi-en: Leonard L., attending college; Laiu-a, Charles and Luella. 
Mi-s. Sutton is a member of the Baptist Church. In politics Mr. Sutton is a 
Republican. 

ISAAC TANNER, farmer and stock-raiser, Attica, was born in Newport 
Townshi]). Herkimer County, N. Y., August 24. 1811, son of John, a 
farmer, and Nancy ( Nortrip) Tanner, natives of Rhode Island and of English 
descent, and of whose nine children. Isaac is the fifth. The parents and 
gi'and])arents of Isaac Tanner, our subject, moved into New York State, when 
a wilderness, with only here and there a settlement, wild animals being in 
abundance. The schooling of our subject was obtained in his native State. 
He came from New York to Ohio in 1854, and settled in Venice Township, 
this county, when Attica was not worthy of being called even a village, where 
he has followed farming, an occupation in which he has been successful, and is 
now the owner of a farm. Mr. Tanner was married, in 1S33. to Hannah, 
daughter of Isaac and Tabitha (Bontly) Tanner and granddaugliter of Isaac 
Tanner, Sr. She was born June 27, 1813, in Schuyler Township, Herkimer 
Co., N. Y. This union has been blessed with six children, of whom only two are 
now living: Augustus U. B. and Eugene B. , both farmers in Venice Township, 
this county, and both married; the former of whom served as a soldier all 
through the Hte war of the Rebellion (he has two children: Avis Agnes and 
Harlcy Martin). The pari>nts and grandparents of I\Ir. and Mi-s. Tanner were 



VENICE TUW.NSlllI'. 1043 

from Rhode Island. Oui- subject and wife are members of the Universalist 
Church. 

HENRY V. TRUMPLER, a<,n'nt for the IVuusylvauia Raihoad Company, 
CaiTothers, was born in Yeaice Township, this county. February 17. IS58, 
son of Peter and Christine (Deisler) Trumpl<>r, natives of Bavaria. Gennany, 
and who reared a family of seven children, live now living, of whom Henry V. 
is the youngest. Peter Trumjiler, father of our subject, a shoe-maker by trade, 
was among the early settlers of Venice Township, and here followed farming 
as an occupation. He was a to ember of the German Church, and died in INTO. 
Our subject received his education in the common schools, chose farming as an 
occupation and followed agricidtm-al pursuits until 1^<S4, when he sold his 
farm of Ht'.t acres adjoining the village of Carrothers and entered his j)resent 
occupation. He was united in marriage, in ISSI, with Rebecca, daughter of 
George and Elizab(>th (Revert) Meiser, and a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch 
descent. jMi'. and Mrs. Trnmpler are members of the English Reformed 
Church, in which he is deacon. In politics he is a Rejniblican. 

J. W. WALKER, furniture dealer and undertaker, Attica, was born in 
Cadiz, Han'ison Co., Ohio, Februaiy 27, 1849, son of John and Fanny (Hoff- 
man) Walker, the former a native of Virginia of Irish descent, the latter of 
New Jersey and of Welsh lineage. His father, who was a plasterer and stone- 
mason, came to Attica, Ohio, in 1852. He is now residing on a farm in Huron 
County, Ohio. Om- subject is the third of eight children born to his parents, 
and is the oldest of the four that lived to grow up. His education was 
obtained in the common school. Baldwin University, Berea, Ohio, and at the 
Northwestern Normal College at Republic, Ohio. He learned the trade of a 
stone-mason and plasterer, which he followed for twelve years during the sum- 
mer months, teaching school in the winters, commencing at the age of nineteen 
years. He was man-ied, April 12, 1874, in Hiu'on County, Ohio, to Miss 
Jennie Fast, who was born in Ashland County, Ohio, and of Dutch origin. 
To this union were born Winfi'ed J., Royall B. (who died in infancy) and 
Rollo E. Hoon after his man-iage ]\Ir. A\'alker purchased a small farm in 
Richmond Township. Huron Co. , Ohio, where he resided until the spring of 
1880, when he sold the farm and bought property in Attica, this county. In 
1881 he entered into partnership in the fiu'uiture and undertaking business, 
which he still follows, having since j)iu'chased the entire stock. Mr. and Mrs. 
Walker are members of the Free-Will Baptist Chvu'ch. Mr. Walker iisually 
votes the Democratic Ticket. He is a member of Venice Lodge No. 197, I. 
O. O. F. 

E. WEAVER, Attica, one of the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers 
of this county, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1850, son of Samuel 
Weaver, a native of CaiToll County, Md.. born in 1822, a farmer by occupation, 
and who came among the early settlers to this county. Samuel Weaver was 
united in man'iage with Sarah Bixler, who was born in 1824, and to this union 
were born eight children, of whom six are living. They were of German 
descent. The father died in 186:5, and the mother died in 1806. Samuel 
Weaver owned 820 acres of land, and since his death the sons have paid all 
out-standing debts, bought more land, and at present the farm comprises 420 
acres of well-improved land, which is well stocked. E. AVeaver, our subject, 
received his education in Freeport, 111. In politics he is a Democrat. 

MARTIN S. WEAVER, fanner, P. O. Attica, was born in Washington 
County. Peun. . .\pril 17, 1811, son of John, a farmer, and Catherine (Spoon) 
Weaver, natives of Peimsylvania and of German descent. Our subject, the 
eighth in a family of twelve children, was reared on the farm, receiving a com- 



1044 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 

mon school education, and has followed agricultural pursuits through life. He 
now owns a farm of 117 acres of land in Venice Township, where he has lived 
since 1833. He was man-ied, in 1831, to Narcissus, daughter of Valentine 
Cooper, a farmer, and of English descent. She died in 1800 and subsequently 
Mr. Weaver married jVIts. Abigail (Bennington) Thompson, widow of Adam 
Thompson. IVIr. "Weaver is the father of eleven childi'en, nine of whom grew to 
manhood and womanhood, viz. : Washington, Joseph, John V. . Mary, Elizabeth, 
Clarcy C and Sarah. by his tii-st wife, and Julianu, Jane, and John "\V. (deceased), 
bv his last marriage. Two sons served in the Union Ai'my diu'iug the civil 
war, one dying in his country's defense. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are members 
of the Free- Will Baptist Church. In politics he is a Republican. 

J. B. WILHELM, farmer, P. O. St. Stephen, was born in France 
October 6, 1844, son of John and Catherine (Swailer) ^^'ilhelm, also natives of 
France. His father, who was a farmer, came to America in 1857, remaining 
two years in the State of New York, and thence came to and settled on a farm 
in Bloom Township, this county. Our subject, the oldest of foiu' children, 
was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the coimty schools at 
Republic Academy and Baldwin University, a Methodist institute at Berea, 
Ohio. At the age of twenty-two he commenced to teach school, chiefly in 
Stark County. Ho taught ten months each year for two years, and then for 
eight winters, working in the summers. He is an extensive reader. Mi\ Wil- 
helm was married, in 1871, to Marcella, daughter of Matthew and Annie 
(Melio) Delaney, natives of Ireland, her father being an early settler of Venice 
Township, this county, and to this union were born the following children: 
Francis X., Catherine and Clara. They are members of the Catholic Chiu'ch. 
IVIr. Wilhelm is one of the trustees of Venice Township. In politics he is a 
Democrat. He is owner of I265 acres of well-improved land. 

E. D. WILLIAMS, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Attica, was born in 
Morgan County, Ohio, January B, 1853, son of O. H. and Agnes (Shepherd) 
Williams, natives of Ohio and of English and French descent, the former a 
carpenter in early life, but later a successful farmer, still residing on a farm. 
Their family consisted of twelve children, seven of whom now sui'vive. Our 
subject, the fourth in the family, was reared on the farm. His education was 
obtained in the normal school, Lebanon. Ohio, and at Fostoria, this county, 
where he attained his majority. He first taught school for six years, and then 
for three years farmed in the summers and taught in the winters. He has 
three sisters and one brother who have followed the same profession, and his 
brother E. E. is now a successful lawyer in West Jefferson, Madison Co. , Ohio. 
Our subject was married, in 1879, to Miss A. J. McKibben, of Scotch-Irish 
descent and daughter of James B. McKibben, a pioneer farmer of Venice 
Township, this county, but now a resident of Reed Townshiji, this county. To 
this union were born two childi'en: Bessie and Ivan. Mrs. Williams is a mem- 
ber of the Presb\^orian Church. In polities Mr. Williams is a Reiniblican. 

By request of Mi-. E. D. "Williams the following letter, wi-itten to him by 
his brother, E. E. ^^'illiams, is inserted verbatim: 

Ringgold, Ohio, September 14, 1884. 
Dear Brother : I received your letter yesterday. Many tbanks for your kindness. Three weeks ago I vis- 
ited the old home. I walked out from Mji'lla. When I arrived at the brow of the hill above the old school- 
house, being tired, I lay down on the grass beneath the shady beech trees that line the hillside, and while lying 
there I lived over again our whole past life Jly mind went back to our boyhood days when we used to play in 
the bright sunny meadows of southern Ohio. I could see every little mill and Hutter-wheel we had ever made. 
I remeiubered oiir removal from Ringgold on to the old farm. 'l remembered our struggle with poverty, and I 
could see two little white-headed boys as they started out across the fields to their work, either talking over the 
hardness of their lot, or singing souie old war song that made the hills riug with gladness. 1 could see their 
white heads bobtdng up and down in the hot sun among the long coru rows, or after hoeing to the top of the 
hill, the giant strides we made to reach the bottom of the hill to begin anew another row. I remembered of 
lying behind the fence over ttehind the vineyartl (wliich had not then been plantedj, waiting for the horn to 



VENICE TOWNSHIP. 1045 

blow for (liuntT and talkiug over their wrimgs. which were more imaginary than real. I remeinln'red some of 
the tilings we were going to do when we became men. Yes. we would travel and see the world. I reuieni- 
bereU nvir school day.-i, the burning of the old schoolhouse uu the hill, our fun and light.s for our rights. 1 
looked at the ol<l schoolhouse near home and could see a great change; the storms had washed the dirt away 
from the foundation, and it looked as if in a few more years it would topple to the ground. There is a little 
grov<' of locust trees above the schoolhouse that I helped t*i plant, and I guess you did,"too. I remembered our 
struggle to obtain an education. I can see two boys starting away from home, their arrival at Newark, their 
attendance at school at Fostoria aud the normal school rt Lebanon, Ohio, their success at school, and their suc- 
cess as teachers. Will the world ever be any better for our having lived in it? Certainly, if we do our duty, 
for tliat is all the most noted men ever accomplish. Memories of my brother who has ever been so true wi'U 
last until this life is lu) more. Many, many things were brought to iuy memory which, though they may never 
be recorded ou paper, in writing or print, yet they are printetl on the pages of memory wnich will never be 
erase<l until reason is detlironeil. .\gain, the scene is changed, and the wedding bells are ringing out their 
glad notes of joy. ( »ne h.as now the hand and heart of one of Seneca's fairest and best, whose love and womanl y 
grace is a more" precious heritage than palaces made of gold ; they are living the same life of happiness lived by 
so many since the world was young. E. l). Williams is now living the grand old life of a farmer, the most use- 
ful occupation among men. Slay happiness, health and prosperity be bis througlj a long and useful life, aud a 
fraud entrance into that rest that was planted for the children of men. Tlie other (E. E. Williams) is still 
ghtin^ the battle of life where he is carrying otf a few laurels in the practice of law. What will the future 
be? Time will tell. From your aftectiouate brother, E. E. 

JACOB WISE, retired farraer, P. O. Attica, was born in Cumberland 
County, Penn.. January 10. 1819. His parents. John and Sophia (Wise) 
Wise, though of same name, were not related. His father was a native of Ger- 
many, and when tpiite young came to America, settling in Pennsylvania; his 
mother was a native of Pennsylvania, where they were married. The father 
of our subject, who was a blacksmith, came to this coimty in 1827. He 
obtained a State contract to buOd one mile and a half of turuj)iko in Reed 
Townshij), this county, for which he was to receive 413 acres of land in that 
township and $300 in cash. He completed the contract and commenced to 
improve his land, but died in 1834, having cleared but twenty acres. In 
politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat. He was a member and trustee of the 
Lutheran Church. Of his family of thii'teen chikli'en ten attained maturity. 
Oui' subject, the seventh born, was educated in the log schoolhouse, the first 
built in Venice Township, and which was located on the site of his present 
residence in Attica. He grew up on the farm, learned the mason's trade, and 
at the age of twenty-one leased the homestead fanu. ])roved himself to be a 
successful agriculturist, and later bought the interest of the othur heirs in the 
estate for which he now holds the deed given to his father by the State. He 
has been twice married, the first time, in 1840, to Eliza Armsby, of English- 
Irish descent, and who bore him six children, three of whom are now living: 
Alfred, a farmer, married; Josephine, wife of Benjamin Van Fleet, and Frank 
at home. This wife dying in 1870, 'Mr. Wise, in 1871, married ^Irs. Mary 
(Sutton) Hall, widowof Thomas Hall. !Mi's. Hall had two children: Lester 
and Albert. iL\ and Mrs. ^\'ise are members of the Regular Baptist Church, 
of which he has been d(>acon for the jiast twenty-five years. He has been a 
prominent m(>mber of the Masonic fraternity for twenty-five years; also is 
a member of Venice Lodge No. 197, I. O. 0. F, During the late civil war 
he was a member of the Forty-ninth Regiment Ohio Home Guards, which 
was called into active service for 100 days near the close of that struggle. He 
is a member of the G. A. R. He has served his township as trustee. Politi- 
cally he is a Republican. 

JOHN C. WORM, farmer, P. O. Carrothers, was born in Venice Town- 
ship, this county. April 13. 1848, son of Christian and Hannah (Lehman) 
AVonn, who were among the pioneers of this county; coming here fi'om Ger- 
many in 1833. Our subject, the elde.st of a family of six children, was reared 
on the farm in Venice Township, attending the district school. When he was 
twenty years old he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, aud has since 
continued to work at same; ui partnership with his brother Matthias, he carried 
on the farm which is well -improved, consisting of nearly 200 acres of good land. 
Oui- subject was man'ied. May 4. 1875, to Philomena. daughter of John B. 



1046 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

and JIai'garet (Steinmetz) Falter, and sister of Mi-s. Matthias Worm. To this 
union were born following childi'en: Mary J., Martha Celia, Clement A., 
Joseph Lawrence and Maggie J. The family are members of the Catholic 
Church. Politically Mr. Worm is a Democrat. 

MORRIS WURTS, hardware mere^iant, Attica, was born in Canada, March 
y, 1883, son of Abraham and Rhoda (Willow) Wiuis, the former a native of 
New Jersey, of German descent, the latter a native of Canada, of English 
lineage. His father, a cooper by trade, also a fanner, was thrice man-ied, and 
had twenty-one childi'en, Moiris being the third born of the fourteen childi-en 
by last wife. Our subject received his education in Hiu-on Coimty, Ohio, 
where his parents resided in an early day. He was reared on the farm, and 
followed agricultiiral pvu'suits until 1878, when he removed to Attica. In 
1884 he bought a half interest in the hardware store of Armatage & Wurts. 
He has been remarkably successful in business, owns town property at Belle\'ue, 
a fine residence in Attica, and a well-improved fann comprising 193 acres in 
Huron County, Ohio. He was married in 1860, to Caroline, daughter of Peter 
Burket, who was born in Ohio, of German descent. Their children are Harriet 
Edith, Loa Almetta and Merle Ethel. Mi\ and Mrs. Wurts are members of 
the Protestant Methodist Church, of which he has been trustee. In politics 
he is a Democrat. 




APPENDIX. 



ORIGINAL ENTRIES OF LANDS IN SENECA COUNTY. 



THE value of such a list, as is presented in the following pages, cannot be 
overestimated, particiilarly when the original piu-chasers of the land 
formed a majority of the pioneers of the county, as in this case. In the general 
history, as well as in the township histories, a complete record of grants, made 
by the United States to Indian captives, half-breeds, and others, appears. 
For this reason mention of such grants is not made in this division. Again, 
the names of pm-chasers of canal and pike-road lands are not given, the record 
of entry simi)ly crediting to the canal or road company. School lands are 
treated in the history of the township schools, except in some special cases, to 
which reference is made herein. 

Acknowledgments are due to Gen. Sparks, United States Land Commis- 
sioner; to Assistant Commissioner Stockleger, and Chief Clerk Parke for offi- 
cial coiuiesies, and to Maj. Laurence for material aid rendered in the research. 



BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP. 

TOWN 1 N., RANGE 13 E. 

.laeol) W. Sueider, s. e. I4 s. e. Ji sec I .Ian. 25, 1834. 
.Jacob W. Sneider, w. % s. e. '.1 sec. 1, .Ian. 25, 1834. 
Valentme iirosanier, s. w. Vi sec. 1, Sept. lf>, 1833. 
.Maiiui & Dayton Cunai, n. '/j sec. I.May 24, 1828. 
.lohn L. lierioon, u. e. H s. e. \ sec. 1, '.March 17, 1834. 
(ieorge Mullin, n. w. '4 n. w. I4 sec. 2, May 1, 1833. 
.lacob .Miller, n. e Kl u w. \^ sec. 2, Jan. 9, 18;t4. 
i-'rancis Biscliolf, 3. ',.•'. n. w! '4 sec. 2, .Ian. 8, 1834. 
Oliver Cliilds, w. \t sT w. i^sec. 2, .May 2.'1, 1833. 
Charles Darrow, c. % s. w. ^4 sec. 2, May 23, 1833. 
Frederick Karjwr, u. e. \i sec. 2, May 29, 1833. 
Hiram Darrow, >*, e. '4 sec. 2, May 20, 1833. 
.lauics H. Wilson, n. e. \ sec. 3, May I, 1832. 
Miami A Davton (.'anal, n. w. \^ sec. 3, May 24, 1S2S. 
Oliver (_ hildj), s. \4 sec. 3, May 23, 183.3. 
Stephen Kuntz, n. Vi n. e. \^ sec. 4, Jan. 2.'), 1.S34. 
Peter Kinehari, s. \i n. e. J4 sec. 4, Nov. 8, 183:i. 
Peter liinchart, s. c. H sec 4, Nov. 8, 1833. 
Hcnjamiu Harsh, n. w. Vt sec. 4,Nov. 10, 1832. 
.Vlaimi ,V Dayton Canal.s. w. 'i sec. 4, May 24, 1828. 
Ueorgc Welia (or Welbai, e. ';, n. e l^sec. 5, April 9, 

1SS4. 
Levina Hotrnian, s. w. '-^ n. 0. '4 sec. 5, Jan. 23, 1835. 
Joseph Stackhouse, n. v.\ n. w. ».i sec. 5, Nov. 24, 1832. 
.Michael (Jrove, 8. J^J n. w. 14 sec. 5, Nov. \fi, 1832. 
.Michael lirove, n. e. ' .j u. w. % sec. 3, Nov. 23, 1833. 
Miami A Dayton Canal, s. w. jj sec. 5. May 24, 1828. 
I.evina HoDnian, n. Us. ©. U sec. 5, June 23, 1835. 
.lames Waison, Sr. s. >^ s. e. ' i sec. 5, .May 6, 1834. 
.luseph Staekhotiso, n. e. % n. e. *.i sec 6, Nov. 24, 1832. 
David Orabeul, .Ir. n. w. >,i sec. 6, April 19. 1833. 
Jacob I irovc. 8. V^ n e. !4 sec. 6, May 8, 1,8.33. 
John Clark, n. w. ':' n e. ' i sec. <>, June 2, 18.34. 
.lacol) (irove, n. e '.j s. e. \i see. G, May 8. 1833. 
David tiraylieal. .sr. 11. w. % s. e. y. sec. 6. June 4, 1831. 
David <_,ra*yheal, Sr. s. w. ',.| sec 6, .lune 4, 1834. 
Joshua Watson, e. | ^ n. e. ' , sec. 7, June 13, 1832. 



I'rancis Easihin, w. J^ n. e V^ sec. 7, Nov. 17, 1834. 
Daniel Reese, w. > 2 s. w. \:^ sec 7, July 6, 1833. 
.\dam Wickerham, e. !, 3. w. %, sec. 7, Sept 10, 1833. 
Thomas Foughty, n. w '% n. w. % sec. 7, May 9, 1836. 
John Keesberry, n. e. '<i n. w. f4 sec. 7, Aug 8, 1836. 
Jacob Moore, s. 'A n. w. % sec. 7, May 14, 1.S36. 
Abel Hennon, e. *A s. e. V4 sec. 7. Aug. 15, 1832. 
Adam Wickerham, s. iv. '4 s. e. \isec. 7, Sept 10, 1833. 
Francis Easihin, n. w. % s. e. ^ sec. 7. Nov, I7, 1834. 
Moses Kling, e. Ja n. e. U sec. 8, Nov. 18, 1.S33. 
Francis ICasihin, w. li n, e. '^ sec. 8, Nov, 18, 1831, 
Schuvaler Nicolas, s, e '/^a. e. ',1 sec. 8, June 28, 1834. 
.\dam Killingcr, e, ' j n. «•. Vy sec. 8, Nov. 1. 1832. 
Joshua Watson, w. % n. w. 1,4 sec. 8, Juno 13, 18S2. 
John Boucher, w, },!, s. e, ',1 sec, 8, Oct. 8, 1832. 
Jacob Boucher, n e. '4 '■ e- '/i sec. 8, May 14, 1834. 
.lohn Boucher, e, Va »• "• !4 »«<:. 8, Oct 18, 1832. 
.•Ibel Hennon, w. ', s. w. !4 see. 8, .\ug. 15. 1832. 
Thomas Hlackburn.n. ', n. e '<i sec. 9, Oct 28, 1833. 
Henry Mvcrs.s. J j n. e. ' ; sec. 9. Oct. 28, 1833. 
Jacob Mifler, c. '; n. w. '4 see. 9, Jan, 8, 1834. 
Oeorge Janz, n. w, ', ; n w, |/1 sec, 9, Feb. i*. 1335. 
Samuel Waison, s w. ■ j n. w. 'i sec. 9, July 19, 1836. 
Jacob liousber, s e '/i' sec. 9. Oct. IS, 1832, 
.lacob Bousher, c. 'i s, w, i,j sec. 9, Oct 18, 1832. 
Samuel Boucher, w. 'i s. w, Vi sec. 9, .luly I'J, 1836. 
David Smoker, n e. '.i sec, 10, May 21, \*.a. 
Jacob Reader, e 'i s, e, '.i see 10, Oct, 7, 1333, 
Frederick Davlin, w '^ ^, e 'i sec 10, Oci, 29, 1833. 
Isadore Fry, e. • i n w. '.1 sec, 10, Nov, 8, 1833. 
John J Troutman, w. ': n. w. 'i sec. 10, Oct, 9, 1833, 
Frederick Davlin, e '.j s. w, "4 sec, 10, "ci, 29, 18:«. 
Teriock Moock. w. 'i s. w, ' , sec, 10. Nov. 3, 1833. 
Isadore Fry, 11. w. >i n. w. Vi sec. 11, April 20, 1833, 
Isaac .Smoker, s. ]-^ n. w, Vx sec. 11, May 21, 1833, 
I.sfldore Fry, n e, ^.i n, w, *,v sec. 11. Nov. 4. 1833. 
Anthony Schindler, s, w. '.i, sec 11, .Sept. Hi, 18.33. 
Thos. Jcflerson (iates. n. e % see. II, .May 23, 18:13. 
Jacob Kabnla, n. »i s. e U sec. II, Sept. 16. 183:1. 
Jacob Kabala, s. ■, s. e. '., sec. 11, Sept. 16. 18:13. 



1048 



APf NDIX: 



John Myer, e. 'i n. e. !4 sec. 12, Sept. II, 183.3 
Jacob Haser, w. !4 n.e. !4sec. 12, Sept. 26, 1833. 
Robert Urown, e. \4 s. e. M sec. 12, Sept. 12, 1833. 
Valentioe Brosamer, n. w. [^ sec. 12. Sept IB, 1833. 
Michael Shurr, s. w. ]4s.e.% sec. 12, Sept. 11, 183.3. 
.Toseph Martin, n. w. 14 s. e. H sec. 12, Sept. 16, 1833. 
Wm. Frees, e. j^ n. e. '4 «ec. 13, July 25, 1832. 
.lohn Waltermire, w. >^ n. e % sec. 13, June 17, 1.S33. 
John Waltermire, n. w. 14 sec. 13, Nov. 2G, 1832. 
Peter Wutcher, e "i s. e 'A sec. 13, July 10, 1832. 
Dominique Filliatre and Nicholas Filliatre, s. w. '', s. 

e. '4 sec. 13. Sept. 16. 1833. 
l)ouiinique Filliatre and Nicholas Filliatre. n. w. \^ s. 

e. '.1 sec. 13, Sept. 27, 1833. 
Willhelm Templeman, n. 14 5. w. >4 sec. 13, Oct. 3, 1833. 
Joseph Simon, s. V2 s. w. ^I'sec. 13, Oct. 3, 1833. 
Henry .Schuraacker, s. e.VX sec. 14, June 6, 1833. 
John Sheets, n. e. l<^ sec 14. 

Philip Sickman, e pt. of s. w. '.i sec. 14, Nov. 13,1883. 
Samuel Young, w. pt. of s. w. 14 Bee. 14. Oct. 9, 1833. 
Jacob Lower, n. w. fr. ':, sec. 14, Nov 13, 18.33. 
J.acob Lower, s. w. fr. (4 n. w. ',1 sec. 14, Nov. 13, 1833. 
.lacob .\ult, n. e. fr. Vi sec. 1.5, Nov. 13. 1833. 
Samuel Young, s. e. ^4 sec. 15, Oct. 9, 1833. 
Lucas Garber, u. fr. (old survey) sec. 15, Jan. S, 1834. 
Wm. Baker, e. pt. of n. w. fr. ^i B. S. Reservation, sec. 

1.1, Jan. 8, 1834. 
Charles Stoollire, W. pt. n. w. fr. ^i B. S. Reservation, 

sec. 1.5, June 3, 1.S34. 
Michael Wagner, s. w. ', sec. 15. Oct. 4, 1833. 
M'illiam Durbin, Jr. and Robert Meyers Shoemaker, 

e. !^ s. e. ' I and w. ' ; s. e. ' , sec. 16*, Aug. 30, 1842. 
AVilliam Durbin, .Ir. and Robert Meyers Shoemaker, 

e. '2 8.W. Vi and w. 1^ s. w. ' 1 sec. 16.* Aug. 30, 1842. 
WMlliam Durbin. Jr. and Robert Meyers Shoemaker, 

e. y, n. fr. ' .; and w. 'i n. fr. J^ sec. 16*, Aug. 30, 

1842". 
Henry Boucher, fr. (of 114 a.) sec 17, Aug. 18, 1S32. 
Isaac Dewitt, w. '.^ s. w. >.i sec. 17, Feb. 26, 1833. 
John Luellen, e. 'A s. e. '.i sec. 17, March II, 1833. 
John Luellen, w. VS s. e. ',1 sec. 17, March 11, 1833. 
Timothv .Smith, n. w. fr. ',1 see. 17, July 2, 1833. 
.\dam Heil,e. 'i s. w. '.i sec. 17, Sept. 9, 1833. 
J. Guear (or (;reari,e.pt. n. e. fr. '4 sec. 17,June3, 1834. 
Joseph VVilford, fr.iction of sec. 18, June 13, 1832. 
John Laiwill, n. w. '4 sec. 18, Dec. 10, 1832. 
Isaac Dewitt. e. }4 s. e. Vi sec. IS, Feb. 26, 1833. 
Benjamin Bower, s. w. I4 sec. 18, June 12, 1833. 
Benjamin Bower, w. Us. e. '4 sec. IS, .Tune 12, 1833. 
Timothv Smith, n. e. fr. '4 sec. 18, July 2, 1833. 
Timothy Smith, w. pt. n. e. fr. I4 see. iS, July 2, l.'<3.;. 
Wm. Burgess, s. e. I4 sec. 19, Feb. 11, 1833. 
< Jiles Aylesworth, n. w. Vi s. pt. sec. 19, March 1.3, 1833. 
Wm. Mullholland, n. )4 n. w. "4 sec. 19, April 10, 1833. 
(iiles .Vyiesworth, n.ptTofs.w. '4 sec. 19, March 13, l.s33. 
Samuel tJibson, s. l.^a. w. '4 sec. 19, June 10, 1833. 
Wm. Benham, n. e. ^i sec. 19, March 13, 1833. 
Charles Henderson, e. '4 s. e. '4 see. 20, Dec. 20, 1832. 
David Ferrier, w. % s. c. '4 sec. 20, Feb. 8, 1833. 
David Ferrier, e. V, s. w. I4 sec. 20, Feb, 8, 1833. 
Charles Sloolfire, w. '/i s. w. I4 sec. 20, Feb. 8, 1933. 
John Jenkins, e. '^ u."e. '4 sec. 20, Feb. 8, 1833. 
Fred. Kimmell, s. w. '4 n. e. ».i sec. 20, April 13, 1833. 
Wm. Hargier, n. w. Vi .n e. I4 sec. 20, Jan. 31, 1834. 
Samuel Farmer, w. \f, n. w. I4 sec. 20, Feb. II. 1833. 
Fred. Kimuiell, s. e. '4 n. w. I4 sec. 20, .\pril 13, ls;i3. 
John Weaver, n. e. '4 n. w. '4 sec. 20, Oct. 9, 1833. 
Chas. Henderson, s. w. I4 s. w. I4 sec. 21, Dec 20, 1832. 
David Strouse, e. ^ s. w. I4 sec. 21, Feb. 11, 1833. 
.John Barcus, n. w.">4 s. w. I4 sec. 21, Feb. 18,1833. 
John Hareus, w. Vi- u. **■ 'i sec. 21, Feb. II, 1S33. 
John Barcus, n. e."'.i n. w. ^i sec. 21, Feb. 18, 1833. 
David .Strouse, s. e. ^i n. w. ^i sec. 21, .\pril 15, 1833. 
David Kinuncll, e. 'j n. c. '4 sec. 21, April 11, 1833. 
Samuel Vauhoru, s. w. % n. e. '4 sec. 21, June 22, 1833. 
.S. T. Vanhorn. n.w. '4 n e. ^4 B.S.R. s. 21. May 12,1834. 
Samuel T. Vauhorn, s. e. '4 sec. 21, June 22, 1833. 
Kphriam Baer, s. ]4 s. w. Vi sec. 22, April 12, 1833. 
Sol. Battenlield, u.'X, s w. '4 sec. 22, March 6, 1831. 
Henry Huffman, s. eT ^4 sec, 22, 1833. 
Nitrholas Pere, e. J.^ n. c. ^.i sec. 22, Oct. 4, 1833. 
Michael Wagner, w. I/2 n. e. '4 sec. 22, Oct. 4, 1833. 
Miehac-I Wagner, n. w. "4 sec. 22, Oct 4. 1333 
John Lower, u. ^. s. e. >4 sec. 23, Nov. 13, 1833. 
Samuel Dulcher, s. e. V.is e. '4 sec. 23, March 17, 1834. 
Jiimes McFarland, s. w. f.i s. e. ?-4 sec. 23, Dec. 18, 1833. 



ohu Lower, s. U n. e. '4 sec. 23. Nov. 13, 1833. 
.ed. J. Schumaker, n. i^ n. e. '4 sec. St, Aug. 31, 1833 
.loseph Clapper, e pt. n. w. '4 sec. 23, Oct. 9, 1833. 
Philip Sickman, w. pt. n. w. '4 sec. 23, Nov. 13. 1833. 
Henry Sprau, e. pt. s. w. ^/J sec. 23. Aug. 12, 1833. 
William Blue, w. pt. s. w. V4 sec. 23, Nov. 13, 1833 
John Allen, s. e. I4 n. e. '4 sec. 24, March 18, 1833. 
Archibald .\llen, n. e. U u. e. I4 sec. 24. Mav 25, 1833. 
John Kiblcr, n. w. I4 n. e. '4 see. 24, Oct. 3, 1833. 
Dominique Wagner, s. w. % n. e. ^sec. 24, Oct. 7, 1833. 
John Koebler, n. w. '4 sec. 24, Oct. 3, 1833. 
Jacob AVeimer, s. e. ^4 sec. 24, June 6, 1833. 
Mary Ann Fryberger, s. w. >4 sec. 24, Nov. 4, 1833. 
John Peter Courtade, e. Ir; s. w. ^i sec. 25. July 5, 1833. 
Daniel Kunkler, n. w. I4 .s. w. '.i sec. 25. Feb. 5, 1834. 
George Wagner, s. w. I4 s. w. \i sec. 25, March 1, 1834. 
John Lewis Bertoon, e. J^ n. w. i4sec. 25, Jan. 31,1834. 
Miami A Dayton Canal, e. ''. sec. 25, May 24, 1828. 
Jacob Mulholland, w. % u. w. '4 sec. 2.5, .Fan. 23, 1834. 
John Baker, n. w. Vi sec. 20, April 23, 1833. 
John Peter Courtade, s. e. '4 sec. 26, .Mav 7, 1833. 
.lohn Striiser, e. '5 n. e. '4 sec. 26, Nov. 22, 1833. 
James McFarland, n.w. I4 n.e. I4 sec. 26, Dec. 18, 183.3. 
Matthias Wilhelm, s. w. "4 n. e. '4 sec. 26,Nov. 22, 1833. 
John N. Kurtz, e. pt. of s. w. I4 E. J. B. sec. 26, Mav 

7, 1S33. 
John Springer, w. pt. s. w. Vi sec. 26, June 25, 1833. 
Cieorge SncIIenberger, s. w ^4 sec. 27, April 22, 1833. 
David Parks, w. '„ s. e. ^4 sec. 27, April 22, 1833. 
William Blue, e. '; s. e. '4 sec. 27, Nov. 13, 1833. 
Ceo. Snellenberger, s. e. S n. w. ^4 sec. 27, .\pril 22, 18S3. 
Nancv Atkinson, s. w. I4 n. w. '4 sec. 27, Nov. 20, 1833. 
Matthias Clark, n. V' n. w. "4 sec. 27, Aug. 30, 1833. 
Wm. Baker, n. e. '4 sec. 27 April 23, 1833. 
Aaron Walsh, e. ". s. w. '4 sec. 28, Dec. 10. 1832. 
Aaron Walsh, w. y, s. w. '4 sec. 28, Dec. 10, 1832. 
Kinsev Ogg, w. ' .. n. w. >4 sec. 28, Dec. 10. 1832. 
William S. Drake, w. '; s. e. '4 sec. 28, Dec. 10, 1832. 
.lacob W. Reed, e. i> s. e. ^i see. 28, June 5, 1833. 
Adam Battenlield, e". 'i n. w. '4 sec. 28, .\pril 12,1833. 
Geo. Battenlield, n. ^ n. e '4 sec. 28, Oct. 29, 1833. 
Thos. Wallace Greer, s. ! = n. e. '4 sec. 28, Aug. 16, 1833. 
Elijah Bravton, e. I2 aud w. K n. w. »4 sec. 29, Dec. 

10, 1832. 
Elijah Bravton, w. '4 n. e. '4 sec. 29, Dec. 19, 1832. 
William lirayton, s. w. '4 s. w. I4 sec. 29, .\ug. 30 18*!. 
William Brayton, n. w. I4 s. W.I4 sec. 29, Feb. 12, 1833. 
William Brown, e. '■ s. w. I4 sec. 29, Jan. 7, 1833. 
Jacob Stem, w. J.^ s. e. 14 sec. 29, Dec. 10, 1832. 
John Cary, e. '4 n. e. \i sec. 29, Dec. 10, 1332. 
Jacob Stem, e. ' i s. e. 1.., sec. 29, Dec. 10, 1832. 
William Burgess, n. e. >4 n. e. '.i sec. 3U, May 7,18.33. 
John Luelleu, s. e. I4 n. e. '.i sec. 30, Aug. 2o, I8;13. 
Leonard Kimmell, n. w. I4 n. e. ^4 sec. 30, Sept. 2, 1833. 
John Kimmell, s. w. I4 n. e. ^4 sec. 30, Jan. 2, IS34. 
William Burham, n. e. I4 n, w. >4 sec, 30, June 15, 1833. 
.Swamp land granted for Indians, w. Ir. pt. of s. e. H 

sec. 30, rejected. 
Swamp land granted for Indians, w. 'j n. w. '4 and n. 

e. u n. w. I4 sec. 30, located in 18.59. 
.lacob (iuear, n. e. '4 s. e. >.; B. S. R. sec. 30, Jlay 5, 1834 
Aaron Walsh, s. e. '.i a. e. '.i sec. 30, May 20, 1S34. 
Lewis England, e. '2 s. e. ^.v sec. 30, May 29, 18.34. 
.\dain Heil, s. w. 14's. e. '4 sec. 30, Jan. 27, 1836. 
.biseph Briggs, u. '» s. w. >4 sec. 30, Dec. 10, 183:1. 
James Chambers, s. pt. of s. w. I4 sec. 3o, Oct. 8, 1833. 
Wm. Reynolds (or Reunellsj, w. >4 s. e. ^i and e. '4 a. e, 

>4 sec. 31. Dec. 10 and 20, 1832. 
Wm. Reynolds (or Rennels), s. V4 n. e. '4 sec. 31, 

March 10,1833. 
Richard Reynolds, n.e. '4 n.e. *4 sec. 31, June 14.18.34. 
Wm. Renuells, n. w. '4 n. e. ^4 sec. 31, April 3, 1835. 
Geo. Ueil, n. w. '4 see. 31, April 9, 1833. 
Mary Snider, e. "i s. w, I4 B. S. K. sec. 31, July 1,1834. 
George Wines, w. pt. s. w. 1,1 sec. 31, Sept. 7, 1833. 
Peter Lantz. w. i< s. e. I4 sec. 32, Dec. 10, 1832. 
Peter Lantz, e. 'j's. w. i,; see. 32, Dec. 10, 1832. 
Elijah Brayton, e. 'i n. e. "4 sec. 32, Dec. 10, 1832. 
Elijah Bravton, e. ' ,. n. w. ^j and w. '4 u* 6- '-i soc. 32. 

Dec. 16, l,'<32. 
Benjamin Jenkins, n.w. I4 u. w. ^i sec. 32, Oct. 29, 1833. 
.lohn Hildebrand, e. ".; s. e. '4 sec. 32, June 19, 1833. 
Peter Lantz, (B. S. K.) w. '. s. w. I4 sec. 32, Jan. 17, 183.5. 
John Carev, e. 'i n. w. >4 and e. '4 5. e. ^4 and w. % s. 

e. I4 se'c. .33. Dec. 10, 1832. 
Samuel Vanhorn. w. 14 n. w. 'i sec. 33, June 22, 18.3$. 



♦Proclaimed for sale .^ug. 29, 1842. 



OIUGINAI. LAND ICNTUIKS. 



1049 



Erastus JI. Cook. >- \v. \ i u. w. '.j sec. iW, May 20, 1834. 
•lohn Cary e. '^ s. w. Vi and w. ^ u. e. *,i and c. '.. n. 

c. 'i sec. as, Dec. Ill, 1S.TJ. 
John Hildebrand.w. J.j s. w. ' , sec. 33, .Iiine 19, I.S3:i. 
.Tohn Cary, w, ' j n. w.'^i sscc. 34, Jan. 7, 1S3:!. 
S.iniiiel rhillips. e. 'o n. »■ 'i sec. 34, July 20, IS33. 
John Carv, w. ' * s. w. > i and e. ' .• s. w. *j sec. 34, June 

25, l?:i3, and June 3, 1S31. 
John Sprinjjer, n. e. ^i n. o. '.i and s.e. Vi n. e. '.i B. S. 

R. sue. 34, Juno 2S. 1833, and March 5. 1S34. 
.lohu Rush, w. ' i n. e.'., sic 34, July 20, 1833. 
John Cary, e. ' • s. e. Vt and w. ' .. s. e. '4 B. S. R. sec. ;i4, 

Not 13, 18.33, and June 3, lH:i4. 
II. Bouard.c. pt. ofn. w. > ,' fr. sec. 3S,« July 9, 1828. 
J. Springer, w. pi. of n. w. '.( fr. sec. 35, June 2.'), 1833. 
John Cary, w. pt. of -•<. w. Ji sec. 35, Nov. 13. 1833. 
Miami A Dayton Canal, e. pt. of s. w. % and e. '.i sec. 

So. May 24, 1828. 
.lohn Moses, e. ' - n. e. >,i sec. 3(">, July 7, 1823. 
Miami A Davton Canal, w. V; u. e. J.^ section 36, Mav 

24, 1828. 
Miami A Dayton Canal, e. ^s. c. ^isec. 3«, May 24, 

1828. 
Samuel Klarton, n. e. V4' n. w. '4 sec. 36. May 29, 1833. 
.Samuel Klarton, s. e, 'i n. w. >.i sec. 36, Feb. 19. 1833. 
John I'.lni'tun, w. ' ., n. w. >.i sec. 36, March 14, 1831. 
Hugh .MullboM!ind,'w. "', s. v. '., sec. 36, March31, 1828. 
Fred. Waggoner, e. '.4 s. w. }.i sec. 36, Nov. 15, 183n. 
.Tohn Peer, w. 'i s. w. !» sec. 36, April 22, 1820. 



LOUDON TOWNSHIP. 

TOWS 2 K., R.\.NGE 13 E. 

John Good, n. w. '4 sec. 1, Dec. 20, 1832. 

.M. W. Brown, s. U u. e. >.i sec. 1, Oct. 10, 18;J6. 

\. Hampshire, n. w. Vi n. e. ',1 sec. 1, Dec. 30, l.*i35. 



- .. '.in. e. •., sec. 1. May 28, 1836 

Denis O'Neil. e. ],i s. e. >.i sec. 1, Oct. II, 1836. 



B. Turner, n. e. 



P. W. Benjamin, w.'-. s. e. Vi and e. '4 s. w. ^j sec. 1, 

Not. 15. 18.36. 
.lacob Tro.Kcl, w. 4 s. w. i.i sec. 1, Dec. 12, 1834. 
Levant B. Cotes, n. e. '.1 sec. 2, Nov. 9, 18.36. 
Christiau Foster, e. '2 n. w. '^ .sec. 2, May 20, 1834. 
John Rinebolt, w. \^, n. w. ',1 sec. 2, Feb 2, 1830. 
John Smith, s. e U s. e. '-i sec. 2, May 14, isaj. 
Mary Van dc Mark, e. >4 s. w. >.| and w. [i a. e. I4 sec. 

2, Sept. 1, 1S36. 
Levant B. Cotes, n. e. U s. e. Vi sec. 2, Nov. 9, 1836. 
■lonathan Reese, w. J-w s. w, f.t sec. 2, .Tan. 29, 1834. 
John Rinebolt. e !4 n. e. >i sec. 3. March 2, 1831, 
.1. rarkhursl. n. w. '., n. e. ':i sec. 3, Dec. 29, 183-L 
Benj. McDougle, s. w. Vi n. e. *.i sec. 3. March 3, 1834. 
Benj. McDougle, s. e. '4 n. w. '1 sec. 3, Jan. 19, 183.'). 
.1. Parkhurst, n. e. pt. ofn. w. '4 sec. 3, .\pril 16, 18.39. 

< onrad Lust, w. •.] n. w. >4 sec. 3, July 2, 1839. 

.1. Reese, s. e. Vj and e. \^ s. w. '.i sec. 3, Sept. 7. 1832. 
Laurence Rumple, s. w. ^4 s. w. Vi see. 3, March 4. 1836. 
A. Lockwood, n. w. I4 s. w. Vi sec. 3, Match 14, 1836. 
Benj. McDougle, s. e. ^4 s. e. Vt sec. 1, Nov. 14, 1836. 
<^. (;. l>owns. n. e. pt. of s. e. >4 sec. 4, June 24, ISIO. 
D. Updegratr, e. 'j w. ^j and w. J^ s. e. '4 sec. 4, Aug. 
26. 1.839. 

< onrad Lust. c. \', n. e. '.1 sec. 4, July 2, 18.39. 

D Updcgrafl", e. "'/! n. w. '4 and w. \i n. e. '4 sec. 4. 

Aug. 20, 1.S39. 
.\bijah Ives, w. V.is. w. ^4 see. 4, Feb. 20, 1837. 
.lohn Crocker, w.'^.i n. w. Vi sec. 4, June 12, 1839. 
Augustus .\vres. s. e. U s. w. ^i sec. 5, Aug. 19, 1837. 
.lohn Crocker, w. 'i n. e. '4 sec. 5, Aug. 30. 1838. 
.lohn Crocker, e. ],i n. e. '4 sec. 5, April 17, 1839. 
.lohn Crocker, n. % s. e. '4 sec. 5, April 17, 1839. 
Roswell < rocker, s. *-.; s. e. '.1 sec. 5. Julv 5, 18:nt. 
.lohn ( rocker, e. ]i n. w. >i sec. 5, Aug. 30, 1838. 
.lohn < 'rocker, w. '.^ n. w. '4 sec. 6, July 28, 1834. 
John Crocker, n. e. pt. of s. w. '.i sec. 5, April 22, 1839. 
.Miami .<: Dayton Canal, w. '/i s. w. U sec. 5, May 2S, 

1.828. 
Hannah Boyer. n. c. '4 sec. 6, July 23, 1832. 
Miami Si Dayton Canal, n. w. '4 and s. c. ?« see. 6, 

May 21, 1828 
Roswell Crocker, e. ]'• s. w. '4 sec. 6, July 7, 1.S31. 
James Anderson, w. S s. w. '4 see. 6, Not. 9, 1831 
Roswell Crocker, w. 'i n. e. '4 sec. 7, July 13, 1833. 
Miami & Dayton Canal, e. 't n. e. '4 sec. 7, May 24, 

1.-128. 



David Ferrier, u. w. I4 n. w, '.1 sec. 7, July 29. 1.8-;3. 
.Tohn Crocker, .Sr., n. e. 'i n. w. '4 see 7, July 1, 1833. 
.lames .Anderson, s. w. >.i n. w. >4 sec. 7, June l.s, 183>. 
Benj. Orin (or Owen), n. Us. e. % sec, 7, Feb 26, 1834. 
Jonathan Kniert, s. '2 s. <i.']4 sec. 7, Nov, 1, 1833. 
Nathan Ball. e. ■; s. w. '4 sec. 7, Feb. 26, 1834. 
James Anderson, w. 'i s. w. ' | sec. 7, .luue 18, IH.32. 
I^even. Ludwell Sands, e. y, n. e. '4 see. 8, Feb. 9, 1832. 
Jacob Rumpel, w. '^ n. e. i^ see. 8. May 3, 18^12 
Jacob Rumpel, e. "'j n. w. '^i sec. 8, Sept. 17. 1831. 
Miami & Dayton Canal, 8. e. }4 sec. 8, May 24, l.v28. 
Benjamin .Stevens, c. '4 s. w. ^^^ sec. 8, Jan. 9, 1832. 
Jacob Rumin'I. w. ' i s. w. sec. 8, April 15, 183.3. 
Miami A- Davton Canal, w. U n. w. W sec. 8, May 24, 

1828. 
Eli Weaver, s. w. ]4 a. e. '/i sec 9, Feb. 4, 1836. 
Wm. Pierce, n, e. ]4 n. w. '/, and n. w. '4 n. e. (4 sec. 9, 

Nov. 2, 1836. 
W'm. Pierce, e. ! .j n. e. '4 sec. 9, Nov. 2, 183C. 
Laurence Rumpel, s. e. '4 n. w. I4 sec. 9. Nov. 15, 1832. 
Leven. L. Sands, w. '« n. w. ^4 sec. 9, Feb. 9, 1832. 
Benjamin Hartley, c. 'j s. e. '4 sec. 9, May 1, 1832. 
A. lerrier. w. ' . s. e. '4 and s. w. I4 sec. 9, Apr. 19, 1832. 
Peter W. Benjamin, e. fj n. e. I4 sec. 10, Nov. 14, 1836. 
H. Bromley, w. ' < n. e. '/.,' sec. 10, Sept. 2s, i,s.33. 
Ei)braim Murray' e. Vj n. w. ^i sec. 10, .\pril 2.*. 1S32. 
HazacI Murray, w. Vj n. w. ^4 sec. lu, .\pril 25, 1.832. 
Wm. Pierce, c. V^ s. e. *4 sec. 10, Oct 2.>, 1836. 
Peter W. Benjamin, w. >i s. e •4 sec. 10, Nov, 15, 1S36. 
Samuel Stone'r, s. ^.^ s. vr' '., sec. 10, April l."i. 18.14. 
Henry Hei-sb, n. e". '4 s. w. '4' and n. w. 'A s. w. i^ 

sec. 10, May 29, 18.32. 
Samuel Pegg, e. ', n. e. '4 sec. 11, May 14, 1835. 
Noah Vandemark, e. y.'. n. w. J^ and w. '.J n. e. '4 sec. 

ll.-'-'cpt. 1, 18.36. 
Wm. Pierce, s. w. '.j sec. 11, Oct. 26, 1836. 
Peter W. Benjamin, w. 'J n. w. '4 see. 11, Nov. 14, 1836. 
George Chambers, s. e. '4 sec. 11, Jan. 26, 1.836. 
Wm. I'ierce, s. '.n.e. '4 and n.w. '4 s.e. '4 sec. 12, 18.36. 
TVter W. Benjamin, n. *i n. e. '4 sec. 12, Nov. 15, 1836. 
Adam Sickel, n. e. '4 s. e. '4 sec. 12, isepl. 26, 1836. 
.'VugustustiotI, s. e. '4 s. e. I4 see. 12, Aug. n, 1834. 
Benedict Hoover, s. w. I4 s.e. '4 sec. 12, Aug. 5, 1834. 
Ludwick Sheely, n. M 3. w. '4 and w. Vi n. w. K sec. 

12, Jan. 26,1836. " 

Wm. I'ierce, e. 'j n w. '4 sec. 12, Oct. 1, 18.36. 
George Cbaiubers, s. w. *4 s. w. '.i sec. 12, Dec. 2.3, is3-i. 
Henrv Zwing, s. e. '4 s. w. Vi sec. 12, .-Vug. 15, 1834. 
Peter T. King, e. ;i n. e. '4 sec. 13, Sept. 13, 1828. 
Elien. Mills, w. '. n. e. '4 sec. 13, March 1, 1828. 
Nathan Shippy, e. J,^ n. w. '4 sec. 1.3, .Vpril 2i'., 1827. 
Miami ,t Dayton Canal, w. >i n. w. >4 sec. 13, Mav 24. 

1828. 
Jacob Smith, e. ' i s. e. '4 sec. 13, April 1, 18:iS. 
John Schieferly, w. %s. e. "4 sec. 13, Nov. 9, 1833. 
Peter Weimar.'n. e. '4 3 w. '4 sec. 1.3, Aug. 26, 18*3. 
Thomas FIdridge, n. w. I4 s. w. ^4 and s. % s. w. I4 sec. 

13, June .1, 18.34. 

George .Adams, n. ^ij s. w. Vi sec. 14, Jan. 28, 183^1. 
.\bncr Wade, Jr.. s."w. J.x s. w. Vj sec. 14, July 9, 1834. 
Abner Wade, n. w. '4 sec. 14, May 28, 1827. 
Miami A Dayton Canal, n. e. '4 sec 14, May 24, 1823. 
John .Adams, n. w. Vi s. e. >4 sec. 14, March 4, 13:13. 
M. Hoover, e. ■ ., and s w. ',j s. e. »4 se<- M, Jan. 2, 1835. 
Wm. L. Ricketts, e. '. n. e. '4 sec. IS, Oct. 26, 1827. 
R. Fo.v.w. ' , n.e. >4ando. H n.w. >4 8ec. 1.5, Feb. 8. 1828. 
Benj. llartlev, w. y. n. w. Vi sec. 15, June 21, 1831. 
Henry Webb, s. e. f 1 sec 15, May 27, 18:;;!. 
Martin Adams, e. ' s. w. >4 sec. 15, Feb. 24. 1.S34. 
Martin Adams, w. '". s. w. '4 sec. 15, April 29, 18:u. 
School Lands, sec. 16 (see page .391). 
George Young, w. y n. w. Vi sec. 17, Nov. 9, 18S2. 
Miami & Dayton Canal, n. e. I4 and 0. >i n. w. ^4 and 

s. ),. sec. 17, May 24, 1828. 
George Young, e. y. n. e. '4 and w. ]^ n. e. \i sec. 18, 

Nov. 9, 1832, anci Oct. 21, 18:i3. 
Jacob Keisor, e. ',• s. e. '4 sec. 18, Oct. 26, 1832. 
Lewis Keiser, w. ^^s. e. '4 sec. IS, Oct. 26, 1832. 
.Tohn Sponscller, n. w. '4 sec. LSMay 29, 1833. 
John .Sponscller. n. 'i s. w. ^4 sec. 18. May 30, 18:t:i. 
Jacob Kurtz, s. •„ 3. w. >4 sec. 18, Nov. 22, 1833. 
Peter El'crsole. e' ' • s. e. V, sec. 19, Sept. 15, 18:12. 
Jonathan MillMmrn, s. w. ^4 .sec. 19, t>ct. 17, 18:12. 
Christian Swank, s. w. '4 s. e. '4 see. 19, Feb. 16, 1833. 
Henry Heniiuger, n. w. >4 s. e. '4 sec. 19, ricl. 21. 1833. 
George Young, s. i^i d. w. K, sec. 1», Feb. 17, 1834. 



^ Comprises all the lands then subject to entry. 



1050 



APPENDIX: 



Wesley Hollopeter, w. '/• n. w. '.i sec. 19, Feb. 29. 18.32. 
J. Mogle ' or Wogle), n. '4 n w. i.^ sec. 19, .Tune 27, 1833. 
Perry Chance, n. '^ n. e. 'i sec. 19, July 1, 18.53. 
Joshua Borton, s. ',i n. e. >.i, sec. 19, Sept. 6, 1833. 
Jonathan Belts, e. '/■,n.w.% sec 20, Sept. 22, 1832. 
Peter Kbersole, s. w. 14 n. w. i^sec. 20, Sept. 1.5, 1S32. 
John Fletcher, e. 14 s. e. '4 sec. 20, June 18, 1S32. 
Newman Havens, w. '; s. e. '4 sec. 20. Sept. 2G. lS.'i2. 
Isaac Tintsman.n. w. '.i n. w. '.i sec. 20, July 1, 1833. 
Miami & Dayton Canal, n. e. ^,i and s. w. ]4 sec. 20, 

May 24, 1S2S. 
Jacob Frutb, e. % n. e. '4 sec. 21, Dec. 3, 1633. 
John Stump, w. 1^ n. e. V4 sec. 21, .Sept. 17, 1831. 
.Miami i Dayton Canal, n. w. \4 sec. 21, .May 24, 1828. 
Abel Simmons Pearce. s. e. K sec. 21, May 17, 1832. 
Henrv Buclier, s. w. '4 sec. 21, Nov. 30, 1832. 
Miam'i & Dayton Canal, n. ]4 sec. 22. May 24, 1828. 
*Johu Houseman, n. w. H sec. 22, Aug. 6, 1834. 
Andrew List, e. '2 s. e. ^ sec. 22, June 9, ia34. 
Abram Kimmell, w. *^ s. e. ^.i sec. 22. Nov, 10, 1834. 
James M. Scott, s. w. 14 sec. 22, April 18. 1834. 
Peter lluwer (or Hoover). e.V^ 8.w.'4sec.23,Apr,o,1834, 
Martin Knoll, n, e.'4_s. e, 'i .sec, 23, May 13, 1834. 
Jeremiah King, s. e. '4 s. e. ]4 sec. 23, Oct. 26, 1835. 
Thomas -M. .Scott, w. 14 s. e. '4 sec. 23, Aug. 12, 1S34. 
Robert .M. Renev, c. 'An. w. '4 sec. 23, .ipril 23, 1834. 
Abner Wade, w. 'i n. w. '4 see. 23, April 29, 1834. 
Thomas M. Scott, n. e. '4 sec. 23, Aug. 12, 1834. 
John (ieo. Ostgen, w. y, s. w. i.isec. 23, Feb. 2.5, 18.34. 
Jeremiah King. n. w. > Ju. e. 'i sec. 24, Oct. 26, 1835. 
.fobn Henry Long, s. w. '4 n. e. I4 sec. 24, July 31,1834. 
Miami & Dayton < anal, s. e. I4 May 24, 1828. 
James Leahy, n. e. \i n. w. I4 sec. 24, Feb. 23, 1835. 
James Leahv, n. w. I4 sec. 24, June 3, 1834. 
Cornelius Leahy, s. '. n. w. I4 sec. 24. Oct. 29, 1833. 
David Leahv,.s. w. '4 sec. 24, Oct. 29. 1833. 
Miami & Dayton Canal, e. J4n.e.'4 sec.24. May 24, 1S2.S. 
Francis A-.'Vltinbaugh, e.'j'n.e. '4 sec.25, .\pr. 10,1834. 
Rachael Ruse, w, J4 n, e, ^i, and e. '2 n. w. '4 sec. 25, 

April 19, 1830. 
Rachael Ruse, w. ),^ n. w. ^i sec. 25, Nov. 7, 18.33. 
Wm. L. Bicketts, e. 'J s. e. i4sec. 2.5, Mav 20. IS.r3. 
JohnG. King, w. '; s. e. '4 sec. 2.5, May il, 1830. 
John Ricketts, e. 'i s. w. '4 sc :. 25, May 12, 1828. 
John Ricketts. s. w. I4 s w. I4 sec. 25. Nov. 9, 18.33. 
.Samuel Stouer, n. w. '4 s. w. I4 sec. 25, April 15, 1834. 
Michael Martin, e. },< n. e. 'i sec. 26, March 13, 1834. 
Bernhard Ball, w. y'n. e. '4 sec. 26, May 12, 1834. 
.Tohn Callanan, s.e.''4 sec. 26, Dec 12, 1833. 
John Callanan, e H n. w. I4 sec. 26, Feb. G, 1834. 
John liBitner, n. w. I4 n. w. Vi sec. 26. Feb. 8, 1834. 
John Leitner, s w. 'i n. w. '.1 sec. 26. Oct. 17, 1834. 
John Callanan, e ]4 s. w. I4 sec. 26, Jan. 1, 18.34. 
Daniel Shea. w. \:, s. w. 'i sec. 26, Jan. 3, 1834. 
J.acob Merganth.iter, w, >., n e. '4 sec 27, Oct 21, 1833. 
Jacob Merganthaler, s. e. »4 n. e. I4 sec. 27, Oct. 21, 1833. 
Jacob Merganthaler, n. e. ^4 n. e. ^4 sec. 27, .\pl. 16,1834. 
Mclchior Houseman, w. I4's e. 'i sec. 27,Oct. 2L 1833. 
Michael Marlin, e. J.^ s. e."^4 sec. 27, March 17. 1834. 
George Sting, n w. '.I sec. 27, Oct. 21, 1833. 
John Fiiersole, s. w. I4 sec. 27, Oct, 3, 1833. 
(iiles Pearce, n. e. '4 sec. 28, May 17, 1832. 
John Evans, e. 'i s. e. I4 sec. 28, Aug, 13, 1833. 
Jacob Frutb, w. Us e. >.i sec, 28.Dee. 3, 1833. 
Ira Ricket 1 or Picket), n. 'i n. w. '4 sec. 28, Dec. 10,1833. 
John Ringel, s ! ^ n. w. '4 sec. 28. Feb. IS, 18.34. 
Miami * Dayton Canal, s. w. Vj sec. 28, Mav 24, 1828. 
Rachel Ruse, n. w. I4 sec. 29, Nov. 7, 1833 
Miami A Dayton Canal n. e., s. e. and s. w. I4 sec. 29, 

Mav 24. 1828 
Peter Weimer, n w. '4 sec. 30, March 21, 1833. 
.Miami & Dayton Canal, e li sec. 30, May 24, 1828. 
Ephriam Baer, w '2 s w. I4 sec 30 April 12, 1833. 
Andrew ITtz. e. 'i s, w. I4 sec. 30, May 15, 1833. 
Henry Shellar, e. y, n. e. I4 sec. 31, April 18, 1833. 
Abram Gantz, w. C n. e. '4 sec 31, Sept. 27, 1834. 
Abram Gantz, n w. "4 sec. 31. Dec 7, 1833 
David C.ravbeal, s w. "4 sec. 31, April 19, 1833. 
Miami & Davton Canal, s. e. '4 sec 31, May 24, 1828. 
Miami it Dayton Canal, all sec. 32, May 24, 1828. 
Miami &. Dayton Canal, all sec. 33, May 24, 1828. 
James H. Wilson, n e. I4 sec. 34. May 1. 1832. 
Frederick Rawhouser. n. w. J4 sec. 34, May 17. 1833. 
Frederick Karper, s w. '4 sec. .34, May 29, 1833. 
tieorge Mullen, s, e. ^4 s. e ^4 sec. 34. Mav 1. 1833. 
Jonathan Foltz, n. '5 s. e. »4 sec. 34, May 29, 1833. 



Timothy Berks s. w '4 s. e. '4 sec. 34, Nov. 2, 1836. 
James H Wilson, c. I4n.e >.i sec 35, April 25, 1832. 
.Tohu Chancy, w 'j n. e I4 sec. 35, March 3, 1832. 
Jonathan Foltz, n. w. I4 sec. 35, Dec. 17, 1833. 
James H. Wilson, s. w. '4 sec. 35, May I, 1832. 
Miami & Dayton Canal, s. e. I4 sec 35, May 24, 1828. 
Henry Cronise, all sec. 36, .\ug. 27, 1827. 



.JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 

TOWN 3 N., R.VKGE 13 E. 

Edmund .Ash, n. w. i, n. e. '4 sec. 1. Oct. 20, 1S47. 
Located by .\lovs Raukc, s. e. ^4 M. B. land warrant, 

sec. 1, April 1,1848. 
F. I. Norton and A. B. Taylor, s. 14 n.e. }i and n. e.*4 

n. e. '4 sec. 1«, Aug. 18, 1853. 
Daniel Long, n. w. I4 sec. 1, May 22, 18.34. 
John Sprout, Sr., n.w. I4 s.w. I4 .sec. 1, March 26, 1835. 
Geo, R. Lewis, s. w. Vi s. w. I4 sec. 1, Nov. 2, 1835. 
M. B. Land Warrant 27134, e. U s. w. Ji sec. 1, June 

14, 1853. 
Daniel Lon^. e. },i n. e. '4 sec. 2. May 22, 1834. 
Jonathan Kissinger, e. %s. e. ^4 sec. 2, Nov. 7, 1839. 
Horace Sessions, s. w. I4 n. e. ^ sec. 2, June 16, 18.56. 
Henry F. Johnson, w. }4s. c. *4 sec. 2. March 26, 1835. 
Joseph Kinsey, n. e. ^4 n. w. fr. J4 sec. 2, Oct. 21, 1847. 
M. R, Land Warrant 7037 s. '4 n. w. Ki and n. w. H D. 

w. fr. 1.1 sec. 2, Feb. 25, 1853. 
John Kopp. s. U s. w. I4 sec. 2, Feb. 13, 1835. 
Andrew Glenn, n. 'i s. w. ^jsec. 2, Dec. 13, 1841. 
Jacob Holliuger n. w. '4 n. w. '4 sec. 3, Dec. 16. 1834. 
John Sibberell, s. ", n. w. "4 sec. 3, April 24, 1837. 
Patrick Nicholas, s. w. I4 s. w. \i sec. 3, June 24, 1835. 
Robert Barnes, s. e. '4 s. w. >4 sec. 3. May 23, 18.39. 
Jacob Creek, n. w. I4 s. w. Vj sec. 3, Aug. 30, 1841. 

F. I. Norton and A. B. Taylor, n. e. I4 n. w. '4 sec. 3*, 

Aug. 18,18.53. 
Andrew Glenn, s. e. ^4 sec. 3, Dec. 13, 1841. 
John G.Camp, n.e. fr. I4 sec. 3, Oct. 1, I80I. 
M. B. Laud Warrant tiil, a. e. '4 sec. 3, Oct. 1, 1851. 
M. B. Land Warrant 33044 n. e. '•4S. w. '4 sec. 3. Feb. 

4. 18.52. 
Charles Ely, e. ■ j n. e. >4 sec. 4, Nov. 2, 1835. 
.Tohn Free, s, e, ^i n. w. fr. I4 sec. 4, June 10.1847. 
Andrew M. Williams n.w. I4 s. e.14 sec. 4, Nov. 12,1847. 
Andrew M. Williams, s. w. ^is. e. J^sec. 4, Jan. 6, 1835. 
Magdalena Pistner, s. e. ^i s. e '4 sec. 4, .-Vug 1, 1835. 
Jacob Creek, u. e. Vi s. e. '1 sec. 4, Aug. 30, 1841. 
I'^. I. Norton and \. B. Taylor, w. ^2 n. e. fr. Vj sec. 4*. 

AUL' 18, 18,53. 
Geo R Lewis, s w. '4 sec. 4, Nov. 2, 1835. 
John Free, n. e. ^i n. w. '4, and w. ^ n. w. fr. '4 sec. 

4, Mav 3, 1847. 
Josiah Sm'ith, s. e. '4 s. e. ',1 sec. 5, Oct. 22, 18,36. 
David Boyd, s. w. V, s. e. '4 sec. 5, Dec 1, 1843 
.Vzariah Pennell, n. e. ^v s. e. '4 sec 5, April 1, 1847. 
Urias Kniselv, e. l^ n. e. Vi sec. 5. Jan. 29, 1.^42. 

G. W. McMillan. n.w. !^ n e fr. >4 sec ,5 April 26, 1847. 
Jacob Free, w. ' ; n. w. fr. Vi sec. 5, .\pril 28. 1817. 
Jacob Free, n. e. ^i n. w. fr. ^4 sec. 5, May 3, 1847. 
Jacob Free, s. w pt. of n. c. ^i, and s. e. pt. of n. w. Vj 

sec. 5, Feb. 5. 1847. 

F. I. Norton and A. B. Taylor, n. w. ^4 s. e. ^4 (can- 
celed) sec. 5, Aug. 18. 1S53. 

Heirs of Wm Richardson's M. B. land warrant, S.W.I4 
sec. 5, April 29, 1644. 

Jonas Rischel, n. •.-,• n. c, '4 sec. 6, Oct. 1, 1834. 

Nath Wilson, s. ;.j"n. e. '4 sec. 6, Nov. 17, 1836. 

Roswell Crocker, s. w. '4 s. w. ^i sec. 6, July 15, 1852. 

R. Shippy,n.' 2 s.e. '4 and S.W.I4 s.e.'.i sec. 6..\ug.l, 1835. 

L. B, Coats s. e. I4 s e. >i sec. 6, Nov. 2, 1836. 

T. Shawhan, n. w.Vi.andn.i;; s.w. '4 sec. 6, Feb,5,lS34. 

John Frees, s, e. I4 s. w. \i sec. 6, Feb. 29, 1836. 

Chas. Ely, n. e. Vi sec. 7, Nov. 2, 1835. 

J. M. Hoover, n. w '.i s e. '4 sec. 7, Feb. 24, 1844. 

Samuel McCulley, s w. I4 s. e. '4 sec. 7, .Sept. 20, 1833. 

Nathan Warner, e }^3, e. '4 sec. 7, Nov. 12, 1.833. 

John H. Frees, n. e. ^4 n. w. i.i sec. 7, Aug. 22, 18.36. 

.John H. Frees, s, e. '4 n w. '4 sec. 7, Aug. 2.5, 1836. 

Wm. Bunn, w. Ys n. w. fr. U sec. 7, Nov. 3, 1845. 

.Tames H. Frees, n. w. ^4 s. w. ^4 sec, 7, Aug. 17. 18.39. 

Rachel McEwcn, s. e. Vi s. w. pt. of sec. 7, Aug. 10, 1846. 

Richard Harbaugh, s. w. I4 s. w. I4 sec. 7, Sept.25.1833 

M. B Land Warrant 43577, n.e. '.j s. w. ^ sec. 7, June 
22, 1852. 



*Error. 



*Indeinnity granted ons. e. I4 fr. of n. c. 14 fr. 



41 

n 

41 

I 



i 



ORIGINAL LAND ENTRIES. 



1051 



Madison PeuncU, e. '; u. e. Vi, and s. w. *.| n. e. '-j sec. 

s. Nov. 1>, 1834. 
.Tosiah Smith, n. w. >,, u. e. '4 sec. 8, March 12, 1841. 
Gideon Humphrey, n. w. Vi sec. 8, Aug. 13, 1836. 
Israel Smith, e. '/, s. e. 'i sec. 8. April 24. 1832. 
Israel Smith, w. ' i s. e. '.i sec. 8, .lune 2, 1832. 
David Dcsinger,e J^s. w. 1 , sec 8, .Tune 13, ISS!! 
tieo. R. I^wis, w. Vi s. w. '., sec. 8, Nov. 2, 18.35. 
John Silver, e. 'i n. e. '1 sec. 9, Oct. 25, 1333. 
Samuel Ake, n. w. '., n. e. 'i sec. 9, .Mav 28, 18.14. 
.lohn Silver, s. w. '.1 n. e. '.i sec. 9, Oct. 25, 1833. 
H. Hutchins, .)r.,s. e. '1 s. w. '.1 sec. 9, Dec. 13, 1833. 
Wm. Braden, n. w. ',1 sec. 9, Sept. 19, 1834. 
Henry Smith, e. '4 s. e. '1 sec. 9, canceled, Jan. 1, 18.13. 
Henry Smith, w. 'is. e. '1 sec. 9, Nov. 19, 1832. 
Johu Lamliriiiht, e" '4 s. e. '1 sec. 9, Dec. 12, 18.12. 
Jamiis W:ilkcr, n. ',2 a. w. '1 sec. 9, March 3, 18:!4. 
Asa Crockett, s. w. >,j s. w. '.^ sec. 9, June 9, 1832. 
Samuel Yuungker, n. w. '4 sec. 10, Oct. 2.5, 1833. 
J. Caspar Uucher, e. '; sec. 10, Nov. 17, ISW. 
John Silver, n. w. ',, s. w. ', sec. 10, Feb. 16, 18311. 
John Lambright, s. w. ■., s. w. ', sec. 10, Oct. 20, 1834. 
Oeo. Klahn, s. e. '4 5. w. 'j sec. 10, Nov. 2, 1835. 
Jacob Henry, n. e. '.1 a. w. ^i sec. 10, Nov. 7, 1840. 
J. Ca,sper Buolier, w. % sec. 11, '>Nov.17, 1834. 
tieorge Wciant, n. e \.x sec. 11, Nov. 9, 1835. 
George Weiaut, e. '2 s.e. '.i sec. 11, Nov. 28, 1835. 
Isaac Schall, n. w. >.i s e. Vi sec. 11, Jan. 25, 1836. 
Jacob Thomas, s. w. '.i s. e. ^.i sec. 11, Nov. 18, 1840. 
Luther A. HalI.e. 'o s. e 'i sec. 12, Sept. 20, 1841. 
Mary X. Hutlman, n".e. ' i n. e.Vi sec. 12, March 11,1848. 
Barbara Huftman, u. w.>.i n.e.^i sec.Ti, March 11. 1848. 
< Jeorge H. Lewis, w. ' « n. w. Vi sec 12, Nov. 2, 1835. 
Jacob Miller. 9. \., n. e ' i Si w. '/j s. e. Vi and s. e. pi. of 

8. w Vj sec. 12, Sept. 12, I80I. 
M.L. Land Warrant 16U79, e. \-y n. w. >.j sec. 12, June 

14, 18.53. 
.Tacob Sehupp. n. ' .. s. w, ^1 and s. w. '.i s.w.*4 sec. 12, 

Sept 25, 1839. 
Abraham Craun, e. 'i n. e. \ sec. 1.3, Aug. 3, 183.3. 
Bart Sears, w. '.; n e. 'i sec. 13, Nov. 19, 18.33. 
George Ash. s. e.">.i s e '.i sec. 13, Oct 21, 1833. 
Chas. Ely. s w Vt s.e.Vi and n.V..s.e.Vi sec.l3,Nov.2,lS;i5. 
William Pierce, n. w. ■., n. w."'.i sec 13, Oct. 26, 18.36. 
Charles Ely, s w. '.i s. w. i.i sec. 13, Nov. 2, 1835 
Margaret Havnes, s. e. ^i s. w, ^,1 sec. 13, June 26, 18;^. 
Nancy Recd.'n. >,^s w. '.jsec. 13, Oct 21, 1833. 
Abraham Sears, s. '2 n.w. ^i sec. 1.3 Nov. 9, 1833. 
Isaac Miller n. e. '.i n. w. ' i sec. 13, May 9 1836. 
.T. Caspar Uucher, w. '.. sec. 14, Oct. 14, 1834. 
William Wason, n. ' . s'. e V, sec. 14, Nov. 19. 18.3.3. 
.loseph Kinsey, e. U n. e. '.1 sec. 14, , lune 1,1&J5. 
Luther A. Hall, •x.\i n. e. '1 sec. 14, Aug. 14, 1841. 
Luther A Hall, s. ^ s. e. ', sec. 14. Aug. 14. 1841. 
Jacob Ilcnrv, n. w. ^i n e. Vi sec- 15, Aug. 30, 1841. 
M.B. Land Warrant I7i;,s.w. ', n.e.'i sec 1.5,Jan. 4.18.53. 
Abram Burton, n. w. ',1 n. w. \ sec. 15, Nov. 9, 1837. 
Michael Lingnaker, n.e '1 n. w. '1 sec.1.5, Nov.2.1835. 
Daniel Rincbolt, s. \i n. w '1 sec. 1.5, Sept 4, 1834. 
Charles Kly. n. 4 s.e. Vi sec. 15, Nov. 2, 18:15. 
Luther A. Hall, s. ' ^ s. e. '.1 sec. 1.5, Aug. 14. 1841. 
.\L B. Land Warrant 13313, e. 'i n. e. '.j sec.lo, Feb. 2, 

18.53. 
George Slower, e. ^/, s. w. 1,1 sec. 15, Jan. 30, 1834. 
(ieorge Slower, w. j^ s. w. > , see. 15, Oct. 25, 1833. 
School Lands, sec. 16 ^see page 567). 
George Free, u. e. '.1 sec. 17, April li>, 1.8;J2. 
t^ieorge Slosscr, n. w. '., sec. 17, April 12, 1832. 
George Boston, u. e. \ s. e. '1 sec. 17. Dec. 12, 1833. 
I..evani B Cotes, s. e. '.i s. e. '1 sec. 17, Nov. 2, 1836. 
William Noble, w. '^s. e. '.t sec. 17, Feb. 21,1834. 
Samuel Dyserl, e. 'i s. w. '4 sec. 17, April 1.3, 1832. 
Isaac .Miller, w. '.< s. w. '4 sec. 17, June 1, 1832. 
Samuel .McCulley.'n. ". n. e. S sec. 18, Sept. 20, 18.33. 
Joseph Herrin, s. w. *4 n. e. '1 sec. 18, March 1, 1836. 
Isaac Miller s. e. '4 8 e. '4 sec. 18. June 26, 1837. 
John Miller, w. '., s. e. '4 sec. IS, Nov. 5, 18:14. 
Flichard Herrin. s. e. pt.of n.e. '4 andn. e. pt.ofs. e.^4 

sec. 18. April 8, 18.15. 
Humphrev chilcote, n. e.14 n.w.'4 .sec.18, July21,18.14. 
John .Schfieider, s. 'i n. w. '4 sec. 18. Oct. 18 18.34. 
Joseph Chilcote, n w. '4 n. w. V, sec. 18, Feb. 11,1834. 
Hobert Sliippy. s. w. '4 sec. 18, Jan. 24. 18.35. 
.Matthias llolfopeter, s. e '4 n w. Viands, w. '4 n.e '4 

sec 19, .\ug. 29, 18.13. 
William Nobles. 8. e. '4 n. e. '4 sec. 19, May 12, 1837. 



Wesley Hollopeter, n.e.^in.w.Vi sec. 19, March 14, 1843. 
Conrad Myers, n. 'j n. c. '4 sec. 19, Aug. 8, 1846. 
.Samuel Crossley, s. w. ', 8. e. '4 sec. 19, Nov. 24, 1836. 
JohnGarlock, s'. e. '4 s. e. '4 sec. 19, March 8, 1834. 
Charles F. Drake, n. c. '4 s. e. '4 sec. 19. Dec. 8, 1836. 
Israel Ncstlerode.e. ': s. w. '4 sec. 19, Oct. 27, 1834. 
Israel Ne.stlerode, w. '; s. w. '4 sec. 19. .lau. 24, 1832. 
.\ndcw llolliipeter, w. '; n. w. '4 sec. 20, May I, 1833. 
.Samuel Vouugker, n. e. 't s. e. '4 sec. 20. Oct. 24,1836. 
Jacob Henry, e. '/^ n. c. '4 sec. 20. Oct. 26. 1842. 
( harles lieber, w. 'j n. e. '4 sec. 20, March 8, 18:i4. 
Richard Uidgeley, e. '.■■, n. w. \ sec. 20, March 28,1832. 
Jacob Dowell, e. % s. w. ' 1 sec. 20, March 28, 1832. 
Jacob Dowell, w. '2 s. e. Vx sec. 20, March 28. IS:J2. 
Thomas McCulley, w. '. .s. w. '4 sec 20, .\nril 18, 1833. 
.Samuel Vtmngker, s. e. pi. of s.e. '.1 sec. 20, 1-eb. 22, 1833. 
Jacob Stahl. e. 'i s. w. "4 sec. 21, April 3, 18.33. 
Jacob Stahl, s. w. I4 s. w. "i sec. 21, Nov. 4, 183,3. 
Jacob .Stahl, n. w. '4 s. w. '4 sec. 21. March 20. 1837. 
Daniel Swope, e. '2 n. w. I4 sec. 21, Oct. 13, 1832. 
Charles McN«mee, w.^^ n. e. >.ii and n.e. ^4 n.e. ^\ sec. 

21, Aug. 16, 1841. 
Thomas Joins for Tirns\s. e. *4 n. e.*4 andn. e. ^4 s.e. 

I4 sec. 21. Sept. 17, 1836. 
Josephs English, s. w. "4 s.e. '4 sec. 21, Sept. 17, 1836. 
Michael Stall, s. e. '4 s. e. '4 sec. 21, Oct. 17. 1836. 
Jlichiiel Stahl, n. w. pt, of s. e. '.i sec. 21, Aug. 28, 1838. 
Jacob Stiltler, n. w. ".j u. w. I4 sec. 21, March 12,1851. 
I'rederick Teble, s. w. >4 n. w. '4 sec. 21. Nov. 17. 1852. 
tieorge Stahl, n. w. '4 n. e. Vi sec. 22, Nov. 4, 1834. 
George Stahl. s. V< n. e. '4 sec. 22, Sept. 28, 1832. 
Jonas Hampshire, e. 'i n w. '4 and w. '2 n. w. ^4 sec. 

22. Oct. 7, 1831, and .May 23, 1832. 
.\udrew Trumbo, s.e. '4 sec. 22, ,Tulv 4, 1831. 
Luther A. Hall, n. e. "4 n. e. "i sec. 22, .\ug. 14, 1841. 
-Michael Stahl, e. V. s. w. '.i sec. 22. May 20, 1831. 
Michael Stahl, w. ^ s. w. !<; sec. 22, Sept. 17, 1830. 
Wm. Stahl, s. ' i n. e. '4 sec. 23, Mav 13, 18»l. 
Charles Ely, n. \i n. c. '4 sec. 23, Nov. 2. 1835. 
Jacob Iler.'s. w. Tj n. w. ^4 and n. e. y^ u. w. 14 sec. 23, 

Sept 6. 1811. 
Henry Shults, n. w. '4 u. w. 'i sec. 23, April 15, 1849. 

George R. Lewi.s, n. ].■> s. e. '4 sec. 23, . 18.15. 

Henry I-'. Murphy, s. e. ',1 s. e. '4 sec. 2.1, Sept. 11,1841. 
Henry F. Murphy, s. w. '4 s. e '., sec 23, Oct. 29, 1842. 
Charles Ely. s. >; s. w. */i sec. 23, Nov. 2, 1835. 
.lonathan .Vke, n. e. I4 s. w. '4 and s. e. *4 n. w. ^ sec. 

23, May 28. 18:t4. 
Jacob Her, n. w. I4 s. w. Vi sec. 23, Sept. 6, 1841. 

Isaac S. Browning, n. e. Vi n. e. ^v sec. 24, , 1836. 

< Ieorge Brehm, n. w. Vi n. e. ^i sec. 24, June 2, 1834. 
Pressley Trumbo, n. e. '.1 n w. '4 scc.24, Oct. 31, 1832. 
Pressley Trumbo. 8. e. '4 n. w. V, sec. 24, Sept. 30, 183.5. 
.lacob Sliller, w. \-^ s. e. '4 and s. e. '.1 n. e. Vi sec. 24, 

June 19. 1851. 
Pressley Trumbo, w. ',4 n. w. i, sec. 24, Oct. 3o. 1832. 
George Brehm, s. w. ^i n. e. H sec. 24, .Ian. 6, 1.S40. 
■lacob Kliller, s. e. ^-i s. e. ^4, and u. e. '4 s. e. *4 sec. 24, 

March 13 and 13, 1818. 
George li. Lewis, w. ' 2 s. w. Vi sec. 24, Nov. 2, 18.15. 
I.evant B. Cotes, e ■ i s. w. '4 sec. 24, Nov. 9. 18.16. 
Henry HutTraan. s. '2 s e. '4 sec 2.5, Dec 20, 1832. 
Wui. Pierce, e. '3 n. w. I4 and n. e. '4 s. w. I4 sec. 2.5, 

Oct. 1.5, 18:16. 
John Her, s. w. '4 n. w. '4 sec. 2.5, Aug. 19, 1833. 
Isaiah Morris, n. w. '4 n. w. '-i sec 25, Oct. 2.5, 1836. 
Ivcvant B. (.'otes, n. e. \i sec. 25, Nov. 9, 18:16. 
John Oiler, w. \i s. w. Vi -sec. 25, Aug. 19. 1833. 
Geo. Hampshire, s. e. Vi s. w. Vv sec. 25, Aug. 10, 1836. 
Levant B. Cotes, n. 'i s. e. 'i sec. 25, Nov. 9, 1836. 
Andrew Ut/.. s. e. V, sec. 26, May 16, 18)3. 
Henry Stall, s. w. "4 n. w. '4 sec. 26, Oct. 27, 1836. 
I.ennox Perrin, e. 'i n. w. Vi sec. 26, Feb. 20, 1837. 
Peter Brown, u. e 'I s. w. '4 sec. 26, April 20, 1848. 
.M. B. Land Warrant 49888, n. w. '.i n. w. '4 sec. 26, 

Aug. 12, 18.52. 
Israel Jiams, n. e. V, sec. 26, Jan. 26, 1837. 
Noah Myers, 8. c. '4 s. w. '4 sec. 26, Oct. 28, I83S. 
.\ndrew Ferrier, Jr., w. ',4 s. w. Vi sec. 26, Apr. 19, 1832. 
Daniel Snider, n. e. ^4 sec. 27, May 1, 18:10. 
Andrew Ferrier, Sr.,e. '<•. n. w. '4 sec. 27, May 21,1832. 
Henry Hossler, w. % n. w. '4 sec. 27, Oct. 12, 1832. 
.\bra&am Binebolt, 8. 0. '4 sec. 27, June 1, 1829. 
John Miller, n. e. '4 s. w. '4 sec. 27. .Sept. 27, 1836. 
John List, s. e. 14 a. w. Vi sec. 27, Nov. 9, 1836. 
Matthev Berry, n. w. H s. w. '.4 sec. 27, Jan. 26, 1837. 



•Military Land Scrip No. 9716. 



1052 



APPENDIX: 



.Tacob Miller, s. w. U s. w. U sec. 2 June 1, 1^44. 
Henry Vrink, n. e. U sec. 28, Oct. 12, is.ij. 
Michael Bricht,s, ! i s e. U sec. 28, bept. 10, IS.W. 
Fiiinh Vke n 'i s. e. ^.i sec. 28. May 28. I8.>4. 
Reuben Hugh Smith, n' ■/= n. w. ■., (canceled) sec. 28, 

AIodto'm. '.Tone's and Mary Jones, same lands, sec. 28, 

Ja,nesSr^on, s. e. V. o. .. U ^e-^^Xv''' \m 
Charles F. Drake, s. w. '., n. w. i.i sec. 28, No> ■ ». 1»3(>. 
James R,>bertson, e. ' . s. w. Hi sec. 28, Oct 12, 18J2 
Andrew Ferrier, Sr., w. H s. w. ^i sec 28, July 3, 1832. 
Samuel Youngker, n. e. '.i sec 29, Oct 2o, ls3.i. 
William Wagner, w. ■ J n. w. '.i sec. in, Jan^U, l»-5b. 
Baker Halesfe. ■/= n. w. U sec. 29 sept 2 b3b. 
David I- errier, e. H s. e. '.i sec. 29, May 2, 1832. 
l>ucinda A. Jones, w. Vi s. e. >.i sec. 29. Ju'y "• ^'^"■ 
Charles V. Drake, s. w. U sec. 29. J"'>- ;^! ^f fi... 
Elias Sower, n. e. U n. e. '4 sec .50, March ol.?.,b. 
Charles F. Drake, s. e. k n. e. H sec. ^''•^^.''J- ** .-'/^b. 
John Stevens, s. w. U n e. >.i sec. 30, May 1,, M4 
Samuel Crossley, n. w. >.i n. e. \sec. 30 ^o^^24 133G. 
Ceoree Free. w. ■,- n. w. '.i sec. Hi. April 19, 1832. 
Job?.stevens, e. H n. w. ■., see, 30 May 17, 1834. 
Oliver Peak, s. e. U sec. 30, July 19 1830^ 
John Taylor, e. 'A s. w. >.i sec. 30, Aug. 2.J, l.',3o. 
Henry Harrold, w. '.; s. w \, |,«C; 30. ^,»1„"' l'-^- 
.Tobu G.jrsuch, n. e. '-+ sec. 31, Sept. 18, 1S-.2. 
Henry Harrold, n. w. U ^^c. 31, Nov. 11, 18.11. 
Hannah Boyer, s. e. h, sec. 31, July 2.i 1832 
.Tohn Gorsuch, e. ' = s. w. >.i sec. 31, Dec. 2, l"-''- 
John Gorsuch, w. ' , s. w. '.j sec 31 June 8 l.v.l. 
\Vm. Cochran, e. 'i n. e. >.i sec. 32, Dec. 0,18., 
Jacob Miller, w. ' , n. e. '.1 sec. 32, June 1 l^ii. 
Ralph Leigh, n. w. >4 s. w. Vi sec. 32, J ay f. l**''*- , .... 
Adlm Minear.s. w. K, s w. '1 f a>^^., ^? il-,i 
Philip King, e. 'e s. w >4 sec 32 March 28. 18.*. 
.■Vbner Allen, n. !■; s. e. >i sec. 32, Mav Id, 8.>3 
John Crocker, s. H s. e. \ sec. 32, Oct '^0; JSf • 
.-harles F. Drake, n. w. !.i n. w. '1 sec^32, hept. 1, 1S.>6. 
John P. Reznor, e. \i n. w. >.i sec. 32, Maj 2o, 1S36 
Henry Hitesman, s. w. U n. w. k sec. .2. ^ov 2., 1833. 
Nicholas Portz, s. e. pt. of s. e. \>, |f „-'3./^P"' -V,""^- 
Michael Bricht. n. 'c n. e. k sec. 33 Sept. 10 ls3.3 
Mary Hamor, e. ' . n. w. >., sec. 33, Sept. 1 lS.i5. 
Mary Hamor, s. w.pt. of s. e. U ^^'^t^^l'^^Jj^^^ 
\\m. Cochran, w. \, n. w. k sec. 3., Sept. G 1832. 
Jesse Stoneman, s. w. k sec. 33, Sept. 24, 1830. 
Ralph Leigh, s. '-. n. e. k sec. 33, Oct. l-. l»3o 
Levant B, Cotes, n. ■,. s. e. k sec. -i. Nj^- ^ '"•j'^',,. 
Adam Patterson, w. ■ . n. e. k sec ..1, Aug. 25, IS.io. 
John List. n. e. ',, n. w. >.i sec. 34, ^oy. J. IsSo. 
Martin Brubaker. e. ' . n. e. '.1 sec. M. >[ay U, 18.9 
Frederick Gibbons, e. 'is. e. 'i sec -H, April 19, 1832. 
Jacob Ronk, 5. w. U s. e. U sec. 34, .Tidy W; l,^':'''- 
John Rinebolt, n. w. U s e. k sec. 34, .lone 2o^ IMl. 
\Vm. D. Harper, s, "= u. w. '.i and n. '- s. w. U sec. 

Levant B°Co\'esrn.w. V, n w U sec. 34. Kov. 9, 1836^ 
Xot on original records or additions ; s. ■ . s.w U ^60.34. 
Michael Brecht, e. H n. e. 1.1 sec. 3o Aug. 19, 1833. 
Christian Foster, w. !i n. e. k and e. '- n. w. >.i sec. 

3.5. June 25, 1829. ,,. 

Christian Foster, w. ':, n. w. Usee. o.i, Sept. 10, 1829. 
Jacob (;ood, s. e. >.i s. e. \ sec. :to, April 20 183.>. 
Henry Lambright, n. e. '., s. e. '., sec. 3:>. .Tan. 3, 1334 
Molancion W. Brown, w. '.; s.e. "., »« «■ ^o, Oct. W, 18„6. 
John Stnmbaugh, e. ': s. w. U «,^»- ••'.**^ '•„"'"■ 
John Snider, w. '. 5. w. Vi sec. .35 May 1, 18.10. 
Henry Hutfiuan, n. e. ' , sec. 30. Dee. 11, !S2a. 
John Williams, e. ': n. w. >., sec. .30, April •;. 1»3-. 
Melancton W. Brown s. w. '.i n. w. '.i sec. 30, Oct. 10, 

Michael Brecht, n. w. '.i n. w. k sec. 30, Aug. 19, 18.33. 
Samuel Rinebolt, s. e. k sec. 3h, June o, 1829. 
Jacob Good, s. w. Vi s. w. '.1 sec. 30, April 20, IS.,3^ 
Henry Lambright. n. w. 'i s. w. k sec. .30 Jan. 0,1834 
Jacob Hoover, 5. e. ■,, s. w. \, sec. 30, Apri 2o. I800. 
Beuj. Hoover, s. e. U s. w. '.i sec. 36, April ia, l.^.». 

SEXECA TOWNSHIP. 

TOWN 1 X., RAn'gK H E. 

John Johns, Sr. e, pt. of n. w. li fr sec. 1, July 1-1. 1821 
George Johns, n. w. i^ of fr. sec 1 .\ug 10, 1821. 
Thomas Gale, s. e. pt. of fr. sec. 1, Oct. 1 . 18-^ 
Charles Leonard, n. e. pt. of fr. sec. l,^ov. 29, 18.>2. 



Philip Zinn, e. !; of n. e. '4 sec 2, .Tan. 9, 1»22. 
.lacobS. Jennings, e. ',i n. w. J^sec. 2, June-), 1823. 
Jacob S. Jennings, w. ' i of n. e. K sec -^ June 3, 182.5. 
Jacob S. Jennings, w. ' ; n. w. }i sec. 2, ,I<ov 2, 1830. 
Philip Zinn, n. pt. s. e. ' , sec. 2, Feb._21, 1822. 
John Lidey, s. w. fr. U sec. 2, April 2o, 182, 
Jesse Mickendatfcr, e. !4 ol n. e. % sec..3 Nov 19, 133.. 
John Pirronv, v.'-.D.e.}i sec. 3, May 28, 183.>. 
.Vbel Biggs (br Briggs) n. w. '4 sec. 3, Jan. 1, I80I. 
Jacob Dice, e.'; of s. e. H sec. 3, Nov. 19, 18.)2. 
John Davidson, w. 'i of s. e. i/Jsec. 3, .Sept. 10, 1831. 
Isabelle Sloan, e. 'i of s. w. !4 sec 3, Sept. 27, 1832. 
.John Wenk, w. '. s. w. ■ , sec. 3 Nov. 12,1831. 
Sam'l Wright, of Md., e. !4 n. w. V^ sec. 4, Sept. 11, 1823. 
Sam'l Wright, of Md., w. ".^ n. e. U sec. ■), Sept. 11. 1823. 
Miami & Davtou Canal.e.Vj n. e. k sec. 4, and w. >>i n. 

kv. 1. sec. 4, Mav 24, 1828. 
Saniuel Cadwallader, e. ■; s. e. K,sec. ■«. Sept. 2o,_1832. 
Samuel ( adwallader, s. w. J^ s. e. ■ i sec. 4, Sept. 2o 1832. 
Michael Coleman, n. w. U s. e. U ^<''^:,\^''S,'-^- ^''^'-■ 
Michael Coleman, s. w. }4 sec. 4, Aprils, 1830. 
.■Vnthonv Sandei-s, e. 1^ n. e. '.; sec. .5, Dec. 24, 1832. 



Mairhi^ Wisenberger.'n.w. !in.e. 1.; sec. 5,Dec.;25, IM 

Matthias Wisenberger.s.w. 1,4 n.e. '^ seci, April 8,1833. 

John Dockwiler, n. w. i^sec. 5,May2_8,183.t. 

Anthonv Sanders, n. e. % 3. e. M sec. 0, May 23, 18^3. 

Christian Schleimer, s. 'As.e.\4 sec. o, June 13, 1833. 

Peter Arntz, n. w. i^ s. e. \i sec. 5, Aug o, 1834 

Miami A Davton Canal, s. w. '4 sec. o, May 24, 1828. 

Christian Schleimer. n. e, K sec. 6, June 13, 1833. 

Michael Heber (or Weber) s. w. !<r sec. e, June l.i,l».i... 

John Houck, n. ' . s. e. !4 sec. G, Nov. 1,9, 1833. 

Joseph Henry, s. I; s. e. H sec. G, April 9, 1834. 

Christian Kraemer. e. ■• n. w. >4 sec. 0, June 13, 1833. 

Michael Weber, w. 'i n. w. '4 sec. 0, June 13, 18o3. 

Samuel Hoover, n. e. V, sec. 7, June 1, 1833. 

Nimrod Phillips, s. w. M s. w. \i sec ,, June 1, 1822. 

Joseph Hart, e. 'i of s. w. '^ sec. 7, June 1, 1822 

John Frees, n. w. '.i of s. w. % sec /, Feb 24, 18-^- 
Jacob Adelsperger, w. ^i of n. w. % sec. / , June 12, 1833. 

Jacob Kapler, s. e, '4 sec. 7, July 1, 1833. 
Philip Newmeyer, e. ' i u. w. % sec. /, June 2, 18.54 
Frd'k A Rob't Byrne, e. ],iu. e. 14 sec. 8. May 13, 1831. 
John Henry, n. w. i^ n. e. H sec. 3, April 9, 1834 
Jacob Klinkert, s. w. ]4 n. e. k sec. 8, Oct. 3, J833. 
.Tames Hoover, n. w. \ sec. 8, June 1. 1833. 
Frederick Zellar, e. U s. e. U sec. 3, Nov. 24 1832 
.Michael .Stippick. w. % s. e. 14 sec 8, May IG. 1833 
Jacob Adelsperger, e. ^2 s. w. k sec 8, June 12 1333. 
Martin Keafer, w. ',i s. w ',1 sec. 8, Oct. 23. 183.5 
Wm. Cadwallader, n. e. ^4 n e. 'A sec. 9, Aug. 21,1332. 
Daniel Foglegesong. s. e. ■., n.e. k ^^^ i ^'^,0 wri 
Nioholxs Hanover, w. '. u. e. % sec. 9, Aug. 13. l*^- 
Frdk .<; KolVt Byrne.e. '4 n. w. '4 sec. 9, May 13, 1831. 
Frdk .t Rob-t Byrne, w. ■;; n. w.'4 sec. 9, May 1/,1»31. 
Theobald Koch. n. ]4 s. e. !.i sec. 9, July JO, 1833 
Ludwig Faulhaber, s. H s. e. K sec. 9. July 'j". 1833. 
William Beagle, e. 'As. v. V, sec. 9, Feb. 20, 1833 
Frederick Zellar, w. U s. w. U sec. 9, Nov. 24 1832. 
Gustavo Reiningcr, u. e. K sec. 10 Oct. lo, 183 
Isaac Sloan, n. e, ',1 n. w U sec 10, .Sept. 2., l*^- 
George Philip Wahl, s.e. '4 n.w. '., sec. 10, Maj 2.3, 13o.-.. 
Wm. W. Blair, w. i.n. w. 4 sec. 1", .Tan. 1.3, 1831 
Gustave Reininger, e. ': s. e. '4 sec. 10, Oct. l», 1832. 
George Griffith and George Ebert, w. J^ s. e. '4 »ec. 10,e. 

fi, s. w. Vi sec. 10, Nov. 29, 1832. 
John Sheets, w. i< s. w. '/; sec. 10 Oct. 15, 1830. 
Frederick Lamb,s. w.pt. of s.w.i<i sec. ll,Nov. 29, 182.). 
John Lidey, w. pt of n. w. 'i sec. 11. April to, 182,. 
Josiah Hedges, s. w. pt. ol Ir. sec. 12, Aug. 20, 1821 
Ebenezer Mills, n. e. pt. of fr. sec 12, Sept. 21 1S21 
William Wisely, s. pt. of s. w ' .{ fr. sec. 13, July 16, 821. 
Josiah Hedges, u. pt of n. w. i f r sec. 13, Aug. 20 1821. 
Josiah Hedges, s. pt. of n. w. 14 fr. sec. 13, n. w . pt. of 8. 

p 1,^ fr sec 13. Aug. 23, 1821. 
.TohnC^r/ckfr^'e'. pt.\f n. e. K fr.sec. 13.Jul^^^^^ 
.lohn Crocker, s. e. pt. of s. e. '., fr.sec. 13,I.eb.25,lS2.8 
Miami & Dayton Canal, n. pt. s. w. >.i fr. sec. 13, Ma) 

Wiu" H. fong, s pt. of s. e. 'I sec. 14, July IG. 1821. , 
Chris. Brandstill and John Wirlzburger, w. \i n. e. ' i 

sec. 14, Aug. 23, 1821. .,» ,coi 

Chris. P.randstill, e. % n. w. % sec. 14, Aug. 2o, 1821. 
Philip Zinn, n. pt. 3. e. > i sec. 14, Sept. o, 1822. 
Miami & Davton Canal, e. pt. s. w. ',,, sec. 14, and e. y-j. 

n. e 'i sec. 14. May 24, 1828. 
Joseph Pearca. w. ' . n. w. 14 sec. 14, and e. y.n.e.% 

sec. l-i. .May 3, 1323. 



ORIGINAL LAND ENTRIES. 



I>avid Vux, s e. ]4 see. 1.5, .lune .-i, 1823 
<.usi.u-e feineijer. w i^ n. e. iisec. 15, March 13 18:i3 
.iMob .Sn, ler. n. w. 14 sec. I5.1.eb. 5, isist ' ^• 

.MichMl Meier, e. 'i s^ w. ij, sec. 1.5, Juno 6, ISM. 

■ lacol. kergus, w. t s. w. '.'.sec. 15 Sent t lart 
.'Cool Lands sold f,y State, sec. 10 "^ ' ■*■ 
.lohn .Vriiey or(Ainey).e. ',i n.e '4sec. 17, .May'" 183' 

.lohn " iirley. n. w >.j sec. 17, Nov. 24, 1832 

ll"',".-! "'!'"■• "■ = ^- " '" '«"■ "■ •^"'C- 6. 1S32. 

■ lohn l.land, »v. 1^ s. c. >., sec. 17, .luly 1;), 1S31 
Henry /.nnnerman, s. w. >., sec. 17, .luly 25, 18:i2 
Thomas l.rooks, n. w. >., n. w. 1, sec I.H Fph w ih'm 

. n, rew Mur,derrer,8.»'. y, „. w!'.. sec k, July ,2 W ' 
hil ,1 Stan,. 0. •;, n. e. > , sec. 18, Aug. 17 183.) 

. acol) Uedtox, e. !i n. w. '.j sec. 18, Aug. 17 1833 

■ lames ll.mter, s. e. U sec. IS, Oct. .30, 1832 
.lacol. Ivdfox, e. 'As. «•. i.i see. 18, Aug. 17,' 1833. 

lial .1, pudleston, e. ■/, n. w. ■-., sec. 19. .V„g.'2I I8-7 

.".;''"',■; ■■>■''"'"■ "■ 'i "• "•• ■'sec- 13, Apfil 17 183^ 
. ohn Wikart, s. e. U sec. 19, .May 23, 1832 ' 

Kaniel .summers, n. e. 1, s. w. i, sec. 19, Oct 19 183' 



1053 



Milton L Mount.s, c. '. n. w. Usee '>8 .Sem on mliu 
""SI, Ma^jrjS-""'" ->•>. -->« P'-o?^ e. U .ec. 
Miami A Dayton Canal. «-. 1. o. V ' ' ' 



„ • n. e. 1 , sec. 
David FoRht.e. '3 s 
.\ndrew i-;iy, e. 



1^ 



i sec. 27, and e. 



1. .^lay 24, 1828 
e. '4 f'ec. 27 ,(ict. 2. 1S2S 
w. I . sec. 27. Nov. 8, 1826. 



^^j::;?^^;^^'tri^/i;^-^^;5nec.s,.82.. 



Haiiiptontrandall, ». e.^ secrVs'IuK •■'!"! 8'.5 
(.resha Alison, e. U, s. w 1} sec Js i,f„ . > ,o"«; 
Miami ,<L Davinn <-;„;i _.'^',','!'=-_-8,',-^"S,- ^-',1820. 

and n. 1^360. 28, 



la s. w. 



.lolm Hakcr, w. i J s. w. \ sec 19, Jilne '2771833/ 
■•eterWiehN-'; „""!■'• ^ '' ?' ■"'■ '' ^'"'- '»• ""■ 30, 1833. 
.corge Vaiiness, s. e. >j, n. e. U sec. 2ft, MarJh ti 1833 
.eorge \ anness, n. e. i.^ n. e. '\ sec. 20 April i,i' 833 
i.eoige Vanness, w. ■,; „ e. U sec. 20, Nov^l" ISS-' 
ueorge \ anness, e. 'A n w. '^ sec. 20, Oct. 12. '18.3''" 

«m, .Mckinney, w. 'is. e. >., sec 20 Oct lo i«i-> 
•ieorge Vannesi, e. 'fs. w. U sec. W. Oct. ? ^^^■ 
Wm'T.v ""■''• "■ '?» "■ '•' ^""^ 20, Sept. u.Vs-a' 
il „?1^., "■■ "■ "■■ -i ° " ■ '• ^'"'- 20, July 9' 18.33. 
n-imVw'n •!.'•'• '■■• •' °- "■ ■' "''<'■ -'0, Sept. 11, 1833. 

Vi r n k-tv,*""' '■■'"'■,'•' ^ '•' ° «■ '■' *«<'■ 21. Nov. 10,1832. 
M. rlin keafcr, s. w. ',, n. w. '., sec. 21, March 25 1833 
V eleul.ne llamm n. w. . , „. w.'., sec. 21, and s. el-fn 
W.I I, sec. 21, April 10, 1833. = •=• .1 u. 

„„"rV- '''.','•'' "■ '' "• '■ ■' sec. 21, July 27, 1833 
. acot, lertlmger, n. e. '., n. e. '4 sec. 21, Aug. 1 1833 

Miami A liaytnn (anal, e. " .; s. w. and e > s\. 1 
sec. 21, Mav 24, 1828 - *' •■ 

.loseph < levengcr. w. !4 s. e. '., sec. 21, Nov. 15 I8'>7 

enj < levenger, ,v. y, s. w. '4 Uc. 21. Nov. .5.827 
Ihilin /i„n, e. 'i D. e. ■, sec. 22, Feb. 11, 1822. 
PhiM .Tinl,'' ''•.> '■ *i> ^'=- 22, A.lKl.8t 10. 1822 
w i!,*^ w- '.'' ^ » «• !4 »ec. 22, March 1, 1823. 
Daii^V rSl'^"- "^ i°- «■ J^- '™- 2-', Jan. 2, 1824. 
Dan o I> \ • "• ■"■ =^ °- ■"■■ '• =«"• 22, May 2 1833 
F?^errot^' °- *"• ■' "iV*- ' ' "«"■ 22. J"ne 17, 1833. 

Tohu HrWw?*'-,?- <■ 'iT- '^ '™- 22. June 28 18.30 
W,' TI -P ■ • ' "■ "■ 'i ■'""^^ 22, Oct. 21, 1830. 
W ,■ Ir n""*-'' "■ ■" ".' "• »•■ i^sec. 2.3, July 16, 1821. 
Mor. Ill""*-'' V- '"■ "'"■ "■ ' • »ec. 2.3. .fuly 16, 821. 
Ilorlon Howard, s. pt.ofn.w. '..sec 23 ilav " I82') 
•loseph Icistand, e. pt. ». e. >, sei. 2:?. Nov 2? f822 

V il'm, f \l'''"',' ^■""'''' ''■/'■ 'i "«<■• 23. May 24, 1828. 
-Miiion I, .Mounts, w. pt of 8. e. 'i sec "3 Sent 26 ia>a 

Wm°\v;"s'l''^^' •=•"";''• "• 'i-c 24,t^.'"lf,i',7«- 
S; 2 I °i'^' ''^ P'- "'^■' "■ '• see. 24. July 16, 1821 
.eorge Johns, s. w. pt. of 8. e. '4 sec. 24, .(ug. 29. 1821 
(.eorgc Johns, e. pt ofs. w. ' , sec. 24, Aug. A 1821 
?f"f '.."**'''■ "■ P'- "'^ «■■ '4 see. 24, Aug. 19, 1822 
Isaac I'ene.-. e. ', n. e. ',; sec. 24, Mav 19, 1828. 

•'""■"; s*e"25,"iy„'y"v,»,'-i8''28;= "■ "■ '^'"^ ^- •"• "''■ «■ 

ritrundige, e pt.ofn.w. if sec. ii, Nov. 22 1821 
1. lirundige, n. w. pt. of n. e. >/. sec. 2.5, Nov. 22 la^l 

»>«;? ll'.;..! ■"■ °' '• "■/■""* -' "■ 5-' see. 2.5, April .30, 182''. 
Fred. Hack, s. e. pt. of s. w. ' ( sec. 2-5, June 10 la*' 

'24'. 1a^"''""' ^'''"'''' "• "'• '""°- "• '-^ »"■= 25. Miy 

FrS'^rl^^ il'"'f'' "^^ P'- "/»• «■ ■' s"' 25, June 10, 1822. 
I rederick Hack, e. pt ofs. e. ' ,' sec. 2.5, May 28, 18>3 
.1. N. .Icnnings, e. >.; n. w. ', fr. sec. 2, June 3. IS'iS 
.1. X J-nnings. v. '. n. e. ' , fr. sec. 2, June .3, 1823' 
■ I "g.S'?'""'. s- <•. pt. of n e. ',.' sec. 2.5. April 18 18'>s 
John Reid w ', s. w. '< .see. 20, March L'7, I82'' 
W ni and A lietd, c. ' ; s. w. \ sec. 26, April 10, 1822. 



Miami A I'ayion'canal, w 
May 24, 1828. 

.lohnTinglcr e. >._;s e '.<aec 29, Nov "G I805 
M.an.1 A^^lyton (aiilil, n ■ ^^' ^^'^'i '*^'', 

•T-imes Mallow, s. e.'j-i sec 3 s4 ' 3 18'- 
M.ami A Dayton Ta^al. n. "•see^S, '»/«; ^4 IS'S 
■jamuc Sargent, w. ij n. e. ' f sec. 3' Dec 9 1824 

32, Mav 24 IS>4 " ^* '• 

pIter Dell' t ',i' "«• '^f see. 3.3, Feb. 18, 1822. 
(Vor„» nI' 11 = '•>''• -isec. .33, March 30. 1922 
(ben',att'',v''i"'- -• "■,*• '-^^^=- •'•'• -^»«- ". 1822. 
Peter «».' ' ,"• ■"' ' s<-e- :«, Nov. 13, 1823. 

1 eter Suitzer, e. ' ^ n. v. i,.isec..33 Nov 13 is?! 
'«'erSw,tzer,e. ■; s. w.'^f ^ec 33 Nov i' iali 

Ibfaha";;; Hii'irri^"'- « li-- «•^^"- 33;Dec''4,f823. 
<i,,f" .'."•," 2" e. i^sec .33, Au" '4 w>i 

n!;Ji^^il^S^^^-;^i7,^^H ..1.^:^2.. 

n;::i^^:/^^.T,^»'^;^^p^^«:''^^^' 



i sec. 



182.5. 



?;''';' fl'l^^--. w. '4 srcg^irlCse^t.' 5. 1802 
Satii,^ ,"''"T' ^- '' ° "■'-< sec i, tl'ov. 2^, !»':, 
MID .■?„"'^"«"',^- '= "•7- '*' sec. 34, June 30, i 

^4i^ii^:'s";;U:^5u?;«'i^''^^--- 

•'"•o'''".:\:i''!,^•5-^^- -^-c.3.5,and w. pt. of „. 

David fJriffith, e. ', n. w. ir8ec..3.5 Oct "u iS'i 
James Seward, w ■ , n. w. >< sic .3^ Nov.l' lU 
Thomas I^eper. s. pt. of s c '^ spc 36 i,7i^',i», 
Robt. andlno UeiS, w. ■ s wt.4sec.V"1,r 'o 82- 
James Lakin, n. e. i, sec 36, April 30 IS""^ ' '*^-- 
.lames Lakin, e. pt. of n. w. 14 sec. 36, Apri'l .30 IS'>2 
roh n Ken Ir m' "iP'- "f "■ 'f • ' 4' sec! 36^ June 1^822. 
11 S ■ "• P'- "'"■ e- '1 sec. 36, Nov. 1' i,8>.) 
•lohn kell, e pt of s. w. .', sec. 36, Nov. 13 ]%'"' 
Join. ALspaeh. »■. pt. of n. w. ' ; sec. M, MaV 12:i823. 

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP. 

TOWN 2 X., KASr.E 14 E. 

nradley Squires, w. '^isec. 1, .Wil 11, 1.82' 
Henry Rosen berger.e. H s. e. '^sec. I, May".; IS-" 
.So omon Ruse, e. <4 n. w. '4 sec l,May 24 18» 
.10 in Koran, w. 4 n. w. '4 sec. I, May 27 IS"" 
John rocker w. ■ j s. e. >4 sec. 1, Jufv 2,S. 18^ 
Nichohis >eha I, n. e. '4 sec. 1, Sept, 25, 18>9 
Fredk Ro'cnherger, Jr.,w.'4s.w.'4sec.>,Mav 31 18'4 
Nicholas H,,,«.r. «. U n. W.-14 sec^2,.Iune 4 Vs'*'^'*-^ 
Solomon Valcn.ine.e. U n. w.^ ; sec. 2. .March 7 1 KM 
(.eorge Shedenlielni. e. ^ s. w. >, sec 2 Jali 2a' 111 
(haries (;ha,.ey, e. '^ s.l. 14 sec'l. Nov. 2Tis,?,' ^'• 
So omon \ alenlinc. w. V s. c. '/.' sec ■> AiiJ -tt^-a 

W n"K?„:e"': w "."• '■ 1 ^ «'^' -^ • 2'^i'-h' ^«^- 
"111 Kinie. s. w. I, sec. 3, June 4. 1825. 

N irholas .Monser, c. ■ ., n. e. '< sec. S. June 4 IS2.5 

.lames: Hsher, w. ', n. e. '.,' .-ec. 3. April 15 8.3;5 

■lohn Monser for MoiiseD.n.w. i, sec 3 March 2618.31 

Vh"''';' ';.'"""■>•• "■ ^- '4 sic. 3, Jan. 21, i.^i" • '■ 

. hn J onser.e !., n c. >, sec. 4. Jan. 17, 18.14. 
James Rarringer, c. 'i n. w. '4 sec. 4, Aug ■H 18.14 

ThTn.V';'''' "■ '■■ '■ ? '• • »« ^' ''"-'eh 13 iMi ■ 

Melancton W. H,„,vJ,, ^4.]^^ 1V^ec.4 fie. 10 ,836 
Melancton W. Uroun. . w: "^scc 4, Oct lij im 

60 



1054 



APPENDIX: 



Melancton W. Brown, e. ^D. e. '4 sec. 5, Oct. 11, 183G. 
Peter W. Benjamin, n. w. \i and w. ^i n. e. \-i, and n. 

>; s. w. \i sec. 5, Nov. 15, 1S36. 
Levant B. C"tes, s. e. '4 sec. 5, Nov. 9. 1836. 
Michael Vollmer, s. w. '4 8. w. H sec. S, Nov. 24, 1834. 
Michael Vollmer, s. e. 'i s. w. '4 sec. 5. .Jan. 20, ls3.i. 
Melancton W. Brown, w. \i n.e. '4 sec. 6 Oct. 10. 1836. 
Melancton W. Brown, e. p. of n.w, 'i sec.G Oct ln,lS3f>. 
Melancton W. Brown. s.w.'4 n.w. '4 sec. 6,Oct.lO_ 1830. 
<ieor«e Flack, n. w. '<; n. w. % sec. 6, April 25, 1S36. 
Levant B. Cotes, n. 'i s. w. 4 sec 6, Nov. 9, 183G. 
Peter W.Benjamin, e. 'd n; e. '/; and's.e. Vi and s. y^ s. 

w. 'X sec. 6, Nov. l.'i, 1836. 
Jacob Hirhla lor Buhlai.n.e. ^ n.e. >4sec.7,Oct. 17,1884. 
.lohn Theol>ald,s. "; n. e. '4 sec. 7. Oct. 1, 1833. 
Conrad Kline, s. e. '4 sec. 7, Oct 1, 18.33. 
.Tacob Shod. s. e. '4 n. w. ',.i sec. 7. May 6, 18.53. 
Peter \V. Benjamin, n. 'i n. w. % and n. w. 14 n. e. '4 

sec. 7, Nov. 15, 1836. 
Michael Hammer, s. w. H n. w. Vi sec. 7, Sept. 22, 1840. 
Conrad Kline, n. 'i s. w. U sec. 7. Oct. 1, 1833. 
.Tonathan Ruse, s. 'i s. w. 4 sec. 7, Sept. 7, 1832. 
Michael Ennisser, e. '/> n. e. 4 see. 8, May 1, 1834. 
Levant B. Cotes, n. w. 4 a. e. '4 sec 8, Nov 9, 183G. 
.lohn .Jacob Fox, s. w. 4 n. e. % sec. 8. May 1, 1834. 
Francis Raef, n. w. 4 sec. 8, Oct. 1, 1833. 
Kman el Ruse (or Reese\ e. ',i s.e. 4 see. 8, Oct. 11,1831. 
.John Riehm. w. "2 s. e. '4 see. 8, Oct. 1, 183.-). 
.John Riehra, s. '/. s. w. '4 sec. 8, Oct. 1, 1833. 
Francis Grouse, n. '4 a- w 4 sec. 8, Oct. 1, 1833. 
David McCracken, n. e. 4 sec. 9, Nov. 14, 1831. 
.John Dreiab.ich, s. e. '.4 sec 9, .June 16. 1.S33. 
.John I.)reisbach, w. y, sec. 9, June 16, 1832. 
Jacob Ruse, e. 'i n. e. 4 sec. 10. May 24, 1822. 
Barnet Freeze (or Freerei,w.'i n e.^isec 10,Sept.21,lS32. 
John Upp. Jr.. e 'is. e. 4 sec 10, Oct. 14, 1823. 
Barth.)lomewSchaU,w. ■; s. w. '4 sec. 10, May 31, 1824. 
Martin .Schall, w. <i n. w. 4 sec. 10, Dec. 27, 1324. 
-Martin Shaul, e. ',i n. w. I4 sec. 10, May .5, 1826. 
Solomon Ruse, w. 'i s. e. H sec 10, Jan. 16, 1824. 
Solomon Ruse, e. Vo s. w.Vi sec. 10, Jan. 16, 1824. 
Stephen Vickery, el ';; n. e. 4 sec 11. May 3 1822. 
Jacob Ruse, w. ■,/• n. e. '4 sec. 11, May 24. 1822. 
Jacob Ruse n. w. I4 sec. 11. May 24, 1822 
Nicholas Schall. e. V.', s. e. >4 see. 11, Oct. 11, 1S22. 
John Upp, Jr , w. ' i's. w. 4 sec. 11. Oct. 14. 1823. 
Richard Soeath, e. 14 s. w. 4 sec. 11, June 29, 1826. 
Richard Sneath, w. !i s. e. U sec. 11. June 29, 1826. 
Bradley Squire, s. e. '.i sec 12, April 11, 1322. 
Stephen Vickerv, w. 'i n. w. 4 sec 12, May 3, 1822. 
Nicholas .Xchall,' w. U s. w. 4 sec. 12. Oct. 11, 1822 
John Stoner & Geo. stoner. n. e. 4 sec. 12, Oct. 25, 1822. 
John Stoner & Geo. Stoner, e. \i n. w. 4 sec. 12, Oct. 
25, 1S22. 

John Crocker, e. V, s. w. 4 sec. 12, July 28, 1823. 

Eli Bloomer, w. >4 s. w. '.i sec 13, April S. 1822. 

Cornelius skinner, e. ' i s. w J.i sec. 13. April 3, 1822. 

Joseph Pool, e. ',4 n. w- >.i sec, 13, .\pril 3, 1822, 

Joseph I'ool, w. pt. of 8. e. 4 sec. 13, April 3, 1822. 

Rollin Moler. n. e, '.i sec. 13, April 12 1822 

Bartholomew Schall, w. 'i n. w. ;.i see. 13, May 6,1822. 

Dr. Dunn.s ':■ sec. 14. March 27, 1822. 

Bartholomew SchKll. e.'ip- e. 4 sec. 14, May 6. 1822. 

Thomas Wheeler, w. <', n. e 4 sec. 14. Aug. 23, 1823. 

Tbom IS Wheeler, e. '4 n. w. 4 sec. 14, Aug 23 1823. 

Fred Rosenherger, w. ',i n. w, >.i sec 14. June 3, 1828. 

Dr. Dunn. e. ' - s. e. 4 sec 15, March 27, 1822. 

Peter Havnes, w. '4 s. e 4 sec. 15, Sept 5, 1S23. 

Peter Havnes. e. 4 s. w. 4 sec. 15. .Sept. 15, 1823. 

Martin Sch ill, e 'i n. w. 4 sec 15. May 31, 1824. 

Geo. Schall, w. '4 n. w 4 sec 15 May 31, 1824. 

John Kiuie, w. ' , n. e. '4 sec. 15, May 24, 1824. 

John Kinie, c '• n c. '4 sec. 15 Nov. 4, 1.824. 

Frd'k Rosenberger, w. '4 s. w. U »ec. 15 June 3, 1826. 

School Lands, sec. 16 (see pace 5.^9). 

.John Miller, w. 14 n, w, 4 sec 17 June 24, 1822. 

Michael Miller, e. ><; n. w. '4 see. 17, June 24, 1822. 

Jacob Ruse, n. e. ii sec. 17, Oct. 1. 1822 

Jacob Ruse, e. !4 s. e. '.i sec. 17, Oct. 3, 1822. 

Miami & Davton Canal, w. '4 8. e. 4 and the s. w. 4 
sec. 17, .fune 24, 1828. 

Abraham Miller, n. e. '4 sec IR, April 7, 1824. 

Robert >hippcy. e. y n. w. 4 sec. 18, Jan. 26, 1826. 

Jonalban Ruse, w. ", n. w. >4 sec. 18, March 7, 1.827. 

Miami & Davton Canal, s. \i sec. IS, .May 24, 1828. 

John Cookerlv, e. >4 s. e. 4 sec. 19, March 25, 1833. 

John KirshneV, w.'. s e ].i sec. 19. June 18, 1S34. 

Isaac Cheaoweth, w. 14 n. e. 4 sec. 19, June 28, 1830. 



David Fox, e. ' .; n. w. >4 sec. 19, Oct. 29, 1830. 

Miami & Davton Canal,w. '; n.v.- 4 and 8 w. I4 sec. 19, 

May 24. 1828. 
Joseph Kisher, c. '- n. c. '4 sec. 19. Nov. 5, 1833. 
Thomas Whealer, e. '; s.e. >4 sec. 20, Aug 23, 1823. 
Peter Magers, u. w. ',4, 3. e. U and n. e. '4 s. w. ;.i sec. 

20, Jan. 31, 1834. 
George Slosser, n. w. 4 sec. 20, Sept. 5, 1831. 
Henj Roller, s. e. 4 s. w. 4 and s. w. I4 s. e. 4 sec. 20, 

Sept. 23, 1833. 
Martazal Frederetzy, s.w. }.i s.w. 4 sec. 20, Dee. 2,1833. 
Wm. Leitner, n. w '4 s w. 4 sec. 20, July 14, 1834. 
Bayard Landerman, e. '4 n. e. 4 sec. 20, Oct. 26, 1832. 
Peter Slosser, w. >■> n. e. 4 sec. 20, Sept. 26, 1831. 
Thomas Whealer, e. '4 n. w. 4 sec. 21, Sept. 5, 1827. 
David Betz, e >:. n. e. 4 sec. 21, Oct, 31, 1829. 
Jacob Ruse, w. 'i n. v. M sec. 21, Oct. 3, 1822. 
Thomas Whealer. w. "4 s. w 4 sec. 21, Aug. 23, 1823. 
Peter Judv. w. ',; u e 4 sec. 21, Sept. 5, 1823. 
Nancy Patterson, e. 'is. w. 4 sec. 21, June 1, 1832. 
Burrows Moore, s e. 4 sec. 21, July 10, 1832. 
Peter Stimmell, e. 'i u. e. 4 sec. 22, March 27, 1822. 
John llite. s. w. 4 sec. 22, Nov. 19, 182i. 
.Michael .Schall, e. 'i n w. 4 and w. 'i n. e. 4 sec. 22, 

Aug. 7, 1823. 
Isaac Cadwallader, s. e. 4 sec. 22, Aug. 23, 1823. 
Samuel Smith, w. '4 n. w. '4 sec 22, Sept. 30, 1831. 
John P Gordon, e. \i s. e '4 sec. 23, Jan 17, 1822. 
Jas. Eakins w. '4 and w. '4 s.e >4 sec. 23. Mch. 26, 1822. 
Samuel Ream, n. e. ',i sec. 23, Sept. 16, 1822. 
Wm Little, s. pt. s. e Vi sec. 24, July 18 1821. 
Ellsha Smith, s. w. pt. s. w. '.i sec. 24. June 20, 1822. 
Samuel Ream. n. w. pt. n w. '.i sec 24. Sept. 11, 1822. 
Elijah Huntington, n. pt s. e. >4 sec. 2.i, July 17, 1821. 
.James Cordon, c. pt s. w. 4 sec. 25, July 17. 1821. 
Wm. Little, e. '/. n. e. 4 sec. 2', July 18, 1821. 
George Johns, s. pt, s. e 4 sec 25, Aug. 10, 1821. 
Wm. Little, w '4 n e 4 sec. 2.i. Oct. 26. 1821. 
John Porter, e. '4 n w. '.i sec. 25, Sept 16, 1822. 
John Crocker, w !.; n, w. 4 sec. 25, Julv 28, 1823. 
Frederick Lamb, w. pt. 8. w 4 sec 25, Oct. 29, 182o 
Peter Stimmel, e, ',4 n e 4 sec. 26, March 27,1822. 

Robert Roberts, w. 'i n. c 4 sec 26, Nov. 19, 1822. 

John Hile, w '.j sec. 26, Nov 19. 1822 

Richard Sneath. s e. 4 sec. 26, July 6. 1820. 
Jas Quina (of I'enn.), e. '4 s. w. 1,4 sec. 27. Dec. 6, 1822. 
John Foresiuan. w. M s. w. '4 sec. 27, Feb. 19, 1823. 
CJeorge Stoner. s. e '4 sec 27. Apr. 17, 1823. . 

Andrew Mains w '•< n. V. 4 sec. 27, Sept 10,1824. 

John L. Flack, e. 4 n. w. '4 se'-. 27, Jan. 20, 1827. 

Michael Thomas, n. e, 4 sec 27, May 30. 1827. 

John Robertson, e '4 s. e. '4 sec. 28, Oct. 24, 182o. 

Leonard Lebar, w '4 s. e, 4 sec 28. June 15, 1829. 

Christian Zaring, e '-i n e. '.i sec. 28, May 7, 1828. 

Fred Wampler w. 4 n, e. '4 and e. '/j n. w. 4 sec. 28, 
Nov. 8, 1828. 

John Briner, w. 4 n. w. 4 sec. 28, Oct. 20, '8.30. 

Leonard Lebar, e '4 s. w. '.; sec 28, June 15, 1829. 

John P. Gordou, w. 'i s. w. ',i sec. 28, Nov. 22, 1833. 

Martin Houseman, e. '4 s. e. 4 sec 29, June 6, 1826. 

Arnold Livers, w. '4 3. e. !.4 sec. 29, June 17, 1828. 

.John P. Gordon, w. '4 n. e. '.i sec. 29, April 24, 1830. 

John Briner, e. 'A n. e. U sec. 29, Apri 13, 1832. 

George Slosser, n. w. 4 sec. 29, Aug. 10, 1831. 

Arnold Livers, e. '4 s. w. 4 sec. 29, June 7, 1828. 

Joseph Elder, w. '/, s. w. 4 sec. 29, June 17, 1828. 

George Slosser, e. v. a. e. H sec. 3(i, Aug. 10, 1831. 

.John Callanan, w. '., a. e. 4 sec. 30. March 13, 18.34. 

William L.Ricketts. s. w.',{ u.w. '4sec.30, May 20. 1833. 

John Rummell, n. w. 4 n. w.'4 sec. 30, Oct. 29. 1833. 

John Callanan, s. e. 4 n. w. 4 sec. 30, March 13, 1834. 

John Henrv Long, n. e.'i n.w. 4 sec..30, July 18, 1834. 

George Slosser, e. '4 s. c. 4 sec. 30, Aug. 10, 1831. 

Amos Wheeler, w. 4 s. e. '4 sec. 30. Sept. 19, 1831. 

James H. Wilson, e. '4 s. w. 4 sec. 30. April 25, 1832. 

William T,. Ricketts, w.'4 s.w.^^sec. 30, March 10,1827. 

Philip llasl.i, e. 'i n. e. 4 sec. 31, Nov. 6, 1832. 

Marcus Slaughter, w. ' . n. e. '4 sec. 31, Nov. 6, 1832. 

Miami .4 Dayton Canal, n. w. J4 and s. ',4 sec. 31, May 
24, 1828. 

Jacob Kime, n. y sec. 32, May 28, 1824. 

John Stump, n. e''4 s. e. 4 sec. 32, April 1.5, 1834. 

George Ebrhart. s. e. 4 s.e. '.i sec. 32. Dec. 25. 1832. 

Joseph Wonderlen. w. 4 s. e. 4 seg. 32, Oct. 13, 1832. 

John Wonderlen, n. e. >4 s. w. 4 sec. 32, Oct. 13, 1832. 

Anthony Wonderlen, s.e. Vi s. w. '4 sec.32. July 4. 1834. 

Jonathan Foltz, w ". s. w. 4 sec.32. May 19, 1832. 

James Earl, e. y n. e. 4 sec. 33, April 22, 1823. 



ORIGINAL LAND ENTRIES. 



10G7 



Wm. P. White, s. e. 'i sec. 0, .July 18, 1827. 
BeiiJ. Moor,©, 'j ii. w. '» sec. (J. Dec. 4. 1826. 
.lost Wyaut, «■. I', 11. w. 'i sec. 6, .Tan. 31. 1832. 
IVter Beaver, e % s. w. ' i sec. G. March '25. 1K3!. 
.Tdliii lleter, w. V.j s. w. >.i see. Ii, March 31, 1838. 
David Merioii*, w. pt. of s. c. '.i fr. sec. 7, Nov .30, 1832. 
.\biram liasselt, w. i, u. w. 'i sec. 7, .Inly '21, 1826. 
.\ndrew Mittowcr, .Ir., e. ', ii.w.', sec.7, .lune l.'i, 1827. 
Andrew .Mittower. .Tr., w. ij n.e. '.i sec.7, .June l.i. 1827. 
Miami A Dayton Canal, s. '.. and e. '^ n. e. '.j sec. 7, 

Act May 24, 1828. 
Miami & Dayton Canal, sec. 8, .Vet May 24, 1828. 
Joseph Burge.ss, e. !'. u. e. ' i sec. 9, June C, 1831. 
iillis Dwise. w. '. n. e. '.j sec. 9, Oct. 29, 1832. 
Isaac I 'wise, n. w. Vi sec. 9, Oct. 29, is:i2. 
Miami & Dayton Canal, s. i. sec. 9, Act May 24,1828. 
Columbus iV .'^andusky Road, e. '.^ sec. 10. 
(ieo^^'c Hoard, u. e. 'i s. w. '.i sec. 10. Jan. 7, I8;'4. 
Jacob Heard, s. e. Vi n. w. 'i and n. e. '.| n. w. ^.i sec. 

10. May 11.1833. 
Joseph Burgess, w V. n. w. 'i and vr. J^s. w. Vv sec. 10, 

June Ii, 1S31. 
Alvah Finch, 8. e. 'i s. w. ', sec. 10, Aug. 30,1833. 
Columbus A Sandusky Road. sec. 11. 
Columbus & Sandusky Road, sec. 12. 
Daniel Zepernick, n. e. '.i sec. 13. June S. 1820. 
Orauj^e Johnson, w. '.j n. w. i.isec. 13, July 4, 1829. 
Orauf^e Johnson, e. '^ n. w. ^i sec. 13. June 1, 1S2U. 
Wilhelmus Kuues, e. i; s. e. Vt sec. 13. May 4, l.'*30. 
rrodenek Onsiinc. w. <, s. e. 'i sec. 13, June II, 1S29. 
Frederick Onstine,* w. \.3 s. e. and s. w. ',, sec. 13, 

Dec. 13, KS2S. 
Fretlericfe Oustine, s. w. '.j sec. 13. June 11, 1829. 
William Hall, n. e. '.i sec. 14, March 2. 1S30. 
l^vi Chase. Jr.. e. '2 u. «•. '., sec. 14, March 5, 1.S.30. 
Wilhelmus Knnes, w. ij n. w. Vi sec. 14. May 9. 18.30. 
Frederick Onsline, e. 't s. e. ', sec. 14, June 11, 1829. 
Lewis Finch, w. 1-2 s. e. '.1 and e. {^ s. w. U sec. 14, 

.\pril 29. 18:50. 
John Cole. Jr., w. 'i s. w. '^ sec. 14, Sept. 14, 1831. 
Tunis Cronkite, n. c. ' i sec. 13. May 19, 1,8.30. 
Miami A Dayton Canal, w. ' ; sec. In. Act May 24, 1828. 
.Samuel Finch, e. 1. s. e. '.i sec. 13. May 14, 1831. 
.Samuel Finch, w. ] ^ s. e. }., sec. 13, Oct. 12, 1831. 
School Lands, sec. 16. 

John .Swisher, s. w. '1 sec. 17. March IS. 1824. 
William Baker, e. Ii see. 17, June 16, 1824. 
.Miami A Davtou Canal, n. w. '., sec. 17, Act May 24, 

1,«2.H. 

William Smith, s. e. ' , sec. 18, Nov. 25, 1822. 
-Vbraham Bruudige, 2d, w. ij d. w. ^4 sec. 18, Oct. 27, 

l.'i24. 
Miami it Davtou Canal, n. e. ^i and s. w. Vj sec. IS, 

May 24. 1.S28. 
William Scot horn, e. 'i a. v. >.i sec. 18, Dec. 27, 1.S2C. 
William .Smith, n. e. 'i sec. 19. Nov. 2."). 1822. 
John Clay, e. '5 n. w. ', sec. 19, Mav 29, 1S27. 
.lohn Clay, w. ij n. w. >i sec. 19. .\p'ril .s. 1831. 
.loseph Hover, c. '.. s. e. '.1 sec. 19. April 15,1828. 
Miami & Davton Canal, s. w. ^4 and w. '4 s. e. *4 sec. 

19. Act May 24, 1828. 
Samuel liakcr, s. e. '1 sec. 20. June 16, 1824. 
.Samuel Baker, ,tr., n. e. \, sec. 20. June 10. 1824. 
John Ilovt-r. n. w. '1 sec. 20, Nov. 3, 1824. 
Miami A Davton Canal, s. w. 1.1 sec. 20, v\ct May 24, 

1828. 
Samuel Baker, s. w. ^4 and w. V, d. w. '4 sec. 21, June 

Hi. 1S24. 
Samuel Scothorn, c. V4 n. w. '4 sec. 21, Dec. 12. 1825. 
Benjamin Knness. w. >/j u. e. >4 sec. 21, May 16, 1833. 
Smith Tompkins, e. '/4 n. e. S sec. 21. 
Columbus & Sandusky Road, e. i~ s. e. Vj sec. 21. 
Reuben S. Hall. w. <, s. e. ' , sec. 21, June 18, 1831. 
Columbus A Sandusky Road, sec. 22. 
Thomas Bennett, s. e. Vi and e. ' i n.e. *4 sec. 23,Oct. 7, 

1825. 
Ivdward Cassety, e. '.i s. w. ', sec. 23, Oct, 7. 1825. 
Columbus & Sandusky Road, w. ij n. e. Vi and n. w. 

' , . sec. 23. 
Levi Reed. w. '■', s. w. '4 sec. 23, Dec. 14, 182S. 
.Seth Reed, e. 'h'sec. 24, June 19, 182.3. 
(leorpe Raymond, s. w. I4 sec. 24, June 19, 1823, 
Abisail I lark*, e. 4 n. e. '.i sec. 26. Auk. 27. 1823. 
Tunis Cronkite, n. w. '1 sec. 24, Sept. 29, 1824. 
Joseph Reed, e. '; s. w. Vi sec. 25, Sept. 20, 1826. 



Lsaac H. Rennet, w. lis. e. '4 and n. e. '4 sec. 25, Oct. 

23, 1826. 
John Ca.ssety, w. 'i s. w. H sec. 25, Oct. 23, 1826. 
Miami ."c Dayton Canal, n. w. I4 and e. % s. e. I4 sec. 

23, Act May 24, 1828. 
William Rayniond w. >; n. w. Vi sec. 26. Aug. 10. 1826. 
Kdward Cassety. e. '« n" w. I4 sec. 26, July 17, 1829. 
John M. .Sun lord, e. "l., n. e. '1 sec. 26. March 2. 1829. 
John M. Saulnrd. w. 1 . n. e. '1 sec. 26 July 28, 1828. 
Xephaniah Hathaway, e. >; s. e. '4 sec. 26 Oct. 18. 1831. 
Zephaniah Hathaway, w. his. e. '4 and e. !4 8. w. sec. 

26, Dec. lii. 1.S28. 

Garret Skidniore. w. }4 s. w. '4 sec. 26. May 24, 1830. 
Nathan I liapman,e. 'j n. e. 'i .sec. 27, Aug. 10, 1826. 
.lohn Wilkinson, w. ».; n. e. Vi sec. 27, Sept. 17, 1829. 
Eli Munson. e ', n. w. I4 sec. 27, June II. 1.831 
Andrew Sanlord, w. |^ n. w. I4 sec. 27, Mar. 19. 1831. 
Zephauiah llalhaway.e. ]4 s. e. '4 sec.«!7, Oct. 18, 1831. 
.lohn Wilkinson, n. w. \i s. e. '4 and u. e. *i s. w. ij 

sec. 27, July 7, 1832. 
Gurden Ochrey, s. w. "4 s. e. >, and s. e. V, s. w. '4 sec. 

27, June 11, 1833. 

Bradford Hathaway, w. '2 s. w. '4 sec. 27, Sept. 16. 18.33. 
Miami .Is Dayton Canal, n. '2 sec. 28, Act May 24, 1828. 
Braillord Hathaway, e. 'i s. e. '., sec. 28, Sept. 16, 18.33. 
Peter Kratzcr. w. 14 s. e. U and e. '/, s. w. '.i sec. 28, 

June 13. 1832. " 
Joseph Lapham. vr. 14 s. w. '4 sec. 28, Nov. 22, 1831. 
William Baker, s. ". sec. 29. June 20, 1S31. 
.Miami .Is Dayton Canal, n. '2 sec. 29, act Mav 24. 1828. 
Elijah Borum, e. 'l s. w. ', sec. 30, June 13. 1833. 
Job Pettis, n. w. ' , s. w. V, sec. 30, Oct. 26. 1S33. 
.Miami & Dayton Canal, n. 'i sec. 30, Act May 24, 1828. 
Reo. Pope (assigned to Joshua Cox), s. e. I4 sec. 30, Feb. 

18, 1.832. 

Isaiah Brown, s. w. '4 s. w. '4 sec. 30, June 15, 1833. 
Augustus Taber, e. '• u. e. !4 sec. 31, Nov. 3, 1830. 
George Free, w. '/. n. e. 'i and e. '4 n. w. '4 sec. 31, 

June 6, 1831. 
-Manzo Silccx, w. y, n. w. 1.4 sec. 31. Jan. 16, 1832. 
John C-andcr. e. 'i s. e. '4 sec. 31, Dec. 5, I82S. 
.Tohn Ingle, w. !4 s. c. '4 sec. 31, Dec. 2, 1828. 
John W. Williams, e. J<;s. w. '4 sec. 31, May 26. 18.30. 
Samuel Smith, w. •; s. w. Vi sec. 31, Sept. 27, 1828. 
William Baker, n. J^ sec. 32, June 20, ]831. 
(ieorge Free, s. e. '4 sec. 32, May 21, 1831. 
Jacob Myers, Sr., e. ■ i s. w. ', sec. 32, Oct. 3, 1831. 
John Gander, w. J^ s. w. '., sec. 32. Dec. 5, 1828. 
Columbus A Sandusky Road, s. '■ and n.e. '4 and e. 

't n. w. '4 sec. 3.3. 
Joseph Lapham. w. ' . n. w. >., sec. .3.3, Nov. 22, 1831. 
Columbus A Sandusky Road, sec. 34. 
Columbus A Sandusky Road, sec. 35. 
Miami ,t Davton Canal, s.w. '4 and n.e. ^ sec. 36, Act 

.May 24,'l828. 
Sally (iardiier, n. w. '4 sec. 36. April 29, 1836. 

NoTK.— Thes. c. Vi selected for schools under Act 
of May 20, 1826, and taken in lieu "f a quarter sectiou 
in Township 2 north. Range 18, there not being an en- 
tire quarter section unsold in the fractional township 
for which it is selected. 



THOMPSON TOWNSHIP. 

TOW.V 3 N., RA.VI.l.; 17 E. 

Peter Krenier. e. '» n. e. I4 sec. I, Feb. 23, 1S31. 
.lohn Moores, w. i^ n. e. ^4 sec. I, Sept. In, 1.S.30. 
Mason Kinney, e. J^ n. w. '1 sec 1, .May 18, 1831. 
.lacoh Kain, w. li n. w. I4 and w. '.4 "a. w. '4 aec. I, 

Nov 7, 1831. 
Kdward Frith and Bruno Silva, e. ^ 8. e. Vi sec. 1, 

Nov. .3, KS30. 
Richard Hollenshead, w. Vt e. e. >i sec. 1, May 17, 1831. 
Pliny Warner, e. 'i s. w. Vi sec. 1, Aug. IS, 1831. 
Joseph Parmenter. s. w. Vi pec. 2. Nov. 2, 1831. 
Charlotte Sherwood, e. ij n. c. 'i sec. 2. Sept. 11, 1824. 
Samuel Sparrow, s. e. Vi sec. 2, Feb. 5, 1825. 
Jacob Kain, w. ij n. e. V4 and w. Vi n. w. \i sec. 2, 

Nov. 7, 1831. 
Samuel Grimes, e. % a. w. V4 sec. 2, June 12, 1628. 
Ira Bassett, s. e. Vi sec. 3, March II. 1823. 
John Lapley. s. w. i| sec. 3, June 28, 1830. 
Peter Borgner, v. ", n. w. Vi sec. 3, July 1, 1830. 



'Erroneously entered. 



1068 



APPENDIX: 



Paniel Close, e. ';■■ n. vf. »i and n. e. '4 sec :i, JuIj 12, 

1h:ji. 
Frederick Resenberger, e. M s. w. > 1 sec. 4, Sept. 5, 18*26. 
Peter Dewalt w. 'is. w. '.^ sec. 4, Aug. 18, 1829. 
Matthew Oark.s. e. ^i sec. 4, July 12, 1827. 
Henry H. Brown, e. J,^ s. w. Vi sec. 4 Dec. 4, 1S30. 
Peter Borgner. e. y, n.'e. Vi see. 4, July 1. 183(». 
John Bor),'iier, w. 'i^ n. e. U sec. 4. May 2S, 1831. 
William Clark, e. 3^ n, w, '.i sec. 4, Nov. T, IS27. 
Sidney Clark, w. ]4 n. w. '4 sec. 4. Jan. 31, 1831. 
Henry Shire, e. }4 n. e. ^.i sec. 5, June 12, 1332. 
Samuel Clark, w. J^ n. e. '.j and n. w. >.i n. w. ^^ sec. 5, 

July 11. 1833. 
Peter Dewalt, n. e. Vi n. w. V( sec. o. Feb. 17. 1834. 
William Shate, s. J^ n. w. Vi sec. 5, Mar 28, 1834. 
Peter Dewalt, s. e. ^i sec. 5, June 22, 1829. 
Henry Waguer, s. w. ^^ sec. 5, Sept. 27, 1833. 
Michael Harohart.* w. H s. w. '4 sec. 6, March 2.^. 1833. 
Samuel Decker, c. J-^ s. w. ^4 sec. 6. May 25, ls33. 
Enoch Dick. n. e. ^I's. e. Vi sec 6, Aug. 30. 1833. 
Bernard Mullen, n. w. >4, s. e. Vi sec G, Sept. 20, 1833. 
James S. Council, s. V^ s e. ^ i sec. G, Dec. 20, 1833. 
Christian Miller, n. w" \i see. G. May 23. 1833. 
Adam Linton, n. I4 i- 6. ' t sec. G, June G, 183;j. 
.Tohn Kain. s. e. ^i n. e. '.i sec. 6, .July .5, 1833. 
Adam Jordan, s. w. Ki n. e. '.1 sec. G, Feh. 7. 18:U. 
Casper Dick, s. w. ^i s. e. '.i sec. 7, March 2G, H33. 
.res.-<e M. Anderson, n. w. ' j, s. e. U sec. 7, May 1.5. 1S33. 
<reorgc Orten. e. ■'; n. e. ^i sec. 7, June G, 1833. 
George Klierhardt, w. 'i n. e. •.! sec. 7, June lo, 1833. 
George Billman, s. '3 n. w. J.j and s. w. ^i sec. 7, April 

2.=), 1833. 
(feorge Fberhardt, u. '4 n. w. ^4 sec. 7, June 15. 1833- 
Richard HoUenshead, e. Yz s. e. H sec. 7, July 3, 1833. 
Henry Karn, e. ','2 n. e. U sec 8. April 22 183"i. 
Henry Karn, w. Vi n. e. ^4 sec. 8, .lune 17, I,8;l2. 
George f>rten, n. Vz n- w. >.i sec. 8, June R, 18:i3. 
Philo B. Scott, s. e. V; n. w. I4 sec 8. Nov. 9, 1833, 
Philo B. Scott, s. w. i.L n. w. >4 sec 8. Feb, 17, 1834. 
Jacob Karu, e. '0 s. e. ^i sec. 8, Nov. 17, 1831. 
r>aniel Close, c. '.'. 3. w. i.i and w. ',2 s.e. Vj. sec. 8, Julv 

12, 1831. 
.Tohn Kob, s. w. \i s. w. I4 sec. 8, Sept 10. 1833. 
Henry Dewalt, n. w. ^4 s. w. I4 sec 8, June 23, is:it. 
David Cochran, w. I4s. e. ^i sec 9, May IG, 1822. 
Samuel Graham, e. ^'i s. e. Vi sec. 9, Jul\-':t. 18.33. 
Jacob Wright, e. ^2 s. w. >.i sec. 9, April 29, 1824. 
Jacob Karn, w. V^ s w. '4 sec. 9, Nov. 7, 1831. 
John Heter, e. '2 Q- e- ^4 and w. »:. n. e. ' i sec 9, Oct. 

9. 1S28. 

.Tohn Heier, e. 'i »■ w. '4 sec. 9, Oct 10. 1.^28, 
Henry KMrn, w. % n. w. i.i sec. 9, April 22, 1831. 
.lasper Whitnev, w. }4 s. e. '4 and s. w. '4 sec. 10, May 

27, 1S2.5. 
Ami Whitney, w. y^ n. e. Vi and e. K H- w. U sec 10, 

May 27. 1825. 
.\mi Whitney, w. )4 ^- w. ^4 sec. 10, Pec 24, 1325. 
.Tacob Karn, e. '3 n, e. ^t sec. 10. Nov. 7, 1831. 
.\dam Good. e. 4 s. c >4 sec. 10, May 13 18:J1. 
•lac-ib Karn, e. V^ n. e. Vi sec. 11, Nov 7, 1831. 
•lacob Neikirk, w. U n. e. '1 sec. IV. Nov :{, 18;i]. 
Geo. Thos. ^Vayne, c Vi n. w. '4 sec 11, May 22. l?3ii. 
Jdbn Harp.-^ter, w. U n. w. I4 sec II. April 22, is:i0. 
Daniel Wunder, s. c. Vj sec. 11, June 2s, 18:jo. 
George Harjtster, s. w. '4 sec. 11, April 22, IS^JO. 
George Klick, s, w. Vv sec. 12. Oct. 10, l.'^21. 
David Clock, e. »i s. e. Vi sec 12. Nov. 9. 1822. 
Daniel Clock, w. '- s. e. '4 sec 12, Dec 12 18-^2. 
Frederick Karick, e. '; n e. '4 sec 12, .Tan 27, 18:n. 
Richard HoUinshead, w. '^ u. c *4 sec. 12, May 17,1831 
l-'rederick Harpster, n. w. '4 sec 12. Oct. 21, 1830. 
Isaac Lewis, e. ' . n. e. ^i sec. 13, May 17, 1832. 
Smith D. Baldwin, w. •« "■ e. '4 sec. 13, Sept. 5, 1827. 
.lohn Kob, n. w. '^ s. e. Vi sec, 13, March 2, 1833. 
Frederick Harpster, s, w. '4 s.e. '4 sec. 13. Juqc 12.18-33. 
Levi Suttnn, n. w. Vi sec 13. 

Jacob Shatel, u. e ' 1 s. e. ' i sec 13. Nov 29, 1832. 
Jacoli Swartz, s. c ' i «■ e. ' , sec 13, Nov. S, 1S32. 
Jacob Weaver and John Weaver, e. >i s. w. ',1 sec. 13, 

Dec. IS. 1828. 
William Weaver, w. *i s. w. ^i sec. 13, Dec. 13, 1828. 
Nathan Whitney, Jr., e. ','- n e >4 sec 14. Dec. 25,1821. 
Amanue) Gonwort, e. '4 s- 0. '4 sec 14, Oct. 3, IS25, 
Jacob Hiis<*]er, w. 'i n. e. Vi and e. '- n. w. Vi sec 14. 

Sept. 4, 1830 
Adam Gierharstien, w. 'i s. e. ^.4 sec. 14, Sept. 6, 1830. 



Adam (iood, w > , n. w. \^ sec. 14, Mav l:i, 1831. 
William Thorp, «. \4 s. w. *i sec. 14, Sept. 18. 1829. 
William Mc<'auley, w. y^ s. w. '4 sec. 14, April 22, IS30. 
Willard Knight, w, 14 s. e. '4 sec 15, Nov. l'1, '822. 
William McDowell, w *,^ n. e. Vi sec 15. Oct. 20, 1825. 
Adam Good, e. I4 n. e. I4 sec 15, May 13, 1831. 
Susannah Harpster, e. V2 s e, ' 1 sec 15, April 22, 18:10 
Jesse Romick, e 'i n. w. ^4 sec. 15. Aug. 18, 1829. 
Jesse Roiuick, w. "3 n. w. '4 sec. 15, June 22, t8.'9. 
John Rover, s. w. > 4 sec. 15. Oct. 10, 1829. 
School Lands, sec 16. 

.Tacob Dove*, w. 1; s. w. ^4 sec 17, Nov. 29, 1836. 
George Eberhard, e. '; s. w. '4 sec 17, Oct. 13, 1831. 
John Decker, n. w. I4 sec. 17, .lune 17, 18^1. 
Frederick Harpster, w. ]4 s. w. Vi sec 17, June 4, 1833. 
George Kberhart. s. e. Vi^sec 17. Aug. 12, 1829. 
John Decker, e. '; n. e ^4, sec 17, April 1G.1830. 
Jacob Karn. w, '; n. e. U sec 17, July 1, 1830. 
John Stough, n. w. Vi n. e. >4 sec 18. Jan. 2, 1833. 
John HolUnshea-l, n. ]4 n. e. Vi sec. 18, July 3, 1833. 
John Stoutrh, e. ^.^ n. wr*4 sec. 18, Oct. 25, 18U2. 
William McCormfck, w. '« n. w. »4 spc 18, Jan. 22,1829. 
Frederick Harpster. s. e. '4 sec. 18. June 4, 1833. 
John Decker, Jr , s. e. ^^ n e. >4 sec. 18, June 25. 1832. 
William .McConuic'k, s. w. Vi sec. 18, Nov. 2fi. 1828. 
Jonathan Everh.irt, e. '2 of n. e. 'i sec. 19,Oct.lU,1828. 
John Heter, w. '.; n. e. '4 sec. 19. April IS. 1831. 
Solomon Trey, n. w. U sec. 19, June 1 1833. 
Peter Kara, e. ».. s. e. »4 sec 19, July 1, 1830. 
John Heter e. '- of s. w. ^4 and w. '4 e. e. ^4 sec. 19, 

Oct. 9, 1828. 
.Tohn Heter. w. '2 s. w. U sec 19, Nov. 28, 18:il. 
Peter Karn, e. '2 n. e. U sec 20, June 28. 1830. 
George Kberhard. w. 'i n. e. '.i sec. 20, Oct. 13, 1831. 
Jacob Karn. e. ■ 2 n. w. ^i .«ec 2<i, Sept. 22, 1831. 
Jonathan Kverhart, w. li n. w. >.i sec. 20, Oct. 10,1828. 
Peter Karn, n. e. ^4 s. e. H sec 2'i, July 5, 183:i. 
.Tohn ICarn, s. e. '-4 s. e. U sec. 20, June 7, 18-'J2. 
.Tonas Good. e. 'a s. w. ^4 sec. 20, Nov. 7. 1831. 
Joua.s Good. w. '; s. w. '4 sec. 20, Sept. 13, 1831. 
Thomas Lock. w. |^s. e. Vi sec. 2o, Oct. 13. 18:i2. 
Abraham Hennett,*e. '» n. e. '4 sec. 21, March 22,1822. 
John Heter, w. '« n. e. I4 sec. 21, Oct. 10. ^ 829. 
John Heter. e. ' i n. w. I4 sec. 21, Sept, 29, 1829. 
Jacob T)ecker, n. w. >4 s. w. Vi sec. 21. June 14, 1833. 
Peter Karu, w. >2 n- w. Vi sec, 2L June 28, 1S30. 
John Hoyer. e. '5 s. e. I4 sec 21, Oct. 27. 1829i 
John Decker, e. Cj s. w. Vi and w. Vis. e. V4 sec 21, 

April IG. 1830. 
.Tohn Karu, s. w. Vj s. w. I4 sec. 21. June 7, 1832. 
Joseph Parmeter. n. e. ^4 sec 22. Nov. 1, 1821. 
John Buyer, e. U n. w. »4 sec 22, Oct. 10, 1829. 
John Royer, w. ' > n. w. ^i sec 22. July 30, 1829. 
Jacob Karn, e. ' - s. e. V; sec. 22. Nov. 7. 1831. 
John Decker, e. 'i s. w. Vi and w. ii s. e. ^4 sec 22 

Jan. 11.1830. 
,Tohn Royer. w. ' 2 s. w. H sec 22, Oct. 10, 1829. 
Gordon \ViIliams, w. ^ of n. e. }.i and n. w. ^4 sec 23, 

Jail. 9. 18^2. 

Benjamin Murrey, e. M s. e. Vj sec. 23, Jan. 5, 1824. 
Josenh Underbill, e. H n. e. I4 sec 23, Nov. 11, 1825. 
Jacob Karn. w. > ; s. e. Vi sec. 2.1. Nov. 7, 1831. 
Jacob Karn. s. w. '4 sec. 23. Nov. 7, tR31. 
Jasper Undcrhilt and David Underbill, e. % s. e. Vj 

sec 24. Dec 1, 1821. 
William Whitnev. w. »3 s. e. Vi and e. l^ s. w. Vi sec. 

24. Dec. 2.5,1821. 
Eli Whitnev, w. U n. w. 'i sec. 24, Dec. 25,1821. 
James Wbifraore, w. \i s. w. '4 sec. 24, April 11, 1823. 
Nathan Whituey,Jr.,e. V2 n. w. ^ sec.2l.Oct.l4,lS>3. 
John Rans e. 'a'n-e- ^i sec. 24, June 30. 1832. 
David Underhill, 2d, n. w. i.i n. e. ^4 sec. 24, Aug. 27, 

18*2. 
Ivory Douglass, s, w. V, n. e. U sec 24, Oct. 10, 1832. 
Solomon Dirntck. s. w.V^ sec 25, Aug. 27, 1833. 
Ivorv Douglas, Jr. e. "i n. w. Ki sec 25, Nov. 12, 1824. 
Calton V. Clark, w. >; n. w. I4 sec 25, May 30. 1831. 
John Geo. Heichertt, w. '« n. w. Vi sec. 25, Town 3, 

Range 14. Oct. 5.1826. 
Geor;re Zahm, e. ij sec 2-5, Oct. 11. 1832. 
Benjamin Clark, e. 'i s. e. Vi sec. 2G, Aug. 27, 1823. 
Abitiail Clark, c M n. e. U sec 26, Aug. 27, 1823. 
Solomon Dimick, w. '4 n. e. Ki sec 2G, July 1, 1824. 
.John Pepple. w. 'i s. w. 'i sec. 26, Nov. 2, 1831. 
Frederick Whealen. w. '» s. e. '4 and w. 14 n. w. ^ec 

26, Sept. 17, 183*K 



*Error; should be iu Range 14. 



fError. 



ORIGINAL LAND ENTRIKS. 



1069 



Solum. HI l)iiuick. e. '4 u. w. '4 sec. 20, March il. lS2;i 
Peter (iilberl, e. S s. w. ^^ sec. 2fi, Nov. 7, I83.i. 
Elis Whitney, w. "« s. w. V; sec. 27. Nov. U, IS25. 
Jacob Smail.'e. S s w. I4 see. 27. Dec. 7. ISU. 
Rnruani Kherhardt, e. '2 n. w. '.j sec. 27, May 4, 18:t2 
iJaine^i W'iiituiore, w. '2 u. w. ^.t see. i7.Sept. 29, 1S2H. 
R-'oiamiu Chirk, e. }-$ n. e. '.1 sec. 27, March 27, 182S. 
Henry Shaup, w. % u. e. '4 sec 27, Aug. 21, I.S22. 
.lohnPeppIe. e. % s. e. 'i sec. 27, Nov. 2, ISM. 
Nelson Bill. w. '^ s. e. '.i sec. 27, May fi. 18:J0. 
Flrasimis I'orter, w. '« u. w. ^i sec. 28, Slay .^, lS2.'i. 
I'Vedorick Uearingar,e. 'j q.w. ^i sec. 28, March lii,is:l2, 
Jacob Kurn, n. e. '.1 sec. 28, July 1, 183(i. 
Michael lieik, e. ' ; s. e. Ki sec. 2.S, Slarch 10, 1832. 
ileiirv l..otHer and children of Majer, s.w. '4 s.e. Vi sec. 

2s. .Uuie :tn, 1832. 
Ilenrv Heint/leraan, s. w. 'h s. e. ^4 sec. 2A, March 2.'>, 

I8:ti. 
Christ .lohii Phesler, s. w. J4 sec. 28, Nov. 16, 1831. 
Joseph I'artneter, e. 'a s. e. ^4 sec. 29, March :i, IS^-**. 
Jacou Karn, w. '. s. e. '4 sec. 29, Nov. 7. 1831. 
John Kurn.e. \i n. e. '1 sec. 29, June 7. 18:12. 
Jonathan Haiz, w. ^._, n.e '-i sec. 29. March 4. 18-13. 
Nicholas Jones, e. '-"n.w. ', sec 29, June I1.IS32. 
<;eorge Holin, w. '^ n. w, Ki sec. 29, Aug. 2.'>, is:il. 
Jacob Karn, e. ^ s. w. '.^ sec. 2il, Nov 7, 18;il 
.Martin Olds, w. 'j s. w. \ sec. 29, Oct. 19. I83I 
Ouier »; Haviss. w. S sec. 30, Oct. 21, 1523. 
Willirtui Prink, s. e. Vi sec. 30, Dec 16. 1824. 
Joseph Miller, w. 14 n. w. \ sec. 30, Jnlv 12. 1826 
George Fought, e. Vi n. w. '.1 sec. 30. July 15, 182;i 
<ieorge Bolin, e. J/^ u. e. ',| sec. ;w, Aug. 25, 1831. 



Itavid Stoul. w. ' .^ n e. \i sec. 30, March 24, IS'iS. 
Kliphalet B. Simmons, e. l^s. e. ^4 sec 31. Oct. 15, 1825. 
Miami ..V Davton Canal.s. w. '.j and w. '« s. e. K| sec. 

31, Act May 24, 1828. 
Oliver Collins, e. % n. e. U sec. 31. May 8, I8:«. 
James Morris, e U n. w. *.i and w. % n. e. ^4 sec. 3], 

March 16. 1S27. 
Adam Househrecht.w •<; n. w, >4 sec. 31, Nov. 30, 1832. 
Kliphalet B. Simmons, w.'i s.w. '4 sec. 32, Feb. 3,1824. 
William .'^milh e. }4s. w. U sec 32. Nov. 21, 1827. 
Christopher Watkius. n. w. >.j sec. 32. June 5, 1832. 
-MK-haef Fauble, e J^ s. e. '.| sec. 32, Oct. 13. 1832, 
William Smith, w. Va s- «■ '1 sec 32, Nov. 21, 1827. 
Stephen Fisher, n. cT ^j sec 32, June 5, 1832. 
Thoma.s Arnold, n. e. >.i sec. 33, Aug. 20, 18:12. 
.Michael Ensley, n. w. '.1 sec. 33, Aug. 21. 1832. 
Jacob Zallar. s. e. Ki sec. 33, June 8, 1K31 
Jacob McClish, e. }4 s. w. I4 sec. 33, Oct. i:i, 1832. 
.\braham Byei-s, w. V2 S- w. I4 sec. :J3, Oct. 13, 18:12. 
Thomas Dole, n. e. ^4 n. e. ^ sec. 34, Nov. 1.3, 18.32. 
Thomas Dole, w. >.;i n. e. Ki sec 34, Nov. 12, 18:12. 
John Fleckinger, e. ii n. w. Vt sec 34, Oct. 4, 18:11. 
Henry llacket, w. }4 n. w. »4 sec. :14. May II. 1830. 
Rudolph Bauman and Henry Bauman, s. e. '^ sec. 

M, Nov. 10, 18.32. 
Peter Hurrer,s, c >., n.e. '1 sec. :i4. Dec. 20. Ih:12. 
Jacnb Zcllars, s. w. '., sec. :i4. May, 28, 1831. 
Columbus & Sandusky Road, sec. 35. 
AUiert Twiss, w. fi n. \v. *.i sec' 36, Nov. 11, 1825. 
Columbus A Sandusky Road, e. 'i n. w. Ki and n. e. U 

sec. 36. 
Columbus *li: Sandusky Road, s. J-jJ sec. 36. 



THIE G-OR^E. 



VENICE TOVViN.SHIP. 

FKACTIOXAI. T. 1 N., R. 18 E. 

John Williby, li;9.78 a. s. y^ fr. sec ti, April i:i. \S:u. 
Levi (iray, I'lie.Gi a. n. w. '.j sec. G July 2. isuit. 
Thomas Kenuett,8.S.94 a- s. pt. of n. pt. sec. 7, May 2;{. 

is:«. 
.Samuel U'aiot, 87.12 a. A.pt. of n. y, fr. sec. 7, Mav:j, 

1837. 
Samuel Wiant.* n. pt.ofs. U fr. .sec. 7, May .SI, 18:12. 
Jos. H. I.arwill, 90.1S a. n. '4 s. pt. fr sec. 7, Dec I.'i, 

lS.-)o. 
Jas. Williby, 92.62 a. s. </, s. pt. fr, sec. 7, Dec. l.i, is:i0. 
Jas. Wllliliy, 3.i.0S a. s. c' I'r. of sec. IS, April 16, is:i2. 
.Sam. Caldwell, 8ii a. e. <4 u. w. fr. sec. 18, May -i, I8:il. 
.Tohn Renuelt 80 a. w. 'J n w, fr. sec. 18, Aug. 6, 1831. 
Samuel Caldwell, 160 fr. pi. of n e. fr. sec. 18, Mav 3 

1831. 
.School Lands, 29.72 a. s. w. '4 sec. 18. 
i;ii (iatchel, m a. e. ' j s. w. fr. sec. 19, Feb. 19, 1833. 
Tiirlingtou B. Willoughbv, 40 a. n. w. '.» n. w. '., I'r, 

sec. 19, ,Sepl. 28. 1833. ' 
Eli Ouichcl, 411 a s. e. '1 n. w. '., fr. sec. 19. May 8. 1834. 
.lohn Anderson. 40 a. s. w. '.1 n w. >.i fr. sec. 19. Mav S, 

1833, 
Eli (iatchel, 40.2(1 a. s e. fr. sec. 19, Nov. 26, 1833. 
Eli (iatchel, 38.56 a. n e. fr. sec. 19, May 21, 18*5. 
.losepb Roop, 40 a. o. w. 14 n. w. >4 fr. sec. 19, Dec. 19, 

18:» 
Robert Huston, 811 a. w. 'A s. w. i^ fr. sec. 19, May 20, 

1833. 
Rcuel Smith, 41.92 a. n. e. ', fr. sec. 30. Oct. 28, 1836. 
.Ion. Michener 43.68 a. s e. '.i ft-, sec. 30, July 22, 18:i.i. 
.Vvery Leonard. 160 a n. w. '.i fr. sec 30. Sept. 28. 1833 
.Ion Michener, ISO a s w '1 fr. sec '«), Oct. 11, iSiM 
Daniel Carpenter. <so a e, V^i n. w. >.. fr. sec. .'il, .Inoe 12. 

I8:K. 
('aleli Carpenter. 80 acres, w. ]i n. w. '« fr. sec. 31, 

.Sept. 10, 1S:«. 



Dauiel Carpenter, 47.76 a, n. e. fr. i;i fr. sec. 31, June 

12. \mn. 
Daniel Sumerlin, 114.11 a, s, pt, of fr. sec. 31, Oct. 29, 

lS3.i. 



HEED TOWNSHIP.- 

i-*RACrlONAL T. 2 K., R. 18 K. 

Miiinii .V Dayton Canal. 191.27 a. of fr. sec. 6, Act Mav 

24. 1828. 

.Miami A Dayton Canal. 213.96 a. of fr. sec. 7, Act May 

24, 1828. 
Wilhelmus Enncs. 1 1.5.48 a. n. w.pt.of n.\v.>.i fr. sec. 18, 

May 4. 18;)o. 
Wm. Baker, 120 48 a s. pt of fr. sec. 18, June 20, 1831. 
Elijah Read. 132.36 a. s. pt. of fr. sec. 19, June 7, 182.5. 
Wm. Baker, 126.20 a. n. pt. of fr. sec 19, June 20, 18.31. 
J. Brnndage. 138.64 a. u. pt. of fr. sec. .id, Oct. 6, 1826. 
.las. Thatcher, 145 a. s. pi of Ir. sec 30, June 4, 1833. 
Matthew Clark, l.il.60a n. pi. offr. sec. 31. Jnne4.1833. 
Levi Grav, l.'jS. 48 a.s. w 'i fr sec. 31, Julv 2, 18;!o. 



THOMPSON TOWNSHIP. 

FRACTIONAL T. 3 N., R. 18 K. 

Wni Johnson, 8.40 a. fr sec. 6. July 21,1812. 
(iCO. Hrugh, 24 a. fr. sec. 7, April 2, 18.32. 
Christian Repley, 64,96 a. fr sec. 18, Jan..i, 18:!3. 
Jasper Cnderhill and David H. I.'nderhill, 98,.'>« a. I'r. 

sec. 19, Dec. 7. 1821 
tJeo. Zahm. 129..'i6 a. fr. sec 30. Oct 11. 18:12. 
.los. 11. LarwilD, fr. sec 31, Oct. 11, 18:12. 
Columbus & Sanduskv Koad. l.io.Sfl a w. '; fr. sec. 31. 



^Canceled, Relinquished, change of entry authorized. 

tRcpaymcnt ordered Keb. 1, l.*13, the tract having l»een reserved for the Sandusky turnpike. 



u 



y 



Il 



ORIGINAL LAND KNTRIES. 



10.- 



IMiMip Paiu'I, s. e. Vi sec. :n, .Tune i 18'2;5. 
.I.»liri Ktiiiiiiicll. w. V^; n. 0. Vi sec ;ti. Dec. 1, lam. 
.Inhii Kiirmnyll.e. '2 u. w. '.j sec, ;W, Dec. I, IH'AQ. 
Ileury Kclli-r, w. 'j n. w. >..i see. 3:t. Oct. 17, 18.nt. 
Fretlerkk Troxel, e. ' . s. w. >.i sec. :VS, June'JO. IS^iO. 
Ia^wis Kitiniiiel, w, '. s. w. "i sec. 3:i,.lan. 12, 1831. 
Naihun (luiwallader, e. '; n. e. '1 sec. 'U, May 15, H<23. 
rhili|) Panel, n. \v. >.| >ec. 34, .luiie l', l«".i:t. 
.lan.A Peter PouKherr.v.e.' 3 s. w. » i sec.:M. June 12. 1S23. 
■lames Dougherty, w, '., sw. ij sec. ;U, Dec. 2, lS"i5. 
I^vi t'ri-<sii'«>r('ussey\w.!2 n.e. '.1 see. 34, Nov. 10,1826. 
I.evi Cri.<sa. w. '..; s. e. Kj. sec. 34, April 27, 1S27. 
Mi.iiuiA Dayton ('anal, e." is. e. 'i sec.3l. May 21, 182S. 
Moses Iteers, e. 'i s. e. 'i sec. :il, .Ian. 9, 1k22. 
Nathan Cndwallader.w. 'o u. w. 'jsec. 3i, April 15, IS2:{. 
.lames Smith n. e. 'i sec' 33, June 2, 1823. 
Jaeolj S. .leimiugs, e. ]/. s. w. V'l sec. -Vi, June 3. 1823. 
.laeob S. .lenniugs, w.T;, s. e. *.i sec. 3.i. June 3, In23. 
.\grcen Ingraham. e 'i s. ir. 1 1 sec. :r>, Jan. 12. 1827. 
.Miami A Dayton Canal, w.'.. s.w.Vi sec. 3o, May 24. 182.'*. 
.Tames <ioidon, u. pt. of n. w. >.i flee. 3r).July"l7, 1S21. 
•George .lohns, n. pt. ol's. w. ^j sec. 36. July 17, 1821. 
Wm. r. Sharp .t Jos. .McCIung.s. pt. of s. w. 'i sec. 30. 

July 17. 1S2I. 
Miehaei I-'oncaunon, s. pt. of n.e. '-1 sec. 30, July 17.1 S21. 
Mich. Fonc;inn<in, n. pt. of n. e. Vi sec. 31^ Augti, 1821. 
• ieorge Johns, s. pt. of n. w. »i .sec. 3G, Aug. lo, 1S21. 
.lames Spink s. e. pt. of s. e. '1 sec. 3(;. April 2, 1822. 
John Ciood, n. pt. of s. e.\j sec. 36, June 2o. 1822. 



LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 

TOWN 3 N., RANGE 14 E. 

Jacob Brunner, e. '4 u. e. % sec. 1. June 2, 1824. 
Adam Wiseman, w. 'i n. e. ^ sec I, Nov. 4. 1831. 
Adam Wiseman, e. ij n w ^.^ sec. 1, Nov 4, 1831. 
Isaac Myers, w. V; n. w >.i sec 1. Juue IS, 1831. 
.loliu Fry, s e. ',{sec. 1, June 2, 1829. 
.lani' s Hudson, e i^'. s. w. ^ sec. 1, Dec. 30, 1830. 
Philip Myers, w. <i*8. w. !^ sec. 1, May 23. 1832. 
Margaret Itiunncr, w. 'j n. w. I'l sec. 2, .Tune 2. 1824. 
Craig Hunter, e. J^ n w. ]4 sec 2. June 28, 18.30. 
Peter Been. n.o. *.i~, sec. 2. Nov. 4, 1831. 
.lacob Myers, e. H s. e. '4 sec 2, May 28, 1S32. 
Jacol) .Myers, w. >- s. e '4 s^c- *-. •'^"'.^ '■*- l**>3-2^ 
Jacob Myers, e. Vi s. w. % sec. 2 July 13. 1S32. 
John Rosen'-erger, w. ^ s. w. J^ sec. i. May 26, 1829. 
Margaret Hruuner. e. >^ n. e. '.j sec. 3, Juiie 2, 1824. 
Jacoii Cicir, w. ' ^ n. e. ',<( sec. 3, Aug. 6, 1827. 
David Ripley, e. ■; n. w '.j sec. 3. Oct 2, 1827. 
J^las Sraftbrd, w. \^ n w. % sec 3, June 13. 1833 
Wm. C'ires (or Hires), w. '-i s.e. ^.y sec. 3, Jan. 11, 1827. 
John Ickes, e '* s. e. J^ sec 3, Juue 30, 1828. 
Thomas Ware, e. '? s. w. l^ sec. 3, Aug. 4, 1827. 
John Rosenberger, w. \<, s. w. \i sec. 3, May 22, 1827 
Fred. Rosenberger. w. |4 s. e. *4 sec. 4, Sept 15, 1826. 
Jos. Rosenlieriier, e. U s. e. V^ sec. 4, Mav 22, 1827. 
Adam I.elller. n. w. % sec 4, June 18. 1834. 
Craig Unnter, n. e. '^ n. e. '4 sec. 4. May iS, 1834. 
Nathan Hett*;, s. e. V.i n. e ^^ sec 4, Jan. 23, 18.14. 
Nathan Helts, s. w. '.i n. e. !^ sec. 4, July 14, 1834. 
Jacob llollingcr, n w. J-^ n.e. ''j'sec. 4. Nov. 26, 1834. 
Freil. Rosenberger, w. ^^ s. w. '^ sec. 4, .Tuly 19,1828. 
Henry .Mowrv. c. •; u w. '/i sec. 5, Oct. 3. 1834. 
Abraham Heaber, w. >i n. w ]/i sec. 5, Sept. 10, 1833. 
Horace Peake, e. 'i s. w. •-4 sec -"i. .Tulv 5. 1832. 
Philip l^ewmau w. >^ s. w Vi sec. 5, Nov. 26, 1831. 
John Erb, a. e. ' i sec. ■">, Mav 28. 1813. 
John Stantz. n. \4 n. e. 'i sec. 5 June 11, 1834. 
David Crawford, s. 1 i n. e. [4 sec. S. Jan. 25. 1836. 
Jacob Ash, s. '2 n. e. 'rj sec. 0, Sept 17, 1833. 
John Ash,n e % n. e. \i sec. 6, July 21, 1836. 
Samuel Frv, n. w }/■^ n. e. *.i sec. 6, Nov. 19, I8-16. 
.Samuel Fry, n. e. M n. w. \< sec 6. Nov. 10, 1R36. 
Jacoli .Mowry, s. e. '4 d. w. ^ sec. 6, Dec. 27, 18;t4. 
Samuel R. Frv, w ', n. w. Vi'sec. 6, July 1.5, 1839. 
Jacob Ash, e. vjs. 0.34 sec. ''» ^''"^' *'• '•*''*^- 
Jacob Ash, w. U s. e.% sec. fi. Sept. 17. 18.^3. 
Jacob Ash. e. ^,^9. w. % sec 6, Oct. 14. 183.3. 
Jacob Mowry, w. J^ s. w. l^ sec. 6, Oct. 3, 18:i4. 
.foshua Downing, e. ' i s. w. '.^ sec. 7, March 28, 18.33. 
Samuel Kinsey, s, w. '^ s. v.h^ sec. 7, Juno 1, lH:t5. 
I)avid Smith, s. w. ' ; n. e. J4 sec. 7, Apr. 6, 18:t3, 
l*eter Sears, s e. *ii n. e. ^i sec. 7. Apr 19, 1833. 
Peter Sears, n. w. % sec. 7, Apr. 19, 1833. 



* Assigned to Elizabeth Musser. 



Valentine Lvbarger, n. \.. u.e. ^ sec. 7. Oct. 14, 18^;;. 
Jonathan Dicken, e. l^ s. e. % sec. 7, Nov. 16, 1K31. 
Peter Sears, n w. \/^». c. '4 sec. 7, April 19 is:i3. 
Eliza Esther Scars, s, w. '^ s. c. \^ sec 7. Nov. 19, lS;t;L 
Henry Ash, n w. '-^ sec 7, Oct. 14, 1833. 
Luther A. Hall, n. w. % s. w. '4 sec 7, Sept 2tt, 1S41. 
Joseph Oood, 0. V, u. e.V| sec. 8, June 3. 1831. 
Dr. Horace Peake", u. w. ' i n. e. Vi sec. 8, .Sept 22, ISUl 
Joseph tiotxl, s. w. 1 4 n. e. W sec. 8. June ■.:9, 183."i. 
Nathan Peake, e. V; u. w. '1 .see. 8, Oct 19 18:{i. 
Russell Peake, w. u" n. w. % .sec s, (Xt. 19, 1832. 
.Tohn.Shukv (orShcikvi,e VoS.e. '.isec. 8, June3, l«3l. 
Louis MeClov, w. '.. s '©- ' , s*ec. s, Nov. 1, 182s. 
Louis MeCloy.e. Us. w. ', sec. s, Nov. 1, 1828. 
Amos Dicken, w. '". s w >j see. S, Oct. 24, 1832. 
.loseph • iood icau. :, s. e. ^.1 n. w. ' j sec. 8, Nov. 9, I8;i3. 
Abram .V Rarth. Sears, e. ij n. e >| sec. 9, Oct. 15,1828. 
Frederick Baker, Sr. n. w. Vj n. e. 'i sec. 9, Oct. Ifi, 1832. 
Fre4ierick Baker, n. e. 'j n. w Vj -ic. 9, Sept 14, IS3i. 
.loseph ( iood, w. '. n. w 'i sec. 9. .nine 3, l«31. 
David lilocber. s. w. >,i of n.e S und s.e. '.^ of n. w. 'i 

sec 9, Aug. 24, 18.33 
Samuel Stoner. n. o- ' i s. e. V| sec. 9. April 5, 133H. 
Frederick Sharkey, n. w. '.j s, e. Vj see 9, Dec. 2, lS3i 
William Ware, s. \<, s. e. ' i sec. 9, Dec. 21, !«.'«. 
Peter Baker, n. e. Ti s. w. '.t -"^ec. 9, Dec. 2, 18;!5. 
John Keas, s e. '1 s. w. '.i sec 9. Dec. 27. 1834. 
John Keas, w. ' j s. w. ' ^ sec. 9, Nov lo. 1832. 
.Tnhn .'^herer, e. %ti. e. Vi sec. 10, June 12, 18-i^l. 
George Fry, w. \» n. e. '1 sec. 10, Nov. 10, 18.3-^. 
.lacob ilassler, w.'V^s. w. '.i sec. 10 < no date given) 1831. 
Jacob Hcachtal, e '^j s. w. >,i sec 10, Aug. ^7, 1833. 
Isaac Ringle, e. ' ; s*e •.! sec 10, March 28. 1833. 
John Houseman, w. )^. s e. '4 .sec 10, June ;jo, 1834. 
John Bet/., e. '- n. w. ^1 mcc 10. May 17. lsa3 
Jacob ILissler, w. ';. n. w. '.j sec 111, June \^, IS33. 
John Robertson, e.'vj, see. 11, Oct I, l.**22. 
William and .\ugustus Harris, 11. e. ^i a w. V^ sec. 0., 

June Ifi, lfs;2. 
Evan BrooKce. 'is w. Vj sec II, Dec 31, 18;J0. 
.lohu Rosenberger, w 4 s w. Vj sec. II, Jan. 12. 1833. 
Henry Corey, s. w. '.i n. w. 1,1 sec. II, Apr. In, 1833. 
Jonathan Betts, s. e. ^^ n. w. Vi.sec. 11, Julv 17, 18;J3. 
Jonathan Betts, n. w. i.i n w 'i sec II, July 17, 1833. 
John Robertson, s. w >.| sec. 12, Oct. 1, 1822. 
John, Oco Wm..t Nicholas Rumbaugh, n ',i sec. 12, 

June 28, is.lh. 
l>avid (iamble and James Cochran, s. c. *i sec 12, JuIt 

21. is:;*i. 
Martin Houseman, n. V.; sec. 13, June 6. 1826 
Martin Houseman, s e *Vi sec. 13, June 6, 1826. 
Mariin Houseman, e. ^s. w. V| sec. 13, June 6, 1826, 
Joseph A. llall. w. \u s. w. >.i sec. 13, June 22, 1827. 
t Michael Front, e. "% n. e. Vj sec. 14, Aug 17. 1'i22. 
Ephriam Bowen, n w. ».| sec. 14, June 13, 1829. 
Robert Roberts, w. '.4 n. e. '4 sec. 14, Feb. 5, 1S33. 
Samuel Havs, n. e. ^.\ s. e. Vi sec. M, Apr. 16, 18:U 
Mai-shall Burton, s e. 'i s. e. >i sec 14. Oct. 2, I83.i. 
David Houseman, w. ';_, n. e. 'i sec 14, June 6, 1826. 
Oliver Codner s. w ',4 "sec. 14, Nov 22. 18;Jl. 
Jacob leeniiart, e. \^ s. e. ' i sec. la, March 2o. 18.33. 

Marshall, w. y^ s. e. % sec. 15, Oct. 2, lb3.'>. 

Harvcv I'orey, n. e. 'i n. e. \^ sec. In. -Vug. 31, 1833. 
Williain Ware, w. % u. w. V^ sec. 15, March 5, 1S36. 
Wm. I'Mwards Powell, e. •> n. w V^, w. ^n. e. 3^4, s. e. 

J4s. e '.i, sec. 1.5, April' 5. 18116. 
George Feasel, s. w. • j sec. 15, Aug. 12, 18.31. 
•Schoiil Lauds, sec. 16 (see page 579 . 
Henrv Hudman, w. 'j n. w. <_, sec. 17, Dec. 12, 1S2SL 
Jacob Dore, w. '; s. w. i^ sec. 17, Nov 29, 1826. 
James Dounard, e. J^ s. w. ',| sec 17. Sept. 2, 18:M 
Adam Fleck, e 'i n. w. ••$ see. 17. Dee. id^, 1826. 
Henry (J. Spayth. w. 'i s. e. > i sec. 17, Oct. 3, 1842. 
Harvey Corey, n. e. ' , sec 17. Oct. 8. 18:t4. 
Henry" Brinkman, e. '- s. e. 'i -sec. 17, Feb. 12. 1834. 
Abram .^: Bart. .Scars, e. ' - n.e. l:, sec. l8,Nov 12, 1831. 
Joser>h Goo^i, w. ^^n e. '■;,' sec. 18, Oct. 30, ls:jo. 
(ieorge .\sh, w. '; a. w. '-| sec. IS, Oct. 21, 18^*3. 
fieorgc .\sh, n c. ^a s. w. \\ sec. 18, Feb. 3, is:i4. 
Elizaheth Stock well, s. e.'i's. w. '/^ sec. 18. Jan. 12, 1642. 
Jonathan Dicken, e. ^ s. e. '4 sec. 18. Nov. 16, 1»31. 
Jonathan Dicken, w. >5 a. e. % sec. 18. Oct. 24, 1832. 
Joshua r)owning, n. w. H n- w. '4 sec. is, Mar. 25, ISS-V 
John Thomas, e. \^ n. w. \ sec. IS, Nov. 1, 1833. 
Thomas Hughes, s. w. V^ n. w. % sec 18, Oct. 22, 1847. 
David Bunn, c. >i n e. 14 sec 19. Feb. II, 18:t3. 

t Should appear in sec. 24, and now does appear. 



1056 



Al'I'KNDIX: 



Samuel Arrows.i.ilh, •»■. >, n. e. '/J sec 19. <»«t, 1.0. 18J-i. 
Wm E. Pow-ll, •». v.; s. w. '.. sec 19, Apnl S 1W6 
Samuel Arrowsn.itl., e. % s- w, '.. sec. 19 Oct. 10 lS.i3. 

&! A,tws,ui.h, w. \^s. e. >i s|c 19 Oc. 1|,, 1.^33. 
Iiavid Bum., w. '.i n w. Vi sec. 20. Feb. Jl ISAi. 
.Tobn Powell, s. w. '4 s e. W ^'==- ™, Nov .^ 183b. 
Lorentz Hut,, s. e. H s. e. '4 sec. 20; 0«- ^'. 'f *•„ 
I^vani li. cotes, n. ", f- e-MfP '°'.?,°v°;. o ihi! 
levant B Cotes, n. w. i^ s. «;. !4 f,';;'':,^", ;,^'„'.'S-,C 

isai^fl'^^-is'n'^^ n. w. ^sec. =<!, Sejrt^'; '^^^^ 
Lewis Michaels, s w. '4 s. w. M sec 20, heb. 19 mc. 
Isaac Hartslock, e. V, s. w. >., sec. 20 Sept. -'2, 183";. 
.lacob S. In.ler, s. e. ■., n. e. ■., sec. 2;i. Sept. 27 1830. 
\Vm. Duteher.ii. w. ' . n. e. sec. 20. Nov. 18, \f\ 
Daciel Lynch, u. e. 'f n. e. ■> sec. 2 , June U lb..3. 
Henry HuHma.i, e. ' . n. w. - , f'^'-J'; •'" ^ 3. 1833 
Samuel Wright, n. w. U n. w. 'i sec. 21 .Ian. 30. 183o. 
Noves lliggins, s. e. \, n. e >.i sec. 21, Oct. 3 183.^ 
,lacnl, MySrs, s. w. y, n. w. '.^ sec 21, Aug. Ij-, l»3b. 
Noye.. Higgins, w. !i n. e. >., sec. 21 Oct. 3 18fc. 
.lacnb Ma?tin, w. H s. e. '.i sec. 21 ^ept. 1' • l»-»„ 
Wm. Dutcber, s. e. I., s. e. i.i s«•.2l•,^<'^■ -'.„'3'- 
.lacob Lower, n. e. '., s. e. ' i sec. 21, No» . s, 1836 
Marshall Burton, e. 'i s. w U »«<=,•, rV^"^,, , 'sir 
.lohn Powell, s. w. \ s. w. >., sec. 2'. ^ov. l.s, 1S.3(._ 
Wm. Dutcber. n. w. ■, s. w. i.j sec. 21, Apr. II, 1«.,1. 
Thomas Hughes, n. e. Vi sec. 22, Nov^^ U, 8.!1 . 
Henrv Keasel, e. ' , n. w. >.j sec. 22 ><.v. M, 1S;>,1. 
Daniel l.yucb, w. U n. w U sec. 22, Auk. 1.2. 1831. 
Riol.a,-.! Freer, u. ', s. e. '.i sec. 22 March . , 83... 
Marsl.,all Burton, s. M s. e. '•» sec. 22, Aug. II, 18.31.. 
Thomas Hughes, s. w. '.. sec. 22, ^o;-, *■ l.?-^'- ,„ 
Samuel Hays, n. e. '.. n. e. U sec. 23, Dec 23 1833. 
Elias P. Slane. s. e. ■ . n. e. K, sec. 2.1, Feb. ;,,««• 
John Maxwell, s. w. ■.» n. e. \ sec. 23, May b 1834 
Marshall Burton, n w. U n. e. -.i see. 23, <Jct. 2. 183... 
Nicholas Schall, e. ',4 s. e. Vi sec. 23. Jiine '. . 1829. 
Marshall Burton, w. ' ; s. e. Vi see 2.., Oct. >. 1.S3.-.. 
Marshall Burton, w. > . sec. 2.3, Oct. 2, 183.x 
Stephen Thomas, e. ',.; n. e V, sec. 24, Aug. 30 1821. 
Daniel Peterson, e. M 3. c. '., sec. 24. Au^^ .10, 1S21. 
George (rookshank. w ■.; s. e. Vi sec. 24,>.ov J', IS-i'- 
•DavlJ Houseman, w. y„ n. e. •.', sec. 24, June 6, 182b. 
W.... .Moobeeny lorMoofeny), Jr. e. ! j n. w. Vi sec. .4, 

Mav 31, 1826. 
Sn.nuel Moobeeny, w ■; n. w '.^ sec. M, May 31. l'>2<;. 
David Moobeeny, e. ' : s. w. •< sec. 24, May 3 , 1820. 
Nicholas Schall, w. u s. w. >., sec. 24, .Tune II, 1829. 
Benjamin CoUver. s. e -4 s'--S:2S. Aug. 31, 1821. 
David Conway, ii. c. % sec. 2.i, March 28 18... 
.lohn Ii. Keichert. e. ', n. w. '4, sec. 2.-., June .>9, 1826. 
Henrv Crall, s. w. ' , sec. 2.\ July 4 182/. 
Upton McDaniels, e. ' j n. e. ■., sec. 26, .\ug. 2.^; 18f '■ 
S.imuel Ludwig, u. w. ':; and w. 'i u.e.V, sec. 2b, April 

Dav'i'd S.n'ith, e. V^ s. e. ' , sec. 26 .lune 23, 1829. 
l.>.ra Cromer, w. ' i s. e. U sec. 26 Aug. XA. IS-iK 
A..d.cw Doll, w. ' , s. W. M sec. 26, Nov. 29. I8M 
Ma,sl.all Buiton, e. ■■; s. w. i, sec 2K Oct 2 183... 
.loh.i l-pp. Jr. w. '. n. w. '4 sec. 2.. Dec. 1| , 182.>. 
W.u l.utVher, n. e. >., n e. • ; sec. 27, Apnl 11. 1S3,. 
J„h,. Berkey, w. ': n. e ' , sec 2^.Tuly 1..1830. 
David Ivi.ne.s. e. U n. e. '4 sec. 2,, Jan. 1 ...!>*• 
Man.us Whitney, e. ', s. e. '/. sec. 2., Jan. .., IS-'l- 
Jacob shoemaker, e. 4 n. w. >4 sec. 2,, Aug. 11, 18.b. 
Christian (irabe.-, s. w. H sec. 2/, Nov. 9, 1820 
.losci.l. Nickcsou, w. '. s. e. >4 sec. 27. Jl«y 21. 1829. 
C.corgc PulKubai-ger, e. '4 s. e. U sec. 28, Aug. 26, 182... 
John Upi.. Jr. e. '., n. e. ■:, sec. 28, Dec^ K , 82o 
(;corgellielt,J.-.w. ■, "-e- '4 sec. 23, Nov 9, 182. 
(ico. Pum.iharger, w. '2 s. e. .i sec. 28, Sept. 1,, !82,s. 
Jonathan Jarrett, e. 'i «. w. K sec 28, May .,1827. 
James Harden, e. ". s. w. V"' 'Si''/^ t 30 ?a- -i 
Philip Seewald, w. ' i s w. 'X sec. 28, Aug. f ..l^J. 
John 1-arrell lor Porrell), e. V. n. e. Vi sec. 29, April 

Jo>... Michael, w. ' . n. e. H sec. 29, May T, 1830. 
Jnbu Michael, e. '4 n. w. '/i sec. 29. May .,18.10^ 
Peter Hissong, w. ■/. n. w.^/jsec. 29. Ijoj. l'..lf»l. 
V.aleutine Sccw.ald, e 1= s. c. >., sec. 29, Aug ,!0, 18.!... 
John Michael, w. 'i s. e. I4 sec. 29, Dec. 4, 182J. 



Jacob Shoemakc.-. e. >, s. w. \ sec. 29, May 20 1828. 

John T,auser, w. "4 s. w. |4 sec. 29, May 19, 182! . 

John L. Flack, s. w.K «. e Ks« -0. JJ^^' 'P' ' ^i"' 

John L, Flack, n. e. I4 n e. \4. sec oO, Oct. 2-, 18.« 

Andrew M. Smith, s. V, n w. >i sec. .M, June 13 18.34. 

Jacob Flack, n. w. V4 n. c. K and n. c. k n. w. Vi sec. 
30, April 25. 1836. „,„.„ 

Solomon Barricks, w. U s e. '4 sec. 30. Nov. 9 1827._ 
Miami .t Dayton 1 anal. e. H s- e. K and c. H s. w. 14. 

sec. 30, May 24, 1828. 
Geo.M. Brown, n.w. ', n.w. fr.'/4 sec .M Aug. II, 18.i3. 
Andrew M. .Smith, w. ■. s w. Ii sec -.u. June 13, 18.J4. 
John L. Flack, n. c. \ n. e. '4 sec. 31, Dec 19.1832. 
Andrew Bruckner. 8 e 'i n.e.M sec. 31, Aug. ., 18.« 
Andrew Utz, w. ' ; n. e. V, sec. 31, Nov. l.i, 1832. 
John Long, n e. V^ s. e.'i sec. 31, Aug. ', 18.«. 
Christopher 1 Mz. s. c. '/{ s e. '/J sec. 31. .luly 14, 18M_ 
George A.ureau, 8 w. 14 s e \j sec. -'L Ap"'. 10. IS*^. 
Daniel Kineboli. w. % n. w. >i sec. 31, Nov 22 '«7^ 
C.corgc Michael, u. e.M n. w. V,' .«ec. 31 FeK 12, 1834. 
l^orenze Ilulh, n. w. ', s. c. '4 sec. 31, Aug. ., 18«. 
L. Grocel ( or liross), s.c. Ji s.w 1.. sec. '1. Aug. 1S.18«- 
Francis Abbott, u. c. '4 s. w. '4 sec .31, MarcE 2*^834. 
Samuel Riuebolt.w. ". s. w. M sec .il, June .5 1829. 
Wm Gauliz n w. '4 n. e. '4 sec 32, Dec. .., 18.32. 
John ii^haeL c. ■,{,. e. Ii sec 32, Feb. 23 1835 , 
John .Michael, n. e. \:. s. e. 'f ?««-32. M"eh.21. 1834. 
Geo Schurger, n. w. 'i s e. '4 fc 32, July 20 1836^ 
Michael Brukner.s. w. >4 s. w;. '-4 »«<=;•«."". ^'IS' 
Lorenzo Cross, n. w. 14 s. w. '4 sec. 32, Aug ,, 13*i 
Jacob Null. n. '■: n. w. 'i .>^ec 32, June 22 1833. _ 
Michael Sendelback, s. w. '4 n. w. H sf ; 32.,Aug- '. 1833. 
John Michael, e. ' ; n. w. '4 sec. 32, Oct. 14, 18.«. ^^ 
John .Michael, s.e.' 4 n.w. and s.w. VJ n. e. '.'4 sec.-, 

March 21. 18^. ,^ ., , ., , ,„,., 

Heurv Hosslcr, n. ' . n. e. \i sec. 3... June 1, IK).). 
Jubn'M. Gwinner. n. e. '4 n. e H sec 33, cancelled. 
Jacob Martin, s. e. ", sec. 33, Oct. 7, 1833. 
David La.ser. s.'.n. e.'4, and s. e. !4 n. w. V4 sec. 3.!, 

Jatncs^firitiies'. w. U n. w. V, sec 33, Oct Jl, 18.33. 

John Michael Gwinner, n. e. V4 n.w. '4 sec. 3.3, ten. 1, 
1834 

Marshall Burton, s. w. l.i sec. 33, Aug. .». 1836. 

John Brugbman.s. e. 14 sec. 34, Nov b, 1826. 

Jes.se Starkey,e.>.; n. e. ■..sec. 34 .Vug. 28 1830 
. Nicholas Schall. w. ', n. e. .sec -^.May -'0, 8 9. 

Nicholas Schall, e. 4 n. w. Vi sec. ■«.. .'"ly.^. 1829. 
, Jacob Kimc. Jr., w. 1, n. w. >4 sec .54. Feb. 19, 1828. 

Jacob Mouser, s. e. 4 s. w. V, sec. •M.„.I''°e ', 1833. 
. Jacob Kime, Jr., n. e. "4 s. w. V, sec. .-1, Aug- 29 18S.r 

Daniel Kime. w. Hs- »■ ' 4 sec. 34, ..jept. 29, 1830 

George W. Hus8. e. 'i n e. ■, sec. So Dec nl829. 

Martin Zeisz, w. 'i n. e. '4 sec 3.., Oct. 16. 1829. 

Philip C.a.ssman. s. w. K s. e. '4 sec. .i^, Dec .-., 1833. 

Philip c,assman,n. w. '4 s. e. '4 sec. 3o. Aug. ., 183o. 

George Lanck and , lohn H. Morrison, e. 's s. e. '4 sec. 

Martin Lics^ e. ''; "n, w. '., sec 3.., Nov. 29, 1834. 
Harvey Burton, w. '. n. 'f. ,'> sec 3^. .\ug. U. I^. 
Nicholas .'ihmett.e. ■-. s. w '4 sec 3.), Oct. 31, 1832. 
Robert Powell, w. % s. w. 'i sec. :V.. March 8 18.32. 
Krastus Bowe. w. •; n. e. '4800. .so, July 18, 821- 
Christopl.crCru.n, e. '.J s. e. '4 sec. 3fi.. ^o'-- 25. 18-i 
Job., Bishop, e. u n. e. 4 sec. .36, April 13, 1824 
I'Vedcrick Ba..gl.er. w. H s. e. ■, sec.36, Apnl 13 1824. 
Frederick Baugher. e. ■, s.w. '4 sec .36. April 13 18.4. 
Kudnlph Sn.ith, w. 1, s. w. '4 sec. -W. Aug. ■>. 1833. 
John Gasman, s. w. 1, n. w. I4 sec .lb. May 21, 183d. 
John Crawn, e. '.. n. w. ■., sec. 36. May lo, 18^. 
Gerhard Limmer. n. w. '-J n. w. >i see. 36, Aug.9, 18.!.. 



EDEX TOWNSHIP. 

TOWS 1 S., RANUE b". K. 

Wm. Clark, s, w. '4 sec 1, Aug. 20, 1821. 

Charles McClung, n. e. I4 sec. I flct^ 19, 1821. 

James Mel lung, s. e. H sec. 1. Dec. ..,1821. 

Margaret McClung and Charles McClung, e. '- n. ». >4 

Usee. 1, Jan. 10, 1.822. „,,„,- 

John Pittenger, w. >.. n. w. '4 sec. I, Nov. 21, 182,. 
Wm. Clark, s. ' j sec 2. Aug. 20, 1821. 
ElishaCole,w. 'i n. w. \ sec. a, Aug. 12, 182.! 
John Pittenger, e. H n ". H sec 2, Nov 21, 18... 
John Pittenger, n. e. '4 sec 2, Nov. 21, 182,. 



"7i^„lso appears in sec. 14, this township, being entered there in 1826. 



(.iRRil.NAL LAND KNTIUES. 



1057 



.(ohil SpanknaMe, s. e. 'i sec 3, Aug. 20, 1821. 
.lohii Searles, n. w. >.i sec :J, Aug. 2U. 1821. 
■Iiihu Walshe. s. w. >4 see. :{. Aug. 20, 1821. 
I>iiuiel Lewis, w. 'i n. e. '-i sec. li, Aug. 10, 1822. 
Klisha Colo, e. 'i n. e. '^ sec. 3, Aug. 12. 182:J. 
Philip Brelz. s. e. >.| sec. 4, Aug. 20, 1821. 
Sauuiol Heninger, u. e. '4 sec. l. Aug. 20, 1821. 
Joliii Miller, e. '2 s. w. >.i sec. 4. Aug. 10. 1822. 
(Jeo. Mack. e. '.;J u. w. •-! sec. 4. Aug. 24, 1822. 
.Tftcob U'olie. wr '-> n. w. '.^ sec. 4, Dec. 21, 1827. 
.Iiio. Mich. Lieliich. w. '^ s. w. '.i sec. 4, Aug. 14, 1827. 
Ceorge Dittoe w. '2 u- »'. Vj sec. .5, Sept. 10, 1824. 
»;eorge Markley, n. e. pt. of s. e. '4 sec 5. Nov. 18,1825. 
Oauiel Slionkwiler, e. '2 n. w. ^4 sec. 5, Aug. 20. 1827. 
Miami A Dayton Canal, u. pt. s. w. 'i sec. 5, May 24, 
1828. 

\Viii. Murrav, w. '. n. c. 't aud e. \i n. e. *.i sec. i>, 

April lu,'l.sjs. an. I Dec, H,1826. 



Thoniiw dale, n. pt. s w. Vi 1>. sec. 6, Oct. 1, 1821. 

\Vi 

(i, luly |."», 1S2: 



.Tacoli Kci(! and Wiltiam Martin, w. 14 n. w. Vj fr. sec. 



.Inhn Dittoe. Sr., c. ) ;; n e. Vi sec. 6, July 2G, 1822. 
.lolin Wolf, w. 'j ii.'e. S aud e. ^ u. w. '^ sec. 6, 

Nov. 21. 182:t. 
Ceorge Dittoe. n. pt. of s. e S sec. 6, Sept. 10, 1324. 
ShL'phcrd, Patrick and Henry Wilson, s. pt of s. e. >i 

fr. sec. 7. Aug 20. 1821. 
ShcpUerd, I'atriek and Henry Wilson, s. pt. of s. w. 

'1 sec. 7, Aug. 24, 1821. 
John Kagy, e. pt. of n. e. ^i fr. sec. 8, July 24, 1824. 
Charles Baker, s. w. Vj fr. sec. 8. Oct. 27, 1826. 
Miami & Dayton Canal, s. e. >i fr. sec. 8, May 24, 1823. 
Ht-nry Wolf. n. e. >i sec. 9, Aug. 20, 18'2l. 
John r.il)son, e. %s. e. >.i sec 0. Aug. 21, 1821. 
SvIvesttT Hough, s. w. ^4 sec. !>, June U, IS2«1. 
i;ca>L'rt McKeon. n. w. \i sec. il, Feb. 18, 1822. 
.laniL's liurlingame, w. l-ii s. e. Vi sec. 9, May 31,18.'6. 
Wm. Clark, n. e. ' i sec^ 10. Aug. 20. 1821. 
.lohn iiibson n. w. Vj aud w. ^ s. w. Vi sec. 10, Aug. 20, 

1S21 and Aug. 21, 1S21. 
Miami & Davtou Canal, e. }4 ^- w- '1 ^od w. 14 s. e. ^.1 

sec. 10, .May 24, 18.!8. 
.lohn Keed e. ».. s. e. 'i sec. 10, Sept. 20, 1827. 
Wm Clark.o. '.^ n. e. 'i sec. 11, Aug. 20. 1821. 
David Clark. n."w. i.^ sec 11. Aug, 20, 1H21. 
.lohn Mretz w. l^ u. e. 'i sec. 11, .\ug. 20. 1821. 
■'^amuL-l Hakcr, s. e. Vi sec. 11, June IG. 1824. 
.lohn Dimmick. w. ]^^s. w. 'i sec. 11, Nov. IS, 1826. 
Miami *t Davlon Canal, e. fi s. w.'i sec. 11, May 24, 

1828. 
Hamilou McCollister, n w. i.i sec. 12, Aug. 20 1821. 
<'hristopher -^paukoable, w. J^ n. c. '.j sec. 12, Dec. S, 

1821. 
Harmon Knapp. c. U n. e. H sec 12. March 18. 1822. 
Wind-^or Paine, w. *y^a. w. »4*sec. 12 May 11. 1822. 
Hamilton Mci'ollister, w. \'.^ s. w. ^i sec. I2,Sov. 14,1822. 
Nichol;ia Kuapii, u. '^3. e. 'i sec. 12, Nov. 14, 1822. 
James Cole. e. ' .^ s. w. '^ sec. 12, Aug. 12. 182:i. 
Franklin Hakerrw. '3 n. w. Vj sec. i:l. Dec. 21, 1821. 
Kichard Jaqua. s. w Kx sec. 13, July 8, 1822. 
Thomas WcM, e. 'j n. w. >i sec. l;(, July 12. 1.823. 
ThomasJ. Haker. c. •> sec. i:t, Dec. 21. 1821. 
Franklin Itaker. n. e. '1 sec. 14, Dec. 2J. 1S2I. 
Thorn i^ We!*t, e 'is c. 'i sec. 11, Apr. 9, 1824. 
Joel Hurlingamu -tnd Jas L. Burliugame, w. <t s. e. Vi 

see. 14. July 14. IS2S. 
Miami .4 Davton < aual. d. w. >, sec 14. May 24, 1828. 
Michael Klitie. 9 w 'isec. 14.Jan 1 >. 18i!S 
Wm. Clark w '2 n. w. ».i sec. l.\ Nov. 21. IS2L 
.loel Hurlinsarae, w. 'j s. w 'i sec 1-5. May 4 1822. 
Selden (Vraves. e '3 n. w. ^i sec. lo, Xov 14, I8i2. 
Benjainiu Holmes, e ' j s w. Vi sec. l"i. Nov. 2S, 1S22. 
.Samuel Baker, s e V|, sec. ll. .fuue 10, 1821. 
Johu Kyzer Houk. e. 'in. e »* sec. 1-7, Sept 25, 182S. 
Miami Sc. D.iyton Canal, w. t^ u. e V^ sec. l^*, Mav 21, 

1828 
School Lands, sec. 16. 
.ToUn Kagy. n. w >i sec. 17, Aug. 20. 1821. 
Peter Beaver. » ^ s^c. 17, Oct. I. 1821. 
Absalom Holnu-s.n. e. 'j sec. 17, June II. 1S2'1. 
Shepherd Patrick and Henry Wilson, e. 'j d. w. i^ 

sec. 18. Alii, 20 1S21. 
ficorge Kiminell. e. 'j sec. 18. .\ug. 20. ISil. 
.Tohn Crocker, w. 'i u. w. 'i^'cc. 18, July 28 l8i->. 
.John Crocker, w. ', s. w. Vj sec I.S. Nov. 9, 1826. 
Charles W. Foster e. 'i s. w. >.i sec. 18. Aug. 2o, 1827. 



.lohn I'.lauser, w. '.; n. e. Vi sec. 10, Majt7, IS24. 
Daniel Waggoner,©, 'i s. 0. 'i sec. ID, April 18, 1828. 
Isaac Pence, w. I'^ s. e. 'i sec. 19, May 19. 1828. 
David Waggoner, n. w. ^.^ sec. 10. Nov. 14, 1827. 
Jacob Bare. e. '• n. e. '.i sec. 19, June :tO. 1826. 
Wm. McCormick, e. 'is. w. 'i sec 19. Dec. 21, 1827. 
Jacob Wagner, w. '2 s. w. 'i sec. 19, April 18, 1828. 
Jacob Harsh he rger, e. 'j aud e. I2 5. w. Ki aud e. '4 u. 

w. '; and w. 'i s. w. >,i sec. 20, Oct. 1, 182 . 
Samuel Saul, w. 'i u. w. Vi, June 24, 182G. 
Johu Downs, s. e. U sec. 21, Sept. 5. 1821. 
James Don'nn, e. ' j n. e. '.i sec. 21, Sept. 5, 1821. 
Bildad Adams, w. 'i s. w. •.! sec. 21, Dec. 5, 1821. 
.lohn Downs, e. '2 s. w. Vi sec. 21, Dec. 18, 1822. 
John Bare, n. w. '1 sec. 21. Nov. 6, 1823. 
Hiram Holmes, w. '^ n. e- \i sec. 21, June 7, 1824. 
.John Downs, w. '« s. w. ^j sec. 22, Sept. 0, 1821 . 
James Di)wns, w. 'i n. w. '1 sec. 22, Sept. -i. 1821. 
Joshua D. Munsell, e. 'i s. e. 'i sec. 22, Aug. 19, 1822. 
Daniel Hough, w. ' j u. o *.i and w. >- s. e. 'i aud e. Vi 

s. w. >i and e. >2 n. w. '.i sec. 22, Nov. 28, 1822. 
Marv .V. Sowers, e. Vj n. e. i.i sec. 22, March 1, 1825. 
Philip Bret/,, s. e. I4 -sec. 23, Aug. 22, 1821. 
Ezra Brown, e. 'i 8. w. ^i and e. 4 n. e. ^^ sec. 23, 

Aug. 19, 1822. 
Ca.'*e Brown, w. U. a. w. 1.1 sec. 23, .\,ug. 19, l.'t22. 
(ieorge Kaion, w. »3 u. e. '.1 sec. 23. .Uily 31, I82.'i. 
James M. Stevens, w. 'i n. w. >.t sec. 23, Sept. 21, 1826. 
S. B. Lauds, e. }4 n. w. '.v, Vol. VI.S. Jt. L.,Fol. 1618. 
Wm. Clark, w. % n. w. i.i and e. K n. w. hi sec. 24, 

Aug. 21. 1821." 
Geo. Kimmel, w. '* s. e. '1 and w. 'i n. e. 'i and v. 

'; 8. w. ».i and ©. 'i. s. w. ».i, sec. 24, Aug. 21, 1821. 
John Keller, e. '; s. e. '.i sec 24, Aug. 21. 1821. 
Henry Wolf. n. w. '.1 sec. z5, .Vug. 21, 1821. 
Philip Hretz, s. w. ^.i sec. 25, Jan. 4. 1822. 
.lo:>eph Kichards, c. 'i s. e. Vj sec. 25, Aug. 31. 1824. 
Wm. Brown, w. '-; n. e. Vi sec. 2-5, Oct. 4, 1824. 
Wm. Brown, of Ohio. c. 'i n. e. 'i sec. 2.5, May 31, 1826. 
.Miami &. i>ayton Canal, w. 'i s. e. '-i sec. 2o, May 24, 

1828. 

Wm. Clark, s. w. '4 sec. 26, Aug. 21, 1821. 

Case Brown, w. 14 n. w. *.i and e. */6 n. w. ^4 sec. 26, 

Aug. 21.1821. 
Joseph Osborn, w. % n. o. ^i sec. 26, Aug. 21, 1821. 
Philip Brctz. e. 'i n. e. U sco. 26, Aug. 22, 1821. 
Jeremiah Williams, s. e. Ki sec. 2ti, Aug. 22, 1821. 
Henry Craw, e. U a. w. Vi and w. 'i s. w. »4 sec. 27, 

Aug. 21, 1821. 
Joshua .Munsell. w 'i n. e. '1 sec 27, .^ug. 21, 1821. 
Ira Holmes, w. '« n. w. >.i sec. 27, Aug. 21, 1821. 
Samuel Knap, e. 'j n. w. 't sec. 27, .Vug. 22, 1821. 
John Searles. s. e. '1 st-c. 27, Sept. 10, 1821. 
Joshua Munsell, e. >t n. e. Vi sec. 27, Sept. 10, 1821. 
Samuel Knap, n. w. Vi aude. 'i u. e. 'i sec. 28, Aug. 21, 

1821. 
W. B. MatthewsoD, c. ^ s. e. 'it sec. 28. Aug. 21, 1821. 
Isaac J Halsey, e. % s. w. »,i sec. 1% Dec. 5, 1821. 
Lowell liobinson, w. 1^ n. e. '.i sec. 28. Feb. 7. 1822. 
Daniel Parks, Jr., w. \<j 9. e. Vi sec. 28, March 27, 1822. 
Isaac (Jurnee. w. ',^ s. w. Vi sec. 28, Aug. 7, 182;{. 
Wm. Baker, n. e. '1 sec. 29, Oct. 13, 1829. 
John NVIl, s. w. i.i sec. 29, Oct. 16. 1822. 
Jamas Mar4iuis. s. c. 'i sec. 29. Oct. 16. 1^22. 
James Beaty. n. w, i.j sec. 29, .Sept. 11. 1823. 
Koburt Irwin, c. ]/^ s. w. >i sec. 30, Aug. 29, 1822. 
ItolK-rt I^e, n. e. '1 sec. 30, Sept. 11. 1823. 
iJeorge Brokaw, s. e. Vi sec. 3). Feb. 9, 1824. 
Jacob Waggoner, w. )^ s. w. '1 sec. 30, Sept. 22, 1834. 
.Miami A. I) lytoii CaDal, n. w. • i sec. :U. .May 24, 1838. 
John Manary, o. U sec. .(I, .Vug. 21. 1821. 
James Kakln. s. w.'pl. of n. w. 'i sec. 31, April 30, 1822. 
.\ tram .Vnd-jrsin, e. pt. of s. w. '.1 sec. 31, .\ug. S, 1822. 
John Milche I, n. c. pt.ofn. w. S sec. 31. Sept. -5, 1822. 
Wm. .Vndt-rstjn, w. pr s. w. 'i sec. 31. Dec. 2ti. 1822, 
Frederick Eyier, e. ' i s. e. Vi sec. 32, .May 6, 1822. 
Jas. McCrary, w 'is. w. *,i and w. 'i a. w. ^.^ sec. 32, 

June l'», \^li. 
Barnabu-4 Rogers, c. ^s. w. S sec. 32, June 20, 1822. 
John .Maniuis, e. 'i n. w. 'i and w. '^ n. e. '.1 sec. 32, 

Oct 2». 1''23. 
Wm. Marquis, e >^ no. ' i see. 32, Oct. 16, 18i2. 
Wm. Cornell, w, 'i s. c. *.; sec. -M. April I, 18.'.5. 
<fOorgo I)enison, e. '4 s. e. Vi sec •i^\. .Vug. 21, 1821. 
John (iibson,e. 'i n. e. V| sec 3:{, Aug. 21, 1821, 
Wm. J. (ireer, e. 'i s. w. '4 see. :«, D«c. 8, 1821. 



*Knlrie3 of these tracts wrung in designation of •luartori. 



f.XssigDed to Samuel Knap. 



10.58 



APPENDIX: 



Wm. Cornell, w^y, s. e. '4 sec. 33, Jan. 21, 1822. 
Frederick Eyler, w. '4 s. w. >i sec. 33, May 6, 1822. 
James Latham, w. J^ n. e. >.i sec. 33, Oct. 14, 1822. 
Adam I'eniiiugtoo' e. '/i n. w. \ sec. 33, Sept. .5, 1828. 
Miami & Davion ("anal, w. 14 n. w. M sec. 33, May 24, 

182S. 
.J. lUbson.w. 'in.c. '.i and n.w. '.i sec. 31, Aug. 21,1821. 
Win. Cornell, s. w. ?.i sec. 34, Aug. 22, 1821. 
lienjamin Brundige, s. e. !i sec. 34, Oct. 13, 1821. 
Mont. H. Kilch. e. '/, n. e. '.1 sec. 34, Nov. 28, 1822. 
Vfm. Baker, n. e. S sec. :», Oct. 13, 1821. 
Charles Meeker, e. '^ n. w. '.1 sec. 3.5, Dec. 1.5, 1823. 
Horace Rof;er.*, w. V, n. w. \i sec. '■&. Oct. 24, 1825. 
Miami A Uavlon Canal, s. '(.sec. .35, May 24, 1828. 
Jeremiah Williams, w. 1., n. w. '., sec. 36, Oct. 1.1, 1.S2I. 
Christian Smith, e. '4 n. w. >,i sec. 36, May 7. 1824. 
Miami & Daytou Canal, s. ',i and n. e. U sec. 36, May 

24, l'i28. 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 

TOWN 2 X., RANGE 15 E. 

"?\-illiani Park, w. ■. s. e. 'i sec 1, Dec. 11, 18.32. 
Charles McNamee, .'^ pi. n. e. '.^ sec. 1, Dec. 11, 1832. 
James Robison and 10. Arery, w. 'i s. w. ',, and e. 14 »• 

w. 'i and s. pt. n. w. 'i sec. 1, Dec. 11,1832. 
lieorge Park, e. '. s. e. !.i sec. 1, Dec. 12, 1832. 
Kdmuud Ingmaud, n. w. I'r. '4 n. w. fr. }i sec. 1, Mav 

21). '.SH 
John I'lum i^cneca Reservation), n. pt. n. e. Ji sec. 1, 

.Mav 3, l~.M, 
John llerpert (.Seneca PvCservation) n.e. }.i n.w. !4 sec. 

I, .Mav «, l.'*34. 

Joseph Howard, s. pt. n. w. '.1 sec. 2, Dec. 11, 1832. 
Abram Keller, 11 pt. n. w. '.j sec. 2, Dec. 1 1, 1832. 
Kvan L>orscv, w.'» s.w. Vj and e. 'j s. w. '.1 sec. 2, Dec. 

II. is:;^' 

lico. W. Gist, w. '; s. e. '.1 sec. 2, Dec. 12, 1832. 
Henry St. John, e. '.. s.e. '.i*, n. pt. n. e. Vi* and s. pt. 

n. e. '.!« sec, 2, Dec. 12, 1832. 
Miciiacl Rinebolt u. pt. n. w. '.i and s. pt. n.w. '., sec. 

3, nee. 11, 1832 
John H. Culbertson, ». pt. n. e. '1, w. 'i s. e. '.1 and e. 

'!. s, e. 'I sec. 3, Dec. II, 18-32. 
Daniel liife. n. pt. n. e. ',1 sec. 3, Dec. 12, 18.32. 
ICzra Derr, s. w. Vi s. w. '1 sec. 3, Feb. 5, 1833. 
Brice U. Bartlett, n. w. ',, s. w. '.: sec. 3, Mar. 20,1833. 
t ieorge Schroyer, e. ' . s. w. '.1 see. 3, March 20, ls33. 
Thomas Derr| s, pt. n. \v. Vi and n. pt. n. w. 'i and s. 

pt. n. e, 'i and n. pt. n. e. '.i sec. 4, Dec. 11, 1832. 
John Keller, c. '-s. w. 'laudw. S s. w. ' , sec. 4, Deo. 

11, 1832. 
Smith Mclntyre, c. ' :. s. e. 1.1+ sec. 4, Dec. 11, 1832. 
Silas Adams, s. w >4 s. e. ^4 sec. 4, .April 13, 183,3. 
Jacob liubcr, n. w. '.i s. e. '.1 sec 4, June .i. I8:)3. 
Evan Dorsey, n. pt. s. e. Vi fr. (Seneca Reservation) 

sec. .">, Dec. 11, 1S.32. 
Henry Eiusel. s. pt s. e. '1 and s. pt. n. u. Vi and n. 

pt. n. e. '4 sec. 5, Dec. 11, l«t'.i. 
Zalmon Rouse, n. pt. n. w. i.i and s. pt. n. w. '.i and n. 

pt n. e. '.1 sec. 5, Dec. 11, 1832. 
lOzra Sprague. n. w. '1; sec. 5, .\ug. 21, 1821. 
John .Searles, s. pt. s. w. '1 sec. .1, .\ug. 21, 1821. 
John Searles, n. pt of s. w. 'i sec. .■>, Sept. In, 1821. 
Thomas Irish, e 'ru. e. V, sec. 11, Dec. 20. 1821. 
John Crum, e. '.; s. e. '1 sec. 6, Apr. 2(1, 822. 
Henry Ro-*enberger, \v. ^4 s. w. '.t sec. 6, May G, 1822. 
John Crum. w. '4 s. e. '.i sec. 6. Aug. '^l, 1823. 
Jacob Kime, Jr., e. ': s. w. Vi sec. t>. May 28. 1824. 
.lohn Martin, w. '2 n. e. '1 sec. 6, T'ec. 14, 182ti. 
John Stoner, n. w. 'j sec. 6, Nov. 14, 1827. 
Wm. D. Sherwood, s. % sec. 7, Nov. 5. 1821. 
U*m. D. - herwood, e. ' - n. e. '.t sec. 7, March 5, 1822. 
T. Toner and A. Seligmnn, n.w. >.vsec. 7, June 4, 1822. 
Wm. D. .Sherwood, w. ", n. e. '1 sec. 7, Sept. 11, 1823. 
)i. Heninger, n. pt, ot" s, w. U sec. 8, Aug. 21, 1821. 
S. Heninger, s. pt. of s. w. ', sec. 8, Aug. 21, 1821. 
Josiah Hedges, n. c. '1 sec. 8, Aug. 23, 1821. 
Wm. D. Sherwood, w, ' . n. w.i, sec. 8. March 5, 1,822. 
Joseph Walker and John Walker, 14 acres Seneca 

Reservation, sec, 8, Dec. 11. 1832. 
.lobn Keller, n. pt. ofs. e. 'i. and s. pt. of s. e. ^i, and 

e. pt of n, c. '1 sec. ,8, Aug. 21, 1821. 
James Earl, e. '2 n. w. '.4 sec. 8, Aug. 21, 1821. 
J. Earl e. ". s e. ',1 and e.'i n.e. '1 sec.9, Aug.21,l.S21. 



Henry Holverstol, w. V: s. w. '.t sec. 9, Aug. 14, 1822. 
Moses L. Ross, n. w. ^^'sec. 9, Aug. 14, 1822. 
John Keller, fr. of sec. 9, Dec 20, 1832. 
Thomas Earl, w. ' i n. e. ^ sec. 9, April 22, 1823. 
John Keating, w. 14 s. e. Hi and e. ',4 s. w. 'ri sec. 9, 

Aug. 16, 18.'4. 
Jas. Earl, w. '/. n.w. !.i and w. 14 s. w. "-.i sec. 10, Aug. 

21, 1821. 
Stephen D. Palmer, e. 14 s. w. U sec. 10, March 9, 1S22. 
.\sa Crockett, w. pt. of n. e. '1 sec. 10. April 5, 1823. 
Peter Toughman, e. '4 n. w. \ sec. 10, .\pril 22, 1823. 
Uriah Egiiert. w. '4 s. e. 'i sec. 10, Feb. 16, 1824. 
Asa Crockett, e. pt. of n. e. '.1 sec. 10, Oct. 29, 1824. 
Jos. Straughan. fr. of .Seneca Res. sec. 10, Dec. 11,1832. 
Miami A Dayton ('anal, e Us. e.'.i see. 10, May 24, 1828. 
M. Earl, e. '<> n.e. '.i and w'. ' '. u,e. ',t sec. 11, Oct. 19 

1826, and Dec. 14, 1826. 
Evan Doreey, .'>0,',<i acres sec. 11. Jan. 1. 18.'i3. 
John Pittenger, e. '« u. w. ',j sec. 11, Nov. 21, 1827. 
John Pittenger, w. '4 n. w. ',1 sec. II, Sept. 27, 1828 
Joseph Todd, e. '4 s. e. ^i sec. 11. Sept. 29, 1828. 
Miami A Dayton Canal, W.V4 s.e. '4 sec. 11, May 24, 1828. 
John Pittenger, s. w. 1,1 sec. II, Nov. 21. 1827. 
Matthew Earl, w.- 14 a. w. '., sec. 12, Oct 19, 1826. 
David Egbert, e. J4 n w. H sec. 12, .\pril 9, 1828. 
Wm. Park, w. '4 n.e. ',{ sec. 12, May 17. 1827. 
Benj. Lord, e. '/in. e '.1 sec. 12, March 21, 1828. 
.Solomon Baltzefl, e. '/is. e. '.i sec. 12, Aug. 17, 1828. 
Henry Todd, Ir. Seneca Res. sec. 12, Dec 11, 1832. 
Miami iV: r>avton Canal, w. 'is. e. '.t and e. '^ s. w. '.^ 

sec. 12, lilav 24, 1828. 
Joseph Todd, w. 14 s. w. '4 sec. 12, Sept. 29, 1828. 
John B. Spanknanle or Sponable, w. \., s. w. ',; sec. 

13, Nov. 14, 1822. 
Christian Poles, e 'i s. w. '4 sec. 13, Feb. 27, 1S23. 
Henrv Y<uiug, e '4 n. w. '4 sec. 13, June 14, 1823. 
Jacob Hill, n. e. '4 sec. 13, Nov. 13, 182;!. 
.-\brahani De Long, e. '2 s. e. '4 sec. 13, Feb. 21 1825. 
Wm. Shearer, w. '. s. e. '4 sec. 13, March 29, 1826. 
John Bibler, w. ' j n. w. '4 sec. 13, October 15. IS27. 
Willis .-Vtwater, w. '4 s- w. '4 sec. 14, August 22, 1821. 
John B. Spankuable, e. '4 s. e. '4 sec. 14, June 2.%.^822. 
Uriah Egbert, w. '4 s. e. '4 sec. 14, Aug. 19, 1m22. 
David Egbert, e. '4 s. w. '4 sec. 14, Nov. 18, 1822. 
Miami & Dayron Canal, n. e. '4 sec. 14, May 24, 1828. 
George Hartnian, e. '4 n. w. U sec. 14, ..Vpril 10, 1826. 
Bernard Cass, w. '4 n. w. I4 sec. 14, Di-c. 13, 1826. 
J. Goodyear,s.w. '4 andw. '4 s.e. '4 sec. 15, Aug. 22,1321. 
Willis Atwater, e. ',4 s. e. ',1 sec. 1.5. Aug. 22. 1821. 
John Cole. w. 14 a. w. '4 sec. 1.5, Oct. 9, 1821. 
<'urmau C. Coxj'e. % n. w. '4 sec. 15, Nov. 11, 1824. 
Edward Corser, e. '4 n. e. '.j sec, 15, Jan. 21, 1825. 
Samuel Cass, w. '4 n. e. '4 sec. 15, June 14, 1825. 
School Lands, sec. 16. 
Robert McCombs, Josiah Hedges and U. H. Wilcox- 

son, s. e, '4 sec. 17, March 26, 1822. 
Josiah Hedges, w. part n. w. ',1 sec. 17, Aug. 22, 1821. 
George and .lobn Park, n. e. '4 sec. 17, Sept. 10, 1821. 
--Vhraham Kockey, e, part n. w. '1 sec. 17, Sept. 10,1821. 
William Clark, s' w, ■ 1 sec. 17, Oct. 2, 1,S21. 
Erastus Bowe, n. part n. e, ',1 sec. 18, Aug. 23, 1821. 
Erastus Bowe, w. part of fr. sec. 18. .-\pril 18, 1822. 
Joseph H. Larwill. s. part s.e. Vi 'canceled) sec. 18, 

Sept. 22, IS:io. 
Josiah Hedges, s. e, fraction of sec. 18, .\ug. an, 18.12. 
William Little, w. part s. w. '4 sec. 19, Aug. 22, 1821. 
Josiah Hedges, s. part s. w. '4 sec. 19, .Aug. 22. 1821. 
Josiah Hedges, n. part s. e. '4, and s, part s. e. ',1 and 

e. part n. e. '1 sec. 19. Aug. .;2, 1821. 
Josiah Hedges, w. '4 n. w. '4, and w. '4 s. w. ',1 and 

n. e. >, and e. '. n. w. '4 sec. 20, .Vug. 22, 1821, 

and Oct. 11. I.'i21. 
Ambrose Dotv, e. 1^4 s- w. '4 and w. l^ s. e. '4 sec, 20, 

Oct, II, 1.S21. 
Henry Dildine, c. \4 s. e. Vi sec. f 0, .April 1.5, 1822. 
Samuel .Saul, w. '4 n, w. 'i sec. 20, June 24, IS26. 
,Toseph Sheldon, n, e. ' i sec. 21, Aug. 22, 1821. 
Shepherd Patrick and Henry Wilson, e, l^ n. w. '4 and 

w. y,s. e. ' i,and w. ^n. w. ',1 aude. 54 s, e. '4 sec. 

21 A"ug., 1821. 
Jesse Pugh. s. w. '4 sec. 21, June 3, 18^2. 
Samuel Ryder, n.'w. '4 sec 22, Aug. 22. 1821. 
.Tohn Atwater. e '2 n e. '4 sec. 22, .Aug. 22. 1821. 
Daniel Perkins, w. 'j s, w. '4 sec. 22, March 9, 1.822. 
Zacariah Kaucey, w. J.^ n. e. '4 sec 22. Nov, 5. 1822. 
Henry Lifert. e '2 s. e. '1 sec. 22, Nov. 30, 1822. 



•.Assigned to .hirob ShalVer. 



t.Assigned to Aaron Beck, Feb.l, 1833. 



^.Assigned to Moses .Abboit, 



ORIGINAL LAND ENTRIES. 



1059 



James Wailace,w. ';. 3.e. '-i an J e. '■• s.w. >,j sec.22,Nov. 

I», ISri. 
John Atwalcr, w. U n w. '\ sec. 2:). Aug. 22, 1821. 
David MclluDg, e. ]4 n. e. 'i sec. 23. Jan. 22, 1S22. 
Uriah Egt>ert, w. 'i ii e. *.i sec. 23, Auk. 19, 1822. 
David licliert, e. ',i a. vr. '^ sec. 2:), Nov. 18, 1822. 
Adam S(;hniUer, s. w. ' t and w. '2 s. e. '.i sec. 2il, Feb. 

2n, is'j:!. 
Pelcr Kubinaull, e. 'i s. e. '., sec. 2:1, June 17. 1823. 
David and Margaret McCluug, w ]^ n. w. '.i sec. 24, 

Jan. 22, 1822. 
Peter Roliinault. s. w. !< sec. 24, June 17, 1823. 
Nicholas Goetschius, e. H u. e. >-.i sec. 24, April 16,1824. 
John Drake, e. "j n.w. U and w. 'i n. e. '4 sec. '24, May 

17, 1 824. 
Miami & Dayton Canal, s e. '.1 sec. 24, May 24. 1S28. 
Samuel Drake, w. '; n w. 'x sec. 2-'), Oct. 1.^, 1824. 
David llartiuan, e.'.i u. e. '^ sec. 25, June 28, 1828. 
Miami iV: Dayton Canal, s. ^ and c. ^4 Q- w. '.^ and w. 

1-2 n. e. '1 sec. .:.5, .May 21. 1828. 
William Plwing, \v. li n. w. '., sec. 26, Nov. 21, 1S22. 
Jacob liogart, e. \^, n.w. Vi and w. V4 n. e. I4 sec. 26, 

Dec. 17. 1S22. ■ 
Joshua folc. e. '; n. e. U sec. 2«, Feb. 20, 1823. 
Beojamiu .Mullen, .e. Vj s. e. '.i sec. 26, Jan. 19. 182-5. 
Miami .V Dayton Canal, w. '4 s. e. ^.i and e. J4 3. w. i.i 

sec. 20, .May 24, 1823. 
James Wolf, w. l^ 9. w. ' i sec. 20, Nov. 14, 1827. 
William liwing, c. i- n. e. > i sec. 27, Nov. 21, 1822. 
William McKwen, s. w. Vi sec. 27, July 5, 1823. 
William I^isle. e. ',4 n. w. >.i sec. .:7, July 24, 1823. 
Pcttr .Marsh, w. 'i u. w. ', sec. 27, Dec. 3, 1825. 
Kca-son -Murray, w. 1; n. e. ^i sec. 27, May 20, 1828. 
William Williams, w. '/, a. e. 'i sec. 27, Oct. 6, 1827. 
Miami A Dayton Canal, e. !^s. e. ' i see. 27. .May 24,1828. 
Maria Itradley. e. '4 s. e. '.i sec. 28, .-Vug. 22, 1821. 
Leverctt Bradley, w. !/j s. e. U sec. 28. .Vug. 22,1821. 
Jame.s linrn.side. s. w. '^ sec. 28, Sept. 10. 1821. 
Fretlcrick Lamb. n. e. '-i sec- 28, June 3, 182i. 
Mi' had ,-ichall, n. w. Usee. 28, Oct. 11, 1822. 
Reuben Williams, c. I4 s. e. ■-; sec. 29. Aug. 22, 1821. 
lieorge llimmell, e.'» n. w.^ and w- '4 s- e- Vi sec. 29, 

AuR, 22, 1S2I. 
Michael Koncannon, w. '4 o. e. *.i sec, 29, Nov. 9, 1821. 
H.H.Wilcoxson,KIlzv Hedges and Josiah Hedges, w. li 

n. w, 'i sec. 29, .March 26. 1822. 
Richard Freeborn, w. ', j s. w. i.i sec. 20, March 29, 1822. 
Daniel Dildine, e. 'i n. e. '.i sec. 29, April 1.5. 1822. 
Henry ll.ali.e. '. s w. '.i sec. 29, June 17, 1823 
Michael Foucanuon. w. ' ', s. e. *.t sec. 30, .-Vug. 22, 1821. 
Seldon lield. s. pt. of n. w. > i sec. :J0, Aug. 22, 1«21. 
William Liitle, w. pt. of n. w. '1 sec. :{0, Aug. 22, 1821. 
Josiah Hedges, n. pt. of n. w. 'i .sec. 3ii, .-Vug. 23. 1821. 
llonon Howard, u. e. '.i and. n pt. ofs. w. I4 sec. 30, 

March 23. 1S22. 
Kicliard Freeborn, e ' ; s. e. '1 sec. 30, March 29, 1822. 
Joseph lihiuser, s. pt. ots. w '.iSec. 30, June 10, 1822. 
Soloniiiu Kuder ana JobnCialbralth, w.i;;s.w.>.j sec. 31, 

.Sept^24. 1821. 
Richard Freeborn. e. H n.e. H sec. 31, March 29, 1822. 
John Ditloe. e. 'i s. e. 'j sec. 31, July 26, 1822 
Jacob .Staplelon.'w.'i s. e.^.^ando.'^ 3.w.>.4 sec.31, July 

20, 1.822. 
George Shaver, n. w. '.i sec. 31, Nov. 24. 1823. 
Richard Snealh, w. 'in. e. 'i sec. 31, Nov. II, 1826. 
Richard Freeborn, w."V4 n. w. '.i sec. 32. .March 29,1S22. 
Jeremiah Spangler, w. i.is. w. 'i sec. 32. -Aug. 8, 1R22. 
.Tohii Drake, e. ", a. e. '.I sec. 32, Nov. is. I8->2. 
John Drake, w. ",; n. c. 'i sec. .32, March 3, 1824. 
Joseph Migiis. e. 'i n. w. >.i sec. 32, Oct. 19, 1826. 
Wni. T. Dailey, e. 'i s. e. >.i sec. 3-.'. Feb. II, 1828. 
Henry ICIder, w. 1. s. e ', sec. .32, Nov. 21, 1827. 
Miami A Dayton Canal, e.'; s.w.V, sec 32, May 24, 1.828. 
Martin Lentz, w. ' '. n.w. Vi and e.'* n.w. >.i sec, 33, .-lug. 

22. 1821. 
Valentine Reber.w. ' j n.e. '.j and w.'i s.e.S and e.'4 8. 

e. 'i ande. 1^ n. e. 'i sec. .lit, .\ug. 22, 1821. 
Henry Dildine, eT '4 s. w. "i see. 33, April 1.5. 1822. 
John .Searles, w. ', j s. w. ^.i sec. 33, -Aug, 1, 1822. 
Jacob (ia-ster, w. i^s. w.!.t and e. ^is.w.>4 sec. 34, Aug. 

22, 1821. 
Isaac Coiner, s. e. 'i sec. 34, June 2, 1823. 
Henry ilall. w. '; a. w. 'i sec. 34, June 17.182.3. 
John Heard, e. |4 n. w. ', sec :n. Oct. 15, 18i3.; 
Daniel L.iiiilirigbt. n. c. 'i sec. 31. .April 21, 1825. 
Jacob and Kve Hile. s. w. ' ; sec. :j.5, .lune 21, 1823. 
John Piiienuer, s. e. S se<-. 35. Nov. 21. 1S27. 
Peter ."^chuck, n. w. >i sec. :i,5, Jan. 25, 1827, 



.Miami A Dayton Canal, n. e. ?.i see. 3.5, May 24, 1828. 
Adaiu .Morehart. e. '• s. e. V, sec. 36, .March 29, 1823. 
William Clark, w. '.; s. c. '^ sec. 3G, Nov. 22, 1825. 
Miami & Dayton Canal, n. J-i sec. 36, May 24. 1828. 
John Pittenger, s. w. '.i sec. 36, Nov. 21, 1827. 



PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. 

TOW.V 3 N., BANUE 15 E. 

.\mariah Watson, n. pt. of n. w. 'i sec. 1, Dec. 15, 

1832. 

D H. Jopp, s. pt. of n. w. \i sec. 1, Dec. 15, 1832. 

D. H. Jopp, s. pt.of n. e. '.t and n. pt. of n. e. '.i sec. I. 

Dec. 1.1, 1^3■^. 

D. 11. Jopp, w. 'j s. e. 'i and c. '. s. w. "i Dec. 1.5, 1832. 
J. H. LarwiU.e. '; s. e. »i sec. 1, .April 15, 1833. 
.\niariab Wat.son, w. ': s. w. 'i sec I, April 15, 1833. 
John Briou. s. e. '.i s. c. '.i sec. 2, May 25, 1833. 
John Ijrion. n. e. '-i s- e- '.i sec. 2, Dec. 9. 1833. 
Thomas I.acey, w. 'i s. e. 'i sec. Z.Oct. .3, l,8:$t. 
Wm. Kelsey, S. Res. s. e. 'i n. e. ', see. 2. Dec. 17, 1834. 

C. Shuster, y. Res. n. pt. of n. e. Usee. 2, Jan. 14, 18.35. 
Joseph Cross, S. Res. s. w. ',i n. e. '.i sec. 2, Feb. 2, 1835. 
Nathan B. Adams, n. v. Ki sec. 2, Dec. II, 18,33. 
Thomas Lacey, s. w. ',i sec. 2, Oct. 3, 1833. 

S. Stoner, S. lies. n. w. '.i s. w. U see. 2, Jan. 31, 1835. 
J. liarileit, s w. >., s. w. '.i sec. 2, Dec. 9, 1833. 
R. Gnnn. s. w. ' i n. w. 'i sec. 3, Jan. 11, 18:13. 

D. Jacknian, n. pt. of n. w. U see. 3, Jan. 15. 1833. 

U. Bu»liam, S Res. s. e. ?* n. w. U sec. 3, Feb. 2, 1835. 
Abner Pike, c. "i 8. e. '; sec. 3, Feb. 15, 1834. 
Philip .Alspach, w. '4 s. e. '.i sec. 3 Dec. 20. 1834. 
William Ellis, w. ! J s. w. U sec. 3, June 8, 1*3:;. 
S. Charles, .S. Res. e. ',; n. e. !.i sec. 3, March 14. 1834. 
J. D. Stage, n. w. '.i n. e. >i sec. 3, Jan. 30, 1835. 
J. H. Larwill, e. '4 s. w. V, sec. 3, Nov. 12, 18:i5. 
Shepherd Patrick and .\lonzo Hulburd, fr. of sec. 4, 

Aug. 23. 1821. 

S. Lndwig, S. Hes. s. pt. of w. pt. of a. e. U see. 4, Dec. 

12 1832. 
J. Lamberson, n. pt. of w. pt. ofs. e. U sec. 4, Dec. 12, 

1832. 
J. Lamberson, e. pt, of n. w. 'i and w. pt. of n. w. V, 

sec. 4. Dec. 12, 18.32. 
Daniel Smith, e. pt. ofs. e. fr. 'i sec. 4. March 15. 1833. 
David Wiley, s. pt. of n. e. fr U and n. pt. of n. e. U 

sec. 1, April and .May, 1833. 
Shepard Patrick and .\ionzii Hulbuid, e. pt. of n. e. 

1 1 and e. ' 2 s. e. ' i sec. 5. Aug. 23 and Dec. 10. 1821 . 
Jacob Brunner, w. 'i a. w. U and w, 'i a. w. '., sec. 5. 

Sept. 30. 18-25. 
John Blue. S. Res. fr. of sec. 5, Dec. 12, 18.32. 
Jaques Hulburd, w. >i n. e. U sec. 5, Nov. 24, 1825. 
John Weaver, e. '4 n. w. U sec. 5, Nov. 24, 1826. 
Jacob Decker, w. y, a. e. % and e. '/j s. w. !.i sec. 6, 

Nov. 22. 1827. 
Stephen Fowler, w. Y, n. e. U and e. V- n. w. !i sec. 6, 

Aug. 31, 1821. 
Jacob Bruuner, w. >4 n- w. U s«t;. 6, June 2, 1824. 
Henry Weaver, e. '4 s. w. M sec. 6, Jan. 7, 18i5. 
Miami & Davton Canal, w. ii s. w- >.i sec. 6, Ma« 24, 

ISiS. ""j 

Jacob Brunner, e. [i n. e. !-i sec. 6,Sept. 30, 1825. J 
Jacob Brunner, Jr., e. }^ 8. e. U sec. 6, Sept. 30, 1825. 
Wm Rollins, w. '4 a. e. \i sec. 6, Sept. 30, 1828. 
Stephen Fowler, e. >i sec. 7, Aug. 31, 1821. 
William Moolicrry, Jr., e. 'i s.w. '.i sec. 7, May 6,1822. 
Miami .V Dayton (^aual, w. ]A 8. w. i.i and u. w. >,i sec. 

7, May 24, 1828. 

Shepard Patrick, e. 14 n. e 1,1 sec. 8. Nov. 1, 1821. 
John Upilegrafl", e. '1 s. e. U sec. 8, Jan, 30, 1822. 
Wm. N. Montgomery, w. 14 s. e. S sec. 8, July 3, 1823. 
Shepard Patrick, w.'>4 n. e. Vi sec. 8. June 23,*l.s'25. 
Isaac Buit or Briit, e. '4 s. w. U sec. 8, May 20, 1828. 
Miami A Davton Canal, w. 'i s. w. U and n. w. U sec. 

8, .May V4. 1828 

Isaac Duiuond, fr. sec. 9, Aug. 22, 1821. 

Samuel Ludgwig, s. e.'i n. e. '.i sec. 9, Dec. 20, 1832. 

Samuel Ludwig. S. Res. b. pt. of n. w. Vi and n. pt. ol 

n. w. ii and w. ij n. e. '.1 and w. pt. ofs. c. '.| and 

s. w. 1 , of tr. .-^ee. 9, Dec 12, 1832. 
Henry St. John. e. pt.of s. e. U* assigned to Moses 

Hoyt, sec. 11. Dec. 20, 18.32. 
Iiavid DavLs. n. e. 'i n. e. 'i sec 0, June 8, 1833. 
Joseph II. Larwill and Zaimon Rouse, w. pt. 8. w. U 

sec. 10, Dec. 20, 1832. 



1060 



APPENDIX: 



Thos. Wilev, w. H s. e. !.i and c. H s, w. '.i sec. 10, 

MarcTl 14, 1833. 
Isaac J. Dumoud, e. 'i n. e. U sec. 10, Dec. 2G, 1832. 
A.Ely, e. '., u.w.'i audw.'in.e. 'i sec.lu. May 15, 1833. 
Robert Ijinn, e. H s. e. '.j, sec. Ki, Dec. 7, 1S:H. 
David Davis, n. w. ' i n. w. '.i sec. 10, Juue s, 1833. 
Thomas Fitzgerald, s.w. '.i n.w. 'i sec. Ill, .Ian. 1,18.14. 
BCDJ. Eldridge, w. 'j n. w. ':i sec. 11. Dec. 20, 1832. 
Isaac .1. Duiuoud. n. e. i., n. w. '.i and 8. e. 'i n. w. \i 

sec. 11. Dec. 21'), 1832. 
John Clink, e. 'i s e. '.i sec. 11, Sept. 7,1833. 
Caleb Clink, w. '/. s. e. I4 sec. 11, ;-ept. 10. 1833. 
Daniel H. .lopp, n. w. '.j n. e. ',i sec. 11, Sept. 7, 1833. 
.losiab Hedges, e. 'i n. e. '.i sec. 11, Dec 11, 1833. 
Edniond A. IJoyer, s. w. >-.t n. e ^i and u. e. ^4 s. w. ?4 

sec. 11. .Tan. 31,1835. 
J. Redmond S. Res., s.w. ',1 s. w. '.; sec.ll. Jan 9, 1835. 
Alex. McNiitt, n. w. !.i s. w. '.1 sec. 11. Sept. 11, 1833. 
.lacob Thorp, s. e. Vi s. w. '.1 sec. II, Dec. 23, 1833. 
Solomon Krnder, e 'i s. e. '; and w. 'i n. e. 'i and e. 

'i n. e. i-i sec. 12, Dec. 12, 1832. 
Josiaii Hedge,s, e. 'i u. w. '.1 and w. ! i s. e. !-.i sec. 12, 

Dec 20 1832. 
James Garrell. w. '. n. w '.i sec. 12, Aug. 7, 18.33. 
Nathan B. Aiiams. s. w. 'j sec. 12. Sept. 7, 1833. 
Henrv Sheldenhelm, w. ',k s. e. J.i and e. '4 s. e. >-i sec. 

13. Dec. 13. 1832. 

Thos. Locks. Res.e. '4 n. w. U sec. 13, Sept. 10,1834. 
Alonzo Curtiss, w. ' ; n. w. li sec. 13. Sept. 10, 1833. 
Matthias Alber. u. !■• n. e. >.j sec. 13, Jlay 2, 1833. 
Saml. Hunter, s. 'A n. e. ^i sec. 1.3. June lo, 1833. 
David NeillT, S. Kes. n 'i s. w >,i and s. ;:;s. w. '.1 

sec 13 March 17, 18.34, and Oct. 23,18.33. • 
Isaac Hull. u. e. ".i u e. U sec. 14, Oct. 21. 1833. 
Isaac Hull, w !J n. e. '.i sec. 14, Sept. 11, 1833. 
Bun Higgius, s. e. '.1 n. e. ?.i and u v. f^ a. e. '4 sec. 

14. Dcc.9, 18:Jo. 

Robert Linn, s. e. ;.i 5. w. \i and s. w. \i e. e. '.i sec. 

14. Dec. 7, 1833. 
T. Lock, S. Res s. w. '.1 s. w. Vi sec. 14, Sept. 10, 1834. 
J. Souder. n. '4 s. w. '1 and e. V2 n. w. '.i sec. 14, Aug. 

24 1833 
Harper Senter, w. J^ n. w. ^i sec. 14. Aug. 13, 1833. 
David Neilly. e. Y, a. e. 'i sec. 14. March 17, 1834. 
' Zaimou House and J. H. Larwill, s, pt. of n. w. ^i and 

u. pt of u. w. V, sec. 15, Dec. 17 and 20, lS.i2. 
Zalmon Rouse and J. H. Larwill. n. pt. s. w. ^i and s. 

pt 3. w. ».i sec. 15 Dec. 20. li'32 
Johu L. Cross, s. e. 1,1 sec. 15. Jan. 1, 1833. 
Dr. Eiiakim Crosby, w. iv. n. e. ^.i (pat. laud warrant) 

sec. 15. Oct. 25, 1834. 
Isaiah McClish, e. '4 n. e '.j sec. 15, Jan. 22, 1.S34. 
School lands, sec. 10, underact. 
Benj. Culver, s. e. ',1 sec. 17, Aug. 31, 1821. 
Alex. McNutt, e. '4 s. w. '.i sec. 17. Sept. 14. 1822. 
Andrew Dukes, e. '•; n. e. ^i sec. 17, Oct 7, 1824. 
Miami A Dayton Canal, w. '; s. w. *.i and w. U n.e. '.1 

and n. w. '.1 sec. 17. May 24. 1S2S. 
Anson Cray, w. ',2 n. e. '.1 sec. 18. Dec. 19, 1822. 
Wm. Martin. Jr., w. v; s. e. }.i and e. J4 s. w. *4 sec. 18, 

May 26, 1823. 
Almerand Rollins, e. '^i n. w. ',i sec. 18, Sept. 9, 1824. 
Jos. Keeler, e.'i n. e.'Vt sec. 18, June 2.1, l.><2.5. 
Marcin Houseman, w |^ s. w. '1 sec. 18. June G, 1826. 
Benajah Parker, e. 'i s'e. '.1 sec. 18, July 13, 182(;. 
Eliphalot Rogers, w. ^2 n. w \ sec. 18. Aug. 17, 1826. 
Joseph < 'ouwav. w. 1,2 s. w. Vi sec. 19, June 13, 1822. 
James Fish, e.'H s. e. '.1 sec. 19, July 0, 1822. 
Eli Wooiner, n. e. 'i sec 19, Aug. 10, I8i2. 
Tobias .Miller, w. ". n w. >.i sec. 19, Oct. 6. 1824. 
John Clark, e. ■; n. w. K sec. 19, Dec. 15. 1824. 
Miami <^ Davton Canal, e. 'i s. w. '^ aud vr. !4 s. e. ^i 

sec 19, .Mav 24, 182S. 
Benj. Colver, s. e pt. of s. w. ' 1 fr. sec. 20, Aug.22 1821. 
Alex. McNutt, Caleb Uice and Anson Gray, n. and w. 

pts. of fr. sec. 20, Aug, 2.1, 1821. 
John ciaggett, e. pt. of u. e. ', sec. 20, Dec. 12, 1832. 
Vincent Bt-II, w. pt. u. e. fr. and n. w. '.i fr. and s. w. 

' , fr sec. 20, Dec. 12, 1832. 
Jacob Itlue, w. pt. of 3. e. '.1 fr. sec. 20, Dec. 12, 1832. 
Solotuun l^irftstone o.pt. of s.e. Vi fr sec. 20,nec. 12, 18.32. 
Benj. Convenor Culver), fr. sec. 21, Aug. 22, 1821. 
Joseph Howard, e. pt. of n. w Vi fr. and w. pt. of n. e. 

■ 1 fr. and e. pt. of n. e. >4 fr. sec 21, .\ug. 22. 1821. 
JohnClaggetl, wpt.ofn.w. \ fr.sec. 21. Aug 22, 1821. 
Saml. .stoucr, w. pt of s. w. Vi sec. 21, .\ng. 22, 1821. 



Johu Ciaggett, e. '2 s. w. \< and w. 4 s. e- Vi sec. 21, 

Dec. 19 1832. 
.los Howard, n. e. '4 s. e. '4 sec. 21, Jan. 15, 1833. 
John Koof, s. e. '4 *■ e '.i sec. 21. Oct 12, 1.S33. 
Christian Ransburg, w. >4 s. e. Vj sec. 22, Dec. 12,1832. 
Isaac .Miller, e. Vo s. e. U sec. 22, Jan. 5, 1833. 
Joseph H. Larwill and Zalmon Rouse, n. pt. n. w. •.£ 

sec. 22, Dec. 20, 1832. 
Isaac Walker, e. '2 n. w. '4 sec. 22, June 5, 1833. 
Richard Cox s. w. 1.1 sec. 22, Jan. 19, 1833. 
Christian Ransburg, n. e. '4 sec. 22, March 14, 1833. 
Frederick Cramer, n. w. Vi sec. 23, Dec. 25, 1832. 
H. Zimmerman, n. e. ^1 sec. 23, Dec. 25.1832. 
Wm. Mitchell, e. y^ s. e. ?4 and n. w. \i s. e. •i sec. 23, 

Jan. 7, 1x33. 
John Galuiire, 8. w. ^4 s. e. '4 sec. 23, Jan. 21, 18:i:i. 
Peter Yeakey, s. e. H s. w. '4 sec. 23, March 7, ls«. 
David Neillv, w. y^ s. w. 'i and n. e. H s. w. ^.4 sec. 23» 

Oct. 3 aud 23, 1833. 
James Crocket, w. i; n. e. Vi and e. ^ n. e. Vi sec. 24, 

Dec. 12, 1832. 
Samuel Gray, e. '.i a- «■ '4 sec. 24, Dec. 12, 1832. 
Uriah Linn, w. >4 s. e. '4 sec. 24, Dec. 2, 1833. 
Graf. Shedenhelm, w. '^ n. w. ',, .sec. 24, Dec. 25, 1832. 
Seneca Howig, s. e. '4 n. w. Vt sec. 24, Dec. 2fi, 18.12. 
Graf, shedeuhelnt, n. e. '4 n. w. Vtsec. 24, Oct. 5.18.33. 
Geo. W. Gist. n. e. '4 s. w. '4 sec. 24,Oct.3l, 1835. 
Henry Zimmerman, s. e. % s. w. *4 and w. Yz s. w. ^ 

sec. 24, April 18, 1833. 
Wm. Smith, w. \^ n. w. I4 and e. ',4 n. w. *4 sec. 25, 

Dec. 12. 1832. 
Samuel Rvder. w. \^ s. w. Vi and e. V- s. w. *.i sec. 25^ 

Dec. 12, 1832. 
Smith Mclntyre, w. y, n. e, '.i ande. V', n. e. I4 sec. 25, 

Dec. VI, 1812. 
Joel Stone, w. i * s.e. Ki and e. V4 s. e ^4 sec. 25, Dec. 12, 

1832. 
John Galmire, w. 14 s. e. '4 and e. ?- n. e. \^ and w. Vz 

n. e. 14 sec. 20, Dec. 12, 1832. 
Charles Free, e. y. s. e. >.i sec. 26, Dec. 12, 1832. 
William Bartlett, w. V^ n. w. \i sec. 26. Dec. 12, 18:12. 
James Crockett, e. ^ n. w. Vi aud w. Yz s. w. ^4 and e. 

"2 s. w. '.1 sec 2!i, Dec. 12, 1832. 
L. C. Stone, e. '4 n. e. '4 and n. e '4 s. e. '4 sec. 27, 

Dec. 13 and 20, 1832. 
Asa Crockett, w. >; s. e. '4 and s. e. ^4 s. e. ',1 sec, 27, 

May and June, 1833 
Richard Cox, n. w. fr >4 sec. 27, Jan. 19, 1S33. 
John Lcatherman, s. w fr. ^i sec 27, Dec. 16, 1831. 
Juo, l!lue,S. Res. s pt. of n.w. '.i fr. sec.28, Dec 13, 1832. 
Jonathan .Abbott, S. Res. n. pt. of n. w. ^4 fr. sec. 28, 

Dec, 13, 1832. 
Henry C. Brish, s w. '4,n. e. '4 fr.scc. 28, Dec.29, 1832. 

Sold to No 7917. e, 14 n.'e. '4 fr. sec. 28, . 

Henry C. Brish, n. w. '4 u. e. '4 fr. sec. 28, May 31,1833. 

.Sold n. e. ' 1 n. e. *,x and s. e. ',t s. e. ^4 sec 28, . 

Benjamin Culver, n. e. '1 fr. sec. 29, and e. pt. fr. D. 

w. I4 sec. Z9. .\ug. 22, ISJl 
Samuel Wright (island), e. pt. s. e. ',1 fr. sec. 29. Aug. 

21,1821. 
Samuel Wright, w. pt. s. e. '4 fr. and e. ^ s. w. Vi Ir. 

sec. 29, .\ug 23, 1821. 
Benjamin Culver.w pt. n. w. 'i fr. andw. 'i s w. Vi 

fr. sec, 29, Aug. 31, 1821. 
John Blue, Sen Res. fractional sec. 29, 1832. 
Daniel Garrison, w. >2 u- w. Vi sec. 30, June 19, 1822 
Asa and Lawson Teal, e. *4 n. e. K^ sec. 30, June 22, 

1822. 
Abraham Crumra, s. e. ^4 sec. 30, Jan. 19, 1825. 
Miami A Dayton Canal, e. ''. n. w. '4 sec. 30, May 24, 

1828. 
John Stoner, s. w. Vi sec. 39. .\pril 6, 1826. 
John Geo. Reichert, w. J4 ti. e. V, sec. 30, June 5, 1826. 
Pl.att Brush, e. ". s. e. '4* sec. 31, .'^ept 24. 1821. 
Piatt Brush, e. u n. e. '4 sec. 31, Oct. 11, 1821. 
James Taylor, w. 'j s. w. >-i sec.31. May 28, 1822. 
Henry Kriesuer, w. !i n. w. Vi sec. 31, May 28, 1822. 
Mcholas Schall, e. Vz 8. w. Vi and w. Vs s- e. '4 sec. 31, 

June 4, 1825. 
Jonathan Kemp, w. 14 n. e. I4 sec. 31, Oct. 19, 1826. 
Jonathan Kemp, e. '4 n. w. ^v sec. 31, Oct. 26, 182fi. 
Piatt Brush, n. c. Vi fr. and n. w. Vj fr. and s. w. ^4 

fr sec. 3 .Aug.22, 1821. 
Jacob Stem, S. Res. n. pt, of w. pt. of s. e. \ fr. and s. 

pt. of w. pt. s. e. *4 fr, sec. 32 Dec. 13, in32. 
Jacob Stem, c. pt. s. e. '4 sec. 32, Dec. 19, 183^. 



♦Entered with surveyor-genernl. 



ORIGINAL LAND ENTRIES. 



1061 



.Tosiah UedKPs, u. e. fr. on right bank of river, sec. 32, 

I>ec. 19. is;ii 
Thomas Perr, c. '.j s. w. >., sec. 3.1, Dec. 13, 18.12, 
.Tonathan HesA, w. ' j a. w. '4 sec. 3;*, April 13, 1833. 
.Tonathao Al»lM>tt, e. »i s. e. Vi and w. *.i, s.e. '.i sec. 33, 

Dec. 13. 1S32. 
George W. (iist, n. e fr. '.i sec. 33, May 27, 18.33. 
Perrv A. l-'reeze, n. w. fr. ',1 sec. 33, I>ec. 11,1.S33. 
.Tohii Lamberson. w. "i s. w. Vi see. 34, l>ec. 13, 1832. 
.MicliacI Ili'pf, s. e >, s. w. '1 sec. 34. Feb. y. 1833. 
Pavid Mcrraekin. n. e. '\ sec. 34, Oct. 28, 1833. 
Williaui K. liartielt, e. 'i s. e. ',1 sec. 31, Dec, 20, 18.12. 
Alfred .lordai), w. ■; s. e. 'i sec, 34, Dec. 20. 18:12, 
Henrv Ziiiiiiternian, u. nt. of n. w. Vf sec. 34, April 18, 

ika. 

.Tohn .Sotider. s pt.ofn.w. '.1 sec. 34, June 20,1833. 
Ira Law, s. ',<. n. e. \ sec. 34, .lune 19, 18.13. 
William Slay'maker, n. '* n. e. ',1 sec. 34, , Ian 3, 1834. 
.'Vbraham Keller, e. ''j s. w. Vi sec. 3,'i, Dec, 13, 1832. 
Thomas Clarke, S. Res. u.w. ',| s. w. ' 1 sec. :15, June 4, 

ISii, 
Thomas Clarke, s. v. 1., s, w. 'i scc.3i, Nov. 18, 1833. 
John .Searles. e. 'i s. e. >i sec. 3,'>, Dec. 13, 18:12. 
Henry C. Hrisli. w. ij s. c. ', sec. 35, Dec. 14, 18.32. 
.lohn Decker, n c. '1 sec 3.1. Dec. 20,18:12, 
(icorge Tiller, 11. w. ".4 sec. 3,i. Dec. 20, 1.832. 
John !<earles, »•. ■} s. w. ', sec. :16. Dec. 13, 1832. 
George W. <iist, e. 'j s w, '.1 sec, 3r>, IVb. l.i, 1833. 
Samuel Rider, w. *<i d. e. '.lande.'j n.w. Vi scc,36, Dec. 

13, 1832. 
Earl Church, n, e. 'i n. e, 'i sec, 36. Jan. 14, 1833. 
Jacob Peterson.. ^. Res, s.e.Vi n.e. 'i scc.36. .lune 4,1834. 
Henrv C. Ilrish, k.'', n. w. '.1 sec. 3B, Dec. 14, 18:12. 
George W. Smith, w. 'i so. '4 sec 36, Nov. 21, 1833. 
Robert Liuu, e. '; s. e. '4 sec. 36, Dec. 2, 1833. 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP, 

TOWN 1 N, B.\N(^K Ifi, E. 

Roswell Munsell, w, >.i n. e, '4 and n, vr. 'x see, 1, Feb. 

2,% 182.1. 

Jacoi> E, Spores, e, ■; n. e. '4 sec. 1, Dec. 29, 18-28. 
David Ralston, s. w. ', s. w ',i sec. 1 May 27. 1833, 
,lacob Meyer n i.is. w. I4 sec. 1, Sept. II, 1.8:13. 
Jacob Meyer, s. c. '4 s. w. '4 sec. 1, 1"eb. 24, 1S14. 
Oliver L. Robinson, n. vr, '4 s. e. '4 sec.l Sept. 17, 1833. 
Sylvester (irithn. e. ' i s. e. '.4 sec. 1, Sep. 25, 1831. 
Jacob I'lauis s. w, I4 s, e. >4 sec, 1. Nov. 2. 18:i3, 
John Hrownell, w. ' ; n, w, '4 sec. 2. Oct. 26, I.H22. 
Edward Suiberlaud'e. 'j n. w. Vi sec. 2, June 18, 1823. 
Thoma.s Boyd, w. ' ; n.e. '4 sec. 2, .\ug. 13, 1824. 
Roswell Munsel, e. ', n. e. '4 sec. 2, Feb. 28, 1825. 
David Halaton.e. '(, s. e. '4 se.-. 2, May 27, 1.8:i:i. 
Jacob .\Iever. n. w. '4 s, 0, ^i sec. 2. .Mav 5. 1834. 
Charles .McMillan, 3, w, '4 s, e, '1 sec, 2, Oct. 26. 1833. 
Charles Swart/, e. ' ^ s, w. »4 sec. 2, .\ug, 16, 18.10. 
Charle.t .Swart/ and H. Recs, w.'j a.w.Vi sec, 2, June 28, 

1830, 
Joseph -McClellan, e. li n. e. ',i sec. 3, Dec, 28, 1821. 
.Tonathan llrown. e. v, s. w, ^i sec. 3, July 8, lSi2. 
Eli Williams, w. l.j s. w. '4 sec. 3, Aug 28 1822. 
George Free, w. 'j'n. e. U and w. 'is.e. '4 sec. 3, Nov. 

9. 1822. 
John Lalfertv, e. ', n. w. '4 sec. 3, Nov. 24, 1813. 
.John c. Donriell. v. 'i a. w. 'i sec. 3. June 19. 1824. 
Elijah Ridgeley, e. \<^ s. e. '4 sec. 3, .Vug. 24, l.S2!l. 
Orin llrannan, e. \^ s. e. '4 sec. 4, .\pril 12, lHi3. 
.Tacob Rodecap, s. w. 1.4 and w. ' i s, e. ^i sec, 4, May 1, 

1.821. 

James It, Doiincll, e. \^ n. e, >4 sec. 4, --Vug. 6. 1824. 
Elijah Kidgfley, w. ■; a. e, '4 sec. 4, Aug, 2.5, 1829. 
William Fink, n, w, '>4 sec. 4 June 29, 18-.i9. 
l-owell Robinson, e. Us, c, '4 sec, <i, Dec, in, 1822, 
Jacob Rixiucap w,J.^s,'e, '4 sec. 5, May 1. 1823. 
Daniel .McMulien, w, 'i s, w, 'j sec, 5, May 7, 1823, 
John Straw, w, '; n, w, Vi sec. .5, May 4. 1824. 
John Gibson, e. '2 s. w, Vi sec, 5, May 2.5. 1824. 
John Stinchcomb, e. '2 n, w, '.t sec, 5, Oct. 20, 1821. 
James [loru.in, n. e. '.^ sec. .5. May 20 18:^8. 
James Taylor, w. 'i n- e, *4 sec. 6. Nov, 14, 1821, 
Samui»I S.' Martin, e. ' j n. e. '4 sec. 6, Nov. 14, 1821. 
Charles Clark, s. w. ',t sec. 6, Nov. 21, I821. 
Elijah Wells, n. w. '4 sec. 6, June 5. I82i. 
John Aikinsou, s,e. U 'ec, 6, Dec, 24. 1822. 
Henry Blaekuian, o. w. >4 sec. 7, Dec. 19, 1821. 



John Congor, e, '.,jn, 
Peter Heaver, e. ';"s, 
Henry Vnlenliue, w, 
Nathan llrown. w. I2 
John Kcid. w. l^ s. e, 
.■\ndrew Miller, e ' ' 



e. ' I sec. 7, June 17, 1823. 
e. '4 sec. 7, June 19,1821. 
'2 n. e. 'i sec. 7, Dec. 19,1821. 
s. w. Vi sec. 7..Iune 7, 1824. 
' I sec. 7, Nov. 25, 1825. 

4 sec. 7, I )ct. 28, 1829. 



\Vm. I.oxlcv, s. e. '4 sec. 8, Aug. 27, ls21. 
John Davis", s. w. '1 see. 8, March 23. 1822. 
Ezra llrown. e. ' , n. e. ' 1 sec. 8, Aug. 19, 1822. 
Asa L. Whitemore w. ' ; n. e. '4 sec. 8, Sept. 9. 1822. 
John C. .Martin, e. 'i u. w. '4 sec. 8. Dec. i:i, 1822. 
Townsend Reed. w. '; n. w. '4 sec. S, .Vug, 13, 1823. 
Thomas Hovd, w, '. sec, 9, Aug. 27. 1821. 
Valeulino liclicr. e. 'i sec. 9, Aug 27, 1821. 
Valentine Reber, n. w. H sec. 10. Aug. 27, 1821. 
Obadiah Hall. w. \4 n. e. »i sec. 10, Oct. 2. 1822. 
Thomas Hovd. e. '/■ n. e. V, sec. 10, Aug. 13. 1824. 
Samuel S. Clark, e. 'i s. e. 'i sec, 10, June 15, ls.3:l. 
Truman King w, }.f, s. e. \i and e. V.j s. w. ^i sec. 10, 

March 8. IS28. 
Zelophehart Owen, w. U s. w. '4 sec. Id, Dec. 31, 1827. 
Amos Hall e. }4 n. w. '4 sec. 11, Nov. 2, 182a. 
Lem. Haxton .vines, se. '4 n.e. K^ sec. II, Aug. 1,18.32. 
Thomas Uoyd, w. ^ n. w. '4 sec. 11. Aug. 13, 1824. 
James lloyd. w. I.; u. e. >4 sec. 11, July 4. 1829. 
Morgan Hall, e, y, n. e. '4 sec. 11, Oct. 17,1833. 
Frederick Cristine*, w. J^ n. e. \i sec. 11 (under act) 

Dec. 3, 1S2S. 
Samuel S, Clark, w, '/J s, w, "i sec, 11. June 1.5. 1k:13. 
Richard Freer, s. e. '4 3. w. '4 sec. 11. June4. 18:14. 
Frederick Cristine,* w. !i s. e. '4 sec. 11 (under act), 

Dec. 3,1828 
Elijah Ridgeley, w. ij s. e. 'i sec. 11. Aug. 24, 1829. 
Jacob Gciger. e. H s. e. '4 sec. 11, May 28, 18:)3. 
Samuel Ralston, e. \-i. n. e. '4 sec. 12, May 27, 18:13. 
Gilbert M. Ogden u.'w. '., n. e '4 sec. 12, May 20. 1834. 
Henrv Geiger, e. y. s. w. Vi and w. }.^ s. e. '4 sec. 12, 

.M'av 28, 18:13. 
Jacob (leigev, w. %a. w. V, sec. 12, May 28. 18.33. 
Jacob .Vdams, e, '/J s. e. Vj sec. 12, Nov. 13, 1833 
William Jones, w. •', n. w. '4 sec 12, Oct, II, 18S.3. 
Morgan Hall. s. e. ', n. w. '4 sec l:. Oct 17, 18:0. 
John .McClellan. w J^ s. e. ^4 and n. 0. Vi s. e. '4 sec. 

13, .May 14, 183:). 
Jacob Ilo.s.sler.s. e. S s. e. 'i sec. 13, Oct. 24 18.3.3. 
Jacob Troxell, n. }i ands. w. '4 sec. i:i, .May 15, 1833. 
John Smith, e. '2 n. e. Vi sec. 14, .'^pt. 16. Kll. 
George P. Truit, n. w. V, u. e. Vi sec, 14, Feb. 6, 1834. 
Jacob Depler, s. e. Vi s. w. Vi sec. 14. Dec. 3. 1832. 
James Hammond, n. e. ^4 s. w. Vi sec. 14, June 27, 

I8:i3. 
Jacob Depler. n. w. Vi s. w. Vi sec. 14, .-Vug. 9, 18:13. 
(ieorgc Sbatler, s. w. »4 n. e. Vi sec. 14, .May 15, I8:i4. 
GfOrge Muckley.s. w. Vi s. w. Vi sec. 14. Dec, 29, 1834. 
James Ilamiuoud, w.'i s. e, Vi sec. 14, Jan. 16, 1830. 
Jacob Troxell, e. ' j s, e. Vi sec. 14, May 29, ISi:i. 
George Smith King, n. w. V4 n. w. '4 sec. 14, Nov. 12, 

1S:!3. 
George Shaffer, n. e. ^.4 n. w. ^i sec. 14. May 15, 1834. 
David H. Hanks, s. 'j n. w. S sec. 14, Nov. 13. 1S3:1. 
David 11. Banks, s e. =4 n e. Vi and n. e. Vi s. e Vi sec. 

15, Oct. 9. 18:i3. 
Zelophehad Owen, n. e. \ n. e. Vi sec. 15. Nov. 29. 18:13. 
Nath. Ilainmoud, w. H n. e. U sec. 15. Jan. 16, 18;10. 
Thonia-s s. Cooley. e. ]4 a. w. Vi sec. 15. .Vug. B 1828. 
Edward Cooley, w. 14 n. w. Vi sec. 15. June 23. 1828. 
Isaac liiifoixl s. e. 'i's. e. Vi sec. 15. Dec. II, 18i:i. 
Samuel Hammond, w. l^ s. e. Vi sec. 15, Jan. 16, 1.S30. 
John S. .Smith, c, 'i s, »', ' i sec, 15, July 8. 1829, 
.Samuel Groce or Gross, n. w. Vi s, w, \ sec, 15, May 

28, 1832, 
Dr. James F'isher, s, w, V4 fr. s, w, Vi sec, 15, Sept. 17, 

18:15, 
School Kands. sec. 16. 

Valentine Reber, w. >i sec. 17, -Vug, 27. 1S21. 
Wm. Harmon, s, 0, ' i sec, 17. Aug. 27, 1821. 
.lohn Vallentine, n. e. Vi sec. 17, Nov. 14, I>*21. 
George Kimmell. s. e. Vj sec. 18, Aug. 27. 1821. 
Jacob >hatrer,s. w. 'i sec. Is, .Vug. 27, 1821. 
Daniel Beery, n. e. Vi sec. 18. .Vug. 28. 1.121. 
.lohn S2it/., e. 4 n. w. Vi sec. 18, .Vug. il. 1822. 
John .S?it/. w. 'i u. w. '1 sec. 18, Sept. 7, 1822. 
(ieori^e Kimmell, n. e Vt sec. 19, Aug. 27. 1B21. 
.lacob SbaMer, u, w, '1 .sec. 19, Aug. '27, IS21. 
Philip llrelz, e. J^.j s. w. 'i aud s. e. Vi sec 19, Aug. 27, 

1821. 



•ErioneouB entry. 



10G2 



APPENDIX: 



John Keller, w. U s. w. 'i sec. 19. Aug. 2/, 18-1. 
Lewis Seiiz, s. e. '4 and w. V^ n. w. 'i and e. is s. » . 

U sec. ao. Aug. 27, 1821. „, ,o,, 

Philip Bretz, w. V, s. w. '.i sec. 20, .A.ug. 27 IS21. 
Lewis :Seilz e. "2 n. w. Vi sec. 20, Aug. 2< 1821. 
Kudolph ICagy, n. e. '.i sec. 20, Oct. 4. 1821. 
Philip HreU, n. w. 4 sec. 21. Aug. 2i, 18-1. 
George Free. s. e. 'i sec. 21 Jan. 1. 182^. 
Henry Perkey, e. !4 n. e. 'i sec. 21, Oct. 22, 1823. 
Daniel BLsler, s. w. '.j sec. 21, Jan j^S l°'"i.„ 
Wm. Heagle w U n. e. '.i sec. 21, Oct 22 1S28. 
Benjamin Wright, c. \H s. e. '^, sec. 22, March 27 1833 
James Traill, w. >4 s. e. !.i and s. w. U n. e. !.i sec. 22, 

May 21, 1S33. , o . . .ooa 

James Traill, e >^ n w. Vi sec. 22, Sept. 4, 1830. 
Dr. James Fisher, w. ■; n. w. U and n. w. U s. w. '4 

Isaa^iKrd:'^ eSl^iJ'e. -. sec. 2i No,. 28. 183^ 
Samuel D. Spalding, n. w. > 1 n. e. hi and s. e. '.1 n e. 

■4 sec. 22. Sept. 10, 1834. 
John f. Hampton, s. w. '.i s. w. \^ sec 22, June 1 18..3. 
Wm. B. Smith, n. e. U s. w. I4 sec. 22, Sept. 8, I8J0. 
Thomas lioyer,s. e. ■.. s. w '., sec. 22. Nov. 7, 183.-,. 
Jacob Troxell, n. e. >.i sec. 23, May 29, 18.«. 
.lacobTroxell.s. e. '.isec. 2!, Sept.5, 18M. 
George Schweitzer, s. e. '.i s. w. 'i sec 21, Aug. 7, 1S34. 
Henry Krall, n. e. •„ n. w ', sec. 23, Feb. ^^. 1»3*- 
George Keyser, s. e. '1 n. w. ".i and u. e. '., s. w. ',» sec, 

Samtel'""HHmmond,w.'/jn.w.V.i sec 23 March 21,1831. 
Henry Tutavern, n. e. '4 sec. 24, Aug 13, 183.I. 
Henry Klahr, e. V: s. e. >.i, s. w. >43. e. 14 sec. 24, Aug. 

Wm.VVMaliey (or Mealia), n.w. I4 s. e. >.isec. 24, Feb. 

Josepl; Zanker, e. '4 s. w. ?.i sec. 24. Aug. 29 1833 

Frederick Mvei-s. n. w. 'i s. w. 1., sec. 24, Feb. 2^, 18M. 

•Tames Stiuchcomb, w. \i s. w. >4 sec 2t, .Tan. l.i. 1831. 

David Blosser, n. H n. w. '.4 sec. 24, June f. 183.'. 

Peter Hendricks, s. U n. w. '.i sec. 24, Sept. 9, 1833. 

George Hcabler or Rrebler, s. w. i* s. w. \.i sec. 24, 
May s. IS-i.i. , ,, ,„.,, ~ 

James Wilson, s. w. 'i sec. 2.-'. June l-». IS-^f 

Jonas Hossler, n. w. 'i sec. 25 ^ov 6. 18i3. 

Peter Troxel, n. c. '.1 sec. 2.5, Nov. 6, 1833. 

Adam Essig, s. c. ', sec. 26. Nov. 6, 18.«. 

Michael Lcightewilter, n. e. '4 sec. 26, Oct 1«, 1533. 

Jacob B. Funk, e. '4 s. e. '4 sec. 2b, April .., 11-34. 

Jacob Tro.vel. w. 1.4 s. e. '.i and e. 14 s. w. '., sec. 26, 

Mav '* lH^t4 
Heurv Funk, n. w. '4 sec. 26, Oct. 24, 1833 
John Ritter, w. ■/. s. w. 14 sec. 26, June 8,1829. 
Bartholomew Stout, e. ',4 n. e. >4 sec. ■''. ^v , q 1^3 
Bartholomew Stout, n. w. '.i n. e. >.i sec 27, Nov. 9, 1833. 
James Traill, s. w. ',, n. e. '4 sec. 27, May .X l83o. 
Isaac Clav. e. H n. w. '4 sec. 27, April 2o. 1834. 
David Biiler, w. Un. w. '.i sec. 27, March 18, 1828. 
John Ritter, e. >4 s. e. U sec. 27. June 8. 1829. 
George Beigh, w. M s. e. Vi sec. 27, Nov. 24 183o 
Chester B. Shurtleif, n. e. '.1 s.w. U sec. 27^ May 31.18 6. 
Nicholas Bixler, s. c. '.i s. w. '4 sec. 2i, Nov. 22, 1813 
Jacob and Joseph I{ittgers,w. '/j s.w. '4 sec. -1, Marcn 

John Bi*xl'er, e. M n. e. ^4 sec. 28, Dec. 21, 1829 
Christopher Perkey, w. >,4 n.e.'.i sec 28 Aug. 23, 1833. 
John Kinsell,e. '. n. w. '., sec. 2«. M»«' -''iifS. 
John Kinsell, w. ^4 n. w. ', se"- 2\pct. 2,, 1S27. 
Jama, rraill, w. ■= s. e. '.1 sec. 28. May 21, ll«.!. 
John liullabaugh, s. e. '.i s. e. >,, sec 28, March Is, 1834. 

Wm. (.lilt. n. e. 'i s. e. sec. 28, Aug. lo, 18-i4- 
John iv.rmau. e. '4 s. w. '.i sec. 28, Nov. 1, \ff ■ 

lilizabeth .Smith, w. '4 s. w. H sec. 28, heb. 22 1834. 
Jacob Itinchari, w. J4 n. w. I4 sec. 29, June 3 1822. 

I,ewis seitz, w. >. s. w. '.t sec. 29, Aug 2.), 182^. 

Solomon Miller, e. '4 s. w. '., sec. 29 Nov. T, 1833. 

Jacob Spitler, e. -i n. w. ', sec. 29, Feb -i, IB^S- 

Benjami.i Huddle, c. '/4 n. e. '4 =,<!?■ p,V'-'?J,y 

Jacob Spitler, w. ■- n. e. U sec. 29 Feb o 182J. 

Marv Smith, e. '4 s. e. '.i sec. 29, Nov. 7, ISS-i- 

Solomon Miller, w. '4 s. w. '.i sec. 29. Nov 7 1833. 

Jacob Huffman, n. e. 'i sec. iO. -^P"' 'Vfsi'? 

Jacob Spitler, e. '4 s. e. Hi see. 30, Aug 23, 1822. 

.lohn setiz (or Seitz), n. w. '.i sec. 30, Aug. 23. 1,822- 
Philip Urctz, w. >4 s. e. '.i sec. 30, March 4 18to. 
Philip Bretz, e. •= s. w. 'i sec. 30 July 2b. 1821, 
Philip Breiz. w. 14 s. w. V, sec.30, Aug 16, 18.8. 

Jacob Miller, e. ' , n. w. >., sec. 31. .Iiine o, 18^i. 
David Brelz w. ' , n w ' ; sec. 31, May 2s, 1~... 



Philip Bretz, n. e. 'i sec. 31, June 1, 1829. 
John Junk (or Funk),w. '4 s. e. '1 sec. 31, July 1, IS.%.. 
Noah Mussellmaa, e. '4 s. e. '.i sec. 31, Aug. 2 182b. 
Joseph Hall, e. 'i s. w. 'i sec. 31, sept. 24, 182J. 
David Bretz, w. M^. w. '4 sec. 31, Nov. .5, 18^9-., 
Noah Mussellman, w. U s. w U sec. 32, Aug. 2 1826. 
Jacob Webster, s. e. >i 3. w. '4 sec. 32, Sept. 17, 1833. 

Philip Henry Bouck, e. '. n.w. Ki and n. e. '.i s. w. i 

and w. 14 n. e. 'i sec. 32, Feb. 15, 1834. 
John Stuckey, s. e. '.i sec. 32, Oct. 21, 1S33. 
Jacob Spitler, w. '4 n. w. >, sec. 32, Nov. -, 1»;'-- 

John Rummell, n. e. 14 n. e. >,i sec. 33 Nov 12. 1S3^- 

Henry Youltz. s. e. '4 n. e. '4 ^eo. 33 June 2, 18.i4. 

Isaac Jackson, w. V. n. e. >4 sec. 33 >Iay 31 1834. 

John Lewis, e. \:. s. e. V, sec. 33, Oct. 12, 18.13. 

Adam Buckman or Burkman, w. V. s. e. "i sec. 33, Oct. 

Isaac Jackson, e. H ■>■ "• '-i 'ec. 33 May 31,1831 
Wm. Caughey, w. '4 O- w. '4 sec. 33, Dec. 2.5, 1833. 
John Crisinger. s. >4 s. w. '4 sec. 33 Oct. 14, 1833 
Samuel Crisinger, n. ■. s. w. I4 sec. 3.! Nov 4, 183„. 
John C. Hampton, w. V^ n. e. 4 sec. 34.183,). 
Joseph Mc( lelland, e. V4 n e. '4 sec. .34. Nov i!", 18" 
Ira G. Allen, s. e. '4 s. e. >4 and n. e. '4 s. e. '4 and » . 
■:-, s. e. '4 sec. 34. Nov. 12, 1833. 
, Josiali B. Bond w. U s. w. Vi sec. 34 Aug. 3 m3 
Daniel W. Clark, e. U s. w. ^ sec. 34, Nov. 5, 1833 
Rufus Cashner. e. \i Q. w. '4 sec. 34, .^ov. 2», 18.W. 
Heurv Youltz, w. '/, n. w. '4 sec. 34. June 2, 8.J4 
James Wilson, n. e. '4 n. e. >4 sec. 3?, J""e 14 lNi3 
George Berry, n. w. '4 n- e. >4 sec. .«, March lo, lb34. 
Joel Berry, s. "4 n. e. 14 sec. 3.i, Feb. '',18.-4. 
John Cook, n. w. '4 sec. 3.",, May 30, 1829. 
Henry Glick, e. u s. e. I4 sec. 3o, June 8, 1829. 
Heirs of Isaac Larimer, w. 'A s. e. "4 and s. w. \-, sec. 

35, June 2, 1829. 
James Wilson, n w. '4 n. w. '4 sec. 36, June 14, 1833. 
Henry Hossler.e '.. n. w. '4 sec. 36, J'"'«„^\,Vf-'„.,,„8 
Charles Durn or Dunn, s. w. U n. w. >4 stc .16, May28, 

1834 
Richard Watson. e. '4 s. w. '4 sec. 36, June 15, 1831. 
Henry Glick, w. '4 s- f. V, sec. 36, June 8, 1829. 
John Schooner, n e. '4 s. e. '4 sec 36, June 28, 1834. 
Philander Wilkenson, s. e. U s. e. '4 sec. 36, June -, 

Richard' Watson, w >4 s. e. U sec. 36 Jan. H, 1831. 
Henry Hossler, n. e. '4 sec. 36, April 3, l».i4. 



SCIPIO TOWNSHIP. 

TOWN 2 N., RANGE 16 E. 

Thomas Earl, w. U n. w '4 sec. 1, May 6. 1823- 
Stephen Balleit, Sam. HellTrich and Sol. Graff, e. >,- n. 

w. 1. sec. I.June 9, 1823. 
Miami & Dayton Canal, n e. V4 and w. H s. w. "^4 sec. 

John He'!er^*e.*''|s; e. ^4 and w. !4 s. e. '4 sec. 1, March 

Daniel .Maurer, e. '4 s. w. \^ seel, June 18, 1828 
Ledgyard Littlefield, w. -^ n. e.\ sec. 2 April 14,1823. 
Thomas Earl. e. ' .j n. e. '., sec. 2, May 6^ 1823. 
Balliet, Hellfrich & Graff, u w. -, sec 2, June .-. 1823. 
David Harpster, e. 'i s. e. '4 sec 2 June 18, 1828 
Miami & Dayton Canal, s. w. '4 and w. ': s.e. '4 sec. 

Ledgyard^'Littlefield, e. '; n. e. '4 fr. sec. 3, April 14, 

Ehphaiet B. Simmons, w. 4 n. e. 'i fr. sec. 3, Feb. 3, 

John Gready. n. pt. n. w. i.i sec. 3 Dec. 13, 1882. 
.lacob Aumend, s. pt n. w. I4 and n. w. '« s. w. 4 sec. 

3, Jan. 9. 1833. ., tt 1, «i ism 

Luke D. Stage, n. e. '4 s w. '4 sec •'. Jeb. 21, 1833. 
Daniel Rule, w. '4 s. e. '4 fr. sec 3. Aug. 18 IS-b. 
George R le, e. ■, s. e. '4 fr. sec. 3. J".»<= 1- 'f 7- ,,33 
Amol Wilcox, s. pt. s. e. fr. '•4 fr. sec. 3. AP''' l"' '»». 
Seneca Baker, n. pt. n. w. '4 and s. pt. n. w. ^^ sec. 4, 
Dec. 13 1832. , ... .„„ . 

John Gready, n. pt. n. e. '4 and 5. pt. n. e. '4 sec. *, 

Dec. 13. 1832. ^ , „ ■ Ton It 

Harman Henry Schabers, s. pt. s. w. m sec. 4, Jan. 10, 

John'Slnry Kluler, n. pt. s. w. \ f": .*■ •'«°- 1^' '*'^- 
.Tohn lireen. n. c. '4 s. e. V. sec. ■•. AP"' *• l"^' 
Wm. Blair, s. e. '1 s. c. V, sec. 4 April 2;i,18'«- 
Samuel Rule. w. • 4 s. e. '1 see. *• Ma> i. '8.13. 
Thomas .Starr, n. pt. 11. e. '4 sec. 6, Dec. 13, 183.. 



ORIGINAL LAND ENTUIES. 



10G3 



Jjicob Ncikirk, u. e. \i n. w. Vi sec. 5, Dpc. 20, 1832. 
,lohu RoUe. .Ir, w. ' j n. w. ^ t sec. r>, .\pril 15, I8;i3. 
Jacob Heigh, .s. c. 'i u. w. 'i sec. t>, Oct. 19, 1833. 
Matthias t'limmins, s. e. 'i sec. 5, Jan. '2, 1833. 
.lohu (.'timniins, s. e. '.i s. w. '.i sec. .">, April 19, 18:13. 
John Henrv Sberniaa, w. 'j s. w. 'i sec. o, April '22, 

1833. 
Philip Itei};h,n. o. >.i s. w. V^ sec. 5, Oct. 19, 1833. 
rani i 1>. Pecker, n. pt. s. w. '.i sec. ii. Dec. 13, 1832. 
Philip Beigh or Bight, s.pt. s. w. >i sec. G,. Ian. 16,1833. 
Daniel D. Decker, s. w. »,, n. w.>.i sec. (>, Dec. 20, 1832. 
Zachariah T:insey,e. pt. n. w. 'i sec. G. Jau.3, 1833. 
Thomas Strickliug, u. w. Vi n. w. '.i sec G, June 25, 

18;13. 
John Poets, s. pt. n. e. »i sec. G, Jan. 3, 1833. 
Daniel Martin, n. e. U n. e. Vi sec. 6, March 2G, 1833. 
James Cuiltligen, n. e. \i s. c. '.| sec. 6, May 6, 1833. 
Joseph Shaw, s. pt. s. e. \ and ii. w. >.| s. c. S sec. fi, 

May In, 18it3. 
Kvan Dorspv. s. e. '.i sec. 7, H^pt. 18, 1827. 
Thtmia Twid. n. e. h fr. sec. 7. July 14, 1828. 
Nathaniel Norris, s. w. >.4 Jr. sec. 7, July 14, 1828. 
Luianor Todd, e. S n. w. 'i sec. 7, Sept. 2i, 1828. 
Solomon Baltzelt, w. '3 n. w. '.j fr. sec. 7, Aug. T, 1828. 
Joseph Karl. s. w. 'i if. sec. 8, June IG. 1823. 
Williauj Smith s. e. ' i sec 8, March 22, \SH. 
Miami A Dayton Canal, n. e. '1 sec. 8, May 2;, 1828. 
I.ADce Lot. Todd. n. w. '.4 fr. sec. 8. Aug. IG, 1828. 
Benjamin CIcvinger, e. 'i s. e. U and w. 'i s. e. Vi sec 

9, Nov. _'5. ISii. 
Richard L. Hartwell, w. '4 s. w. i.i sec. 9, Sept. 4,1823. 
Levi (.rav, e. M 8- w. '.i and n. w. \i fr. sec O.June 

1.% 182-^. 
Miami A Daylon Canal, n. e. Vi sec. 9, May 24, 1828. 
Benjamin Clevenger. s. w. '1 sec 10. Nov. 2i, 1822. 
Benjamin Moore, e. '/. s. e. V| see. lo, Sept. 11, 1824. 
Frederick Hoad, w. '/s. e. Vj s-^c. 1", Jan. 15, 1825. 
Isaac Spaulding.e. 'i n. e. Vi sec. 10. Nov. 11.1826. 
Miami A Davton Canal, d. w. '4 and w. IJ n. e. 'i sec. 

lu, May 24, i828. 
Henry Roberts, s. w. '.i sec 11, March 24, 1824. 
<ieorge Spangle, n. w. 1,1 ande. 'j n. e. '.i sec. ll.Mav 

16, 18iS. 
I.ppenetus Hopkins, w. ' 3 n. c '.i sec 11. Mav 16, 1825. 
David Rule. w. '2 s. e. Vi sec. 11. May 30, 182G. 
Adam Meter, e. '4 ». e. >.i sec. 11, June 10, 1828. 
Nathan Chapman, w. |,^ n. w. >,i sec. 12. June 7, 1825. 
John Mittower, c 'j s. e. ^4 sec. 12. .Vug. 16, 1826. 
.John Helcr. c. 'i n. e. ' i sec 12, ^larch I, 1828. 
.lohu Deter, e. '2 »- w. \i see. 1/, March 3. 1828. 
.Adam Heter. w. 'z »■ w. '.j sec. 12, June tu, 1828. 
John Miiluwer, w. '; s. e. Vi sec 12, July 7, 182G. 
Ileurv Spangle, w. 'j u. e. '.j and e. ',- n. w. ».i sec. 12, 

July 7. 18-26. 
.lohu Ilindnuin.s. w. Vj sec. 13, June 11, 1823. 
Abram Bmndige, s. e. U and e. 'j n. e. U sec 13, Oct. 

27. 1824. 
.Miami »t Davton Canal, d. w. Vi and w. ',; n. e. Vj sec. 

V-i May 24, It28. 
Samuel Swickart<Swigart) n. e. '.1 sec 14, May 27,1823. 
Samuel Hindman, s. w. '.j sec. 14, June 11. 1823. 
Benjamin ( levenger. w. '- n. w. Vj st-c 14, Dec.3 1823. 
' ieorge Kree, s. e. ' 1 sec. 14, Jan. 19. 1824. 
Frederick Road. e. '- u. w. >4 sec. 14, July 7.1827. 
Miami A Daylon t'anal. n. e. >i* sec. 14, May 24, 1828. 
^ Matthew Karl, w. '- n. w. ^ t and e. '- n. w. S sec. 15, 
W April 28, l82a and Nov. 11, 18j4. 

Wui. Anwav, c. *a s. e. '-i and w. *2 s. e. ^.i sec. 15, 

July 7, r«i3. 
"' .-^aniuel Rule. e. 'i n. e. '-i sec. 15, May 30, 1826. 
Albright Rule, w. 'j »■ e. S sec 15. May ;». 1826. 
.SUwdl .Moore, w. >j 8. w. >, sec. 15. Oct. 6, 1826. 
Miami A Daylon Canal, e. '., n. w. V; sec. 15, May 24, 

School Lands, sec 16. 

Daniel seger, n. w. 'i sec. 17,.lunc 5. 1823. 

«ieo. Sterns, c. 'i sec. 17, June 15. 1825. 

Miami A Dayton Canal, s. w. V^ sec. 17, May 24, 1328. 

Johu Kagy, n. e. 'i sec. 18, Aug. 24, 1822. 

John Bibler. m. e. ', and e. 'j s. w. V; sec. 18, Aug. 24, 

IS_>?. and March 31, 1827. 
-lohn Wolf, e. ' J n. w. >,i sec. 18, Dec. 18, 1823. 
John 11 a)], w. 'i n. w. ij and w. ' j s.vr. '4 sec. 18, Oct. 

27j 182G. 
Miami A Dayton Canal, s. 'i and u. e. Vi and e. \i n. 

w. i.i 678.:t8 a. sec 19, May 24, 1828. 



Henry Kausey, w. 'j n. w. V^ sec 19, Feb. 7, 1828. 
Abraham Mcclain, e. '2 s. e. *.i sec 20, Oct. 19. 1822. 
Jehu Wright, w. '2 s. e. Vi sec. 20, Feb. 23, 1828. 
Miami A Dayton Canal, n. '^ and s. w. l^ sec. 20, Mav 
24, 1828. 

\Vm. Laughrey. e. '* s. w. Vi and w. % a. e. ^ sec. 21, 

July .1, \fi-2->. 
Wm. An way, e. 'i s. e. '1 sec 21, Aug. 15, 1822. 
.Abr. MO'luin, w. '^ a. w. >.j sec 21, Oct. 19, 1822. 
Miami A Daylon Canal, u. w. Vi sec 21, Mav 24. 1828. 
John Wright, e. ' > n. e. Vi sec 21, Apr. 14, 1823. 
Benj. Clevenger, Jr.. w.>2 n e.Vi sec. 21, June 3n, 1828. 
Wm. Anway. w.' > s. yr. Vi and w.ii a.e. '1 sec. 22, Aug. 

\fi, 1822, and July 7, 1823. 
John Anway, e '? s. e. *.i sec. 22. July 30. 1823. 
Adam llance, n. w. 'i sec. 22, Sept. 3o, 1822. 
John McClain n. e. 'i sec. 22, Oct. 10, 1822. 
Timothy P. Roberts, e. >^ s. w. Vi sec 22, Feb. 7, 1822. 
Joseph Burson, n. w. 'i sec. 23, Sept. 9, 1822 
Benj. Clevenger. n. e. >.i sec. 23, Nov. 26. 1822. 
Jol^n Hooper, 0. '2 s. w. '.i sec. 2.". Nov. 24, 1823. 
Edward Parce w. '^ s. w. Vi sec. 23, June ll, 1824. 
Benj. <'Ievenger, e. '4 s. e. Vi sec. 23, July 13, 1825, 
Hiram Smith, w. !j a. e. '^ sec. 23, March II. 1825. 
Joseph Bursou, n. w. 'i sec. 24, May 27, 1822. 
Sam Swickart, n. e. Vi sec. 24, May 27, 1822. 
Benj Clevenger. e. >2 s- w. V^ sec 24, Dec 14, 1824. 
John tiander, w. 'j s. w. '1 sec 24. Dec 14, 1824. 
Daniel W. Smith, s. e. >i sec. 24. June G. 1826 
/e^)baniali llaihaway, n. w. Vi sec. 25, May 23, 1825. 
Joseph Lapham, s. w" '.i sec. 25, June 6, 1826. 
Miami A Davton Canal, s. e. ^4 and e. ' j n.e. Vi sec. 25, 

May 24, 1828. 
Charles Fox. w. 'i n. e. Vi sec. 25, May 23, 1825. 
Lois Shearman, w. '2 n. w Vj sec. 26. July 7, 1823. 
.Tosiab Smith, w. U s. w. *.i sec. 26, June 11, i824. 
Zephauiah Hathaway, e. '2 n.e. Vi sec. 26, May 23,1825 
Wm. Smith, w. V.'. n.e. '1 and e. Va n. w. ^4 sec. 26, Nov. 

29 and :J0. 1825. 
Miami A Dayton Canal, w. l^ii s.e. U sec. 26, May 24. 

1828. 

Simon Jones, e. *2 s.e. Vi sec. 26, Dec. 21, 1826. 
Julius Smith, e. Vj s. w. Vi sec. 26, June 28, 1827. 
Wm. Anway, w J^ n. w. Vi sec. 27, Aug. 15, 18*22. 
Cathan Smith, w. V^ a. e. V^ and s. w. Vj sec. 27, June 

4. 1823. 
Lois Shearman, n. e. !.i and e. ' .. n.w. ».i sec 27, July 7. 

18-^3. 
.Tcsiah Smith, e. ' i s. e. Vi sec. 27, May 12, 1824. 
Wm. Anw.iy, e. '2 n. e. Vi sec. 28, Aug. 15, 1822. 
Daniel Bickford, e. 'j n. w. Vi sec 28. Oct. 18. 1822 
tieorge Free, w. '.. n. w. i^ sec. 28, Nov. 9, lt«22 
John Wright, w. «. n. e. Vi sec 2S, Apr. 14 1823. 
Kalban Smith, e. ' * 3. e. Vi sec. 28, June 4, 1823. 
Timothy P. Roberts, w. % s. w. Vi sec. 28, Oct. 5, 1825. 
Cbauncev Runnle, w.'J s. e. ^4 and e. Vi s. w.Vj sec. 28, 

Dec. 29. 1825. 
John Niesz, e. 'i n. w. Vi and w.»4 n- e. U sec. 29, Oct. 

18, 1.''22. 
Samuel Wisler, e. 'i n. e. Vi sec. 29, Oct. 18. 18J2. 
Joseph Osborn. s. c. ^4 and e. 's s.w. Vj sec 29, Oct. 15, 

1824. 
Wm. Moode, w. 14 a. w. Vi sec 29, Feb. 16, 18:^5. 
Henrv (Hick, w. H n. w. Vi sec. 29, Oct. 19. 1825. 
Robert Milligau. e. 'j s. w. Vi sec. 30, Apr. 23, 1824. 
Solomon Wuo4lring, w. '2 s. e. V^ sec. 30. Dec. 6, 18i4. 
Arch. Stewart and Thomas Clark, e. 'i s. e. Vi sec. 3^), 

March :n. 1^25. 
Nathan H. Hall, e. '2 n. c Vj sec. 30. May 18. 1825. 
Miami A Davton Canal, n. w. Vi and v. ■- n e. Vi sec. 

:{(», Mav 24, 1828. 
Henry Hall, w. " , s. w. Vt sec 30, Feb. 10, 1826. 
Morrison McMillan, w. '; s. w. Vi sec. 31. Aug. 19. 1822. 
George Mnrebart, e. S »■ e- 'i sec- 31, .\ug. 19, 1822. 
.lohn Hindman w. 'i .s. e. Vi sec. 31, June II, 1823. 
Daniel Lamberson, w. 'i n. w. Vj sec. 31, Dec. 1, 1824. 
Henry Hall. e. '; o. w. \ sec. 31, Dec fi 1824. 
James Beard, n. e. V| sec 31, May '2, 1^25. 
John H indman, e. '- s. w. V^ sec. 31, June II, 182.3. 
Michael !x>ng. s. w. >, sec. 32. Oct. 26, 1824. 
Nathan F. Dicks, w. '3 u. »». 'i sec 32. Oct. 27 1824. 
Andrew Moreharl.c. ' . n. w. Vi sec. 32, Apr. II, 1825. 
Marv Baker, e, ' ... n. e. ' 1 sec. 32, June ).">. tsil. 
Christian Mnrebart. e. ' j 9. e. Vj sec. 3'.:. Feb. 8, 1826. 
Isaac Wii>temati, w. 'i s. e. Vi sec 32^ June 4, 1828. 
John Mciollister, w. 'i n. w. Vi sec 3.', Dec. 31, 1827. 



'This was never recorded as patented and must be identical with Swigart's >i sec. 



1064 



APPENDIX: 



Mary Baker, w. '4 n. w. >.. sec. 33, ■'""'■} J- .J?^;'^.,, 
Nathan Kellogg, w. 4 n. e. ', ^<=?„«v »'''.>,-',':.|f ' 
Erastus Jones, e. -^ a. w. \ sec. •S?.M»y ■*'•."*-'•, 
.loseph Kistler, w. H s- w. '.1 sec. 33, ^'ay-\'' '"f „,. 
Miami i Uayton Canal, e. % s. w. '1 and s. e. '., sec. 

33, May 24, 1828. .,, m„. t> is-u 

(ieorge Duolap, w. 'i n. w. '., ^ec. 34, May 12, 18-4. 
Nathan Foster, e. V. n. w. ., sec. M > '.v '2, 1»^<- 
.losiah Smith, n. e. ',1 sec. 34. June n.U-i- 
Wm. Smith, s. e. U sec. 34, Oct. 10, 1»^'- 
Miami A Dayton Canal, s. w. U sec .i4, ^1*^ "■ l*^*' 
.losiah Smith, w. \^ n. w. >,i sec. 3r. June u, 1834. 
B. 1.. sec. 3.1, Jan 1, 182.1. 



i;eorge Free, s. e. •., sec. o.,, u-^. ., ■■--■■ 
.Julius Smith, e. '2 n. w. >., sec. ^^; ■'"' « j»' 'Viv 
(Jurden Octrey, e. 'i n e. >., sec. 3o Slay 17 H2,. 
Miami & Dayton Canal, w. ■• n. e. >.i sec. 3o, May 2^ 

Adara'Baker, s. w. >., sec. 35. Oct. 14 ISf- 
.lohn I lander, e. '. s. e. '.i sec. aS-.Dec. 5 182.x 
.lohn Chazey, w. '. n w. U .^f i-''';^';" Li*' ^'-'■ 
Asa Way, e. 'i n. w. '.i sec. •'6. *'=P'„l/''./ffo.,- 
Arch. Smith, w. '4 s. e. >* sec. 3b ^o^^ 2i,182.. 
Levin Culver, e. 'i s. w. '» sec. .«. »««;. 5. l"^^- 
.lohn liander, w. U 3. w. '4 sec. 30, Apr. 19, 1826. 
Miami 4 Dayton Canal, n. e. >.i sec. 3(,, May 24, 18-8 

ADAMS TOWNSHIP. 

TOWN 3 N. RANGE 10 E. 

Ueuben B. Phelps, n. e. >■ sec. 1, Oct. 13 1832. 
James .looes. e. k s.e. 'i sec. i. June ,, 183X 
Ezekicl Swarlhout, w. y.s. e. 'i sec^l, June , 183... 
Daniel Spade, e. !4 «■ «'. 'i sec. 1, Nov 21, 182, 
.lohn Sackr,iiler, w. '/, n. w. ' i sec. 1, Pec. 20, 182,. 
Elisha Bahcock, s. e. '» s. >v. >.i sec. '■ /»?; f%'S" 
William Hulsinger. w. ■, s. w. ',, sec. 1, Ma> 20, M3 
Elisha Bahcock, n. e. ■, s. w. '.i sec 1, ■'"'y f '• '8|> 
Cvrcnus Wright, e. 4 n. w. U sec. -y'''";!' I, 1823. 
Thomas Tallman, w. ■, n. w. '.i ^ec. •i.Mjy.'*': '.?,-*■ 
James T. Piercy, w. H ». e. ».i sec. 2, May 31 1823. 
John Craig, w. '-^ s. w. '.i sec 2, Nov. 2'. /S--'- 
Charles R. Selby, e. ]is w. 'i sec. 2 July 30, 1830. 
Jacob Cobel. e. '4 n. e. Ki sec. 2, Oc . 4 827 
Cvrenus Wright, w. ■. s. e. '.i sec. «. Aug. IJ, 183 ■ 
William Holsinger, e. 'i s. e.U sf,«- ^•,'Y''=' -"' ^ 
John Lee, s. e. Ir. ^i see. 3, May 31, lS-3 
Thomas Duunuch, w. li n. e. U sec! Ja?- 31. 18-1- 

^S^,r^f: hSII, VVtl'^'^r J^n^Sd) sec. 3, ^^ ,^^^_ ^^^ .^^ 

Wn^liqin^^Sm. e. pt. n. w. >„ 50.82 a. sec. 3, June ^^^^^^^^^.^l 'l ^Jt ^X ^- 



CharlVStby, Jr., e. V. n. e. U sec. 3. March 22. 1S2G. 
.lohn Oliver, e pt. s. w. U sec. 3. July 2,, 1820. 
Jonathan Botchford, n. pt. n. w. ', aud s. part n. «. 
1 1 sec. 3, Dec 29, 1S32, and Jan. l.i, 1833. 

Tr'i Phelus s l)t. s. w 1.1 sec. 3, May I, . 

Bartlett BroVn! s. pt.n e. '.» and n. part n. e. U 

Arthur st.'c^Beymer'.'e. K s- w. U ahd w. ■/« s. w. Vi 

Arth^ Jll'r5i^i^ w. ^,s.e. U -■ 4. !)-». '^^^^ 

David Sutton, n. e. '.i s. e. '.t sec. 4. Jan 4 lb.3.i. 

Ira Phelps, s. e U,s. e ^. sec. 4 May 1 18.13 .^ ^_. ^^ 

Ephraim Q;»»<!'y.-lr;. "• P'- ° ^I; , Vf , Dec 15 1832. Dec 1 ., Wi: 



Joseph UollU, w. pt. s. w. ^ sec. 6, Sept. 1, 1833. 

Solomon Kuder (or Kriderl.w. Hj- « '■» ^°tTJ^V^ 
w >i and e. pt. s. w. 'i sec. 7, and e. part n. w U 
r„d w. >2 n. w. 'i and e H ". e. U and w. ■/, n. e 

Wiiuim^mlth! w'^ ^e. -. anc^c. 'A n. w. -. and .. 

s.K^^^r'i^s;i^;,^^4^:JJ-«.?-H.^:^ 

.Samuel < Irav. w. "i s. e. ■ i and e. Vi s. e. >.i sec. 8, l>ec. 
Sjacob Nt'ikirk, e. M s. w. '.i and w. i^s. w. ^ sec. 8, 

Simeon Jennings, e. l< n. w. 4 sec 9, I^«=- !'• '»■*- 
Erastus Sheldon*, w. % a. e. 'i and e. !• n. e. Vi sec. 

, Ebene^r%uilhf2'^ s e. ^ and w. ^4 s. e. H and e. 

■ , s. w. >.i .sec. 9, Dec. 15, 1832. 
Wm. -Smith, w. '4 s. w. ', sec. 9, Dec 15 1832 ^ 
Edward Piper, w. « n. e. '1 sec. 10, March lu, 18-.. 
Israel Pcnrod.s e. '.sec. ». Ap"' i>, l«f-^- 
Enos Mead, e. pt. of s. >v >., sec 10 Ma> 26,182o. 
Joseph Todd,e. >/, n. e. 'i f^' '«•, J'»yJ' '^f^^s 
EuosMead, e. pt. of n. w. '.1 sec. 10, teb. 8, 18-fa. 
Simeon Jennings, S. lies., "• Pt- »/, "• ''■ '* and s. pt. 

ol n. w. 'i sec. 10, Dec. 15, 1832. , . „. , 

Jos. Howard, n. pt. of _s. w. U and s. pt. of s. «- ^.i 

Lyman Amsdeu.s. jrsec. 11, May 31 1823. 
James Campbell, w. -4 «■ e- '-i '««-•, /'iJ'f-,,'' Itfi- 
(ieorge Hossler, w. '4 n. w. U sec. 11, SfPt. 1 , 1831. 
Wm Hance. ■= n. w. >. sec. 11 Aug. 20, IS. u 
Koht. D. < aiuphell, n. e • , u. e '1 sec. II, Jan. 2, 1833. 
Thomas Swope, n. e: '.I sec. 14. June '.'»--^- ^, 
Daniel Jackson, w. 'i s. e. '.. and s. e. ■. s. e. V.i sec. 

. Dauiei jI^LoT^, n ' e. - . s. e. ^4 sec 12. June .5. .833. 
Jacob Hinc, Jr., e. H s e. '..sec. 13,bcpt 13, 18-7. 
Wm. Mvers, vv. %^.e. \ and e. ■, s. w. >, sec. 13, 
Jan.' and March 8, 1S24. m„„i, vi 1024 

■^Sam-l Hartsock, w. % s. «;. '. sec 13 March 1.M824. 
Aquilla (.ilbert, e. '/. n. e. U sec 13, "f i;! • ', igs, 
Daniel Whileman, w. U-n. e. \, sec. I .sept, o 1831_ 
Dauiei Whiteman e. '-n w. ' ' ff ■, ;V„V l'830 
David Sutt.m, w. k "■ «■• ' T, '. « -yii 
Joseph Jackson, u. e. > , sec H. .'"^ *;• '"'• 
John Stough, n. w. \, sec. 14, May • '• '^f^ 

. .lohn Paine, w. '4 s. e '.i seo^H'M-'rfJoV 12 18''7 
Samuel Whiteman, e. /, s. e. Vj sec. +.^^»'/^- H;- 
Ahram Zeamer, e. '4 s. w. '.j aud w. !, s ^r. >i sec. 14. 

April 2<. 1828, aud .Sept. I, '8-9. 
Benj. Pontius, u. e. 'i fr. sec. l.i, -M... ■-, -_- 
Ephriam Quimby, Jr., n. pt. of s. w. '.1 fr.sec. lo, Deo. 

W„.' Mj-^V;'. n. pt. of n. ,y. U fj- sec. 15^ Dec. R m2 
Benj. P.nuius, e. pt. of n. w. '.. fr. sec. la. May 18, 18-/. 
Ephriatu Quimby. Jr., s. pt. of n. vr. !ij sec. lo. Dec. 

Abriham'zea.ncr,e. Kse. '.. sec^ 15 Sept. 1, 1829. 
Benj. I'ontius, w. M s. e. '.» aud e. pt. of s. w. 1 sec. 

1.1, Mav 18 1827. „ ,„„„ 

Timothy Baker, s.pt. of sw.H sec. lo, Dec. 2, 1833. 
Orderedinlouiarket,sec. lb Aug.lU, IS.4 
Erastus Sheldon, w. "4 s. w. ',1 and e. 'i s. w. -., sec. 

17, Dec 14, 1832 



> u. w. 



\i and e. ! 4 "• *. '1 sec. 17, 



E!i:'XV^;'uoi;isin;s:^. n. -. ^ ^c 4, Dec l^ 183 
James A Watson, e. H s. e. U sec. 5. Dec. 1 4, I.S. 2. 
David Dorr : or Doiei.w. 'i s. e. >.i and e. K s. w. U sec, 

.5, Dec 2". 1832. - r, i.; u'li 

Nathan B. .V.la.ns, u pt. a w U sea 5 Dec 1.5^ 183-. 
Othias Miller, s. pt, n w. '., sec ■% Dec '5 '»'-, 

Charles R Sclby, w. 'A s. w. \ sec =, Dec. U. 83.. ■ - ^ .^^^^ ^ ^^ ^ 

William Thompson, n. w. >,i n, e, '4 aM s, pari n e. * _^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^.^ 

sec ,5. Dec, 2i>, 1832. , .. - r\.,t oiifl'i't Wm .Mvers e '-. u. e. '-i and 

D. Neilley;orNeeley).u.e...n^e..4sec 5 O ys.l8^ '' ■"Weru; , " 



DanW^N^^o^: e -4 s. e. .4. sec 17, l)ec U, m2. 
John H. Culbertson. w. '4 s e. U sec. 17 Dec 4, 183.. 
Hannah Jordan, vv '; u e. '4 sec 7. Dec. I.., 1832. 
Saniuel liray, e. '4 n. e. '4 sec. 17, Dec. 1.,, 18.1.. 
John Steincr, w. ',i s. e. >.i and e. 'i s. e. 4 sec 10, 
Dec. 1 1, IS32. ^ _ ,^ _^_^^ ^ pj ^f J ,„ ^ 



w. '4 n. e. Ut sec. 



18, 



D Xellley lor i\eeiej).u o.-i ". '".■»r-„ ,', ,0.,, 
Charles It Sclby, e '4 s e. '4 sec. 6, Dec. 14. 183-. 
Wimam tjuinnf w. J^s. e. '4 and e. part s. w. •, sec. 6, 

Nath'a'S R .-Jdams, n. pt. n. w. U and n. part n e. '4 

sec 0, Dec. 14, 1832. 
Mary Adams, s. pt. n. w. >4 sec 0. Dec 20 1832. 
John Zinmierman. s. H n. e \, nec^b, Marc h 8, 1833. 



Sam;^r.LJn;:r,% Pt- of n. w H sec 18^Feb yU833. 
Peter Vaunette, n. '.; n. w. '4 sec. 18, Oct. .1, I**'- 
Zalmon Bouse, e. '4 n. e. '4 and w. '■'. n. e. >4 5 see- 
Joseph CulhertsJ.n'! w. pt. of s. w. '4 and e. pt. of s. w. 
' . II sec. 19. Dee. 17, 1832. _ 



•Assigned to^Evau Dorscy, same date. 

+W 'lofsec 12 was selected as school lands under 
act May- 20, 1820, in lieuof Seciioa HI, the:, owned by 
Seneca Indians. 

JAssigned to Wm Myers. 



•Assigned to James Roblson and Edward Avery 
.Tan. 4, Is33. 
tAssigneil to John Myers Dec 1813. 
tAssiuniMl t,.J..hn J ,-lieuer D.c . I'.12 
Assigned to Hugh Culbertson, s^tiue date. 



ORIGINAL LAND ENTRIES. 



IO60 



Simeon Jenniugs, e. ' ■'. s. e. ' i and w. ' j »■ *■ ^i sec. 19, 

Dec. 17, IWJ. 
l«.ibclla Long. u. pt. n w. >.i sec. Ifl, .Inn n, 18.13. 
Tliomiis Tcnve, s. \^ n. w Vi sec. Hi, Feb. 12, 1833. 
W'm. .'^iiiitli, 0. ' . n. w. 'i and w. <• 0. v. '.i sec. 20, 

Pec. 17. l.s:v.'. 
fliarles McNnmec, w. 'i s. w. '.i sec. 20, Dec. 17. IS-IS. 
.lohn Newhoiise, s.e V, s w. '1 see 2ii, .Ian 3(i, 1833. 
Henjaiiiin Hiilander, n. e. S s. w. >,i and n. I2 s. e. ',1 

sec 21'. March 2.1. 1833. 
.Simeon .lenninKS. e. '4 n.e. Vi sce.20. Dec. 20. 1832. 
.loliri Heel>e. w ', n. u. 'i sec. 20. Dec. 21), 1832. 
Wra. Newhouse. s. w. ', «. e. 'i sec ^0, .Ian. 3(i, 18X5. 
Mclclioir Yolter, sNe. Vi s e. >.i sec. 20. March 2.5. 18^W. 
Hezor Kenton, w. 4 n. e. 'i sec. 21, Dec. 21. 1832. 
.Tabez .*\. H. Calkins, e. li, n e. Vi pec. 21, April 3, 18:l."l. 
Horace II. Hail, s. e. V, .si-c. 21. .Ian. 'zr,. is:)3. 
Elijah Halicoek, w. ' ._. n. w. '1 .sec. 21. .Ian. 20, 18.33. 
Benj. Williams, c. 's'n. w. >.i and n. *;;s. w. '.i sec. 21, 

.Ian. ■.«, 1833. 
Mclchnir Volter, s. w. >.i s. w. ' , sec. 21. .Ian. 2.5 1833. 
Hcnj. Bolandcr. s. e. '4 a. w. '< sec. 21, ,Tan. 25, 1833. 
.lohii Stotls. e '4 n. c. '1 tr. sec. 22, .June 24, 1823. 
Daniel Pontins.e. pr. of s. w. Vi and w. »j s. e. '4 fr. 

sec. 22. Slav IS, 1827. 
Wni. Mjers s.'pt. of s. w. '4 sec. 22. Dec. 17, 1832. 
.lacob >ietzgar. n. pt.of s. w. V, sec. 22, Marcll 2.'), 18;W. 
Timothy Balicr, n. pt. of n. '; sec. 22, Dec. 2, 1833. 
.lohn (ireirlierl, c. 'i n. e. '4 sec. 22. .Ian. 2fi. 18.30. '- 
.lohn (ireirhert. w. i- n. e. Vi see. 22, Sept. 8, 1829. 
,lacob Metzgar, n. w, fr. (old survey) and s.pt. d. w. 

fr.i, sec. 22, Mnv 25 18:«. 
llalliet, lielfrich & ('iraff, s. w. ', sec. i!, .lunc I'.l, l.<23. 
\Vni. ICIder e. '.Ui. e. '4 sec. 2:1, March 13, 18:;4. 
.Tohn I'aine, e. ■', 3. c. '4 sec. 23, Oct. 21, 183(5. 
.lacob Zeanier. w. '3 n. w. ^i sec. 23. Sept. 1. 182fi. ^ 
Sam'l Whiteman, w' l^ n. e. '4 sec. 23, .luly .5, 182C. 
.lohn Inirchiid. w. W s. e. V, sec. 23, Aug. 29, 1820. 
Sam'l Whiiiiian,e. "Un. w. '4 sec. 23. .Ian. 27, ls27. 
Sam'l Whitman, w. ti n. e. '4 sec. 24, Feb. 10. 1824 
.Sam'l Whitman, c. '/. n.w. ', sec. 24, Feb. 10, 1824. 
.\braha!n Uine, w. ' j' n. w. '4 sec '21. March 13, 1824. 
I.. ('. Stewart 0. ' .; s. w. '4 sec. 24, .lune 1.5, 182".. 
Thomas I^nj;will», w. 'i s.w.>i sec. '24, March 22, 1820. 
.lacoh Cobel, e. '. n. e. V, sec. 21 Oct. 4, 1822. 
.lohn Nt>el, s. e. *i s. e. Vi sec. 24, .lune 4, 1833. 
I,. ('. Stewart, n. e '4 s. e. '4 sec. 21, Oct. '28, 1833. 
Sam'l Whiteman, vr. ':, s. e '4 see. 2». Oct. 3, 1829. 
Isaac Tiavis ami Sol. G. Davis, e. '4 s. e. >,i sec. 2.5, 

Oct. 21.1823. 
Samuel F.ldcr. w. 'i s. e. '4 sec. 2.5,Scpt. 29, 1829. 
- John Noel, e. '/J n. e. 1.1 sec. 2.5, Dec. .5. 1828. 
.lohii Noel, 8. w. >4 n. e. ' , sec. 2.5, March II. 18.33. 
Henry orner. n. w. '1 n. e. '1 see. 2.5, Oct. 28, 18:«. 
.losial'i (iooding, s. w. '4 sec. 25. .May 28. 18:13. 
Fred'k < hrisiine, n. w. 'n* sec. a>, act of May 24, 18-28. 
Roliert Linn, vr. ', n. w. '4 sec. 2.\ .Ian. 31. 1S:'.1. 
Henry Orner. e. '.; n. w. V| sec. 2.5, .\»g. li',, 1831. 
Abrai'n Stotts, w. >s n. w. >4 sec. 2t;, .lune 24, 182:1. 
lohn Petticord, c. y. n. v. '4 sec. 2ti, Dec. 24. 1827. 
.lohn I'elticnnl, e. l{a. e '4 sec. '21;, April 8, 182.1. 
.Tos-ph Orner. w. '1 n. e. '4 sec. 26, .Vpril 13 1832. 
Daniel Pontius, s. w. "4 see. -20. Oct. 27, 183«. 
Klias.stoudt.s. e. '4 sec. 26, .lune 1.3.(18:13. 
Thos. .1. KIder. e. 'i n. e '4 fr. sec. 27, Nov. 8, 1830. 
Henry Metxttar. w. 54 n. e. '4 and n. w. fr. sec. 27, 

net. 24. 1831. 
Anthony Doyle, s. pt. of n. w. ' , sec. 27, Dec. 2G, 1832. 
Wm. Myers u. pt. of n. w. 1, .sec. 27, Dec. 25, 1832. 
.Sam'Hlraham. e ', s. e. '4 sec. 27, .lune 14, 18.32. 
lieorge W. Elder, w. ', s. e. '4 sec. 27, Feb. 8, 1831. 
Henry Metzgar, ». w. fr. of fr. sec. 27, Oct. 24, 1831. 
-Vnthonv Dovle. n. pt. of s. w. '4 sec. 27, .Tan. 2.18:13. 
.Adam Sletzg'ar,s. pt.of s. w. (r. '., fr. sec. 27, March 

2.5. i.'<;i;i. , 

.lames Ilovd. s. w. '4 and w. \i s. 0. *4 sec. 28. Jan- 2 

aud.5'l8:!3. 
Levi Dunham, e. % 9. e. '4 sec. '28. .lune 0, ls:i3. 
Wm. Mvers, n. e. Ki n. e. V., sec. 28, .Ian. 10, 18.^3 
1 orneliiis stage, Jr. s. c. '4 n. c. ^i sec. 2.8. Nov. 4,1833. 
Miih.-ul Kesilcr.Sr. v.'i n. e. '4 sec. 28. Nov. 21, 18;i:i. 
Thomas I ;amblo, s. ', n. w. '4 sec. 28, Jan. :iO. 18.33. 
David Pontius, n. w. ■„ d. w. '4 sec. 28, March 2.5,18:13. 
Michael Kestler, Sr. n.e. >* n.w. ^t sec. 28, No».21,1883. 



Thomas tiaiuble. s. 
James llobisoii, s. h 
Stephen V. Day, s. < 
Wm. Newhouso, n. 
David Pontius, u. e. 
Solomon Itergeman, 



, n. e. '4 sec. 29. Oct. 7, l.«;i:!. 

'4 sec. 29. Dec. 2(i, l.«:i2. 

'4 sec. 29, Dec. 211, 1S32. 
. y, n. e. '., sec. 29. Jan. 30, 183:1. 
'4 n. e. >., see. 29, March 2.5, 1833. 
', sec. -29. Feb. 1.5, 18;13. 



.Simeon Jennings, w. pt. n.w. -4 sec. 3!>. l>ec. 17.18:12. 
Samuel Rule, e. pt. n. w. >.| sec :io. Dec. 18. 18:12. 
I,. ('. Stone, w. 1, n. e. '4 tsec. :io, Dec 17. 1>3I. 
James Fisher, e. ' 1 n.e. *» sec. 30, Feb. 27. 18 :3. 
Daniel Rule, e. pt. s. w. Vi sec. :J0. Dec. 17, 18:12. 
t'has. McNainee. w. pt. s.w. '4t sec. 30, Dec. 18, 1832. 
Uriah Egbert, e. '. .s. e. '4 sec. 30, Dec. 19. 18.32. 
Christian Hensburg. w. 'c s. e. '4 sec. :J0, Dec. '2.5, 1832. 
Simeon Jennings, e. '- n. e. I4 sec. 31, Dee. 17, 1832. 
Christian h'ensburg,w. 'j n. e. '4 see. 31, Dec. 25, 18:12. 
Simeon Jennings,w. ',4 s. e. Vi and e. ',t s. e. ^4 sec. 31. 

Dec. in. 1.S32. 
Thomas Strickling. s. w. \t 8. w. '4 and e. pt. s. w. Vi 

sec. 31. July 4. 1833, and June 25, 1833. 
Earl Church, n. K n. w. V, sec. 31, Jan. 14, 18.33. 
Wm. -Mitchell, s. pt. n. w. >4 sec. 31, June 21, t8:«. 
Uriah Egbert, n. w. '.j s. w. ' ^ sec. 31. Jujie 4. 18:14, 
.Simeon Jennings, w. '» n. w. '.i and w. '<i s. e. '1 sec. 

32, Dec. 17, 1832. 
Jacob Peterson, n. e. Vi n. w. '4 sec. 32, May 1, 18:^1. 
David .McCrackeu, s. e. '4 n. w. "4 sec. .32, Oi t 28, 18:13. 
Philip Read, e. Us. e. '4 sec. 32. Dec. 17. 18:i2. 
Jacob Neikirk, e."i-.j 8. w. I4 and e. '« n. e. S' sec. 3*2, 

Dec 17 and IS, 1832. 
Simeon Jennings, w. U s. w. Vi sec. 32, I'ec. 20. 1S:J2. 
John II t ulbertson. w" '. n.e. '4 sec. 32, Dec. 17. 1832. 
Wm. Smith, p. U n. e. ', sec. 3.3, Dec. 17, 18:12. 
.lohn steiuer, w.'>^ n. w. I4 and \v. '/•■ n. e. '-i and e. ',•.. 

n.w. ' , sec. 33 Dec. 17, 18:12. 
Jacob Ncikirk. w. '« s. w. '4 (assigned to Jacob Roads) 

sec. 33. Dec. 18, 1832. 
John Duhm, s. e. '4 s w. >4 sec. :13, Feb. 9. 18:13. 
Melchoir Kalt. n. e. '4 s. w. "4 sec. 33, April 19, 1833. 
Conrad Happel, s. e. '4 sec. 33, Feb. 9, 1833. 
John Evans, c. 'v; s. e. '4 fr. sec. 34, June 44, 18.33. 
.Jonathan Sprague, w. V.i s. e. U and e. part s. w. S 

sec. :u, .Tune '24, 18.3i: 
J. liouker. n. part s. w. fr. Vi of fr. sec. 34. Jan. 9, 1833. 
John Ilouker. n. w. fr. '.^ of fr. sec. 34, Jan. 9, 1833. 
Conrad Happell, s. pt. s. w. fr. Vi of fr. sec. 34, Feb. 

9, \xa. 
Henry Spangle, w. \4 a. e. '1 fr. sec. 34, Aug. 16, 18211. 
Henrv Spangle, e. ptt n. w. '4 fr. sec. 34. Aug. 10, 18'26. 
Daniel Poniius. e. K n. c. ', fr. see. 34, May 18, 1827. 
Win. I'rink, e. ' ., s. e. >., sec. 35, Jan. 6, 182:1. 
Ledgvard Littletield, w. J-., s. e. Vi and c. ' .', s. w. '4 sec. 

35, April I4.18'23. 
Ditntel Saiger, e. % n. e. ^ see. 35, June 9, 1823. 
Francis Evans, w. */, s. w. ^4 sec. .35, June 24, 1823. 
Daniel Pontius, n. w. '4 sec. 35, Oct. 27, 1826. 
Daniel Poniius, w. '; n. e. Vi sec. :15, May 18, 1827. 
Wm. Friuk. w. u s. w. V, sec. 36, Jan. G, 1823. 
Balliet, Hellfrich A GratT, e. U s. w. '4 sec. :i6, June 5, 

18'23. 
Balliet. Hellfrich A OrafT, w. % a. e. '4 sec. .36, June S, 

18-23. 
Daniel Saiger. n. w. '4 sec. 36, June 9. 1823. 
.lohn (ico. Fender, e. ',i a. e. '4 sec. 36, Aug. 2.5, 18.32. 
John Geo. Fender, e. ' i n. e. '4 sec. 30, April 23, 183:1. 
Jos. Stephenson, Jr., w. % n. e. U sec. 36. Sept. 2, 18:10. 



VENICE TOWNSHIP. 

TOW.N" 1 N. RANGE 17 E. 

Miami A Dayton Canal, sec. 1, Act May 24, 18'28. 
Miami & Dayton Canal, sec. 2, Act May 24, 18-28. 
Frederick Onstine. n. e. Vi sec. 3, June 11, 18'29. 
Frederick Custines, n. ' 3 see. 3, Dec. 8. 18'2S. 
William Lung, e 'j n. w. '4 sec. 3, Jan. -24, 1831. 
Michael Sowerwine, w. >i n. w. ',1 sec. 3, May It',, 1832. 
Johnson Ford, e. U.s. e. '4 sec. .3, Oct. 8, 1828 
Wm. McPherson, w. * ^ s. e. >4 sec. 3, Nov. 6, 1S'>S. 
John Woollet,c. '.'. s. w. I4 sec. 3, Feb. 22, 18.30. 
John Woollet, w. f... s. w. V, sec. 3. Sept. 3, 1829. 
l-'rederick tJnstine, sec. 4. June '2.5, 18-29. 
Miami & Dayton Canal, e. k 9. w. I4 and e. ■;, n. w. 
•4, sec. 6, Act May 24, I8-i8. 



♦Erroneous entry. 

t.Xssigm-*! to Wm. Bears, same date. 

J.Vssigned ti» Joseph Culbcrt.-'on, same date. 



{Assigned to William Read, same date. 
^Erroneoiis entry. 



1066 



APPENDIX: 



Miami & Dayton Caual, sec. o Act May 24, 1828. ^ 
Seth Ueed, w. J-.; o. w. '.j sec. 6, Oct. ic, 1827. 
Miami A Davton Canal, seo. 7, Act May 24, i.:2S. 
Mjami .t I)ayton <';iual, w. ' o sec. 6, Act May 24, 1S2S. 
Columbus it'Saudusky Road", n. e. 'i and s e. U sec. 8. 
Columbus. <t Sandusky Road, sec. 9. 
Columbus A Saudusky Road, n. }-^ and e. ]/. s. e. >.i 

see. 10. 
William Sweitzer, w. Us. w. ^i see. 10, June 11, 1822. 
Byron Kilbourn, e. J-ii s. w. '.,. sec. 10. April 24. 1826. 
Orange Johujon, w. ^s. e. ^i sec. 10. .Nlarch iJl,l827. 
Thomas West, ». w. vfsec. li, July 28, IS2«. 
Miami &I>avtouCaual, s. t. ^j and n. J.; sec. 11, Act Mav 

28, 1828' 
Miami .t Dayton Canal, sec. 12, Act Mav 28, 1828. 
Miami .t Dayton Canal, sec 13. Act May 28, 1S2.8. 
Miami .^ Dayton Canal, sec 14. Act May 28, 3828. 
Orange Johnson, w. ]4ti. w. 'i see. 15, April 11, 182G. 
Orange .lohnson, e. ^'^"s w. Vi sec. 15, March 7, 1831. 
Joseph Stnughn, s. e. S sec. 15, Xov. 21, 1832. 
Hector Kilbourn, e. K n. w. U sec. 15. May 10, 1826. 
Joseph Pierce, w. ^ n. w. Vi sec. 15, July 28, 1828. 
Andrew Moore, n. e. ^-i sec. 15, .Tune 28. 1830. 
Martin Smelts, n. e. '.i sec. 17, Oct- 16. 1832. 
Martin Smylts. n. e. ^i s. e. ' i sec 17. March 22, 1S:J4. 
John Mfi'leHand, D. w. Vj s. e. 'i sec, 17, Jan. 27,1835. 
David Fulton, s. y, s. e. \i sec 17. Jan. 28. 1835. 
William Mcalio, n. % °- "'• 'i ^^C. 17, Oct. 4, '8-13. 
John Klin^,'mau.,s. 'j n. w. ^.^ sec. 17, May 12, 1834. 
George Hatuuiontree, e. 3-2 s- w. ^i see. 17, June S, 1835. 
Christian Kinimel, w. ^j s". w. >.i sec. 17. Aug. 26, 1834. 
Mathew Delaney, n. e. K^ n. e. Vi sec. 18. Oct. 14, 1833. 
Martin Smelts*, n. e. Vi n. e. ^i sec. 17, March 22, 1834. 
Francis obry, u. w. i.i n. e. Vi sec. 18. Sept. 18 1834. 
.lacob Kliugnian, s. w. '.i n. e. 'i sec IS, Jan. 15, 1835. 
Asa If. Trot>ridKe, s. w. Vj s. e. ^i and e. '« s. e. V^ sec. 

18, Oct. 21, 1833. 
.Tames Hanna, n. w. ^,i s. e. Vi sec. IS, Nov. 10, 1834. 
.lacob Hosier, n. w. \i sec. 18, Aug. 6. 1833. 
.lohn Christian Wurm,s.e.Vi n.e. ',tsec.l8, Jan. 18,1836. 
Jacob Funk, S- w. ' i sec. 18, Aug. 5, 1833. 
James Hanna, w. ' j n. e. '4 sec 19, Jap. 25, 1814. 
Columbus >k Sandusky Road, e. *^2 n- e. '4 and s. c '^ 

sec. 19. 
James Hanna, u. ' 2 n. w. Vi sec. 19, Nov. 8. 1833. 
John Clelland. s. 'j n. w. >.i sec 19. Nov. 12, 1833. 
John 8hanower, n. '.1 s. w. 'i sec. 19, Aug. 20, 1834. 
Henry Troxel. s. e. V, s. w. 'i sec 19, Nov. 11, 1834. 
Joseph Zund. s. w. \i s. w. iji sec. 19, Dec. 1-5. 1831. 
t'oluuibtis it Sandusky Road, sec 20. 
Columbus it Sanduskv Road, sec 21. 
Thomas Kettoh, Jr., s. e. 'a sec 22, April 10, 1833. 
John Shade, e. '2 u. w. 'i sec. 22. March 25, 1S33. 
John Shade, w. 'i n. w. '4 sec, 22, July 10. 1829. 
John Zimmermanfof Peteri.s.w.Vi sec. 22, April 16,1833. 
James McKibhon, n. e. \i n. e. '-i sec. 22, Nov. 2, 1833. 
Andrew Males, w, 1.; u. e. ^4 and s. e. Vi n. e. Vi sec. 22, 

Nov. 29, 1833. 
Thomas Kettch. w. y^s, w. >.i sec 23, April 10,1833. 
Orange Johnsonf, n.w. s.w. i.i sec. 5, T. 16, K. 17, May 

12, 1835. 
George Shaffer, e. 14'&. w. 1,1 sec. 23, April 11, 1834. 
Maurice Moore, e. % s. e. ^-i sec. 23, Oct. 29, 1833. 
Leander Kicknian, w. '4 s. e. Vi sec. 23, May 31. 1834. 
David Fulton, e. '2 n. w. '4 sec. 23, Nov. 4, 1833. 
James McKibbon, a. w. '.1 u. w. ^i sec 23, Nov. 2,18.33. 
George Lauck, s. w. 'i n. w. Vi sec 23, April 21, 1834. 
David Fulton, w. '; u. e. '1 sec 23, Nov. 4. 1833. 
Jacob Whiichurst and John AVhitchurst, e. 'i n. e. Vi 

sec. 23. Sept. 19, is:t4. 
Robert Huston, s, e. Vi sec. 24, May 20,1833, 
Tarlington B. Willoughbv, n. e. ^.i n. e. Vi sec. 24, Sept. 

28, is:;3. 
Jcr. Carpenter, s. e. Vi n. e. ^.i sec 24, March 19. 1835. 
John liigham, s. w. ^ n. e. H sec. 24. April 13, 1835. 
James Willibev, n. w. V^ n. e. ^4 and n, e. Vi n. w. Vi 

sec. 24, Nov. 4.1833. 
John Honnett, w. ' - n. w. Vi sec 24, Nov. 4, 18;i4. 
Nathan McBane. s. e. '.i n. w. ^i sec. 24 Dec. 19, 1834. 
Maurice Moore, w. '; s. w. 1, sec. 24, Oct. 29, 1833. 
FarliugionB.Willouchby,e.3^s.w.Visec.24,Feb.7,183i. 
James Burnisson. n. ).4sec. •£§, May 20, 18-33. 
David Kemp. Sr., u. e. >.i s. w. 'ii'and n. w. I4 s. e. 'i 

sec. 25. Jan. 1, 1834. 
Robert Smith, s. w. ^i s. e. Vi sec. 25, Jan. 18, 1834. 
Robert Smith, s. e. ^i s. e. '.1 sec 25, Dec. 16. 18.'M. 



Huckling Spencer, n. e. Vi s. e. '1 sec. 25, July 22,1835. 
Daniel Smith n. w. \i s. w. \i sec 25, Jan. 5, 18:{4. 
Samuel Carson, s. U s. w. ^.i sec 25. Sept. 11, 18-33. 
Jacob Link.n. w. Vjand w.'a n.e. ^4 sec. 2G,May a0,1833. 
Samuel Carson, s. e. '.i s. e. M sec. 26, Sept. 11,' 1834. 
David Hillis, s. w. '4 s. e. U sec 26, March G. 1834. 
I*eter Lampsou, s. e. Vi n. e. \i sec 26, Nov. 5, 18;i3. 
James P. Dowty, n. },^ s. e. U sec. 26, Nov. 24, 1834. 
lleurv Hersherer n."e. Vi u. e. ^4 sec. 26, Jan. 6, 1834. 
James McKibbin, Sr., s. w. Vi sec. 26, Nov. 16, 1833. 
Dauiel Smith, e. U u. e. 'i sec. 27. Oct. 27. 18:14. 
^Michael Oiistine, u. w. Vi n.e. >i sec 27, Nov. 7, 1833. 
Daniel Smith, s. w ^4 n. e, >4 sec 27, Oct. 27. 1834. 
James McKibben, Sr., s. e. Vi sec 27, Nov. 16, 183.3, 
Michael Onsiine, n. e. '4 n. w. V^ sec 27. Sept. 28, lg33. 
Michael '^instine, n. w. *i n. w. 'i sec. 27, Jan. 12,1839. 
John McKibbin, s. w, Vi and s. }4 n. w. '4 sec. 27, Nov. 

IG, 1833. 
Frederick Onstine.sec. 2.S. June 25. 1829. 
Eliaknn Crosby, w. J4 n w. '4 sec. 29. June 4, 1832. 
Samuel Robb, u. e. S'n. w. 'i sec. 29, Dec. 5. 1833. 
Samuel Taft, s, e. ^^ s. e. Vi sec. 29, July 6, 1833. 
John Armatage. u. e, >.i s. e. \i and w. V» s. e. *i sec. 

29, Dec. 11. 1833. 
Joseoh Dennis, w. '^ s. w. ^4 sec. 29, Nov. 12, 1833. 
Philip Falter, e. '^ s. w. 1.4 sec. 29, Feb. 22, 1834. 
John Snider, e. 'i u. e. ^4 sec 29, Nov, 14, 1833. 
l)avid .Snider, w. V2 n- e. '4 sec. 29, Nov. 14, 1833. 
Peter Riueheimer,s.e. *4 n. w. V^ sec. 29, March 11,1834. 
David Snider, e. '4 n. e. \i sec. 30, Nov. 14, 1833. 
John Spoonseller, w. > j u. e. Vj sec. 30, Aug. 26. 1834. 
S. Rennage, w. 'i s. e. '4 and e. 'i s.w. '4 sec 30, Nov. 

12, 18.33. 
.Tos. Dennis, e. '^ s. e. '4 sec. .30, Nov. 12.1833. 
.lohn Sroouseller. n. w. ^4 sec 30, May 28, 1834. 
Michael Kocker, n. w. 1.1 s. w. \i sec 30, Oct. 24, 1835. 
MiehaelKocker, s. w. 'j s.w. ^ sec 30, April 18, 18 4. 
Columbus & Sandusky Road. sees. 31, 32 and 33. 
Jos. Myers, n. e. >i sec 31. Oct. 28.1813. 
.lohn liouse, s. e. '.i sec 34, Nov. 9, 183 (. 
James House, e. 'j n. w. '.i sec. 34, Nov. 9, 1S:J3. 
James House, w. '2 o. w. ^4 sec. 34. Nov, 7, 1833. 
John Foster, n. '4 s. w. Vi sec. 34, Feb. 17, 1834. 
Klijah M. Sautee. s. '4 s. w. >., sec 34. Nov. 8. 1834. 
Saml. Carson, n. e. Vi n. e. Vi sec 35. Sept. 11, is:i3. 
>iichaet Mowry. s. e. ^t "• «■ ^i sec. 3.5. .Vug. 19. 18J5. 
Jacob Smith, w. }4 "- «■ 'i sec. .35, March 8. 18 J4. 
('harles Flack, s. e. '4 sec. :io. July 10, IS35. 
Abijab Ives. n. w. '4 sec. .35. .Tan. 1, 18^4. 
Sam'i Morrison, n. •■> s. w. Vi sec 3.^. March 4, 1834. 
Anthony McQueen, s. ».i s. w. >4 sec 35. June 16. 1855. 
David Kemp. ,Ir., w. ' i n. e. Vj sec 36, Jan. 1,1834. 
Cabel Carpenter, e. '; n.e. S sec. 36. Sept. 10. ISiS. 
Wm. Kemp, s. e. fr. '4 fr. sec. .36, Jan, 8. 1834. 
Sa.u'l Carson, n. w. '4 sec. 36. Sept. 11. 1831. 
Michael Mowry, s. w. fr. '4 fr. sec 36. March 8. 18.34. 



REED TOWNSHIP. 

TOWN 2 jr. BAMOH 17 K. 

Daniel Zeperuick, a. e. U sec. 1, June 8, 1829. 
Wm. Lewi.-* Burge. e. 'i n. w. V; sec 1. Jan. 7. 18^2. 
Thos. ViiD Kirk, w. '; n. w. ', sec 1. April 12, 1331. 
•los. Reed, e. 'j s. e. '4 sec 1, March 2. 1829. 
Augustus Cook. w. ' j s. e. '4 sec I, March 15, 1830. 
Henry <iray Richland, e. 'jsw.Visec l,Sept.l7,l830. 
Isaac Vail w. ' . s. w. Vi sec. 1. Julv :\ 1830. 
Daniel Vail, n. e. '1 sec. 2, Nov. 26, 1831. 
John Hines, e. '3 n.w. '4 sec. 2, Aug 6, 1832. 
John Boyd, w. >; n. w. >.v sec ^, Sept. 10, 18:U. 
Isaac Vuil. s. e. Vi sec 2, July 3, 1830. 
Reuben S. Hall, s. w. Vj sec. 2, Sept. .30. 1830. 
.lacob Vail. u. e. '4 sec 3, Mav 18. 1832. 
Jacob Zellars, n. w. 14 sec 3, May,28. 1831. 
Peter Eckley. e. '2 s. e. Vi sec 3. June 9, 1831. 
I'erry <ole. w. f ; s.e. ^4 sec. 3, Sept. 14. 1831. 
John Emery, e. '» s. w. I4 sec. 3, Oct 27, 18;i2. 
.lacob Zellar. w. U s. w. 'i sec 3, June S, 18U. 
.Tacob Zellar. n. ' j sec 4. June 8. lt'31. 
Jacob Zellar, s. e. % sec 4. June 8, 1831. 
Hiram A Root. e. >i s. w. Vi sec 4. Oct. 12. 1832. 
John W. Root w. %s. w. \i sec. 4. Oct. 12, 1832. 
Miami A D.ayion Canal, sec. 5, Act May 21, 1828. 
Benj. Moor. w. 'i n. e. Vi sec. 6, Dec. 4, 1«26. 
Catharine Beard, e. M n. e. Vi sec. 6, June 8, 1827. 



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